Multi-Axis Pedal Unit for Ankle Supination and Pronation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lower limb exercise equipment, such as foot-pedaling devices, fail to achieve supination and pronation movements of the ankle joint during exercise, which are essential for improving ankle flexibility and stability.
Innovation Solution
The equipment is designed with a pair of pedal units that include a step part, a base part, and a joint part allowing for pitch, roll, and yaw turns, enabling supination and pronation movements through a configuration with a roll joint, pitch joint, and yaw joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing lower limb exercise equipment is used, then the exercise can be performed, but supination and pronation movements of the ankle joint cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The joint part is segmented into three independent rotational degrees of freedom: pitch joint (dorsiflexion/plantarflexion), roll joint (inversion/eversion), and yaw joint (internal/external rotation). This segmentation enables the pedal unit to reproduce complex ankle movements including supination and pronation while maintaining modular construction that manages complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint part is designed with dynamic multi-axis rotational capability rather than fixed single-axis movement. The pitch, roll, and yaw joints allow the pedal unit to adapt its movement trajectory dynamically, enabling faithful reproduction of natural ankle joint kinematics during exercise.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a joint part with pitch, roll, and yaw turns is added, then supination and pronation can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex joint part is divided into three independent rotational joints (pitch, roll, yaw) that can be designed and manufactured separately. Each joint handles a specific degree of freedom, making the overall complex function manageable through modular design and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint part design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables pitch movement for dorsiflexion/plantarflexion, roll movement for inversion/eversion, and yaw movement for internal/external rotation. This multi-functionality achieves comprehensive ankle joint reproduction without requiring separate mechanisms for each movement type.
3Ease of operation
If the step part is made detachable with snap-fit cleat, then ease of attachment and detachment is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal unit is segmented into detachable components: the step part can be separated from the base part via the cleat mechanism. This segmentation enables easy attachment and detachment while allowing each component to be manufactured independently with standardized tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit cleat mechanism is designed to self-align and self-lock when the step part is attached to the base part. The geometric features of the cleat and corresponding receptacle guide the components into proper alignment automatically, reducing the need for high-precision manual assembly while ensuring reliable connection.
Data Source
AI summary
Supination and pronation of an ankle joint during a lower limb exercise is achieved. A foot-pedaling exercise equipment as a lower limb exercise equipment is a lower limb exercise equipment that enables a lower limb exercise to be performed using a pair of pedal units. Each of pedal units includes: a step part on which a corresponding foot part can be put; a base part; and a joint part that is provided between the step part and the base part and couples the step part to the base part in such a way that the step part can do a pitch turn, a roll turn, and a yaw turn with respect to the base part.