Multi-Stage Air Pressure Valve for Prosthesis Cylinder
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air cylinders for prosthetic joints require frequent adjustments to adapt to different walking speeds, leading to potential user discomfort, injury, and increased maintenance due to their inability to automatically adjust cushioning force according to varying motion speeds.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage air pressure valve with a simple structure, comprising a first and second component, sealing rings, and an elastic piece, which automatically adjusts gas flow rate based on compressing force, allowing for different cushioning stages without user intervention, ensuring comfort and operability across various walking speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional air cylinder with fixed cushioning force is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different walking speeds and requires replacement with multiple cylinders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the air cylinder's cushioning force automatically adjustable based on operating conditions. The air pressure within the cylinder dynamically changes in response to piston movement speed and external forces, allowing the same cylinder to adapt to different walking speeds without requiring structural complexity or multiple components. This resolves the contradiction by enabling adaptability through dynamic physical behavior rather than static design modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing the air pressure and cushioning force to vary continuously based on the piston's position and movement characteristics. As the piston moves, the air compression ratio and pressure change automatically, providing different cushioning levels for different walking speeds. This approach maintains structural simplicity while achieving versatility through parameter variation driven by operational conditions.
2Extent of automation
If an air cylinder with stepped adjustment device is used, then it can respond to changes in environment, but the user still needs to actively adjust the device whenever walking speed is changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing an air cylinder that automatically adjusts its cushioning force without user intervention. The system uses the piston's own movement and the compressibility of air to automatically regulate pressure and cushioning characteristics. This eliminates the need for manual adjustment mechanisms and user actions, fully resolving the contradiction between automation and ease of operation by making the system self-regulating based on physical principles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback through the inherent mechanical feedback loop where piston movement directly influences air compression, which in turn affects cushioning force that opposes further piston movement. This continuous feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically respond to changes in loading conditions and walking speed, achieving high automation while maintaining simplicity in user interaction.
3Reliability
If wrong cushioning mode is set, then it may cause damage to the cushioning air cylinder, but manual adjustment systems are prone to incorrect settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the risk of incorrect settings by removing manual adjustment mechanisms entirely. The air cylinder automatically regulates its cushioning force based on the piston's movement and air compressibility, ensuring operation within safe parameters without user intervention. This self-regulating approach enhances reliability by preventing wrong settings while maintaining structural simplicity, as no adjustment mechanisms are present to fail or be misconfigured.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates beforehand cushioning by designing the air cylinder to inherently provide appropriate cushioning force for any given operating condition before damage or incorrect operation can occur. The compressible air acts as a built-in protective mechanism that automatically adjusts to prevent excessive forces or improper operation, ensuring reliability without requiring complex protective mechanisms or adjustment systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustment-free multi-stage prosthesis air cylinder provides comfortable and efficient cushioning by automatically adjusting gas flow rates, reducing the need for user adjustments and minimizing maintenance, while maintaining a simple and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic piece, wherein the elastic piece connects the first component with the second component
Implementation Method 2
The air cylinder is a structure which controls air pressure by using the piston's stretch-out and draw-back. It has characteristics of accepting accumulation of pressures and automatically returning after removing of external forces due to the compressibility of air pressure.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
An adjustment-free multi-stage prosthesis air cylinder comprises an air cylinder body (2), a piston (3), a first check valve (4) and a multi-stage air pressure valve (1). The inner of the air cylinder body forms an air chamber (21) and a lower air way (22). One end of the piston is slidably disposed in the air chamber and divides the air chamber into an upper air chamber (211) and a lower air chamber (212), the other end of the piston extends to the outside; the inner of the piston forms an upper air way (31) which is communicated with the outside and the upper air chamber, while the lower air way is communicated with the lower air chamber. The piston makes a reciprocating movement in the air chamber, and the first check valve is disposed in the piston to optionally connect the upper air way with the lower air way. The multi-stage air pressure valve is disposed in the lower air way. With the arrangement of the multi-stage air pressure valve, the users can easily obtain different walking speeds without changing the air cylinder or setting the operational mode.