Orthopedic Joint Spacer with Protruding Stop for Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of orthopedic device joints is complicated due to limited space and poor accessibility, making it difficult to position and fix spacer elements, which are necessary to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and prevent articulating arms from bearing against each other.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating spacer elements with a stop that prevents them from being completely accommodated in the recess, allowing for manual or tool-assisted positioning and fixation, and designing the spacer elements to protrude from the recess for easy insertion of connecting elements, while ensuring they do not rotate inadvertently during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the spacer element is completely accommodated in the recess during assembly, then the joint structure is compact, but the positioning and fixation of the spacer element becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer element is pre-equipped with a stop feature that protrudes from the recess, allowing the assembler to visually identify and manually position the spacer element before final assembly. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the time-consuming search and adjustment process that would otherwise be required for a completely recessed spacer element.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop on the spacer element serves as an intermediary feature that mediates between the need for compactness and the need for ease of assembly. It provides a tangible reference point that facilitates positioning without preventing the spacer element from being largely accommodated in the recess.
2Ease of operation
If the spacer element protrudes from the recess, then positioning and fixation are easier, but the joint structure becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer element exhibits local quality by having most of its body accommodated in the recess for compactness, while only a small stop feature protrudes. This localized protrusion provides the necessary ease of positioning and fixation without significantly increasing the overall volume or compromising the compact appearance of the joint structure.
3Shape
If the spacer element is not visible during assembly, then the joint appearance is cleaner, but the spacer element cannot be easily positioned or fixed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely hiding the spacer element in the recess, the design applies partial visibility by allowing a small stop feature to protrude. This excessive action of slight protrusion provides sufficient visual and manual access for easy positioning and fixation, while maintaining a predominantly clean appearance with the majority of the spacer element recessed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual positioning of the spacer element is required, then assembly flexibility is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop on the spacer element enables self-service positioning by providing a natural stop point that guides the spacer element into the correct position during manual insertion. This self-guiding feature reduces the need for complex alignment procedures or specialized tools, allowing flexible manual positioning to occur quickly and intuitively.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a joint (1) for an orthopaedic device, which comprises a first joint arm (2) with a recess (10), a second joint arm (4) that projects into said recess and is connected therein to the first joint arm so as to pivot about a pivot axis (6), and at least one spacing element (14) that is arranged inside the recess between the first joint arm and the second joint arm and through which the pivot axis runs, wherein the at least one spacing element is accessible from outside, and particularly projects out of the recess.