Ankle Foot Orthotic Boot Concealment Flap Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthotic devices for foot drop syndrome do not effectively conceal the ankle foot orthotic from observers, potentially affecting user confidence and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A boot design with a flap that can be opened for easy wear and closed to conceal an integrated ankle foot orthotic, featuring a zipper-like fastening system covered by a flap to hide the fasteners, providing both functionality and style.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ankle foot orthotic is integrated into the boot to provide support for foot drop syndrome, then the therapeutic function is improved, but the aesthetic appearance and user confidence deteriorate due to the visible orthotic device
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle foot orthotic device is nested inside the boot structure, with the orthotic's rigid shell positioned within the boot's interior space. This nesting allows the therapeutic orthotic to be concealed by the boot's outer appearance, resolving the contradiction between providing visible therapeutic support and maintaining aesthetic appearance.
2Shape
If the boot is designed with a closed structure to conceal the orthotic device, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the ease of wearing and removing the boot deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is segmented into multiple components including a front opening, a flap with zipper closure, and an ankle opening. This segmentation allows the boot to maintain a closed, aesthetic appearance when worn while providing multiple access points for easy donning and doffing, resolving the contradiction between concealment and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A zipper mechanism serves as an intermediary element that allows the flap to be easily opened and closed. This intermediary fastening system enables quick access to the boot interior for wearing and removing while maintaining the aesthetic closed appearance when the flap is zipped shut.
3Shape
If the boot has a traditional closed design to conceal fasteners, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the ease of opening and closing the boot deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The zipper acts as an intermediary fastening mechanism that provides both aesthetic concealment and operational ease. When closed, the zipper is hidden beneath the flap maintaining a clean aesthetic appearance. When needed, the zipper allows quick and easy opening of the flap for accessing the boot interior, resolving the contradiction between concealed fasteners and ease of opening.
Data Source
AI summary
An ankle foot orthotic assembly for concealing an ankle foot orthotic worn by a user includes a boot that can be worn on a user's foot having the boot extending upwardly on the user's lower leg. The boot has a flap is integrated therein and the flap is positionable in an open position to enhance the user's ability to position their foot and lower leg into the boot. An ankle foot orthotic is integrated into the boot to engage the user's lower leg and the user's foot thereby facilitating the ankle foot orthotic to aid with foot drop syndrome in the user. Moreover, the ankle foot orthotic is positioned inside the boot thereby facilitating the ankle foot to be concealed from observers thereby enhancing the user's self-confidence.