Patella Brace Pad Structure for Impact Dispersion and Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patella braces with shock-absorbing pads concentrate impact forces, leading to deformation, stress concentration, and discomfort due to foreign body feeling, reducing their effectiveness in protecting the knee.
Innovation Solution
A patella brace with a strap, pad, and chip design where the pad features concave surfaces and a chip that emits far-infrared rays to disperse impact forces and promote blood circulation, enhancing comfort and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional shock-absorbing pad in the form of a strip or long plate is used, then the pad can cover a large area of the knee, but the impact force becomes concentrated on the pad causing deformation and stress concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is divided into multiple independent cushioning units (first, second, third cushioning units) arranged in parallel. Each unit independently absorbs impact forces, distributing the stress across multiple segments rather than concentrating it on a single continuous pad structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning units are designed with curved or rounded shapes rather than straight angular forms. This curvature allows for more uniform distribution of impact forces across the surface area of each unit, reducing stress concentration points while maintaining adequate coverage area.
2Device complexity
If a conventional shock-absorbing pad is used, then the pad structure is simple, but the wearer feels discomfort due to foreign body feeling
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is segmented into multiple independent cushioning units that can move and deform independently. This segmentation reduces the foreign body feeling by allowing the pad to conform more naturally to knee movements, improving comfort while maintaining relatively simple individual unit structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning units are designed to be dynamic rather than rigid, allowing them to deform and adapt to the wearer's movements. This dynamic behavior reduces the sensation of a foreign body and improves comfort during activity.
3Strength
If the pad deforms under impact force, then the pad can absorb shock, but the effectiveness of the product is greatly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is divided into multiple independent cushioning units that each absorb impact forces separately. This segmentation prevents excessive deformation of any single unit, maintaining the structural integrity and effectiveness of the overall pad system while still providing shock absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved design of the cushioning units allows for more uniform stress distribution during impact, enabling effective shock absorption while minimizing permanent deformation and maintaining product reliability over repeated use.
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 brace effectively disperses impact forces, reduces discomfort, and enhances blood circulation, improving injury prevention and pain relief by stabilizing the patella and promoting metabolic activity.
Implementation Method 1
the chip emits far-infrared rays, and the thermal reaction increases the subcutaneous temperature, thereby promoting the expansion of capillaries in the tendons or ligaments on both sides of the patella and accelerating blood circulation
Data Source
AI summary
A patella brace having a chip is disclosed. The patella brace includes a strap, a pad and a chip. The strap has two ends each provided with a buckle. A hook-and-loop strap is insertedly connected to the buckles at the two ends of the strap. The pad is disposed in the strap. The pad has an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least one side surface. A support part is integrally formed with a middle portion of the upper surface. The side surface of the pad and a top surface and a side surface of the support part are concave surfaces. When in use, they are attached to and brace the patella for protecting the patella. A raised portion is provided on either end of the upper surface. A recess is formed on either end of the lower surface. The chip is disposed in the recess of the pad.