Prosthesis Energy Storage With Soft Unidirectional Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active prostheses and orthoses face challenges with high power consumption, excessive weight, complex structures, and discomfort due to discrete locking mechanisms, limiting their ability to adapt to various terrains and user comfort.
Innovation Solution
A unidirectional locking system with a slider and priming system allows for energy storage and release, featuring a simple, compact, and adjustable design that switches between states to store mechanical energy efficiently, reducing power consumption and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gear wheel based locking mechanisms are used, then discrete locking positions are achieved, but user comfort deteriorates due to sudden locking and limited locking positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gear wheel and pawl mechanical locking system with a friction-based braking system. The braking element presses against the rotating element to create friction, enabling continuous positioning without discrete locking positions. This substitution eliminates sudden locking sensations and provides smooth, continuous adjustment throughout the range of motion, significantly improving user comfort while maintaining reliable energy storage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex clutch mechanisms are used for dynamic angle engagement, then adaptive terrain capability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability through a priming system that can transition the braking element between engaged and disengaged states, allowing the parallel spring to dynamically engage or disengage based on gait phase and terrain conditions. This dynamic capability enables the device to adapt to different terrains and user needs without requiring complex coaxial clutches, maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility.
3Ease of operation
If parallel spring is engaged above fixed angular threshold, then swing phase motion is not impeded, but elastic energy storage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fixed angular threshold engagement with a dynamic priming system that controls when the parallel spring becomes active. The priming system can engage the spring early in the stance phase based on real-time detection of gait phase and terrain conditions, maximizing elastic energy storage while ensuring the spring disengages appropriately during swing phase. This dynamic control allows optimal energy capture without compromising swing phase freedom.
4Reliability
If locking mechanism is locked, then energy storage is maintained, but energy storage becomes impossible when unlocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the binary locked/unlocked state of traditional locking mechanisms with a continuous friction-based braking system. The braking element can maintain variable friction forces to hold the carriage at any position along its travel path, enabling stable energy storage without discrete locking positions. This continuous control eliminates the need for complex locking and unlocking sequences while maintaining reliable energy storage throughout the gait cycle.
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 solution provides high mechanical performance with reduced power consumption, a lightweight structure, and enhanced user comfort by enabling soft locking at any position, allowing for efficient energy storage and release.
Implementation Method 1
A carriage (103) connected to at least one elastic element (104), each elastic element being configured to store energy
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~4e
AI summary
ELASTIC ENERGY STORING FOR PROSTHESIS OR ORTHOSIS The present invention relates to the field of energy storing and releasing for use in a prosthesis or orthosis, and comprises a unidirectional locking system enabling storage of energy in one direction.