Prosthetic Ball Handling Structure with Retention Cavity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional prosthetic devices fail to effectively handle balls, as they do not allow for the retention and release of balls without additional limb assistance, are not adjustable to varying limb lengths and throwing movements, do not accommodate ball mass and type flexibility, and cannot control the ball's travel path or velocity over a broad range.

Innovation Solution

A prosthetic device with an attachment portion coupled to the amputee's limb, a support member extending outward, and a ball handling structure that engages, retains, and releases balls through controlled movements, allowing for adjustable length and throwing motion compatibility, and flexible support to manage different ball configurations and velocities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional prosthetic devices are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but they cannot retain or release balls without additional limb assistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball retention and release capabilityVSAvoidprosthetic structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic device incorporates a dynamic ball handling structure with a ball retention cavity that can open and close to retain and release balls. The structure includes movable components that respond to limb movements, transforming the static conventional prosthetic into a dynamic system capable of ball manipulation without requiring additional limb assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The prosthetic device is divided into distinct functional segments: an attachment portion for coupling to the limb, a support member extending outward, and a ball handling structure with retention cavity. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall simplicity in manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional prosthetic devices are used, then the structure is fixed and simple, but they are not adjustable to varying limb lengths and throwing movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability to limb length and throwing movementsVSAvoidadjustable mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support member and ball handling structure are designed with adjustable connections that allow modification of length and angle to accommodate varying limb lengths. The structure can be dynamically adjusted to match different throwing movement ranges, transforming a fixed prosthetic into an adaptable system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The prosthetic device incorporates adjustable parameters including support member length, ball retention cavity position, and structural angles. These parameters can be modified to suit individual amputee anatomy and throwing characteristics, providing versatility without requiring a completely different device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional prosthetic devices are used, then the structure is rigid and simple, but they do not accommodate ball mass and type flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different ball configurationsVSAvoidflexible support structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ball handling structure incorporates flexible elements that can deform in response to different ball masses and types. The retention cavity and support structure include compliant components that adapt to the specific characteristics of the ball being handled, allowing the rigid prosthetic framework to work with flexible, responsive ball-handling surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Speed

If conventional prosthetic devices are used, then the structure is fixed and cannot control ball velocity, but a structure that controls velocity over broad range requires complex mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball velocity control rangeVSAvoidvelocity control mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic device uses dynamic movement of the ball handling structure and support member to control ball release velocity. By varying the speed and trajectory of the prosthetic limb movements, the user can control ball velocity over a broad range from slow to fast throws without requiring complex mechanical velocity control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The ball release mechanism utilizes the kinetic energy and momentum naturally generated by the amputee's limb movements. The structure converts the user's throwing motion directly into ball velocity, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex mechanical systems to control speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8984736B2Prosthetic device for handling a ball

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 FILLAUER TRS INC

AI summary

A prosthetic device which couples to the remaining portion of a limb of an amputee which provides a ball handling structure including a ball handling surface which defines an opening through which a ball passes into and out of a ball receiving cavity allowing the ball to be handled by the amputee.