Prosthetic Glove Elastic Finger Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prosthetic gloves restrict the mobility of prosthetic hands due to bulkiness and unevenness at the fingertips, which affects gripping performance and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A method for producing a prosthetic glove using two textile blanks with elastic finger portions, where the second blank is elongated during manufacturing to match the length of the first blank, forming finger sleeves with minimal seam bulk and optimal flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a prosthetic glove is made from textile material with elastic finger portions, then mobility and flexibility are improved, but bulkiness and unevenness at the fingertips occur, reducing gripping performance
Solution Approach 1:
The glove is divided into two separate textile blanks (first blank for dorsum, second blank for palm) that are connected only at the finger portions. This segmentation allows each blank to be optimized independently - the first blank provides structural support while the second blank ensures flexibility and natural movement, eliminating bulkiness at the fingertips.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger portions are designed with different characteristics in each blank: the first blank has elastic properties for flexibility, while the second blank has smoother, more uniform texture. This local differentiation ensures that each region of the glove has the optimal properties for its specific function, reducing bulkiness where needed while maintaining mobility.
2Ease of operation
If classic glove patterns with separately inserted thumb blank and finger walls are used, then mobility is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to many blanks and seams
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the thumb and finger regions into a single integrated pattern for each blank, eliminating the need for separate thumb blanks and finger wall inserts. This reduces the number of components and seams required, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the mobility benefits of the classic glove pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The two textile blanks are designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support, enable flexibility, and reduce bulkiness all within the same integrated pattern. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized components, reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If seam allowances are included for stitching, then ease of manufacture is improved, but bulkiness at the fingertips increases, affecting visual appearance and gripping surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the traditional seam allowance concept by connecting the two textile blanks directly at the finger portions without requiring additional stitching margins. This direct connection method reduces bulkiness at the fingertips while still allowing for easy manufacturing through straightforward connection techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection method changes the parameter of seam allowance from a traditional stitching margin to a direct connection interface. This parameter change allows for minimal bulk at the fingertips while maintaining ease of manufacture through simplified connection procedures.
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 minimizes loss of gripping force and enhances mobility by reducing bulk and unevenness, allowing for a more natural hand movement and improved user experience.
Implementation Method 1
at least the finger portions of the textile blanks are of an elastic design or comprise elastic regions
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a prosthetic glove and to a method for producing same, having the steps of providing a first textile blank (10) with a hand rear surface (11) and finger sections (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) extending away from the hand rear surface (11), providing a second textile blank (20) (20) with a hand inner surface (21) and finger sections (22, 23, 24, 25, 26) extending away from the hand inner surface (21), wherein at least the finger sections (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) of the textile blanks (10, 20) are designed to be elastic or have elastic regions, arranging the two textile blanks (10, 20) such that correspondingly designed finger sections (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) are paired together, and connecting the two textile blanks (10, 20) directly together along the longitudinal extension of the finger sections (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) at the edge regions thereof in order to form finger sleeves (50). In a relaxed state, at least one finger section (22, 23, 24, 25, 26) of the second textile blank (20) is shorter than the opposing paired finger section (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) of the first textile blank (10) and is stretched upon connecting the finger section (22, 23, 24, 25, 26) of the second textile blank (20).