Prosthetic Foot Insert With Segmented Heel and Nested Main Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prosthetic foot inserts face challenges such as installation space requirements, unsatisfactory bending behavior, uneven rollover behavior, and difficulties in compensating for unevenness, which increase production costs and hinder optimal material utilization.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic foot insert design featuring a proximal fastening device, a holder, an elastic heel element, and a main spring that extends into the forefoot region, allowing for a series connection of heel components to dampen impact and optimize material utilization, with interchangeable and adjustable components for different spring characteristics and user adaptations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a traditional prosthetic foot insert design is used, then the structure is simple, but the installation space is large and material utilization is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The heel element is divided into two separate components: a proximal heel component and a distal heel component. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, reducing the overall installation space while maintaining structural integrity and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The main spring is positioned to extend between the proximal and distal heel components, effectively nesting the spring within the space created by the segmented heel structure. This nesting arrangement optimizes space utilization and improves material efficiency.
2Reliability
If a single heel element is used, then the design is simple, but the impact damping is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heel element is segmented into proximal and distal components that can deform independently during impact. This segmentation enables a series connection where both components contribute to impact damping, significantly improving reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic properties of both heel components are designed to provide cushioning before impact occurs. The components are pre-configured with appropriate elasticity to absorb and dampen impact forces, ensuring reliable protection from the moment of heel strike.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the heel element is made rigid, then the structure is stable, but the bending behavior is unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the heel structure are assigned different mechanical properties. The proximal and distal heel components have elastic properties optimized for bending and impact absorption, while the main spring provides additional flexibility. This local differentiation of material properties achieves both stability and satisfactory bending behavior.
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 design achieves comfortable impact damping, improved material utilization, and enhanced stability and energy return, facilitating rapid plantar flexion and increased knee stability, while allowing for customization and durability through interchangeable and adjustable components.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic heel element which is arranged on the holder
Implementation Method 2
a main spring which extends into a forefoot region and is coupled to the holder
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a prosthetic foot component comprising a proximal fastening system for securing the prosthetic foot component to a proximal component, a retaining portion situated distally relative to the fastening system and coupled to the latter, an elastic heel element provided on the retaining portion, and a main spring extending in a front-foot region and coupled to the retaining portion, wherein the main spring is mounted in the heel element between a proximal heel component and a distal heel component.