Removable Traction Device for Prosthetic Running Foot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prosthetic running feet lack a removably attachable traction device that enhances traction, improves foot rollover, and protects the foot from wear, while current solutions are either permanently bonded or do not effectively address these needs.
Innovation Solution
A traction device comprising a sole portion, midsole, clip, and strap that removably attaches to a prosthetic running foot, providing enhanced traction and shock absorption, with adjustable stiffness sections to guide foot rollover and protect the prosthetic foot from wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traction device is permanently bonded to the prosthetic running foot, then the attachment is secure and durable, but the device cannot be removed or adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The traction device is divided into separate components: a sole portion with traction elements, a midsole, and a retention system consisting of a strap and clip. This segmentation allows the traction device to be securely attached during use while enabling easy removal and adjustment by detaching the strap from the clip, thus resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and removability.
2Productivity
If the prosthetic running foot has a curved profile for energy storage and release, then running performance is improved, but the surface area available for traction device attachment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system utilizes the curved profile of the prosthetic running foot by wrapping the strap around the curve and securing it with a clip positioned on the top surface. This three-dimensional attachment approach maximizes the use of available surface area on the curved profile, allowing secure attachment without requiring large flat surfaces, thus resolving the contradiction between running performance and attachment area.
3Ease of operation
If the traction device is designed with adjustable stiffness sections to guide foot rollover, then foot rollover performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole incorporates localized stiffness variations in specific sections rather than uniform complexity throughout the entire device. These targeted stiffness sections are positioned to guide foot rollover during the running gait cycle, providing improved foot rollover performance while minimizing overall device complexity by keeping other portions simple and uniform.
Data Source
AI summary
A traction device for a prosthetic running foot having a curved profile and mechanisms for attaching the traction device to the prosthetic running foot are provided. The traction device includes a sole portion for traction and a midsole for improved rollover. The traction device has fasteners (e.g., clamps) that attach to the top of the prosthetic running foot or a cavity that removably receives the toe of the prosthetic running foot. The traction device also has a strap that removably couples to a clip permanently or removably attached to the top surface of the prosthetic running foot.