Sealing Lip Joint Stabilizer for Pressure-Adaptive Hydraulic Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for stabilizing body joints and sports equipment fail to effectively manage high pressure loads due to inadequate sealing mechanisms, leading to bulging, pressure loss, and potential damage, especially when subjected to unphysiological forces or velocities.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sealing lip on the active element that adapts to changing diameters, compensating for bulging and maintaining pressure by sealing gaps, allowing the use of elastic materials without compromising functionality, and incorporating a one-piece active element assembly for improved durability and assembly efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a hard or brittle material is used for the receptacle, then it can withstand high pressure loads, but it impairs the comfort of wearing the device on body parts and joints
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional components: a hard receptacle for pressure resistance, a soft sealing lip for comfort and sealing, and an active element for movement control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the device have different material properties tailored to local requirements. The receptacle uses hard material where strength is needed, while the sealing lip uses soft material where comfort and adaptability are needed. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between strength and comfort.
2Ease of operation
If a soft elastic material is used for the receptacle, then wearing comfort is improved, but it bulges outwards under high pressure allowing the filling medium to escape
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lip acts as an intermediary element between the soft receptacle and the active element. It provides the necessary sealing function that the soft receptacle material cannot provide alone, preventing filling medium escape while maintaining the comfort benefits of the soft receptacle.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing lip is designed as a flexible element that can deform to maintain sealing contact under pressure. This flexible sealing mechanism allows the receptacle to remain soft and comfortable while preventing filling medium leakage through the sealing interface.
3Reliability
If O-rings are used for sealing, then sealing is provided, but they cannot adapt to changing diameters of the receptacle under pressure and may shift or slip
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lip is designed as a dynamic sealing element that can change its shape and position in response to pressure-induced diameter changes. Unlike static O-rings, the sealing lip adapts continuously to the changing geometry of the receptacle, maintaining effective sealing contact throughout the pressure cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing lip's geometric parameters (shape, position, orientation) change in response to pressure conditions. This parameter adaptation allows the seal to maintain effectiveness despite changes in receptacle diameter, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and adaptability.
4Ease of operation
If the device allows movement at physiological velocities, then normal body movements are permitted, but there is a risk that the active body may strike the receiver during continuous movement
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates damping elements and designed clearance spaces that cushion potential impacts before they occur. The filling medium itself acts as a cushioning element, absorbing impact energy if the active body strikes the receiver, thereby preventing damage while allowing free movement during normal operation.
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 device provides consistent locking and damping effects, preventing pressure loss and damage by adapting to varying diameters, ensuring reliable operation and enhanced wearing comfort, particularly suitable for sports applications.
Implementation Method 1
The active element assembly has a sealing lip for sealing a gap between an inner surface of the receptacle and a lateral region of an outer surface of the active element assembly
Implementation Method 2
The filling medium can flow in the area between the receptacle and the active element assembly when the two bodies move relative to each other. The flow velocity of the filling medium depends critically on the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the relative direction of movement
Implementation Method 3
the receptacle is formed of an elastic material in order to adapt to changing diameters. This compensates for a bulging and maintains the pressure in the receptacle when the device is blocked
Implementation Method 4
if unphysiological forces, i.e., forces critical for the body part or component being stabilized, are introduced into the device, relative movement between the pull-out body and the receptacle is only possible with a very high force due to the change in hydraulic diameter. The device locks.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 1d
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for stabilising movements of two parts of a body region and/or of a sports device which are movable relative to one another, comprising a receptacle (20) which can be fixed to a first part of a body region and/or of a sports device, said receptacle (20) being filled with a filling medium (30), and at least one active body arrangement with an active body (35) which is received movably in the receptacle (20) and can interact with the filling medium (30), a force transmission body (50) which can be fixed to a second part of the same body region and/or the same sports device for transmitting an external force to the active body (35), the active body (35) comprising at least one through-opening (64) through which the filling medium (30) can flow. The active body arrangement has a sealing lip (33) for sealing a gap (31) between an inner side of the receptacle (20) and a lateral region of an outer side of the active body arrangement, the sealing lip (33) being arranged on an outer side of the active body (35).