Segmented Balance Boards for Targeted Plantar Joint Training
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current plantar balance training equipment lacks the ability to provide targeted training based on the specific degrees of freedom of different plantar regions, leading to ineffective exercises for foot disorders.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a series of balance boards with arc and flat surfaces, connected by a shaft, allowing independent rotation and adjustment for forefoot, hindfoot, and full-sole balance training, with optional limit nuts and positioning structures to ensure stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an integral pedal is used for plantar balance training, then the device structure is simple, but it prevents targeted training based on the specific degrees of freedom of different plantar regions
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal is divided into multiple independent balance boards (forefoot board, midfoot board, hindfoot board) that can rotate independently around a common shaft. Each balance board corresponds to a specific plantar region and can be adjusted independently, enabling targeted training for different degrees of freedom in the foot structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If balance boards are allowed to rotate freely around the shaft, then targeted training for specific plantar regions is enabled, but tilting of one region may cause unintended tilting of other regions
Solution Approach 1:
A positioning structure acts as an intermediary mechanism between the balance boards. When activated, it connects adjacent balance boards to restrict their relative rotation, preventing unintended tilting propagation while allowing independent rotation during normal operation. This mediator enables selective coupling of the balance boards based on training requirements.
3Reliability
If limit nuts are installed on the shaft, then safety and stability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The limit nuts provide dynamic constraint to the balance boards' rotation. They allow free rotation within safe boundaries but automatically engage to prevent excessive tilting or disassembly. This dynamic limitation mechanism enhances safety without requiring complex active control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for plantar joint balance training, which includes a plurality of balance boards and a shaft for connecting the plurality of balance boards in series. Each of the plurality of balance boards includes an arc surface at one side and a flat surface at another side, and further defines a central hole penetrating there through. The flat surface transits smoothly to the arc surface. The central hole is arranged along a thickness direction of each of the plurality of balance boards. The shaft passes through the central holes so that the plurality of balance boards are stacked along their thickness direction and are connected in series. The plurality of balance boards is capable of rotating freely around the shaft.