Segmented Joint Protection Device with Rotating Hinges

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing joint protection devices are either limited in protection due to simplicity in material and structure, or they are bulky, inflexible, and uncomfortable, failing to provide effective protection and mobility for joints, especially in sports like basketball where finger injuries are common.

Innovation Solution

A joint protection device with a rigid hollow housing that matches the shape of the joint, featuring a front supporting portion and side supporting portions, with notches that divide the device into rotating joint pieces, allowing for flexible attachment and movement without compromising protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If elastic fiber fabric protection devices with rubber bands are used, then the binding strength is enhanced to increase joint protection, but the protection to the joints is reduced if the binding strength is reduced to take the joint movement into account

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint protectionVSAvoidjoint movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The joint protection device is divided into multiple segments that can rotate relative to each other around the joint, allowing the device to maintain protection while accommodating joint movement through controlled rotation at the segmentation interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates dynamic characteristics by allowing rotation between segments, transforming from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that adapts to joint movement while maintaining protective function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If plastic supporting protection devices are used, then the joint protection is improved, but the structural volume is larger, making them unsuited to bodies, uncomfortable for wearing, complex in structure, and thus relatively high in cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint protectionVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protection device is segmented into multiple rotatable sections that follow the contour of the joint, reducing overall structural volume while maintaining protection through distributed support segments rather than a single bulky structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs thin-walled hollow housing structures that provide protective function with minimal material thickness, reducing structural volume and improving comfort while maintaining adequate protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If solid joint protection body structures are placed on the joint, then front support is provided, but the structures are bulky and inflexible, thereby affecting the joint movement and wearing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefront supportVSAvoidjoint movement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The solid protection body is divided into multiple segments that can rotate relative to each other, maintaining front support strength while allowing joint movement through the rotation capability at segment interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The static solid protection structure is transformed into a dynamic segmented structure that maintains strength during non-movement while allowing controlled rotation during joint movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the joint protection body is made thick to provide protection, then the protection effect is improved, but it is too thick to be worn in a shoe

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectVSAvoidthickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protection device uses thin-walled hollow housing structures that provide adequate protection with minimal thickness, enabling integration into footwear while maintaining protective function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs composite material structures that achieve high protection-to-thickness ratio, providing sufficient protection in a thin profile suitable for footwear integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12268949B2Joint protection device

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 YUAN HONGTAO

AI summary

Provided is a joint protection device, including a joint protection body whose longitudinal and horizontal shapes match a shape of a joint, joint protection body being an integrally formed rigid hollow housing with an opened bottom and including a front supporting portion and side supporting portions respectively wrapping a front surface and side surfaces of joint to provide front and side support for joint; at least one notch being provided in a portion, close to a joint movement area, of joint protection body, and dividing joint protection body into a plurality of joint pieces; adjacent joint pieces being connected by two local junctions respectively provided at appropriate positions on two sides of joint protection body, and capable of rotating with local junctions as rotation fulcrums; and when joint pieces rotate around rotation fulcrums to a limiting position, adjacent joint pieces coming into contact with each other and stopping rotating.