Shoe-Interfaced Ankle Support with Lace Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for ankle sprain support do not provide adequate compression to the lower leg, cradle the foot to reduce weight-bearing, and allow for adjustable tightening with shoe laces.
Innovation Solution
A shoe-interfaced ankle support apparatus with a leg support member, primary foot sling, and shoe interface member that can be tightened with shoe laces, featuring a continuous side wall, elastic material, and apertures to register with shoe holes, allowing for adjustable compression and cradling of the foot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If elastic wraps and braces are used to provide compression force, then pain reassurance is improved, but the ability to tighten compression by shoe laces is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle support apparatus is merged with the shoe lacing system through the shoe interface member. The laces pass through apertures in the interface member, combining the support function with the existing shoe tightening mechanism, allowing compression adjustment via shoe laces.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression force is made dynamically adjustable through the shoe lacing system. Users can tighten or loosen the laces to increase or decrease compression on the ankle, providing adaptability to different support needs.
2Reliability
If crutches are used to eliminate weight-bearing, then ankle healing is improved, but mobility and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The foot sling acts as an intermediary between the user's foot and the ground. It cradles the foot and transfers weight through the leg support member to the shoe, reducing direct weight-bearing on the ankle while allowing mobility without crutches.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a shoe-interfaced apparatus is designed to tighten with laces, then compression adjustability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe interface member serves multiple functions: it anchors the leg support member, provides attachment points for shoe laces, and enables compression adjustment. By making this single component multi-functional, the overall device complexity is minimized while achieving adaptability.
4Ease of operation
If the foot sling extends loosely across the open bottom, then foot cradling comfort is improved, but support precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The foot sling is made from a flexible elastic material that can extend loosely to accommodate the foot comfortably. The elasticity allows the sling to conform to the foot's shape while maintaining support precision through its tension properties.
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
Provides effective compression and support to the ankle and leg, allowing for adjustable tightening to alleviate pain and weight-bearing, while being easy to wear and interface with lace-type shoes.
Implementation Method 1
The leg support member is constructed of an elastic material and configured to be worn on the user's lower leg
Implementation Method 2
can be tightened with the shoe laces
Data Source
AI summary
A shoe-interfaced ankle support apparatus includes a leg support member having a side wall defining an open top and open bottom configured to be worn on the user's lower leg. The support apparatus includes a primary foot sling having first and second ends coupled to the side wall of the leg support portion adjacent the closed bottom, the foot sling having a length configured to extend loosely across the open bottom of the leg support portion so as to selectively cradle the foot of the user while in a shoe. A shoe interface member includes a proximal end coupled to the side wall of the leg support portion adjacent the open bottom and extending away, the shoe interface member having a plurality of apertures configured to register with respective holes of the shoe's lace portion and to receive the shoelace of the shoe therethrough.