Spring-Loaded Orthotic Load Transfer Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing load bearing assistance apparatuses for lower extremity orthotic or prosthetic devices completely separate the wearer from their environment, reducing stability and agility by not allowing ground contact, which is necessary for effective load transfer.

Innovation Solution

A load bearing assistance apparatus comprising lateral and medial spring-loaded members connected via a linking mechanism to position them adjacent to the foot's lateral and medial portions, allowing ground contact and transferring the load from the orthotic or prosthetic device to the ground, with adjustable tension and S-like shaped elements for optimal contact during locomotion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a ground contact portion (metal sole) is placed under the foot to transfer load to the ground, then load transfer capability is improved, but the wearer is completely separated from the environment reducing stability and agility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload transfer capabilityVSAvoidstability and agility

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ground contact interface is segmented into multiple spring-loaded members positioned at lateral and medial portions of the foot, allowing distributed contact points rather than a continuous sole. This segmentation enables load transfer while maintaining environmental contact through the spaces between springs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded members provide dynamic adaptation to terrain variations, allowing the device to conform to different ground conditions while maintaining stability. The springs can compress and extend to accommodate uneven surfaces, preserving user agility and environmental contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Force

If a metal sole is used to support the weight of gear and device, then load bearing capacity is improved, but the wearer loses contact with the environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload bearing capacityVSAvoidenvironmental contact

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than using a continuous rigid sole, the invention applies spring-loaded members only at specific lateral and medial portions of the foot. This localized approach provides load bearing capacity at critical points while leaving other areas open for environmental contact and sensory feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded members act as intermediaries between the orthotic device and the ground, transferring load through mechanical spring action while allowing the foot to maintain proximity to and contact with the environment. The springs mediate the interaction between device and terrain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If spring-loaded members are positioned adjacent to the foot with ground contact capability, then environmental contact is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental contactVSAvoidapparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded members are integrated with the linking mechanism that connects the orthotic device to the foot. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the ability to provide environmental contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Maintains user contact with the environment while providing stable load transfer across various terrains, enhancing mobility and stability by distributing the weight effectively through spring-loaded mechanical chains.

Implementation Method 1

lateral and medial spring-loaded members transfer the load from the lower extremity orthotic or prosthetic device to the ground

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11564857B2Load bearing assistance apparatus for lower extremity orthotic or prosthetic devices

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 WISTRON CORP

AI summary

A load bearing assistance apparatus for transferring load from a lower extremity orthotic or prosthetic device to the ground. The load bearing assistance apparatus includes a lateral and a medial spring-loaded members and a linking mechanism for connecting the load bearing assistance apparatus to the lower extremity orthotic or prosthetic device. The linking mechanism also connects the lateral and medial spring-loaded members in a spaced apart configuration so as to position them adjacent the lateral and medial portions, respectively, of the foot of the user of the lower extremity orthotic or prosthetic device and such that a portion of the lateral and medial spring-loaded members enters in contact with the ground during locomotion.