Tool-Free Rotation-Stop Hinge for Knee Brace Motion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional knee brace hinge mechanisms fail to accurately simulate knee joint movement and adjust to the optimal range of motion, requiring tools for adjustment and lacking ease of use, especially for users with limited dexterity.
Innovation Solution
A tool-free hinge with a built-in locking device and a kit of rotation stops that can be selectively engaged without disassembly, allowing for precise control of flexion and extension without the need for supplementary tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hinge mechanisms use supplementary tools for locking and unlocking rotation stops, then the locking mechanism is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to tool requirement and disassembly need
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device integrates the locking mechanism, retaining member, and rotation stop interface into a single unified assembly. The retaining member with abutment portion and locking device with lever work together as one integrated system, eliminating the need for separate tools and reducing the number of discrete components that require assembly and disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge enables users to lock and unlock rotation stops using the built-in locking device without requiring external supplementary tools. The lever-operated retaining member allows the user to perform the locking function directly through the hinge mechanism itself, making the system self-sufficient for adjustment operations.
2Productivity
If conventional hinge mechanisms require disassembly for rotation stop adjustment, then the locking mechanism is secure, but the productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming adjustment process
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining member is pre-configured with an abutment portion that engages with the rotation stop before final locking occurs. The lever mechanism is designed to maintain engagement throughout the adjustment process, ensuring the rotation stop remains secured even during the transition from unlocked to locked state, thus maintaining reliability while enabling quick adjustment.
3Ease of operation
If conventional hinge mechanisms lack built-in locking devices, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation worsens due to tool requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device serves multiple functions within a single mechanism: the lever acts as both a manual operating handle and a locking actuator, the retaining member with abutment portion simultaneously retains and positions the rotation stop, and the integrated design provides both adjustment capability and secure locking without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
A hinge (100) is configured for selectively retaining and removing at least one rotation stop (110, 112) without a supplementary tool. The hinge (100) includes a locking device (108) having at least one lever (168a, 168b) arranged to selectively rotate a retaining member (140a, 140b) for engagement and disengagement with the at least one rotation stop (110, 112). The retaining member (140a, 140b) forms an abutment portion (144) extending from a first portion (142) and a second portion (146) extending from the abutment portion (144). A non-abutment portion (147) is located opposite the abutment portion (144) along a same segment of the axis (5A-5A) of the retaining member (140a, 140b).