Traction System for Prosthetic Blades with Modular Sole Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traction systems for ambulatory supports like prosthetic foot blades and crutches lack the ability to securely attach and easily detach, making them inefficient for different terrains and activities.
Innovation Solution
A traction system comprising a sole plate, a strap, and a latch assembly that is releasably attachable to ambulatory supports, allowing for secure retention during use and easy removal for switching between different traction systems or ground surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traction system is designed to securely attach to ambulatory supports, then attachment reliability is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of detachment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The traction system is divided into separate components: a sole plate with traction elements, a latch assembly with front and rear catches, and a lever mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall system reliability through modular connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch assembly incorporates a dynamic lever mechanism that transitions between latched and unlatched states. The lever pivots about the front catch to engage or disengage the rear catch, providing secure attachment during use while enabling quick detachment when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If a traction system is designed for easy detachment, then ease of operation is improved, but attachment reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly uses a dynamic lever mechanism that pivots about the front catch to engage or disengage the rear catch. This dynamic design allows the system to be easily detached by simple lever movement while maintaining secure attachment during use, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap configuration creates self-tensioning that automatically secures the sole plate to the ambulatory support when the lever is in the latched position. The system uses its own components (strap, lever, catches) to maintain secure attachment without requiring additional fastening actions, while allowing easy detachment through lever movement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a traction system uses multiple sole layers for different terrains, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The traction system uses separate, interchangeable sole layers (spike sole, rubber sole, spike plate) that can be independently selected and attached to the sole plate. This segmentation allows users to choose the appropriate traction element for different terrains without complicating the overall system design, as each layer is a standalone component.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole plate is designed as a universal base that can accommodate multiple types of sole layers through standardized attachment mechanisms. This multi-functionality allows the same sole plate to work with different traction elements (spikes, rubber, spike plate) for various terrains, improving adaptability without increasing system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A traction system for an ambulatory support such as a prosthetic foot blade or a crutch includes a sole plate, a latch assembly, and a strap. The sole plate is couplable to a distal end of the ambulatory support to extend under a bottom side of the ambulatory support and a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes a front catch and a rear catch both fixable at a top side of the ambulatory support with the front catch nearer to the distal end of the ambulatory support than the rear catch, and a lever having a front end and a rear end, the front end releasably latchable to the front catch and the rear end releasably latchable to the rear catch when the lever is pivoted about the latched front end. The strap is secured to the lever and to the sole plate.