Variable Camber Crutch Foot for Stability and Comfort
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hands-free crutches require an optimal balance of stability and comfort, which is challenging to maintain due to inconsistent camber angles during the user's step, affecting new users' ability to walk efficiently and safely.
Innovation Solution
A crutch foot with varying camber angles across different sections, including a lower camber at the heel-strike portion, a higher camber at the mid-point, and a softer durometer at areas of lower camber, providing a stable and comfortable walking experience by adjusting camber angles and tread compressibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the foot has constant camber angle, then the structure is simple, but stability and comfort cannot be optimized throughout the step
Solution Approach 1:
The foot is divided into multiple sections (heel-strike portion, mid-point portion, toe-off portion) with different camber angles. The heel-strike portion has lower camber for stability, the mid-point portion has higher camber for comfort, and the toe-off portion has reduced camber. This local differentiation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally throughout the walking step.
2Reliability
If the foot has high camber, then stability is improved, but comfort is compromised due to medial pushing force on the user
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the foot have different camber angles to balance stability and comfort. The heel-strike portion uses lower camber to reduce medial pushing force during initial contact, while the mid-point portion uses higher camber to provide stability during the stance phase. This spatial differentiation resolves the conflict between stability and comfort.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the foot has low camber, then comfort is improved, but stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The foot design applies lower camber at the heel-strike portion to improve comfort during initial contact, and higher camber at the mid-point portion to ensure stability during weight-bearing. This localized application of different camber values allows the system to achieve both comfort and stability at different phases of the step.
4Ease of operation
If the crutch has constant off-vertical angle, then the structure is simple, but it cannot assist new users in learning to walk
Solution Approach 1:
The crutch foot is designed with variable camber angles that change dynamically throughout the walking step. The heel-strike portion has lower camber to facilitate initial contact and learning, while the mid-point portion has higher camber for stability. This dynamic variation in camber angle assists new users in learning to walk with the crutch by providing appropriate mechanical support at different phases of the step.
5Reliability
If the tread has uniform durometer, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot optimize comfort and stability across different camber areas
Solution Approach 1:
The tread is manufactured with non-uniform durometer, where the heel-strike portion has softer durometer for comfort during initial contact, and the mid-point portion has harder durometer for stability during weight-bearing. This local differentiation in material properties allows the tread to optimize both comfort and stability at different locations, despite increased manufacturing complexity.
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
The variable camber design enhances stability and comfort by optimizing camber angles and tread compressibility, allowing new users to learn walking with hands-free crutches more efficiently and safely, while maintaining agility and reducing the risk of injury.
Implementation Method 1
The tread has a softer durometer at areas where the camber is lower and a stiffer durometer at the area of maximum camber. Thus, at the area of maximum camber, the tread is largely uncompressed.
Data Source
AI summary
A foot for a crutch has a ground contact portion with a variable camber. The camber angle changes from at least one of a front edge or rear edge of the variable camber, to a maximum camber. In embodiments, the camber increases from the at least one of the front edge or rear edge to the maximum camber region, and then decreases to the other of the front edge or the rear edge. In embodiments, a foot can have two regions of different cambers laterally disposed from each other such that only one of the two regions contacts the ground during a step at any given time.