Variable Rigidity Footplate for Ankle Augmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current exoskeleton technologies face challenges in effectively augmenting human motion without causing injury or discomfort, particularly in integrating rigid and compliant structures into footwear to support and stabilize the ankle joint during activities like running.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a composite plate with varying rigidity into the sole of footwear, coupled with a mounting component and actuator system, allows for force application to the ankle via an axis of rotation, enhancing motion augmentation while minimizing interference with natural movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid structure is integrated into footwear to support the ankle joint, then stability and strength are improved, but comfort and natural movement are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The footplate is divided into multiple portions with different rigidity characteristics. The first portion (proximal to the heel) has greater rigidity for ankle support, while the second portion (distal to the metatarsal joints) has lesser rigidity for natural foot movement. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the footplate are assigned different rigidity properties based on local functional requirements. The proximal region near the heel requires high rigidity for ankle stability, while the distal region near the metatarsal joints requires low rigidity for natural movement. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall support and local flexibility.
2Productivity
If a composite plate with varying rigidity is integrated into footwear, then force transmission efficiency is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional elements (support structure, force transmission element, and flexibility element) into a single integrated footplate component. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the desired force transmission characteristics and flexibility, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The footplate is constructed as a composite structure with different material properties in different portions. This allows the single component to exhibit both rigid and flexible characteristics, enabling efficient force transmission while avoiding the need for multiple separate rigid and flexible components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an actuator system is added to augment ankle motion, then motion augmentation capability is improved, but device complexity and potential for injury are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The footplate serves as an intermediary element between the actuator system and the ankle joint. It transmits forces from the actuator while filtering and distributing them across multiple portions, which reduces the complexity of the actuator mounting and minimizes the risk of injury by avoiding concentrated forces on any single structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for integrating bipedalism augmentation components are provided. A system can receive a request to modify a footwear, comprising a sole formed of an insole and an outsole. The system can select a footplate based on a size of the footwear. The footplate can include a first portion extending along at least a first portion of the sole, a second portion extending along at least a second portion of the sole, wherein the first portion of the footplate has greater rigidity than the second portion, and a mounting component connected to the first portion. The system can provide an indication of the selected the footplate for insertion between the insole and the outsole such that the first portion is located proximate to a heel of the footwear and the mounting component protrudes at least partially from the sole, the mounting component configured to couple to a bracket.