Lightweight Design Of Intelligent Ankle-foot Orthosis Based On Topology Optimization

Ankle-foot Orthosis(AFO)was an important tool for preventing foot varus and foot drop in stroke patients.Existing customized AFOs have the problems of inconvenient wearing,low adaptability,and low user satisfaction.In order to realize the lightweight of AFO,improve its adaptability and user satisfaction,and improve the functions of AFO products;this research proposes an intelligent AFO lightweight design process and evaluation method for key user needs.First,establish an integrated model based on KJ/FAHP/TRIZ innovative methods.Obtain user needs through in-depth interviews,questionnaire surveys.,use KJ/FAHP to screen key user needs;combine TRIZ theory to resolve conflicts between key needs,and draw product innovation design directions.Then,construct a design method based on lightweight AFO;use reverse engineering technology to obtain a digital model of the human calf plus foot,and design the scheme based on the digital model of the calf plus foot,obtain the AFO basic plan,combine the product innovation direction,and monitor the AFO wearable function Design with physiotherapy module;generate lightweight design of AFO basic scheme through topology optimization of Ansys Workbench.Finally,the evaluation method of AFO design scheme is constructed.The strength of the scheme was verified by finite element analysis,the patient tried on the AFO prototype,and the design scheme with higher satisfaction was evaluated through the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation combined with the orthosis matching index.The evaluation results proved that the lightweight AFO scheme achieved higher satisfaction and matching degree.The research has formed a method integration model based on KJ/FAHP/TRIZ.Through topology optimization,75% and 65% of the weight reduction of the two AFO schemes were achieved respectively,the lightweight of AFO was realized,and the wear monitoring function and physical therapy module were added.,Improve the functionality of AFO and realize a certain degree of intelligence.This research provides a better solution for the design of customized AFO.