Data

January 14, 2016

After our first low resolution prototype, we designed various shapes for the calf section. Our first printed model was too large, so we sized it down and it now seems to fit the calf nicely.

Our initial design in which the custom foot sole fit inside the shoe was difficult because various programs needed to be used in the design process, and the files could not be interchanged. We will continue to explore this design but also have started making one in which the bottom section fits outside of the shoe. The design must be tweaked so that it is not flimsy when it prints (this can be changed using the fillet tool and adjusting various angles). 

The band seems to work nicely and provide security and comfort for the user. One drawback, however, is that the Velcro is very strong and occasionally hard to pull.

We have also adjusted the way in which the two sections will connect. We went from using hinges that allow two degrees of motion (with various designs of this type), to incorporating the attachment directly to the calf section allowing for only one degree of motion. This design is more effective.

We are now going back to our design in which the foot sole fits inside (custom) instead of outside of the shoe. We will adjust the hinges as necessary.

Next, we will incorporate the elastic-pull to the design.

February 22, 2016

We began designing the bottom of the brace which will fit inside of the shoe with a custom insole. We found that the outside-of-the-shoe design was not practical as the material had to be durable yet allow for foot movement which is hard to achieve simultaneously. Also, the attachment pieces will not be completely vertical and attach near the heel, they will include a spline and attach at the middle of the sides of the foot to allow for more stability. Various materials will be explored after we finalize the designs.

March 30, 2016

We added attachments to both sides of both the calf section and the foot sole section so that we can incorporate the elasticity function. We need to use a different material for the insole, and make sure that the foot sole section is more durable using MeshMixer.

April 19, 2016

We adjusted the insole section so that the attachments are perpendicular to the insole rather than coming down parallel (spline) and attaching in the middle.

April 25, 2016

With the rubber bands working as the elastics, the brace does lift up as it is supposed to. Wearing the brace, the effects are less noticeable and the two sections are hard to keep secure, but we will make adjustments.

April 27, 2016

By drilling a hole in the peg we were able to solve the issue of keeping the sections secure and making sure the rubber band is on the correct side of the peg so that it lifts the insole section in the right direction.

May 9, 2016

We decided to use elastic, no-toe shoelaces for the elasticity function. Secured in the front, around the leg, we were able to keep the bands on the correct sides of the brace. This ensures that the insole section lifts up when the user lifts up their foot in the process of walking. (Video can be viewed in the "Visual Log")

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