Ankle Injury Simulator Via Wobble Platform Judd Terrell Advisor: Kevin Robinson
General Design 30” x 30” variable support section Section supported at all times by springs: 4 inch outer diameter 9 inch height Spring constant: 14 lb/inch Appr. 10 ft and 3 ft on front and back $155.68 total for springs Very large spring; very low strength Might drop cost of spring Look for alternate methods of platform support Advisor approved cost of springs, on order Spring constant = Board weight / 4 Board weight = 55 lbs
Side Supports Wooden supports On all four sides Support platform when weight is applied Platform travel controlled by notch
Perturbing the System 1.5” drop = 3 shift Max. = 12 shift Shift causes change in muscle contractions Identify which muscles are important in recovering balance 30 inches * tan 3 = 1.5 inches Max – Hobeika, Claude P. MD, “Ear, Nose, and Throat Journal” August 1999. Perturb BoS forward -> Tibialis Anterior, Quadriceps, Abdominals Perturb BoS backward -> Gastrocnemius, Biceps Femoris, Paraspinal muscles
Design for Variable Support Solenoid-Bolt coupling 12VDC cylindrical solenoids Controlled by voltage 5 position rotary switch Soleniod-bolt latch on each side Position 1 – Right side latched, etc Position 5 – All sides latched Build 12V power supply as in 271 lab
Platform Construction Wobble platform shown Fully withstands excessive forces Outer frame to be constructed when springs arrive Weighs 55 pounds Supports 400+ lbs standing Supports 220+ lbs jumping Reinforced edges to prevent splintering
Estimated Cost Item Total Hardware $114.18 Springs $155.68 12VDC solenoids $40.45 Electronics $18.31 $328.62 Springs from Diamond Wire Spring Co., Taylors, SC Same price for 4 or 8 -> unusual requirements Normal spring of this size = 100 lb/in
To do: Build control circuit Construct platform frame
References Whittle, Michael W., Gait Analysis; An Introduction 2nd Edition, Butterworth – Heinemann 1996. Hobeika, Claude P. MD, “Ear, Nose, and Throat Journal” August 1999. Pai, Y. C., Patton J. L., “Center of Mass Velocity – Position Predictions for Balance Control” Journal of Biomechanics, 30(4):347-354, 1997.