Topological optimization design of the front coupling rod of prosthetic knee joint based on Inspire

Abstract To enhance the movement efficiency and comfort of patients using prosthetic limbs, Altair Inspire software is employed to optimize the topology of the front coupling rod in the prosthetic knee joint motion mechanism, as well as the structure of its connecting parts. This optimization proces...

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Main Authors: Xiaofei Su, Yan Zhu, Hui Dong, Jingyu Yang, Lu Wang, Zhengyu Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Engineering and Applied Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s44147-025-00669-x
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author Xiaofei Su
Yan Zhu
Hui Dong
Jingyu Yang
Lu Wang
Zhengyu Zhao
author_facet Xiaofei Su
Yan Zhu
Hui Dong
Jingyu Yang
Lu Wang
Zhengyu Zhao
author_sort Xiaofei Su
collection DOAJ
description Abstract To enhance the movement efficiency and comfort of patients using prosthetic limbs, Altair Inspire software is employed to optimize the topology of the front coupling rod in the prosthetic knee joint motion mechanism, as well as the structure of its connecting parts. This optimization process is aimed at achieving mass reduction of the prosthetic motion mechanism while improving its structural performance. Based on the mathematical modeling method of variable density method, the motion analysis and initial strength analysis of the front coupling member are carried out, and the distribution of its displacement, safety factor, and Mises equivalent stress were obtained. Using different shape control and aiming at reaching the stiffness maximum, the topological optimization and fitting of the front coupling members were carried out several times with the mass and thickness degrees as design constraints, and then the optimal optimization model can be obtained. It has been proved that compared with the initial model, the weight of the final optimization model was reduced by 62.15%, which greatly solves the problem of material redundancy. Besides, all the indicators met the requirements of design strength, and the optimization effect was remarkable. Finally, 3D printing technology was used to print the pre-optimized and post-optimized model components. After specific tests, it can be concluded that the topology optimization design of the front coupling rod is realistic and reasonable.
format Article
id doaj-art-f1160740e3a34c17837c856a3bebb02a
institution Kabale University
issn 1110-1903
2536-9512
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher SpringerOpen
record_format Article
series Journal of Engineering and Applied Science
spelling doaj-art-f1160740e3a34c17837c856a3bebb02a2025-08-20T03:38:13ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Engineering and Applied Science1110-19032536-95122025-06-0172112110.1186/s44147-025-00669-xTopological optimization design of the front coupling rod of prosthetic knee joint based on InspireXiaofei Su0Yan Zhu1Hui Dong2Jingyu Yang3Lu Wang4Zhengyu Zhao5College of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Liaocheng UniversityCollege of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Liaocheng UniversityCollege of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Liaocheng UniversityCollege of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Liaocheng UniversityCollege of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Liaocheng UniversityCollege of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Liaocheng UniversityAbstract To enhance the movement efficiency and comfort of patients using prosthetic limbs, Altair Inspire software is employed to optimize the topology of the front coupling rod in the prosthetic knee joint motion mechanism, as well as the structure of its connecting parts. This optimization process is aimed at achieving mass reduction of the prosthetic motion mechanism while improving its structural performance. Based on the mathematical modeling method of variable density method, the motion analysis and initial strength analysis of the front coupling member are carried out, and the distribution of its displacement, safety factor, and Mises equivalent stress were obtained. Using different shape control and aiming at reaching the stiffness maximum, the topological optimization and fitting of the front coupling members were carried out several times with the mass and thickness degrees as design constraints, and then the optimal optimization model can be obtained. It has been proved that compared with the initial model, the weight of the final optimization model was reduced by 62.15%, which greatly solves the problem of material redundancy. Besides, all the indicators met the requirements of design strength, and the optimization effect was remarkable. Finally, 3D printing technology was used to print the pre-optimized and post-optimized model components. After specific tests, it can be concluded that the topology optimization design of the front coupling rod is realistic and reasonable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s44147-025-00669-xProsthetic knee jointTopology optimizationInspire software3D printing technology
spellingShingle Xiaofei Su
Yan Zhu
Hui Dong
Jingyu Yang
Lu Wang
Zhengyu Zhao
Topological optimization design of the front coupling rod of prosthetic knee joint based on Inspire
Journal of Engineering and Applied Science
Prosthetic knee joint
Topology optimization
Inspire software
3D printing technology
title Topological optimization design of the front coupling rod of prosthetic knee joint based on Inspire
title_full Topological optimization design of the front coupling rod of prosthetic knee joint based on Inspire
title_fullStr Topological optimization design of the front coupling rod of prosthetic knee joint based on Inspire
title_full_unstemmed Topological optimization design of the front coupling rod of prosthetic knee joint based on Inspire
title_short Topological optimization design of the front coupling rod of prosthetic knee joint based on Inspire
title_sort topological optimization design of the front coupling rod of prosthetic knee joint based on inspire
topic Prosthetic knee joint
Topology optimization
Inspire software
3D printing technology
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s44147-025-00669-x
work_keys_str_mv AT xiaofeisu topologicaloptimizationdesignofthefrontcouplingrodofprosthetickneejointbasedoninspire
AT yanzhu topologicaloptimizationdesignofthefrontcouplingrodofprosthetickneejointbasedoninspire
AT huidong topologicaloptimizationdesignofthefrontcouplingrodofprosthetickneejointbasedoninspire
AT jingyuyang topologicaloptimizationdesignofthefrontcouplingrodofprosthetickneejointbasedoninspire
AT luwang topologicaloptimizationdesignofthefrontcouplingrodofprosthetickneejointbasedoninspire
AT zhengyuzhao topologicaloptimizationdesignofthefrontcouplingrodofprosthetickneejointbasedoninspire