In this study, new design method of prosthetic foot was suggested which can evaluate the performance of prosthetic foot by implementing amputee's gait simulation using the finite element analysis.
In system design step, ESPF's basic shape was designed which is suitiable for the below-knee amputee considering mechanical properties and kinematic properties. In parameter design step, the property and performance evaluations were performed using the Taguchi method with orthogonal array $L_{25}$. As a result, average main effect of factors for the mechanical property and ESPF's performance were calculated and then optimum condition of given shape was selected.
Essential particulars for the performance evaluation from the simulation result were the quantity of external work needed in stance phase, the quantity of transferred energy from the ESPF through the knee, and the vertical displacement of knee at toe-off. Reasonable optimum condition was obtained from the using performance index.
From this study, it was found that relationship between the ESPF's performance and mechanical characteristic is not significant in the given shape and it is necessary for the design of ESPF to consider the geometrical data related to the magnitude of load on elastic material.
