Painopinnat

Painopinnat is a Finnish term referring to the surfaces or points on which forces are transmitted in contact between bodies or between a body and its environment. The concept is used across several disciplines, including mechanical engineering, biomechanics, ergonomics and medicine. In engineering, painopinnat describe the contact patches where loads are transmitted, such as the footprint area of a wheel on a road, the contact area of a bearing, or the interface between a prosthetic socket and a limb. The size, shape and distribution of these contact areas influence contact stress, wear, deformation and fatigue of materials.

In biomechanics and medicine, painopinnat denote body regions that experience pressure during activities or immobilization. Prolonged or excessive pressure on these areas can lead to tissue damage, pain or pressure ulcers. This understanding informs the design of seating, footwear, orthotics and supports, with the aim of redistributing load and reducing hotspots.

Measurement and analysis of painopinnat often involve pressure mapping with sensor arrays to visualize pressure distribution, or computational methods such as finite element analysis to predict stresses and deformations. Depending on context, the term may be used interchangeably with pressure points, contact patches or pressure surfaces. Overall, recognizing painopinnat is important for improving safety, comfort, performance and durability in both engineered systems and human health applications.