DE102014114430A1 - orthotic - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an orthotic joint, in which two joint parts via a toothing, preferably a spur toothing engage with each other.

Description

The invention relates to an orthotic joint according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such joints may be formed, for example, as orthotic knee joint or as an orthotic hip joint.

Hip braces are used in patients with lumbar paralysis, especially at lesion heights L3 to L5, to give you greater comfort while walking. It is particularly important that both the greatest possible support and guidance of the hip as well as an anatomically correct movement is modeled or made possible.

The hip joints used in such hip orthoses have a hip joint upper part and a hip joint lower part, which are connected to each other via a hinge device. For stable stability, the hip joints are provided with a locking device which can be unlocked for flexion.

In a hip joint known per se - Salera hip joint, www.gottinger.de - The locking has a guided in the upper part of the hip joint and acted upon by a spring locking pin. The locking pin is supported on a control cam of the hip joint lower part, wherein it is received in the locked state in a recess of the control cam. To unlock the locking pin is reset via a manual lever, so that it releases the depression. After reaching a certain flexion of the locking pin is lowered back onto the control cam, whereby the locking pin slides independently in a subsequent extension in the recess and thus the lock is restored.

A disadvantage of this known solution is that the lever is movable only under relief of the orthosis with little force. That Under load such large forces act on the lever that unlocking is practically impossible. Thus, before each unlocking, the patient must shift his weight and operate the levers of both hip joints one after the other, which inevitably leads to unstable stance and twisting of the orthosis (flexing one side will inevitably lead to tension on the other side).

From the DE 197 41 769 C1 Also, a hip joint of a hip orthosis of this genus is known.

In the patent DE 102 19 661 B4 the applicant is disclosed an orthotic joint, in which a lock is present, which can be unlocked for flexion via a preselection element and disengaged during discharge. In this case, the hinge device and the lock are designed such that at least in the state of a certain freedom of movement is allowed.

The lock is comparatively complicated, wherein it engages only in the extended position (extension), wherein the movement of the joint from the flexion in the direction of extension by the patient must be controlled so as not to unintentionally perform a movement in the direction of flexion. However, this control is difficult to achieve for some patients.

In contrast, the invention has for its object to provide an orthotic joint, which has an improved function with a simple structure.

This object is achieved by an orthotic joint with the features of patent claim 1.

Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The orthotic joint according to the invention has a first joint part and a second joint part, which are connected to one another by means of a joint device. The hinge device is associated with a lock that can be unlocked for flexion (flexion) of the joint. This locking is inventively formed by a toothing, wherein the second joint part associated toothing element can be brought into toothing engagement with a toothed part associated with the first joint part. The toothed element and the toothed part are movable apart for releasing the toothing engagement.

Such a toothing can be made arbitrarily, for example as a face gear or as external / internal toothing. Thus, it is provided, for example, in a variant that the toothed element is formed with an external toothing and is in toothing engagement with the toothed part designed with an internal toothing. In this case, the toothed element and the toothing part can be designed as a gear or gear segment.

In a particularly preferred solution, the toothing is designed as a spur toothing, wherein a toothed ring assigned to the second joint part can be brought into toothed engagement with a toothed disc assigned to the first joint part, wherein the toothed ring and the toothed disc can be moved apart to release the toothing engagement and thus to unlock in the axial direction ,

The term "gear ring" and "gear disc" is in each case a spur gear understood - both terms are not strictly geometrically connected to an annular or disc-shaped structure - ie, the gear ring can also be designed as a disc, according to the toothed disc may be annular.

The inventive solution with the spur gear has the advantage that the support via a plurality of tooth portions of the spur gear teeth, so that the surface load of the joint is distributed over a plurality of wing sections and thus a secure function with low wear is guaranteed.

Another advantage is that this tooth engagement can be relatively easily solved by relative displacement of the two toothed partners, so as to allow free movement of the joint. In a spur gearing, this relative displacement is preferably in the axial direction of the joint. In the case of external or internal toothing, the relative displacement can likewise be effected in the axial direction or else in the radial direction (relative to the toothing partners).

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the toothed disc or the toothed part assigned to the first joint part is adjustable in the axial direction via an actuating element guided in the first joint part and is preferably prestressed in the tooth engagement direction by means of a tension spring.

Preferably, this actuator penetrates in the broadest sense, the first hinge part and is coupled to the toothed wheel or the toothing part, so that by adjusting the adjusting element, the toothed disc or the toothed part can be disengaged or engaged with the toothed ring or the toothed element.

The structure of the joint orthosis is particularly simple when the actuator has an actuating sleeve which is in threaded engagement with the first joint part and the axial feed is transmitted when adjusting on the toothed wheel or the toothing part.

A tension spring for biasing the toothed wheel or the toothed element in the direction of the toothed engagement is supported in a variant of the invention on a support screw which is screwed into the adjusting bushing.

For adjusting the adjusting bush, this can be connected to a control part, for example a setting wheel, a control knob, a lever, a cable or other device. In principle, it is also conceivable to carry out the adjustment pneumatically, by electric motor or hydraulically.

The ease of use is further increased when the adjusting element is designed so that the release of the toothing engagement by a rotation of the adjusting bushing takes place by about 90 ° to 180 °, so that the release can be done very quickly with a so-called "handle".

In a further development of the invention, the orthotic joint is designed with an additional stop for limiting the extension.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the teeth of the toothing are each designed with a flat tooth flank and a steep tooth flank, the steep tooth flank urging in the direction of extension under load in the direction of flexion and the flat tooth flank under load. The angle of attack of the flat tooth flank is chosen so that a ratchet function is created in cooperation with the tension spring in the extension direction. D. h., The knee joint can be moved by the user on the ratchet function without adjusting in the direction of extension, a return movement in the direction of flexion is not possible, since then the steep tooth flanks are positively and positively engaged.

An accidental release of the meshing engagement is prevented when the steep tooth flank is set at 2 ° from a neutral position, so that the tooth flanks of the toothed mesh engage behind each other in a form-fitting engagement.

The carrying capacity of the hinge device is particularly good when the teeth of the spur gear teeth are arranged at an angular distance of about 5 ° or less.

The comfort of the orthosis is significantly increased, although a certain play is allowed in the locking position, which allows the user compensatory movements.

In one embodiment of the invention, the joint device has a stepped joint bush, which is rotatably connected to the first joint part and on which the second joint part is rotatably mounted, wherein the adjusting bush is screwed into the joint bush and the toothed disc or the toothed part displaceable in the axial direction, however rotatably guided on the joint socket.

The adaptation of the orthosis joint to different requirements is particularly simple if the gearing partners, in particular the Gear ring and the gear disc are formed replaceable.

The provision of the orthosis joint in the direction of extension is possible without effort if it is provided with a spring element, such as a gas spring or the like, which acts on the joint in the extension direction.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

1 a front view of an orthotic joint according to the invention;

2 a side view of the orthotic joint 1 ;

3 a section along the line AA in 1 and

4 a detail A of the orthotic joint according to 2 in locked and unlocked state.

In 1 is an orthotic joint 1 shown, which is used as a knee joint of an orthosis or even in a hip joint.

Such a orthosis joint 1 has a first or upper joint part 2 and a second or lower joint part 4 that have a joint device 6 are hinged together. The two joint parts 2 . 4 are with recordings 8th . 10 executed, over which the orthosis joint 1 attachable to the thigh orthosis or the lower leg orthosis.

As will be explained below, the hinge device is 6 executed with a lock, which is a fixation of the orthotic joint 1 in the extension position (extended position) allows. This lock can be released to allow free movement.

Details of the joint device 6 are based 3 explains that a section along the line AA in 1 shows.

It can be seen in this sectional view of the joint-side region of the first joint part 2 and the second joint part 4 that over the joint device 6 are rotatably connected. This has a joint socket 12 , which is a radially stepped back threaded bush 14 Has threaded engagement with a threaded hole 16 of the first joint part 2 stands. As a result, the first joint part 2 and the joint socket 12 rotatably connected.

The second joint part 4 is at the out of the joint part 2 cantilevered storage area of the joint socket 12 slidably mounted. This area is opposite the threaded bushing 14 stepped extended, the joint socket 12 with an annular end face 18 on the adjacent large surface of the joint part 2 is supported. This is followed by the joint socket 12 a flange extended bearing section 20 formed, which is a bearing bush 22 carries on which the second joint part 4 both in the axial direction (down in 3 ) as well as stored in the radial direction. The axial support upwards ( 3 ) takes place via a bearing ring 24 , which is the radially recessed end portion of the bearing bush 22 encompasses and between adjacent end faces of the joint parts 2 and 4 is arranged so that the hinge part 4 rotatable with high precision both in the axial direction and in the radial direction on the joint bushing 12 is guided. This structure is realized in principle in known orthotic joints.

In contrast to the known solutions, the joint device according to the invention with a spur toothing 26 executed, which is engageable for locking in meshing engagement, so that a the first hinge part 2 associated Verzahnungspartner in meshing engagement with a second hinge part 4 associated Verzahnungspartner can be brought to reliably lock both elements at least in the direction of flexion. As will be explained in more detail below, this tooth engagement is carried out so that the lock can be brought about in a flexion position, with an extension in the direction of the extended position is possible, a return movement in the direction of flexion, however, is locked.

As stated above, may alternatively to the spur toothing 26 also another toothing, for example, an external / internal toothing are provided in a suitable manner, the toothing engagement for unlocking is solvable.

In the described embodiment, the hinge bush 12 with an internal thread 28 executed, in which an actuator 30 can be screwed. In the illustrated solution, this actuator consists 30 in principle, from a bushing 32 in the internal thread 28 is screwed. The pitch of the thread is very steep, so that with a small rotation of the actuating sleeve 32 a comparatively large axial stroke of the actuating sleeve 32 within the joint socket 12 is carried out.

The twisting of the adjusting bush 32 takes place by means of a setting wheel 34 that has a countersunk screw 36 with the adjusting bush 32 is screwed. Of course, the wheel can 34 and the adjusting bush 32 also be made in one piece. Of the Threaded engagement is designed so that the adjusting bushing 32 is adjustable by twisting in the axial direction to, as explained in more detail below, to establish the teeth engagement or solve.

The joint socket 12 is with the radially stepped bearing section 20 executed, in which a hexagon socket 38 is formed, in which a corresponding, with an external hexagon 40 executed projection of a toothed disc 42 dips. Through the two hexagonal sections 38 . 40 is the gear disc 40 rotatably with the joint socket 12 and thus also with the first joint part 2 connected - an axial displacement of the toothed disc 42 with reference to the joint socket 12 is possible.

The gear disc 42 lies in the position shown with an inner end face 44 on an adjacent outer end face 46 at the joint socket 12 at.

The gear disc 42 is about a support screw 48 held in the adjusting bush 32 is screwed. On an inner shoulder of the support screw 48 is a tension spring 50 supported on one shoulder 52 the projection of the toothed disc 42 is supported, on which the external hexagon 40 is trained.

Through this support spring 50 thus becomes the gear disc 42 in the direction of the toothed engagement against the outer end face 46 the joint socket 12 biased. The support screw 48 is in the same inner bore 54 the adjusting bush 32 screwed, in which also the countersunk screw 36 is used. In the illustrated embodiment, the countersunk screw 36 and the support screw 48 frontally to each other and are thus braced against each other and secured.

In a frontal recording 56 of the second joint part 4 is a toothed ring 58 used, the flange projecting collar of the joint bushing 12 surrounds and in meshing engagement with a corresponding annularly formed end teeth of the toothed disc 42 can be brought. This procedure is based on the 4 explains the detail A in 2 , ie, a range of meshing engagement between gear disc 42 and gear ring 58 shows. In 4 on the left the meshing engagement is shown, in 4 right is the joint device 6 in the unlocked state, ie, shown in dissolved gear engagement and thus free mobility. These are merely simplified schematic representations, in which the tooth geometry is shown "exaggerated" to facilitate understanding. In fact, the teeth are much filigree.

According to the illustrations in 4 is the toothing ring side toothing and the toothed tooth side teeth each with corresponding teeth 62 respectively. 64 each formed a steep tooth flank 66 respectively. 68 and a flat tooth flank 70 respectively. 72 exhibit. The steep tooth flanks 66 . 68 are like in 4 shown on the left with an angle α with respect to the horizontal (view in 4 ) hired. In the concrete embodiment, this angle α is about 2 °. The employment takes place so that the angle between the respective tooth flanks 66 . 70 respectively. 68 . 72 is reduced. In other words, the tooth flank 66 is set back to its flank base.

By this employment a toothing is achieved, in which the teeth in the tooth engagement (left in 4 ) behind each other. As a result, an accidental release of the meshing engagement is avoided even when the lock is released.

As from the illustrations in 4 shows, however, the toothing engagement is designed so that a certain game, ie, a small relative rotation between the toothed ring 58 and the gear disc 42 and thus between the two joint parts 2 . 4 is allowed. In this way, the user can still perform certain compensatory movements, without equal an adjustment of the orthotic joint 1 to effect.

This game will be at the in 4 illustrated concept provided by the fact that between the adjacent tooth flanks 66a . 66b on the one hand and 64a . 64b on the other hand in each case a plan area 73 respectively. 74 is formed, through which a slight play in the direction of flexion is possible. This game corresponds approximately to an angular range of less than 5 °. Accordingly, the wing areas of the teeth 62 . 64 , ie, their steep tooth flanks 66 . 68 correspondingly spaced by an angular distance of 5 ° to each other.

In the knee orthosis according to the invention 1 Nevertheless, with the comparatively filigree configuration of the toothings, a comparatively large overall contact surface of the tooth flanks is achieved 66 . 68 provided by about 9 mm ² , so that high forces can be absorbed with minimal wear.

In 4 left and also in 3 is the toothing engagement between the toothed ring 58 and the gear disc 42 produced. This is caused by the fact that the setting wheel 34 with the adjusting bush 32 far from the threaded bush 14 the joint socket 12 unscrewed until the hexagon socket 40 completely in the hexagon socket 48 the joint socket 12 dips while the inner end face 44 the gear disc 42 and the outer end face 46 the joint socket 12 lie against each other at the front.

In this position, a gap is created 75 between the mutually facing end faces of the setting wheel 34 and the first joint part 2 ,

It is believed that the orthotic joint 1 is first locked in a flexion position in the manner described above. That is, the two joint parts 2 . 4 are not in the extended position but angled to each other. Despite the locking can be due to the flat position of the tooth flanks 70 . 72 the orthotic joint 1 be moved in the direction of extension, since - similar to a freewheel of a bicycle - the axially movable toothed disc 42 against the force of the tension spring 50 and due to the wedging action between the flat tooth flanks engaging in movement in the extension direction 70 . 72 be moved apart, so that an adjustment in the extension direction in the manner of a ratchet is possible. The teeth 62 . 64 slide along their tooth flanks 70 . 72 against each other. However, a return movement in the direction of flexion is due to the steep tooth flanks 66 . 68 not possible.

The maximum extension position (extension) is limited in the described embodiment by an extension stop, for example, on the first joint part 2 is formed and on a stop surface 78 on the second joint part 4 runs up when the extension position is reached. This extension stop 76 is formed by a threaded bolt, so that by adjusting the stop position is changeable. In this extended position prevent the steep, abutting tooth flanks 66 . 68 a return movement in the direction of flexion.

To unlock the actuator bush 32 by means of the adjusting wheel 34 in the joint socket 12 screwed in, so that the gap 75 closes and the gear disc 42 from the gear ring 58 lifts and the gear mesh according to 4 right is solved - the orthosis joint can then be pivoted freely.

As explained, the gear disc 42 and the gear ring 58 arranged interchangeable, so that the tooth pitch and the tooth geometry or even a replacement in case of wear is possible in a simple manner.

As shown in the illustration 1 shows, is the recording 56 for the gear ring 58 in a region in the radial direction to a pocket 80 extended, in which a correspondingly formed radial projection of the toothed ring 58 engages as anti-rotation.

In the illustrated embodiment, it is preferred that the bearing bush 22 and the bearing ring 24 made of plastic, for example made of Teflon. The teeth can each be made of steel. The remaining parts of the orthotic joint are made of a solid and lightweight material, such as titanium.

In the described embodiment, the adjustment takes place via the setting wheel 34 , Of course, other control elements, such as a knob, a cable or the like may be provided to produce the teeth engagement or cancel.

At an additional in 1 dash-dotted lines indicated embodiment may be attached to an element of the orthotic joint 1 , For example, on the gear disc 42 a dot-dashed lever 82 be formed, to which an indicated gas spring 84 attacks, either on a fixed part of the orthosis or on the second joint part 4 is supported and the orthosis joint 1 biased towards the extension, allowing the movement in extension direction through the gas spring 84 is supported.

Alternatively, instead of a gas spring 84 Also, a hydraulic device or an electric motor can be used, which supports the provision.

Disclosed is an orthotic joint, in which two joint parts via a toothing, preferably a spur toothing engage with each other.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 orthotic

2

 first joint part

4

 second joint part

6

 joint device

8th

 admission

10

 admission

12

 joint bush

14

 threaded bushing

16

 threaded hole

18

 Annular face

20

 bearing section

22

 bearing bush

24

 bearing ring

26

 spur gearing

28

 inner thread

30

 actuator

32

 adjusting bush

34

 thumbwheel

36

 Senkschraube

38

 Allen

40

 External hexagon

42

 toothed wheel

44

 Inside face

46

 Outer face

48

 support screw

50

 tension spring

52

 shoulder

54

 internal bore

56

 admission

58

 toothed ring

62

 tooth

64

 tooth

66

 steep tooth flank

68

 steep tooth flank

70

 flat tooth flank

72

 flat tooth flank

73

 plan area

74

 plan area

75

 gap

76

 extension stop

78

 stop surface

80

 bag

82

 lever

84

 gas spring

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 19741769 C1 [0007]
• DE 10219661 B4 [0008]

Cited non-patent literature

• www.gottinger.de [0005]

Claims (15)

Orthosis joint with a first joint part ( 2 ) and a second joint part ( 4 ), which by means of a hinge device ( 6 ) are connected and with a lock which can be unlocked for the flexion of the joint, characterized in that the lock is formed by a toothing, wherein a second joint part ( 4 ) associated toothing element in meshing engagement with a the first joint part ( 2 ) associated toothing part can be brought, wherein the toothing part and the toothing element for releasing the toothing engagement are movable apart. Orthosis joint according to claim 1, wherein the toothing a spur toothing ( 26 ), wherein a second joint part ( 4 ) associated toothed ring ( 58 ) in meshing engagement with a first hinge part ( 2 ) assigned toothed disk ( 42 ) is engageable, wherein the toothed ring ( 58 ) and the gear disc ( 42 ) are movable apart for releasing the toothing engagement in the axial direction. Orthosis joint according to claim 2, wherein the toothed disc ( 42 ) via an actuating element ( 30 ) is adjustable in the axial direction and by means of a tension spring ( 50 ) is biased in the gear engagement direction. Orthosis joint according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating element ( 30 ) a bushing ( 32 ) which, indirectly or directly, threadably engages the first joint part ( 2 ) and whose axial feed when adjusting on the gear disc ( 42 ) is transferable. Orthosis joint according to claim 3 and 4, wherein the tension spring ( 50 ) on a support screw ( 48 ), which is in the Stellbuchse ( 32 ) is screwed. Orthosis joint according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the adjusting bush ( 32 ) for adjusting with an actuating part, for example a setting wheel ( 34 ), a knob, a lever or a cable is connected. Orthotic joint according to claim 4 or one of the claims based on this claim, wherein the adjusting bush ( 32 ) is designed such that the release of the toothing engagement by a rotation of the actuating bush ( 32 ) takes place by about 90 ° to 180 °. Orthosis joint according to one of the preceding claims, with a stop for limiting the extension. Orthotic joint according to one of the preceding claims, wherein teeth ( 62 . 64 ) of the gearing ( 26 ) each have a flat tooth flank ( 70 . 72 ) and a steep tooth flank ( 66 . 68 ), whereby the steep tooth flank ( 66 . 68 ) in the direction of flexion and the flat tooth flank ( 70 . 72 ) in the direction of the extension and wherein the angle of attack of the flat tooth flank ( 70 . 72 ) is selected so that in cooperation with the tension spring ( 50 ) in the extension direction a ratchet function is enabled. Orthosis joint according to claim 9, wherein the angle of attack ( 2 ) of the steep tooth flank ( 66 . 68 ) by 2 ° from a neutral position in the direction of the other tooth flank ( 70 . 72 ) is employed. Orthotic joint according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the teeth ( 62 . 64 ) are arranged at an angular distance of about 5 ° to each other. Orthosis joint according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tooth spacing and the tooth geometry are selected so that at least in the locking position a certain amount of play is present. Orthosis joint according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the joint device ( 6 ) a stepped joint socket ( 12 ), which rotatably with the first joint part ( 2 ) is connected and at the second joint part ( 4 ) is articulated, wherein the adjusting bush ( 32 ) in threaded engagement with the joint socket ( 12 ) and the gear disc ( 42 ) displaceable in the axial direction, but rotationally fixed to the joint socket ( 12 ) is stored. Orthosis joint according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the toothing part and the toothed element, in particular the toothed ring ( 58 ) and the gear disc ( 42 ) are interchangeable. Orthotic joint according to one of the preceding claims, with a spring element, for example a gas spring ( 84 ), which is the orthotic joint 1 acted in the extension direction.

Images