DE102020101703A1 - Spring device for a shoe or for a foot prosthesis and shoe and foot prosthesis with a spring device - Google Patents

Abstract

A spring device for a shoe or for a prosthetic foot for energy recovery in the human gait phase is proposed which has excellent shock absorption properties and in which the energy absorbed during shock absorption is advantageously recovered to support the swing phase. The spring device (100) for a shoe (200) or for a prosthetic foot for energy recovery in the human gait phase comprises a first spring element (10, 10a) and a second spring element (11, 11a), the first spring element (10, 10a) having a having a lower spring section (12) and an upper spring section (13) which are connected to one another via a, preferably curved, first transition section (16), so that the first spring element (10, 10a) in a side view is preferably essentially V-shaped or U -shaped, and wherein the second spring element (11, 11a) has a lower spring section (14) and an upper spring section (15), which are connected to one another via a, preferably curved, second transition section (17), so that the second spring element (11, 11a) is preferably essentially V-shaped or U-shaped in a side view, the first spring element (10, 10a) and the second spring element (11, 11a) running in opposite directions, e.g. are arranged one above the other, the lower spring section (12) of the first spring element (10, 10a,) having a recess or opening (24) in a plan view, and wherein the second spring element (11, 11a) passes through the recess or opening (24) is arranged guided through, and wherein the upper spring section (13) of the first spring element (10, 10a) and the upper spring section (15) of the second spring element (11, 11a) are firmly connected to one another.

Description

The present invention relates to a spring device for a shoe or for a prosthetic foot for energy recovery in human gait phases. The present invention also relates to a shoe and a prosthetic foot with a spring device for energy recovery in human gait phases.

Technological background

The human gait can be divided into the phases "initial contact with the ground", "load response", "middle stance phase", "end of stance phase", "swing phase preparation", "initial swing phase", "middle swing phase" and "terminal swing phase". In the phases of "initial contact with the ground" and "response to stress", the impacts that occur in the knee and ankle when the foot touches down are cushioned. In the "middle stance phase" the body's center of gravity shifts forward. At the end of the stance phase, the heel begins to detach from the ground. In the subsequent phase “swing phase preparation”, muscle tension and plantar flexion of the ankle joint build up energy for swinging the leg forward.

In the "load response" phase in particular, the knee and ankle are loaded with forces that are up to five times their body weight. When jogging, this value can increase to nine times. This energy is absorbed in the knee and ankle joint when walking or running and is largely lost.

It is known in the prior art to arrange shock-absorbing soles on shoes in order to reduce the stress on the knee and the ankle. However, even when using shock-absorbing soles, the absorbed energy is lost.

In order to recover this energy, spring devices for shoes are known in the prior art.

So is from the DE 10 2015 109 369 A1 Known a spring-damper unit for footwear, comprising a first spring element which extends in an undulating manner in approximately the longitudinal direction of the footwear, a second spring element which extends in an undulating manner in an approximately longitudinal manner in the direction of the footwear, the first spring element having a surface extension , which corresponds approximately to the area enclosed by the shoe upper or the area of the sole of the foot of the wearer of footwear and has a central recess in which the second spring element is arranged, the wave shape of the first and the second spring element being designed so that in the area of a Wave valley of the first a summit of the second spring element is arranged.

the DE 10 2011 007 996 A1 discloses a sports shoe with a damping element integrated into a sole, which in the unloaded state comprises a curvature which, when a predetermined load limit is exceeded, shifts in a wave-like manner in the longitudinal direction of the sports shoe.

From the US 2014/0259785 A1 an energy recovery sole is known which has a basic structure extending along the length of a shoe sole. A curvature element extends from the basic structure, on which in turn a toe arm extending in the forward direction and a heel arm extending in the rearward direction are arranged.

From the WO 2015/138815 A2 For example, a footwear system is known which comprises a configuration of components and which is designed to provide energy recovery during human gait. The footwear system uses structural arches and cantilever structures made from materials that enable kinetic energy to be stored and released during gait movement.

From the US 2017/0055633 A1 a sole damping module is known which has a first spring element and a second spring element. The two spring elements are essentially U-shaped and each have an upper spring section and a lower spring section, which are connected to one another via a curved transition section. The first spring element and the second spring element are arranged in opposite directions to one another. A lower spring section of the second spring element is arranged guided through a recess or opening in the lower spring section of the first spring element. The two spring elements are connected to one another via a movable joint.

In spring devices known in the prior art, the energy absorbed in the load response is stored in spring elements and at least partially recovered to support the further gait phases. The devices known in the prior art, however, emit a large part of the absorbed energy to the wearer's heel at the end of the middle stance phase and essentially support the upward movement of the heel during detachment from the ground. The one given again Energy can only be transferred to a small extent into the initial swing phase. A considerable part of the energy absorbed in the stress response is delivered to the foot without any actual support taking place in the late gait phases.

Presentation of the invention: task, solution, advantages

The present invention is based on the object of providing a spring device for a shoe or for a prosthetic foot for energy recovery in the human gait phase, which has excellent shock absorption properties and in which the energy absorbed during shock absorption is advantageously recovered to support the swing phase. Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe and a prosthetic foot with a spring device with which the aforementioned advantages are obtained.

To solve the problem on which the invention is based, a spring device for a shoe or for a prosthetic foot for energy recovery in the human gait phase is proposed, comprising a first spring element and a second spring element, the first spring element having a lower spring section and an upper spring section, which have a , preferably curved, first transition section are connected to each other, so that the first spring element is preferably substantially V-shaped or U-shaped in a side view, and wherein the second spring element has a lower spring section and an upper spring section, which is preferably curved , second transition section are connected to one another, so that the second spring element is preferably formed in a side view in a substantially V-shaped or U-shaped manner, the first spring element and the second spring element being arranged in opposite directions to one another, the lower The spring section of the first spring element has a recess or opening in a plan view, and wherein the second spring element is arranged guided through the recess or opening, it is further provided that the upper spring section of the first spring element and the upper spring section of the second spring element are firmly connected to one another .

In the context of the present invention, terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “right”, “left” or “side” refer to a state of the spring device arranged on a shoe or on a prosthetic foot. The term “front” is to be understood in particular as the area of the spring device which corresponds to the position of the toes or ball of the foot of a wearer of the shoe or the foot prosthesis in the state arranged on the shoe or on a foot prosthesis. Correspondingly, the term “rear” relates to the area of the spring device in which the heel of the foot or the foot prosthesis is located in the state arranged on the shoe or on the foot prosthesis. The middle area of the spring device is located approximately in the metatarsal area. The terms “above” and “below” have the usual meaning and relate to a state of the spring device arranged on a shoe or on a foot prosthesis with the usual orientation of the shoe or the foot prosthesis during walking or running. The side view relates to a direction of view of the spring device in the state arranged on the shoe from the right or from the left side.

The first spring element and the second spring element are preferably essentially V-shaped or U-shaped. An essentially V-shaped or U-shaped spring element is preferably understood to mean a spring element which has two spring sections, namely an upper and a lower spring section, which are connected to one another via a particularly curved transition section. The corresponding spring element does not necessarily have to be exactly U or V-shaped. These terms only express that the upper spring section and the lower spring section each have an end facing away from the transition section, the ends not being connected to one another. The shape of the spring sections can essentially be selected freely. In particular, the upper spring section and / or lower spring section can be straight or curved or curved in a side view. Furthermore, in particular, the upper spring section and / or the lower spring section can be designed to be bent or curved several times.

The first spring element and the second spring element are arranged in opposite directions to one another. This means that the ends of the upper and lower spring sections of the first spring element facing away from the first transition section are directed in the opposite direction to the corresponding ends of the upper and lower spring sections of the second spring element.

The first spring element has at least in the lower spring section a recess or opening through which the second spring element, preferably the lower spring section of the second spring element, is arranged to be guided. The first spring element and the second spring element are thus interlocked.

According to the invention it is provided that the upper spring section of the first spring element and the upper spring section of the second spring element are firmly connected to one another. The fixed connection of the upper spring section of the first spring element and the upper spring section of the second spring element means that the first spring element and the second spring element cannot be pivoted or moved relative to one another. As a result, a spring energy stored in the first spring element and / or in the second spring element can be transferred from the first spring element to the second spring element and / or vice versa during the sequence of human gait phases. This advantageously makes it possible for spring energy stored in the load response, for example in the second spring element, to be transferred from the second spring element to the first spring element in the transition from the middle stance phase to the end of the stance phase, and in the swing phase preparation or initial swing phase from the first spring element to support the swing phase can be returned. In other words, the spring energy stored in the initial ground contact or in the load response is not only transferred to the heel of the person in the middle stance phase, but the spring energy is transferred into the swing phase in order to provide dynamic support for walking or running movement. This leads to a particularly effective energy recovery in the phases of the human gait.

The upper spring section of the first spring element and the upper spring section of the second spring element are thus connected to one another in a force-transmitting manner. The upper spring section of the first spring element and the upper spring section of the second spring element can for this purpose be arranged adjacent to one another and connected to one another by means of connecting means such as resins, adhesives, screws, rivets, etc. However, in principle it is also possible for the upper spring section of the first spring element and the upper spring section of the second spring element to be formed integrally with one another and thus to form a single, integral spring section.

It is preferably provided that the first spring element is a front spring element and that the second spring element is a rear spring element.

The rear spring element is then further preferably that spring element which stores the impact energy in the gait phases “initial ground contact” and “load response” and thus develops a spring effect, particularly in the heel area of the shoe or the prosthetic foot. The front spring element is correspondingly the spring element which emits the stored energy in the initial swing phase and thus develops a spring effect in particular in the front area of the shoe or the prosthetic foot.

It is preferably provided that the first spring element and / or the second spring element have different hardnesses, stiffnesses or spring constants. In particular, it is preferably provided that the rear spring element is softer or that the rear spring element has a lower rigidity or a smaller spring constant than the front spring element.

The spring device can be arranged integrated into a shoe or a foot or leg prosthesis. In addition, it is also possible that the spring device is subsequently attached as an additional element to a shoe or to the sole of a shoe or to a foot or leg prosthesis.

It is also preferably provided that when the spring device is used on a shoe or a prosthetic foot, the second spring element is designed to be loaded and tensioned between the gait phases “initial ground contact” and “middle stance phase”, preferably “late middle stance phase”, and spring energy to store, and that the second spring element is further preferably designed to emit the spring energy between the "middle stance phase", preferably the "late middle stance phase" and the "end of stance phase", so that the second spring element has especially preferably emitted the spring energy in the "end of stance phase" .

In the context of the present invention, the term “late middle stance phase” is preferably understood to mean the last third of the time course of the middle stance phase.

With a further advantage it can be provided that when the spring device is used on a shoe or a prosthetic foot, the first spring element is designed to be loaded and tensioned between the gait phases “middle stance phase”, preferably “early middle stance phase”, and “end of stance phase” To store spring energy, and that the first spring element is further preferably designed to deliver the spring energy from the “end of the stance phase” into the “initial swing phase”.

In the context of the present invention, the term “early middle stance phase” is preferably understood to mean the first third of the time course of the middle stance phase.

The first spring element and the second spring element are thus advantageously assigned to different gait phases with respect to the point in time at which the respective spring energy is received and released.

With a further advantage it can be provided that the first spring element and the second spring element are firmly connected to each other in such a way that between the gait phases “load response” or “middle stance phase”, preferably “late middle stance phase”, and “end of stance phase” the spring energy of the second spring element is at least partially transferred to the first spring element.

By transferring the spring energy from the second spring element, in particular the rear spring element, to the first spring element, in particular the front spring element, a large part of the impact energy absorbed in the load response can be transferred into the later gait phases, in particular into the end of the stance phase and the initial swing phase . The energy transferred to the late gait phases can be released from the first or front spring element to the foot or the prosthetic foot to support the swing phase.

In particular, it is then preferred that the second spring element, in particular the rear spring element, is tensioned when the foot is placed in the load response. In the middle stance phase, the spring energy is at least partially transferred to the first, in particular the front, spring element. When the foot is pushed off, the first, in particular the front, spring element, beginning in the end of the stance phase, releases the energy into the initial swing phase on the foot.

During the transmission of the spring energy from the second spring element to the first spring element in the middle stance phase, the first spring element and the second spring element are both preferably at least partially tensioned.

With a further advantage it can be provided that the first spring element and / or the second spring element are tensioned further by the muscular force of a wearer of the spring device, in particular by lifting the heel.

It is preferably provided that the first transition section of the first spring element is arranged in a rear region of the spring device, and that the ends of the upper spring section and the lower spring section of the first spring element facing away from the first transition section are arranged in a front region of the spring device.

By arranging the ends of the upper spring section facing away from the first transition section and the lower spring section of the first spring element in a front area of the spring device, the first spring element is designed in particular to develop a spring effect in the area of the toes or ball of the foot of a foot or a prosthetic foot. The first spring element thus preferably corresponds to the front spring element.

With a further advantage it can be provided that the second transition section of the second spring element is arranged in a central or front region of the spring device, and that the ends of the upper spring section and the lower spring section of the second spring element facing away from the second transition section are arranged in a rear region of the spring device are.

Due to the arrangement of the ends of the upper spring section facing away from the second transition area and the lower spring section of the second spring element, the second spring element develops a spring effect essentially in the heel area of the foot or the prosthetic foot and thus preferably corresponds to the rear spring element.

It is particularly preferably provided that the second transition section of the second spring element is arranged in front of the first transition section of the first spring element.

With a further advantage it can be provided that the first spring element and the second spring element each have a ground contact section, the respective ground contact section being arranged at the end of the lower spring section facing away from the respective transition section.

The ground contact section is that area of the lower spring sections of the first and / or the second spring element which comes into contact first with the ground, for example a road. With regard to the second, in particular rear, spring element, the ground contact section is arranged essentially below the heel of a foot or the heel area of a shoe or a foot prosthesis. With regard to the first, in particular the front, spring element, the ground contact section is arranged approximately under the toes or under the ball of the foot or under the toe or ball of the foot area of a shoe or a prosthetic foot.

The ground contact portion can be integrated in an arrangement in a shoe Spring device can be integrated into the outsole of the shoe. Thus, an underside of an outsole of the shoe can be arranged between the ground contact section and the ground.

The height of the spring device is preferably between 1 cm and 5 cm, preferably between 2 cm and 4 cm, particularly preferably between 3 cm and 3.5 cm.

A particularly flat design of the spring device is thus provided, which can be easily integrated into a shoe or a foot prosthesis or can be arranged on a shoe or on a foot prosthesis.

With a further advantage, it can be provided that the upper spring section of the first spring element and the upper spring section of the second spring element are glued and / or riveted and / or screwed to one another, or that the upper spring section of the first spring element and the upper spring section of the second spring element are integral with one another are trained.

In other words, the upper spring sections of the first spring element and the second spring element can be connected to one another by arranging the upper spring section of the first spring element on the upper spring section of the second spring element and then gluing, riveting or screwing the upper spring sections together to create a firm connection between the upper spring element Produce spring portion of the first spring element and the upper spring portion of the second spring element.

In addition, however, it is also possible to produce the upper spring section of the first spring element and the upper spring section of the second spring element in one piece of material during the manufacture of the spring device, so that these do not represent physically separate sections, but are combined with one another in a single material spring section.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a fastening section is provided on the upper spring section of the first spring element and / or on the upper spring section of the second spring element, the fastening section being designed for fastening the spring device to a shoe or to a prosthetic foot.

When integrated in a shoe, the fastening section can also be designed for fastening to an inner or insole of a shoe.

With a further advantage it can be provided that the upper spring section of the second spring element has at least one downwardly directed stop surface, the downwardly directed stop surface preferably being arranged approximately centrally between the second transition section and the end of the upper spring section facing away from the second transition section, and wherein the lower spring section of the second spring element has an upwardly directed stop surface, wherein the upwardly directed stop surface is preferably arranged approximately centrally between the second transition section and the end of the lower spring section facing away from the second transition section, the second spring element preferably being designed in such a way that that the downward-facing stop surface and the upward-facing stop surface between the gait phase “load response” and the “middle stance phase”, preferably the “early middle stance phase”, come into mutual contact men.

The downwardly directed stop surface of the upper spring section of the second spring element and the upwardly directed stop surface of the lower spring section of the second spring element are thus directed towards an inside of the essentially U- or V-shaped configuration of the second spring element.

Between the gait phases of initial ground contact and load response, the second spring element, in particular the rear spring element, is loaded and tensioned and absorbs spring energy. In the gait phase, load response or middle stance phase, preferably “early middle stance phase”, the upper stop surface and the lower stop surface of the second spring element come into contact with one another. As a result, the effective lever length of the lower spring section of the second spring element is shortened. In particular, the lever length is shortened to the distance between the stop and the end of the lower spring section of the second spring element facing away from the second transition area. The shortening of the lever length leads to an effective increase in the spring strength or spring constant. With the stop provided, the spring strength can thus be changed during the gait phases, so that the damping strength or the temporal progression of the energy recovery can be controlled.

A lever arm of the lower spring section of the second spring element is therefore preferred between the gait phase “load response” and the “middle stance phase”, preferably the “early middle stance phase”, on a section between the section facing away from the second transition section Shortened end of the lower spring section and the upwardly directed stop surface.

With a further advantage it can be provided that the upper spring section of the first spring element has at least one downwardly directed stop surface, the downwardly directed stop surface preferably being arranged approximately centrally between the first transition section and the end of the upper spring section facing away from the first transition section, and wherein the lower spring section of the first spring element has an upwardly directed stop surface, wherein the upwardly directed stop surface is preferably arranged approximately centrally between the first transition section and the end of the lower spring section facing away from the first transition section, the first spring element preferably being designed in such a way that the downward-facing stop surface and the upward-facing stop surface between the “middle stance phase”, preferably the “late middle stance phase”, and the “end of the stance phase” come into mutual contact.

Analogous to the explanations given above for the second spring element, the abutment of the upper spring section with the lower spring section of the first spring element can change the spring forces or the spring constant of the first, in particular the front, spring element in the gear phases, so that the damping strength can be varied. In addition, by adapting the lever length and thus the spring constant or the spring force of the first spring element, the release of the energy recovery in the initial swing phase is timed. This enables particularly advantageous dynamic support for walking.

Preferably, it can be provided that a lever arm of the lower spring section of the first spring element between the “middle stance phase”, preferably the “late middle stance phase”, and the “end of the stance phase” on a section between the end of the lower spring section facing away from the first transition section and the after Above facing stop surface is shortened.

With a further advantage it can be provided that the lower spring section of the second spring element has at least one stop element, preferably two stop elements, in particular a projection, the at least one stop element approximately centrally between the second transition section and the end of the lower spring section facing away from the second transition section , further in particular between the second transition section and the upwardly directed stop surface of the lower spring section, wherein the first spring element and / or the second spring element are preferably designed such that the at least one stop element between the gait phases “load response” and “middle stance phase “Comes into a stop with a stop area of the lower spring section of the first spring element.

The at least one stop element, in particular the projection, is arranged in particular on the lower spring section of the second, in particular rear, spring element. Furthermore, the stop element, in particular the projection, preferably protrudes laterally outward from the lower spring section of the second spring element, so that the stop element is arranged below the stop area on the lower spring section of the first spring element, in particular the front spring element.

In principle, however, it is also conceivable that the at least one stop element, preferably the at least two stop elements, further in particular the projection, is arranged on the lower spring section of the first or the front spring element and in particular in an inward direction into the opening in the lower spring section of the first spring element protrudes. In this case, the at least one stop element, further in particular the at least one projection, is arranged above a corresponding stop area of the lower spring section of the second spring element.

By providing a stop between the lower spring section of the second spring element and the lower spring section of the first spring element, in particular between the gait phases, load response and middle stance phase, it can be ensured that the first spring element and the second spring element are tensioned or loaded at the same time, even if only one of the spring elements, in particular the second spring element, is loaded by contact with the ground. If, for example, the rear spring element, in particular the second spring element, is loaded and tensioned in the gait phases of initial ground contact or load response, then during the tensioning of the lower spring section of the second, in particular the rear, spring element this moves towards the upper spring section of the second spring element. Before the second, in particular rear, spring element is fully tensioned, the at least one stop element of the lower spring section of the second, in particular rear, spring element comes into abutment with the stop area on the lower spring section of the first or front spring element. The first, in particular the front, spring element is not yet in contact with the ground contact section at this point in time in contact with the ground. In the event of a further load on the second, in particular the rear, spring element, the forces are transmitted via the stop element to the first, in particular the front, spring element and thus ensure a pretensioning of the first, in particular the front, spring element and thus for energy transfer from the second, in particular the rear Spring element on the first, in particular front spring element. This measure provides a particularly effective transfer of energy from the second, in particular rear, spring element to the first, in particular, front spring element.

The at least one stop element is preferably arranged approximately centrally between the second transition section and the end of the lower spring section facing away from the second transition section, further in particular between the second transition section and the upwardly directed stop surface of the lower spring section of the second spring element. This positioning ensures that the at least one stop element comes into contact with the stop area of the lower spring section of the first spring element before the upwardly directed stop surface of the lower spring section of the second spring element comes into contact with the downwardly directed stop surface of the upper spring section of the second spring element got. The energy transfer provided by the at least one stop element from the second, in particular rear, spring element to the first, in particular front, spring element thus already occurs before the lever length of the lower spring portion of the second spring element due to the stop of the lower spring section with the upper spring section of the second spring element second spring element is shortened.

With a further advantage it can be provided that the spring device is integrated or integrable in a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, an orthopedic shoe, a hiking shoe or a work shoe, or that the spring direction is attached to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, an orthopedic shoe, a Hiking shoe or a work shoe, preferably on an underside of a sole, can be arranged.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the spring device is or can be integrated into a foot prosthesis.

It is further advantageously provided that the first spring element and / or the second spring element consists of a plastic, and / or that the first spring element and / or the second spring element consists of carbon, and / or that the first spring element and / or the second spring element consists of a composite material.

In addition, it can be provided that the first spring element and / or the second spring element have fibers, the fibers being aligned according to the mechanical loads occurring in the gait phases, the first spring element and / or the second spring element preferably in a tailored fiber placement -Procedures are established.

Furthermore, a third spring element can be provided, the third spring element being arranged in a rear region of the spring device. The third spring element can, however, also be arranged in a front region of the spring device.

In principle, a plurality of spring elements, preferably two or three spring elements, can be arranged in the front area of the spring device and / or in the rear area of the spring device.

Another solution to the problem on which the invention is based is to provide a shoe and / or a foot prosthesis or leg prosthesis comprising a spring device as described above, in particular integrated in the shoe or in the foot prosthesis.

Figure list

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Federvorrichtung,
• 2a eine Seitenansicht der Federvorrichtung,
• 2b eine Seitenansicht einer Weiterbildung der Federvorrichtung,
• 3 eine Ansicht einer Unterseite der Federvorrichtung,
• 4 eine Vorderansicht der Federvorrichtung,
• 5 eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Weiterbildung der Federvorrichtung, und
• 6 eine Seitenansicht eines Schuhs mit einer Federvorrichtung.

Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a spring device,
• 2a a side view of the spring device,
• 2 B a side view of a further development of the spring device,
• 3 a view of an underside of the spring device,
• 4th a front view of the spring device,
• 5 a side view of a further development of the spring device, and
• 6th a side view of a shoe with a spring device.

Detailed description of the figures

In the 1 until 4th is a spring device 100 for a shoe 200 or for a prosthetic foot for energy recovery in human gait phases. 1 is a perspective view of the spring device 100 . 2a shows a side view of the spring device 100 . 2 B shows a side view of a further development of the spring device 100 . 3 Fig. 3 is a view of an underside of the spring device 100 . 4th shows the spring device 100 from the front.

The spring device 100 comprises a first spring element 10 and a second spring element 11 . The first spring element 10 has a lower spring portion 12th and an upper spring portion 13th on. Analogously, the second spring element 11 a lower spring portion 14th and an upper spring section 15th on. The lower spring section 12th of the first spring element 10 is via a first curved transition section 16 with the upper spring section 13th of the first spring element 10 connected. The lower spring section is analogous 14th of the second spring element 11 via a second transition section 17th with the upper spring section 15th of the second spring element 11 connected. The first transition section 16 of the first spring element 10 is in a rear area 18th the spring device 100 arranged and the first transition section 16 remote ends 19a , 19b of the lower spring section 12th and the upper spring section 13th of the first spring element 10 are in a front area 20th the spring device 100 arranged. The second transition section 17th of the second spring element 11 is in the front area 20th the spring device 100 arranged. The second transition section 17th remote ends 21a , 21b of the lower spring section 14th and the upper spring section 15th of the second spring element 11 are in the back 18th the spring device 100 arranged. The first spring element 10 has a ground contact portion 22nd on. The second spring element also has 11 a ground contact section 23 on. The ground contact section 23 of the second spring element 11 is in the back 18th the spring device 100 arranged. The ground contact section 23 of the second spring element 11 is usually the area that is stressed first when walking in the phase of initial ground contact. The second spring element represents accordingly 11 a rear spring element 11a The ground contact section 22nd of the first spring element 10 is in the front area 20th arranged and only comes into contact with the ground in a later gait phase. The first spring element thus unfolds 10 later than the second spring element 11 its spring action and represents a front spring element 10a represent.

The lower spring section 12th of the first spring element 10 has one of two spring arms 12a , 12b enclosed opening 24 on. The lower spring section 14th of the second spring element 11 is through the opening 24 arranged passed through. The second transition section is also located 17th before the first transition section 16 so that the first 10 spring element and the second spring element 11 are arranged in a manner interlaced with one another. In the side view of the 2a it can be seen that the first spring element 10 and the second spring element 11 are essentially V-shaped or U-shaped. The upper spring section 13th of the first spring element 10 and the upper spring section 15th of the second spring element 11 are firmly connected to each other. In the 2a are the upper spring section 13th of the first spring element 10 and the upper spring section 15th of the second spring element 11 shown as separate spring sections, which are connected to one another, for example, by gluing, riveting, screwing, etc. As in the further training of the 2 B shown, the upper spring section 13th of the first spring element 10 and the upper spring section 15th of the second spring element 11 also in one piece as a spring section in one piece 25th be trained.

The upper spring section 13th of the first spring element 10 and / or the upper spring section 15th of the second spring element 11 or the one-piece spring section 25th also form a fastening section 26th the end. The spring device 100 can by means of the fastening section 26th on a sole 210 of a shoe 200 ( 6th ) or a prosthetic foot. Alternatively, the spring device 100 even in a shoe 200 or be arranged integrated into a prosthetic foot. In this case, the fastening section is located 26th inside a sole 210 of the shoe 200 or inside the prosthetic foot. In the case of a shoe 200 is the fastening section 26th in particular on the insole or on an insole of the shoe 200 attached.

As in particular in 2a and 2 B can be seen, the upper spring section 15th of the second spring element 11 a downward-facing stop surface 27 on. The downward facing stop surface 27 opposite the lower spring section 14th of the second spring element 11 an upward-facing stop surface 28 . The downward facing stop surface 27 of the upper spring section 15th is approximately in the middle between the second transition section 17th and that of the second transition section 17th remote end 21b of the upper spring section 15th arranged. The upwardly directed stop surface is corresponding 28 of the lower spring section 14th approximately in the middle between the second transition section 17th and that of the second transition section 17th remote end 21a of the lower spring section 14th arranged. The upward-facing stop surface 28 is made by an upward curvature 29 of the lower spring section 14th educated. This becomes the section in contact with the ground, in particular during the initial ground contact or during the load response 23 of the lower spring section 14th of the second spring element 11 loaded, the second spring element is 11 pressed together and the upward-facing stop surface 28 comes into contact with the downward-facing stop surface 27 of the upper spring section 15th of the second spring element 11 . This stop becomes the effective lever arm for the second spring element 11 on the section between the upwardly directed stop surface 28 and that of the second transition section 17th remote end 21a of the lower spring section 14th of the second spring element 11 shortened. This effectively increases the spring constant of the second spring element 11 achieved. Analogously, the upper spring section 13th of the first spring element 10 one roughly in the middle between the first transition section 16 and that of the first transition section 16 remote end 19b of the upper spring section 13th of the first spring element 10 arranged downward stop surface 30th on. The downward facing stop surface 30th opposite the lower spring section 12th of the first spring element 10 an upward-facing stop surface 31 on. The upward-facing stop surface 31 is roughly in the middle between the first transition section 16 and that of the first transition section 16 remote end 19a of the lower spring section 12th of the first spring element 10 arranged. Also the upward facing stop surface 31 is through a bulge 32 of the lower spring section 12th of the first spring element 10 educated.

As with the second spring element 11 leads to a load on the lower spring section 12th of the first spring element 10 to a stop between the stop surfaces 30th , 31 and thereby to an effective shortening of the lever arm of the lower spring section 12th of the first spring element 10 on the section between the upwardly directed stop surface 31 and that of the first transition section 16 remote end 19a of the lower spring section 12th of the first spring element 10 . The stop surfaces 27 , 28 of the second spring element 11 are preferably arranged in such a way that the downwardly directed stop surface 27 and the upward-facing stop surface 28 come into focus between the gait phases "load response" and "early middle stance phase". Opposite are the stop surfaces 30th , 31 of the first spring element 10 designed in such a way that the downwardly directed stop surface 30th the upward-facing stop surface 31 touched between the late middle stance phase and the end of the stance phase.

A further development of the spring device 100 the 1 until 4th is in the 5 shown in a view from below. In the further developed spring device 100 has the lower spring section 14th of the second spring element 11 lateral, as protrusions 33 trained stop elements 34 on. The stop elements 34 are below the spring arms 12a , 12b of the lower spring section 12th of the first spring element 10 arranged and come under load in a stop with stop areas 35 the spring arms 12a , 12b of the lower spring section 12th of the first spring element 10 . The stop elements 34 are approximately in the middle between the second transition section 17th and that of the second transition section 17th remote end 21a of the lower spring section 10 or between the second transition section 17th and the upwardly directed stop surface 28 forming vault 29 of the lower spring section 14th of the second spring element 11 arranged. The stop area 35 are also approximately in the middle between the first transition section 16 and that of the first transition section 16 remote end 19a of the lower spring section 12th or between the upwardly directed stop surface 31 forming vault 32 and that of the first transition section 16 remote end 19a of the lower spring section 12th of the first spring element 10 arranged. With this arrangement it is achieved that the stop elements 34 during normal walking with the stop areas 35 comes into contact before the upward stop surface 31 with the stop surface pointing downwards 30th of the first spring element 10 comes into contact and before the upward stop surface 28 with the stop surface pointing downwards 27 of the second spring element 11 comes into contact.

In principle, an embodiment is also possible in which the device has no stop surfaces 27 , 28 , 30th , 31 has and in the exclusively via the stop element 34 with the stop area 35 a contact between the spring sections 12th , 14th will be produced.

The spring device 100 points to 2a a height 36 by approx. 3 cm. The spring device 100 , in particular the first spring element 10 and the second spring element 12th , consist of a carbon or a composite material and are manufactured using a tailored fiber placement process.

6th shows one on a sole 210 of a shoe 200 arranged spring device 100 .

List of reference symbols

100

Spring device

10

First spring element

10a

Front spring element

11

Second spring element

11a

Rear spring element

12th

Lower spring section

12a

Spring arm

12b

Spring arm

13th

Upper spring section

14th

Lower spring section

15th

Upper spring section

16

First transition section

17th

Second transition section

18th

The backstage area

19a

End of the lower spring section

19b

End of the upper spring section

20th

Front area

21a

End of the lower spring section

21b

End of the upper spring section

22nd

Ground contact section

23

Ground contact section

24

opening

25th

One-piece spring section

26th

Fastening section

27

Stop surface facing downwards

28

Stop surface facing upwards

29

Bulge

30th

Stop surface facing downwards

31

Stop surface facing upwards

32

Bulge

33

head Start

34

Stop element

35

Stop area

36

height

200

shoe

210

sole

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was 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.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102015109369 A1 [0006]
• DE 102011007996 A1 [0007]
• US 2014/0259785 A1 [0008]
• WO 2015/138815 A2 [0009]
• US 2017/0055633 A1 [0010]

Claims (16)

Spring device (100) for a shoe (200) or for a prosthetic foot for energy recovery in the human gait, comprising a first spring element (10, 10a) and a second spring element (11, 11a), the first spring element (10, 10a) having a has a lower spring section (12) and an upper spring section (13), which are connected to one another via a, preferably curved, first transition section (16), so that the first spring element (10, 10a) in a side view is preferably essentially V-shaped or U -shaped, and wherein the second spring element (11, 11a) has a lower spring section (14) and an upper spring section (15), which are connected to one another via a, preferably curved, second transition section (17), so that the second spring element (11, 11a) is preferably substantially V-shaped or U-shaped in a side view, the first spring element (10, 10a) and the second spring element (11, 11a) running in opposite directions are arranged one above the other, the lower spring section (12) of the first spring element (10, 10a,) having a recess or opening (24) in a plan view, and wherein the second spring element (11, 11a) passes through the recess or opening (24) is arranged guided through, characterized in that the upper spring section (13) of the first spring element (10, 10a) and the upper spring section (15) of the second spring element (11, 11a) are firmly connected to one another. Spring device (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that when the spring device is used on a shoe (200) or a prosthetic foot, the second spring element (11, 11a) is designed to be loaded and tensioned between the gait phases "initial ground contact" and "middle stance phase" and to apply spring energy store, and that the second spring element (11, 11a) is further preferably designed to deliver the spring energy between the "middle stance phase" and the "end of stance phase", so that the second spring element (11, 11a) preferably emits the spring energy in the "end of stance phase" Has. Spring device (100) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that when the spring device is used on a shoe (200) or a prosthetic foot, the first spring element (10, 10a) is designed to be loaded and tensioned between the gait phases “middle stance phase” and “end of stance phase” and to store spring energy , and that the first spring element (10, 10a) is further preferably designed to deliver the spring energy from the “end of the stance phase” into the “initial swing phase”. Spring device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first spring element (10, 10a) and the second spring element (11, 11a) are firmly connected to one another in such a way that between the gait phases "load response" or "middle stance phase" and “End of stance phase” spring energy of the second spring element (11, 11a) is at least partially transmitted to the first spring element (10, 10a). Spring device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first transition section (16) of the first spring element (10, 10a) is arranged in a rear region (18) of the spring device and that the ends facing away from the first transition section (16) (19a, 19b) of the upper spring section (13) and the lower spring section (12) of the first spring element (10, 10a) are arranged in a front area (20) of the spring device, and / or that the second transition section (17) of the second The spring element (11, 11a) is arranged in a central or front region (20) of the spring device, and that the ends (21a, 21b) of the upper spring section (15) and the lower spring section (14) facing away from the second transition section (17) of the second spring element (11, 11a) are arranged in a rear region (18) of the spring device. Spring device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper spring section (13) of the first spring element (10, 10a) and the upper spring section (15) of the second spring element (11, 11a) are glued and / or riveted to one another , or that the upper spring section (13) of the first spring element (11, 11a) and the upper spring section (15) of the second spring element (11, 11a) are integrally formed with one another. Spring device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the upper spring section (13) of the first spring element (10, 10a) and / or on the upper spring section (15) of the second spring element (11, 11a) a fastening section ( 26) is provided, the fastening section (26) being designed for fastening the spring device to a shoe (200) or to a prosthetic foot. Spring device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper spring section (15) of the second spring element (11, 11a) has at least one downwardly directed stop surface (27), the downwardly directed stop surface (27) preferably in approximately centrally between the second transition section (17) and the end (21b) of the upper end facing away from the second transition section (17) Spring section (15) is arranged, and wherein the lower spring section (14) of the second spring element (11, 11a) has an upwardly directed stop surface (28), the upwardly directed stop surface (28) preferably approximately centrally between the second transition section (17) and the end (21a) of the lower spring section (14) facing away from the second transition section (17), wherein the second spring element (11, 11a) is more preferably designed such that the downwardly directed stop surface (27) and the upwardly directed stop surface (28) come into mutual stop between the gait phase “load response” and the “middle stance phase”, so that particularly preferably a lever arm of the lower spring section (14) of the second spring element (11, 11a) between the gait phase “load response "And the" middle stance phase "on a section between the end (21a) of the lower spring section facing away from the second transition section (17) ts (14) and the upwardly directed stop surface (28) is shortened. Spring device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper spring section (13) of the first spring element (10, 10a) has at least one downwardly directed stop surface (30), the downwardly directed stop surface (30) preferably in is arranged approximately centrally between the first transition section (16) and the end (19b) of the upper spring section (13) facing away from the first transition section (16), and the lower spring section (12) of the first spring element (10, 10) facing upwards directed stop surface (31), the upwardly directed stop surface (31) preferably being arranged approximately centrally between the first transition section (16) and the end (19a) of the lower spring section (12) facing away from the first transition section (16), wherein the first spring element (10, 10a) is further preferably designed such that the downwardly directed stop surface (30) and the upwardly directed stop surface (31) come into mutual stop between the “middle stance phase” and the “end of the stance phase”, so that a lever arm of the lower spring section (12) of the first spring element (10, 10a) is particularly preferred between the “middle stance phase” and the “end of the stance phase” is shortened to a section between the end (19a) of the lower spring section (12) facing away from the first transition section (16) and the upwardly directed stop surface (31). Spring device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring device is integrated or can be integrated into a shoe (200), in particular a sports shoe, an orthopedic shoe, a hiking shoe or a work shoe, or that the spring device is adapted to a shoe ( 200), in particular a sports shoe, an orthopedic shoe, a hiking shoe or a work shoe, can be arranged, preferably on an underside of a sole (210). Spring device (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that the spring device (100) is or can be integrated into a foot prosthesis. Spring device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first spring element (10, 10a) and / or the second spring element (11, 11a) consists of a plastic, and / or that the first spring element (10, 10a) and / or the second spring element (11, 11a) consists of carbon, and / or that the first spring element (10, 10a) and / or the second spring element (11, 11a) consists of a composite material. Spring device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first spring element (10, 10a) and / or the second spring element (11, 11a) has fibers, the fibers being aligned according to mechanical loads occurring in the gait phases, with the first spring element (10, 10a). Spring device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several spring elements, preferably two or three spring elements, are arranged in a front region (20) of the spring device and / or in a rear region (18) of the spring device. Shoe (200) comprising a spring device (100) integrated into a sole (210) according to one of the Claims 1 until 14th . Foot prosthesis, in particular leg prosthesis, comprising an integrated spring device (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 14th .

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