US20210205101A1 - Multi-articulated link knee joint - Google Patents
Multi-articulated link knee joint Download PDFInfo
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- US20210205101A1 US20210205101A1 US17/211,307 US202117211307A US2021205101A1 US 20210205101 A1 US20210205101 A1 US 20210205101A1 US 202117211307 A US202117211307 A US 202117211307A US 2021205101 A1 US2021205101 A1 US 2021205101A1
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- link
- knee
- knee joint
- angle
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/50—Prostheses not implantable in the body
- A61F2/60—Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof
- A61F2/64—Knee joints
- A61F2/642—Polycentric joints, without longitudinal rotation
- A61F2/644—Polycentric joints, without longitudinal rotation of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/50—Prostheses not implantable in the body
- A61F2/68—Operating or control means
- A61F2/70—Operating or control means electrical
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/50—Prostheses not implantable in the body
- A61F2/76—Means for assembling, fitting or testing prostheses, e.g. for measuring or balancing, e.g. alignment means
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/50—Prostheses not implantable in the body
- A61F2002/5003—Prostheses not implantable in the body having damping means, e.g. shock absorbers
- A61F2002/5006—Dampers, e.g. hydraulic damper
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/50—Prostheses not implantable in the body
- A61F2002/5081—Additional features
- A61F2002/5084—Additional features telescopic
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/50—Prostheses not implantable in the body
- A61F2/68—Operating or control means
- A61F2002/6863—Operating or control means magnetic
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/50—Prostheses not implantable in the body
- A61F2/68—Operating or control means
- A61F2/70—Operating or control means electrical
- A61F2002/704—Operating or control means electrical computer-controlled, e.g. robotic control
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/50—Prostheses not implantable in the body
- A61F2/76—Means for assembling, fitting or testing prostheses, e.g. for measuring or balancing, e.g. alignment means
- A61F2002/7615—Measuring means
- A61F2002/762—Measuring means for measuring dimensions, e.g. a distance
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/50—Prostheses not implantable in the body
- A61F2/76—Means for assembling, fitting or testing prostheses, e.g. for measuring or balancing, e.g. alignment means
- A61F2002/7615—Measuring means
- A61F2002/7625—Measuring means for measuring angular position
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a multi-articulated link knee joint.
- Prosthetic legs used by people who had have their thigh cut above their knee due to a disease or an accident are coupled with an artificial knee joint that bends like a knee joint of a living body.
- an artificial knee joint that bends like a knee joint of a living body.
- Patent document 1 discloses an artificial knee joint including a knee unit that is bent by a multi-articulated link mechanism and a fluid cylinder as an auxiliary driver that assists the motion of the knee unit depending on the bending angle.
- the multi-articulated link mechanism allows the motion of the knee unit to be similar to that of the knee joint of a living body, more natural motion is made possible.
- walking motion is supported by a fluid cylinder, the stability of walking is improved.
- a magnetic sensor is provided at a cylinder tube of a fluid cylinder, and a magnet is provided inside a piston rod of the fluid cylinder, which enables detection of the position of the piston rod relative to the cylinder tube.
- the bending angle of the knee unit is obtained on the basis of the position of the piston rod to control the characteristics of the fluid cylinder.
- the present invention has been made in view of the above disadvantage, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-articulated link knee joint capable of detecting a bending angle of a knee unit with a reasonable configuration.
- One embodiment of the present invention is a multi-articulated link knee joint.
- This multi-articulated link knee joint includes: a knee unit in which an upper link unit rotates relative to a lower link unit by a multi-articulated link mechanism including a plurality of link units including the upper link unit and the lower link unit; an auxiliary driver for assisting the motion of the knee unit and moving in accordance with rotation of the upper link unit; a position detector for detecting the relative position of the auxiliary driver relative to the lower link unit; and an angle detector for obtaining the bending angle of the knee unit from the detected relative position of the auxiliary driver.
- the relative position of the auxiliary driver relative to the lower link unit is detected and the bending angle of the knee unit is obtained from the detection result, it is not necessary to use a special auxiliary driver, and the bending angle of the knee unit can be detected with a reasonable configuration.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a multi-articulated link knee joint according to a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D are views illustrating how a knee unit is bent in the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control device
- FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-articulated link knee joint according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-articulated link knee joint according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D are views illustrating how a knee unit is bent in the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the third embodiment
- FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-articulated link knee joint according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9A to FIG. 9D are views illustrating how a knee unit is bent in the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the fourth embodiment
- FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a third variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fourth variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- a multi-articulated link knee joint includes a knee unit in which an upper link unit rotates with respect to a lower link unit by a multi-articulated link mechanism and an auxiliary driver for assisting the motion of the knee unit.
- the auxiliary driver moves in accordance with the rotation of the upper link unit.
- the auxiliary driver may be, for example, a cylinder device or a rotary damper.
- the multi-articulated link knee joint includes a position detector for detecting the relative position of the auxiliary driver relative to the lower link unit.
- the relative position of the auxiliary driver may be, for example, the distance from the lower link unit to the auxiliary driver, the inclination angle of the auxiliary driver with respect to the lower link unit, the rotation angle of the auxiliary driver with respect to the lower link unit, and so on.
- the bending angle of the knee unit can be detected from the detected relative position of the auxiliary driver.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a multi-articulated link knee joint 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- a direction parallel to the x axis is defined as the lateral direction, and the positive direction of the x axis is referred to as “left” with the negative direction referred to as “right.”
- a direction parallel to the y axis is defined as the anterior-posterior direction, and the positive direction of the y axis is referred to as “anterior” with the negative direction referred to as “posterior.”
- a direction parallel to the z axis is defined as the vertical direction, and the positive direction of the z axis is referred to as “up” with the negative direction referred to as “down.”
- the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 includes a knee unit 10 .
- the knee unit 10 is bent by a multi-articulated link mechanism having a plurality of link units.
- the multi-articulated link mechanism includes four link units of an upper link unit 50 , a lower link unit 52 , an anterior link unit 54 , and a posterior link unit 56 .
- a link and parts secured to the link to move in conjunction with the link are collectively referred to as a “link unit.”
- the upper link unit 50 includes an upper link 16 and a thigh connector 32 .
- the lower link unit 52 includes a lower link 18 and an lower leg part 12 .
- the anterior link unit 54 includes an anterior link 20 .
- the posterior link unit 56 includes a posterior link 22 .
- the upper link 16 is provided with a first shaft 24 and a second shaft 26
- the lower link 18 is provided with a third shaft 28 and a fourth shaft 30 .
- Each of the shafts is provided such that the axial direction thereof is parallel to the x axis and so as to be rotatable.
- the anterior link 20 is attached to the ends of the first shaft 24 and the third shaft 28 .
- the posterior link 22 is attached to the ends of the second shaft 26 and the fourth shaft 30 .
- the upper link 16 is supported by the anterior link 20 and the posterior link 22 and rotates with respect to the lower link 18 .
- a thigh connector 32 protruding from the upper link 16 is connected to a socket attached to the thigh of a user.
- An angle formed by the direction in which the thigh connector 32 protrudes and the z axis is defined as the bending angle of the knee unit 10 .
- the bending angle illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is 0°, which is a state in which the knee unit 10 is completely extended.
- the lower leg part 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is secured under the lower link 18 . Furthermore, provided under the lower leg part 12 is a leg connector 40 which is connected to a leg part included in a prosthetic leg.
- the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 further includes a cylinder device 60 as an auxiliary driver that assists the motion of the knee unit 10 .
- the cylinder device 60 may be an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder.
- the cylinder device 60 includes a cylinder tube 62 , a piston rod 64 movable relative to the cylinder tube 62 , and a piston 66 movably accommodated in the cylinder tube 62 and secured to the piston rod 64 .
- the cylinder device 60 is provided so as to couple the upper link unit 50 and the lower link unit 52 . More specifically, the cylinder tube 62 is rotatably supported by a lower shaft 68 provided at the lower leg part 12 of the lower link unit 52 , and the piston rod 320 is rotatably supported by an upper shaft 70 provided at the upper link 16 of the upper link unit 50 .
- the cylinder device 60 provided in the above manner moves in the anterior-posterior direction about the lower shaft 68 in accordance with the rotation of the upper link unit 50 .
- the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 further includes a position detector 58 .
- the position detector 58 is installed in the lower leg part 12 and measures the distance d from the cylinder device 60 to the lower leg part 12 .
- the position detector 58 is not particularly limited as long as detection of the distance d to the cylinder device 60 can be performed.
- an infrared sensor can be used.
- a magnet may be attached to the outer surface of the cylinder tube 62 , and the distance d may be detected using a Hall element as the position detector 58 .
- FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D are views illustrating how the knee unit 10 is bent in the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 according to the first embodiment.
- the bending angles of the knee unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D are 0°, 45°, 90°, and 160°, respectively.
- the anterior link 20 and the posterior link 22 intersect.
- the upper link 16 rotates while moving backward with respect to the lower link 18 . Due to the rotation of the upper link 16 , the knee unit 10 bends like the knee joint of a living body does.
- the piston rod 64 of the cylinder device 60 is rotatably supported by the upper shaft 70 of the upper link 16
- the cylinder tube 62 of the cylinder device 60 is rotatably supported by the lower shaft 68 of the lower leg part 12 . Therefore, the distance d from the cylinder device 60 to the lower leg part 12 varies in accordance with a change in the bending angle of the knee unit 10 , that is, the rotation of the upper link 16 .
- the distance d from the lower leg part 12 to the cylinder device 60 decreases as the bending angle of the knee unit 10 increases.
- the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 further includes a control device 14 .
- the control device 14 is accommodated in the lower leg part 12 .
- the control device 14 receives a detection value of the position detector 58 , obtains the bending angle of the knee unit 10 from the detection value, and controls the cylinder device 60 .
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control device 14 .
- Each of the blocks illustrated herein in the block diagram can be implemented by an element or a mechanical device including a CPU of a computer from the perspectives of hardware and, from the perspectives of software, by a computer program or the like.
- functional blocks implemented by coordination thereof are illustrated. Therefore, it should be understood by a person skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be implemented by various forms by hardware, software, or a combination thereof.
- the control device 14 includes an angle detector 42 and a controller 44 .
- the angle detector 42 obtains the bending angle of the knee unit 10 from the detection value of the position detector 58 .
- a bending angle of the knee unit 10 can be obtained from a detection value of the position detector 58 by referring to the table.
- the controller 44 controls the cylinder device 60 in accordance with the bending angle to assist the motion of the knee unit 10 .
- the controller 44 controls the cylinder device 60 so as to limit the rotation of the third shaft 28 at the time of standing when the bending angle is close to 0°. This prevents knee bending, that is, the knee unit 10 bent against the will of the user.
- the cylinder device 60 is controlled to rotate the third shaft 28 in accordance with the angle-changing direction. As a result, the lower leg part 12 swings in accordance with kicking-out of the leg, and thus the user can walk comfortably.
- the usage and operation according to the above configuration are as follows.
- the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 is used while the thigh connector 32 is connected to a socket attached to the thigh of the user with the leg part connected to the leg connector 40 .
- the knee unit 10 bends when the upper link 16 rotates with respect to the lower link 18 by the multi-articulated link mechanism.
- the angle detector 42 obtains the bending angle from the detection value of the position detector 58 .
- the controller 44 controls the cylinder device 60 in accordance with the bending angle to assist the motion of the knee unit 10 .
- the position detector 58 is provided at the lower link unit 52 (more specifically, the lower leg part 12 ) to measure the distance d from the lower link unit 52 (more specifically, the lower leg part 12 ) to the cylinder device 60 to obtain the bending angle of the knee unit 10 on the basis of this distance d. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a special device, such as a piston rod in which a magnet is incorporated, as the cylinder device 60 , and thus the bending angle of the knee unit 10 can be detected with a relatively reasonable configuration.
- both the position detector 58 and the angle detector 42 are provided at the lower link unit 52 . Since the angle detector 42 obtains the bending angle of the knee unit 10 from the detection result of the position detector 58 , in order to transmit detection information of the position detector 58 to the angle detector 42 , it is necessary that the position detector 58 and the angle detector 42 be connected by wiring. In the case where the position detector 58 and the angle detector 42 are provided at separate portions that are displaced from each other, it is necessary to adopt a structure that does not cause a failure such as disconnection in the wiring. This is not preferable since this leads to increased cost of the knee joint. On the other hand, in the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 according to the first embodiment, since the position detector 58 and the angle detector 42 (control device 14 ) are provided at the same lower link unit, wiring can be simplified. This results in cost reduction of the knee joint.
- the position detector 58 is provided at the lower leg part 12 ; however, the position detector 58 may be provided at the lower link 18 .
- FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-articulated link knee joint 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- the multi-articulated link knee joint 200 illustrated in FIG. 5 is different from the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 according to the first embodiment in that a position detector 58 is provided at the outer surface of a cylinder tube 62 of a cylinder device 60 .
- the position detector 58 measures the distance d from the cylinder device 60 to a lower link unit 52
- an angle detector 42 of a control device 14 obtains the bending angle of a knee unit 10 on the basis of the distance d.
- the bending angle of the knee unit 10 can be detected with a relatively reasonable configuration.
- control device 14 is provided at an lower leg part 12 ; however, the control device 14 may be provided at the cylinder device 60 . In this case, since the position detector 58 and the control device 14 are provided at the same portion, the wiring connecting the two can be simplified.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-articulated link knee joint 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
- the multi-articulated link knee joint 300 according to the third embodiment is different from the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of a rotation detector 236 .
- a position detector 72 is configured and arranged so as to detect the inclination angle ⁇ of a cylinder device 60 with respect to a lower link unit 52 .
- the angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the cylinder device 60 in other words, expansion/contraction direction of a piston rod 64
- the z axis is regarded as the inclination angle ⁇ of the cylinder device 60 .
- the position detector 72 is attached to an lower leg part 12 .
- a potentiometer, a rotary encoder, a resolver, or the like can be used as the position detector 72 .
- FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D are views illustrating how the knee unit 10 is bent in the multi-articulated link knee joint 300 according to the third embodiment.
- the bending angles of the knee unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D are 0°, 45°, 90°, and 160°, respectively.
- the inclination angle ⁇ of the cylinder device 60 with respect to the lower leg part 12 changes in accordance with the change in the bending angle of the knee unit 10 .
- the inclination angle ⁇ of the cylinder device 60 with respect to the lower leg part 12 decreases.
- the angle detector 42 (see FIG. 4 ) of the control device 14 obtains the bending angle from a detection value of the position detector 72 .
- a bending angle of the knee unit 10 can be obtained from a detection value of the position detector 72 by referring to the table.
- the controller 44 controls the cylinder device 60 in accordance with the bending angle to assist the motion of the knee unit 10 .
- the bending angle of the knee unit 10 can be detected with a relatively reasonable configuration.
- the wiring can be simplified.
- the position detector 72 is attached to the lower leg part 12 to detect the inclination angle of the cylinder device 60 with respect to the lower leg part 12 ; however, the position detector 72 may be attached to the cylinder device 60 to detect the inclination angle of the cylinder device 60 with respect to the lower leg part 12 .
- FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to a four embodiment of the present invention.
- the multi-articulated link knee joint 400 is different from the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 according to the first embodiment in that a rotary damper 80 is included as an auxiliary driver for assisting the motion of a knee unit 10 .
- the rotary damper 80 includes a disk-shaped rotator 80 b rotatable about a rotary shaft 80 a and an attenuator (not illustrated) for imparting a resistance against the rotation of the rotator 80 b .
- the resistance imparted by the attenuator is controlled by a controller 44 of a control device 14 .
- the rotary shaft 80 a of the rotary damper 80 is attached to the lower leg part 12 so as to be parallel to the x axis.
- the rotator 80 b of the rotary damper 80 is coupled to a posterior link 22 via a damper link 82 . More specifically, one end of the damper link 82 is rotatably attached to the posterior link 22 by an upper shaft 82 a , and the other end of the damper link 82 is rotatably attached to the rotator 80 b of the rotary damper 80 by a lower shaft 82 b.
- FIG. 9A to FIG. 9D are views illustrating how a knee unit 10 is bent in the multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to the fourth embodiment.
- the bending angles of the knee unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 9A to FIG. 9D are 0°, 45°, 90°, and 160°, respectively. It is understood from FIG. 9A to FIG. 9D that when an upper link unit 50 rotates with respect to a lower link unit 52 , the posterior link 22 rotates accordingly, and the rotator 80 b of the rotary damper 80 rotates via the damper link 82 as the posterior link 22 rotates.
- the motion of the knee unit 10 can be assisted.
- the multi-articulated link knee joint 400 includes a position detector 84 for detecting the rotation angle of the rotator 80 b of the rotary damper 80 .
- the position detector 84 is attached to an lower leg part 12 to detect the rotation angle of the rotator 80 b with respect to the lower leg part 12 .
- a potentiometer, a rotary encoder, a resolver, or the like can be used as the position detector 84 .
- the angle detector 42 (see FIG. 4 ) of the control device 14 obtains the bending angle from a detection value of the position detector 84 .
- a bending angle of the knee unit 10 can be obtained from a detection value of the position detector 84 by referring to the table.
- the controller 44 controls the rotary damper 80 in accordance with the bending angle to assist the motion of the knee unit 10 .
- the bending angle of the knee unit 10 can be detected with a relatively reasonable configuration.
- the wiring can be simplified.
- the position detector 84 is attached to the lower leg part 12 to detect the rotation angle of the rotary damper 80 with respect to the lower leg part 12 ; however, the position detector 84 may be attached to the rotary damper 80 to detect the rotation angle of the rotary damper 80 with respect to the lower leg part 12 .
- FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a first variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to the fourth embodiment.
- the rotary damper 80 and the posterior link 22 are coupled by the damper link 82 ; however, the rotary damper 80 may be connected to another link.
- the rotator 80 b of the rotary damper 80 may be coupled to the upper shaft 82 a provided at the upper link 16 via the damper link 82 .
- FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a second variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to the fourth embodiment.
- a position detector 84 for detecting the rotation angle of the rotator 80 b of the rotary damper 80 a potentiometer, a rotary encoder, a resolver, etc. for directly detecting the rotation angle of the rotator 80 b with respect to the lower leg part 12 haven been mentioned as examples; however, other methods can also be used.
- a groove 80 c is formed in the rotator 80 b of the rotary damper 80 .
- the groove 80 c is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotator 80 b so as to extend in an arc shape along the rotation direction of the rotator 80 b .
- the groove 80 c is formed such that the depth varies along the extending direction.
- the position detector 84 is attached to the lower leg part 12 to detect the distance d to the bottom of the groove 80 c of the rotary damper 80 .
- the position detector 84 may be, for example, an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. Since the depth of the groove 80 c is formed such that the depth varies along the extending direction as described above, the detection value of the position detector 84 varies as the rotator 80 b of the rotary damper 80 rotates.
- a rotation angle of the rotator 80 b can be detected indirectly from a detection value of the position detector 84 by referring to the table.
- FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a third variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to the fourth embodiment.
- the position detector 84 includes a magnet 85 and a magnetic sensor 86 that detects the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the magnet 85 .
- the magnet 85 may be, for example, a rectangular alnico magnet.
- the magnetic sensor 86 may be, for example, a Hall element.
- the magnetic sensor 86 is provided at the rotator 80 b of the rotary damper 80 .
- the magnet 85 is provided at the lower leg part 12 .
- the magnetic sensor 86 provided at the rotator 80 b outputs a detection value corresponding to the distance d to the magnet 85 provided at the lower leg part 12 .
- the intensity of the magnetic field formed by the magnet 85 decreases as the distance from the magnet 85 increases. Therefore, the detection value of the magnetic sensor 86 varies as the rotator 80 b of the rotary damper 80 rotates. For example, when a table is generated in advance by measuring the relationship between the detection value of the magnetic sensor 86 and the rotation angle of the rotator 80 b , a rotation angle of the rotator 80 b can be detected indirectly from a detection value of the magnetic sensor 86 by referring to the table.
- FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a fourth variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to the fourth embodiment.
- the position detector 84 includes an abutting member 90 , a case 91 , a spring 92 , a magnet 93 , and a Hall element 94 .
- the case 91 has an accommodating space open upward.
- the case 91 is secured to the lower leg part 12 .
- the abutting member 90 and the spring 92 are accommodated in the accommodating space of the case 91 .
- the spring 92 energizes the abutting member 90 such that the upper portion of the abutting member 90 protrudes from the accommodating space.
- the magnet 93 is attached to the abutting member 90 .
- the Hall element is attached to the case 91 and outputs a detection value corresponding to the distance to the magnet 93 .
- a groove 80 c is formed in the rotator 80 b of the rotary damper 80 .
- the groove 80 c is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotator 80 b so as to extend in an arc shape along the rotation direction of the rotator 80 b .
- the groove 80 c is formed such that the depth varies along the extending direction.
- the position detector 84 is attached to the lower leg part 12 such that the upper portion of the abutting member 90 fits into the groove 80 c of the rotator 80 b .
- the abutting member 90 is energized by the spring 92 and abuts against the bottom of the groove 80 c . Therefore, the abutting member 90 moves as the rotator 80 b of the rotary damper 80 rotates.
- the distance between the magnet 93 attached to the abutting member 90 and the Hall element 94 attached to the case 91 changes. That is, the detection value of the Hall element 94 varies as the rotator 80 b of the rotary damper 80 rotates. For example, when a table is generated in advance by measuring the relationship between the detection value of the Hall element 94 and the rotation angle of the rotator 80 b , a rotation angle of the rotator 80 b can be detected indirectly from a detection value of the Hall element 94 by referring to the table.
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Abstract
A multi-articulated link knee joint includes: a knee unit in which an upper link unit rotates relative to a lower link unit by a multi-articulated link mechanism including a plurality of link units including the upper link unit and the lower link unit; a cylinder device for assisting the motion of the knee unit and moving in accordance with the rotation of the upper link unit; a position detector for detecting the distance from the lower link unit to the cylinder device; and an angle detector for obtaining the bending angle of the knee unit from the detected distance from the cylinder device.
Description
- The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/381,420, filed Apr. 11, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and priority to which is hereby claimed. application Ser. No. 16/381,420 claimed the benefit of the date of the earlier filed Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-076108, filed Apr. 11, 2018, priority to which is also claimed herein, and the contents of which are also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- The present invention relates to a multi-articulated link knee joint.
- Prosthetic legs used by people who had have their thigh cut above their knee due to a disease or an accident are coupled with an artificial knee joint that bends like a knee joint of a living body. When the artificial knee joint is bent depending on the motion of the user, motions such as standing, sitting, and walking are made possible.
- Patent document 1 discloses an artificial knee joint including a knee unit that is bent by a multi-articulated link mechanism and a fluid cylinder as an auxiliary driver that assists the motion of the knee unit depending on the bending angle. In this artificial knee joint, since the multi-articulated link mechanism allows the motion of the knee unit to be similar to that of the knee joint of a living body, more natural motion is made possible. In addition, since walking motion is supported by a fluid cylinder, the stability of walking is improved.
- In the knee joint according to Patent document 1, a magnetic sensor is provided at a cylinder tube of a fluid cylinder, and a magnet is provided inside a piston rod of the fluid cylinder, which enables detection of the position of the piston rod relative to the cylinder tube. The bending angle of the knee unit is obtained on the basis of the position of the piston rod to control the characteristics of the fluid cylinder.
- [Patent document 1] WO2013/132662
- However, the knee joint according to Patent document 1 requires a special fluid cylinder in which a magnet is built in the piston rod, and thus the price tends to be expensive.
- The present invention has been made in view of the above disadvantage, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-articulated link knee joint capable of detecting a bending angle of a knee unit with a reasonable configuration.
- One embodiment of the present invention is a multi-articulated link knee joint. This multi-articulated link knee joint includes: a knee unit in which an upper link unit rotates relative to a lower link unit by a multi-articulated link mechanism including a plurality of link units including the upper link unit and the lower link unit; an auxiliary driver for assisting the motion of the knee unit and moving in accordance with rotation of the upper link unit; a position detector for detecting the relative position of the auxiliary driver relative to the lower link unit; and an angle detector for obtaining the bending angle of the knee unit from the detected relative position of the auxiliary driver.
- According to this embodiment, since the relative position of the auxiliary driver relative to the lower link unit is detected and the bending angle of the knee unit is obtained from the detection result, it is not necessary to use a special auxiliary driver, and the bending angle of the knee unit can be detected with a reasonable configuration.
- The invention will now be described by reference to the preferred embodiments. This does not intend to limit the scope of the present invention, but to exemplify the invention.
-
FIG. 1 is a side view of a multi-articulated link knee joint according to a first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3A toFIG. 3D are views illustrating how a knee unit is bent in the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the first embodiment; -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control device; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-articulated link knee joint according to a second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-articulated link knee joint according to a third embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 7A toFIG. 7D are views illustrating how a knee unit is bent in the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the third embodiment; -
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-articulated link knee joint according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 9A toFIG. 9D are views illustrating how a knee unit is bent in the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the fourth embodiment; -
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a third variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fourth variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. - Hereinafter, in embodiments, the same component is denoted by the same symbol, and redundant explanations are omitted. In addition, for convenience of explanation, a part of a component is omitted as appropriate in the drawings.
- Before specifically explaining a multi-articulated link knee joint according to an embodiment, the overview will be explained. A multi-articulated link knee joint according to an embodiment includes a knee unit in which an upper link unit rotates with respect to a lower link unit by a multi-articulated link mechanism and an auxiliary driver for assisting the motion of the knee unit. The auxiliary driver moves in accordance with the rotation of the upper link unit. The auxiliary driver may be, for example, a cylinder device or a rotary damper. The multi-articulated link knee joint includes a position detector for detecting the relative position of the auxiliary driver relative to the lower link unit. The relative position of the auxiliary driver may be, for example, the distance from the lower link unit to the auxiliary driver, the inclination angle of the auxiliary driver with respect to the lower link unit, the rotation angle of the auxiliary driver with respect to the lower link unit, and so on. The bending angle of the knee unit can be detected from the detected relative position of the auxiliary driver.
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FIG. 1 is a side view of a multi-articulatedlink knee joint 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the multi-articulatedlink knee joint 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, in an xyz orthogonal coordinate system illustrated in each drawing, a direction parallel to the x axis is defined as the lateral direction, and the positive direction of the x axis is referred to as “left” with the negative direction referred to as “right.” A direction parallel to the y axis is defined as the anterior-posterior direction, and the positive direction of the y axis is referred to as “anterior” with the negative direction referred to as “posterior.” A direction parallel to the z axis is defined as the vertical direction, and the positive direction of the z axis is referred to as “up” with the negative direction referred to as “down.” - The multi-articulated
link knee joint 100 includes aknee unit 10. Theknee unit 10 is bent by a multi-articulated link mechanism having a plurality of link units. In the first embodiment, the multi-articulated link mechanism includes four link units of anupper link unit 50, alower link unit 52, ananterior link unit 54, and aposterior link unit 56. In this specification, a link and parts secured to the link to move in conjunction with the link are collectively referred to as a “link unit.” Theupper link unit 50 includes anupper link 16 and athigh connector 32. Thelower link unit 52 includes alower link 18 and anlower leg part 12. Theanterior link unit 54 includes ananterior link 20. Theposterior link unit 56 includes aposterior link 22. - The
upper link 16 is provided with afirst shaft 24 and asecond shaft 26, and thelower link 18 is provided with athird shaft 28 and afourth shaft 30. Each of the shafts is provided such that the axial direction thereof is parallel to the x axis and so as to be rotatable. Theanterior link 20 is attached to the ends of thefirst shaft 24 and thethird shaft 28. Theposterior link 22 is attached to the ends of thesecond shaft 26 and thefourth shaft 30. Theupper link 16 is supported by theanterior link 20 and theposterior link 22 and rotates with respect to thelower link 18. Athigh connector 32 protruding from theupper link 16 is connected to a socket attached to the thigh of a user. An angle formed by the direction in which thethigh connector 32 protrudes and the z axis is defined as the bending angle of theknee unit 10. The bending angle illustrated inFIG. 1 andFIG. 2 is 0°, which is a state in which theknee unit 10 is completely extended. - The
lower leg part 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is secured under thelower link 18. Furthermore, provided under thelower leg part 12 is aleg connector 40 which is connected to a leg part included in a prosthetic leg. - The multi-articulated link knee joint 100 further includes a
cylinder device 60 as an auxiliary driver that assists the motion of theknee unit 10. Thecylinder device 60 may be an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. - The
cylinder device 60 includes acylinder tube 62, apiston rod 64 movable relative to thecylinder tube 62, and apiston 66 movably accommodated in thecylinder tube 62 and secured to thepiston rod 64. Thecylinder device 60 is provided so as to couple theupper link unit 50 and thelower link unit 52. More specifically, thecylinder tube 62 is rotatably supported by alower shaft 68 provided at thelower leg part 12 of thelower link unit 52, and the piston rod 320 is rotatably supported by anupper shaft 70 provided at theupper link 16 of theupper link unit 50. Thecylinder device 60 provided in the above manner moves in the anterior-posterior direction about thelower shaft 68 in accordance with the rotation of theupper link unit 50. - The multi-articulated link knee joint 100 further includes a
position detector 58. Theposition detector 58 is installed in thelower leg part 12 and measures the distance d from thecylinder device 60 to thelower leg part 12. Theposition detector 58 is not particularly limited as long as detection of the distance d to thecylinder device 60 can be performed. For example, an infrared sensor can be used. Alternatively, a magnet may be attached to the outer surface of thecylinder tube 62, and the distance d may be detected using a Hall element as theposition detector 58. -
FIG. 3A toFIG. 3D are views illustrating how theknee unit 10 is bent in the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 according to the first embodiment. The bending angles of theknee unit 10 illustrated inFIG. 3A toFIG. 3D are 0°, 45°, 90°, and 160°, respectively. When the bending angle is large, theanterior link 20 and theposterior link 22 intersect. Theupper link 16 rotates while moving backward with respect to thelower link 18. Due to the rotation of theupper link 16, theknee unit 10 bends like the knee joint of a living body does. - As described above, the
piston rod 64 of thecylinder device 60 is rotatably supported by theupper shaft 70 of theupper link 16, and thecylinder tube 62 of thecylinder device 60 is rotatably supported by thelower shaft 68 of thelower leg part 12. Therefore, the distance d from thecylinder device 60 to thelower leg part 12 varies in accordance with a change in the bending angle of theknee unit 10, that is, the rotation of theupper link 16. As can be understood fromFIG. 3A toFIG. 3D , in the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 according to the first embodiment, the distance d from thelower leg part 12 to thecylinder device 60 decreases as the bending angle of theknee unit 10 increases. - The multi-articulated link knee joint 100 further includes a
control device 14. Thecontrol device 14 is accommodated in thelower leg part 12. Thecontrol device 14 receives a detection value of theposition detector 58, obtains the bending angle of theknee unit 10 from the detection value, and controls thecylinder device 60. -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of thecontrol device 14. Each of the blocks illustrated herein in the block diagram can be implemented by an element or a mechanical device including a CPU of a computer from the perspectives of hardware and, from the perspectives of software, by a computer program or the like. In this example, functional blocks implemented by coordination thereof are illustrated. Therefore, it should be understood by a person skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be implemented by various forms by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. - The
control device 14 includes anangle detector 42 and acontroller 44. Theangle detector 42 obtains the bending angle of theknee unit 10 from the detection value of theposition detector 58. For example, when a table is generated in advance by measuring the relationship between the bending angle of theknee unit 10 and the detection value of theposition detector 58, a bending angle of theknee unit 10 can be obtained from a detection value of theposition detector 58 by referring to the table. - The
controller 44 controls thecylinder device 60 in accordance with the bending angle to assist the motion of theknee unit 10. Thecontroller 44 controls thecylinder device 60 so as to limit the rotation of thethird shaft 28 at the time of standing when the bending angle is close to 0°. This prevents knee bending, that is, theknee unit 10 bent against the will of the user. In addition, when the leg is in a swinging state in which the bending angle changes such as at the time of walking, thecylinder device 60 is controlled to rotate thethird shaft 28 in accordance with the angle-changing direction. As a result, thelower leg part 12 swings in accordance with kicking-out of the leg, and thus the user can walk comfortably. - The usage and operation according to the above configuration are as follows. The multi-articulated link knee joint 100 is used while the
thigh connector 32 is connected to a socket attached to the thigh of the user with the leg part connected to theleg connector 40. Theknee unit 10 bends when theupper link 16 rotates with respect to thelower link 18 by the multi-articulated link mechanism. When theknee unit 10 is bent, theangle detector 42 obtains the bending angle from the detection value of theposition detector 58. Thecontroller 44 controls thecylinder device 60 in accordance with the bending angle to assist the motion of theknee unit 10. - In the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 according to the first embodiment, the
position detector 58 is provided at the lower link unit 52 (more specifically, the lower leg part 12) to measure the distance d from the lower link unit 52 (more specifically, the lower leg part 12) to thecylinder device 60 to obtain the bending angle of theknee unit 10 on the basis of this distance d. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a special device, such as a piston rod in which a magnet is incorporated, as thecylinder device 60, and thus the bending angle of theknee unit 10 can be detected with a relatively reasonable configuration. - In the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 according to the first embodiment, both the
position detector 58 and the angle detector 42 (control device 14) are provided at thelower link unit 52. Since theangle detector 42 obtains the bending angle of theknee unit 10 from the detection result of theposition detector 58, in order to transmit detection information of theposition detector 58 to theangle detector 42, it is necessary that theposition detector 58 and theangle detector 42 be connected by wiring. In the case where theposition detector 58 and theangle detector 42 are provided at separate portions that are displaced from each other, it is necessary to adopt a structure that does not cause a failure such as disconnection in the wiring. This is not preferable since this leads to increased cost of the knee joint. On the other hand, in the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 according to the first embodiment, since theposition detector 58 and the angle detector 42 (control device 14) are provided at the same lower link unit, wiring can be simplified. This results in cost reduction of the knee joint. - In the first embodiment described above, the
position detector 58 is provided at thelower leg part 12; however, theposition detector 58 may be provided at thelower link 18. -
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-articulated link knee joint 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The multi-articulated link knee joint 200 illustrated inFIG. 5 is different from the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 according to the first embodiment in that aposition detector 58 is provided at the outer surface of acylinder tube 62 of acylinder device 60. Also in the second embodiment, theposition detector 58 measures the distance d from thecylinder device 60 to alower link unit 52, and anangle detector 42 of acontrol device 14 obtains the bending angle of aknee unit 10 on the basis of the distance d. - Also in the multi-articulated link knee joint 200 according to the second embodiment, since it is not necessary to use a special device as the
cylinder device 60, the bending angle of theknee unit 10 can be detected with a relatively reasonable configuration. - In the second embodiment, the
control device 14 is provided at anlower leg part 12; however, thecontrol device 14 may be provided at thecylinder device 60. In this case, since theposition detector 58 and thecontrol device 14 are provided at the same portion, the wiring connecting the two can be simplified. -
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-articulated link knee joint 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The multi-articulated link knee joint 300 according to the third embodiment is different from the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of a rotation detector 236. Specifically, in the multi-articulated link knee joint 300, aposition detector 72 is configured and arranged so as to detect the inclination angle θ of acylinder device 60 with respect to alower link unit 52. In this example, the angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the cylinder device 60 (in other words, expansion/contraction direction of a piston rod 64) and the z axis is regarded as the inclination angle θ of thecylinder device 60. - In the third embodiment, the
position detector 72 is attached to anlower leg part 12. As theposition detector 72, for example, a potentiometer, a rotary encoder, a resolver, or the like can be used. -
FIG. 7A toFIG. 7D are views illustrating how theknee unit 10 is bent in the multi-articulated link knee joint 300 according to the third embodiment. The bending angles of theknee unit 10 illustrated inFIG. 7A toFIG. 7D are 0°, 45°, 90°, and 160°, respectively. The inclination angle θ of thecylinder device 60 with respect to thelower leg part 12 changes in accordance with the change in the bending angle of theknee unit 10. In the multi-articulated link knee joint 300 according to the third embodiment, as the bending angle of theknee unit 10 increases, the inclination angle θ of thecylinder device 60 with respect to thelower leg part 12 decreases. - The angle detector 42 (see
FIG. 4 ) of thecontrol device 14 obtains the bending angle from a detection value of theposition detector 72. For example, when a table is generated in advance by measuring the relationship between the bending angle of theknee unit 10 and the detection value of theposition detector 72, a bending angle of theknee unit 10 can be obtained from a detection value of theposition detector 72 by referring to the table. The controller 44 (seeFIG. 4 ) controls thecylinder device 60 in accordance with the bending angle to assist the motion of theknee unit 10. - Also in the multi-articulated link knee joint 300 according to the third embodiment, since it is not necessary to use a special device as the
cylinder device 60, the bending angle of theknee unit 10 can be detected with a relatively reasonable configuration. - Moreover, in the multi-articulated link knee joint 300 according to the third embodiment, since the
position detector 72 and the angle detector 42 (control device 14) are provided at the same portion (lower leg part 12), the wiring can be simplified. - In the third embodiment described above, the
position detector 72 is attached to thelower leg part 12 to detect the inclination angle of thecylinder device 60 with respect to thelower leg part 12; however, theposition detector 72 may be attached to thecylinder device 60 to detect the inclination angle of thecylinder device 60 with respect to thelower leg part 12. -
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to a four embodiment of the present invention. The multi-articulated link knee joint 400 is different from the multi-articulated link knee joint 100 according to the first embodiment in that arotary damper 80 is included as an auxiliary driver for assisting the motion of aknee unit 10. - The
rotary damper 80 includes a disk-shapedrotator 80 b rotatable about arotary shaft 80 a and an attenuator (not illustrated) for imparting a resistance against the rotation of therotator 80 b. The resistance imparted by the attenuator is controlled by acontroller 44 of acontrol device 14. Therotary shaft 80 a of therotary damper 80 is attached to thelower leg part 12 so as to be parallel to the x axis. - The
rotator 80 b of therotary damper 80 is coupled to aposterior link 22 via adamper link 82. More specifically, one end of thedamper link 82 is rotatably attached to theposterior link 22 by anupper shaft 82 a, and the other end of thedamper link 82 is rotatably attached to therotator 80 b of therotary damper 80 by alower shaft 82 b. -
FIG. 9A toFIG. 9D are views illustrating how aknee unit 10 is bent in the multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to the fourth embodiment. The bending angles of theknee unit 10 illustrated inFIG. 9A toFIG. 9D are 0°, 45°, 90°, and 160°, respectively. It is understood fromFIG. 9A toFIG. 9D that when anupper link unit 50 rotates with respect to alower link unit 52, theposterior link 22 rotates accordingly, and therotator 80 b of therotary damper 80 rotates via thedamper link 82 as theposterior link 22 rotates. By controlling the resistance against the rotation of therotator 80 b depending on the bending angle of theknee unit 10, the motion of theknee unit 10 can be assisted. - The multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to the fourth embodiment includes a
position detector 84 for detecting the rotation angle of therotator 80 b of therotary damper 80. Theposition detector 84 is attached to anlower leg part 12 to detect the rotation angle of therotator 80 b with respect to thelower leg part 12. As theposition detector 84, for example, a potentiometer, a rotary encoder, a resolver, or the like can be used. - The angle detector 42 (see
FIG. 4 ) of thecontrol device 14 obtains the bending angle from a detection value of theposition detector 84. For example, when a table is generated in advance by measuring the relationship between the bending angle of theknee unit 10 and the detection value of theposition detector 84, a bending angle of theknee unit 10 can be obtained from a detection value of theposition detector 84 by referring to the table. The controller 44 (seeFIG. 4 ) controls therotary damper 80 in accordance with the bending angle to assist the motion of theknee unit 10. - Also in the multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to the fourth embodiment, since it is not necessary to use a special device as the
rotary damper 80, the bending angle of theknee unit 10 can be detected with a relatively reasonable configuration. - Moreover, in the multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to the fourth embodiment, since the
position detector 84 and the angle detector 42 (control device 14) are provided at the same portion (lower leg part 12), the wiring can be simplified. - In the fourth embodiment described above, the
position detector 84 is attached to thelower leg part 12 to detect the rotation angle of therotary damper 80 with respect to thelower leg part 12; however, theposition detector 84 may be attached to therotary damper 80 to detect the rotation angle of therotary damper 80 with respect to thelower leg part 12. -
FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a first variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to the fourth embodiment. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 8 , therotary damper 80 and theposterior link 22 are coupled by thedamper link 82; however, therotary damper 80 may be connected to another link. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 10 , therotator 80 b of therotary damper 80 may be coupled to theupper shaft 82 a provided at theupper link 16 via thedamper link 82. -
FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a second variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to the fourth embodiment. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 8 , as theposition detector 84 for detecting the rotation angle of therotator 80 b of therotary damper 80, a potentiometer, a rotary encoder, a resolver, etc. for directly detecting the rotation angle of therotator 80 b with respect to thelower leg part 12 haven been mentioned as examples; however, other methods can also be used. - In the second variation, a
groove 80 c is formed in therotator 80 b of therotary damper 80. Thegroove 80 c is formed on the outer circumferential surface of therotator 80 b so as to extend in an arc shape along the rotation direction of therotator 80 b. Thegroove 80 c is formed such that the depth varies along the extending direction. - In the multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to the second variation, the
position detector 84 is attached to thelower leg part 12 to detect the distance d to the bottom of thegroove 80 c of therotary damper 80. Theposition detector 84 may be, for example, an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. Since the depth of thegroove 80 c is formed such that the depth varies along the extending direction as described above, the detection value of theposition detector 84 varies as therotator 80 b of therotary damper 80 rotates. For example, when a table is generated in advance by measuring the relationship between the detection value of theposition detector 84 and the rotation angle of therotator 80 b, a rotation angle of therotator 80 b can be detected indirectly from a detection value of theposition detector 84 by referring to the table. -
FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a third variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to the fourth embodiment. In the third variation, theposition detector 84 includes amagnet 85 and amagnetic sensor 86 that detects the intensity of the magnetic field generated by themagnet 85. Themagnet 85 may be, for example, a rectangular alnico magnet. Themagnetic sensor 86 may be, for example, a Hall element. Themagnetic sensor 86 is provided at therotator 80 b of therotary damper 80. Themagnet 85 is provided at thelower leg part 12. - The
magnetic sensor 86 provided at therotator 80 b outputs a detection value corresponding to the distance d to themagnet 85 provided at thelower leg part 12. The intensity of the magnetic field formed by themagnet 85 decreases as the distance from themagnet 85 increases. Therefore, the detection value of themagnetic sensor 86 varies as therotator 80 b of therotary damper 80 rotates. For example, when a table is generated in advance by measuring the relationship between the detection value of themagnetic sensor 86 and the rotation angle of therotator 80 b, a rotation angle of therotator 80 b can be detected indirectly from a detection value of themagnetic sensor 86 by referring to the table. -
FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a fourth variation of the multi-articulated link knee joint 400 according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth variation, theposition detector 84 includes an abuttingmember 90, acase 91, aspring 92, amagnet 93, and aHall element 94. - The
case 91 has an accommodating space open upward. Thecase 91 is secured to thelower leg part 12. The abuttingmember 90 and thespring 92 are accommodated in the accommodating space of thecase 91. Thespring 92 energizes the abuttingmember 90 such that the upper portion of the abuttingmember 90 protrudes from the accommodating space. Themagnet 93 is attached to the abuttingmember 90. The Hall element is attached to thecase 91 and outputs a detection value corresponding to the distance to themagnet 93. - Moreover, in the fourth variation, a
groove 80 c is formed in therotator 80 b of therotary damper 80. Thegroove 80 c is formed on the outer circumferential surface of therotator 80 b so as to extend in an arc shape along the rotation direction of therotator 80 b. Thegroove 80 c is formed such that the depth varies along the extending direction. Theposition detector 84 is attached to thelower leg part 12 such that the upper portion of the abuttingmember 90 fits into thegroove 80 c of therotator 80 b. The abuttingmember 90 is energized by thespring 92 and abuts against the bottom of thegroove 80 c. Therefore, the abuttingmember 90 moves as therotator 80 b of therotary damper 80 rotates. - Due to the movement of the abutting
member 90, the distance between themagnet 93 attached to the abuttingmember 90 and theHall element 94 attached to thecase 91 changes. That is, the detection value of theHall element 94 varies as therotator 80 b of therotary damper 80 rotates. For example, when a table is generated in advance by measuring the relationship between the detection value of theHall element 94 and the rotation angle of therotator 80 b, a rotation angle of therotator 80 b can be detected indirectly from a detection value of theHall element 94 by referring to the table. - The present invention has been described above on the basis of the embodiments. The embodiments are merely examples, and thus it should be understood by a person skilled in the art that combinations of components or processing processes of the examples may include various variations and that such variations are also within the scope of the present invention.
Claims (5)
1. A multi-articulated link knee joint comprising:
a knee unit in which an upper link unit is structured to rotate relative to a lower link unit by a multi-articulated link mechanism including a plurality of link units including the upper link unit and the lower link unit;
an auxiliary driver structured to assist motion of the knee unit and to move in accordance with rotation of the upper link unit;
a position detector structured to detect a relative position of the auxiliary driver relative to the lower link unit; and
an angle detector structured to obtain a bending angle of the knee unit from the detected relative position of the auxiliary driver.
2. The multi-articulated link knee joint according to claim 1 ,
wherein the position detector detects a distance from the lower link unit to the auxiliary driver as the relative position of the auxiliary driver, and
the angle detector obtains a bending angle of the knee unit from the detected distance.
3. The multi-articulated link knee joint according to claim 1 ,
wherein the position detector detects an inclination angle of the auxiliary driver relative to the lower link unit as the relative position, and
the angle detector obtains a bending angle of the knee unit from the detected inclination angle.
4. The multi-articulated link knee joint according to claim 1 ,
wherein the position detector detects a rotation angle of the auxiliary driver with respect to the lower link unit as the relative position, and
the angle detector obtains a bending angle of the knee unit from the detected rotation angle.
5. The multi-articulated link knee joint according to claim 1 , wherein the position detector and the angle detector are provided at the same portion.
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US17/211,307 US20210205101A1 (en) | 2018-04-11 | 2021-03-24 | Multi-articulated link knee joint |
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JP2018076108A JP7203509B2 (en) | 2018-04-11 | 2018-04-11 | multi-joint link knee joint |
US16/381,420 US11058558B2 (en) | 2018-04-11 | 2019-04-11 | Multi-articulated link knee joint |
US17/211,307 US20210205101A1 (en) | 2018-04-11 | 2021-03-24 | Multi-articulated link knee joint |
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US12042406B2 (en) | 2018-04-11 | 2024-07-23 | Nabtesco Corporation | Multi-articulated link knee joint |
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DE102020004337A1 (en) | 2020-07-20 | 2022-01-20 | Otto Bock Healthcare Products Gmbh | Orthopedic joint device |
CN114052712B (en) * | 2020-08-05 | 2024-04-12 | 深圳市奇诺动力科技有限公司 | Angle measuring device and lower limb support |
US20220202594A1 (en) | 2020-12-25 | 2022-06-30 | Nabtesco Corporation | Prosthetic knee joint |
JP2022166623A (en) | 2021-04-21 | 2022-11-02 | ナブテスコ株式会社 | Knee joint, knee joint power generation method, and program |
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US12042406B2 (en) | 2018-04-11 | 2024-07-23 | Nabtesco Corporation | Multi-articulated link knee joint |
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US11058558B2 (en) | 2021-07-13 |
JP2019180887A (en) | 2019-10-24 |
JP7203509B2 (en) | 2023-01-13 |
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US20190314173A1 (en) | 2019-10-17 |
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