阅读说明：本技术 关节辅助单元及步行辅助装置 (Joint support unit and walking support device ) 是由 高桥玲 于 2018-12-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供能够兼用于左右的关节进行安装的关节辅助单元等。关节辅助单元(20)具备：安装在关节部的一端侧的第一连杆(21)、安装在关节部的另一端侧且能够旋转地与第一连杆(21)连结的第二连杆(22)、对第二连杆(22)进行旋转驱动的驱动部、以及限制第二连杆(22)的旋转方向及旋转范围的旋转限制部(30)。而且,旋转限制部(30)具备：设置于一方的连杆的卡合体(31)、以及设置于另一方的连杆并与卡合体(31)卡合的卡合部(33),卡合部(33)具有：将根据第二连杆(22)的旋转方向而移动的卡合体(31)向不同的方向引导的两条引导路径(34、35)、以及连通两条引导路径(34、35)的连通路径(39),卡合体(31)能够经由连通路径(39)在两条引导路径(34、35)之间移动。(The invention provides a joint assist unit capable of being mounted by using both left and right joints. The joint support unit (20) is provided with: the joint comprises a first link (21) attached to one end side of the joint, a second link (22) attached to the other end side of the joint and rotatably connected to the first link (21), a drive unit for rotationally driving the second link (22), and a rotation restriction unit (30) for restricting the rotational direction and rotational range of the second link (22). The rotation restriction unit (30) is provided with: an engaging body (31) provided on one link, and an engaging portion (33) provided on the other link and engaged with the engaging body (31), the engaging portion (33) having: two guide paths (34, 35) for guiding an engaging body (31) that moves in accordance with the rotational direction of the second link (22) in different directions, and a communication path (39) that communicates the two guide paths (34, 35), wherein the engaging body (31) can move between the two guide paths (34, 35) via the communication path (39).)

1. A joint assist unit to be mounted around a joint of a user,

the joint support unit includes:

a first link attached to one end side of the joint section;

a second link attached to the other end side of the joint portion and rotatably coupled to the first link;

a driving unit that rotationally drives the second link; and

a rotation restricting portion that restricts a rotation direction and a rotation range of the second link,

the rotation restricting unit includes: an engaging body provided on one of the links, and an engaging portion provided on the other link and engaged with the engaging body,

the engaging portion includes: two guide paths for guiding the engaging member moved in accordance with a rotational direction of the second link in different directions, and a communication path for communicating the two guide paths,

the engaging body is movable between the two guide paths via the communication path.

2. Joint assistance unit according to claim 1,

each of the guide paths has a restricting portion that restricts a moving range of the engaging body.

3. Joint assistance unit according to claim 1 or 2,

the joint support unit includes a moving unit that moves the engaging body to one or the other of the guide paths.

4. Joint assistance unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the joint support unit includes a switching member that mechanically switches a rotation direction of the driving unit when the engaging body is moved from one of the guide paths to the other of the guide paths.

5. A walking assistance device characterized by comprising a frame,

the walking assistance device is provided with: a thigh attachment unit attached to a thigh portion from a knee joint of a leg, a lower leg attachment unit attached to a lower leg portion from the knee joint, and a joint support unit attached to the knee joint,

the joint support unit includes:

a first link coupled to the thigh mounting unit;

a second link coupled to the lower leg attachment unit and rotatably coupled to the first link;

a driving unit that rotationally drives the second link; and

a rotation restricting portion that restricts a rotation direction and a rotation range of the second link,

the rotation restricting unit includes: an engaging body provided on one of the links, and an engaging portion provided on the other link and engaged with the engaging body,

the engaging portion includes: two guide paths for guiding the engaging member moved in accordance with a rotational direction of the second link in different directions, and a communication path for communicating the two guide paths,

the engaging body is movable between the two guide paths via the communication path.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a joint support unit and the like that support a movement of a joint of a user.

Background

Conventionally, there have been known walking assistance devices for assisting walking exercise, stretching operation, rehabilitation, and the like of patients with knee joint deformity. There are a plurality of such walking assistance devices (see, for example, patent document 1), and a walking assistance device shown in, for example, patent document 1 includes a joint assistance unit that is attached to a knee joint of a user and includes a leg link that swings around the knee joint in the front-rear direction using an actuator.

The leg link includes a pair of links that are extendable and retractable by rotational driving, and a driving source that drives a rotation shaft of the links is mounted, and the leg link assists the movement of the user's leg by the rotational driving of the links by the driving source.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, since the leg links are driven in different directions when attached to the left and right legs, it is necessary to manufacture dedicated devices for the left and right sides, which causes a rise in cost.

In general, the walking assistance device is manufactured and sold as a pair of right and left walking assistance units, and even if a purchaser needs only one walking assistance unit, the purchaser needs to purchase both the right and left walking assistance units.

On the other hand, if the joint support unit provided in the walking support unit is used in both left and right directions, it is possible to easily achieve cost reduction with versatility.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a joint assist unit and the like that can be attached by using both left and right joints.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention employs the following configuration. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, the reference numerals in the drawings are enclosed in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

That is, a joint support unit (20) according to claim 1 is a joint support unit that is attached around a joint of a user, and is characterized by comprising: a first link (21) attached to one end side of the joint section, a second link (22) attached to the other end side of the joint section and rotatably connected to the first link, a drive section that rotationally drives the second link, and a rotation restriction section (30) that restricts a rotational direction and a rotational range of the second link, the rotation restriction section including: an engaging body (31) provided to one of the links, and an engaging portion (33) provided to the other link and engaged with the engaging body, the engaging portion including: two guide paths (34, 35) for guiding the engaging body that moves in accordance with the rotational direction of the second link in different directions, and a communication path (39) for communicating the two guide paths, the engaging body being movable between the two guide paths via the communication path.

The joint support unit according to claim 2 is the joint support unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the guide paths includes a restriction portion (36a, 36b) that restricts a movement range of the engagement body.

The joint support unit according to claim 3 is the joint support unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the joint support unit includes a moving unit (40) that moves the engagement body to the guide path of one or the other.

The joint support unit according to claim 4 is the joint support unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the joint support unit includes a switching member that mechanically switches a rotation direction of the driving unit when the engaging member is moved from one of the guide paths to the other of the guide paths.

Further, a walking assistance device (S) according to claim 5 is characterized by comprising: an upper leg attachment unit (5) attached to an upper leg (16) from a knee joint of a leg, a lower leg attachment unit (10) attached to a lower leg (17) from the knee joint, and a joint support unit (20) attached to the knee joint, the joint support unit comprising: a first link coupled to the thigh attachment unit, a second link coupled to the shank attachment unit and rotatably coupled to the first link, a drive unit that rotationally drives the second link, and a rotation restriction unit that restricts a rotational direction and a rotational range of the second link, the rotation restriction unit including: an engaging body provided on one of the links, and an engaging portion provided on the other link and engaged with the engaging body, the engaging portion including: two guide paths for guiding the engaging body that moves in accordance with a rotational direction of the second link in different directions, and a communication path for communicating the two guide paths, wherein the engaging body is movable between the two guide paths via the communication path.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

The joint assist unit can be attached by being used for both the left and right legs only by being inverted, and cost reduction can be achieved. Further, since the knee joint does not move beyond a predetermined range of motion of the knee joint, the knee joint can be used safely. Further, since the mechanical switching operation of the joint assist unit and the switching operation of the electric control program of the power source (motor or the like) can be performed simultaneously, the operability and safety are excellent.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a state of use of the walking assistance device, in which fig. 1(a) shows a state in which a leg is extended, and fig. 1(b) shows a state in which the leg is bent.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the joint support unit of the walking assistance device.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section for explaining an operation example of the moving means.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a guide path formed in the second link.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the structure of a mobile unit.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation of the joint support unit attached to the left leg, fig. 6(a) shows an extended state, and fig. 6(b) shows a bent state.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation of the joint support unit attached to the right leg, fig. 7(a) shows an extended state, and fig. 7(b) shows a bent state.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a walking assistance device in which a joint assistance unit is used for a knee joint of a user will be described. In the following description, the "bending motion" refers to a motion of bending the knee joint, and the "extending motion" refers to a motion of extending the knee joint.

As shown in fig. 1, the walking assistance device S of the present embodiment is attached to the legs of a user, and includes a walking assistance unit U that can be attached to both the left and right legs. The walking assistance unit U includes: a thigh attachment unit 5 attached to the thigh portion 16 from the knee joint of the leg, a lower leg attachment unit 10 attached to the lower leg portion 17 from the knee joint, and a joint assist unit 20 attached to the knee joint. The walking assistance device S is connected to the lumbar attachment unit 2 attached to the waist of the user, for example, and is used, and when assistance is required for both legs, the walking assistance units U are attached to the left and right legs, respectively.

The walking assistance unit U swings the lower leg attachment unit 10 in the front-rear direction with respect to the upper leg attachment unit 5 by driving of, for example, a motor as a power source, and thereby allows the user to appropriately perform, for example, an extension operation shown in fig. 1(a) and a bending operation shown in fig. 1(b), thereby performing walking assistance.

The waist attachment unit 2 includes a waist belt 3 wound around the waist of the user, and connectors 4 connected to the thigh attachment units 5 are provided on the left and right sides of the waist belt 3.

The thigh attachment unit 5 has a flat plate-like thigh plate 6 disposed on the side surface of the thigh 16 of the user, the upper end portion is rotatably connected to the waist attachment unit 2 via a connecting member 7, and the thigh plate 6 is attached so as to stand along the outer side surface of the thigh 16. The thigh plate 6 is provided with a mounting device 8 such as a contact member that contacts a part of the thigh 16 and a surface fastener that brings the contact member into close contact with the thigh 16, and the thigh plate 6 is fixed to the knee by the mounting device 8.

The lower leg attachment means 10 has a flat lower leg plate 11 disposed on the side surface of the lower leg 17 of the user, and the upper end portion thereof is connected to the thigh plate 6 via a joint support means 20, and the lower leg plate 11 is attached so as to hang down along the outer side surface of the lower leg 17. The lower leg plate 11 is provided with attachment devices 12 such as a contact member that contacts below the knee and a contact member that contacts the ankle, and surface fasteners that attach the contact members to the below the knee and the ankle, and the lower end of the lower leg plate 11 is fixedly attached to the outer side surfaces of the below the knee and the ankle by the attachment devices 12.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the joint support unit 20 includes: a first link 21 of a flat plate shape disposed on the outer side of the knee joint of the user and connected to the thigh plate 6; a second link 22 in the form of a flat plate attached to the lower leg plate 11 and telescopically coupled to the first link 21; a drive unit, not shown, for rotating the second link 22 in the front-rear direction with respect to the first link 21; and a rotation restricting portion 30 that restricts the rotational direction and the rotational range of the second link 22.

The first link 21 and the second link 22 are, for example, as shown in fig. 3, such that the second link 22 overlaps the first link 21 so as to be disposed on the user side, is coupled to be rotatable with respect to each other by four pin-shaped fixing screws 25, and is driven by a driving unit, not shown, disposed outside the first link 21 to rotate the second link 22.

Although not shown, the driving unit includes a motor as a power source, a power transmission mechanism for transmitting a rotational force of the motor to the second link 22, a control board for controlling the driving of the motor, a battery for supplying power to the motor, and the like, and is mounted on the first link 21 and housed in the housing 24.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the rotation restricting portion 30 includes a pin-shaped protrusion 31 (an example of an engaging body in the present application) and an engaging portion 33 that engages with the protrusion 31. As shown in fig. 3, the projection 31 is provided on the first link 21 so as to project toward the second link 22.

The engaging portion 33 is formed on the second link 22, and has two guide paths 34 and 35 for guiding the projection 31 in accordance with two different rotational movements of the second link 22.

In fig. 4, the first guide path 34 has an outer peripheral groove 36 formed on the outer peripheral edge of the second link 22, and the projection 31 is guided in the clockwise direction along the outer peripheral groove 36. Projecting portions 36a and 36b (an example of a restricting portion in the present application) projecting outward are formed at one end and the other end of the outer peripheral groove 36, and the movement of the projection 31 is restricted by the pair of projecting portions 36a and 36b to define the movement range of the projection 31.

In fig. 4, the second guide path 35 has an inner circumferential groove 37 formed inside the outer circumferential edge of the second link 22, and guides the projection 31 in the counterclockwise direction along the inner circumferential groove 37. One end and the other end of the inner circumferential groove 37 are closed, and the movement of the projection 31 is regulated by the one end and the other end, thereby defining the movement range of the projection 31.

Each of the guide paths 34 and 35 has an engagement portion 33a that engages with a projection 31 formed in an arc shape having a radius equal to the distance between the rotation center of the second link 22 and the projection 31, and the projection 31 moves along the engagement portion 33a in accordance with the rotation of the second link 22.

As shown in fig. 4, the engaging portion 33a formed in each of the guide paths 34 and 35 is formed in an arc shape having a different radius, and the two guide paths 34 and 35 communicate with each other through the communication path 39.

The first guide path 34 and the second guide path 35 are formed in correspondence with the rotation operation of the second link 22 with reference to the time of the expansion operation of the first link 21 and the second link 22, and are disposed so that end portions of the respective guide paths 34 and 35 overlap each other in the vertical direction. The communication path 39 is formed to extend linearly in the vertical direction so as to communicate the end portions with each other, and the guide paths 34 and 35 are provided independently of each other.

Then, by moving the projection 31 between the two guide paths 34, 35 using the communication path 39, the rotation direction of the second link 22 can be switched.

The positions of the guide paths 34 and 35 and the communication path 39 are examples, and may be changed by being appropriately disposed on the second link 22. As the guide paths 34 and 35 and the communication path 39 are changed, the position of the projection 31 and the position of the moving means 40 described later are also changed as appropriate.

The guide paths 34 and 35 are designed along the movable region of the knee joint, and the movable region (the pivoting region of the second link 22) is defined by the moving range of the projection 31 based on the guide paths 34 and 35.

As shown in fig. 3 and 5, the joint assisting unit 20 includes a moving unit 40 that moves the projection 31 between the first guide path 34 and the second guide path 35, and the moving unit 40 is provided on the first link 21. The moving means 40 moves the projection 31 on each of the guide paths 34 and 35 through the link mechanism in the communicating path 39.

The moving unit 40 includes a link mechanism including a protrusion moving member 41 that moves the protrusion 31 and an operating member 42 that operates the protrusion moving member 41.

The protrusion moving member 41 is a linearly extending member, and has a protrusion 31 attached to a distal end portion thereof, and an operation member 42 rotatably connected to a proximal end portion thereof by a connecting pin 43 or the like. The protrusion moving member 41 is disposed in a groove 45 formed in the first link 21 and extending linearly at least in the vertical direction, and is moved within a predetermined range in the groove 45 by the operation of the operating member 42.

The operating member 42 is a linearly extending member, a distal end portion of which is provided so as to be rotatable within a predetermined range so as to project laterally outward of the first link 21, and a base end portion of which is connected to the protrusion moving member 41 by a connecting pin 43 or the like so as to be rotatable with respect to each other.

The operation member 42 is provided so that the distal end portion thereof can be moved between a first position where the projection 31 is held on the first guide path 34 and a second position where the projection 31 is held on the second guide path 35 by sliding, and by the sliding operation of the operation member 42, the projection moving member 41 is moved in the vertical direction via the connecting pin 43 to move the projection 31 in the communication path 39.

As shown in fig. 2 and 5(a), for example, when the operating member 42 is disposed at the second position and the projection 31 is disposed at the lower end portion of the communicating path 39, the projection 31 can be moved along the second guide path 35, and the second link 22 can be rotated counterclockwise. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 5(b), when the operation member 42 is disposed at the first position and the projection moving member 41 is pulled up to dispose the projection 31 at the upper end portion of the communicating path 39, the projection 31 can be moved along the first guide path 34, and the second link 22 can be rotated in the clockwise direction.

As described above, the moving means 40 of the present embodiment can switch between the first guide path 34 and the second guide path 35 by the sliding operation of the operating member 42, move the projection 31 along the predetermined guide paths 34 and 35, and switch the direction of operation (rotation) of the second link 22.

The moving unit 40 is provided with an electric switching unit (an example of a switching means of the present application) that automatically switches the control program when the operating member 42 is operated, and in the present embodiment, switches the rotational direction by the power source.

The electric switching unit includes a switch 50 for switching the rotational direction of the power source by the movement of the contact 51, and the rotational direction of the power source is switched by the operation of the switch 50.

The switch 50 is provided adjacent to the projection moving member 41 in the groove 45 formed in the first link 21, and the switch 50 is operated between a reverse rotation position (fig. 5(b)) in which the projection moving member 41 presses the contact 51 to move the contact 51 and reverse the rotation direction of the power source and a forward rotation position (fig. 5(a)) in which the projection moving member 41 does not press the contact 51 to move the contact 51 and reverse the rotation direction of the power source by the movement of the projection moving member 41 by the operation of the operating member 42.

When the operating member 42 is operated and the projection 31 is disposed on the second guide path 35 as shown in fig. 2, the switch 50 is operated to the normal rotation position without being pressed by the projection moving member 41, and therefore, the power source rotates in the normal direction to rotate the second link 22 in the counterclockwise direction. On the other hand, when the projection 31 is switched to the first guide path 34, the contact is pressed by the projection moving member 41, and the switch 50 is operated to the reverse rotation position, so that the power source is reversed, and the second link 22 is rotated clockwise.

As described above, the electric switching means of the present embodiment can automatically switch the control program (for example, the rotation direction of the power source) in response to the switching operation of the guide paths 34 and 35 by the sliding operation of the operation member 42, can switch the electric control program while switching the guide paths 34 and 35, is relatively convenient, can easily improve the operability, and can prevent malfunction that may occur when the switching operation of the mechanical operation and the electric control program is independently performed.

Next, an example of the operation of the walking assistance device S according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the second guide path 35 is used by rotating the second link 22 in the counterclockwise direction when the walking assistance unit U is attached to the right leg, and the first guide path 34 is used by rotating the second link 22 in the clockwise direction when the walking assistance unit U is attached to the left leg.

First, an operation example in the case where the walking assistance unit U is attached to the left leg will be described with reference to fig. 6.

After the walking assistance unit U is attached to the left leg of the user, it is checked whether the operation member 42 is disposed at the first position. Here, when the operation member 42 is disposed at the second position, the operation member 42 is slid and moved to the first position.

When the operating member 42 is disposed at the first position, the projection 31 is disposed on one end side of the first guide path 34. When the operating member 42 is disposed at the first position, the contact 51 is pressed and the switch 50 is operated to the reverse position as shown in fig. 5 (b).

Next, the user turns on the power supply of the walking assistance unit U, not shown, to drive the driving unit. Specifically, the joint assisting unit 20 drives the second link 22 by controlling the rotation of the power source in the reverse direction, and moves the projection 31 along the first guide path 34, thereby swinging the second link 22 between the extended operation position shown in fig. 6(a) and the bent operation position shown in fig. 6 (b).

Further, since the first guide path 34 restricts the movement range of the projection 31 by the protruding portions 36a and 36b, the movement of the projection 31 is restricted when the user reaches a predetermined movable region of the knee joint of the user, and therefore, the second link 22 is not driven beyond the predetermined movable region, and the user can safely use the walking assistance unit U.

Next, an operation example in the case where the walking assistance unit U is attached to the right leg will be described with reference to fig. 7.

After the walking assistance unit U is attached to the right leg of the user, it is checked whether the operation member 42 is disposed at the second position. Here, when the operation member 42 is disposed at the first position, the operation member 42 is slid and moved to the second position.

When the operating member 42 is disposed at the second position, the projection 31 is disposed at one end side of the second guide path 35. When the operating member 42 is disposed at the second position, the contact 51 is not pressed and the switch 50 is operated to the forward rotation position as shown in fig. 5 (a).

Next, the user turns on the power source of the walking assistance unit U, not shown, to drive the power source. Specifically, the joint assisting unit 20 drives the second link 22 by controlling the rotation of the power source in the normal rotation, moves the projection 31 along the second guide path 35, and swings the second link 22 between the extended operation position shown in fig. 7(a) and the bending operation position shown in fig. 7 (b).

Further, since the second guide path 35 restricts the movement range of the projection 31 by one end and the other end of the inner circumferential groove 37, the movement of the projection is restricted when the predetermined movement range of the knee joint of the user is reached, and therefore, the second link 22 is not driven beyond the predetermined movement range, and the user can safely use the walking assistance unit U.

Next, an example of attaching the walking assistance device S to the user will be described with reference to fig. 1. For convenience of explanation, an example in which the walking assistance unit U is attached to the right leg will be described in detail.

The walking assistance device S of the present embodiment can be used by separating the waist attachment unit 2 from the walking assistance unit U using the links 4 and 7, and attaching the walking assistance unit U to the thigh 16 and the lower leg 17 of the right leg after attaching the waist attachment unit 2 to the waist of the user.

First, the lumbar attachment unit 2 is disposed so that the coupling 4 is along the outer surface of the thigh 16 of the user, and is attached to the lumbar by adjusting the length of the waist belt 3.

Next, the walking assistance unit U is attached to the right leg. Specifically, the thigh attachment unit 5 and the lower leg attachment unit 10 are attached to the thigh 16 and the lower leg 17 of the user using the attachments 8 and 12, and the attachment of the walking assistance device S is completed.

Next, the operation member 42 is operated, and as shown in fig. 7, the projection 31 is disposed at the lower end portion of the communication path 39. At this time, the rotational direction of the power source is also controlled to coincide with the rotational direction of the second link 22.

On the other hand, the walking assistance device S can be used in both left and right directions, and when the device is attached to the left leg as described above, the operation member 42 may be operated such that the projection 31 is disposed at the upper end portion of the communication path 39 as shown in fig. 6.

As described above, the walking assistance device S according to the present embodiment can automatically switch the control program only by the sliding operation of the operation member 42, can switch the operation direction of the lower leg attachment unit 10, has excellent operability, and can prevent malfunction that may occur when the switching operation of the mechanical operation and the electrical control program is independently performed. Further, the walking assistance unit U can be attached by being used for both the left and right legs only by being inverted, and thus cost reduction can be achieved. Further, since the lower leg attachment unit 10 does not operate beyond the predetermined range of motion of the knee joint by the rotation restricting portion 30, the walking assistance device S can be used safely.

The present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms. For example, the first guide path 34 is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the second link 22, but both the first guide path 34 and the second guide path 35 may be formed inside the second link 22. Further, the moving means 40 is a link mechanism using two members, but the projection 31 may be moved by one member, or a link mechanism using three or more members may be employed.

Description of the reference numerals

S walk assisting device

20 Joint Assist Unit

21 first link

22 second connecting rod

31 projection

33 engaging part

34 first guide path

35 second guide path

39 communication path

40 mobile unit