阅读说明：本技术 由多个矫形外科技术组件组成的系统以及用于控制这种系统的方法 (System consisting of a plurality of orthopedic technical components and method for controlling such a system ) 是由 A·帕佩 A·魏格尔-波拉克 M·诺尔特 E·阿尔布雷赫特-拉奇 R·开坦 R·霍夫曼 于 2018-12-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种由彼此耦合的多个矫形外科技术组件(10、11、12、15)组成的系统,所述系统具有第一电子和/或电装置(110),所述第一电子和/或电装置具有第一供应接口(111),通过所述第一供应接口能够经由一插头(21)从充电站(20)向第一电和/或电子装置(110)供应能量和/或数据,其中,至少一个第二电和/或电子装置(120)布置在所述组件中的一个组件(12)上,所述组件具有单独的第二供应接口(121)和/或插头接口(122),所述第二供应接口和/或插头接口能够与所述第一电子和/或电装置(110)耦合,用于通过所述第一供应接口(111)或单独的插头接口(112)传输能量和/或数据。(The invention relates to a system comprising a plurality of orthopedic technical components (10, 11, 12, 15) coupled to one another, having a first electronic and/or electrical device (110) having a first supply interface (111) by means of which energy and/or data can be supplied from a charging station (20) to the first electronic and/or electrical device (110) via a plug (21), wherein at least one second electronic and/or electrical device (120) is arranged on one of the components (12), which has a separate second supply interface (121) and/or plug interface (122) that can be coupled to the first electronic and/or electrical device (110) for transmitting energy and/or data via the first supply interface (111) or the separate plug interface (112) .)

1. A system composed of a plurality of orthopedic technical components (10, 11, 12, 15) coupled to one another, having a first electronic and/or electrical device (110) which has a first supply interface (111) via which energy and/or data can be supplied from a charging station (20) to the first electronic and/or electrical device (110) via a plug (21), characterized in that at least one second electronic and/or electrical device (120) is arranged on one of the components (12) having a separate second supply interface (121) and/or plug interface (122) which can be coupled to the first electronic and/or electrical device (110) for the transmission of energy and/or data via the first supply interface (111) or the separate plug interface (112).

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the first electronic and/or electrical device (110) and the second electronic and/or electrical device (120) are couplable to each other via a plurality of plug interfaces (112, 122), a plurality of supply interfaces (111, 121) or a plug connection (30) between one plug interface (112, 122) and one supply interface (111, 121).

3. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply interfaces (111, 121) of the first and second electronic and/or electrical devices (110, 120) are compatible with the plug interfaces (112, 122).

4. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply interface (111) of the first electrical and/or electronic device (110) is compatible with at least the plug interface (122) of the second electrical and/or electronic device (120).

5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical and/or electronic device (110, 120) has an actuator (118, 128), a control device (116, 126), a processing circuit, a sensor (117, 127), a data memory, a hydraulic damper and/or an energy memory (115, 125).

6. The system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the technical orthopedic components (10, 11, 12) are mechanically and/or electrically coupled to one another.

7. The system of any preceding claim, wherein only data, only power, or both can be transmitted through the plug interface (112, 122).

8. The system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adapter (40) is configured in such a way that it can be connected to the first supply interface (111) or the second supply interface (121) or the plug interface (112, 122), and in that the adapter (40) has an input interface (42) for different charging stations (20).

9. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply interface (111, 121) and/or the plug interface (112, 122) have fixing means for fixing on the respective component (11, 12).

10. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control device (60) is coupled with a plurality of electrical or electronic devices (110, 120) having a storage (115, 125) for electrical energy, the control device (60) detecting the charge state of the storage (115, 125) and distributing a charging current from the supply interface (111, 121) to the storage (115, 125) or distributing electrical energy between the storage (115, 125) depending on the charge state of the storage (115, 125).

11. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical and/or electronic devices (110, 120) are electrically and/or data-transfer coupled to each other.

12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that all electrical and/or electronic devices (110, 120) are connected to a control device (60), said control device (60) identifying all electrical and/or electronic devices (110, 120) and causing the activation or deactivation thereof.

13. A method for controlling a system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all electrical and/or electronic devices (110, 120) present in the system and coupled to one another are triggered by a control device (60), the status and functional range of the electrical and/or electronic devices is queried, and energy and/or data signals are transmitted to the respective electrical and/or electronic devices (110, 120).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized by detecting the charging state of a plurality of electrical energy storages (115, 125) and distributing the charging energy during the charging process based on the detected charging state.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that a plurality of electrical energy storages (115, 125) are combined into a complex and the supply of the electrical and/or electronic devices (110, 120) from this complex is centrally distributed by the control device (60).

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the energy storage (115, 125) with the highest charge state is allocated to the consumers first.

17. Method according to any of claims 13-16, characterized in that the electrical energy storages (115, 125) are charge exchanged with each other.

18. Method according to any of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the function of the electrical and/or electronic device (110, 120) is activated or deactivated on the basis of the coupled component (10, 11, 12).

19. Method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the electrical and/or electronic device (110, 120) is authenticated after the coupling of the components (10, 11, 12) and the functional range and/or the energy release of the electrical and/or electronic device is determined from the electrical and/or electronic devices (110, 120) combined with one another.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a system consisting of a plurality of orthopedic technical components coupled to one another, having a first electronic and/or electrical device having a first supply interface, by means of which the first electronic and/or electrical device can be supplied with energy and/or data from a charging station via a plug. The invention also relates to a method for controlling such a system.

Background

Orthotics, prostheses, wheelchairs, data loggers, radio modules, feedback elements, electrical storage devices or components of orthotics or prostheses or wheelchairs are considered as orthopedic components, such as prosthetic joints, prosthetic feet, pipe adapters, prosthetic hands, prosthetic elbows, rotary adapters, prosthetic legs, prosthetic splints, orthotic joints, foot sleeves and sensors, storage devices, processors or other data processing devices arranged thereon. A system of several orthopedic technical components is an orthopedic technical unit which is composed of such components and has a functionality which exceeds the functionality of the individual orthopedic technical components. Such a system can be, for example, a thigh prosthesis consisting of a thigh bar, a prosthetic knee joint, a lower leg tube and a prosthetic foot. The system of the lower leg prosthesis consists of a lower leg shaft and a prosthetic foot arranged thereon. The prosthesis of the upper limb as upper arm prosthesis can have a shaft, an input device, a control device, an energy supply (such as a battery, a capacitor, a transformer or a power supply), a shoulder, an active elbow, a wrist, a gripping device (for example a gripper) and/or a single finger. The orthosis system can be configured, for example, as a knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO).

Orthopedic modules are usually provided with electrical and/or electronic means in order to detect forces, spatial positions, torques or associations of the modules with one another, for example. Furthermore, the change of the resistance of the damper device or the activation or deactivation of the motor drive can be carried out on the basis of the ascertained sensor values evaluated in the processor. The usage data of the orthopaedic technical component can be evaluated, for example, in order to have a data basis for future adjustments. Furthermore, the functional test can be performed by the connected checking device. A complete prosthetic or orthotic device, such as a computer controlled arm prosthesis or exoskeleton, is required for a laborious supply.

In particular in complex orthopedic systems, each actuator or electrical load has an energy store associated with it. Furthermore, for example, the coordination of the prosthetic knee joint with the actuatable prosthetic ankle joint can be complicated and can be carried out independently of one another if necessary. Electronics can also be provided in the non-driven component, for example in order to detect the load or the angular position by means of an integrated sensor. With modular structures and prostheses or orthoses, there are a multiplicity of different combination possibilities, which increase the complexity in software compensation or energy supply.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system composed of a plurality of orthopedic technical components and a method for controlling such a system, which is easier to operate and enables a uniform supply of data and/or electrical energy.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a system having the features of the main claim and by a method having the features of the dependent claims. Advantageous embodiments and embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The system according to the invention, which is composed of a plurality of orthopedic technical components coupled to one another, has a first electronic and/or electrical device having a first supply interface, via which the first electrical and/or electronic device can be supplied with energy and/or data from a charging station via a plug, and is provided with: at least one second electrical and/or electronic device is arranged on one of the components, which second electrical and/or electronic device has a separate second supply interface and/or plug interface, which can be coupled to the first electrical and/or electronic device for transmitting energy and/or data via the first supply interface or a separate plug interface. The two components can have different interfaces for connecting to a charging station and for connecting to one another. The requirements for the connection of the supply interface to the charging station can be different from the requirements for the connection between two components which are often connected to one another for a long time. The frequency of contact and disconnection, as well as the requirements for contact protection or water resistance, are different, so that a plug for a supply interface can be configured differently than a plug for a plug interface or socket. In principle, the plug interface and the supply interface can be compatible with one another, so that both a connection to a charging station and a connection between two components can be established with one plug or one plug type, wherein all functions or occupation need not be activated for different connections. The plug interface can have a higher IP protection level than the supply interface, since the supply interface is usually potential-free when no plug contact is made. By separating the supply interface from the plug interface, different requirements for a pure, usually transient, energy transmission with frequent contacts and for a permanent plug connection with energy and data transmission can be taken into account.

One embodiment of the invention provides that: the first and second electronic and/or electrical devices can be coupled to one another via a plug connection between a plurality of plug interfaces, a plurality of supply interfaces or one plug interface and one supply interface, so that the possibility exists of configuring all the plugs uniformly. Alternatively, different plug shapes are constructed in different functions, in particular when these functions are mutually exclusive, in order to avoid inadvertent incorrect contact.

The supply interfaces of the first and second electronic and/or electrical devices are compatible with the plug interface. Providing simple communication between at least two orthopaedic technical components within the system can be achieved by means of the second supply interface or a plug interface compatible with the plug for supplying the first electrical and/or electronic device. Furthermore, the respective orthopaedic technical component and the electrical and/or electronic device arranged therein or thereon can be supplied with energy, in particular to charge an electrical energy store or a battery, and data detected during operation can also be read and evaluated. Furthermore, due to the compatible configuration of the supply interface and, if appropriate, of the plug interface, all electrical and/or electronic devices can be supplied with a charging station using only one charging station, via which energy and/or data are introduced. In this way, two or more orthopaedic technical components are considered as a unit which is supplied centrally and can be adapted with respect to its specific functionality, which is compatible with the respective patient.

The electrical and/or electronic device can have an actuator (e.g. a motor drive), a hydraulic drive or damper, a locking device or pneumatic device and/or a control device, a processing circuit or processor, a sensor, a data memory, a charging unit and/or an energy memory. The charging device or the charging unit can be designed as one of the communication devices and participate in a bus system, via which all components of the system communicate with one another.

Preferably, the orthopaedic components are mechanically and/or electrically coupled to one another. By mechanically coupling the components to one another, a pivoting movement can be achieved in the case of an articulated connection and, in the case of further guides, further displacements of the components from one another. Furthermore, forces or torques can be transmitted, for example, in order to be able to receive ground reaction forces during walking and to transmit them to the body. Forces and moments can be transferred from one component to another. By means of the mechanical coupling, an orthosis, prosthesis or other orthopedic device adapted to the respective patient can be assembled from a plurality of parts in the case of a modular construction of an orthopedic component (such as an orthosis, prosthesis or wheelchair).

The electrical coupling to the charging station or between the two supply interfaces can be realized, for example, by a plug connection, wherein at least one plug side is a plug cascade, which has a corresponding plug configuration on the side facing the supply interfaces and a receptacle or socket for the plug (for example from the charging station) on the side facing away from the supply interfaces. The cabling can run inside an orthopedic technical system, such as a prosthesis or an orthosis, in order to protect the cables from external influences. Likewise, the plug can be arranged inside the orthopedic technical system, wherein it is accessible from the outside, for example, when the prosthesis or orthosis is worn. At least one cable branches off from this plug, which is designed in a cascade, to a plug, which can be connected to the second supply connection. With this configuration, two or more orthopaedic components with supply interfaces can be electrically and electronically coupled to one another in order to introduce or transmit data and/or energy.

Only data, only electrical energy or both can be transmitted via the second supply interface, so that the second electrical and/or electronic device can be supplied with the required information and energy.

An extension of the invention provides: an adapter is configured to be connectable to the first or second supply interface or plug interface and has an input interface for different charging stations. With such an adapter, the possibility exists of using different energy sources, for example, to supply an energy store in an orthopedic component. By means of the adapter, energy sources having different voltage supplies can be connected to the orthopaedic component in order to ensure that the energy is supplied as independently of the location of the stop as possible. Through which a connection to a 12V supply device (e.g., through a cigarette lighter interface), a 5V interface, a USB interface, an interface to a battery pack, or a computer or notebook can be established. By means of which adapter different levels can be processed and further transmitted to the data line and/or the energy line. Quite generally, different communication protocols can be used by means of the adapter.

An extension of the invention provides: the supply interface and/or the plug interface have fastening means for fastening to the respective electrical and/or electronic component. The fastening device can be designed as a form-locking fastening device and/or as a force-locking device. This makes it possible for such a supply connection to be fixed to the assembly in a variable or also individually positionable manner. The form-locking fastening means can be designed as snap locks, clips or threads. A threaded rod or a threaded sleeve can be provided on the supply connection, which can be fixed to the component in a form-fitting manner by a threaded connection with a corresponding nut or bolt. Alternatively or additionally, the delivery connection can be positioned, preferably reversibly, by a snap lock, an adhesive layer or a magnet, in a region of the assembly that is advantageous for the patient or the orthopedic technician. A cable connection is preferably provided between the supply connection and the actual electrical or electronic device, which cable connection is arranged in or on the assembly and, if necessary, is shielded from external influences by the cover.

Another embodiment of the invention provides that: the control or distribution device is coupled to a plurality of electrical and/or electronic components having electrical energy stores, wherein the control or distribution device detects the charging state of the respective electrical energy store and distributes a charging current from the supply interface to the stores or distributes electrical energy between the stores depending on the respective charging state of the stores, so that the storage capacity of the electrical energy store is used as uniformly as possible. In this way, energy can be exchanged between the module and the individual electrical or electronic devices, or depending on the respective charge state of the storage device, a respective energy or charging current can be distributed by the control or distribution device to the respective storage device. If the energy store is empty or has the lowest state of charge compared to the remaining energy stores, the energy store is preferably provided with a charging current, since the electrical or electronic devices assigned to the store are assumed to be used particularly frequently or to have a high energy consumption and therefore preferably have to supply additional energy. It is also possible to perform the energy compensation within the orthopaedic device or within the system by means of the control or distribution device, so that the capacity of all energy stores in the system of the orthopaedic device can be used as uniformly as possible. For this purpose, the differences in the charge states of the individual memories are analyzed and, in the case of a high charge state, energy is distributed to the memories having a lower charge state.

The electrical and/or electronic devices are coupled to one another in an electrical and/or data-transmitting manner in order to enable energy supply and data exchange or data matching (Datenabgleich) of all electrical and/or electronic devices via a central interface. Furthermore, the identification or identifiability of the individual electrical and/or electronic devices is achieved by means of such an electrical and/or electronic coupling, so that an orthopedic technical system (e.g. an orthosis or a prosthesis) having a personalized combination of a plurality of components can be detected by the respective charging station in its entirety and can be responded to in a personalized manner with regard to the charging process and/or the data supply.

In a further embodiment of the invention, all electrical and/or electronic devices are connected to a control device, which identifies the function, structure and type of all electrical and/or electronic devices and causes the electrical and/or electronic devices to be activated and deactivated by the control device. By means of the automatic identification performed by the control device, the charging station is supplied with all the necessary information about the energy to be supplied and the type of range of the data to be supplied or the query modality of the data recorded within the orthopaedic technical component.

The method according to the invention for controlling the above-described system provides for: all electrical and/or electronic devices present in the system and coupled to one another are triggered by a control device. Each electrical and/or electronic device is moved by the trigger in response to or by a data query for reaction to query the status and functional scope of the corresponding electrical and/or electronic device. After the query, the energy and/or data signals are transmitted to the respective electrical and/or electronic device, so that a data and energy supply adapted to the respective component or tailored thereto can be realized.

An embodiment of the method provides that: the charging states of the plurality of electrical energy stores are detected and charging energy is distributed during the charging process on the basis of the detected charging states. In particular, an energy store with a high charging capacity and/or an energy store with a low charging state preferably supplies electrical energy. A preferred or particularly important or large storage device can be supplied over a longer period of time or with a higher charging current in order to be able to supply the entire system with as high an energy as possible.

A plurality of electrical energy stores can be combined to form a composite, so that all electrical energy stores can supply all electrical and/or electronic devices with energy. The supply of electrical and/or electronic components from the complex is centrally distributed by the control device, so that it is ensured that all electrical and/or electronic components can be supplied with a sufficient amount of electrical energy for the longest operating time. Furthermore, the respective electrical and/or electronic components can be prioritized. If some electrical and/or electronic components are not important for the way the orthopedic technical system operates, these components can be switched off or reduced in their functional range at a critical low energy level.

An extension scheme is provided with: the energy store with the highest state of charge is first allocated to the consumer. This allocation can be carried out independently of the allocation of the respective energy store to the technical orthopedic component of the system. For example, the energy store on the thigh splint (which is provided for supplying the orthopedic knee joint) can be used for the actuation of the orthopedic ankle joint when the energy store on the thigh splint has a higher available energy than the energy store which is originally assigned to the ankle drive.

The energy stores can be charged in exchange with one another in order to ensure a uniform loading of the energy stores.

The functionality of the electrical and/or electronic device can be individually activated or deactivated on the basis of the coupled components. Each component has a functional range which is associated with the respective component and can be queried by the control device. Some functions may be counterproductive or undesirable in combination with other technical orthopedic components, so that individual functions can be automatically switched off or activated depending on the functional scope and the indication obtained from the combination of the individual technical orthopedic components.

An extension of the invention provides: the electrical and/or electronic devices are certified after the orthopaedic technical component is coupled, and the functional range of the electrical and/or electronic devices and/or the energy release to these devices is determined depending on the electrical and/or electronic devices combined with each other. This authentication prevents functions that may be harmful to the entire system from being implemented.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are explained in detail below with the aid of the figures. It shows that:

FIG. 1-a first variation of the system; and

figure 2-second variant.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically shows a lower limb prosthesis with a plurality of technical orthopedic components 10, 11, 12, 15. As a first technical orthopedic component 10, a thigh bar is shown, which has a connection adapter for fastening to an upper part of a prosthetic knee joint. A second technical orthopedic component 11 is arranged on the prosthetic knee joint in the form of a lower leg part so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 13. A third technical orthopedic component 12 in the form of a prosthetic ankle joint, on which a prosthetic foot 15 is mounted as a fourth technical orthopedic component so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 14, is fastened to the lower leg part as the second technical orthopedic component 11. The thigh lever as the first technical orthopedic assembly 10 is a purely passive assembly and serves to receive a thigh stump in order to be able to securely fasten the prosthetic leg to the patient. The mechanical fixing of the prosthetic leg on the patient can be achieved by means of the thigh shaft and the prosthetic insert arranged therein, for example, by means of a vacuum system. Instead of a multi-part prosthesis, the system can also be designed as an orthosis, it also being possible to use a wheelchair or a prosthesis or an orthotic device for an upper limb as an orthopedic component, for example a prosthetic arm, an arm orthosis or a shoulder orthosis. The combination of a prosthesis, orthosis, and wheelchair or other mobility assistance device is also considered a system.

In the illustrated system, a first electrical and/or electronic device 110 in the form of a hydraulic actuator is provided in the second orthopaedic technical component 11. The hydraulic actuator can be configured as a passive component and has a hydraulic damper with an adjusting drive by means of which a valve is opened or closed in order to be able to adjust the extension resistance and/or the flexion resistance. Furthermore, a storage 115 for storing electrical energy can be arranged or associated with the hydraulic actuator in order to supply the actuator with energy. If the electrical and/or electronic device 110 is configured as an active actuator, the pump device or the mechanical energy store (e.g., a spring or a pressure store) is associated with a hydraulic damper, by means of which a movement of the thigh bar relative to the lower leg can be induced or supported. For this purpose, energy from the energy store 115 is converted into kinetic energy, so that for example the piston rod is moved out of the hydraulic actuator in order to support or to bring about an extension movement. The hydraulic fluid can in turn be pumped cyclically by means of a pump or a pressure accumulator, so that the piston rod is moved into the housing of the hydraulic actuator, whereby the distance between the two fixing points of the hydraulic actuator on the upper and lower part of the prosthetic joint is shortened in order to carry out the flexion movement.

Distal to the first electrical and/or electronic component 110, a second electrical and/or electronic component 120 is arranged in the orthopaedic technology component 12 in the configuration of a prosthetic ankle joint. An electrical and/or hydraulic actuator can also be arranged inside the prosthetic ankle joint, which can be supplied with electrical energy via a storage 125 for electrical energy. In addition to the memory 125 for electrical energy, a control device 126 is arranged in the prosthetic ankle joint, and a control device 116 is arranged in the first electrical and/or electronic device 110, for example, to activate or deactivate the drives 118, 128 or to process data of the sensors 117, 127, to store the sensor data and to use said sensor data for control purposes. The control devices 116, 126 can also have integrated data memories and processing circuits.

Both on the second technical orthopedic component 11 and on the third technical orthopedic component 12, supply interfaces 111, 121 are provided, through which energy and/or data can be supplied to the respective electrical and/or electronic device 110, 120. Data as well as electrical energy can be transmitted from the charging station 20 to the respective supply interface 111, 121. For this purpose, a plug 21 is arranged on the charging station 20, which plug is compatible with the respective supply interface 111, 121. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 1, the plug 21 of the charging station 20 is coupled to a cascade plug system of a plug connection 30, which connects the two supply connections 111, 121 to one another. Two plugs 31 are arranged on the plug connection 30, which have contacts on one side, which are configured to be compatible with the contacts of the respective supply connections 111, 121. On the side facing away from the supply interfaces 111, 121, the plug 31 has a receptacle or socket which is compatible with the contacts of the plug 21 of the charging station 20.

If the plug 21 of the charging station 20 is inserted into the rear side of the plug 31 which is connected to the respective plug 31 by a cable, so that the two supply interfaces 111, 121 are connected to one another, energy and data can be transmitted from the charging station 20 both to the first electronic and/or electrical device 110 and to the second electronic and/or electrical device 120. Thereby, the memory 115, 125 is filled for storing electrical energy and data, such as programs, control data, software updates or the like, is supplied to the control device 116, 126. An electrical connection system for the orthopaedic components 11, 12 (in particular orthoses, prostheses and/or wheelchairs) can be provided by the system of the charging station 20 (with the plug 21, the supply interfaces 111, 121) and the plug connection 30 (with the plug 31), with which the respective electrical and/or electronic devices 110, 120 can be charged and connected to one another in order to distribute the energy from the respective energy stores 115, 125 relative to one another or to coordinate the control processes with one another. This system enables not only external data and electrical energy to be transmitted from the charging station 20 to the orthopaedic system (e.g., orthosis, prosthesis or wheelchair), but also an exchange of energy and/or data between the respective orthopaedic components 11, 12 within the orthopaedic device.

If different maximum required powers exist in the respective consumers (e.g. drivers 118, 128) or for charging the memories 115, 125 in different assemblies 11, 12 with different electrical and/or electronic devices 110, 120, the respective maximum required powers of the consumers 118, 128 or of the control devices 116, 126 can be encoded by resistance. Due to the compatibility of the supply interfaces 111, 121 with the respective plugs 21, 31, a plurality of charging interfaces can be provided on the orthopaedic technical component in order to facilitate the patient coupling of the orthopaedic technical aid to the charging station 20. Thereby, the user is free to select the supply interface 111, 120 that is best reachable for him, so that there is one or more interfaces for central charging of all electrical and/or electronic devices 110, 120. The charging and the supply of data can be performed simultaneously or sequentially. If, for example, the electrical and/or electronic devices 110, 120 are not coupled to one another via the plug connection 30, data and energy can be transmitted successively via the plug 21 by the charging station 20. The respective electronic and/or electric device 110, 120 is provided with a code, so that it is recognized by the charging station 20 which device is to be supplied with energy and/or data, so that not only the correct amount of energy but also the correct data is transmitted.

If the charging station 20 is not connected, data and energy exchange between the devices 110, 120 can take place via the plug connection 30. It is also possible to combine a plurality of orthopedic technical aids with one another by means of the plug connection 30, for example to combine an orthosis or prosthesis with a wheelchair, for example with a large energy store in the form of a battery, so that energy can be transferred from the wheelchair into the orthosis or prosthesis in order to maintain mobility of the patient.

In fig. 1, further charging stations 20 and energy stores are shown, which supply different voltages, for example 12V, 5V, or via special transformers or manufacturer-specific chargers. Likewise, the energy store can be coupled to the power supply of the charging station 20 via a USB interface, so that there is an electrical energy removable store. An interface for the cigarette lighter, which can also be coupled, for example, to an external energy store 50, on which external energy store 50 a corresponding adapter is arranged, can also be used as an energy supply device. An external energy store 50 (which can also be a computer or a portable computer) can also be coupled to the orthopaedic components independently of the cigarette lighter. Different energy sources can be used to supply the respective electronic and/or electrical devices with energy by means of one or more adapters 40 provided with respective plugs 41 compatible with the respective supply interfaces 111, 121. The adapter 40 can connect different types of energy sources to the respective technical orthopedic assembly, wherein different levels can be introduced into the respective device in the adapter 40. A corresponding required level can be configured in the adapter 40, for example by increasing or decreasing the voltage received from the corresponding energy store. In each adapter 40, an input interface 42 for the respectively used charging station 20 or respectively used energy store is provided.

A control device 60 is arranged on the prosthesis, which identifies all electrical and/or electronic devices 110, 120 and causes their activation or deactivation in a wireless or wired connection. In an alternative configuration, the control device 60 can be arranged in one of the devices 110, 120 and as a master control device or master, identify, activate and deactivate the remaining connected components. For this purpose, all electrical and/or electronic devices 110, 120 are triggered by a control device 60, which checks the status and functional range of the respective setting and transmits an energy and/or data signal to the respective electrical and/or electronic device 110, 120.

Fig. 2 shows a variant of the invention in which, instead of the bridging coupling of the two supply interfaces 111, 121 by means of the plug connection 30 (for the transmission of energy and data and the transmission of energy and data from the charging station 20 via the respective plug 31), separate plug interfaces 112, 122 are arranged on the two electrical and/or electronic devices 110, 120. These plug interfaces 112, 122 are provided in addition to the supply interfaces 111, 121. In fig. 2, a second supply port 121 is provided as an additional or alternative supply port on the second orthopaedic technical component 12. There is also the possibility of being able to cancel the second supply interface 121. The second charging station 20 is therefore only shown in dashed lines. If several or all orthopedic technical components with electrical and/or electronic devices are equipped with a supply interface, the advantage is that the charging time can be shortened and the energy and data can be transmitted individually and more quickly to the respective electrical and/or electronic devices. The coupling to external devices, i.e. to the charging station 20, can take place at a plurality of supply interfaces 111, 121. Separately from the supply interfaces 111, 121, plug interfaces 112, 122 are arranged on the respective orthopaedic technical component 11, 12, via which data and/or energy exchange between the individual electrical and/or electronic devices 110, 120 is effected. The plug 31 of the plug connection 30 can be configured differently from the plug 21 of the charging station 20 or can occupy other contacts, instead of which the plug interfaces 112, 122 can be coupled and compatible with the supply interfaces 111, 121 and thus also with the plug 21 of the charging station 20. The supply of energy and, if appropriate, data takes place via the supply interfaces 111, 121, while the connection between the electrical and/or electronic components 110, 120 takes place via the plug connection 30.

If a further component is to be connected internally, a third plug 31 is arranged on the plug connection 30, with further plugs being arranged if there are further components to be connected.

In order to be able to configure and control a system of a plurality of electrical and/or electronic components 110, 120, all electrical and/or electronic devices 110, 120 present in the system and coupled to one another are triggered by the control device 60, for example by radio, or by cables when the control device 60 on the orthopedic technical component is connected to the electrical and/or electronic devices, wherein the other electrical and/or electronic components are preferably triggered by a plug connection 30, which can also be arranged within the orthopedic technical component. The control device 60 queries the status of the respective device, i.e. whether it is activated, which software status it has, how the charging status is and which functional range is assigned to the respective device. Based on the received information about the status and the functional range, energy and/or data signals are transmitted to the respective device. For this purpose, the control device 60 can be coupled to the respective charging station 20, for example wirelessly or via a wired connection. It is also possible for the control device 60 to be part of the charging station 20 or to be coupled to a supply interface 111, 121, via which energy and/or data are introduced into the system from the outside.

In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 2, a control device 60, which is arranged in the second orthopaedic technical component 11 in order to be able to remove the cable connection across the joint, is coupled to all energy stores and monitors the energy level of the respective energy store. Based on the importance of the energy storage to the functionality of the overall system, charging energy can be allocated at different priorities. Electrical and/or electronic devices which are absolutely necessary for functional capacity are preferably supplied with electrical energy, while additional units which ensure an increased functional range and, if necessary, increased comfort are supplied later or with a smaller share of energy. The energy distribution can be varied during the charging process by means of the control device 60. When the delivery of external energy is finished, the internal energy distribution between the individual energy storages 115, 125 within the system is controlled by the control device 60. The energy store with the highest current state of charge can therefore be allocated to the consumers first, and alternatively or additionally, charge or energy exchange can take place between these energy stores, in order either to achieve a uniform energy allocation or to supply the prioritized consumers with an increased energy amount using the respectively allocated energy store.

Based on the information obtained by the triggering about the state and type of the electrical and/or electronic components, it is possible that certain functions are not desired or must be cancelled in certain combinations of different electrical or electronic devices, so that the respective function is activated or deactivated depending on the respectively detected electrical and/or electronic device on the respective orthopaedic technical component.