阅读说明：本技术 接头装置 (Joint device ) 是由 小野拓洋 于 2020-03-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明的目的在于,提供一种接头装置,能够从弯曲状态施加载荷而伸展；一种接头装置(10),具有连接部(3),所述连接部(3)将第一部件(1)与第二部件(2)以能够相对移动的方式连接,所述接头装置(10)具有伸缩装置(12),所述伸缩装置(12)以能够传递动力的方式连接于第一部件(1)及第二部件(2),借由进行伸缩而能够改变以连接部(3)为中心的第一部件(1)与第二部件(2)所成的角度,伸缩装置(12)具有：旋转部(121),生成旋转动力；及,转换部(122),与旋转部(121)能够传递动力地连接,将由旋转部(121)生成的旋转动力转换为沿着伸缩方向的平移运动。(An object of the present invention is to provide a joint device that can be expanded by applying a load from a bent state; a joint device (10) having a connecting portion (3), the connecting portion (3) connecting a first member (1) and a second member (2) to each other so as to be relatively movable, the joint device (10) having a telescopic device (12), the telescopic device (12) being connected to the first member (1) and the second member (2) so as to be capable of transmitting power, and being capable of changing an angle formed by the first member (1) and the second member (2) with the connecting portion (3) as a center by being expanded and contracted, the telescopic device (12) comprising: a rotating section (121) that generates rotational power; and a conversion unit (122) that is connected to the rotating unit (121) so as to be capable of transmitting power, and that converts the rotational power generated by the rotating unit (121) into translational motion along the expansion/contraction direction.)

1. A joint device having a connecting portion that connects a first member and a second member in a relatively movable manner,

the joint device has a telescopic device which is connected to the first member and the second member so as to be capable of transmitting power and which is capable of changing an angle formed by the first member and the second member around the connecting portion by extending and contracting,

the telescopic device comprises: a rotating part which generates rotating power; and a conversion unit that is connected to the rotating unit so as to be capable of transmitting power, and converts rotational power generated by the rotating unit into translational motion along the expansion/contraction direction.

2. The joint device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating portion includes a rotating electric machine that generates rotational power by receiving supply of electric power.

3. The joint device according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit that controls the rotational power of the rotating electrical machine.

4. The joint device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the rotating electric machine to generate a rotational force in a direction of the translational motion in which the conversion unit converts into the extension direction when an external force in a compression direction is applied to the expansion and contraction device.

5. The joint device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rotating portion is disposed on a side farther from the second member than the converting portion in a state where the first member is attached to the body to be attached so as to be farther from a distal end side of the body to be attached than the second member.

6. The joint device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the expansion device further has an off/on portion capable of turning off/on transmission of power from the rotating portion to the converting portion between the rotating portion and the converting portion.

7. The joint device according to claim 6, wherein the opening/closing portion has: a first opening/closing member connected to the rotating unit side; and a second opening/closing member connected to the converter portion side; the first biasing portion constantly applies a force in a direction of separating the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member.

8. A joint arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rotary part further comprises a variator.

9. The joint device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an adjusting portion that adjusts an operation of the connecting portion.

10. The joint device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the telescopic device further has a second urging portion that urges the rotating body in one direction of rotation.

11. The joint device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further having a first acquisition portion that acquires an external force in a compression direction exerted on the aforementioned expansion and contraction device.

12. The joint device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further having a second acquisition portion that acquires acceleration of the aforementioned first member.

13. The joint device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further having a third acquisition portion that acquires an angle formed by the first member and the second member.

14. The joint device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a battery that supplies electric power for generating rotational power to the rotating portion.

15. The joint device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, which is attached to a lower limb of an attached body.

16. The joint assembly of claim 15, mounted to a knee joint of a lower limb.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a joint device.

Background

As a joint device for connecting two members to each other so as to be movable relative to each other, a prosthetic limb (prosthetic hand, prosthetic leg) is known. For example, a prosthetic leg (femoral prosthesis) attached to a femoral part of a lower limb amputated near a knee joint is one type of knee joint device in which a knee top member and a knee bottom member are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable about a connecting portion corresponding to the knee.

The leg prosthesis has a yielding (yielding) function of bending with an appropriate hydraulic resistance around a connecting portion corresponding to the knee joint. This prevents sudden and rapid bending when a load is applied, and allows the user to step down while alternately swinging the artificial leg and the healthy leg.

Conventionally, there is known a leg prosthesis in which resistance to flexion and extension of a knee joint portion is adjusted by controlling a throttle state of a variable valve of a hydraulic cylinder based on detection information of a sensor provided in a socket for receiving a residual limb and detecting a contraction motion of a muscle (see, for example, patent document 1).

[ Prior art documents ]

(patent document)

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 11-19105

Disclosure of Invention

[ problems to be solved by the invention ]

However, in the conventional leg prosthesis, although the knees can be bent by the yielding function, the knees can be extended only by swinging the leg prosthesis, and the knees cannot be extended while the body is lifted in a standing state by applying a load. Therefore, the conventional leg prosthesis cannot climb up the step with a nearly natural gait.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a joint device that can be expanded by applying a load from a bent state.

[ means for solving problems ]

(1) A joint device (for example, a leg prosthesis 10 described later) according to the present invention includes a connecting portion (for example, a knee joint mechanism 3 described later) that connects a first member (for example, a below-knee member 1 described later) and a second member (for example, an above-knee member 2 described later) so as to be relatively movable, and an expansion and contraction device (for example, an expansion and contraction device 12 described later) that is connected to the first member and the second member so as to be capable of transmitting power, and that is capable of changing an angle formed by the first member and the second member with the connecting portion as a center by expanding and contracting, the expansion and contraction device including: a rotating portion (for example, a rotating portion 121 described later) that generates rotational power; and a conversion unit (for example, a conversion unit 122 described later) that is connected to the rotating unit so as to be capable of transmitting power, and converts rotational power generated by the rotating unit into translational motion along the expansion/contraction direction.

According to the above (1), the joint device can be extended by applying a load from a state in which the first member and the second member are bent.

(2) The joint device according to (1), wherein the rotating portion includes a rotating electric machine (e.g., a rotating electric machine 124 described later) that generates rotational power by receiving supply of electric power.

According to the above (2), the rotational power generated by the rotating portion can be generated by the rotational power of the rotating electrical machine.

(3) The joint device according to (2) may further include a control unit (for example, a control unit 17 described later) that controls the rotational power of the rotating electrical machine.

According to the above (3), the rotational power of the rotating electric machine can be appropriately controlled by the control unit.

(4) The joint device according to (3), wherein the control unit controls the rotating electric machine to generate a rotational force in a direction of the translational motion in which the conversion unit converts into the extension direction, when an external force in the compression direction is applied to the expansion and contraction device.

According to the above (4), while suppressing wasteful power consumption and heat generation of the rotating electric machine, the rotating electric machine can be controlled to generate the rotational power in the direction of the translational motion in which the converting portion is converted into the extending direction.

(5) The joint device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the rotating portion is disposed on a side farther from the second member than the converting portion, optionally in a state where the first member is attached to the body to be attached so as to be farther from a distal end side of the body to be attached than the second member.

According to the above (5), since the rotating part has a weight larger than that of the converting part constituted by the outer tube and the main shaft, the inertia due to the weight of the rotating part can be effectively utilized when the artificial leg and the healthy leg are swung alternately to normally walk. In addition, since the center of gravity of the leg prosthesis is lowered, the posture at the standing position is also stabilized.

(6) The joint device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the expansion and contraction device further has an off/on portion (e.g., a clutch portion 123 described later) that can off/on transmission of power from the rotating portion to the conversion portion, optionally between the rotating portion and the conversion portion.

According to the above (6), since the rotational power of the rotating portion can be blocked from being transmitted to the converting portion, an unnecessary load is not applied to the rotating portion.

(7) The joint device according to (6), optionally, the aforementioned opening/closing portion has: a first opening/closing member (e.g., a first engaging piece 123a described later) coupled to the rotating portion side; and a second opening/closing member (e.g., a second engaging piece 123b described later) coupled to the converter portion side; the switch device further includes a first biasing portion (e.g., a spring 128 described later) that constantly applies a force in a direction in which the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member are separated from each other.

According to the above (7), when the external force in the arrangement direction of the rotating portion and the converting portion is lower than the biasing force of the first biasing portion, the opening/closing portion can be automatically closed.

(8) The joint device according to any one of (1) to (7), optionally, the aforementioned rotating portion further includes a transmission (e.g., a transmission 125 described later).

According to the above (8), the degree of freedom in selecting the power generation source of the rotating portion is improved.

(9) The joint device according to any one of (1) to (8), optionally, further comprising an adjusting portion (e.g., a rotary damper 32 described later) that adjusts the operation of the connecting portion.

According to the above (9), since the operation of the relative rotational movement of the first member and the second member can be adjusted, the first member and the second member can be prevented from being abruptly bent.

(10) The joint device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the expansion and contraction device further comprises a second biasing portion (for example, a spring 128 described later) that biases the rotating body in one direction of rotation.

According to the above (10), since the rotating body is biased in one direction by the second biasing portion, the rotating body can be rotated in one direction without depending on the rotational power of the rotating portion.

(11) The joint device according to any one of (1) to (10), optionally, further includes a first acquisition unit (for example, a six-axis force sensor 14 described later) that acquires an external force in a compression direction applied to the expansion and contraction device.

According to the above (11), the state of the joint device can be estimated from the external force in the compression direction applied to the expansion device.

(12) The joint device according to any one of (1) to (11), optionally, further includes a second acquisition unit (for example, a six-axis motion sensor 15 described later) that acquires acceleration of the first member.

According to the above (12), the state of the joint device can be estimated from the acceleration of the first member.

(13) The joint device according to any one of (1) to (12), optionally, further includes a third acquisition unit (for example, a knee joint angle sensor 16 described later) that acquires an angle formed by the first member and the second member.

According to the above item (13), the state of the joint device can be estimated from the angle formed by the first member and the second member.

(14) The joint device according to any one of (1) to (13), optionally, further having a battery (for example, a battery 13 described later) that supplies electric power for generating rotational power to the aforementioned rotating portion.

According to the above (14), the rotational power of the rotating portion in the joint device can be generated without supplying electric power from the outside.

(15) The joint device according to any one of (1) to (14), optionally, mounted to a lower limb of a body to be mounted.

According to the above (15), there can be provided a joint device to be attached to a lower limb of an attached body.

(16) The joint device according to (15), which is optionally attached to a knee joint portion of a lower limb.

According to the above item (16), a knee joint device can be provided which is attached to a lower limb of an attachment subject.

(Effect of the invention)

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a joint device that can be expanded by applying a load from a bent state.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side view showing a main part of a leg prosthesis in section.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view schematically showing an embodiment of a clutch portion provided to the retractor device.

Fig. 3A is an enlarged view schematically showing a state in which a clutch portion having a claw portion whose sectional shape is a rectangle is engaged.

Fig. 3B is an enlarged view schematically showing a state in which a clutch portion having a claw portion whose sectional shape is a saw-blade shape is engaged.

Fig. 4 is a view showing a state of the leg prosthesis when contacting the step up step.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view schematically showing a state in which a clutch portion provided to the retractor is engaged.

Fig. 6 is a view showing a state of the leg prosthesis when the extension and contraction device is extended.

Fig. 7 is a view schematically showing a state where an installed body with a leg prosthesis installed climbs a step.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the joint device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the present specification, a thigh prosthesis (hereinafter, simply referred to as a leg prosthesis) which is one of knee joint devices attached to a knee joint portion of a thigh portion of a lower limb will be described as an example of the joint device.

(integral construction of artificial leg)

Fig. 1 is a side view showing a main part of a leg prosthesis in section. As shown in fig. 1, a leg prosthesis 10 has a below-knee side member 1 and an above-knee side member 2. The below-knee member 1 and the above-knee member 2 are connected by a knee joint mechanism 3. The below-knee side member 1 corresponds to the "first member" of the present invention, and the above-knee side member 2 corresponds to the "second member" of the present invention. A leg 4 is connected to the lower end of the below-knee member 1. The above-knee side member 2 is disposed at the upper end of the below-knee side member 1. A socket 5 for receiving a severed leg of a lower leg of a body to be attached (a human body, not shown) is coupled to an upper end of the lap side member 2.

The direction of the leg prosthesis 10 is based on the direction in which the body to be attached stands after the leg prosthesis 10 is attached. That is, the upper and lower sides of the leg prosthesis 10 correspond to the upper and lower sides of the body to be attached in a standing state, and refer to the upper and lower sides in fig. 1. The front and rear (front and rear) of the leg prosthesis 10 correspond to the front and rear (front and rear) of the standing body, and refer to the right and left in fig. 1.

(Knee joint mechanism)

The knee joint mechanism 3 corresponds to the knee of the leg prosthesis 10, and connects the below-knee member 1 and the above-knee member 2 to each other so as to be relatively movable in the front-rear direction (clockwise direction and counterclockwise direction in fig. 1) of the leg prosthesis 10 around a rotation shaft 31 disposed at the center. The knee joint mechanism 3 corresponds to the "connecting portion" of the present invention.

The following description relates to the relative rotational movement of the below-knee member 1 and the above-knee member 2 about the rotational axis 31 of the knee joint mechanism 3, and is given by way of example of the rotational movement of the below-knee member 1 in the forward direction (clockwise direction) or the backward direction (counterclockwise direction) in fig. 1, while the above-knee member 2 is stationary.

The knee joint mechanism 3 of the present embodiment has a rotary damper 32 for adjusting the rotational operation of the knee joint mechanism 3. The rotary damper 32 is provided to be rotatable about the pivot shaft 31 of the knee joint mechanism 3, and adjusts the operation of the relative rotational movement of the below-knee member 1 and the above-knee member 2 about the pivot shaft 31 to an operation accompanied by an appropriate hydraulic resistance. The leg prosthesis 10 of the present embodiment has the rotary damper 32 in the knee joint mechanism 3, and therefore, functions to prevent sudden and rapid knee bending and a yielding function. The rotary damper 32 corresponds to an "adjustment portion" of the present invention.

(laptop side parts)

The above-knee side member 2 is attached to be capable of rotationally moving in the front-rear direction of the leg prosthesis 10 about the rotation shaft 31 of the knee joint mechanism 3. The above-knee side member 2 has an insertion hole connecting projection 21 for connecting the insertion hole 5 at the upper end thereof, and a wrist portion 22, and the wrist portion 22 extends from directly below the insertion hole connecting projection 21 toward the rear side of the leg prosthesis 10, specifically, the rear side of the knee joint mechanism 3.

(Below knee Member)

The below-knee member 1 corresponds to the shin of the leg prosthesis 10, and constitutes a main part of the leg prosthesis 10. The below-knee member 1 of the present embodiment includes a telescopic device 12, a battery 13, a six-axis force sensor 14, a six-axis motion sensor 15, a knee joint angle sensor 16, and a control unit 17 in a frame 11 corresponding to a lower leg portion of a leg prosthesis 10. The knee joint mechanism 3 is disposed at the upper end of the frame 11. In fig. 1, the wiring for electrically connecting the respective components is not shown.

A. Telescopic device

The telescopic device 12 is disposed on the rear side in the frame 11 and is capable of being vertically expanded and contracted. The lower end of the telescopic device 12 is pivotally attached to a first pivot shaft 18a via an attachment portion 12a in the front-rear direction of the leg prosthesis 10, and the first pivot shaft 18a is provided in the vicinity of the lower end portion in the frame 11. On the other hand, the upper end of the expansion device 12 is exposed to the outside from inside the frame 11, and is attached to a second pivot shaft 18b via an attachment portion 12b so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction of the leg prosthesis 10, the second pivot shaft 18b being provided at the tip of the wrist portion 22 of the above-knee side member 2. Thereby, the telescopic device 12 is erected to straddle the below-knee side member 1 and the above-knee side member 2. When the expansion/contraction device 12 expands or contracts, the arm 22 of the lap side member 2 moves up and down, and the lap side member 2 rotates about the rotation shaft 31 of the knee joint mechanism 3. Thereby, the angle formed by the below-knee side member 1 and the above-knee side member 2 is changed.

The expansion device 12 of the present embodiment includes: a rotating part 121 that generates rotational power; and a conversion unit 122 that converts the rotational power generated by the rotating unit 121 into a translational motion along the expansion/contraction direction. A clutch unit 123 capable of turning off and on the transmission of power from the rotating unit 121 to the converting unit 122 is further provided between the rotating unit 121 and the converting unit 122.

a1. Rotating part

The rotating portion 121 has a rotating electric machine 124 as a power generation source. The rotating electric machine 124 is housed in a cylindrical case 120 having an open upper end, and generates rotational power by receiving electric power supplied from the battery 13. The housing 120 is rotatably attached to a first pivot shaft 18a via an attachment portion 12a, and the first pivot shaft 18a is disposed at a lower portion in the frame 11. The housing 120 is disposed to be inclined obliquely rearward from the first pivot shaft 18 a. The specific rotating electrical machine 124 is not particularly limited, and a stepping motor, a Direct Current (DC) motor, or the like can be used. The rotating electric machine 124 is housed in the lowermost end of the casing 120 such that an output shaft (not shown) faces upward.

The rotating portion 121 of the present embodiment further includes a transmission 125 housed in the housing 120 together with the rotating electrical machine 124. The transmission 125 is coupled to an output shaft of the rotating electric machine 124, and outputs rotational power by changing a rotation speed ratio of the output shaft. This can improve the degree of freedom in selecting the rotating electric machine 124 used in the rotating portion 121. As the transmission 125, a reduction gear or a speed increaser may be used. In the case of using a speed reducer, the rotational power of the rotating electrical machine 124 can be converted into the rotational power of high torque. On the other hand, when a speed increaser is used, the rotational power of the rotating electric machine 124 can be converted into high-speed rotational power.

a2. Conversion part

The conversion part 122 has a cylindrical outer cylinder 126 having an open lower end, and a spindle 127 having a rod shaft shape provided between the outer cylinder 126 and the housing 120.

The outer cylinder 126 is rotatably attached to the second pivot shaft 18b via the attachment portion 12b, and is inserted into the frame 11 from the second pivot shaft 18b toward the housing 120, the second pivot shaft 18b being disposed on the wrist portion 22 of the lap top member 2. The outer cylinder 126 has a spiral female screw 126a on an inner peripheral surface over substantially the entire length in the axial direction.

The main shaft 127 has a male screw 127a that is screwed into a female screw 126a in the outer cylinder 126 over substantially the entire length of the outer circumferential surface in the axial direction. The upper end side of the main shaft 127 is housed in the outer tube 126 so as to be able to rotate around the axis by being screwed into the female screw 126a in the outer tube 126. On the other hand, the lower end side of the main shaft 127 is attached to the upper end in the housing 120 and is rotatable around the axis, but is movable in the axial direction only by a distance within the off/on movement range determined by the clutch portion 123 described later. Within the housing 120, a main shaft 127 is configured to be able to transmit the rotational power of the rotating electric machine 124. The main shaft 127 corresponds to a "rotating body" of the present invention.

The main shaft 127 rotates around a shaft when the rotational power of the rotating electric machine 124 in the housing 120 is transmitted. When the main shaft 127 rotates, the outer cylinder 126 screwed with the main shaft 127 moves up and down along the axial direction of the main shaft 127. As a result, the distance separating the outer cylinder 126 from the housing 120 changes, and the entire length of the telescopic device 12 is extended and contracted. That is, the main shaft 127 and the outer cylinder 126 constituting the conversion unit 122 are configured to convert the rotational power generated by the rotating unit 121 into a translational motion along the expansion and contraction direction. The telescoping device 12 extends and contracts, thereby vertically moving the arm 22 to which the outer cylinder 126 is attached by the second pivot shaft 18b, and rotating the above-knee member 2 in the front-rear direction of the leg prosthesis 10 about the rotation shaft 31, thereby changing the angle formed by the below-knee member 1 and the above-knee member 2.

Further, in the telescopic device 12 of the present embodiment, the main shaft 127 rotates (rotates forward) around the shaft by the rotational power from the rotating portion 121 to move the outer cylinder 126 in the extending direction, and the main shaft 127 rotates (rotates backward) around the shaft in the direction opposite to the above direction to move the outer cylinder 126, which has moved in the extending direction, in the contracting direction. The structure of the inversion of the spindle 127 about the axis will be described below.

In the expansion device 12 of the present embodiment, the rotating portion 121 is disposed on the side farther from the lap side member 2 (the side closer to the foot portion 4 of the leg prosthesis 10) in the frame 11 than the converting portion 122. That is, the outer cylinder 126 is disposed above the leg prosthesis 10 while holding the main shaft 127, and the housing 120 including the rotating part 121 is disposed below the leg prosthesis 10. Since the rotating part 121 has a larger weight than the converting part 122 composed of the outer cylinder 126 and the main shaft 127, the inertia due to the weight of the rotating part 121 can be effectively used when the artificial leg 10 and the healthy leg are swung alternately to walk normally. In addition, since the center of gravity of the leg prosthesis 10 is lowered, the posture at the standing time is also stabilized.

a3. Clutch unit

The clutch section 123 has a first engaging piece 123a connected to the rotating section 121 side and a second engaging piece 123b connected to the switching section 122 side, and is disposed in the housing 120 of the telescopic device 12 so as to be able to turn off/on the transmission of power from the rotating section 121 to the switching section 122. The clutch portion 123 corresponds to an "off/on portion" of the present invention. In addition, the first engaging piece 123a corresponds to "a first opening/closing member" of the present invention, and the second engaging piece 123b corresponds to "a second opening/closing member" of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view schematically showing an embodiment of the clutch portion 123 provided to the telescopic device 12. The first engaging piece 123a is provided on an output shaft 125a of the transmission 125 of the rotating portion 121, and protrudes upward toward the main shaft 127. On the other hand, the second engaging piece 123b is provided at the lower end 127b of the main shaft 127 and protrudes downward toward the transmission 125. The opposing surfaces of the first engaging piece 123a and the second engaging piece 123b have claw portions 123c, 123d that can engage with each other, respectively.

The specific shape of each of the claw portions 123c, 123d of the first engaging piece 123a and the second engaging piece 123b is not particularly limited as long as the rotational power of the rotating portion 121 can be transmitted to the spindle 127 when the claw portions 123c, 123d are engaged with each other. The claw portions 123c, 123d may have a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape as shown in fig. 2, or may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape as shown in fig. 3A. As shown in fig. 3B, the claw portions 123c and 123d may have a saw-blade-like cross-sectional shape.

A spring 128 is disposed between an output side end surface 125b of the transmission 125 and a lower end surface 127c of the main shaft 127. The spring 128 is made of an appropriate resilient member such as a coil spring, and accommodates the first engaging piece 123a and the second engaging piece 123b inside. The spring 128 is constituted: in a direction in which the first engaging piece 123a and the second engaging piece 123b are separated from each other and the engagement between the claw portions 123c, 123d is released, a biasing force is always applied to the output side end surface 125b of the transmission 125 and the spindle 127, and when an axial load of a predetermined magnitude is applied to the spindle 127, the claw portions 123c, 123d of the first engaging piece 123a and the second engaging piece 123b can be engaged with each other by contracting in the axial direction. The spring 128 deflects the first engaging piece 123a and engages with the second engaging piece 123b, so that the rotational power generated by the rotating portion 121 is transmitted to the main shaft 127 via the transmission 125. The spring 128 corresponds to the "first urging portion" of the present invention.

The spring force of the spring 128 of the present embodiment is set to: when the lap top member 2 is rotated rearward (counterclockwise) about the rotation shaft 31 and a load is applied in the axial direction to the expansion/contraction device 12, the first engaging piece 123a and the second engaging piece 123b are engaged with each other by contracting in the axial direction.

As shown in fig. 2, the spring 128 of the present embodiment is formed of a coil spring. In this case, both end portions of the spring 128 may be fixed to the output side end surface 125b of the transmission 125 and the lower end surface 127c of the main shaft 127, respectively. With this configuration, the spring 128 can also function as a biasing member that biases the main shaft 127 in one rotational direction. That is, when the spring 128 contracts in the axial direction, the first engaging piece 123a engages with the second engaging piece 123b, and the rotational power of the rotating portion 121 is transmitted to the main shaft 127 via the clutch portion 123, the main shaft 127 rotates in the normal direction while twisting the spring 128 against the biasing force in the rotational direction. Then, when the load applied to the expansion device 12 is released, the spring 128 elastically returns in the axial direction, the engagement between the first engaging piece 123a and the second engaging piece 123b is released, and the clutch portion 123 is disengaged. Thereby, the spring 128 elastically returns from the twisted state around the shaft by the elastic force, and the main shaft 127 is reversely rotated. Therefore, the spring 128 thus configured corresponds to the "second urging portion" of the present invention.

B. Battery with a battery cell

The battery 13 is made of, for example, a chargeable and dischargeable lithium ion secondary battery, and is disposed in the frame 11 on the front side of the expansion device 12. The battery 13 is connected to the rotating electric machine 124 of the rotating portion 121 so as to be able to supply electric power, and is connected to the six-axis force sensor 14, the six-axis motion sensor 15, the knee joint angle sensor 16, and the control portion 17 so as to be able to supply electric power necessary for driving the respective sensors. Normally, the battery 13 is provided so as to be removable from the frame 11, but may be configured to be chargeable in a contact or non-contact (wired or wireless) manner with the outside in a state of being disposed in the frame 11.

When the rotating electrical machine 124 is not driven, if a rotational force acts from the main shaft 127 side, the rotating electrical machine 124 functions as a generator and converts the rotational force into electric power. The battery 13 of the present embodiment may be configured to be able to regenerate the electric power converted by the rotating electric machine 124.

C. Six-axis force sensor

The six-axis force sensor 14 is a sensor capable of detecting the three-axis load and the three-axis moment in the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction of the leg prosthesis 10, and is disposed at the lower end portion in the frame 11. The six-axis force sensor 14 acquires information on the external force in the compression direction applied to the expansion device 12 based on a detection signal detected when the leg prosthesis 10 attached to the body to be attached is grounded via the foot 4. The detection result is sent to the control unit 17. The six-axis force sensor 14 corresponds to the "first acquisition unit" of the present invention.

D. Six-axis motion sensor

The six-axis motion sensor 15 is a sensor capable of detecting the three-axis acceleration and the three-axis angular acceleration of the leg prosthesis 10 in the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction, and is disposed at an upper portion in the frame 11 directly below the knee joint mechanism 3. The six-axis motion sensor 15 acquires information on the acceleration acting on the leg prosthesis 10 based on a detection signal detected when the leg prosthesis 10 attached to the body to be attached moves. The detection result is sent to the control unit 17. The six-axis motion sensor 15 corresponds to the "second acquisition unit" of the present invention.

E. Knee joint angle sensor

The knee joint angle sensor 16 is a sensor capable of detecting angle information, such as a rotary encoder (rotary encoder), and is provided in the knee joint mechanism 3. The knee joint angle sensor 16 acquires information on the angle formed by the below-knee member 1 and the above-knee member 2 by the relative rotational movement therebetween. The detection result is sent to the control unit 17. The knee joint angle sensor 16 corresponds to the "third acquisition unit" of the present invention.

F. Control unit

The Control Unit 17 is constituted by, for example, an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and controls the rotational power of the rotating electrical machine 124. Specifically, the control unit 17 estimates the state of the leg prosthesis 10 based on the detection results transmitted from the six-axis force sensor 14, the six-axis motion sensor 15, and the knee joint angle sensor 16, and outputs a control signal for generating a suitable rotational power according to the state of the leg prosthesis 10 to the rotating electric machine 124.

(action of leg prosthesis)

Next, a specific operation of the leg prosthesis 10 will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 4 to 7. Fig. 4 is a view showing a state of the leg prosthesis when contacting the step up step. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view schematically showing a state in which a clutch portion provided to the retractor is engaged. Fig. 6 is a view showing a state of the leg prosthesis when the extension and contraction device is extended. Fig. 7 is a view schematically showing a state where an installed body with a leg prosthesis installed climbs a step.

First, fig. 1 shows a standing state of a leg prosthesis 10. In this state, a load in a substantially vertical direction from the lap top member 2 to the foot 4 is applied to the leg prosthesis 10 via the socket 5 from the thigh portion of the lower limb of the body to be attached, not shown. At this time, since the lap top member 2 does not rotate rearward and no external force (weight) in the compression direction acts on the telescopic device 12, the first engaging piece 123a and the second engaging piece 123b of the clutch portion 123 are disengaged by the elastic force of the spring 128 acting to separate the main shaft 127 and the rotating portion 121 of the telescopic device 12. Therefore, even if the rotating electric machine 124 is rotationally driven, the rotational power of the rotating electric machine 124 does not act on the main shaft 127, and the telescopic device 12 does not operate. Since a load is not applied to the rotating electrical machine 124, heat generation of the rotating electrical machine 124 is also suppressed.

At this time, the control unit 17 estimates that the leg prosthesis 10 is in the standing state based on the detection results transmitted from the six-axis force sensor 14, the six-axis motion sensor 15, and the knee joint angle sensor 16, and controls the rotating motor 124 to stop driving or suppress generation of excessive rotational power. Thus, wasteful power consumption is suppressed.

When the leg prosthesis 10 shifts to walking on a flat ground (walking mode) and a load is applied to the heel side of the leg prosthesis 10 in the standing posture, the above-knee member 2 rotates rearward (counterclockwise) about the rotation shaft 31 of the knee joint mechanism 3. When the wrist portion 22 moves downward due to the rotation of the lap top member 2 and an external force in the compression direction is applied to the outer cylinder 126 of the telescopic device 12, the outer cylinder 126 presses the spindle 127 in the axial direction toward the rotating portion 121, and the spring 128 disposed between the transmission 125 of the rotating portion 121 and the spindle 127 contracts in the axial direction and engages the first engaging piece 123a and the second engaging piece 123b of the clutch portion 123. At the same time, the rotary damper 32 of the knee joint mechanism 3 adjusts the turning motion of the lap top member 2 to a motion accompanied by an appropriate hydraulic resistance, and prevents the knee from suddenly bending. Further, the external force in the compression direction applied to the telescopic device 12 at this time is a force (load) larger than the rotation torque of the rotating motor 124. Therefore, the rotation section 121 does not rotate the main shaft 127 forward, and the expansion and contraction device 12 does not extend.

In the walking mode of the artificial leg 10, for example, when the leg is shifted from the standing posture to the leg-swinging posture and the external force in the compressing direction applied to the expansion/contraction device 12 is released, the spring 128 elastically returns in the axial direction, and the main shaft 127 pushes up the outer cylinder 126 to the original state, and the lap top member 2 is rotated forward (clockwise) about the rotation shaft 31. Thereby, the leg prosthesis 10 is restored to the standing state in preparation for the next application of load.

Next, when climbing up the step S with the leg prosthesis 10, as shown in fig. 4, the leg prosthesis 10 is lifted up to the upper stage of the step S and grounded as compared with the healthy leg by the lifting up of the femoral part of the body to be attached. At this time, the lap top member 2 is rotated rearward (counterclockwise) about the rotation shaft 31 of the knee joint mechanism 3, and the front ends of the wrist portions 22 are moved downward. That is, the leg prosthesis 10 is in a state in which the knees are bent. When an external force in the compression direction is applied to the expansion and contraction device 12 by the downward movement of the arm portion 22, the outer cylinder 126 presses the main shaft 127 in the axial direction toward the rotating portion 121, and the spring 128 disposed between the transmission 125 of the rotating portion 121 and the main shaft 127 contracts in the axial direction, thereby engaging the first engaging piece 123a and the second engaging piece 123b of the clutch portion 123.

The control unit 17 estimates that the movement of the leg prosthesis 10 has shifted to the step-up movement (step-up mode) of the step S by detecting the acceleration when the leg prosthesis 10 is lifted up to the step S and grounded when climbing up the step, the load applied to the leg prosthesis 10 when grounded, and the like by the six-axis force sensor 14, the six-axis motion sensor 15, and the knee joint angle sensor 16. Thereby, the control unit 17 outputs a signal to the rotating electric machine 124 to generate the rotating power necessary for stepping up. Specifically, when a predetermined external force in the compression direction is applied to the telescopic device 12 during the upward stepping operation, the control unit 17 controls the rotating electric machine 124 to generate a rotational force in the direction of the translational motion converted into the extension direction by the conversion unit 122 constituted by the outer cylinder 126 and the main shaft 127.

After the leg prosthesis 10 contacts the upper step earlier than the healthy leg, when the leg prosthesis 10 is forcibly stepped on via the thigh portion for the upper step, an external force in the compression direction is applied to the expansion device 12. However, the external force at this time is smaller than the external force in the compression direction applied to the telescopic device 12 in the standing posture, and becomes a force (load) smaller than the rotation torque of the rotating motor 124. Therefore, the rotating portion 121 rotates the main shaft 127 coupled to the second engaging piece 123b in the normal direction. As a result, as shown in fig. 6, the outer cylinder 126 moves upward in the axial direction, and the expansion device 12 expands.

When the extension/contraction device 12 extends, the lap upper member 2 connected to the outer cylinder 126 via the wrist portion 22 rotates forward (clockwise) about the rotation axis 31 of the knee joint mechanism 3. As a result, the leg prosthesis 10 tilts the socket 5 connected to the lap top member 2 forward, and as shown in fig. 7, the knee is extended while the body to be attached is lifted, and the leg prosthesis returns to the standing state shown in fig. 1. Thereafter, by repeating the same operation as described above, the leg prosthesis 10 can be used to climb the step S. According to the leg prosthesis 10 of the present embodiment, since a load of pedaling is applied to the leg prosthesis 10 in contact with the upper step, and the body is lifted while the upper step is performed, it is possible to climb the step S with a nearly natural gait.

[ other embodiments ]

In the above embodiment, the knee joint mechanism 3 is provided with the rotary damper 32, but the rotary damper 32 may not be necessarily provided. In this case, the control unit 17 may control the rotating electric machine 124 during the yielding operation to generate a rotational power to such an extent that the expansion/contraction device 12 does not expand, and generate the same resistance as the rotary damper 32 against the reverse rotation of the main shaft 127 by the rotational power of the rotating electric machine 124.

In the above embodiment, the femoral prosthesis 10 is exemplified, but the joint device of the present invention may be a prosthetic hand, and may be widely applied to other joint devices having a structure in which two members are connected to each other so as to be relatively movable by a connecting portion.

Reference numerals

1: below knee (first part)

12: telescopic device

121: rotating part

122: conversion part

123: clutch part (disconnection/connection part)

123 a: first clutch (first on/off component)

123 b: second clutch (second on/off component)

124: rotating electrical machine

125: speed variator

128: spring (first force application part, second force application part)

13: battery with a battery cell

14: six-axis force sensor (first acquisition part)

15: six-axis motion sensor (second acquisition part)

16: knee joint angle sensor (third acquisition part)

17: control unit

2: above knee side piece (second piece)

3: knee joint mechanism (connecting part)

32: rotary shock absorber (adjusting part)

10: leg prosthesis (joint device).