Joints for orthopedic devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a joint for an orthopedic device, wherein the joint comprises: a first element (2); a spring support (8) with at least one spring element (10, 12), which is mounted on the first element (2); and a second element (4), wherein the second element (4) is pivotably mounted on the first element (2) in a first pivoting direction against a first force exerted by the at least one spring element (10, 12) and in an opposite second pivoting direction against a second force exerted by the at least one spring element (10, 12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a joint for an orthopedic device, wherein the joint comprises a first element, a spring carrier having at least one spring element, which is mounted on the first element, and a second element. Background Art

[0002] Such joints are disclosed, for example, in the form of ankle joints in DE 10 2010 014 334 A1 or DE 10 2015112283 A1. Such ankle joints can be used in leg or calf orthoses. For therapeutic reasons, it is useful to limit the length of the swinging motion, i.e., the maximum possible swing angle of the second element relative to the first element, and to provide stops, for example, in one or both swinging directions. To avoid excessively rigid stops on these stops, the stops are typically spring-loaded and thus damped. Furthermore, this springing ensures that the joint for the orthopedic device can only swing when the force exerted by the at least one spring is overcome. This is also useful for rehabilitation and training purposes.

[0003] The strength of the force applied by the at least one spring element is generally and preferably adjustable by means of a so-called preload. DE 10 2017 112 997 discloses a corresponding joint in which, during assembly of the joint, not only the preload but also the engagement angle can be adjusted. The engagement angle is understood to be the angle between the first and second elements, from which further pivoting in the respective pivoting direction is possible only against the force applied by the spring element. A so-called free-wheeling region can be provided in advance, in which the first element can be pivoted relative to the second element without having to overcome the force applied by the at least one spring element.

[0004] The joints known from the prior art have two spring supports, each of which has at least one spring element. A force transmission element is provided on each spring support, which contacts the second element. When the second element is further deflected relative to the first element in the corresponding pivoting direction, the force transmission element moves, thereby, for example, compressing the stack of disc springs or the coil spring. However, a disadvantage is that this type of joint requires a relatively large amount of installation space, which is particularly disadvantageous in the case of ankle supports, as these are typically worn inside a shoe. Furthermore, the use of two spring supports, each with at least one spring element, also means a high weight of the structure, which is also disadvantageous. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to further develop a joint according to the invention in such a way that it can be designed to be small and lightweight.

[0006] The present invention achieves the stated object by a joint for an orthopedic device, characterized in that the second element is pivotably mounted on the first element in a first pivoting direction, counteracting a first force exerted by the at least one spring element, and in an opposite, second pivoting direction, counteracting a second force exerted by the at least one spring element. Thus, the at least one spring element, which is arranged on a single spring support, exerts the respective applied force in both pivoting directions. This allows an entire spring support to be omitted, and in this way, a design with a relatively small required installation space and low weight can be achieved.

[0007] Advantageously, the spring support comprises at least two spring elements, one of which applies the first force and the other of which applies the second force. These may be compression spring elements, for example. That is, if the second element deflects in a first pivoting direction relative to the first element, then, for example, one of the spring elements compresses, which only requires overcoming the acting spring force. In this case, this spring force is the first force. When the second spring element deflects in an opposite, second pivoting direction relative to the first element, it compresses, thereby applying the second force. By configuring the two spring elements differently (which are advantageously interchangeable, particularly advantageously interchangeable independently of one another), the first and second forces can preferably be adjusted independently of one another. This is useful, for example, when the movement of a joint in one of the two pivoting directions is to be damped more strongly than the movement in the opposite, second pivoting direction.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the two spring elements are arranged one inside the other or one after the other. If the two spring elements are, for example, coil springs, helical disc springs or a stack of disc springs, the arrangement of the two spring elements can be achieved in a particularly simple manner. All of these springs have a cavity in their interior space, in which the corresponding other spring element can be arranged. This further reduces the required structural space. However, as an alternative or in addition to this, it is of course also possible to arrange the two spring elements side by side or one after the other in the compression direction. In particular, coil springs, helical compression springs and helical disc springs have a longitudinal axis. This longitudinal axis is preferably the direction in which the helical winding of the corresponding coil element is wound. It is preferably the same as the compression or extension direction of the spring element. In this direction, the at least two spring elements are preferably arranged one after the other. Here, the at least two spring elements are preferably oriented so that their two longitudinal directions extend parallel to each other and are preferably identical, i.e. coaxial.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the at least two spring elements are arranged and configured such that one of the two spring elements is loaded in the tensile direction to exert a corresponding force and is preferably a tensile spring element, and the other of the two spring elements is loaded in the compressive direction to exert a corresponding force and is preferably a compression spring element. Particularly preferably, the two spring elements are compression springs. These are, in particular, spring elements that are loaded with pressure energy, in particular compressed in terms of spatial extension, and then exert pressure.

[0010] If the second element is deflected in one of the two pivoting directions against the force of one of the at least two spring elements, the spring element is compressed when it is loaded in the compressive direction and is extended when it is loaded in the tensile direction.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment, there is only a single spring element, which is both a compression spring element and a tension spring element. When the second element deflects in a first pivoting direction, this spring element is compressed, for example. However, when the second element deflects in a second, opposite pivoting direction, this spring element expands, that is, lengthens. By appropriately selecting the corresponding spring characteristic curves, different first and second forces can also be set. Alternatively, a single spring element can be used, which is subjected to a compressive load, that is, preferably compressed, both when the second element deflects in the first direction and when it deflects in the second direction. However, in this case, only one preload, one spring strength, and thus one force curve can be used for both directions of movement.

[0012] Preferably, the preload of at least one of the spring elements, preferably all of the spring elements, is adjustable. This can particularly preferably be achieved independently of one another. For this purpose, preferably at least one adjusting element is present, in particular at least one adjusting element is present for each spring element. In a particularly preferred configuration, the corresponding preload can also be adjusted in the assembled state of the joint. For this purpose, it is necessary to be able to access the corresponding adjusting elements from the outside even when the joint is assembled. This has the great advantage that, in order to adjust the damping individually, it is not necessary to disassemble the joint and the orthopedic device on which the joint is arranged, so that adjustment can be performed in a particularly simple manner, for example by an orthopedic technician or also by the patient himself.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the second element is connected to the force-transmitting element of the spring support in such a manner that both tensile and compressive forces can be transmitted. When the second element deflects relative to the first element in a first pivoting direction, for example, a compressive force is transmitted from the second element to the force-transmitting element. The force-transmitting element is coupled to the at least one spring element and compresses or expands the spring element, thereby exerting a first force. Here, when the spring element is loaded in the compressive direction, it is compressed, and when loaded in the tensile direction, it is expanded. When the second component deflects in a second, opposite pivoting direction, a tensile force is transmitted from the second element to the force-transmitting element of the spring support. This also causes the force-transmitting element to move relative to the rest of the spring support, and in particular relative to the spring element, thereby compressing or expanding the spring element, thereby exerting a second force. If only one spring element is present, for example, when the second element deflects in the first pivoting direction, it is compressed, i.e., loaded in the compressive direction, and when it deflects in the second pivoting direction, it is expanded, i.e., loaded in the tensile direction. Of course, the reverse configuration is also possible. Of course, it is also possible to use a single spring element in such a way that it expands, ie is loaded in the tensile direction, or compresses, ie is loaded in the compressive direction, independently of the pivoting direction of the second element.

[0014] Alternatively, it is of course also possible for the second element to be connected to two force transmission elements of the spring support, which transmit, for example, two compressive forces or two tensile forces. In this case, when the second element is deflected in a first pivoting direction, the compressive or tensile force is transmitted via the first force transmission element, while when the second element is deflected in a second, opposite pivoting direction, the corresponding force is transmitted via the second force transmission element.

[0015] This connection between the second element and the force-transmitting element of the spring support constitutes an invention of its own and can be used, in particular, solely in a joint for an orthopedic device comprising: a first element; a spring support with at least one spring element mounted on the first element; and a second element, wherein the second element is pivotably mounted on the first element in a first pivoting direction against a first force exerted by the at least one spring element and in a second, opposite, pivoting direction against a second force exerted by the at least one spring element, the second element being connected to the force-transmitting element of the spring support in such a way that both tensile and compressive forces can be transmitted. It is not necessary that the second element be pivotable in the first pivoting direction against the first force and in the second, opposite, pivoting direction against the second force and / or that both forces be exerted by one or more spring elements of the same spring support. Rather, this connection can also be used expediently in a joint for an orthopedic device comprising a first element, a spring support with at least one spring element mounted on the first element, and a second element. In such a joint, it is also advantageous that both tensile and compressive forces can be transmitted via the connection between the second element and the force-transmitting element of the spring element.

[0016] Advantageously, the at least one spring element has a helical spring, a helical compression spring, a helical disc spring, a disc spring stack and / or a rubber spring element, in particular an elastic body block. If there is more than one spring element, different types of spring elements can be combined with each other or the same spring element can be used.

[0017] Preferably, the at least one spring element applies the first force to the second element only from a first engagement angle and / or applies the second force only from a second engagement angle. For example, if a first force is applied in a first pivoting direction, the first force must be overcome only when the second element is deflected in the first pivoting direction, and the first engagement angle is reached. Prior to this, the deflection can occur without any applied force. Similarly, it is advantageous if the second force is applied only when the second element is deflected in a second, opposite pivoting direction, and the second engagement angle is reached.

[0018] Preferably, the joint has a hydraulic damping unit, by which a deflection of the first element relative to the second element is damped in at least one pivoting direction, preferably in both pivoting directions. Such a hydraulic damping unit preferably comprises at least one cylinder, in which a piston is located, which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder. Preferably, the cylinder has two cylinder chambers, which are preferably located on both sides of the piston and are fluidically connected to each other. If the piston now moves in the cylinder, the hydraulic medium in the hydraulic damping unit is pumped from one of the chambers into the second chamber. In this case, the fluidic connection, such as a channel or a hose, has a flow resistance, which causes damping. Of course, the hydraulic damping unit can also have two cylinders, each with a chamber.

[0019] Preferably, the damping is adjustable. Particularly preferably, the damping is adjustable independently for both swivel directions. Adjustable damping can be achieved, for example, by arranging a throttle valve in a fluid connection, such as a channel or hose, via which the flow resistance caused by the fluid connection can be adjusted. If the damping is to be adjusted independently for both swivel directions, two fluid connections, each with a throttle valve, can be provided between the two chambers. Check valves positioned in these two fluid connections ensure that flow can only flow in one direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Some embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with the help of the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figures 1 to 3 Cross-sectional views showing a joint according to a first embodiment of the invention in different positions;

[0022] Figure 4 a schematic cross-sectional view showing another joint;

[0023] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a joint according to another embodiment;

[0024] Figures 6 to 8 A schematic cross-sectional view showing a joint according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 9 and 10 A diagram showing a joint according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0026] Figures 11 to 13 Shown in different postures Figure 9 and 10 Illustration of a portion of a joint in . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Figure 1 The cross-section of a joint according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown, which comprises a first component 2 and a second component 4, which are arranged pivotably relative to one another about a pivot axis 6. A spring support 8 is located on the first component 2, comprising a first spring element 10 and a second spring element 12. Furthermore, the spring support 8 comprises a force transmission element 14, which has a pin 16 at its lower end. This pin engages with an elongated hole 18 provided for this pin in the second component 4, thereby establishing a connection between the force transmission element 14 and the second component 4, via which both compressive and tensile forces can be transmitted.

[0028] Figure 2 and 3 Show Figure 1 , where the joint is now moved into a different position.

[0029] Figure 2 The second element 4 is shown pivoted clockwise relative to the first element 2 about the pivot axis 6. As a result, a tensile force is applied to the force transmission element 14 via the pin 16 in the elongated hole 18, which moves the force transmission element downward. The force transmission element has a head 20 with an annular stop 22. The annular stop 22 is not only Figure 1 In and Figure 2 The compression member 24 is in contact with the first spring element 10, which extends inside the first spring element 10 and is in contact with the compression member 24. Figure 2 A compression head 26 is provided at the upper end of the force transmission element 14. If the force transmission element 14 is moved downward due to the pivoting movement of the second element 4 relative to the first element 2, the compression member 24 and the compression head located thereon also move downward, thereby compressing the first spring element 10 and exerting a first force. Both the force transmission element 14 and the compression member with the compression head can each be constructed in one piece or in multiple pieces, in the form of a plurality of interconnected components.

[0030] and Figure 1 Compared with the situation in Figure 2 It can be clearly seen in FIG. 2 that the compression head 26 has executed a downward movement and now an intermediate space is formed between the compression head 26 and the upper end of the sleeve 28 , which intermediate space forms the outer boundary of the spring support.

[0031] Figure 3The reverse situation is shown. The second element 4 is pivoted counterclockwise relative to the first element 2 about the pivot axis 6 . As a result, pressure is applied to the force transmission element 14 via the pin 16 in the elongated hole 18 , which now moves upward. It can be seen that the stop 22 of the head 20 of the force transmission element 14 no longer rests against the corresponding compression member 24 . Instead, the contact surface 30 of the head 20 moves the second spring element 12 upward, compressing it in the process, thereby exerting a second force.

[0032] Figure 4 The joint configuration is shown in which two spring supports 8 are arranged on the second element 4. They each support one of the spring elements 10, 12, which are designed as compression springs in the illustrated embodiment. This embodiment is sufficient because the force transmission element 14 is arranged on the second element 4 in such a way that both compressive and tensile forces can be transmitted. Alternatively, both spring elements 10, 12 can be designed as tension springs. Of course, a spring support 8 having a first spring element 10 and a second spring element 12 can also be used, and the first and second spring elements can each be designed as a tension element, each as a compression element, or as different elements, namely a tension element and a compression element.

[0033] The eyelets 32 coincide with the holes in the second element 4. The pin or bolt is then moved through these openings, thereby achieving Figure 4 and 5 The connections shown in .

[0034] Figure 5 The figure shows how a force transmission element 14 can be coupled to the second element 4 for another embodiment of a joint having a first component 2, a second component 4 and a pivot axis 6. The force transmission element 14 is arranged in an articulated manner on the second element 4 and thus moves both when the second element 4 is pivoted clockwise relative to the first element 2 and when it is pivoted counterclockwise.

[0035] Figure 6 、 7 8 show different embodiments of spring supports, which are mounted in a joint having a first component 2 and a second component 4. The focus of the illustrations is in particular on the fastening of the respective force transmission element 14 to the second component 4. Figure 6 The connecting rod joint 40 is used in Figure 7 The configuration in has a ball joint 42 and Figure 8 A corresponding toothing 44 is provided.

[0036] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a joint having a first element 2 and a second element 4 is shown. Figure 9, a schematic 3D view shows a spring support 8 in the left region of the joint. An eye 32 is shown in the spring support, which is arranged in an elongated hole of the second element 4 by means of a nail or pin. Furthermore, a sleeve 28 is shown, which can contain the spring elements 10, 12 and other elements and components. A hydraulic damping unit 46 is shown on the right side of the joint.

[0037] Figure 10 Shown in a schematic cross-sectional view Figure 9 The joint in the sleeve 28. The first spring element 10 and the second spring element 12 are shown in the sleeve 28. The hydraulic damping unit 46 has a cylinder 48, in which a piston 50 can move, which divides the inner space of the cylinder 48 into a first cylinder chamber 52 and a second cylinder chamber 54. There is a piston rod 56 on the piston 50, which is connected to the force transmission element 14. Like the force transmission element 14, the force transmission element has an eye 32 on the left side of the joint (which is part of the spring support 8), which eye is fixed to the second elongated hole of the second element 4 by a nail or pin. If the second element 4 is deflected relative to the first element 2, the force transmission element 14 also moves, thereby causing the piston 50 to move inside the cylinder 48. As a result, hydraulic medium is pumped from the first cylinder chamber 52 into the second cylinder chamber 54 or vice versa. For this purpose, there is a fluid connection between the two cylinder chambers 52, 54, which is not shown for reasons of clarity. However, in Figure 9 , the control device 58 can be seen, by which the throttle valves (not shown) can be opened or closed, thereby adjusting the flow resistance generated by these throttle valves in the fluid connection. This allows the damping for the movement of the two elements 2, 4 relative to each other in the two pivoting directions to be adjusted independently of each other.

[0038] Figures 11 to 13 A sectional view of a spring support 8 with a sleeve 28 is shown, which is arranged according to Figure 9 and 10 The force transmission element 14 has an eyelet 32 ​​at its lower end in the central region. The force transmission element 14 is fixed to an intermediate rod 60, which has a lower compression projection 62 and an upper compression projection 64. A stop 66 is fixed in the central region of the sleeve 28 and is preferably infinitely adjustable. The first spring element 10 extends between the stop 66 and the lower compression projection 62, and the second spring element 12 is arranged between the stop 66 and the upper compression projection 64.

[0039] Figure 11 The spring support 8 is shown in a neutral position. Figure 12In the example, the force transmission element 14 moves upward along with the intermediate rod 60, exerting pressure on the force transmission element via the second element 4. This causes the intermediate rod, along with the upper compression projection 64 and the lower compression projection 62 secured thereto, to move upward. Consequently, the first spring element 10 is compressed between the lower compression projection 62 and the stop 66, exerting a restoring force. In contrast, the second spring element 12 remains unchanged and is not preloaded, as the distance between the stop 66 and the upper stop surface 68 (against which the second spring element 12 abuts) remains unchanged. Thus, only the first spring element 10 is preloaded.

[0040] Figure 13 The reverse situation is shown, in which a downward tensile force is applied to the eyelet 32 ​​and thus to the force transmission element 14 and the intermediate rod 60. The second spring element 12 is now compressed because the distance between the stop 66 and the upper compression projection 64 is reduced. In contrast, the spring element 10 remains unchanged and is therefore not prestressed because the distance between the stop 66 and the lower stop surface 70 remains unchanged.

[0041] The spring element 10 can be preloaded by moving the stop 66. The spring element 12 can be preloaded by moving the upper stop 72. Depending on the preload of the spring element 12 and the settling of the upper stop 72, the upper compression projection 64 must be readjusted if necessary so that it rests on the contact surface 68. The static and initial angles of the ankle joint system can be infinitely adjusted by the intermediate rod 60 and the force transmission element 14 due to the threaded connection.

[0042] Reference Signs List

[0043] 2 First Component

[0044] 4 Second Element

[0045] 6 Swing axis

[0046] 8 Spring loaders

[0047] 10 First spring element

[0048] 12 Second spring element

[0049] 14 Force transmission element

[0050] 16 pins

[0051] 18 oblong holes

[0052] 20 heads

[0053] 22 Stop

[0054] 24 Compression member

[0055] 26 Compression member

[0056] 28 sleeve

[0057] 30 contact surface

[0058] 32 holes

[0059] 34 Compression bulge

[0060] 36 Form-fitting elements

[0061] 38 Opening

[0062] 40 connecting rod joint

[0063] 42 ball joint

[0064] 44 teeth

[0065] 46 Hydraulic damping element

[0066] 48 cylinders

[0067] 50 piston

[0068] 52 First Cylinder Chamber

[0069] 54 Second Cylinder Chamber

[0070] 56 piston rod

[0071] 58 Adjustment device

[0072] 60 intermediate rod

[0073] 62 Lower compression bulge

[0074] 64 Upper compression bulge

[0075] 66 Stop

[0076] 68 upper stop surface

[0077] 70 Lower stop surface

[0078] 72 Upper stop.

Claims

1. A joint for an orthopedic device, wherein the joint comprises: - a first element (2); - a spring carrier (8) with at least one spring element (10, 12), which is mounted on said first element (2); and - a second element (4), in, The second element (4) is pivotably supported on the first element (2) in a first pivoting direction against a first force exerted by the at least one spring element (10, 12) and in an opposite second pivoting direction against a second force exerted by the at least one spring element (10, 12), the second element (4) being connected to a force transmission element (14) of the spring support (8) so as to be able to transmit tensile and compressive forces, characterized in that the at least one spring element comprises a coil spring, a disc spring stack and / or a rubber elastic element, wherein the preload of at least one of the spring elements (10, 12) is adjustable.

2. The joint according to claim 1, wherein The spring support (8) has at least two spring elements (10, 12), one of which exerts the first force and the other of which exerts the second force.

3. The joint according to claim 2, wherein: The two spring elements (10, 12) are arranged inside one another or one behind the other.

4. The joint according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The two spring elements (10, 12) are compression springs.

5. The joint according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The at least two spring elements (10, 12) are arranged and configured such that one of the two spring elements (10, 12) is loaded in a tensile direction to exert a corresponding force, and the other of the two spring elements is loaded in a compressive direction to exert a corresponding force.

6. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that At least the preload of all spring elements can be adjusted.

7. The joint according to claim 6, characterized in that The corresponding preload can be adjusted in the assembled state of the joint.

8. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The at least one spring element (10, 12) comprises an elastomer block.

9. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The at least one spring element (10, 12) applies a first force to the second element (4) only from a first engagement angle and / or applies a second force only from a second engagement angle.

10. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The joint has a hydraulic damping unit, by means of which a deflection of the first element (2) relative to the second element (4) is damped in at least one pivoting direction.

11. The joint according to claim 10, wherein: The damping can be adjusted.

12. The joint according to claim 5, wherein A spring element which is loaded in the tensile direction is a tension spring element.

13. The joint according to claim 5, wherein A spring element that is loaded in the compressive direction is a compression spring element.

14. The joint according to claim 6, wherein The adjustments can be performed independently of one another.

15. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The joint has a hydraulic damping unit, by means of which a deflection of the first element (2) relative to the second element (4) is damped in two pivoting directions.

16. The joint according to claim 15, characterized in that The damping can be adjusted independently of one another for both pivoting directions.

17. The joint according to claim 1, wherein The coil spring includes a coil pressure spring and a coil disc spring.

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