Knee joint assisting device

Abstract

The invention provides a knee joint assisting device which comprises at least one knee joint assisting mechanism which is at least arranged on the body side of one lower limb of a user. The knee joint assisting mechanism comprises a first support which is connected to the waist fixing mechanism, fixed to the lower limbs and arranged along the thighs, a first distance adjusting piece pivoted to one end of the first support, a second support arranged along the shanks and a second distance adjusting piece pivoted to one end of the second support. Wherein the first spacing adjusting piece and the second spacing adjusting piece are movably combined with each other and are respectively provided with combining structures with different sizes. When the knee joint is in the straightened state, a large center distance exists between the first distance adjusting piece and the second distance adjusting piece, and therefore supporting assistance is provided for the knee joint of a user through the first distance adjusting piece and the second distance adjusting piece, and abrasion of the joint is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a knee joint assisting device, and particularly to a spacing adjusting member provided with engaging structures of different sizes at positions corresponding to the knee joint, such as two ratchets having ratchet teeth of different tooth heights. When the user's knee joint is in a straight state, the engaging structures with larger sizes of the two spacing adjusting members are engaged with each other to have a larger spacing, so as to provide support assistance to the user's knee joint and reduce joint wear of the knee joint assisting device. Background Art

[0002] Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic progressive joint disease that commonly occurs in the knee joint, and mainly affects the cartilage tissues of joints such as the knee joint, hip joint, finger joints, and spine. The main causes of osteoarthritis include joint function degradation with age, joint wear caused by frequent leg flexion and extension movements, and increased pressure on the joints due to obesity. Among them, the main feature of osteoarthritis is cartilage wear. Cartilage is a soft tissue covering bone joints, which helps to reduce friction between bones and provide smooth joint movement. In osteoarthritis, the joint cartilage will gradually wear, resulting in direct friction between the bones in the joint, causing pain, swelling, and limited joint function. It may even further lead to swelling of the soft tissues around the joint, exacerbating cartilage wear.

[0003] In order to reduce the pain and cartilage wear of osteoarthritis patients, various assistive devices have been developed, all aiming to provide more convenient, flexible, and multifunctional support for osteoarthritis patients to improve their mobility, and at the same time relieve the patients' pain, physical burden, and cartilage wear. For example, a cane is one of the common assistive devices, which is used for the user to hold for support; and an exoskeleton device is also a common assistive device, which can be installed on the patient's leg to assist walking and provide support, thereby reducing the pressure during standing or walking. However, general exoskeleton devices are usually equipped with power components such as motors and power supplies, making the structure of the exoskeleton device quite complex, the appearance conspicuous, and the use more troublesome and inconvenient.

[0004] Therefore, how to design a knee joint assisting device to improve the deficiencies of the prior art and further promote industrial implementation and utilization is an important issue studied by the inventors of the present invention. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the inventors of the present invention have accumulated years of research and practical experience in related fields and provided a knee joint assisting device to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] To solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, the present invention provides a knee joint assisting device, which includes at least one knee joint assisting mechanism, at least disposed on the body side of one of the lower limbs of a user, and each knee joint assisting mechanism includes a first bracket, a first spacing adjusting member, a second spacing adjusting member, and a second bracket. Wherein, one end of the first bracket is connected to the waist fixing mechanism and fixed to the lower limb through the waist fixing belt of the waist fixing mechanism. The first spacing adjusting member is pivotally connected to the other end of the first bracket corresponding to the position of the knee joint of the lower limb, and the second spacing adjusting member is movably combined with the first spacing adjusting member. One end of the second bracket corresponding to the position of the knee joint is pivotally connected to the second spacing adjusting member, and the other end contacts the ground. Wherein, the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member respectively have a plurality of basic coupling structures and a plurality of support coupling structures with sizes larger than the plurality of basic coupling structures. Wherein, when the knee joint is in a bent state, the plurality of basic coupling structures of the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member are coupled to each other, and there is a first relative distance between the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member. Wherein, when the knee joint is in a straight state, the plurality of support coupling structures of the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member are coupled to each other, and there is a second relative distance between the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member, and the second relative distance is greater than the first relative distance.

[0007] Preferably, the waist fixing mechanism includes a waist fixing belt sleeved on the waist and a hip support body with one end connected to the waist fixing belt and supported on the hip. Wherein, the waist fixing belt is sleeved on the lower side of the Anterior Superior Iliac Spine of the user. The hip support body is in a plate-like structure corresponding to the shape of the hip, and one end of the hip support body is detachably connected to the waist fixing belt through a hip support body fixing member.

[0008] Preferably, the waist fixing mechanism is worn on the lower limb and is in a trouser shape, and the waist fixing mechanism includes a waist fixing belt sleeved on the waist, two thigh fixing belts sleeved on the root of the thighs, and two thigh lifting belts connected between the waist fixing belt and the two thigh fixing belts. Wherein, the first bracket of the knee joint assisting mechanism is fixed to the lower limb through the waist fixing mechanism.

[0009] Preferably, in the direction from adjacent to the basic coupling structure to away from the basic coupling structure, the difference between the second relative distance and the first relative distance gradually increases.

[0010] Preferably, the maximum value of the difference between the second relative distance and the first relative distance corresponds to the maximum pain point of the user.

[0011] Preferably, the knee joint assisting device includes two knee joint assisting mechanisms, and each of the two knee joint assisting mechanisms includes a first bracket, a first spacing adjusting member, a second spacing adjusting member, and a second bracket disposed on the outer side of the lower limb, and the first bracket disposed on the outer side of the lower limb is fixed to the lower limb through a waist fixing mechanism.

[0012] Preferably, each of the two knee joint assisting mechanisms further includes another first bracket, another first spacing adjusting member, another second spacing adjusting member, and another second bracket disposed on the inner side of the lower limb, and the first brackets disposed on the outer and inner sides of the lower limb are both fixed to the lower limb through a waist fixing mechanism.

[0013] Preferably, the first spacing adjusting member is a ratchet, and the second spacing adjusting member is a ratchet or a ratchet seat. Wherein, a plurality of basic engaging structures and a plurality of supporting engaging structures of the first spacing adjusting member are ratchet teeth, and a plurality of basic engaging structures and a plurality of supporting engaging structures of the second spacing adjusting member are ratchet teeth or tooth grooves.

[0014] Preferably, the knee joint assisting mechanism includes at least one leg fixing member that surrounds the user's leg in a ring shape.

[0015] Preferably, the knee joint assisting mechanism includes at least one foot fixing member, which is disposed at the other end of the second bracket and detachably connects the second bracket and the side surface of the user's shoe to fix the other end of the second bracket to the user's foot.

[0016] In summary, the knee joint assisting device of the present invention has a simple structure and is convenient to operate. It does not have power components such as motors and power sources, but can drive the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member to rotate in response to the actions of the user himself, thereby changing the overall height of the knee joint assisting device of the present invention. Since both the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member are provided with a plurality of basic engaging structures and a plurality of supporting engaging structures having a size larger than the basic engaging structures, for example, the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member can be ratchets provided with ratchet teeth of different sizes. Therefore, during the process of the user changing from a sitting position to a standing position, as the knee joint changes from a bent state to a straightened state, it can drive the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member to rotate simultaneously, and smoothly change the state where the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member are engaged with each other from a state where a plurality of basic engaging structures are engaged with each other to a state where a plurality of supporting engaging structures are engaged with each other, thereby increasing the center distance between the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member, and dispersing the pressure borne by the knee joint to parts such as the waist, legs, and feet through the first bracket and the second bracket of the knee joint assisting mechanism and the waist fixing mechanism, so as to provide the effect of knee joint support. The knee joint assisting device of the present invention can change its overall height in response to the posture conversion of the user. It does not require the intervention of external power and can provide support for the knee joint during the posture conversion process of the user, thereby effectively preventing direct friction between the knee joints and reducing the occurrence of pain and cartilage wear.

[0017] In addition, the waist fixing mechanism of the knee joint assisting device of the present invention includes a waist fixing belt and a hip support body, and one end of the hip support body is detachably connected to the waist fixing belt through a hip support body fixing member, so that when the user wears the knee joint assisting device of the present invention, the hip support body can be detached or the position of the hip support body can be adjusted by unfastening the hip support body fixing member, thereby facilitating the user to use the toilet without having to disassemble the entire knee joint assisting device. Moreover, the first bracket, the first spacing adjusting member, the second spacing adjusting member, the second bracket, the foot fixing member, and the leg fixing member of the knee joint assisting device of the present invention can all be hidden under the user's clothes and shoes, thereby achieving the effect of assisting in supporting the knee joint while maintaining aesthetics. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, the drawings required for the embodiments will be briefly introduced below;

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the knee joint assisting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2aSchematic diagram of the first spacing adjustment member and the second spacing adjustment member of the knee joint assistance device according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the user's knee joint is in a bent state;

[0021] Figure 2b Schematic diagram of the first spacing adjustment member and the second spacing adjustment member of the knee joint assistance device according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the user's knee joint is in a straightened state;

[0022] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the knee joint assistance device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the knee joint assistance device according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5a Schematic diagram of the first spacing adjustment member and the second spacing adjustment member of the knee joint assistance device according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the user's knee joint is in a bent state;

[0025] Figure 5b Schematic diagram of the first spacing adjustment member and the second spacing adjustment member of the knee joint assistance device according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the user's knee joint is in a straightened state;

[0026] Figure 6a Schematic diagram of the first spacing adjustment member and the second spacing adjustment member of the knee joint assistance device according to the third embodiment of the present invention when the user's knee joint is in a bent state;

[0027] Figure 6b Schematic diagram of the first spacing adjustment member and the second spacing adjustment member of the knee joint assistance device according to the third embodiment of the present invention when the user's knee joint is in a straightened state.

[0028] Reference numerals in the figure denote: 1a, 1b: knee joint assistance device; 10: knee joint assistance mechanism; 11: first bracket; 12: first spacing adjustment member; 13a, 13b: second spacing adjustment member; 121, 131a, 131b: basic coupling structure; 122, 132a, 132b: support coupling structure; 14: second bracket; 15: foot fixing member; 16: leg fixing member; d1: first relative distance; d2: second relative distance; 20: waist fixing mechanism; 21: waist fixing belt; 22: hip support. Detailed implementation manners

[0029] The advantages, features, and technical methods achieved by the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings for easier understanding. Moreover, the present invention can be implemented in different forms, so it should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, the provided embodiments will make the present application more thorough, comprehensive, and completely convey the scope of the present invention. Moreover, the protection scope of the present invention will only be defined by the appended claims.

[0030] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used in the present invention to describe various components, parts, regions, layers, and / or portions, these components, parts, regions, layers, and / or portions should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component, part, region, layer, and / or portion from another component, part, region, layer, and / or portion. Therefore, the "first component", "first part", "first region", "first layer", and / or "first portion" discussed below can be referred to as the "second component", "second part", "second region", "second layer", and / or "second portion" without departing from the spirit and teachings of the present invention.

[0031] In addition, the terms "comprising" and / or "including" refer to the presence of the described features, regions, wholes, steps, operations, components, and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, wholes, steps, operations, components, parts, and / or their combinations.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the present invention have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It will be further understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a definition consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present invention, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless clearly defined as such herein.

[0033] In the following, the present invention will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are all simplified schematic diagrams, only schematically showing the basic structure of the present invention, and for the sake of clarity, the proportions and sizes of the components are exaggerated. Therefore, these drawings do not serve as a limitation to the present invention.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2a and Figure 2b , Figure 1 which are schematic diagrams of the knee joint assisting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2a which are schematic diagrams of the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member of the knee joint assisting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the user's knee joint is in a bent state; and,Figure 2b Schematic diagram of the first spacing adjuster and the second spacing adjuster of the knee joint assist device according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the user's knee joint is in a straight state.

[0035] As Figure 1 As shown, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a knee joint assist device 1a is provided, which includes at least one knee joint assist mechanism 10, which is at least disposed on the body side of one of the user's lower limbs, and each knee joint assist mechanism 10 includes a first bracket 11, a first spacing adjuster 12, a second spacing adjuster 13a, and a second bracket 14. Among them, one end of the first bracket 11 is connected to the waist fixing mechanism 20 and is fixed to the lower limb through the waist fixing belt 21 of the waist fixing mechanism 20. The first spacing adjuster 12 is pivotally connected to the other end of the first bracket 11 corresponding to the position of the knee joint of the lower limb, and the second spacing adjuster 13a is movably combined with the first spacing adjuster 12. One end of the second bracket 14 corresponding to the position of the knee joint is pivotally connected to the second spacing adjuster 13a, and the other end contacts the ground. Incidentally, the waist fixing belt 21 may have a hip support 22, wherein one end or side of the hip support 22 is rotatably connected to the waist fixing belt 21, and the other end or side is detachably buckled to the waist fixing belt 21; thus, it is convenient for the user to put on and take off the knee joint assist device of the present invention.

[0036] Among them, the first spacing adjuster 12 and the second spacing adjuster 13a respectively have a plurality of basic coupling structures 121, 131a, and a plurality of support coupling structures 122, 132a with dimensions larger than the plurality of basic coupling structures 121, 131a. Among them, when the knee joint is in a bent state, the plurality of basic coupling structures 121, 131a of the first spacing adjuster 12 and the second spacing adjuster 13a are coupled to each other, and there is a first relative distance d1 between the first spacing adjuster 12 and the second spacing adjuster 13a. Among them, when the knee joint is in a straight state, the plurality of support coupling structures 122, 132a of the first spacing adjuster 12 and the second spacing adjuster 13a are coupled to each other, and there is a second relative distance d2 between the first spacing adjuster 12 and the second spacing adjuster 13a, and the second relative distance d2 is greater than the first relative distance d1.

[0037] Specifically, as Figure 2aAs shown, in this embodiment, the first spacing adjusting member 12 can be a cam or a ratchet, preferably a ratchet, and the second spacing adjusting member 13a can be a supporting flat plate corresponding to the cam or a ratchet seat corresponding to the ratchet, preferably a ratchet seat. The first spacing adjusting member 12 has basic ratchet teeth as a basic engaging structure 121 and supporting ratchet teeth as a supporting engaging structure 122, and the second spacing adjusting member 13a has basic tooth grooves as a basic engaging structure 131a and supporting tooth grooves as a supporting engaging structure 132a. In this embodiment, the supporting ratchet teeth have a tooth height greater than that of the basic ratchet teeth, and the basic tooth grooves and the supporting tooth grooves have the same tooth groove depth.

[0038] Further, as Figure 2a shown, when the knee joint is in a bent state, the basic ratchet teeth of the first spacing adjusting member 12 and the basic tooth grooves of the second spacing adjusting member 13a are engaged with each other, and there is a first relative distance d1 between the first spacing adjusting member 12 and the second spacing adjusting member 13a. And, as Figure 2b shown, when the knee joint is in a straight state, the supporting ratchet teeth of the first spacing adjusting member 12 and the supporting tooth grooves of the second spacing adjusting member 13a are engaged with each other, and there is a second relative distance d2 between the first spacing adjusting member 12 and the second spacing adjusting member 13a. And because the tooth height of the plurality of supporting ratchet teeth (i.e., the supporting engaging structures 122, 132a) is greater than the tooth height of the plurality of basic ratchet teeth (i.e., the basic engaging structures 121, 131a), the second relative distance d2 is greater than the first relative distance d1.

[0039] Specifically, a user suffering from a knee joint disorder such as osteoarthritis can wear the knee joint assisting device 1a of the present invention to provide knee joint support. When the user is in a sitting position with the knee joint in a bent state, the plurality of basic engaging structures 121, 131a of the first spacing adjusting member 12 and the second spacing adjusting member 13a are engaged with each other, and there is a first relative distance d1 between the first spacing adjusting member 12 and the second spacing adjusting member 13a. When the user changes from a sitting position to a standing position with the knee joint in a straight state, the user's thigh will drive the first bracket 11 to displace with the engagement position of the first spacing adjusting member 12 and the second spacing adjusting member 13a as a fulcrum, and the first bracket 11 drives the first spacing adjusting member 12 to rotate along the rotation axis, and the second spacing adjusting member 13a engaged with the first spacing adjusting member 12 follows the first spacing adjusting member 12, so that the first spacing adjusting member 12 and the second spacing adjusting member 13a rotate and their supporting engaging structures 122, 132a are engaged with each other, and there is a second relative distance d2 greater than the first relative distance d1 between the first spacing adjusting member 12 and the second spacing adjusting member 13a.

[0040] With the above structure, during the process of the user's knee joint transitioning from a bent state to a straight state, the engagement situation between the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a changes in response to the user's movement without the need for additional power, causing the multiple support engagement structures 122 and 132a of the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a to engage with each other. Thus, the overall height of the knee joint assistance mechanism 10 is changed through the multiple support engagement structures 122 and 132a of the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a to provide support, reducing the pressure borne by the knee joint and the direct friction between the knee joints, and reducing the situations of pain, swelling, and cartilage wear.

[0041] In this embodiment, the difference between the first relative distance d1 and the second relative distance d2 can be in the range of 0.3 cm to 3 cm, and ratchets with different tooth heights can be selected as the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a according to actual needs, so as to adjust the difference between the first relative distance d1 and the second relative distance d2 within an appropriate range. Moreover, on the premise that the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a each have multiple basic engagement structures 121 and 131a and multiple support engagement structures 122 and 132a with tooth heights greater than those of the basic engagement structures 121 and 131a, any ratchet with appropriate dimensions or types can be used as the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a. For example, a ratchet with appropriate module, diameter, number of teeth, tooth width, tooth height, material, etc. can be selected as the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a, or other appropriate types of components can be selected as the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a, and the present invention does not limit this.

[0042] In addition, in the present embodiment, each of the two knee joint assisting mechanisms 10 of the knee joint assisting device 1a of the present invention includes two first brackets 11, two first spacing adjusting members 12, two second spacing adjusting members 13a, and two second brackets 14, and the two first brackets 11, two first spacing adjusting members 12, two second spacing adjusting members 13a, and two second brackets 14 of each knee joint assisting mechanism 10 are respectively disposed on the inner and outer sides of one lower limb of the user. Further, in the present embodiment, the knee joint assisting device 1a of the present invention includes a waist fixing mechanism 20, and the waist fixing mechanism 20 includes a waist fixing belt 21 sleeved on the waist and a hip support 22 having two ends connected to the waist fixing belt 21 and supported on the hip. It is worth mentioning that the waist fixing belt 21 is sleeved on the lower side of the user's Anterior Superior Iliac Spine. Moreover, the hip support 22 has a plate-like structure corresponding to the shape of the hip and is generally in a Y-shaped structure from the front side to the rear side of the user, so as to provide sufficient support for the hip after avoiding the user's private parts. For example, the straight part can be inserted into the user's groin, which can effectively help transfer the pressure or force borne by the user during the process of the knee joint changing from the bent state to the straight state to the knee joint assisting device of the present invention, and can also be beneficial to improving the comfort of the user when wearing the knee joint assisting device 1a of the present invention. Further, one end of the hip support 22 is detachably connected to the rear side of the waist fixing belt 21 through a snap fixing member. Based on the configuration of the hip support 22 and the snap fixing member, when the user needs to use the toilet, the hip support 22 can be detached by unfastening the snap fixing member or the position of the hip support 22 can be adjusted, so that the user can use the toilet conveniently without disassembling the entire knee joint assisting device 1a.

[0043] Furthermore, the first brackets 11 of the knee joint assisting mechanism 10 are respectively connected to the waist fixing belt 21 and the hip support 22 of the waist fixing mechanism 20. Specifically, in one of the knee joint assisting mechanisms 10, one end of the first bracket 11 is pivotally connected to the side of the waist fixing belt 21, and the other end corresponding to the knee joint is pivotally connected with a first spacing adjusting member 12, and one end of the second bracket 14 corresponding to the knee joint is pivotally connected with a second spacing adjusting member 13a, and the first spacing adjusting member 12 and the second spacing adjusting member 13a are combined with each other. Moreover, in the same knee joint assisting mechanism 10, one end of the other first bracket 11 is pivotally connected to the lower side of the hip support 22, and the other end corresponding to the knee joint is pivotally connected with a first spacing adjusting member 12, and one end of the other second bracket 14 corresponding to the knee joint is pivotally connected with a second spacing adjusting member 13a, and the first spacing adjusting member 12 and the second spacing adjusting member 13a are combined with each other.

[0044] For the sake of simplicity of the drawings, in Figure 1Only the knee joint assisting mechanism 10 disposed on the left lower limb of the user is shown, while the knee joint assisting mechanism 10 disposed on the right lower limb of the user is omitted. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can understand that the knee joint assisting mechanism 10 disposed on the left lower limb of the user may have a structure similar to that of the Figure 1 knee joint assisting mechanism 10 shown therein, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0045] Thus, the two knee joint assisting mechanisms 10 of the knee joint assisting device 1a of the present invention can provide support respectively from the outside and the inside of the leg, and support the iliac crest and crotch of the user through the waist fixing mechanism 20, effectively dispersing the body weight, thereby achieving more stable and uniform knee joint assistance, and preventing the situations such as skewing, offsetting and deformation of the body structure that may occur when only an outer support structure is provided.

[0046] In addition, each of the two knee joint assisting mechanisms 10 of the knee joint assisting device 1a of the present invention includes at least one leg fixing member 16 that encircles the leg of the user and is annular. Specifically, the knee joint assisting mechanism 10 includes two leg fixing members 16 that respectively encircle the thigh and the calf of the user.

[0047] Furthermore, each of the two knee joint assisting mechanisms 10 of the knee joint assisting device 1a of the present invention includes at least one foot fixing member 15, which is disposed at the other end of the second bracket 14 and detachably connects the second bracket 14 and the side surface of the user's shoe to fix the other end of the second bracket 14 to the user's foot. Specifically, the knee joint assisting mechanism 10 includes two foot fixing members 15 respectively disposed at the movable ends of the two second brackets 14, which may be a combination such as a rivet and a rivet seat. Through the two foot fixing members 15, the two second brackets 14 can be inserted into the user's shoes and respectively fixed to the two side surfaces of the user's shoes, and the first bracket 11, the first spacing adjusting member 12, the second spacing adjusting member 13a and the second bracket 14 of the knee joint assisting mechanism 10 can also be worn inside the user's clothing, for example, covered by the trouser legs (as shown by the Figure 3 dotted line), so as to hide the knee joint assisting device 1a of the present invention and play the role of assisting and supporting the knee joint while maintaining the appearance.

[0048] In addition, in this embodiment, the first spacing adjuster 12 has eleven basic coupling structures 121 and one support coupling structure 122, and the second spacing adjuster 13a has two basic coupling structures 131a and one support coupling structure 132a. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The number and dimensions of the basic coupling structures 121, 131a and the support coupling structures 122, 132a of the first spacing adjuster 12 and the second spacing adjuster 13a can be configured according to actual requirements.

[0049] In this embodiment, the difference between the first relative distance d1 and the second relative distance d2 is in the range of 0.3 cm to 3 cm, and ratchets with different tooth heights and ratchet seats with different tooth groove depths can be selected according to actual requirements to serve as the first spacing adjuster 12 and the second spacing adjuster 13a, so as to adjust the difference between the first relative distance d1 and the second relative distance d2 within a suitable range. Moreover, on the premise that the first spacing adjuster 12 and the second spacing adjuster 13a respectively have a plurality of basic coupling structures 121, 131a and a plurality of support coupling structures 122, 132a with dimensions larger than the basic coupling structures 121, 131a, any ratchet and / or ratchet seat with appropriate dimensions or types can be used as the first spacing adjuster 12 and the second spacing adjuster 13a. For example, a ratchet with appropriate module, diameter, number of teeth, tooth width, tooth height, material, etc. and / or a ratchet seat with appropriate tooth groove width, tooth groove depth, number of tooth grooves, material, etc. can be selected to serve as the first spacing adjuster 12 and the second spacing adjuster 13a. The present invention is not limited thereto.

[0050] In addition, although not shown in the drawings for the sake of simplicity of the drawings and highlighting the technical features of the present invention, in other embodiments, other connecting members can be further provided between the first bracket and the second bracket to provide more stable support between the first bracket and the second bracket, and the first spacing adjuster and the second spacing adjuster can be provided with a protective structure such as a protective housing to reduce the contact between the first spacing adjuster and the second spacing adjuster and the external environment, thereby reducing the occurrence of situations such as failures and damages.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5a and Figure 5b , Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the knee joint assistance device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the knee joint assistance device according to the third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5a is a schematic diagram of the first spacing adjuster and the second spacing adjuster of the knee joint assistance device according to the second and third embodiments of the present invention when the user's knee joint is in a bent state; andFigure 5b Schematic diagram of the first spacing adjustment member and the second spacing adjustment member of the knee joint assist device according to the second and third embodiments of the present invention when the user's knee joint is in a straightened state.

[0052] As Figure 3 As shown, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a knee joint assist device 1b is provided, which includes at least one knee joint assist mechanism 10, which is at least disposed on the body side of one of the user's lower limbs, and the knee joint assist mechanism 10 includes a first bracket 11, a first spacing adjustment member 12, a second spacing adjustment member 13b, and a second bracket 14. Among them, one end of the first bracket 11 corresponding to the outer side of the thigh is connected to the waist fixing mechanism 20 and pivotally connected to the waist fixing belt 21 of the waist fixing mechanism 20. One end of the first bracket 11 corresponding to the inner side of the thigh is slidably disposed on the hip support 22 and thus fixed to the lower limb. The first spacing adjustment member 12 is pivotally connected to the other end of the first bracket 11 corresponding to the position of the knee joint of the lower limb, and the second spacing adjustment member 13b is movably combined with the first spacing adjustment member 12. One end of the second bracket 14 corresponding to the position of the knee joint is pivotally connected to the second spacing adjustment member 13b, and the other end contacts the ground.

[0053] As Figure 4 As shown, the main difference between this embodiment and the foregoing embodiment is that, among them, one end of the first bracket 11 corresponding to the outer side of the thigh is connected to the waist fixing mechanism 20 and fixed to the lower limb through the waist fixing belt 21 pivotally connected to the waist fixing mechanism 20; in addition, the hip support 22 can extend downward a cylindrical member, and one end of the first bracket 11 corresponding to the inner side of the thigh can be pivotally connected to the cylindrical member and fixed to the lower limb.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13b respectively have a plurality of basic coupling structures 121, 131b and a plurality of support coupling structures 122, 132b with sizes larger than the plurality of basic coupling structures 121. Among them, when the knee joint is in a bent state, the plurality of basic coupling structures 121, 131b of the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13b are coupled to each other, and there is a first relative distance d1 between the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13b. Among them, when the knee joint is in a straightened state, the plurality of support coupling structures 122, 132b of the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13b are coupled to each other, and there is a second relative distance d2 between the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13b, and the second relative distance d2 is greater than the first relative distance d1.

[0055] Specifically, as Figure 5aAs shown, in this embodiment, the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13b are both ratchets, and the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13b respectively have basic ratchets as basic coupling structures 121, 131a, and supporting ratchets as supporting coupling structures 122, 132b, and the supporting ratchets have a tooth height greater than that of the basic ratchets.

[0056] Furthermore, if Figure 5a As shown, when the knee joint is in a bent state, the basic ratchet teeth of the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13b are engaged with each other, and there is a first relative distance d1 between the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a. Figure 5b As shown, when the knee joint is in an extended state, the supporting ratchets of the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13b are engaged with each other, and there is a second relative distance d2 between the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a, and because the tooth height of the multiple supporting ratchets (i.e., the supporting combining structures 122, 132b) is greater than the tooth height of the multiple basic ratchets (i.e., the basic combining structures 121, 131b), the second relative distance d2 is greater than the first relative distance d1.

[0057] Specifically, a user suffering from a knee joint disease such as osteoarthritis can wear the knee joint auxiliary device 1b of the present invention to provide knee joint support, and when the user is in a sitting position with the knee joint bent, the multiple basic combination structures of the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a are combined with each other, and there is a first relative distance d1 between the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a. When the user changes from a sitting position to a standing position with the knee joint in a straight state, the user's thigh will drive the first bracket 11 to move with the combination of the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a as a fulcrum, and the first bracket 11 drives the first spacing adjustment member 12 to rotate along the rotation axis, and the second spacing adjustment member 13a combined with the first spacing adjustment member 12 is driven by the first spacing adjustment member 12, so that the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a rotate and their multiple support combination structures are combined with each other, and there is a second relative distance d2 between the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a that is greater than the first relative distance d1.

[0058] Accordingly, during the process of the user's knee joint transitioning from a bent state to a straightened state, the engagement situation between the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a changes in response to the user's movement, causing the multiple support engagement structures 122, 132a of the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a to engage with each other. Thus, the overall height of the knee joint assistance mechanism 10 is changed through the multiple support engagement structures 122, 132a of the first spacing adjustment member 12 and the second spacing adjustment member 13a to provide support, so as to reduce the pressure borne by the knee joint and the direct friction between the knee joints, and reduce the situations of pain, swelling, and cartilage wear.

[0059] In this embodiment, the knee joint assistance device 1b of the present invention also includes two knee joint assistance mechanisms 10. The knee joint assistance mechanism 10 includes two first brackets 11, two first spacing adjustment members 12, two second spacing adjustment members 13b, two second brackets 14, and two foot fixing members 15, which are respectively arranged on the inner and outer sides of one lower limb of the user. The specific configurations of the above components are similar to those described in the first embodiment and will not be elaborated here.

[0060] In addition, for the sake of simplicity of the drawings, Figure 3 only the knee joint assistance mechanism 10 arranged on the left lower limb of the user is shown, while the knee joint assistance mechanism 10 arranged on the right lower limb of the user is omitted. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can understand that the knee joint assistance mechanism 10 arranged on the left lower limb of the user can have a structure similar to that of Figure 3 the knee joint assistance mechanism 10 shown therein, which will not be elaborated here.

[0061] It is worth mentioning that in this embodiment, the waist fixing mechanism 20 includes a waist fixing belt 21 sleeved on the waist and a hip support 22 with two ends connected to the waist fixing belt 21 and supporting on the buttocks; in this embodiment, the two ends of the hip support 22 are generally in a Y-shaped structure. Thus, sufficient support for the buttocks is provided while avoiding the user's private parts. For example, the Y-shaped parts can respectively support or fix on the user's buttocks. Therefore, when the knee joint assistance device 1b of the present invention actuates in response to the user's movement, the first bracket 11 will drive the waist fixing mechanism 20 to displace, pulling the waist fixing belt 21 and the hip support 22, respectively lifting the user's waist and buttocks, thereby effectively dispersing the user's body weight to the two knee joint assistance mechanisms 10 via the waist fixing belt 21 and the hip support 22, further reducing the pressure borne by the knee joints and making the use experience of the knee joint assistance device 1b of the present invention more comfortable.

[0062] Please cooperate with Figure 1 Refer to Figure 6a andFigure 6b , Figure 6a Schematic diagrams of the first distance adjustment member and the second distance adjustment member of the knee joint assist device according to the third embodiment of the present invention when the user's knee joint is in a bent state; and Figure 6b Schematic diagrams of the first distance adjustment member and the second distance adjustment member of the knee joint assist device according to the third embodiment of the present invention when the user's knee joint is in a straightened state.

[0063] In this embodiment, the main difference in its overall structure from the foregoing embodiments is that, in the direction from adjacent to the basic coupling structure 121 away from the basic coupling structure 121, the difference between the second relative distance d2 and the first relative distance d1 gradually increases. That is to say, the farther the support coupling structure 122 is from the basic coupling structure 121, the higher its tooth height. It is worth mentioning that the maximum value of the difference between the second relative distance d2 and the first relative distance d1 corresponds to the user's maximum pain point. For example, the first distance adjustment member 12 may be a ratchet, where three-quarters of the circular part may be set as the basic coupling structure 121, and the remaining quarter part may be set as the support coupling structure 122. And, at the midpoint position of the remaining quarter part, the support coupling structure 122 with the highest tooth height is provided. Among them, the maximum value of the difference between the second relative distance d2 and the first relative distance d1 (that is, the position where the tooth height of the support coupling structure 122 is the highest) can be customized and placed according to the different maximum pain points of different users, and its tooth height is set.

[0064] That is to say, when the user's knee joint is in a bent state and gradually changes to a straightened state, the engagement situation between the first distance adjustment member 12 and the second distance adjustment member 13a changes in response to the user's movement, thereby gradually changing the overall height of the knee joint assist mechanism 10 to provide support, reducing the pressure borne by the knee joint and the direct friction between the knee joints in a relatively gentle manner, and reducing the situations of pain, swelling, and cartilage wear.

[0065] In summary, the knee joint assisting device of the present invention has a simple structure and is convenient to operate. It can omit additional power components such as motors and power supplies, and can drive the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member to rotate in response to the user's own actions, thereby changing the overall height of the knee joint assisting device of the present invention. Since both the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member are provided with a plurality of basic coupling structures and a plurality of support coupling structures having a size larger than the basic coupling structures, for example, the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member can be ratchets provided with ratchets of different sizes. Therefore, during the process of the user changing from a sitting position to a standing position, as the knee joint changes from a bent state to a straight state, it can drive the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member to rotate simultaneously, and make the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member smoothly transition from a state where the plurality of basic coupling structures are coupled to each other to a state where the plurality of support coupling structures are coupled to each other, thereby increasing the center distance between the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member, and dispersing the pressure borne by the knee joint to parts such as the waist, legs, and feet through the first bracket and the second bracket of the knee joint assisting mechanism and the waist fixing mechanism, so as to provide the effect of knee joint support. The knee joint assisting device of the present invention can change its overall height in response to the user's posture conversion. Without the intervention of external power, it can provide support for the knee joint during the user's posture conversion process, thereby effectively preventing direct friction between the knee joints and reducing the occurrence of pain and cartilage wear.

[0066] In addition, the waist fixing mechanism of the knee joint assisting device of the present invention includes a waist fixing belt and a hip support body, and one end of the hip support body is detachably connected to the waist fixing belt through a hip support body fixing member. When the user wears the knee joint assisting device of the present invention, the hip support body can be disassembled or the position of the hip support body can be adjusted by unfastening the hip support body fixing member, so as to facilitate the user to use the toilet without disassembling the entire knee joint assisting device. Moreover, the first bracket, the first spacing adjusting member, the second spacing adjusting member, the second bracket, the foot fixing member, and the leg fixing member of each knee joint assisting mechanism of the knee joint assisting device of the present invention can be hidden under the user's clothes and shoes, thereby achieving the effect of assisting in supporting the knee joint while maintaining aesthetics.

[0067] The present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Those skilled in the art can understand that various changes in form and details and equivalent arrangements can be made without departing from the concept and scope of the present invention defined by the claims. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the definition of the appended claims as the principle.

Claims

1. A knee joint assist device, characterized in that: The invention comprises at least one knee joint auxiliary mechanism, which is arranged at least on the side of one of the lower limbs of the user, and the knee joint auxiliary mechanism comprises: A first bracket, one end of which is connected to the waist fixing mechanism and fixed to the lower limb through the waist fixing belt of the waist fixing mechanism; A first spacing adjustment member, pivotally connected to the other end of the first bracket corresponding to the position of the knee joint of the lower limb; a second spacing adjustment member, movably combined with the first spacing adjustment member; as well as A second bracket, one end of which corresponds to the position of the knee joint and is pivotally connected to the second spacing adjustment member, and the other end of which contacts the ground; Wherein, the first spacing adjustment member and the second spacing adjustment member respectively have a plurality of basic combination structures and a plurality of supporting combination structures whose sizes are larger than the plurality of basic combination structures; Wherein, when the knee joint is in a bent state, the plurality of basic combining structures of the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member are combined with each other, and there is a first relative distance between the first spacing adjusting member and the second spacing adjusting member; Wherein, when the knee joint is in an extended state, the multiple supporting combination structures of the first spacing adjustment member and the second spacing adjustment member are combined with each other, and there is a second relative distance between the first spacing adjustment member and the second spacing adjustment member, and the second relative distance is greater than the first relative distance.

2. The knee joint assist device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The waist fixing mechanism comprises the waist fixing belt which is sleeved on the waist, and a hip support body which has one end connected to the waist fixing belt and supported on the hip; Wherein, the waist fixing belt is mounted on the lower side of the user's iliac crest; The hip support body is a plate-shaped structure corresponding to the shape of the hips, and one end of the hip support body is detachably connected to the waist fixing belt through a hip support body fixing piece.

3. The knee joint assist device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The waist fixing mechanism is worn on the lower limbs in the shape of pants, and the waist fixing mechanism includes the waist fixing belt mounted on the waist, two thigh fixing belts mounted on the thigh roots, and two thigh lifting belts connected between the waist fixing belt and the two thigh fixing belts; Wherein, the first bracket of the knee joint auxiliary mechanism is fixed to the lower limb through the waist fixing mechanism.

4. The knee joint assist device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In a direction from adjacent to the basic combining structure to away from the basic combining structure, the difference between the second relative distance and the first relative distance gradually increases.

5. The knee joint assist device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The maximum value of the difference between the second relative distance and the first relative distance corresponds to the maximum pain point of the user.

6. The knee joint assist device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The invention comprises two knee joint auxiliary mechanisms, and both of the two knee joint auxiliary mechanisms comprise the first bracket, the first spacing adjustment member, the second spacing adjustment member, and the second bracket, which are arranged on the outside of the lower limb, and the first bracket arranged on the outside of the lower limb is fixed to the lower limb through the waist fixing mechanism.

7. The knee joint assist device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The two knee joint auxiliary mechanisms each include another first bracket, another first spacing adjustment member, another second spacing adjustment member, and another second bracket, and the first brackets disposed on the outer and inner sides of the lower limbs are both fixed to the lower limbs through the waist fixing mechanism.

8. The knee joint assist device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first spacing adjustment member is a ratchet, and the second spacing adjustment member is a ratchet or a ratchet seat; wherein the multiple basic combining structures and the multiple supporting combining structures of the first spacing adjustment member are ratchets, and the multiple basic combining structures and the multiple supporting combining structures of the second spacing adjustment member are ratchets or tooth grooves.

9. The knee joint assist device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The knee joint auxiliary mechanism includes at least one leg fixing member which surrounds the leg of the user and is in a ring shape.

10. The knee joint assist device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The knee joint auxiliary mechanism includes at least one foot fixing member, which is arranged at the other end of the second bracket and is detachably connected to the second bracket and the side surface of the user's shoe to fix the other end of the second bracket to the user's foot.

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