A new knee joint

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of medical devices, and discloses a novel knee joint, which comprises a joint head, a lower leg support and a connecting piece, the bottom of the joint head is provided with a swing hydraulic cylinder, the connecting piece comprises an upper support and a lower support, the upper part of the upper support is hinged to the swing shaft of the swing hydraulic cylinder, the lower part of the upper support is hinged to the lower support through a hinge shaft, the rear end of the upper support is arranged at intervals with the rear end of the lower support, the front end of the upper support is arranged at intervals with the front end of the lower support, and the front end of the upper support and the front end of the lower support abut against each other when the upper support rotates, so as to limit the angle range of rotation; the lower support is provided with a vertically arranged hydraulic rod, and the top end of the hydraulic rod corresponds to the hydraulic valve of the swing hydraulic cylinder in an up-down manner. The present application introduces hydraulic control technology and adjustment mechanism, and provides a solution in improving the safety, flexibility, naturalness and adaptability of the knee joint, and effectively overcomes the deficiencies of the existing intelligent artificial limb in these aspects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of medical device technology, and in particular relates to a novel knee joint. Background Technology

[0002] While significant progress has been made in intelligent prosthetic technology, several challenges remain. Firstly, intelligent prosthetics still lag behind in safety and flexibility. Despite technological advancements, most intelligent knee prostheses suffer from delayed resistance adjustment and sluggish response. This results in the knee joint's inability to respond promptly to movements such as going up or down stairs or rapidly changing gait, increasing the risk of falls and other accidents. These safety concerns limit the widespread application of intelligent prosthetics in daily activities.

[0003] Secondly, the high price and maintenance difficulties of intelligent prosthetics are also significant issues. Currently, most intelligent prosthetic products on the market are supplied by foreign manufacturers, resulting in high prices. While domestic products are gradually developing, they mostly face the dilemma of high prices and limited widespread adoption. Furthermore, the maintenance of intelligent prosthetics is typically complex, requiring high-level technical support and highly skilled repair personnel, making it difficult for many users to obtain timely and effective after-sales service.

[0004] Another problem is that most current smart knee prostheses still have significant shortcomings in their performance when climbing stairs. Commercially available smart prostheses exhibit overly stiff knee joint movements when users climb stairs, lacking sufficient flexibility and physiological simulation. Users require extensive training to adapt, and even after training, the movements still lack naturalness, severely impacting the user experience.

[0005] Finally, the differentiation in user experience is a major challenge in the popularization of smart prostheses. Different users have significantly different needs, and current smart prosthetic systems cannot precisely adjust to individual differences, resulting in many products failing to fully meet users' personalized requirements. Poor universality and significant differences in experience have become major obstacles to the promotion and widespread adoption of smart prostheses in the market.

[0006] These issues all indicate that, despite significant progress in intelligent prosthetic technology, there is still considerable room for improvement in areas such as safety, price, flexibility, personalized adjustment, and natural movement performance. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention provides a novel knee joint to solve existing technical problems.

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution proposed by this invention is as follows: A novel knee joint includes a joint head, a lower leg support, and a connector. The top of the joint head is connected to the thigh, and the bottom of the joint head is hinged to the upper part of the lower leg support. The top of the connector is connected to the bottom of the lower leg support, and the bottom of the connector is connected to a footplate. A swing hydraulic cylinder is provided at the bottom of the joint head. The connector includes an upper support and a lower support. The upper part of the upper support is hinged to the swing shaft of the swing hydraulic cylinder, and the lower part of the upper support is hinged to the lower support via a hinge shaft. The rear ends of the upper support and the lower support are spaced apart, and the front ends of the upper support and the lower support are spaced apart, and they interact with each other when the upper support rotates. The upper support is designed to limit the range of rotation. The lower support contains a vertically positioned hydraulic rod, the top of which corresponds vertically to the hydraulic valve of the swing hydraulic cylinder. When the body's center of gravity is shifted backward and downward, the rear end of the upper support approaches the rear end of the lower support, and the hydraulic rod presses against the hydraulic valve, closing the oil passage of the swing hydraulic cylinder. At this time, the swing shaft cannot rotate, thus locking the knee joint to support the body. When the body's center of gravity is shifted forward and downward, the front end of the upper support approaches the front end of the lower support, and the hydraulic rod extends without pressing against the hydraulic valve, opening the oil passage of the swing hydraulic cylinder. At this time, the swing shaft can rotate freely, allowing the knee joint to continue bending.

[0009] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: The hydraulic rod is equipped with an adjustment knob, which is connected to a pressure regulating valve on the rotating hydraulic rod and can be rotated to adjust the pressure regulating valve.

[0010] The adjustment knob is provided with multiple sockets, and each socket is rotated by inserting a wrench to rotate the adjustment knob.

[0011] The lower support is provided with an adjustment cavity, and the adjustment knob is located inside the adjustment cavity.

[0012] The front end of the upper bracket is provided with a pressure-reducing rubber, and the front end of the lower bracket abuts against the pressure-reducing rubber.

[0013] The lower bracket is provided with a supporting rubber, and the rear end of the upper bracket abuts against the supporting rubber.

[0014] The lower bracket is threaded with an installation groove and can move up and down by manual rotation. The support rubber is installed in the installation groove.

[0015] The upper support can rotate within a range of 1 degree around the hinge axis.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: Enhanced Safety: Existing smart knee joints often suffer from slow response and inability to adjust in a timely manner, posing safety risks, especially when going up or down stairs or during sudden changes in gait, which can easily lead to falls. By incorporating hydraulic rods and valves, this new knee joint can automatically adjust its working state according to the user's center of gravity. When the user's center of gravity shifts backward and downward, the hydraulic rod compresses the hydraulic valve, sealing the oil passage of the swing cylinder, locking the knee joint, and providing additional support, thus effectively preventing falls and other accidents. This locking mechanism ensures knee joint stability when support is needed, significantly improving user safety. Enhanced flexibility and natural movement: Traditional intelligent prosthetic knee joints often exhibit stiff movements, especially during activities like climbing stairs, lacking sufficient physiological simulation and flexibility. Through intelligent control of the swing hydraulic cylinder, when the center of gravity leans forward, the hydraulic rod extends and releases the pressure on the hydraulic valve, opening the oil passage of the swing hydraulic cylinder and allowing the swing axis to rotate freely, enabling the knee joint to continue flexing. This design effectively simulates the movement of a natural knee joint, providing a smoother and more natural gait, particularly noticeable in movements such as climbing and descending stairs. Personalized Adaptability: Existing smart knee joints often lack personalized adjustment functions and cannot accurately adapt to the needs of different users. This new knee joint, through a clever hinge design between the upper and lower supports, limits the range of rotation angles when the front and rear ends of the upper support contact the lower support, allowing the knee joint to better adapt to the user's needs in different movement states. When the center of gravity changes, the knee joint will make instant adjustments according to different biomechanical requirements, optimizing the user experience and improving comfort and exercise efficiency; Reduced usage costs: Existing intelligent prostheses are technically complex and difficult to maintain, making it difficult for users to easily access services. The new knee joint design is simpler, and the combination of a hydraulic system and an articulated structure reduces complex electronic components, effectively reducing maintenance difficulty and costs, and lessening reliance on highly skilled maintenance personnel. This helps to improve the accessibility and lifespan of prostheses. In summary, this invention provides a solution for improving the safety, flexibility, naturalness, and adaptability of the knee joint by introducing hydraulic control technology and adjustment mechanisms, effectively overcoming the shortcomings of existing intelligent prostheses in these aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the new type of knee joint; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a new type of knee joint. Figure 1 .

[0019] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a new type of knee joint. Figure 2 .

[0020] Legend: 1. Joint head; 2. Lower leg support; 3. Upper support; 31. Hinge shaft; 32. Pressure-reducing rubber; 4. Lower support; 41. Hydraulic rod; 42. Adjustment knob; 43. Insertion hole; 44. Adjustment cavity; 45. Support rubber; 46. Mounting groove; 5. Swing hydraulic cylinder; 51. Swing shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described more fully and in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the following specific embodiments.

[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art. The technical terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0023] Unless otherwise specified, all raw materials, reagents, instruments and equipment used in this invention can be purchased from the market or prepared by existing methods.

[0024] Example: Figures 1-3As shown, the novel knee joint of this embodiment includes a joint head 1, a lower leg support 2, and a connector. The top of the joint head 1 is connected to the thigh, and the bottom of the joint head 1 is hinged to the upper part of the lower leg support 2. The top of the connector is connected to the bottom of the lower leg support 2, and the bottom of the connector is connected to the footplate. A swing hydraulic cylinder 5 is provided at the bottom of the joint head 1. The connector includes an upper support 3 and a lower support 4. The upper part of the upper support 3 is hinged to the swing shaft 51 of the swing hydraulic cylinder 5, and the lower part of the upper support 3 is hinged to the lower support 4 through a hinge shaft 31. The rear end of the upper support 3 and the rear end of the lower support 4 are spaced apart, and the front end of the upper support 3 and the front end of the lower support 4 are spaced apart. When the upper support 3 rotates, they are... The upper support 3 and the lower support 4 are mutually abutting to limit the range of rotation angles. The lower support 4 is equipped with a vertically arranged hydraulic rod 41, the top of which corresponds vertically to the hydraulic valve of the swing hydraulic cylinder 5. When the body's center of gravity is back and pressing down, the rear end of the upper support 3 approaches the rear end of the lower support 4, and the hydraulic rod 41 squeezes the hydraulic valve to close the oil passage of the swing hydraulic cylinder 5. At this time, the swing shaft 51 cannot rotate, thereby locking the knee joint to support the body. When the body's center of gravity is forward and pressing down, the front end of the upper support 3 approaches the front end of the lower support 4, and the hydraulic rod 41 extends without squeezing the hydraulic valve to open the oil passage of the swing hydraulic cylinder 5. At this time, the swing shaft 51 can rotate freely, thereby allowing the knee joint to continue to bend.

[0025] Firstly, regarding safety improvements, existing smart knee joints often suffer from slow response and an inability to adjust in a timely manner, posing safety risks, especially when going up or down stairs or during sudden changes in gait, which can easily lead to falls. Through the design of the hydraulic rod 41 and hydraulic valve, the working state of the knee joint can be automatically adjusted according to the user's center of gravity changes. When the user's center of gravity shifts backward and downward, the hydraulic rod 41 compresses the hydraulic valve, closing the oil passage of the swing hydraulic cylinder 5, thereby locking the knee joint, enhancing support, and preventing falls. This locking mechanism effectively ensures safety when support is needed, greatly improving the user's stability and safety.

[0026] Secondly, regarding the improvement of flexibility and natural movement, traditional intelligent prosthetic knee joints often exhibit stiffness, especially lacking sufficient flexibility during activities such as climbing stairs. Through an adjustable design, when the user leans forward, the hydraulic rod 41 extends and releases the pressure on the hydraulic valve, opening the oil passage of the swing hydraulic cylinder 5 and allowing the swing shaft 51 to rotate freely, thus enabling the knee joint to bend naturally. This design effectively simulates the movement of a natural knee joint, providing a smoother and more natural gait, particularly noticeable in activities such as climbing and descending stairs.

[0027] Furthermore, personalized adaptability is another major advantage of this embodiment. Existing smart knee joints typically lack the ability to precisely adjust to individual differences. This novel knee joint, through the hinged design between the upper support 3 and the lower support 4, allows the knee joint to make real-time adjustments according to the user's needs under different movement states. When the center of gravity changes, the rotation angle and degree of flexion of the knee joint can be precisely controlled, optimizing the user experience and improving comfort and exercise efficiency.

[0028] Finally, regarding reducing usage costs, existing intelligent prostheses often result in high maintenance costs for users due to their complex technology and difficult maintenance. The new knee joint, through its simplified hydraulic control system and articulated structure design, reduces reliance on complex electronic components, lowering maintenance difficulty and costs. This allows users to access services more conveniently, while also improving product availability and lifespan.

[0029] In summary, by introducing hydraulic control technology and adjustment mechanisms, this invention addresses the shortcomings of existing intelligent prostheses in terms of safety, flexibility, natural movement performance, and personalized adaptability, significantly improving the performance and user experience of the knee joint.

[0030] In this embodiment, the hydraulic rod 41 is equipped with an adjustment knob 42, which is connected to a pressure regulating valve on the hydraulic rod 41 and can be rotated to adjust the pressure. The adjustment knob 42 allows the user to precisely adjust the pressure on the knee joint according to their needs, providing a more personalized and comfortable experience.

[0031] In this embodiment, the adjustment knob 42 is provided with multiple sockets 43, and each socket 43 is rotated by inserting a wrench to rotate the adjustment knob 42. Rotating the adjustment knob 42 by inserting a wrench makes it more convenient for the user to operate during adjustment, especially when there is not enough space, thus improving the convenience and flexibility of operation.

[0032] In this embodiment, the lower support 4 is provided with an adjustment cavity 44, and the adjustment knob 42 is located inside the adjustment cavity 44. The adjustment cavity 44 allows for convenient manual operation of the adjustment knob 42, avoiding interference from external factors, while also making the overall structure more compact and improving the stability and aesthetics of the knee joint.

[0033] In this embodiment, the front end of the upper support 3 is provided with a pressure-reducing rubber 32, and the front end of the lower support 4 abuts against the pressure-reducing rubber 32. When the front end of the lower support 4 abuts against the pressure-reducing rubber 32, it can play a buffering role, reducing the pressure on the user's knee joint during activities, thereby improving comfort.

[0034] In this embodiment, the lower support 4 is provided with a supporting rubber 45, and the rear end of the upper support 3 abuts against the supporting rubber 45. When the rear end of the upper support 3 abuts against the supporting rubber 45, the supporting rubber 45 can effectively distribute pressure when the knee joint is in motion, avoiding excessive impact on the knee joint and providing additional comfort.

[0035] In this embodiment, the lower bracket 4 is threadedly connected to a mounting groove 46 and can move up and down by manual rotation. The support rubber 45 is installed in the mounting groove 46. The threaded connection allows for convenient installation and adjustment of the height of the support rubber 45. Users can manually rotate the support rubber 45 to move it up and down, thus allowing for personalized adjustments according to different usage needs.

[0036] In this embodiment, the upper support 3 rotates within a range of 1 degree around the hinge axis 31. This precise adjustment range ensures the flexibility of the knee joint during activity while avoiding discomfort that may result from excessive rotation, thereby improving overall comfort and safety.

Claims

1. A novel knee joint, characterized in that, The device includes a joint head (1), a calf support (2), and a connector. The top of the joint head (1) is connected to the thigh, and the bottom of the joint head (1) is hinged to the upper part of the calf support (2). The top of the connector is connected to the bottom of the joint head (1), and the bottom of the connector is connected to the calf support (2). The bottom of the joint head (1) is provided with a swing hydraulic cylinder (5). The connector is characterized in that the connector includes an upper support (3) and a lower support (4). The upper part of the upper support (3) is hinged to the swing shaft (51) of the swing hydraulic cylinder (5). The lower part of the upper support (3) is hinged to the lower support (4) through a hinge shaft (31). The rear end of the upper support (3) and the rear end of the lower support (4) are spaced apart. The front end of the upper support (3) and the front end of the lower support (4) are spaced apart and abut against each other when the upper support (3) rotates to limit the range of rotation angle. The lower support (4) is provided with a vertically arranged hydraulic rod (41), the top of which corresponds vertically to the hydraulic valve of the swing hydraulic cylinder (5); When the center of gravity of the human body is back and downward, the rear end of the upper support (3) is close to the rear end of the lower support (4), and the hydraulic rod (41) squeezes the hydraulic valve to close the oil passage of the swing hydraulic cylinder (5). At this time, the swing shaft (51) cannot rotate, thereby locking the knee joint to support the body. When the center of gravity of the human body is forward and downward, the front end of the upper support (3) is close to the front end of the lower support (4), and the hydraulic rod (41) extends without squeezing the hydraulic valve, so that the oil passage of the swing hydraulic cylinder (5) is opened. At this time, the swing shaft (51) can rotate freely, so that the knee joint can continue to bend.

2. The novel knee joint according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydraulic rod (41) is provided with an adjustment knob (42), which is connected to the pressure regulating valve on the rotating hydraulic rod (41) and can be rotated to adjust the pressure regulating valve.

3. The novel knee joint according to claim 2, characterized in that, The adjustment knob (42) is provided with multiple sockets (43), and each socket (43) can be rotated by inserting a wrench to rotate the adjustment knob (42).

4. The novel knee joint according to claim 3, characterized in that, The lower support (4) is provided with an adjustment cavity (44), and the adjustment knob (42) is located inside the adjustment cavity (44).

5. The novel knee joint according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front end of the upper bracket (3) is provided with a pressure-reducing rubber (32), and the front end of the lower bracket (4) abuts against the pressure-reducing rubber (32).

6. The novel knee joint according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower bracket (4) is provided with a supporting rubber (45), and the rear end of the upper bracket (3) abuts against the supporting rubber (45).

7. The novel knee joint according to claim 6, characterized in that, The lower bracket (4) is threaded with a mounting groove (46) and can move up and down by manual rotation. The support rubber (45) is installed in the mounting groove (46).

8. The novel knee joint according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The upper support (3) rotates around the hinge axis (31) at an angle range of 1 degree.

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