Energy storage assembly, adjustable damper, and use of the damper in a prosthetic knee joint

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of damper, especially relates to an energy storage assembly, an adjustable damper and application of the damper on a prosthetic knee joint. The structure of the energy storage assembly comprises an external cylinder unit for connecting a regulating valve and a one-way valve through a connecting damper rear end cover, a piston plate unit inserted into the external cylinder unit and used for separating an oil storage cavity and an energy storage cavity, a spring unit with a base arranged on the inner side of the external cylinder unit and used for elastically supporting the piston plate unit, and a sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit. When the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit is arranged on the spring unit with a base, the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit is used for forming an inflatable energy storage cavity between the spring unit with a base and the piston plate unit. When the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit is arranged on the side of the energy storage cavity of the piston plate unit, the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit is connected with a power cylinder and used for forming a driven energy storage cavity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of damper technology, and particularly relates to an energy storage component, an adjustable damper, and the application of the damper in a prosthetic knee joint. Background Technology

[0002] The most common dampers used in prosthetic knee joints are hydraulic dampers. Generally, a hydraulic damper consists of: a cylinder, piston rod, piston, working cylinder, regulating valve, check valve, front end cap, and rear end cap.

[0003] The piston rod passes through the front cover. There are two regulating valves, called the compression regulating valve and the recovery regulating valve, and two check valves. All four are located on the rear cover.

[0004] Specifically, the compression oil circuit of the aforementioned hydraulic damper consists of, in sequence: the non-piston rod side of the working cylinder, the compression regulating valve, the check valve on the same side as the recovery regulating valve, the return oil chamber, and the piston rod side of the working cylinder. The recovery oil circuit consists of, in sequence: the piston rod side of the working cylinder, the return oil chamber, the recovery regulating valve, the check valve on the same side as the compression regulating valve, and the non-piston rod side of the working cylinder.

[0005] Both the compression regulating valve and the recovery regulating valve can act as throttling orifices, thus providing adjustable and independent damping forces for the compression and recovery actions of the working cylinder. The two check valves primarily ensure that all oil passes through the preset regulating valves, resulting in a smoother output of the damping force. The aforementioned return oil chamber refers to the annular cavity formed between the cylinder body and the working cylinder.

[0006] On the other hand, the following three points need to be specifically explained regarding the working principle of the oil damper.

[0007] The first and second check valves can be triggered selectively or alternately. For example, in the compression oil circuit mentioned above, the check valve on the same side as the compression regulating valve prevents oil from passing through, while the check valve on the same side as the restoration regulating valve allows oil to pass through. However, the opposite is true in the restoration oil circuit.

[0008] Secondly, an oil return hole needs to be provided on the piston rod side of the working cylinder to connect the oil return chamber and this side. The maximum outward movement of the piston generally cannot exceed the oil return hole.

[0009] Third, an energy storage chamber structure is also required in both the compression oil circuit and the recovery oil circuit. The principle and function of this energy storage chamber structure are as follows: When the piston rod retracts inward, it occupies a portion of the space. If the cylinder is completely sealed and filled with oil, the retraction action will cause the internal pressure of the cylinder to rise sharply, eventually causing the cylinder to burst. The energy storage chamber structure can provide volume compensation, ultimately preventing the cylinder from bursting and making the reciprocating motion of the piston rod smoother and safer.

[0010] In addition, the secondary functions of the aforementioned energy storage cavity structure include the following three points.

[0011] 1. Preventing cavitation: When the prosthesis swings rapidly, the piston moves at an extremely high speed. If the oil is not replenished in time, the local pressure will drop instantly below the saturated vapor pressure of the oil, causing dissolved air in the oil to precipitate and form bubbles (cavitation). The accumulator can provide sufficient back pressure. This pre-pressure always provides a positive thrust to the main oil circuit, ensuring that the pressure in the oil circuit is higher than atmospheric pressure under any working condition, thereby preventing the generation of bubbles.

[0012] 2. Buffering effect: The energy storage chamber has a certain degree of elasticity. When a sudden high-pressure shock wave comes, the energy storage chamber can absorb this part of the energy, smooth the pressure peak, make the output of damping force more linear and gentle, avoid the harsh mechanical impact, and improve the naturalness and comfort of the prosthetic gait.

[0013] 3. Thermal Compensation: When the prosthesis is used for a long time or in different seasons, the internal oil temperature will change. Hydraulic oil has the characteristic of thermal expansion and contraction. Specifically, when the temperature rises, the oil expands and the accumulator is compressed to accommodate the excess volume and prevent overpressure leakage of the system. When the temperature drops, the oil contracts and the accumulator expands to replenish the oil and prevent the formation of a vacuum. Ultimately, this ensures that the damper can maintain stable damping performance under different ambient temperatures and will not cause the adjustment function to fail due to temperature changes.

[0014] Therefore, relatively safer dampers generally incorporate the aforementioned energy storage chamber structure. For example, utility model patent CN223483269U, with an authorization announcement date of October 28, 2025, discloses a variable damping dual-valve shock absorber, whose main structural components include: a piston, a bottom valve, a compression chamber, a recovery chamber, an oil reservoir, an inner cylinder, an intermediate cylinder, an outer cylinder, an inner bore, a guide, an air inlet, a ring belt, and an air bladder.

[0015] The advantages and functions of the shock absorber in this utility model patent are mainly: its oil storage chamber structure, in conjunction with the air bladder, corresponds to the aforementioned energy storage chamber structure, ensuring the effective function of the basic energy storage chamber.

[0016] However, in actual use, this shock absorber still has at least the following shortcomings in practicality, specifically:

[0017] First, its oil reservoir structure is located between the intermediate cylinder and the outer cylinder, so its own size is relatively small, which in turn provides less effective deformation space for the airbag, ultimately resulting in very limited volume compensation function provided by the oil reservoir in conjunction with the airbag.

[0018] Secondly, the aforementioned volume compensation function also suffers from a combination of problems, including a single compensation method and a slow response speed, which also reduces the safety of the vibration damper. Summary of the Invention

[0019] This application provides an energy storage component, the technical problem to be solved by which is: how to make the energy storage cavity volume compensation function of the damper have at least the following two characteristics: 1. Allowing a relatively large output volume compensation amplitude; 2. Having a relatively fast volume compensation function response speed.

[0020] In addition, this application also provides an adjustable damper including the above-mentioned energy storage component, and the application of the damper in a prosthetic knee joint.

[0021] The technical solution adopted by this application to solve the above problems is: an energy storage component, the structure of which includes an outer cylindrical unit for connecting a regulating valve and a one-way valve by means of a damper rear end cover; a piston plate unit inserted and disposed within the outer cylindrical unit for separating and forming an oil storage chamber and an energy storage chamber; a base-mounted spring unit disposed on the inner side of the outer cylindrical unit for elastically supporting the piston plate unit; and a sealing and connecting dual-purpose plate unit.

[0022] When the dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit is mounted on the base-mounted spring unit, it serves to form an inflatable energy storage chamber between the base-mounted spring unit and the piston plate unit.

[0023] When the dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit is disposed on the side of the energy storage chamber of the piston plate unit, it is used to form an active energy storage chamber by connecting to a power cylinder.

[0024] A further preferred technical solution is that the outer cylindrical unit includes a circular cylindrical body with the piston plate unit and the base spring unit provided on the inner ring surface, and a perforated fixing plate provided on the circular cylindrical body for mounting the power cylinder.

[0025] A further preferred technical solution is that the piston plate unit includes a circular piston plate inserted into the circular cylinder and used to divide the inner region of the circular cylinder into an oil storage chamber and an energy storage chamber, and a threaded groove disposed on the side of the energy storage chamber of the circular piston plate and used to install the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit.

[0026] A further preferred technical solution is that the base spring unit includes an internal threaded ring disposed on the inner ring surface of the cylindrical body and used to install the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit or pass through the power cylinder, and an energy storage spring disposed on the side of the internal threaded ring and used to support the circular piston plate.

[0027] A further preferred technical solution is that the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit includes a threaded circular block screwed onto the threaded groove or internal threaded ring, a circular enlarged block disposed on the threaded circular block and having a diameter larger than the threaded circular block and used for installing a sealing ring on the side plane, and an open plate disposed on the circular enlarged block and used for connecting a power cylinder.

[0028] A further preferred technical solution is that the outer cylindrical unit further includes an air filling hole disposed on the circular cylindrical body and located between the piston plate unit and the base spring unit, for forming an inflatable energy storage chamber, and a wire hole disposed on the circular cylindrical body and located between the base spring unit and the perforated fixing plate, for passing through the power cylinder control line.

[0029] A further preferred technical solution is that the base spring unit also includes a limiting cylinder disposed on the side of the internal threaded ring, and the inner and outer annular surfaces are respectively used to engage and position the circular enlarged block and the energy storage spring.

[0030] A further preferred technical solution is that the base spring unit further includes an annular groove disposed on the end face of the limiting cylinder, and a conical spring disposed on the annular groove and together with the energy storage spring for supporting the circular piston plate.

[0031] A further preferred technical solution is that the base spring unit further includes several insertion holes disposed on the limiting cylinder and, when the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit is disposed on the internal threaded ring, used for anti-reverse positioning of the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit by connecting the perforated plate.

[0032] An adjustable damper includes the aforementioned energy storage component, wherein the energy storage intensity of the energy storage chamber has an adjustable setting and / or real-time adjustment function.

[0033] One application of the adjustable damper described herein: the adjustable damper is applied to a prosthetic knee joint.

[0034] The beneficial effects of this application include at least the following six points.

[0035] First, compared to the cylinder and the rear end cover of the damper, the energy storage component is set independently, which allows the energy storage component to output a relatively large volume compensation range, ultimately indirectly improving the practicality and safety of the entire damper.

[0036] Secondly, in this energy storage component, the inflatable energy storage chamber and the base-mounted spring unit can respectively provide two passive volume compensation modes: pneumatic energy storage and spring energy storage. The sealed connection dual-purpose plate unit combined with the power cylinder can also provide an active volume compensation mode, thereby making the entire volume compensation function more flexible, comprehensive, and fast.

[0037] Third, in this energy storage component, the sealed connection dual-purpose plate unit can selectively trigger the above-mentioned pneumatic energy storage mode and the active / passive energy storage mode of the power cylinder by switching the installation position and changing the installation method, thereby further improving the practicality and efficiency of the energy storage component.

[0038] Fourth, the limiting cylinder in this energy storage component has at least the following four functions and advantages, which can also improve the stability and practicality of the energy storage component.

[0039] A. Directly engages with the circular enlarged block, thereby indirectly improving the stability and accuracy of the reciprocating movement of the piston plate unit;

[0040] B. Directly engage and position the energy storage spring, thereby ensuring stable installation of the energy storage spring;

[0041] C. Stable installation of conical springs ultimately provides the piston plate unit with a composite, dynamic spring energy storage effect that combines energy storage springs and conical springs, making the spring energy storage amplitude more flexible and varied.

[0042] D. When the dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit is set on the internal threaded ring, the dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit is locked and anti-reverse operation is performed through the insertion hole and insertion rod, which directly improves the airtightness of the pneumatic energy storage method.

[0043] Fifth, the energy storage component in this damper has relatively high versatility in installation and use, and has relatively few adaptation requirements for the type and structure of the damper's rear end cover. At the same time, the energy storage component does not need to be directly connected to the cylinder or working cylinder, which further enhances its versatility.

[0044] Sixth, when this damper is used on prosthetic knee joints, its comprehensive and flexible energy storage method can provide efficient volume compensation, necessary anti-cavitation function, comfortable cushioning function, and a certain thermal compensation function, ultimately improving the safety, naturalness, and comfort of prosthetic gait. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the energy storage component in this application.

[0046] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the location of the piston plate unit in this application.

[0047] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation method of the energy storage component in this application.

[0048] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the shape of a power cylinder in the prior art.

[0049] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the external cylindrical unit in this application.

[0050] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the piston plate unit in this application.

[0051] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the spring unit with base in this application.

[0052] Figure 8 This is a structural schematic diagram of the sealed connection dual-purpose plate unit in this application.

[0053] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of the conical spring in this application.

[0054] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the location of the insertion holes in this application.

[0055] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the combined pneumatic and spring energy storage methods used in this application.

[0056] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the shared energy storage method of spring energy storage and power cylinder energy storage in this application.

[0057] The meanings of the markings in the diagram are as follows.

[0058] External cylinder unit 1, piston plate unit 2, spring unit with base 3, dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit 4;

[0059] Circular cylinder 101, perforated fixing plate 102, air filling hole 103, wire hole 104;

[0060] Circular piston plate 201, threaded groove 202;

[0061] Internal threaded ring 301, energy storage spring 302, limiting cylinder 303, annular groove 304, conical spring 305, insertion hole 306;

[0062] Threaded circular block 401, circular enlarged block 402, perforated plate 403, plug-in rod 404;

[0063] Damper rear end cover a, regulating valve b, check valve c, power cylinder d, cylinder e, working cylinder f, damper front end cover g, piston h, piston rod k. Detailed Implementation

[0064] The following description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0065] As attached Figure 1 -Appendix Figure 12 As shown, an energy storage assembly includes an external cylindrical unit 1 connected to a damper rear end cover a for connecting a regulating valve b and a one-way valve c; a piston plate unit 2 inserted into the external cylindrical unit 1 to separate an oil storage chamber and an energy storage chamber; a base-mounted spring unit 3 disposed on the inner side of the external cylindrical unit 1 for elastically supporting the piston plate unit 2; and a sealing and connecting dual-purpose plate unit 4.

[0066] When the dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit 4 is disposed on the base spring unit 3, it is used to form an inflatable energy storage chamber between the base spring unit 3 and the piston plate unit 2. When the dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit 4 is disposed on the side of the energy storage chamber of the piston plate unit 2, it is used to form an active energy storage chamber by connecting to the power cylinder d.

[0067] In this embodiment, the main material of the energy storage component is high-strength aluminum alloy, and its specific structural composition includes, for example: an outer cylinder unit 1, a piston plate unit 2, a spring unit with a base 3, and a sealing and connecting dual-purpose plate unit 4.

[0068] In this design, a sealing ring and a thread are simultaneously provided at the end of the outer cylindrical unit 1 near the oil reservoir to ensure proper connection to the rear end cover a of the damper. The piston plate unit 2 and the inner annular surface of the outer cylindrical unit 1 are sealed. The main body of the base-mounted spring unit 3 is integrally formed with the outer cylindrical unit 1.

[0069] When the energy storage component is in normal use, the sealed connection dual-purpose plate unit 4 has a total of 3 different position states, corresponding to 2 working states and 1 idle state, which is also the main meaning of its "dual-purpose" designation. The above 3 position states are as follows.

[0070] First, the dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit 4 is screwed onto the base spring unit 3, and the power cylinder d is idle. The energy storage method of this energy storage component is generally: pneumatic energy storage and spring energy storage are used together.

[0071] Second, the dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit 4 is screwed onto the piston plate unit 2, and the power cylinder d passes through the base spring unit 3 and is hinged to the dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit 4. The energy storage method of this energy storage component is generally: spring energy storage and power cylinder energy storage are combined.

[0072] Third, the sealed connection dual-purpose plate unit 4 is completely removed and left idle, and the power cylinder d is also not used. The energy storage method of this energy storage component is generally: only spring energy storage.

[0073] On the other hand, the power cylinder d, combined with existing common monitoring technologies and control methods, can directly monitor, quickly respond to, and actively adjust the movement of the piston rod k, rather than passively responding to changes in various parameters of the oil and oil reservoir. Correspondingly, this is also the main reason for setting the aforementioned wire hole 104.

[0074] Therefore, the energy storage component has flexible, fast, and comprehensive energy storage cavity functions, ensuring that the above-mentioned volume compensation, anti-cavitation, buffering, and thermal compensation functions can be triggered efficiently.

[0075] Finally, the energy storage assembly is independently configured relative to the cylinder body e, the damper rear end cover a, and the working cylinder f. Therefore, it is relatively free and convenient to set the dimensions of the oil storage chamber and the energy storage chamber, ultimately achieving a relatively large volume compensation range, which directly improves the practicality and efficiency of the energy storage assembly.

[0076] The outer cylindrical unit 1 includes a circular cylindrical body 101 with the piston plate unit 2 and the base spring unit 3 on the inner ring surface, and a perforated fixing plate 102 disposed on the circular cylindrical body 101 for mounting the power cylinder d.

[0077] In this embodiment, the cylindrical body 101, at the end opposite to where the perforated fixing plate 102 is located, is provided with connecting threads and a sealing ring mounting groove, thereby preventing oil leakage between the cylindrical body 101 and the rear end cover a of the damper.

[0078] On the other hand, the perforated fixing plate 102 is generally rectangular in shape, and has round holes, oblong holes or threaded holes on it to fully accommodate various power cylinders d. The perforated fixing plate 102 and the cylindrical body 101 are integrally formed, and the power cylinder d is a pneumatic cylinder, hydraulic cylinder or electric cylinder, which is screwed onto the perforated fixing plate 102.

[0079] The piston plate unit 2 includes a circular piston plate 201 inserted into the circular cylinder 101 and used to divide the inner region of the circular cylinder 101 to form an oil storage chamber and an energy storage chamber, and a threaded groove 202 disposed on the side of the energy storage chamber of the circular piston plate 201 and used to install the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit 4.

[0080] In this embodiment, the sealing method between the circular piston plate 201 and the circular cylinder 101 can be referenced to the sealing method between the piston h and the working cylinder f. The aforementioned energy storage chamber side refers to the side of the circular piston plate 201 facing the perforated fixing plate 102, which is the opposite side of the oil storage chamber.

[0081] On the other hand, the spring diameter of the base-mounted spring unit 3 is larger than that of the threaded groove 202, and the centers of the two coincide. Therefore, the use of the base-mounted spring unit 3, which is always in contact with the circular piston plate 201, does not hinder the on-demand disassembly and assembly of the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit 4 on the threaded groove 202.

[0082] The base spring unit 3 includes an inner threaded ring 301 disposed on the inner ring surface of the cylindrical body 101 and used to install the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit 4 or pass through the power cylinder d, and an energy storage spring 302 disposed on the side of the inner threaded ring 301 and used to support the circular piston plate 201.

[0083] In this embodiment, the internal threaded ring 301 and the cylindrical body 101 are integrally formed. The parameters of the threaded section on the internal threaded ring 301 are consistent with those of the threaded groove 202, thereby allowing the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit 4 to be selectively installed on either the internal threaded ring 301 or the threaded groove 202.

[0084] Correspondingly, the diameter of the internal threaded ring 301 is relatively large compared to the cross-sectional dimensions of the power cylinder d. Therefore, the power cylinder d can be smoothly installed after passing through the internal threaded ring 301.

[0085] The energy storage spring 302 is a common circular or linear spring, and the connection method at its end can be either snap-fit ​​or simply abutting.

[0086] The dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit 4 includes a threaded circular block 401 screwed onto the threaded groove 202 or the internal threaded ring 301, a circular enlarged block 402 disposed on the threaded circular block 401 and having a diameter larger than the threaded circular block 401 and used for mounting a sealing ring on the side plane, and an open plate 403 disposed on the circular enlarged block 402 and used for connecting the power cylinder d.

[0087] In this embodiment, the screw-on installation position of the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit 4 needs to be determined before the energy storage assembly is used. During use, the installation position of the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit 4 remains unchanged.

[0088] The threaded circular block 401, the circular enlarged block 402, and the perforated plate 403 are integrally formed, and the number of perforated plates 403 is 2.

[0089] When the threaded circular block 401 is screwed onto the threaded groove 202, the perforated plate 403 is hinged to the shaft of the power cylinder d, and the sealing ring on the circular enlarged block 402 does not need to be installed.

[0090] When the threaded circular block 401 is screwed onto the internal threaded ring 301, the perforated plate 403 is idle, and the sealing ring on the circular enlarged block 402 abuts against the internal threaded ring 301 to prevent air leakage at the threaded position of the internal threaded ring 301.

[0091] The external cylindrical unit 1 further includes an air filling hole 103 disposed on the circular cylindrical body 101 and located between the piston plate unit 2 and the base spring unit 3, for forming an inflatable energy storage chamber, and a wire hole 104 disposed on the circular cylindrical body 101 and located between the base spring unit 3 and the perforated fixing plate 102, for passing through the power cylinder control line.

[0092] In this embodiment, the air filling hole 103 is also prominent when the threaded circular block 401 is screwed onto the threaded groove 202, and when the entire sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit 4 is removed and idle.

[0093] When the threaded circular block 401 is screwed onto the internal threaded ring 301, the air filling hole 103 is used in conjunction with the one-way valve core to ensure that the energy storage chamber has suitable air pressure and sufficient airtightness.

[0094] On the other hand, the power cylinder d, when combined with existing common instruments such as visual monitoring devices and photoelectric sensors, upgrades the adjustment of the energy storage intensity of the power cylinder d from the original passive and lagging type to an active and rapid response type, ultimately improving the comfort of the entire prosthetic knee joint. Correspondingly, this is also the main function of the wire hole 104.

[0095] The base-mounted spring unit 3 also includes a limiting cylinder 303 disposed on the side of the internal threaded ring 301, with the inner and outer annular surfaces respectively used to engage and position the circular enlarged block 402 and the energy storage spring 302.

[0096] In this embodiment, the limiting cylinder 303 is a circular cylinder, integrally formed with the internal threaded ring 301. The limiting cylinder 303 has at least the following two functions:

[0097] First, the energy storage spring 302 is attached to the outer ring surface of the limiting cylinder 303, thereby improving the positional stability of the energy storage spring 302 and avoiding harmful phenomena such as displacement or self-torsion deformation of the energy storage spring 302. The ultimate goal is to improve the stability of the reciprocating movement of the circular piston plate 201 and avoid harmful tilting phenomena of the circular piston plate 201.

[0098] Secondly, the circular enlarged block 402 fits against the inner ring surface of the limiting cylinder 303, and its ultimate function is to improve the stability of the reciprocating movement of the circular piston plate 201.

[0099] The base spring unit 3 also includes an annular groove 304 disposed on the end face of the limiting cylinder 303, and a conical spring 305 disposed on the annular groove 304 and together with the energy storage spring 302 for supporting the circular piston plate 201.

[0100] In this embodiment, the energy storage spring 302 is generally a spring of constant stiffness. During the reciprocating movement of the circular piston plate 201, the energy storage spring 302 always provides the circular piston plate 201 with a linear elastic tension or elastic support force.

[0101] The above method can basically meet the energy storage chamber function requirements of the circular piston plate 201 to cope with the reciprocating movement of the piston rod k. However, in the actual use of the prosthesis, the piston plate 201 may extend and retract at inconsistent speeds. In this case, if the energy storage intensity on the circular piston plate 201 is always consistent, it will greatly reduce the comfort of the prosthetic knee joint.

[0102] Therefore, this is the main reason for setting up a combination of a constant stiffness spring 302 as the "main spring" and a variable stiffness conical spring 305 as the "auxiliary spring". Conversely, if only the aforementioned conical spring 305 is used, the comfort of using the damper and the prosthetic knee joint cannot be guaranteed.

[0103] Therefore, the third function of the limiting cylinder 303 is to stably install the conical spring 305.

[0104] The base spring unit 3 also includes a plurality of insertion holes 306 disposed on the limiting cylinder 303 and, when the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit 4 is disposed on the internal threaded ring 301, connected to the perforated plate 403 for anti-reverse positioning of the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit 4.

[0105] In this embodiment, the dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit 4 further includes a plug rod 404 disposed on the perforated plate 403.

[0106] When the dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit 4 is disposed on the threaded groove 202, the plug rod 404 simultaneously passes through the perforated plate 403 and the shaft hole of the power cylinder d, for stably connecting the dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit 4 and the power cylinder d.

[0107] When the dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit 4 is mounted on the internal threaded ring 301, the dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit 4 is first fully tightened, then the insertion rod 404 passes through both the perforated plate 403 and the insertion hole 306 simultaneously. Next, the piston plate unit 2 is reinstalled, and finally, air is added to form an energy storage chamber, allowing the damper to function normally. At this time, the function of the insertion hole 306 is to cooperate with the insertion rod 404, preventing the dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit 4 from spontaneously rotating and loosening, thus ensuring the long-term effective airtightness of the energy storage chamber.

[0108] The insertion holes 306 are circular or oblong in shape, and there are 3-6 of them. They are evenly spaced in a circumferential arrangement on the limiting cylinder 303, thereby providing sufficient and graded insertion and fixing effect for the tightening state of the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit 4.

[0109] An adjustable damper includes the aforementioned energy storage component, wherein the energy storage intensity of the energy storage chamber has an adjustable setting and / or real-time adjustment function.

[0110] In this embodiment, the "adjustable" function of the damper mainly refers to the following two aspects:

[0111] First, for the two regulating valves b, the size of the throttling orifice formed by them is adjustable, thereby directly adjusting the strength of the compression and / or recovery state damping force of the damper.

[0112] Secondly, the energy storage component has adjustable energy storage method and energy storage intensity, which enables the above four functions of the energy storage component to be performed efficiently, including: volume compensation, prevention of cavitation, buffering, and thermal compensation.

[0113] On the other hand, the basic function of the damper based on two regulating valves b and two one-way valves c is existing technology. The aforementioned real-time adjustment function corresponds to the active energy storage function of the power cylinder d, which can be achieved through the power cylinder control line and the existing monitoring method of the piston rod k. Ultimately, the reciprocating movement of the circular piston plate 201 is no longer entirely passive, but can be relatively preset in advance, ensuring that the four functions of the energy storage component can be triggered in advance and efficiently.

[0114] Application of an adjustable damper: The adjustable damper is used in a prosthetic knee joint.

[0115] In this embodiment, the above-mentioned energy storage cavity mainly includes the following five forms:

[0116] Pneumatic energy storage and spring energy storage can be used together; spring energy storage and power cylinder energy storage can be used together; spring energy storage can be used alone; power cylinder energy storage can be used alone; and pneumatic energy storage can be used alone.

[0117] Generally, relatively low-end and practical prosthetic knee joints do not require the use of the aforementioned power cylinder d, while relatively comfortable and high-end prosthetic knee joints do require the use of the aforementioned power cylinder d.

[0118] The embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of this application. These are non-inventive modifications and are protected by patent law as long as they are within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. An energy storage component, characterized in that: The structure includes an external cylindrical unit (1) for connecting the regulating valve (b) and the check valve (c) by means of connecting the rear end cover (a) of the damper; a piston plate unit (2) inserted into the external cylindrical unit (1) for separating the oil storage chamber and the energy storage chamber; a base-mounted spring unit (3) disposed on the inner side of the external cylindrical unit (1) for elastically supporting the piston plate unit (2); and a sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit (4). When the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit (4) is disposed on the base spring unit (3), it is used to form an inflatable energy storage cavity between the base spring unit (3) and the piston plate unit (2). When the sealed connection dual-purpose plate unit (4) is disposed on the side of the energy storage chamber of the piston plate unit (2), it is used to form an active energy storage chamber by connecting the power cylinder (d).

2. The energy storage component according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer cylindrical unit (1) includes a circular cylindrical body (101) with the piston plate unit (2) and the base spring unit (3) on the inner ring surface, and a perforated fixing plate (102) disposed on the circular cylindrical body (101) for mounting the power cylinder (d).

3. The energy storage component according to claim 2, characterized in that: The piston plate unit (2) includes a circular piston plate (201) inserted into the circular cylinder (101) and used to divide the inner area of ​​the circular cylinder (101) to form an oil storage chamber and an energy storage chamber, and a threaded groove (202) provided on the side of the energy storage chamber of the circular piston plate (201) and used to install the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit (4).

4. The energy storage component according to claim 3, characterized in that: The base spring unit (3) includes an internal threaded ring (301) disposed on the inner ring surface of the cylindrical body (101) and used to install the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit (4) or pass through the power cylinder (d), and an energy storage spring (302) disposed on the side of the internal threaded ring (301) and used to support the circular piston plate (201).

5. An energy storage component according to claim 4, characterized in that: The dual-purpose sealing connection plate unit (4) includes a threaded circular block (401) screwed onto the threaded groove (202) or the internal threaded ring (301), a circular enlarged block (402) disposed on the threaded circular block (401) and having a diameter larger than the threaded circular block (401) for mounting a sealing ring on the side plane, and an open plate (403) disposed on the circular enlarged block (402) for connecting the power cylinder (d).

6. An energy storage component according to claim 5, characterized in that: The base spring unit (3) also includes a limiting cylinder (303) disposed on the side of the inner threaded ring (301), and the inner and outer annular surfaces are respectively used to engage and position the circular enlarged block (402) and the energy storage spring (302).

7. An energy storage component according to claim 6, characterized in that: The base spring unit (3) further includes an annular groove (304) disposed on the end face of the limiting cylinder (303), and a conical spring (305) disposed on the annular groove (304) and together with the energy storage spring (302) for supporting the circular piston plate (201).

8. An energy storage component according to claim 6, characterized in that: The base spring unit (3) also includes several insertion holes (306) disposed on the limiting cylinder (303) and, when the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit (4) is disposed on the internal threaded ring (301), for anti-reverse positioning of the sealing connection dual-purpose plate unit (4) by connecting the perforated plate (403).

9. An adjustable damper, characterized in that: The structure includes an energy storage component as described in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the energy storage intensity of the energy storage chamber has an adjustment setting and / or real-time adjustment function.

10. An application of the adjustable damper as described in claim 9, characterized in that: The adjustable damper is used on the prosthetic knee joint.

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