Bionic elastic device of knee joint crutch

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of knee joint walking aid bionic elastic device, thigh support plate, shank support plate, support frame movably set on shank support plate, first spring, the sliding seat movably set on the shank support plate and the second spring, the sliding seat is rotatably connected to the thigh support plate with elastic force exerted to support frame.Excellent knee joint walking aid bionic elastic device of the utility model, using the elastic supporting force of spring by slider technology makes thigh support plate extend upwards, after wearing human lower limbs, thigh is pushed up with elastic force, when user walks, feel that knee joint is in the supporting state of elastic force, can improve the use effect of knee joint walking aid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of knee brace technology. Specifically, this utility model relates to a bionic elastic device for a knee joint walking aid. Background Technology

[0002] Existing wearable knee-joint walking aids utilize a cam-based power unit that operates without a power source. This unit generates kinetic energy based on the flexion and extension of the knee joint. When the knee is straightened, the spindle-shaped cam changes from contacting the cam rollers on its transverse radial surface to contacting them on its longitudinal radial tip. Controlled by the fixed circular shaft of the spindle-shaped cam, the distance between the longitudinal diameter of the cam and the cam roller decreases, causing them to compress each other. This spatial change forces the follower rod of the spindle-shaped cam to rise. A skin traction plate on the follower rod, bound to the thigh, pulls and lifts the thigh upwards, increasing the knee joint distance through the thigh skin, muscles, and femoral condyle. The thigh's reaction force moves downwards, creating a force exchange through the skin traction plate. This allows the thigh's weight to be transmitted to the cam rollers via the follower rod. The spring under the cam rollers cushions the impact of the thigh on the knee cartilage. However, because the spring strength under the existing cam rollers is relatively low, users often find it difficult to feel the elastic force. When the knee joint is flexed, the driven rod follows the thigh from a longitudinally extended position to a lateral position. The return spring, placed in an arc shape inside the cam, relaxes and returns to its original position, entering the next power cycle. The longitudinal diameter of the cam is larger than its lateral diameter. When the thigh is extended, the tip of the driven rod cam needs to slide on the roller. The change in lateral diameter compresses the roller spring downwards, allowing the driven rod to extend upwards by utilizing the spatial change. However, the change in lateral diameter of the cam should not increase the load on the knee joint, and the strength of the supporting spring under the roller should not be too great; otherwise, the tip of the cam will have difficulty sliding on the roller. Therefore, the upward movement of the driven rod can only rely on the spatial change to generate an upward pushing force. The spring used can only play a driving role and cannot fully utilize the spring's functions of buffering, vibration reduction, and energy storage.

[0003] Chinese Patent Application No. 202122332685.8 discloses a pressure monitoring device for a knee joint load-reducing walking aid, including a first pressure monitoring mechanism disposed between a thigh support plate and a calf support plate, and a first display disposed on the calf support plate for displaying a pressure change curve. The first pressure monitoring mechanism includes a mounting plate, a first pressure sensor disposed on the mounting plate for contact with a support frame, and a first return mechanism disposed between the mounting plate and the calf support plate for providing support to the mounting plate. The thigh support plate and the calf support plate are rotatably connected, and the support frame is in contact with the thigh support plate.

[0004] The aim is to provide an improved biomimetic elastic device for knee-joint walking aids, particularly regarding improving the usability of knee-joint walking aids. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention provides a biomimetic elastic device for a knee-joint walking aid, with the purpose of improving the usability of the knee-joint walking aid.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: a bionic elastic device for a knee joint walking aid, comprising a thigh support plate, a calf support plate, a support frame movably mounted on the calf support plate, a first spring that applies an elastic force to the support frame, a sliding seat movably mounted on the calf support plate, and a second spring that applies an elastic force to the sliding seat, wherein the thigh support plate is rotatably connected to the sliding seat.

[0007] The sliding seat is provided with a rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is provided with a bearing. The thigh support plate is provided with a shaft hole to accommodate the bearing.

[0008] Guide blocks are provided on the lower leg support plate, and the guide blocks are distributed on opposite sides of the sliding seat.

[0009] The surface of the sliding seat is provided with a first pattern element combination and a second pattern element combination, and the lower leg support plate is provided with an expression window; when the sliding seat is in the first position, the expression window is set to display the first pattern element combination; when the sliding seat is in the second position, the expression window is set to display the second pattern element combination.

[0010] The expression window includes multiple windows disposed on the surface of the calf support plate.

[0011] The first spring and the second spring are cylindrical helical springs and are compression springs.

[0012] This utility model's knee joint walking aid uses a bionic elastic device that employs slider technology to utilize the elastic support force of a spring to extend the thigh support plate upwards. When worn on the lower limbs, it uses elastic force to push the thigh upwards. When the user walks, they feel that the knee joint is in a state of elastic support, which can improve the effectiveness of the knee joint walking aid. Attached Figure Description

[0013] This manual includes the following figures, which illustrate the following:

[0014] Figure 1 This is a front view of the biomimetic elastic device of the knee joint walking aid of this utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a side view of the biomimetic elastic device of the knee joint walking aid of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 3 This is the front view of the assembly of the lower leg support plate and the sliding seat;

[0017] Figure 4This is a top view of the assembly of the lower leg support plate and the sliding seat;

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the display status of the first pattern element combination;

[0019] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the combined display state of the second pattern element;

[0020] The following are marked in the diagram: 1. Thigh support plate; 2. Lower leg support plate; 3. Support frame; 4. First spring; 5. Second spring; 6. Rotating shaft; 7. Guide block; 8. Sliding seat; 9. Bearing; 10. Window; 11. First pattern element combination; 12. Second pattern element combination. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in order to help those skilled in the art to have a more complete, accurate and in-depth understanding of the concept and technical solution of this utility model, and to facilitate its implementation.

[0022] It should be noted that in the following embodiments, the terms "first" and "second" do not represent an absolute distinction in structure and / or function, nor do they represent the order of execution, but are merely for the convenience of description.

[0023] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, this utility model provides a bionic elastic device for a knee joint walking aid, comprising a thigh support plate 1, a lower leg support plate 2, a support frame 3 movably mounted on the lower leg support plate 2, a first spring 4 that applies an elastic force to the support frame 3, a sliding seat 8 movably mounted on the lower leg support plate 2, and a second spring 5 that applies an elastic force to the sliding seat 8. The thigh support plate 1 and the sliding seat 8 are rotatably connected.

[0024] Specifically, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a rotating shaft 6 is provided on the sliding seat 8, and a bearing 9 is provided on the rotating shaft 6. A shaft hole for accommodating the bearing 9 is provided on the thigh support plate 1. The axis of the rotating shaft 6 is parallel to the first direction. In use, the thigh support plate 1 is used to fix to the human thigh, and the calf support plate 2 is used to fix to the human calf. The thigh support plate 1 can slide and rotate relative to the calf support plate 2. The thigh support plate 1 drives the sliding seat 8 to slide synchronously on the calf support plate 2. The sliding direction of the sliding seat 8 is parallel to the second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The length direction of the calf support plate 2 is parallel to the second direction.

[0025] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, guide blocks 7 are provided on the lower leg support plate 2. The guide blocks 7 are distributed on opposite sides of the sliding seat 8. The guide blocks 7 guide the sliding seat 8. The guide blocks 7 are fixedly connected to the lower leg support plate 2. The cross-section of the guide blocks 7 is L-shaped. The sliding seat 8 is located between the two guide blocks 7. The rotating shaft 6 is fixedly connected to the sliding seat 8. The rotating shaft 6 is located in the middle position of the two guide blocks 7.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first spring 4 provides an upward elastic support force to the support frame 3. The direction of movement of the support frame 3 on the calf support plate 2 is parallel to the second direction. The first spring 4 is sandwiched between the support frame 3 and the inner bottom wall of the calf support plate 2. The support frame 3 is located between the thigh support plate 1 and the first spring 4. Under the action of the first spring 4, the top surface of the support frame 3 and the bottom surface of the thigh support plate 1 are always in contact. The top surface of the support frame 3 is in contact with the bottom surface of the thigh support plate 1. The top surface of the support frame 3 is an arc surface, and the bottom surface of the thigh support plate 1 is also an arc surface (the bottom surface is located at the spindle-shaped cam part). The axis of the top surface of the support frame 3 and the axis of the bottom surface of the thigh support plate 1 are parallel to the first direction. The first spring 4 is a cylindrical helical spring and is a compression spring.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the second spring 5 provides downward elastic support to the sliding seat 8. The second spring 5 is sandwiched between the upper end of the sliding seat 8 and the baffle provided on the lower leg support plate 2. The second spring 5 is a cylindrical helical spring and a compression spring.

[0028] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, a first pattern element combination 11 and a second pattern element combination 12 are arranged on the same surface of the sliding seat 8. This surface of the sliding seat 8 is a plane perpendicular to the first direction. An expression window is provided on the calf support plate 2. The first pattern element combination 11 is composed of multiple first patterns, and the second pattern element combination 12 is composed of multiple second patterns. The shapes of the first patterns and the second patterns are different. The expression window includes multiple windows 10 arranged on the surface of the calf support plate 2. The windows 10 are through holes that penetrate the side wall of the calf support plate 2. The first and second patterns are displayed through the windows 10 for easy observation.

[0029] like Figure 5 As shown, when the sliding seat 8 is in the first position, the expression window is set to display the first pattern element combination 11. At this time, the distance between the sliding seat 8 and the support frame 3 is at its minimum, the angle between the thigh support plate 1 and the calf support plate 2 is about 90 degrees, the user's knee joint is in a flexed position, and the first pattern element combination 11 displayed through the expression window forms the first expression.

[0030] like Figure 6 As shown, when the sliding seat 8 is in the second position, the expression window is set to display the second pattern element combination 12. At this time, the distance between the sliding seat 8 and the support frame 3 is at its maximum, the angle between the thigh support plate 1 and the calf support plate 2 is about 180 degrees, the user's knee joint is in the straight position, and the second pattern element combination 12 displayed through the expression window forms the second expression.

[0031] The second expression differs from the first. For example, when the knee joint is in a flexed position, the first expression shows a resting state with eyes closed and mouth still. Figure 5 As shown; when the knee joint is straight, the second expression is a smiling image with open eyes and mouth, as... Figure 6 As shown.

[0032] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, window 10 has three settings. The first set of three patterns includes two patterns with closed eyes and one pattern with a closed mouth, displaying the first expression as a resting state with eyes closed and mouth closed. The second set of three patterns includes two patterns with open eyes and one pattern with an open mouth, displaying the second expression as a laughing state with eyes open and mouth open.

[0033] In this invention, the upward extension of the thigh support plate 1, which relies on spatial compression, is replaced by the elastic support force of a spring, ensuring that the thigh support plate 1 always extends upward under the action of elastic force. A sliding seat 8 that can slide up and down is added to the inner cavity of the calf support plate 2. A rotating shaft 6 is provided on the sliding seat 8 to achieve a rotatable connection with the thigh support plate 1. The rotating shaft 6 can rise with the sliding seat 8, and the thigh support plate 1 slides on the top surface of the support frame 3. This causes the thigh support plate 1 to push the support frame 3 downward, compressing the first spring 4. As the thigh support plate 1 continues to rotate, under the action of elastic force, the thigh support plate 1 drives the sliding seat 8 to slide upward, compressing the second spring 5. This allows the thigh support plate 1 to change from a lateral diameter to a longitudinal diameter without any external force.

[0034] Due to the increased elasticity of the first spring 4, the user's knee joint always feels supported by the elastic force, which allows the knee joint walker to better cushion the weight from the thigh, absorb vibration, reduce load, and provide a mechanical environment for the meniscus, cartilage surface and other areas of strain.

[0035] When the user's knee is flexed, the spindle-shaped cam and thigh support plate 1 are in a lateral position. The support frame 3, supported by the first spring 4, is close to the lower part of the lateral diameter of the spindle-shaped cam. The sliding seat 8 and the rotating shaft 6 are located in the lower middle section of the simulated knee joint power device. When the knee is extended, the spindle-shaped cam and thigh support plate 1 rotate to a longitudinal position with the thigh. The tip of the spindle-shaped cam slides on the top surface of the support frame 3. The radial direction of the spindle-shaped cam changes, and the tip slides towards the highest point in the middle of the top surface of the support frame 3, compressing the support frame 3 and pressing the first spring 4. As the sliding seat 8 and the rotating shaft 6 move upward, the spindle-shaped cam can slide down to the highest point in the middle of the top surface of the support frame 3 without external force. The sliding seat 8, the rotating shaft 6, and the second spring 5 move upward to the upper baffle. Restricted by the upper baffle, the sliding seat 8 and the rotating shaft 6 stop moving upward, and the second spring 5 is compressed. The thigh support plate 1, which is tied to the thigh, pushes the thigh upward and exchanges forces with the thigh, receiving the thigh's weight downward. The tip of the spindle-shaped cam, which slides to the highest point in the middle of the support frame 3, can only press down on the support frame 3. The compressed second spring 5 generates an elastic counterforce, which together counteracts the elastic force generated by the stronger first spring 4 under the support frame 3, thus providing elastic support for the femoral condyle of the knee joint and buffering the impact force on the knee joint. When the knee joint flexes again, the thigh support plate 1 displaces accordingly, the sliding seat 8 and the rotating shaft 6 move downward, and the second spring 5, which is released from pressure, generates an elastic return force, which works with the spindle-shaped cam to change from the longitudinal diameter to the transverse diameter, preparing to enter the next activity cycle.

[0036] The present invention has been described above by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-described manner. Any non-substantial improvements made using the inventive concept and technical solution of the present invention; or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution to other situations without modification, are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A biomimetic elastic device for a knee joint walking aid, comprising a thigh support plate, a calf support plate, a movable support frame mounted on the calf support plate, and a first spring applying an elastic force to the support frame, characterized in that: It also includes a movable sliding seat mounted on the calf support plate and a second spring that applies an elastic force to the sliding seat, wherein the thigh support plate is rotatably connected to the sliding seat.

2. The biomimetic elastic device for the knee joint walking aid according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sliding seat is provided with a rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is provided with a bearing. The thigh support plate is provided with a shaft hole to accommodate the bearing.

3. The biomimetic elastic device for the knee joint walking aid according to claim 1, characterized in that: Guide blocks are provided on the lower leg support plate, and the guide blocks are distributed on opposite sides of the sliding seat.

4. The biomimetic elastic device for the knee joint walking aid according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The surface of the sliding seat is provided with a first pattern element combination and a second pattern element combination, and the lower leg support plate is provided with an expression window; when the sliding seat is in the first position, the expression window is set to display the first pattern element combination; when the sliding seat is in the second position, the expression window is set to display the second pattern element combination.

5. The biomimetic elastic device for the knee joint walking aid according to claim 4, characterized in that: The expression window includes multiple windows disposed on the surface of the calf support plate.

6. The biomimetic elastic device for the knee joint walking aid according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first spring and the second spring are cylindrical helical springs and are compression springs.

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