RANDOM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a locking joint comprising a first component and a second component, which are pivotably mounted relative to each other about a pivot axis, wherein the first component has a locking recess and the second component has a locking element configured to engage in the locking recess and thus prevent a pivoting movement of the first component relative to the second component in at least one direction as soon as the first component reaches a locking position relative to the second component. The invention further relates to an orthosis, in particular a knee orthosis, with such a locking joint.

[0002] A locking joint with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from CN 203623762 U.

[0003] These types of locking joints are used particularly in orthotics and prosthetics as joints for orthoses, but can also be used in many other applications. For example, if the locking joint is used in a knee orthosis, it should allow extension, i.e., straightening of the knee joint, during the swing phase of a step. As soon as the knee has reached full extension, i.e., is fully extended, the locking element engages in the locking recess, as the locking position of the two components relative to each other has been reached. This prevents the two components from pivoting relative to each other in the flexion direction when the foot strikes the ground, thus allowing the locking joint to bear weight.

[0004] However, due to various reasons, it is possible that, for example, the knee does not reach the required extension during a swing phase, perhaps because the patient has limited mobility or stumbles. In this case, the locking element cannot engage in the locking recess, so movement in the flexion direction of the joint cannot be blocked. If the leg, and thus the locking joint, is subsequently subjected to weight-bearing, the two components can still pivot relative to each other in the flexion direction, the support expected by the patient from the joint is not provided, and a fall is imminent.

[0005] From DE 20 2006 007 451 U1, it is therefore known to arrange a functional element between the two components, which has a toothed section over at least part of its circumference into which the locking element engages. When the two components pivot relative to each other, for example during the extension or straightening of a knee joint, this pivoting movement is not hindered, while movement in the opposite direction is prevented by the respective engagement of the locking element in the toothed section on the outside of the functional element. However, a disadvantage is that the locking element slides over the individual teeth of the toothed section with each step and with each movement of the joint, so that these are subject to relatively high wear. In addition, noise is generated with each step as the locking element slides over the individual teeth of the toothed section and engages and falls into the spaces between adjacent teeth.These can be perceived as unpleasant and disturbing.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of further developing a locking element in such a way as to eliminate these disadvantages.

[0007] The invention solves the stated problem by means of a locking joint according to the preamble of claim 1, which is characterized in that the locking element is arranged to penetrate into the locking recess to different depths in at least two different locking positions, and thus to prevent the pivoting movement of the first component relative to the second component in one direction in both locking positions, wherein the locking element and / or the locking recess has at least one step on at least one side surface.

[0008] This ensures that multiple detent positions are available, so that even if, for example, the final and desired position, such as the extension stop, is not reached when pivoting the joint, a pre-engagement in a detent position prior to this stop can occur. Thus, if the first component and the second component are pivoted relative to each other around their common pivot axis, as can happen, for example, during the previously described extension of a knee joint, the two components reach one of the various detent positions during this movement. At this point, the detent element engages in the detent recess, so that from this point on, a pivoting movement of the two components in the opposite direction is no longer possible.In the previously described example of a knee orthosis, this first locking position is preferably reached before the final locking position, in particular the previously described extension stop, is reached. This creates a locking mechanism that is particularly advantageous when using the locking joint in orthotic devices, such as orthoses and especially knee orthoses.

[0009] If the two components are pivoted further relative to each other in their original direction—for example, if the locking joint of the knee brace is moved further in the extension direction—the two components will eventually reach a second of the various locking positions. At this point, the locking element penetrates deeper into the locking recess, so that from this moment on, a pivoting movement in the opposite direction to the first reached locking position is no longer possible. This second locking position can be the final desired locking position, for example, the extension stop. Alternatively, more than two different locking positions can, of course, be achieved. Since, unlike in the prior art, a locking element does not slide over a row of teeth, there is significantly less wear and virtually no noise generation.

[0010] Advantageously, the locking element moves radially with respect to the pivot axis to engage the locking recess. Particularly advantageously, it moves radially inward to engage the locking recess. According to the invention, the locking element and / or the locking recess has at least one step on at least one side surface. If, for example, the locking element has a step, it will engage the locking recess up to this step when the first locking position is reached between the first component and the second component. Further engagement is only possible, however, when the second locking position is reached, and the locking element can then engage further into the locking recess. The same applies if the locking recess has a corresponding step on one of its side surfaces. Of course, both the locking element and the locking recess can also have at least one step.Depending on the desired number of different detent positions, the detent element and / or the detent recess can also have multiple steps. Preferably, the at least one step of the detent element has a different width and / or depth than the at least one step of the detent recess. Naturally, the steps of the detent element and / or the steps of the detent recess can also have different widths and / or depths compared to each other. In this way, a large number of detent positions, possibly spaced at different distances, can be achieved through relatively simple manufacturing steps. Equidistant detent positions can also be achieved in this way.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the detent element and / or the detent recess has at least one side surface chamfered relative to the radial direction. It has proven particularly advantageous if both the detent element and the detent recess each have a chamfered side surface, with the two chamfered side surfaces having the same angle relative to the radial direction. In this way, as the detent element passes beyond the first detent position, it continuously penetrates further into the detent recess, with the two chamfered side surfaces of the detent element and the detent recess sliding against each other. Consequently, until the detent element has penetrated the detent recess completely, i.e., as far as the design allows, every position between the first component and the second component is a detent position in which the detent joint prevents pivoting in the opposite direction.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the angle between the two most widely spaced detent positions about the pivot axis is between 0° and 30°, preferably between 5° and 15°, and particularly preferably between 10°. Of course, other angle ranges are also possible depending on the desired application.

[0013] It has proven advantageous if the locking element is arranged such that, when the first component is pivoted relative to the second component, it slides along a surface of the first component in which the locking recess is located. It has proven particularly advantageous if, in this case, the locking element is spring-loaded in the direction towards the surface of the first component and, upon reaching a locking position, also in the direction towards the locking recess. This ensures that the locking element slides securely into the locking recess, thus reliably preventing movement in the opposite pivoting direction.

[0014] At a later point, it may be desirable for the locking joint to be movable in both directions again, thus allowing the first component to pivot relative to the second component in both directions around the pivot axis. For this to happen, the locking element must be removed from the locking recess. Therefore, it is advantageous if the locking joint has a release mechanism designed to remove the locking element from the recess. This mechanism can be designed in various ways. For example, a mechanical or magnetic release mechanism is conceivable. In particular, a magnetic release mechanism may include an electromagnet whose magnetic attraction, switched by an electric current, can pull the locking element out of the recess. This prevents any potential...The existing spring force, which presses the locking element into the locking recess, is overcome, so that in this case the first component can pivot freely relative to the second component. The maximum possible pivoting movement is only limited by design stops or other features.

[0015] A mechanical release mechanism can be actuated, for example, by a lever, a cable, or a spring. Pneumatic and / or hydraulic release mechanisms are also conceivable. All of the aforementioned release mechanisms, or other conceivable designs, pull the locking element out of the locking recess, thus restoring the pivoting movement of the two components relative to each other in both directions.

[0016] The invention also solves the stated problem by means of an orthopaedic device that has at least one locking joint of the type described herein. Advantageously, two locking joints are used, which are arranged on different sides, for example medially and laterally, of a body part on which the orthosis is to be applied.

[0017] An orthotic device can be, for example, an orthosis or a prosthesis. Such an orthosis or prosthesis can be used for an arm, a leg, a foot, or a hand, so the locking joint(s) described here can be used for an elbow, a shoulder, a knee, a hip, an ankle, or a wrist.

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of a drawing. The drawing shows: Figures 1a to 1c - the schematic representation of a locking joint in a partial sectional view and Figures 2 to 7d - different designs of a locking recess and a locking element.

[0019] In the Figures 1a to 1c A locking joint 1 is shown. It has a first component 2 and a second component 4. The second component 4 has a locking element 6, while the first component 2 has a locking recess 8. In the Figures 1a to 1c The first component 2 and the second component 4 are shown in three different positions relative to each other.

[0020] The rest recess 8 has in the Figures 1a to 1c via a first side wall 10, which is in the Figures 1a to 1c has a level of 12.

[0021] In the Figure 1a In the situation shown, the locking element 6 rests against a surface 14, which is part of the first component 2. If the second component 4 is moved by one in the Figures 1a to 1cWhen the pivot axis (not shown) is pivoted, the locking element 6 slides off on this surface 14.

[0022] In Figure 1b The first component 2 and the second component 4 have reached the first detent position. It can be seen that the detent element 6 has penetrated the detent recess 8 up to step 12. Further pivoting of the second component 4 relative to the first component 2 is only possible clockwise, but not in the opposite direction, because the detent element 6 with its second side wall 16 rests against step 12 of the first side wall 10.

[0023] Figure 1c The figure shows the situation after reaching the second detent position between the first component 2 and the second component 4. The detent element 6 has fully penetrated the detent recess 8 and now rests with its second side wall 16 against the lower part of the first side wall 10.

[0024] Should that be in the Figures 1a to 1cIn order to move the shown locking element 1 again so that the second component 4 can be rotated and pivoted counterclockwise relative to the first component 2, the locking element 6 must be removed from the locking recess 8.

[0025] In the Figures 1a to 1c Furthermore, a release device 11 is shown, by which the locking element 6 can be released from the Figure 1c The locking element 6 can be removed again from the position shown in the locking recess 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the release device 11 is designed as an electromagnetic release device 11, so that a magnetic field can be generated by applying a current, which releases the locking element 6 from the position shown in the Figure 1c The position shown can be removed.

[0026] In addition, an emergency release 9 is shown, by which the locking joint can be mechanically unlocked at any time, should this appear necessary.

[0027] Figure 2Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of part of a locking element 6 and a locking recess 8. It can be seen that the first side wall 10 has no structures whatsoever, but extends radially towards the pivot axis. The pivot axis is in Figure 2 not shown. The second side wall 16 of the locking element 6, however, has a first step 18 and a second step 20. If the first component 2 is now pivoted relative to the second component 4 so that the locking element 6 is moved in the direction of arrow 22, a bottom surface 24 of the locking element 6 will initially be positioned on the surface 14. In a specific position of the first component 2 relative to the second component 4, the first locking position is reached, so that the locking element can penetrate into the locking recess 8 up to the first step surface 26. This situation is in Figure 2As shown, if the locking element 6 is moved further along the arrow 22, a second locking position is reached at a later time, in which the first step 18 can also penetrate into the locking recess 8, whereby the locking element 6 penetrates into the locking recess 8 until the second step surface 28 rests on the surface 14. Only at a later time is a third locking position reached, in which the locking element 6 can penetrate completely into the locking recess 8 until the underside 24 rests against a recess base 30 of the locking recess 8.

[0028] In Figure 3 The second side wall 16 of the locking element 6 also has the first step 18 and the second step 20. Unlike in the Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, however, the first side wall 10 of the recess 8 now also has two steps 12, which are in Figure 3The embodiment shown has the same height and width as the first stage 18 and the second stage 20 of the locking element 6. While the Figure 2 The embodiment of the detent element 6 and detent recess 8 shown leads to three detent positions equidistant from each other, and features in Figure 3 The embodiment shown has five detent positions, in each of which the detent element 6 penetrates further into the detent recess 8.

[0029] Figure 4 Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of a locking element 6 and a locking recess 8. The first side wall 10 of the locking recess 8 has a plurality of rounded steps 12, the contour of which corresponds to the contour of a rounded corner 32 of the locking element 6. When the locking element 6 is in Figure 4Whenever the rounded corner 32 moves to the right, it will penetrate further into the detent recess 8 on the detent element 6, so that the next detent position is always reached at these times.

[0030] In Figure 5 The first side wall 10 of a non-inventive locking element 6 is designed as a chamfered side surface 34. The second side wall 16 of the locking recess 8 is also designed as a chamfered side surface 36, whereby it is clearly visible that the chamfered side surfaces 34, 36 have the same angle relative to the radial direction, which extends in Figure 5 They extend downwards. Therefore, the two chamfered side surfaces 34, 36 can slide against each other when the locking element 6 is in Figure 5is moved to the right. The various detent positions are thus continuously distributed until the detent element 6 is completely received in the detent recess 8 and the underside 24 rests against the recess base 30.

[0031] In the Figures 6a to 6c Various positions of the locking element 6 and the locking recess 8 are shown. Both the first side wall 10 and the second side wall 16 each have a step 12 that can abut each other in different positions. In Figure 6a This situation is illustrated when the first detent position is reached. The underside 24 of the detent element 6 rests on the step 12 of the second side wall 16. In Figure 6b The locking element 6 has been shifted to the right relative to the locking recess 8, so that the two steps 12 are abutting each other here. Figure 6cThe third and final detent position is reached by moving the detent element 6 further to the right relative to the detent recess 8. Here, the underside 24 rests against the recess base 30.

[0032] In the Figures 7a to 7d Another embodiment of the locking element 6 and the locking recess 8 is shown.

[0033] It can be seen that both the first side wall 10 of the locking element 6 and the second side wall 16 of the locking recess 8 each have a step 12, which, however, are of different widths in the illustrated embodiment. In the Figures 7a to 7d The locking element 6 is continuously shifted to the right relative to the locking recess 8, allowing it to penetrate deeper and deeper into the locking recess 8. Due to the varying widths and heights of the steps, the pressure in the Figures 7a to 7dThe four detent positions shown are made possible, whereby the detent element 6 penetrates deeper and deeper into the detent recess 8 as it is shifted to the right relative to the detent recess 8.

[0034] This design has the advantage that a relatively large number of different detent positions can be achieved and implemented in a particularly simple manufacturing way, so that the manufacturing effort is low and the additional safety achieved for the detent joint is high. Reference symbol list

[0035] 1. Detent joint 2. First component 4. Second component 6. Detent element 8. Detent recess 9. Emergency release 10. First side wall 11. Release device 12. Step 14. Surface 16. Second side wall 18. First step 20. Second step 22. Arrow 24. Underside 26. First step surface 28. Second step surface 30. Recess base 32. Rounded corner 34. Beveled side surface 36. Beveled side surface

Claims

1. A locking hinge (1), comprising a first component (2) and a second component (4) which are mounted on each other so as to be pivotable relative to each other about a pivot axis, wherein the first component (2) has a locking recess (8) and the second component (4) has a locking element (6) which is designed, in a locking position of the first component (2) relative to the second component (4), to penetrate the locking recess (8) and thus to prevent a pivoting movement of the first component (2) relative to the second component (4) in at least one direction, characterized in that the locking element (6) is designed to penetrate the locking recess (8) to different depths in at least two different locking positions and thus, in the two locking positions, to prevent the pivoting movement of the first component (2) relative to the second component (4) in the one direction, wherein the locking element (6) and / or the locking recess (8) have at least one step (12) on at least one side surface (10, 16).

2. The locking hinge (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, in order to penetrate the locking recess (8), the locking element (6) moves in the radial direction with respect to the pivot axis.

3. The locking hinge (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one step (12) of the locking element (6) and the at least one step (12) of the locking recess (8) are designed to differ in width and / or to differ in depth.

4. The locking hinge (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (6) and / or the locking recess (8) has at least one side surface (34, 36) which is beveled relative to the radial direction.

5. The locking hinge (1) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the beveled side surface (34) of the locking element (6) and the beveled side surface (36) of the locking recess (8) have the same angle relative to the radial direction.

6. The locking hinge (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pivoting angle about the pivot axis of between 0° and 30°, preferably between 5° and 15°, particularly preferably of 10°, lies between the two locking positions having the furthest distance from each other.

7. The locking hinge (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (6) is arranged in such a manner that, during the pivoting of the first component (2) relative to the second component (4), said locking element slides along a surface (14) of the first component (2), in which surface the locking recess (8) is located.

8. The locking hinge (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized by a release device (11) which is designed to remove the locking element (6) from the locking recess (8).

9. An orthopedic device, comprising at least one locking hinge (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims.