JOINT FOR AN ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a joint for an orthopaedic device, which has a first articulated arm and a second articulated arm, which are mounted pivotably relative to one another about a pivot axis, and a blocking device which can be brought into a release position and into a blocking position.

[0002] Such joints are known, for example, from US 7,517,330 B2, US 2006 / 0211966 A1 and US 7,662,118 B2. They are used, for example, as joints for orthoses, such as knee orthoses, but can also be used in other orthoses or orthopedic devices. The first articulated arm and the second articulated arm are mounted so as to be pivotable relative to one another about a pivot axis. They can be pivoted over a pivot range that is generally limited by two stops, one of which limits the possible movement in one of the two opposite pivot directions. While the blocking device is in the release position, the two articulated arms can generally be pivoted freely relative to one another in both pivot directions within the pivot range.However, if the blocking device is in the blocking position, this prevents the two articulated arms from pivoting relative to each other in a first pivoting direction. In prior art joints, this is achieved, for example, by two components, each equipped with ratchets or angled teeth, engaging with each other, as is known from US 2007 / 0270976 A1. These ratchet-like teeth prevent further pivoting in the first pivoting direction, but allow pivoting in the opposite second pivoting direction, since the teeth on this side are beveled and can slide off each other.However, pivoting the two articulated arms relative to each other in the second pivoting direction, which is also possible with the locking device in the blocking position, ends when one of the two articulated arms hits the second stop, preventing further pivoting in the second pivoting direction. In this state, the joint is completely blocked, and the two articulated arms can no longer pivot relative to each other.

[0003] From US 8,715,367 B1 a generic joint is known in which the blocking device in the blocking position blocks pivoting of the two articulated arms relative to each other in the first pivoting direction, regardless of the angle at which the two pivoting arms are located relative to each other.

[0004] A generic joint can be used, for example, in a knee orthosis. The knee is then usually blocked because the blocking device is in the blocking position by default and the knee is fully extended, so that one of the two articulated arms rests against the second stop. Movement of the articulated arms in the first pivoting direction is therefore prevented by the blocking device, and movement of the articulated arms in the second pivoting direction is prevented by the respective second stop. However, if the wearer of such a knee orthosis wants to sit down, for example, it is advantageous to be able to bend the knee. To achieve this, the blocking device is moved from the blocking position to the release position so that the two articulated arms can be pivoted relative to each other. The blocking device is then moved back into the blocking position or falls back into this position automatically.If the wearer of an orthosis with such a joint then stands up and fully stretches the leg so that one of the two articulated arms rests against the second stop, the joint is completely locked again and can be loaded safely. However, if the wearer of the orthosis stands up and does not fully stretch the joint, for example, it is important to ensure that movement in the first pivot direction, which corresponds to flexion of the joint, is reliably prevented, for example in the event of a load on the joint, i.e. in the event that a torque acts on one of the two articulated arms about the pivot axis. In the state of the art, this is achieved, as already explained, by means of intermeshing gears.However, this has the disadvantage that only at certain angular positions, namely when the teeth mesh exactly, is an actual locking and blocking of the pivoting movement in the first pivoting direction achieved.

[0005] On the other hand, the teeth sliding against each other create a rattling or clacking noise, which is perceived as unpleasant and disturbing.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the object of improving a joint according to the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that the disadvantages mentioned are avoided or at least mitigated.

[0007] The invention solves the stated problem by a joint according to the preamble of claim 1, which is characterized in that the blocking device in the blocking position blocks the pivoting of the first articulated arm relative to the second articulated arm in the first pivoting direction regardless of a pivoting angle between the first articulated arm and the second articulated arm, provided that this pivoting angle lies within a predetermined range, and allows the pivoting in the first pivoting direction, provided that the pivoting angle lies outside the predetermined range.Unlike prior art joints, pivoting of the two articulated arms relative to each other in the first pivot direction is not only prevented at a few discrete points, namely when the teeth of the interlocking components fit together precisely, but also regardless of the pivot angle between the two articulated arms, provided this pivot angle lies within a predetermined range. If the pivot angle lies outside the predetermined range, the movement of the two articulated arms relative to each other in the first pivot direction is not impaired.

[0008] This increases the wearing comfort of an orthopedic device that incorporates a joint according to the invention. Unlike the prior art, where pivoting in the first pivot direction can still occur until the teeth of the two interlocking components are exactly aligned, this unintentional, temporary pivoting cannot occur with a joint according to the invention. Regardless of the pivot angle between the two articulated arms, the invention always prevents further pivoting in the first pivot direction as long as the pivot angle lies within the predetermined range.This also avoids the potentially annoying ratcheting or clacking noises known from the state of the art, so that on the one hand no annoying noises are generated and on the other hand an orthopaedic device that is worn under regular clothing, for example, cannot be recognized as an orthopaedic device or cannot be recognized as quickly as such.

[0009] Advantageously, a contact surface is arranged on the first articulated arm, which can come into contact with a blocking element movably arranged on the second articulated arm. This contact can occur when the blocking device is in the blocking position. In a preferred embodiment, the contact of the blocking element with the contact surface prevents pivoting of the first articulated arm relative to the second articulated arm in the first pivoting direction.

[0010] It is quite possible that the blocking element can only come into contact with the contact surface in the predetermined range of the pivot angle between the two articulated arms and that such contact does not occur at pivot angles that are not within the predetermined range.

[0011] The contact surface is rigidly and immovably mounted on the first articulated arm. This means that it follows every movement of the first articulated arm. Advantageously, the first articulated arm has a widened end piece, which, in a preferred embodiment, extends around the pivot axis. The contact surface is advantageously arranged on a radially outer circumferential surface of this end piece.

[0012] If the blocking element is designed as a cam or similar displaceably mounted element in a guide, the blocking element itself can have a contact area intended for contact with the contact surface. This can preferably be formed with an anti-slip coating. The guide itself can be formed tangentially to the circular or nearly circular widened end piece of the first articulated arm, so that a gap forms between the radially outer contact surface of this end piece and the inner side of the guide facing away from this surface, in which gap the cam is located. This gap has a variable width and is in particular formed such that it decreases in one direction while increasing or remains the same in the other direction.It has proven advantageous if the width of this gap decreases to such an extent that it is smaller than the width of the slidably mounted cam.

[0013] If the blocking device is now in the blocking position, the cam comes into contact with the contact surface. If the first articulated arm pivots further relative to the second articulated arm in the first pivoting direction, the cam would follow the movement of the contact surface relative to the second articulated arm due to contact with the contact surface and would have to be moved into the area of ​​the gap, the width of which is too small for the cam. This results in a clamping effect that prevents further movement of the articulated arm in the first pivoting direction. Since the width of the gap decreases in this direction, this effect is also self-reinforcing. The stronger the torque acting on the articulated arms, which would result in the two articulated arms pivoting relative to each other in the first pivoting direction, the stronger the blocking effect of the blocking device designed in this way.

[0014] However, pivoting the two articulated arms in the opposite second pivot direction is easily possible, as the cam moves in the other direction due to contact with the contact surface, but in this direction the gap widens or the gap width remains constant. The width is sufficient to move the cam, so pivoting in this direction is easily possible.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, the blocking element is an eccentrically mounted pin, bolt, or cylinder. In this embodiment, the blocking element has a longitudinal axis, parallel to which it is eccentrically mounted. The outer surface of this blocking element comes into contact with the contact surface of the blocking device, provided the blocking device is in the blocking position. Due to the eccentric mounting of the blocking element, the distance between the outer surface of the blocking element and the bearing axis is not constant over the circumference, but has a minimum and a maximum. If the distance of the contact surface arranged on the first articulated arm changes relative to this bearing axis of the blocking element, the blocking element rotates about its bearing axis, for example under the influence of gravity, until the outer surface of the blocking element rests against the contact surface.In this embodiment, it is therefore advantageous if the contact surface on the first articulated arm is designed such that it has a different distance from the bearing axis of the blocking element at different pivoting angles, i.e. angles included between the first articulated arm and the second articulated arm.

[0016] The blocking element is preferably preloaded toward the contact surface. The blocking element is preferably preloaded by a spring element or the weight acting on the blocking element. Of course, other preloading options are also possible, which are advantageous for different designs. Those skilled in the art will have no difficulty selecting a suitable preloading means for a specific blocking element shape.

[0017] It has proven advantageous if the contact surface is eccentric with respect to the pivot axis. This means that the distance of the contact surface relative to the pivot axis is not constant over the circumference.

[0018] Preferably, the joint has an actuating element, by the actuation of which the blocking device can be moved from the blocking position into the release position. Preferably, a pivoting range in which the first articulated arm can pivot relative to the second articulated arm extends from a first stop to a second stop, wherein the predetermined range is smaller than this pivoting range. This means in particular that there is a part of the pivoting range in which a pivoting movement of the two articulated arms relative to one another in the first pivoting direction is not blocked even when the blocking device is in the blocking position. This is only the case within the predetermined range, which in this exemplary embodiment is smaller than the pivoting range.In particular, the predetermined range is preferably limited by the second stop in a second pivoting direction, which is opposite to the first pivoting direction. In this case, it is possible to completely block the joint when the blocking device is in the blocking position and the respective articulated arm rests against the second stop.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the joint additionally has a second blocking device which can be brought into a release position and into a blocking position, in which it blocks the pivoting of the first articulated arm relative to the second articulated arm in the second pivoting direction, which is opposite to the first pivoting direction, regardless of a pivoting angle between the first articulated arm and the second articulated arm, provided that this pivoting angle lies in a second predetermined range, and allows the pivoting in the second pivoting direction, provided that the pivoting angle lies outside the second predetermined range.

[0020] This creates a joint with two zones for each pivoting direction. In one of the two zones, pivoting in the respective pivoting direction is permitted by the locking device, while in the other, it is prevented. Since each locking device advantageously does not impede movement in the other pivoting direction, the pivoting ability of the two articulated arms can be adjusted almost completely freely.

[0021] The predetermined range and the second predetermined range can be individually adjusted by selecting the contour of the contact surface that comes into contact with the blocking element of the respective blocking device to prevent further pivoting in one of the two pivoting directions. In principle, it is also possible to provide multiple ranges for a blocking device in which, for example, pivoting is permitted.

[0022] An embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of the accompanying drawings. It shows Figure 1 - the schematic plan view of a joint according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figures 2 to 5 - a sectional view through the Figure 1 shown joint in different positions, Figures 6a to 6c - two views each of a joint according to a further embodiment of the present invention in different positions, Figure 7 - the schematic representation of a joint according to a further embodiment, Figure 8 - the representation of a further joint according to an embodiment of the present invention and Figures 9a and 9b - two views of a joint according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 1shows a joint 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It has a first articulated arm 2 and a second articulated arm 4, which are pivotally mounted relative to each other about a pivot axis 6. The pivoting range over which such pivoting is possible is determined by a Figure 1 not shown first stop 8 and a second stop 10. Inside the Figure 1 The joint 1 shown has a blocking element 12 and a contact surface 14 which is Figures 2 to 5 The position of the blocking element 12 can be changed via an actuating element 16, whereby the blocking device is moved from the blocking position to the release position. For this purpose, in the illustrated embodiment, the actuating element 16 must be in Figure 1 be moved up.

[0024] The Figures 2 to 5 show a sectional view through the Figure 1The joint 1 shown in Figure 1 is pivoted relative to the second articulated arm 4. In Figure 1, the first articulated arm 2 has been pivoted relative to the second articulated arm 4. The first articulated arm 2 has an end piece 18 that extends around the pivot axis 6. Located in the radially outer region of this end piece 18 is the contact surface 14, which, in the situation shown in Figure 2, is disengaged from the blocking element 12.

[0025] The radial distance of the contact surface 14 from the pivot axis 6 is around the circumference, as in Figure 2 The end piece 18 has a flattened area 20 in which the distance of the contact surface 14 from the pivot axis 6 is smaller than in the remaining area. Therefore, the contact surface 14 is Figure 2 shown angular position of the two articulated arms 2, 4 relative to each other does not engage with the blocking element 12.

[0026] The joint 1 is therefore in a position in which pivoting of the first articulated arm 2 relative to the second articulated arm 4 is possible both in the first pivoting direction and in the second pivoting direction, although the blocking device is in the blocking position.

[0027] The blocking element 12 is located on a pin 22 which is loaded by a spring 24 which holds it in Figure 2 downwards. The blocking element 2 is consequently also pressed downwards, so that the blocking device is preloaded into the blocking position. Figure 2 The actuating element 16 (not shown) allows the pin 22 to be moved upward, whereby the blocking element 12 is also moved upward within a guide 26. In this way, the blocking device can be moved from the blocking position to the release position.

[0028] One recognizes in Figure 2In addition to the second stop 10, there is also the first stop 8, which limits the possible pivoting movement. The maximum pivoting range can be limited by the shape of the first stop 8 and the second stop 10.

[0029] In Figure 3 the first articulated arm 2 has been pivoted relative to the second articulated arm 4 in the direction of extension of the joint 1. The contact surface 14 now comes into contact with the blocking element 12 in an area in which the distance between the contact surface 14 and the pivot axis 6 is significantly greater than in the flattened area 20. As a result, the blocking element 12 is Figure 2 upwards, whereby the spring 24 is compressed. However, this displacement is possible against the force of the spring 24, so that a pivoting of the first articulated arm 2 relative to the second articulated arm 4 in the direction of extension is possible. In this Figure 3shown pivoting angle between the first articulated arm 2 and the second articulated arm 4, a further pivoting of the first articulated arm 2 relative to the second articulated arm 4 in the direction of flexion would still be possible, since the blocking element 12 can be moved downwards in the guide 26.

[0030] Figure 4shows the situation in which the first articulated arm 2 has been pivoted even further in the direction of extension relative to the second articulated arm 4. The contact surface 14 is now in contact with the blocking element 12, which has been moved further in the guide 26 against the force of the now strongly compressed spring 24. The flattened area 20 now no longer offers any freedom of movement for the blocking element 12. The distance between the contact surface 14 and the pivot axis 6 is so large in the area in which the contact surface 14 comes into contact with the blocking element 12 that a slot created between the contact surface 14 and an outer wall 28 of the guide 26 is not wide enough to accommodate the blocking element 12.

[0031] Further pivoting of the first articulated arm 2 relative to the second articulated arm 4 in the direction of extension is therefore possible because the blocking element 12 can be moved further upwards in the guide 26. However, an opposite pivoting of the first articulated arm 2 relative to the second articulated arm 4 in the direction of flexion is blocked by the blocking device because, due to the contact of the contact surface 14 with the blocking element 12 during this pivoting, the blocking element 12 would have to be displaced into the too narrow slot between the contact surface 14 and the outer wall 28. However, this is not possible due to the excessive width of the blocking element 12 in this direction, which is why the movement is blocked.

[0032] Figure 5shows the joint 1 in almost complete extension. The first joint arm 2 is almost at the second stop 10, which prevents further pivoting of the first joint arm 2 relative to the second joint arm 4 in the direction of extension. The contact surface 14 is still in contact with the blocking element 12 and prevents the already Figure 4 described manner, a pivoting of the first articulated arm 2 relative to the second articulated arm 4 in the flexion direction. In comparison to Figure 5that the blocking element 12 is displaced downwards in the guide 26. The spring 24 is significantly less tense than in the situation shown in Figure 4. This is achieved by the contact surface 14 being eccentric. This means that even in the area in which the contact surface 14 can come into contact with the blocking element 12, the distance between the contact surface 14 and the pivot axis 6 is not constant. Rather, in the embodiment shown, the distance decreases continuously starting from a maximum point 30, at which the distance between the contact surface 14 and the pivot axis 6 is maximum. In the situation shown in Figure 5 the joint 1 is almost completely blocked, since pivoting of the first joint arm 2 relative to the second joint arm 4 in the extension direction is prevented by the second stop 10 and in the flexion direction by the blocking element 12.

[0033] The Figures 6a to 6cshow a further embodiment of the joint 1. The left-hand illustration of the figures shows a sectional view and the right-hand illustration a side view of the joint 1. It has the first articulated arm 2, the second articulated arm 4 and the pivot axis 6. The end piece 18 of the first articulated arm 2 has the contact surface 14 on the radially outer side and extends around the pivot axis 6. Unlike in the Figures 1 to 5 In the embodiment shown, the blocking element 12 is shown here as an eccentrically mounted cylinder. It has a circumferential surface 32 and is eccentrically mounted, as is shown, for example, in the right-hand illustrations of the Figures 6a to 6cis shown. Centrally located in the extension of the bearing axis of this eccentric bearing is the actuating element 16, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed to rotate the blocking element 12 about the longitudinal axis of the actuating element, which in the illustrated embodiment is simultaneously the bearing axis of the blocking element 12.

[0034] The blocking element is located in a recess 34 which allows such rotation and has an opening 36 on its underside through which the contact surface 14 can protrude into the recess 34.

[0035] Also in the embodiment of the joint 1, which is shown in the Figures 6a to 6c As shown, the contact surface 14 is eccentrically formed. This again means that the distance between the contact surface 14 and the pivot axis 6 is not constant over the circumference of the end piece 18.

[0036] In the Figure 6aIn the situation shown, the joint 1 is strongly bent. This is the almost complete flexion of the joint 1. The contact surface 14 is designed in such a way that in this position it projects as far as possible into the recess 34, as can be seen in particular in the right-hand illustration of the Figure 6a can be seen. The outer surface 32 of the blocking element 12 rests against the contact surface 14.

[0037] In Figure 6b The two illustrations show a situation in which the first articulated arm 2 has been pivoted in the extension direction relative to the second articulated arm 4. Due to the eccentricity of the contact surface 14, it no longer protrudes as far into the recess 34. It can be seen that the blocking element 12 has been rotated around the bearing axis, since the outer surface 32 continues to bear against the contact surface 14. Figure 6cshows the joint 1 in full extension. The first joint arm 2 has been displaced even further relative to the second joint arm 4, whereby the contact surface 14 no longer protrudes into the recess 34 or only minimally. It can be seen, particularly in the right-hand illustration of Figure 4c, that the blocking element 12 has been rotated even further about the bearing axis, which is simultaneously the longitudinal axis of the actuating element 16. This rotation of the blocking element 12 occurs in the illustrated embodiment solely due to gravity. Of course, a force application element can also be present here, which moves the blocking element 12 into the Figure 6c shown position.

[0038] A pivoting of the first articulated arm 2 relative to the second articulated arm 4 in the Figure 6cThe situation shown in the flexion direction, i.e., counterclockwise around the pivot axis 6, is prevented by the blocking element 12. Such a pivoting would result in the contact surface 14 pushing the blocking element 12 upward. However, this is not possible due to the mounting of the blocking element 12, since it would require a pivoting of the blocking element 12 around the longitudinal axis of the actuating element 16, which cannot be achieved by pivoting the two articulated arms 2, 4 relative to one another.

[0039] Figure 7 shows another joint 1 with the first joint arm 2 and the second joint arm 4. On the second joint arm 4, the blocking element 12 can be seen, the outer surface 32 of which is in line with the Figure 7 not shown contact surface 14 of the end piece 18 of the first articulated arm 2. In Figure 7It can be seen that the blocking element 12 has a stop surface 38, which is also arranged eccentrically to the rotational axis of the blocking element 12. By positioning this stop surface 38 relative to the surface 32, which comes into contact with the contact surface 14, the stop of the joint 1, i.e. the maximum extension, can be adjusted. It can be seen that a joint stop 40 on the first joint arm 2 in Figure 7 rests against the stop surface 38 and thus prevents further pivoting of the two articulated arms 2, 4 in extension relative to each other.

[0040] Figure 8 shows the joint Figure 7, in which the stop surface 38 is rotated relative to the surface 32. This ensures that the joint stop 40 strikes the stop surface 38 at a different angle between the two joint arms 2, 4 and thus limits the extension of the joint 1 in the extension direction. In the embodiment shown, the stop angle of the Figure 8 shown joint 1 compared to the one in Figure 7 shown joint 1 shifted by 5°.

[0041] The Figures 9a and 9beach show a view of a joint 1 which has the blocking element 12 in the embodiment already described. In addition, however, the joint 1 has a second blocking device 42 which has a second blocking element 44. It has a second outer surface 46 which is in contact with the contact surface 40 and interacts. As an alternative to the embodiment shown, two separate contact surfaces 14 can also be provided. While the first blocking device with the blocking element 12 prevents pivoting of the two articulated arms 2, 4 in the first pivoting direction, provided the pivot angle between the two articulated arms 2, 4 lies within a predetermined range, the second blocking device 42 prevents pivoting of the two articulated arms 2, 4 in the second pivoting direction, which is opposite to the first pivoting direction.However, pivoting in this second pivoting direction is only prevented if the pivoting angle is within the second predetermined range.

[0042] In Figure 9b It can be seen that the two blocking elements 12, 44 are arranged offset from one another. This makes it particularly easy to position two contact surfaces 14, one of which is arranged on the first articulated arm 2 and the second on the second articulated arm 4. The pivoting behavior of the joint 1 can be determined by selecting the shape of the contour of these contact surfaces 14. List of reference symbols

[0043] 1 Joint 2 First joint arm 4 Second joint arm 6 Pivot axis 8 First stop 10 Second stop 12 Blocking element 14 Contact surface 16 Actuating element 18 End piece 20 Flattened area 22 Pin 24 Spring 26 Guide 28 Outer wall 30 Maximum point 32 Shell surface 34 Recess 36 Opening 38 Stop shell surface 40 Joint stop 42 Second blocking device 44 Second blocking element 46 Second shell surface

Claims

1. Joint (1) for an orthopedic device, the joint having a first articulated arm (2) and a second articulated arm (4), which are mounted about a swivel axis (6) such that they can be swiveled relative to one another, and a blocking device, which can be moved into a release position and a blocking position, wherein the blocking device, when in the blocking position, blocks the swiveling of the first articulated arm (2) relative to the second articulated arm (4) in the first swivel direction, independently of a swivel angle between the first articulated arm (2) and the second articulated arm (4), when said swivel angle is in a predetermined range, and allows the swiveling in the first swivel direction, when the swivel angle is outside of the predetermined range.

2. Joint (1) according to claim 1, wherein a contact surface (14) is arranged on the first articulated arm (2) and comes into contact with a blocking element (12), which is movably arranged on the second articulated arm (4), when the blocking device is in the blocking position.

3. Joint (1) according to claim 2, wherein the contact between the blocking element (12) and the contact surface (14) prevents a swiveling of the first articulated arm (2) relative to the second articulated arm (4) in the first swivel direction.

4. Joint (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the blocking element is a cam mounted in a guide (26) such that it can be moved or an eccentrically mounted pin, bolt or cylinder.

5. Joint (1) according to one of the claims 2 to 4, wherein the blocking element (12) is preloaded towards the contact surface (14).

6. Joint (1) according to claim 5, wherein the blocking element (12) is preloaded by a spring (24) or the weight force acting on the blocking element (12).

7. Joint (1) according to one of the claims 2 to 6, wherein the contact surface (14) is designed to be eccentric relative to the swivel axis (6).

8. Joint (1) according to one of the above claims, wherein the joint (1) comprises an activation element (16), by the activation of which the blocking device is movable from the blocking position into the release position.

9. Joint (1) according to one of the above claims, wherein a swivel range in which the first articulated arm (2) can be swiveled relative to the second articulated arm (4) extends from a first limit stop (8) to a second limit stop (10), wherein the predetermined range is smaller than the swivel range and wherein, in particular, the predetermined range in a second swivel direction is restricted by the second limit stop (10), this second swivel direction being the opposite direction to the first swivel direction.

10. Joint (1) according to one of the above claims, wherein the joint (1) also has a second blocking device (42) which can be moved into a release position and a blocking position, in which it blocks the swiveling of the first articulated arm (2) relative to the second articulated arm (4) in the second swivel direction, which is opposite to the first swivel direction, independently of a swivel angle between the first articulated arm (2) and the second articulated arm (4), when said swivel angle is in a predetermined range, and allows the swiveling in the second swivel direction, when the swivel angle is outside of the predetermined range.