JOINT FOR AN ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a joint for an orthopaedic device, wherein the joint comprises a first element, a spring carrier with at least one spring element mounted on the first element, and a second element.

[0002] Such a joint is known, for example, in the form of an ankle joint from DE 10 2010 014 334 A1 and DE 10 2015 112 283 A1. Such ankle joints can be used in leg or lower leg orthoses. For therapeutic reasons, it can be advantageous to limit the length of the pivoting movement, i.e., the maximum possible pivot angle of the second element relative to the first element, and, for example, to provide a stop in one or both opposing directions of pivoting. To prevent excessively hard impact against these stops, the stops are generally spring-loaded and thus dampened. This spring action also ensures that pivoting of the joint is only possible for the orthotic device if the force exerted by the at least one spring element is overcome. This, too, can be useful for rehabilitation and training purposes.

[0003] The strength of the force exerted by the at least one spring element is often, and preferably, adjustable by means of a so-called preload. A corresponding joint is known from DE 10 2017 112 997, in which both the preload and an engagement angle are adjustable in the assembled state of the joint. The engagement angle is understood to be the angle between the first element and the second element beyond which further pivoting in a given direction is only possible against the force exerted by the spring element. Prior to this, a so-called free-running range can be arranged, in which the first element can be pivoted relative to the second element without having to overcome a force exerted by the at least one spring element.

[0004] Joints known from the prior art have two spring carriers, each with at least one spring element. A force transmission element is arranged on each spring carrier and comes into contact with the second element. When the second element is pivoted further relative to the first element in the respective pivoting direction, the force transmission element is moved, thus resulting, for example, in the compression of a disc spring stack or a coil spring. A disadvantage, however, is that this type of joint requires a relatively large installation space, which is particularly problematic for ankle joints, as they may be worn inside a shoe. Furthermore, the use of two spring carriers, each with at least one spring element, also results in a high overall weight for the assembly, which is another disadvantage.

[0005] US 5,653,680 A shows a wrist support with a forearm section and a hand section, connected to the lower section via several spring dampers. An elastic tension element is attached to one of the spring dampers to apply additional forces and resistance.

[0006] US 2,442,151 A shows an ankle assembly with a leg element and a foot element connected by a ball joint. Posterior to the ball joint, a spring unit with two springs is located between the leg element and the foot element, which, among other things, allows adjustment of the heel position.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the objective of further developing a joint according to the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that it can be made small and lightweight.

[0008] The invention solves the stated problem by means of a joint for an orthopaedic device according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the second element is pivotably mounted on the first element in a first pivoting direction against a first force applied by the at least one spring element and in an opposite second pivoting direction against a second force applied by the at least one spring element. The forces required in both pivoting directions are thus applied by the at least one spring element, which is arranged on a single spring carrier. This eliminates the need for an entire spring carrier, allowing the construction to be designed with relatively little installation space and low weight. The first element and the second element are pivotably arranged relative to each other about a pivot axis.The joint has a hydraulic damper unit by which a pivoting of the first element relative to the second element is damped in at least one pivoting direction, preferably in both pivoting directions, wherein the spring carrier is arranged on one side of the joint and the hydraulic damper unit is arranged on the other side of the joint.

[0009] Advantageously, the spring carrier has at least two spring elements, one of which applies the first force and the other the second force. These can, for example, be compression spring elements. Thus, if the second element is pivoted relative to the first element in the first pivoting direction, one of the spring elements is compressed, which is only necessary to counteract the acting spring force. This force is the first force. When the second spring element is pivoted in the opposite second pivoting direction relative to the first element, the second spring element is compressed, thereby applying the second force. By using different configurations of the two spring elements, which are advantageously interchangeable, and particularly advantageously independently interchangeable, the first force and the second force can preferably be adjusted independently of each other.This is useful, for example, if a movement of the joint in one of the two pivot directions should be more damped than the movement in the opposite pivot direction.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the two spring elements are arranged one inside the other or one behind the other. An arrangement one inside the other is particularly simple if the two spring elements are, for example, coil springs, disc springs, or stacks of disc springs. All these springs have a cavity in their interior in which the other spring element can be arranged. This further reduces the required installation space. Alternatively or additionally, the two spring elements can, of course, also be arranged side by side or one behind the other in the compression direction. Coil springs, compression springs, and disc springs, in particular, have a longitudinal axis. This is preferably the direction around which the helical winding of the respective coil element is wound. It is preferably identical to the compression or extension direction of the spring element.In this direction, the at least two spring elements are preferably arranged one behind the other. The at least two spring elements are preferably aligned such that their two longitudinal directions are parallel to each other and particularly preferably identical, i.e., coaxial.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the at least two spring elements are arranged and configured such that one of the two spring elements is loaded in the tensile direction to apply the respective force and is preferably a tension spring element, and one of the two spring elements is loaded in the compressive direction to apply the respective force and is preferably a compression spring element. Compression springs are particularly preferred. These are, in particular, spring elements that are charged with energy by pressure, especially compressed in their spatial extent, and then exert a compressive force.

[0012] If the second element is pivoted in one of the two pivoting directions against the force of one of the at least two spring elements, this spring element is compressed when it is subjected to compression and stretched when it is subjected to tension.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment, only a single spring element is present, which functions as both a compression and tension spring element. When the second element pivots in the first direction, the spring element is compressed, while when the second element pivots in the opposite direction, it expands, i.e., lengthens. Different first and second forces can be set by appropriately selecting the respective spring characteristic curves. Alternatively, a single spring element can be used that is compressed, i.e., preferably compressed, both when the second element pivots in the first direction and when the second element pivots in the second direction. In this case, however, only one preload, one spring force, and thus one force profile is usable for both directions of movement.

[0014] Preferably, the preload of at least one, and preferably all, of the spring elements can be adjusted. This is particularly preferably possible independently of each other. For this purpose, preferably at least one adjustment element, and more preferably at least one adjustment element per spring element, is provided. In In a particularly preferred embodiment, the respective preload can be adjusted even when the joint is mounted. This requires that the adjustment element be accessible from the outside, even after the joint is installed. This has the significant advantage that the joint, and therefore the orthotic device to which the joint is attached, does not need to be disassembled for individual adjustment of the damping. This allows for particularly easy adjustment by, for example, an orthotist or even the patient themselves.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the second element is connected to a force transmission element of the spring carrier such that tensile and compressive forces can be transmitted. When the second element is pivoted relative to the first element in the first pivoting direction, compressive forces, for example, are transmitted from the second element to the force transmission element. The force transmission element is coupled to the at least one spring element and compresses or expands the spring element, thereby exerting the first force. The spring element is compressed when subjected to a compressive load and expanded when subjected to a tensile load. When the second component is pivoted in the opposite second pivoting direction, tensile forces are transmitted from the second element to the force transmission element of the spring carrier.This also results in a movement of the force transmission element relative to the rest of the spring carrier and, in particular, to the spring element, causing the spring element to be compressed or expanded, thereby applying the second force. If only one spring element is present, it is compressed (i.e., subjected to compression) when the second element pivots in the first direction, and stretched (i.e., subjected to tension) when the second element pivots in the second direction. The reverse configuration is, of course, also possible. It is also possible to use a single spring element in such a way that it is stretched (i.e., subjected to tension) or compressed (i.e., subjected to compression) regardless of the pivot direction of the second element.

[0016] Alternatively, it is of course also possible for the second element to be connected to two force transmission elements of the spring carrier, which, for example, transmit both compressive forces or both tensile forces. In this case, when the second element pivots in the first pivot direction, a compressive or tensile force is transmitted via the first force transmission element, while when the second element pivots in the opposite second pivot direction, the respective force is transmitted via the second force transmission element.

[0017] Such a connection between the second element and the force transmission element of the spring carrier constitutes a separate invention, which is particularly also usable separately in a joint according to the preamble of claim 1. It is not necessary that the second element be pivotable in a first pivoting direction against a first force and in the opposite second pivoting direction against a second force, and / or that these two forces be exerted by one or more spring elements of the same spring carrier. Rather, such a connection can also be used effectively if the joint for an orthopaedic device comprises a first element, a spring carrier with at least one spring element mounted on the first element, and a second element.Even with such a joint, it is advantageous if tensile and compressive forces can be transmitted through the connection between the second element and a force transmission element of the spring element.

[0018] Advantageously, at least one spring element comprises a coil spring, a coil disc spring, a stack of disc springs, and / or a rubber-elastic element, in particular an elastomer block. If more than one spring element is present, different types of spring elements can be combined or identical spring elements can be used.

[0019] Preferably, at least one spring element applies the first force to the second element only after a first angle of engagement and / or the second force only after a second angle of engagement. For example, with the first force acting in the first pivoting direction, this means that when pivoting the second element in the first pivoting direction, the first force only needs to be overcome once the first angle of engagement is reached. Before that, pivoting is possible without any force acting on it. Similarly, it can be advantageous if the second force is only applied when pivoting the second element in the opposite second pivoting direction once a second angle of engagement is reached.

[0020] The joint incorporates a hydraulic damper unit that dampens the pivoting of the first element relative to the second element in at least one pivoting direction, preferably in both pivoting directions. Such a hydraulic damper unit preferably comprises at least one cylinder containing a piston that can be displaced along a longitudinal axis of the cylinder. Preferably, the cylinder has two cylinder chambers, which are located on opposite sides of the piston and are fluidically connected to each other. When the piston is moved within the cylinder, the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic damper unit is pumped from one chamber to the second. The fluidic connection, for example a channel or hose, provides flow resistance, thereby generating the damping effect.Naturally, the hydraulic damper unit can also have two cylinders, each with one chamber.

[0021] Preferably, the damping is adjustable. Particularly preferably, the damping is adjustable separately for each direction of rotation. Adjustable damping can be achieved, for example, by arranging a throttle valve in the fluid connection, such as the channel or hose, through which the flow resistance caused by the fluid connection can be adjusted. If the damping is to be adjustable separately for each direction of rotation, two fluid connections can be provided between the two chambers, each equipped with a throttle valve. Check valves positioned in the two fluid connections ensure that flow is restricted to one direction only in each connection.

[0022] With reference to the accompanying drawings, some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below. They show: Figures 1-3 - a sectional view through a joint according to a first embodiment of the present invention in different positions, Figure 4 - a schematic sectional view through another joint, Figure 5 - a sectional view through a joint according to a further embodiment, Figures 6 to 8 - schematic sectional views through joints according to further embodiments of the present invention, Figures 9 and 10 - representation of a joint according to a further embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 11 to 13 - representations of a part of the joint from the Figures 9 and 10 in different positions.

[0023] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a sectional view through a joint according to a first embodiment of the present invention, comprising a first element 2 and a second element 4, which are pivotably arranged relative to one another about a pivot axis 6. A spring carrier 8 is located on the first component 2, comprising a first spring element 10 and a second spring element 12. The spring carrier 8 also has a force transmission element 14, at the lower end of which a pin 16 is located. This pin engages in a correspondingly provided elongated hole 18 on the second element 4, thus establishing a connection between the force transmission element 14 and the second element 4, through which both compressive and tensile forces can be transmitted.

[0024] The Figures 2 and 3 show the representation from Figure 1 , whereby the joint was now moved into different positions.

[0025] Figure 2This shows that the second element 4 has been pivoted clockwise around the pivot axis 6 relative to the first element 2. This exerts a tensile force on the force transmission element 14 via the pin 16 in the elongated hole 18, causing it to move downwards. It has a head 20 with an annular stop 22. The annular stop 22 is located both in Figure 1 as well as in Figure 2 in contact with a compression component 24, which extends inside the first spring element 10 and is attached to its Figure 2A compression head 26 is arranged at the upper end. When the force transmission element 14 moves downwards relative to the first element 2 due to the pivoting movement of the second element 4, the compression component 24 and the compression head located on it also move downwards, thereby compressing the first spring element 10 and applying the first force. Both the force transmission element 14 and the compression component with the compression head can each be formed as a single piece or as multiple interconnected components.

[0026] Compared to the situation in Figure 1 is in Figure 2 It is clearly visible that the compression head 26 has performed a downward movement and now forms a gap between the compression head 26 and the upper end of a sleeve 28, which represents an outer boundary of the spring carrier.

[0027] Figure 3The reverse situation is shown. The second element 4 has been pivoted counterclockwise around the pivot axis 6 relative to the first element 2. This exerts a compressive force on the force transmission element 14 via the pin 16 in the elongated hole 18, which is now moved upwards. It can be seen that the stop 22 of the head 20 of the force transmission element 14 is no longer in contact with the corresponding compression component 24. Instead, a contact surface 30 of the head 20 has moved the second spring element 12 upwards and compressed it, thereby applying the second force.

[0028] Figure 4Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the joint in which two spring carriers 8 are arranged on the second element 4. Each spring carrier supports one of the spring elements 10, 12, which in the illustrated embodiment are both designed as compression springs. Since the force transmission elements 14 are arranged on the second element 4 in such a way that compressive and tensile forces can be transmitted, this embodiment is sufficient. Alternatively, both spring elements 10, 12 could also be designed as tension springs. Of course, spring carriers 8 can also be used that have a first spring element 10 and a second spring element 12, which in turn can each be designed as tension elements, each as compression elements, or as different elements, i.e., a tension element and a compression element.

[0029] The eyelets 32 are aligned with holes in the second element 4. A pin or bolt is then pushed through these openings so that the Figures 4 and 5 The connection shown is reached.

[0030] Figure 5 Figure 1 shows an alternative embodiment of the joint with the first component 2, the second component 4, and the pivot axis 6, illustrating how the force transmission element 14 can be coupled to the second component 4. The force transmission element 14 is pivotally mounted on the second component 4 and is thus moved both clockwise and counterclockwise when the second component 4 pivots relative to the first component 2.

[0031] The Figures 6, 7 and 8 Each figure shows different embodiments of a spring carrier mounted in a joint with the first component 2 and the second component 4. The focus of the illustration is particularly on the attachment of the respective force transmission element 14 to the second element 4. While in Figure 6 A connecting rod joint 40 is used, the design features Figure 7 via a ball joint 42 and Figure 8 via a corresponding toothing 44.

[0032] Figure 9 shows a schematic representation of a joint with the first element 2 and the second element 4. In the left area of ​​the joint, which is in Figure 9 As shown in a schematic 3D view, the spring carrier 8 is located, in which the eyelet 32, which is arranged by means of a pin or stud on an elongated hole of the second element 4, is depicted. Also shown is the sleeve 28, which can contain the spring elements 10, 12 and the other elements and components. A hydraulic damper unit 46 is shown on the right side of the joint.

[0033] Figure 10 The joint shows Figure 9in a schematic sectional view. The first spring element 10 and the second spring element 12 are shown in the sleeve 28. The hydraulic damper unit 46 has a cylinder 48 in which a piston 50 can move, dividing the interior of the cylinder 48 into a first cylinder chamber 52 and a second cylinder chamber 54. A piston rod 56 is attached to the piston 50 and is connected to a force transmission element 14. This force transmission element, like the force transmission element 14 on the left side of the joint that is part of the spring carrier 8, has an eyelet 32 ​​which is attached via a pin to a second elongated hole of the second element 4.

[0034] When the second element 4 is pivoted relative to the first element 2, the power transmission element 14 is also moved, causing the piston 50 to be displaced within the cylinder 48. This pumps a hydraulic fluid from the first cylinder chamber 52 to the second cylinder chamber 54, or vice versa. Fluid connections exist between the two cylinder chambers 52 and 54 for this purpose, but these are not shown for clarity. It can be seen in Figure 9 However, adjusting devices 58, by which throttle valves (not shown) can be opened or closed, allow the flow resistance generated by the throttle valves in the fluid connections to be adjusted. This allows the damping for movements of the two elements 2, 4 relative to each other to be adjusted separately in both pivot directions.

[0035] The Figures 11 to 13Each shows a sectional view through the spring carrier 8 with the sleeve 28, as it is installed in the joint according to Figures 9 and 10 The force transmission element 14 is located in the central area, with the eyelet 32 ​​at its lower end. The force transmission element 14 is attached to a central rod 60, which has a lower compression projection 62 and an upper compression projection 64. A stop 66, preferably infinitely adjustable, is attached in the central area of ​​the sleeve 28. The first spring element 10 extends between the stop 66 and the lower compression projection 62, and the second spring element 12 is arranged between the stop 66 and the upper compression projection 64.

[0036] Figure 11 shows the spring carrier 8 in the neutral position. In contrast, in Figure 12The force transmission element 14, together with the central rod 60, is displaced upwards, thus exerting pressure by the second element 4. This causes the central rod, as well as the upper compression projection 64 and the lower compression projection 62 attached to it, to move upwards. The first spring element 10 is therefore compressed between the lower compression projection 62 and the stop 66, exerting a restoring force. The second spring element 12, however, remains unchanged and is not pre-tensioned, since the distance between the stop 66 and an upper contact surface 68, against which the second spring element 12 rests, does not change. Thus, only the first spring element 10 is pre-tensioned.

[0037] Figure 13Figure 1 shows the reverse situation, in which a downward tensile force is exerted on the eyelet 32, and thus on the force transmission element 14 and the central rod 60. The second spring element 12 is now compressed because the distance between the stop 66 and the upper compression projection 64 decreases. The first spring element 10, however, remains unchanged and is not pre-tensioned, as the distance between the stop 66 and a lower contact surface 70 remains unchanged.

[0038] The spring element 10 can be pre-tensioned by moving the stop 66. The spring element 12 can be pre-tensioned by moving an upper stop 72. Depending on the pre-tension of the spring element 12 and the lowering of the upper stop 72, the upper compression projection 64 may need to be readjusted so that it rests on the contact surface 68. The statics and the initial angle of the ankle joint system can be continuously adjusted via the central rod 60 and the force transmission element 14 due to the threaded connection. Reference symbol list

[0039] 2 First element 4 Second element 6 Swivel axis 8 Spring carrier 10 First spring element 12 Second spring element 14 Power transmission element 16 Pin 18 Slotted hole 20 Head 22 Stop 24 Compression component 26 Compression head 28 Sleeve 30 Contact surface 32 Eyelet 34 Compression projection 36 Positive locking element 38 Opening 40 Connecting rod joint 42 Ball joint 44 Toothed connection 46 Hydraulic damper unit 48 Cylinder 50 Piston 52 First cylinder chamber 54 Second cylinder chamber 56 Piston rod 58 Adjusting device 60 Center rod 62 Lower compression projection 64 Upper compression projection 66 Stop 68 Upper contact surface 70 Lower contact surface 72 Upper stop

Claims

1. A joint for an orthopedic device, wherein the joint comprises - a first element (2), - a spring support (8) with at least one spring element (10, 12) mounted on the first element (2), and - a second element (4), wherein the second element (4) is mounted to the first element (2) such that it is pivotable in a first pivot direction counter to a first force applied by the at least one spring element (10, 12) and in an opposite second pivot direction counter to a second force applied by the at least one spring element (10, 12), wherein the first element (2) and the second element (4) are arranged such that they can be pivoted about a pivot axis (6), characterized in that the joint comprises a hydraulic damping unit (46), by way of which a pivoting of the first element (2) relative to the second element (4) is damped in at least one pivot direction preferably in both pivot directions, wherein the spring support (8) is positioned on one side of the joint and the hydraulic damping unit (46) on the other side.

2. The joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the second element (4) is connected to a force transmission element (14) of the hydraulic damping unit (46) in such a way that tensile forces and compressive forces can be transmitted.

3. The joint according any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring support (8) has at least two spring elements (10, 12), one of which applies the first force and one of which applies the second force.

4. The joint according to claim 3, characterized in that the two spring elements (10, 12) are arranged one inside the other or one behind the other.

5. The joint according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the two spring elements (10, 12) are compression springs.

6. The joint according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the at least two spring elements (10, 12) are arranged and configured in such a way that one of the two spring elements (10, 12) is loaded in the tensile direction to apply the respective force and is preferably a tensile spring element, and one of the two spring elements is loaded in the compression direction to apply the respective force and is preferably a compression spring element.

7. The joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective pre-load of all spring elements is adjustable, preferably independently of each other.

8. The joint according to claim 7, characterized in that the respective pre-load can be adjusted in the mounted state of the joint.

9. The joint according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second element (4) is connected to a force transmission element (14) of the spring support (8) in such a way that tensile forces and compressive forces can be transmitted.

10. The joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (10, 12) comprises a helical spring, a helical disc spring, a stack of disc springs and / or a rubber-elastic element, in particular an elastomer block.

11. The joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one spring element (10, 12) applies the first force to the second element (4) only from a first angle of engagement and / or the second force from a second angle of engagement.

12. The joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping is adjustable, preferably separately adjustable for both pivot directions.