Artificial Limb Finger Drive Unit with Adaptive Heat-Setting Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current artificial limbs lack adaptability to individual user shapes, causing discomfort and are expensive to produce, failing to meet daily and psychological requirements due to limited functionality and high production complexity.
Innovation Solution
An artificial limb design featuring a finger part with a drive unit comprising a drive output, movable part, and drive rope, allowing for motion conversion and including a rotary joint, reset element, and myoelectric sensor for user-controlled operation, along with a heat-setting sleeve for adaptive fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom-made prosthetic sleeves employing online modeling technologies are used, then adaptability to individual user shapes is improved, but production complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses 3D scanning to create a digital copy of the user's residual limb, then uses this digital model to manufacture the prosthetic sleeve through additive manufacturing. This copying approach achieves high adaptability to individual shapes while simplifying the production process compared to traditional custom-making methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs 3D scanning technology to capture precise geometric parameters of the user's residual limb, then uses these parameters to generate a customized 3D model and manufacture the sleeve. This parameter-based approach enables adaptability without requiring complex manual modeling processes.
2Ease of operation
If cable-controlled or myoelectric artificial arms are used, then practical functionality is improved, but the ability to realize grasp strength perception and control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors in the robotic hand to detect contact force and grasp strength, then feeds this information back to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the user to perceive grasp strength through tactile feedback, solving the information loss problem while maintaining practical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single system: motor-driven actuation for movement, sensors for perception, and feedback control for force regulation. This multi-functional integration achieves both practical operation capability and grasp strength perception in one unified artificial hand system.
3Shape
If decorative artificial arms are used, then appearance is improved, but practical functionality and grasp control are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the decorative appearance function with practical functionality by integrating a robotic hand mechanism within an aesthetically designed artificial arm housing. The motor-driven fingers provide real grasp control while the overall structure maintains a natural, appealing appearance suitable for daily use.
4Device complexity
If finger sections perform single synchronized motion, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to real human hand motion is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the artificial hand into multiple independently controllable finger sections, each capable of individual motion control through separate motor actuators. This segmentation enables complex, differentiated finger movements that mimic natural human hand motion, overcoming the limitations of synchronized single-motion mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enhances user interaction and comfort by providing adaptable, cost-effective, and functionally advanced artificial limbs that meet daily and psychological needs through improved motion control and adaptive fitting.
Implementation Method 1
the lead screw is configured to rotate under a drive of the rotary motor, so that the movable part moves along the lead screw
Implementation Method 2
the reset element is elastic and is configured to allow the finger part to be restored to an initial state under an action of elasticity
Implementation Method 3
the drive rope converts the movement of the movable part into a bending motion between the at least two finger sections of the finger part
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial limb. The artificial includes a finger part and a drive unit for the finger part. The drive unit includes: a drive output part, a movable part and a drive rope. The movable part is configured to be connected with the drive output part and is capable of moving under a drive of the drive output part. The drive rope is configured to be disposed in the finger part and connected with the movable part and is capable of converting a movement of the movable part into a motion of the finger part.