Gripping Device Dual-Axis Finger with Single Drive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gripping devices for orthopedic prostheses face challenges in achieving various grip positions with minimal control effort and are prone to complex constructions and interference susceptibility.

Innovation Solution

A gripping device with a chassis, a first finger element swiveled on the chassis, and a power transmission element that couples the drive with the finger element, allowing movement via two differently oriented swivel axes, enabling adaptable grip positions through a single drive mechanism, including the use of auxiliary drives and elastic components for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If each individual prosthetic finger has a separate drive integrated into the finger, then various gripping situations can be realized, but the control effort increases and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegripping situationsVSAvoiddrive integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple finger drives into a single common drive mechanism. The power transmission devices are coupled to a common drive via coupling elements, allowing one drive to control multiple finger prostheses simultaneously. This merging approach reduces the number of drives from multiple individual drives to a single shared drive, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve various gripping situations through coordinated control of the coupling elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common drive serves multiple functions by controlling different finger prostheses for different gripping tasks. The coupling elements enable the single drive to universally control various finger configurations, allowing the same drive mechanism to achieve lateral grips, pinching grips, and other different gripping situations by adjusting the coupling element positions and orientations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single drive controls multiple finger prostheses via coupling elements, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive structureVSAvoidcontrol precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control system by introducing independent coupling elements for each power transmission device. Each coupling element can be independently positioned and oriented, allowing precise control of individual finger prostheses while being driven by a common drive. This segmentation enables the single drive to achieve precise control by independently adjusting each coupling element's position and orientation, thereby maintaining control precision despite using a simplified single-drive structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If finger elements are mounted on a chassis with multiple pivot axes, then adaptability to different objects is improved, but the mechanical complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip positionsVSAvoidpivot mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the coupling elements to be positioned and oriented in different configurations. The coupling elements can be adjusted to different positions and orientations depending on the gripping task, enabling the finger prostheses to adapt to various objects and grip positions. This dynamic configuration capability, achieved through adjustable coupling elements rather than fixed complex mechanisms, provides versatility while controlling mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3735205B1Gripping device
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PROD GMBH
  • EP3735205B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3735205B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3735205B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a gripping device having a chassis (2), at least one first finger element (3) pivotally mounted on the chassis (2), at least one drive (4), and a force transmission element (5) coupling the drive (4) to the first finger element (3), the force transmission element (5) pivoting the first finger element (3) relative to the chassis (2) about two differently oriented pivot axes (31, 32).