Integrated Lever Gripping Assembly for Prosthetic Fingers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping devices for prosthetic fingers are mechanically complex and difficult to manufacture, requiring additional casing for protection and multiple components for power transmission.
Innovation Solution
A gripping device with a proximal, medial, and distal member, where the power transmission is integrated into a lever, allowing direct coupling of individual links and simplifying the mechanical structure, reducing the number of parts and stabilizing the mechanical power transmission chain, with a coupling element like a spindle nut enabling displacement through a single rotary drive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a balance beam connected via levers is used to couple proximal and distal members, then power transmission is achieved, but the mechanical structure becomes complex and requires additional casing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the balance beam and lever components into a single integrated lever element. The coupling element with lever arm directly couples the proximal and distal members while maintaining the balance function, eliminating the need for separate balance beam and lever components. This integration simplifies the mechanical structure while preserving the power transmission function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the casing component that was previously needed to encapsulate the balance beam and levers. By simplifying the mechanical structure through integration, the invention removes the protective casing requirement, resulting in a more open and simpler overall structure while maintaining all necessary functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used for power transmission in prosthetic fingers, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (balance beam, levers, coupling mechanisms) into a single integrated lever element. This reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining all necessary functional requirements for prosthetic finger operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated lever element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a coupling element between members, provides balance, transmits power, and enables coordinated movement. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies manufacturing while meeting all functional requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a longitudinally movable balance beam with levers is used, then gripping movement is achieved, but the number of parts increases and mechanical stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the balance beam and lever into a single integrated lever structure that is directly coupled to the members. This integration maintains the gripping movement functionality while reducing the number of separate parts, thereby improving mechanical stability by eliminating interfaces between multiple components.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If additional casing is used to encapsulate medial link with levers, then protection is provided, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the additional casing component that was previously used to encapsulate the medial link and levers. By simplifying the internal mechanical structure through integration, the invention eliminates the need for protective casing, as the simplified structure inherently requires less protection while maintaining all necessary functions.
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 solution results in a more robust, easier-to-manufacture gripping device with improved mechanical stability and reduced complexity, allowing for coordinated gripping movements and eliminating the need for additional casing, while also enabling lighter construction of the medial and distal members.
Implementation Method 1
at least one lever is arranged on the coupling element, which is connected to both the proximal member and to the distal member and kinematically couples the proximal member to the distal member
Implementation Method 2
the coupling element is designed as a spindle nut, so that a longitudinal displacement of the coupling element can be ensured by a rotational movement of a spindle that is mounted in the medial member
Implementation Method 3
an actuator which is coupled, if necessary via a gear device, to a displaceably mounted coupling element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a gripping device, comprising a proximal member (10), a medial member (20), and a distal member (30), which are each pivotably supported on each other, and comprising an actuator (80), which is coupled to a slidably supported coupling element (50), wherein the coupling element (50) is arranged between the proximal member (10) and the distal member (30) and is connected in a force-transmitting manner both to the proximal member (10) and to the distal member (30). According to the invention, at least one lever (40) is arranged on the coupling element (50), which lever is connected both to the proximal member (10) and to the distal member (30) and kinematically couples the proximal member (10) with the distal member (30).