Motor-Driven Prosthetic Grip Unit with Interchangeable Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prosthetic grip units with elastic bands require high forces to maintain a strong grip, limiting user comfort and efficiency due to reliance on elastic pretension.
Innovation Solution
A motor-driven prosthetic grip unit with interchangeable members and a compact drive system, allowing for independent actuation and adjustable gripping force, enabling quick and controlled object handling without high opening forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an elastic band is used to provide gripping force, then the grip device is mechanically simple and robust, but the gripping force is limited by the pretension of the elastic band and high forces must be applied by the user to open the grip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the elastic band mechanical system with an electric motor-driven system. The motor (25) actuates the movable member (10) through a drive mechanism, eliminating the need for elastic pretension. This substitution allows independent control of gripping force and opening force, resolving the contradiction where elastic bands required high user input force to overcome their pretension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables independent adjustment of gripping force parameters through motor control. The motor-driven system allows the gripping force to be controlled separately from the opening force, unlike elastic bands where both forces are coupled through the band's pretension. This parameter decoupling resolves the contradiction by allowing optimization of gripping force without proportionally increasing opening force requirements.
2Productivity
If a motor-driven system is used to actuate the movable member, then quick and controlled actuation with high gripping force is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the motor (25) directly into the base body (2), merging the drive system with the housing structure. This consolidation reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the benefits of motor-driven actuation. The motor is positioned to directly drive the movable member through the bearing (5), eliminating the need for separate transmission mechanisms and reducing component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent places the motor (25) within the base body (2), nesting the drive system inside the housing structure. This nested arrangement allows the motor to be compactly integrated without increasing the external dimensions of the grip device significantly. The motor-driven actuation mechanism is contained within the base body, reducing overall structural complexity while achieving quick and controlled actuation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the members are made interchangeable and attached to the base body, then the device becomes more adaptable to different applications, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the grip members (10, 20) as separate, interchangeable components that can be independently attached to or removed from the base body (2). This segmentation allows different members to be selected for different applications without redesigning the entire device. The connection means (3) provides standardized attachment points, enabling modular configuration while keeping the attachment mechanism simple and not overly complex.
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
Enhances user comfort by providing a high gripping force without the need for excessive opening force, with adjustable settings for different applications and emergency decoupling mechanisms for reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the first member (10) to be driven by a motor (25)
Implementation Method 2
an elastic band (8) is arranged at the proximal end of the two members (10, 20)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a prosthetic grip unit (1) having a base body (2) on which connection means (3) are disposed for fastening said grip unit to an upper extremity, at least two extensions (10, 20) protruding from said connection means, a first extension (10) being movable relative to the second extension (20) from a protruding position into a flush position, wherein the pivot axis (14) has a perpendicular orientation to the base body (2) and the first extension (10) is motor driven.