摘要:
There is provided an air-cylinder apparatus for use in a prosthetic limb capable of effectively adjusting the pressure characteristics over a wide range of walking speed. A second chamber 82 defined by a piston 113 is increased in pressure by air confined therein in accordance with the bending motion of the knee. Air is restricted from flowing out of the second chamber 82 by a constant throttle valve 140. In addition, the second chamber 82 is divided into plural chambers 821, 822 in accordance with increase in bending angle of the knee and air is restricted from flowing out of the newly divided chambers 821, 822 by throttle valves corresponding thereto. The division of the second chamber 82 is achieved by mutual engagement between a projection 1140b on the piston side and a recess 1127 on the bottom part of a cylinder body.
摘要:
There is provided a prosthetic limb having a flexible knee brake function, which is designed such that it can be mechanically detected which part of the foot the load of the wearer is imposed on. In a thigh prosthetic limb (10), a joint upper member (12) including a knee plate (120) and a joint lower member (14) including a base bracket (22) integral with the frame (140) are operated to bend the knee. In the housing member (24), there are provided not only a knee axis but also a hydraulic brake circuit. There is a link mechanism (50) which allows a small relative motion between the housing member (24) and the base bracket (22) on the main body part side. The link mechanism (50) has an instantaneous center between the toe and the heel part of the prosthetic limb. This instantaneous center serves as a sensing point and detects which part of the foot the load of the wearer is imposed on by distinguishing a first case in which the wearer's load is imposed on the heel and a second case in which the wearer's load is imposed on the toe. Based on the detection result made by the link mechanism (50), the hydraulic brake circuit is controlled so that a flexible knee braking operation can be made.
摘要:
A selector valve capable of maintaining a closed position for a while even if an operating force to a valve element (80) is eliminated when the selector valve (10) is switched from a closed position (braking state) to an open position. The valve element (80) of the selector valve (10) receives an operating force from the outside and a returning force in the opposite direction of the operating force by a valve spring (90). Accordingly, the valve element (80) opens and closes the valve by making the first end (801) of the valve element (80) seat on/unseat from a valve seat (48) on the housing (20) side according to the presence or absence of the operating force. A first port (31) and a second port (32) on both sides of the valve seat (48) are connected or cut off from each other by the opening and closing. The valve element (80) is formed in a stepped structure, and receives a force based on a difference in pressure receiving area by the stepped structure which results from the pressure of hydraulic fluid. The force can maintain the closed position of the valve for a while.
摘要:
A selector valve capable of maintaining a closed position for a while even if an operating force to a valve element (80) is eliminated when the selector valve (10) is switched from a closed position (braking state) to an open position. The valve element (80) of the selector valve (10) receives an operating force from the outside and a returning force in the opposite direction of the operating force by a valve spring (90). Accordingly, the valve element (80) opens and closes the valve by making the first end (801) of the valve element (80) seat on/unseat from a valve seat (48) on the housing (20) side according to the presence or absence of the operating force. A first port (31) and a second port (32) on both sides of the valve seat (48) are connected or cut off from each other by the opening and closing. The valve element (80) is formed in a stepped structure, and receives a force based on a difference in pressure receiving area by the stepped structure which results from the pressure of hydraulic fluid. The force can maintain the closed position of the valve for a while.
摘要:
A technology for making the sensation at use of prosthetic limbs utilizing a hydraulic cylinder and a spring cylinder as comfortable as at use of those utilizing a pneumatic cylinder and further for improving walk following properties. In particular, the arrangement of a hydraulic cylinder or a spring cylinder, or the like, is specified. Accordingly, the resistance produced by the hydraulic cylinder or spring cylinder in accordance with an increase of knee angle is increased, The first torque T1 at the first stage of initial period of bend of the knee joint is made small, while the second torque T2 at the second stage of final period of the further advanced bend of knee joint is made large, thereby satisfying a relation of T1≧T2, as different from conventional ones.
摘要:
A multi-articulated link knee joint capable of detecting a bending angle of a knee section without causing problems of an installation space and wiring of a sensor is provided. A four-link knee joint includes a knee section of a four-link mechanism, a fluid cylinder that restrains an action of the knee section, a position detecting device that detects a position of a piston rod with respect to a cylinder tube as an extension and contraction amount of the cylinder, and a computer that acquires a bending angle of the knee section by converting the position detected by the position detecting device.
摘要:
A technology for making the sensation at use of prosthetic limbs utilizing a hydraulic cylinder and a spring cylinder as comfortable as at use of those utilizing a pneumatic cylinder and further for improving walk following properties. In particular, the arrangement of drag generating means, such as a hydraulic cylinder and a spring cylinder, per se is specified. Accordingly, the resistance produced by the drag generating means in accordance with an increase of knee angle is increased. The first torque T1 at the first stage of initial period of bend of knee joint is made small, while the second torque T2 at the second stage of final period of the further advanced bend of knee joint is made large, thereby satisfying a relation of T1≦T2, as different from conventional ones.
摘要:
There is provided a prosthetic limb having a flexible knee brake function, which is designed such that it can be mechanically detected which part of the foot the load of the wearer is imposed on. In a thigh prosthetic limb (10), a joint upper member (12) including a knee plate (120) and a joint lower member (14) including a base bracket (22) integral with the frame (140) are operated to bend the knee. In the housing member (24), there are provided not only a knee axis but also a hydraulic brake circuit. There is a link mechanism (50) which allows a small relative motion between the housing member (24) and the base bracket (22) on the main body part side. The link mechanism (50) has an instantaneous center between the toe and the heel part of the prosthetic limb. This instantaneous center serves as a sensing point and detects which part of the foot the load of the wearer is imposed on by distinguishing a first case in which the wearer's load is imposed on the heel and a second case in which the wearer's load is imposed on the toe. Based on the detection result made by the link mechanism (50), the hydraulic brake circuit is controlled so that a flexible knee braking operation can be made.
摘要:
A multi-articulated link knee joint capable of detecting a bending angle of a knee section without causing problems of an installation space and wiring of a sensor is provided. A four-link knee joint includes a knee section of a four-link mechanism, a fluid cylinder that restrains an action of the knee section, a position detecting device that detects a position of a piston rod with respect to a cylinder tube as an extension and contraction amount of the cylinder, and a computer that acquires a bending angle of the knee section by converting the position detected by the position detecting device.