Prosthetic digits and actuators
AssigneeTouch Bionics Limited
InventorMatthew James Benning
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Features for prosthetic digits and actuation systems including transmission features for a worm wheel rotation by a lead screw. A keyed member such as a central axle is spring-biased and transmits rotation from the worm wheel to the digit while allowing for manual rotation of the digit without damaging the worm wheel or other components. In some embodiments, the digit may include a link having flexibility to cause rotation of the digit segments while absorbing shock or otherwise high rotational loads. The digit may include a single-sided drive mechanism, where the opposite side provides support in case of high lateral loads. The digit may include a motor and gearbox in parallel and connected mechanically via a transfer gearbox. The digit may include a variable speed and variable torque gearbox.
Claims24
A prosthetic digit comprising:
- a mount configured to attach to a hand;
- a proximal segment, a middle segment, and a distal segment, with the proximal segment rotatably attached to the mount, and the middle segment rotatably attached to the proximal and distal segments, wherein the proximal segment has a drive side configured to be actuated to rotate the proximal segment and a support side configured to provide rotational resistance to the digit in response to a threshold lateral load applied to the digit;
- a link rotatably attached to the mount and rotatably attached to the middle segment, the link comprising a flexible portion at a distal portion thereof and configured to flex in response to a threshold rotational force applied to the digit;
- and
- an actuator coupled with the mount and configured to rotate the proximal segment via the drive side, wherein the actuator comprises a motor and a gearbox in parallel and mechanically connected by a series of gears.
A prosthetic digit comprising:
- a mount configured to attach to a hand;
- a proximal segment, a middle segment, and a distal segment, with the proximal segment rotatably attached to the mount, and the middle segment rotatably attached to the proximal and distal segments, wherein the proximal segment has a drive side configured to transmit actuation to the proximal segment and a support side configured to provide support to the digit in response to a threshold lateral load applied to the digit, wherein the support side comprises a first opposing surface separated from a second opposing surface by a gap therebetween, and wherein under a lateral load applied to the digit beyond a threshold lateral load the proximal segment is configured to flex laterally to close the gap such that the first and second opposing surfaces contact each other and increase rotational friction of the digit;
- a link rotatably attached to the mount and rotatably attached to the middle segment, the link comprising a flexible portion;
- and
- an actuator coupled with the mount and configured to rotate the proximal segment via the drive side, wherein the actuator comprises a motor and a gearbox in parallel and mechanically connected by a series of gears.
A prosthetic digit comprising:
- a mount configured to attach to a hand;
- a proximal segment, a middle segment, and a distal segment, with the proximal segment rotatably attached to the mount, and the middle segment rotatably attached to the proximal and distal segments, wherein the proximal segment has a drive side configured to be actuated to rotate the proximal segment and a support side configured to provide rotational resistance to the digit in response to a threshold lateral load applied to the digit;
- a link rotatably attached to the mount and the middle segment, the link comprising a flexible portion configured to flex in response to a threshold rotational force applied to the digit;
- and
- an actuator coupled with the mount and configured to rotate the proximal segment via the drive side, wherein the actuator comprises a motor extending parallel to a planetary gearbox, wherein an output shaft of the motor is in mechanical communication with the planetary gearbox by a series of transfer gears located at a first end of the motor and planetary gearbox and that extend perpendicular to the motor and planetary gearbox.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.