Multimodal hinge joint system for prosthesis or orthosis

A clutch mechanism comprising:

• a base portion;
• a rotating member provided to the base portion, said rotating member configured for rotating relative to the base portion around a main axis;
• a one-way bearing provided to the rotating member along the main axis;
• a shifter means configured for being translatable along the main axis and substantially non-rotatable relative to the base portion;
• a coupling mechanism fixed around the one-way bearing and configured for having a first position coupled to the shifter means and a second position uncoupled from the shifter means, such that a rotation of the coupling mechanism around the main axis relative to the base portion is prevented in the first position and allowed in the second position.

A prosthesis or orthosis comprising a hinge joint system for functionally assisting, enhancing, and/or replacing a hinge joint of a human or animal subject, said hinge joint system comprising:

• a first member;
• a second member pivotally coupled to the first member around a first axis;
• a passive elastic element fixed to the second member and acting on the rotation around the first axis, and which is configured for storing energy when a load is applied to it;
• a torque controlling mechanism mounted between the first member and the passive elastic element, said torque controlling mechanism configured for controlling a torque around the first axis;
• wherein the torque controlling mechanism comprises a first static portion and a second dynamic portion;
• wherein the torque controlling mechanism is configured for controlling the torque around the first axis in at least three modes of operations:
• a first mode,
• a second mode,
• a third mode, in which energy is stored in an energy storage, preferably in at least one spring, to trigger a change from the second mode to the first mode when the stored energy is under a threshold;
• wherein the torque controlling mechanism comprise a third surrounding portion around the second dynamic portion for controlling a rotation of the second dynamic portion with respect to the first static portion, the energy storage being mounted between the first static portion and the third surrounding portion;
• preferably, wherein the first mode and the second mode are any two modes chosen among:
• a free mode wherein load is not transmitted between the first member and the passive elastic element in both working directions of the passive elastic element,
• a one-way mode wherein load is transmitted between the first member and the passive elastic element in one working direction and not transmitted in the other working direction of the passive elastic element,
• a blocked mode wherein load is transmitted between the first member and the passive clastic element in both working directions of the passive clastic element.