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.
Claims21
(canceled)
A prosthetic digit comprising:
- a proximal segment, a middle segment, and a distal segment, with the proximal segment and the distal segment rotatably attached to the middle segment;
- an actuator coupled with the proximal segment, the actuator comprising:
- a motor extending along a first longitudinal axis;
- and
- a gearbox mechanically connected to the motor, the gearbox extending along a second longitudinal axis that is parallel to the first longitudinal axis.
A prosthetic hand comprising:
- a prosthetic digit comprising a proximal segment, a middle segment, and a distal segment, with the proximal segment and the distal segment rotatably attached to the middle segment;
- a motor extending along a first longitudinal axis;
- and
- a gearbox mechanically connected to the motor, the gearbox extending along a second longitudinal axis that is parallel to the first longitudinal axis.
A method of actuating a prosthetic digit for a prosthetic hand, the method comprising:
- actuating a motor to rotate a motor shaft about a first rotational axis;
- rotating a series of transfer gears about second rotational axes in response to rotation of the motor shaft;
- rotating a series of gears of a gearbox about a third rotational axis in response to rotation of the series of transfer gears, wherein the first rotational axis, the second rotational axes, and the third rotational axes are parallel to each other;
- and
- rotating one or more segments of the prosthetic digit in response to rotation of the series of gears.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.