A method for controlling an orthopaedic joint device of a lower extremity. The joint device has an upper part and a lower part mounted in a hinged manner on the latter. Arranged between the upper part and the lower part is an energy converter by which, during walking, kinetic energy from the relative movement between the lower part and the upper part is converted or stored and supplied again to the joint in order to support the relative movement, wherein kinetic energy within one movement cycle is converted and/or stored and, within the same movement cycle, is supplied again as kinetic energy to the joint device in a controlled manner and staggered in time.

A driving module may include a driving source configured to generate power, a gear train that includes a decelerating gear set configured to receive driving power from the driving source and a ring gear attached to one side of the gear train, and a rotary joint that includes at least one planetary gear configured to rotate in response to power received from an output end of the decelerating gear set and to revolve along the ring gear. The driving module may include one or more noise reducing members configured to mitigate noise produced based on interaction between one or more elements of the driving module. The driving module may be included in a motion assistance apparatus, where the driving module drives a module that supports a portion of a user body.

An exoskeleton worn by a human user consists of a rigid pelvic harness, worn about the waist of the user, and exoskeleton leg structures, each of which extends downwardly alongside one of the human user's legs. The leg structures include hip, knee, and ankle joints connected by adjustable length thigh and shin members. The hip joint that attaches the thigh structure to the pelvic harness includes a passive spring or an active actuator to assist in lifting the exoskeleton and the human user with respect to the ground surface upon which the user is walking and to propel the exoskeleton and human user forward. A controllable damper operatively arrests the movement of the knee joint at controllable times during the walking cycle and a spring located at the ankle and foot member stores and releases energy during walking.

A force transmitting frame may have a length greater than a width. Stiffnesses of first and second end portions of the force transmitting frame may be greater than a stiffness of a central area of the force transmitting frame in a longitudinal direction of the force transmitting frame. The force transmitting frame may include: an inner frame configured to support one side of a user; and/or an outer frame of which first and second end portions are fixed to first and second end portions of the inner frame, and of which a central portion is not fixed to a central portion of the inner frame. The central portion of the outer frame may be configured to slide with respect to the central portion of the inner frame.

An artificial foot and ankle joint consists of a curved leaf spring foot member having a heel extremity and a toe extremity, and a flexible elastic ankle member that connects the foot member for rotation at the ankle joint. An actuator motor applies torque to the ankle joint to orient the foot when it is not in contact with the support surface and to store energy in a catapult spring that is released along with the energy stored in the leaf spring to propel the wearer forward. A ribbon clutch prevents the foot member from rotating in one direction beyond a predetermined limit position. A controllable damper is employed to lock the ankle joint or to absorb mechanical energy as needed. The controller and sensing mechanisms control both the actuator motor and the controllable damper at different times during the walking cycle for level walking, stair ascent, and stair descent.

A power transmission apparatus includes a driving joint unit having a first driving gear fixed to a first driving shaft and a second driving gear fixed to a second driving shaft, an operating joint unit fixed on an operating shaft and having an operating gear rotating together with the operating shaft, a first operating belt connected to the first driving gear and the operating gear, a second operating belt connected to the second driving gear and the operating gear to apply a torque in opposite directions, a driving link having one end connected to the first driving shaft or the second driving shaft and the other end connected to the operating shaft, and an operating link fixed to the operating shaft.

An orthopedic device with a hydraulic damping device, a valve with a valve seat and a valve body that is subjected to a closing force. The closing force is applied via a valve spring that is pre-loaded towards the valve seat. A fluid connection between the hydraulic damping device and the valve seat is provided. The valve features an adjustment device for adjusting the preload of the valve spring.

A frame module includes a frame configured to enclose a portion of a user, and at least one reinforcement belt of which both end portions are connected to both sides of the frame, thereby restricting a splaying level of the frame in a predetermined direction.

The invention relates to a method for controlling an orthopaedic joint device of a lower extremity. The joint device has an upper part (2) and a lower part (3) mounted in a hinged manner on the latter. Arranged between the upper part (2) and the lower part (3) is an energy converter (5) by which, during walking, kinetic energy from the relative movement between the lower part (3) and the upper part (2) is converted or stored and supplied again to the joint in order to support the relative movement, wherein kinetic energy within one movement cycle is converted and/or stored and, within the same movement cycle, is supplied again as kinetic energy to the joint device (1) in a controlled manner and staggered in time.

An exoskeleton includes first and second compression members configured to be coupled to a wearer of the exoskeleton. A tensegrity joint connects the first compression member to the second compression member, the joint including a tensile member having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the first compression member on a first side of the joint, and the second end is coupled to the first compression member on a second side of the joint opposite the first side.