PROSTHESIS DEVICE WITH A ROTARY DAMPER

Abstract

A prosthesis device has a rotary damper and a displacing device with a magnetorheological fluid in a damper volume of a housing. Two partition units divide the damper volume into two or more variable chambers. The partition units include a partition wall connected with the housing and a partition wall connected with a damper shaft. Radial gaps are formed in the radial direction between the partition wall on the housing and the damper shaft, and between the partition wall on the damper shaft and the housing. An axial gap is formed in the axial direction between the partition unit the damper shaft and the housing. The magnetic field of the magnetic field source passes through at least two of the gaps.

Claims

1-31. (canceled)

32. A prosthesis device with a rotary damper comprising: a housing, a damper shaft rotatably mounted to the said housing, a displacing device in said housing, and at least one magnetic field source; said displacing device including a damper volume with magnetorheological fluid as a working fluid and configured to influence by way of the magnetorheological fluid a damping of a rotary motion of said damper shaft relative to said housing; said displacing device including at least two partition units disposed to divide the damper volume into at least two variable chambers, said at least two partition units including a first partition wall connected to said housing and a second partition wall connected to said damper shaft; wherein a gap section is formed in a radial direction between said first partition wall and said damper shaft; wherein a gap section is formed in the radial direction between said second partition wall and said housing; and wherein at least one gap section is formed in the axial direction between said second partition wall and said housing; and wherein at least a substantial portion of the magnetic field generated by said magnetic field source passes through at least two of said gap sections.

33. The prosthesis device according to claim 32, wherein at least one of said gap sections is configured as a damping gap and at least one of said gap sections is configured as a sealing gap, and wherein at least one damping gap has a greater gap height than a sealing gap.

34. The prosthesis device according to claim 32, wherein said second partition wall has two axial ends disposed to form an axial gap section between said housing and said second partition wall and wherein a substantial part of the magnetic field of said magnetic field source passes through said two axial gap sections between said housing and said second partition wall and provides for sealing said two axial gap sections.

35. The prosthesis device according to claim 32, wherein the magnetic field is formed to extend transversely to at least one of said gap sections.

36. The prosthesis device according to claim 32, wherein at least one radial gap section is configured as a damping duct and is disposed radially between said second partition wall and said housing and/or wherein at least one axial gap section is configured as a damping duct and is disposed axially between said second partition unit and said housing.

37. The prosthesis device according to claim 36, wherein at least a substantial part of the magnetic field of the magnetic field source passes through said damping duct.

38. The prosthesis device according to claim 32, wherein at least one gap section is sealed by means of a mechanical sealant.

39. The prosthesis device according to claim 32, wherein said housing comprises a first end part, a second end part, and a center part therebetween, wherein at least one of said end parts accommodates an electric coil and wherein an axis of said electric coil is oriented substantially parallel to said damper shaft.

40. The prosthesis device according to claim 39, wherein said housing consists essentially of a magnetically conductive material having a relative permeability of above 100.

41. The prosthesis device according to claim 39, further comprising a ring disposed axially adjacent said electric coil in said housing, said ring consisting essentially of a material having a relative permeability of less than 10, said ring being disposed axially between said electric coil and said damper volume.

42. The prosthesis device according to claim 39, further comprising a ring disposed axially adjacent said electric coil in said housing, said ring, in a radially outward region, having a thinner wall thickness than in a radially inward region and/or wherein said ring consists essentially of a material having a relative permeability of above 50.

43. The prosthesis device according to claim 32, wherein the magnetorheological fluid is conveyed by way of relative pivoting motion of said damper shaft and of said housing through at least one gap section from one chamber into another chamber.

44. The prosthesis device according to claim 32, wherein said at least two partition units include a plurality of second partition walls disposed on said damper shaft and distributed over a circumference thereof and wherein said at least two partition units include a plurality of first partition walls disposed on said housing and distributed over a circumference thereof.

45. The prosthesis device according to claim 44, wherein opposite chambers (61, 61a; 62, 62a) are connected through at least one connection duct.

46. The prosthesis device according to claim 32, further comprising an equalizing device with an equalizing volume connected with a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber through a valve unit, wherein said valve unit is configured to establish a connection between said equalizing volume and said low pressure chamber and to block a connection between said equalizing volume and said high pressure chamber.

47. The prosthesis device according to claim 46, wherein said equalizing device is accommodated in an interior of said damper shaft.

48. The prosthesis device according to claim 32, further comprising a temperature sensor for capturing a temperature of the magnetorheological fluid and/or an angle sensor for capturing a measure for an angular position of said damper shaft and/or a load sensor for capturing a characteristic value of a torque acting on said damper shaft.

49. The prosthesis device according to claim 32, further comprising a control device and at least one sensor unit with at least one position sensor and/or distance sensor for capturing a position and/or a distance from surrounding objects, and wherein said control device is configured to control the rotary damper in dependence on sensor data from said at least one sensor unit.

50. The prosthesis device according to claim 32, comprising a control device and a plurality of interconnected rotary dampers.

51. A prosthesis device with a rotary damper comprising: a housing, at least one magnetic field source, and a damper volume containing magnetorheological fluid; at least one partition unit connected with a damper shaft and dividing said damper volume into at least two chambers, and forming gap sections between said partition unit and said housing; said housing, said magnetic field source, and said partition unit being configured for a magnetic field of said magnetic field source to flow through said gap sections between said partition unit and said housing.

52. The prosthesis device according to claim 51, wherein at least one partition unit is provided that is connected with said housing and wherein a gap section is formed between said partition unit and said shaft through which the magnetic field of the magnetic field source can flow.

53. The prosthesis device according to claim 51, wherein said partition unit connected with said shaft is configured as a swiveling vane, and wherein a radial damping gap and two axial sealing gaps are formed between said swiveling vane and said housing.

54. A method for damping movements of a prosthesis device, the method comprising: providing a rotary damper having at least one magnetic field source and a damper volume with magnetorheological fluid, the damper volume being divided into at least two chambers by at least one partition unit connected with a damper shaft, and wherein gap sections are formed between the partition unit and the housing; generating a magnetic field with the magnetic field source and causing the magnetic field to flow through significant parts of the gap sections between the partition unit and the housing to thereby influence a damping of the movements of the prosthesis device.

Description

[0094] The figures show in:

[0095] FIG. 1 a first prosthesis device according to the invention having multiple rotary dampers;

[0096] FIG. 2 a second prosthesis device according to the invention;

[0097] FIG. 3 a sectional detail view of a rotary damper of the prosthesis device according to FIG. 1;

[0098] FIG. 4 a schematic section of a rotary damper for a prosthesis device according to the invention;

[0099] FIG. 5 a section of another rotary damper for a prosthesis device according to the invention;

[0100] FIG. 6 a sectional detail view of a rotary damper of a prosthesis device;

[0101] FIG. 7 a section of the rotary damper of FIG. 6;

[0102] FIG. 8 a section of another rotary damper for a prosthesis device;

[0103] FIG. 9 a section along the line B-B in FIG. 8;

[0104] FIG. 10 an enlarged detail of FIG. 9;

[0105] FIG. 11 a cross-section of a rotary damper of a prosthesis device according to the invention with the magnetic field curve inserted;

[0106] FIG. 12 another cross-section of the rotary damper of FIG. 11 with the magnetic field curve inserted;

[0107] FIG. 13 a schematic cross-section of a rotary damper of a prosthesis device according to the invention;

[0108] FIG. 14 different views of a damper shaft for a prosthesis device;

[0109] FIG. 15 a section of yet another rotary damper of a prosthesis device;

[0110] FIG. 16 a schematic cross-section of another rotary damper of a prosthesis device according to the invention;

[0111] FIG. 17 a prosthesis device with a rotary damper including a torsion bar;

[0112] FIG. 18 a sectional detail view of a rotary damper of another prosthesis device according to the invention;

[0113] FIG. 19 a cross-section of the rotary damper of the prosthesis device of FIG. 18;

[0114] FIG. 20 a longitudinal section of the rotary damper of the prosthesis device of FIG. 18; and

[0115] FIG. 21 an alternative embodiment of the rotary damper of the prosthesis device of FIG. 18.

[0116] FIG. 1 shows a prosthesis device 100 according to the invention which in this case is a leg prosthesis 100 and comprises one or more rotary damper(s) 1. The leg prosthesis 100 according to the invention comprises three rotary dampers 1 configured functionally similar or identical, provided with one rotary damper 1 at the hip joint, another rotary damper 1 at the knee joint, and a third rotary damper 1 at the ankle joint. The rotary dampers 1 are interconnected through fluid lines 15 and also electrically coupled with one another so as to enable interlinked controlling of the prosthesis device 100. A control device 7 and an energy storage device 37 are also incorporated in the prosthesis device 100. The rotary dampers 1 are designed for pivoting motions up to approximately 180° respectively up to 90° in the case of the rotary damper 1 for the knee joint and for the ankle joint.

[0117] FIG. 2 shows use in a prosthesis device 100 configured as a forearm prosthesis wherein again, two interlinked rotary dampers 1 are used, one at the elbow joint and one in the wrist.

[0118] FIG. 3 shows a sectional detail view of the rotary damper of the prosthesis device 100 e.g. of FIG. 1. The rotary damper 1 of the prosthesis device 100 has a housing 12 and a damper shaft 3 configured pivotable relative to one another. The damper shaft 3 is rotatably supported in the housing 12 by means of sliding bearings 44. This housing 12 consists of three sections or housing parts, a first end part 22 and a second end part 24 at the other end and in-between, a center part 23. Each of the parts respectively each of the regions is a separate component which are connected with one another during mounting. Alternately it is possible for the three housing part sections or regions to be parts of one single or two components.

[0119] The two end parts 22 and 24 accommodate a circumferential electric coil 9 each, which serve to generate the magnetic field required for damping. The internal space of the rotary damper 1 provides a damper volume 60. A displacing device 2 comprising partition units 4 and 5 is configured in the housing. The partition units 4 and 5 partition the damper volume 60 into two or more chambers 61 and 62. The partition unit 4 is configured as a partition wall and fixedly connected with the housing 12. The partition unit 5 is likewise configured as a partition wall or a swiveling vane and is fixedly connected with the damper shaft 3. Preferably the partition unit 5 is formed integrally with the damper shaft 3. The damper volume 60 is presently filled with magnetorheological fluid 6. The damper volume 60 is sealed outwardly by means of a seal 28 in the housing part 22. If a pivoting motion occurs, the partition units 4 and 5 displace the magnetorheological fluid (MRF) contained in the damper volume so that the MRF partially flows from the one into the other chamber.

[0120] The magnetic field source 8 in the housing part 22 consists of electric coils 9 and may furthermore comprise at least one permanent magnet 39 each being annular in configuration and accommodated in the housing part 22. In this exemplary embodiment the two end parts are provided with electric coils 9 and optionally also with permanent magnets 39. The permanent magnet 39 specifies a specific magnetic field strength which may be modulated through the electric coil 9 and can thus be neutralized or boosted.

[0121] Two partition units 4 protrude radially inwardly from the housing into the damper volume 60. The partition units 4 form partition walls and thus delimit the feasible rotary motion of the damper shaft 3 on which two partition units 5 are also configured which protrude radially outwardly from the damper shaft. Rotating the damper shaft 3 swivels the partition walls 5 which thus form swiveling vanes.

[0122] The electric coils 9 in this exemplary embodiment are disposed radially relatively far outwardly and are axially inwardly delimited by a ring 20 that is magnetically non-conductive or poorly conductive and serves to form the magnetic field curve. The ring 20 has a hollow cylindrical shape.

[0123] These partition units 5 show connection ducts 63 which will be described in more detail in the discussion of FIGS. 5 and 14.

[0124] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of a simply structured rotary damper 1 of a prosthesis device 100. The displacing device comprises just one (single) partition unit 4 which extends radially inwardly from the housing into the damper volume 60. The interior of the housing rotatably accommodates the damper shaft 3 from which again only one partition unit 5 extends radially outwardly. The partition units 4 and 5 of the displacing device 2 serving as partition walls variably subdivide the damper volume 60 into two chambers 61 and 62. As the damper shaft rotates in the clockwise direction the volume of the chamber 61 is reduced and the volume of the chamber 62 is enlarged while a reversed rotary motion causes the volume of the chamber 61 to enlarge correspondingly.

[0125] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of another exemplary embodiment with two partition units each attached to the housing and the damper shaft 3. The partition units 4 and 5 disposed symmetrically thus enable a swiveling motion of the damper shaft 3 by nearly 180°. Between the partition units 4 and 5, two chambers 61 and 61a, and 62 and 62a respectively are formed. As the damper shaft 3 is rotated clockwise, the chambers 61 and 61a form the high pressure chambers while the chambers 62 and 62a are then low pressure chambers.

[0126] To cause pressure compensation between the two high pressure chambers 61 and 61a, suitable connection ducts 63 are provided between the chambers 61 and 61a, and 62 and 62a.

[0127] Between the radially outwardly end of the partition units 5 and the inner periphery of the basically cylindrical damper volume 60, a radial gap 27 is formed which serves as a damping duct 17. Moreover, radial gaps 26 are configured between the radially inwardly end of the partition units 4 and the damper shaft 3. The gaps 26 are dimensioned so as to enable smooth rotatability of the damper shaft 3 and to reliably prevent the magnetorheological particles from jamming in the magnetorheological fluid inside the damper volume 60 near the gaps 26. To this end the gap 26 must show a gap height that is at least larger than the largest diameter of the particles in the magnetorheological fluid.

[0128] Such a large gap 26 of a size of approximately 10 μm to 30 μm would usually cause a considerable leakage flow through the gap 26. This would effectively prevent high pressure build-up in the chambers 61 respectively 62. According to the invention this is prevented in that a magnetic field is likewise applied on the gap 26 so that the gap 26 is magnetorheologically sealed, at least when a braking momentum is to be applied. This causes reliable sealing so as to largely prohibit pressure loss.

[0129] FIG. 6 shows another exemplary embodiment of a prosthesis device according to the invention with a rotary damper 1. The rotary damper 1 has a damper shaft 3 rotatably supported in a housing 12. The damper shaft 3 or the housing respectively are connected with junctions 11 and 13 pivotal relative to one another.

[0130] The damper volume 60 is subdivided into chambers 61 and 62 by partition units 4 and 5 as is the case in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5.

[0131] Again the housing 12 consists of three housing sections or housing parts, the axially outwardly housing parts receiving one electric coil 9 each for generating the required magnetic field.

[0132] A power connection 16 supplies the rotary damper 1 with electric energy. A sensor device 40 serves to capture the angular position. Moreover, the sensor device can capture a measure of the temperature of the magnetorheological fluid. The signals are transmitted through the sensor line 48.

[0133] The partition unit 4 is accommodated stationary in the housing 12 and is preferably inserted into, and fixedly connected with, the housing during mounting. To prevent magnetic short circuit in the regions of the partition unit 4, an insulator 14 is preferably provided between the partition unit 4 and the housing parts 22 respectively 24.

[0134] FIG. 6 shows the equalizing device 30 which comprises an air chamber 32 that is outwardly closed by a cap 35. The air chamber 32 is followed inwardly by the dividing piston 34 which separates the air chamber 32 from the equalizing volume 29. The equalizing volume 29 is filled with magnetorheological fluid, providing compensation in temperature fluctuations. Moreover the equalizing volume 29 serves as a reservoir for leakage loss occurring during operation.

[0135] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of the rotary damper of the prosthesis device according to FIG. 6 wherein one can recognize that pairs of opposite partition units 4 and 5 are disposed in the housing respectively attached to the damper shaft 3. Between each of the partition units 4 and 5, chambers 61 and 61a respectively 62 and 62a are formed in the damper volume 60. The insertion of pairs of partition units 4 and 5 allows to double the active rotational force. The equalizing volume 29 is connected through a duct 36.

[0136] The duct 36 is guided into the damper volume 60 on the edge of the partition unit 4 so that even in the case of a maximal pivoting motion between the damper shaft 3 and the housing 12 a connection with the equalizing volume 29 is provided. In this configuration the equalizing volume must be prestressed to beneath the maximum operating pressure by applying suitable pressure on the air chamber 32. The prestress may also be applied by a mechanical element such as a coil spring.

[0137] FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of a rotary damper 1 of another exemplary embodiment of a prosthesis device 100 according to the invention. The rotary damper 1 in turn is provided with pairs of partition units 4 and 5, each of which is connected with the housing or the damper shaft 3 respectively. Again, two electric coils are provided which are invisible in the illustration of FIG. 8 because they are respectively disposed in front of and behind the sectional plane.

[0138] Between the inner housing wall and the radially outwardly end of the partition elements 5 a radially outwardly gap 27 is formed on which a suitable magnetic field is applied for damping. A gap 26 is formed radially inwardly between each of the inner ends of the partition elements 4 and the damper shaft 3 which is sealed by way of a magnetic field.

[0139] Unlike in the preceding exemplary embodiment the equalizing volume is connected centrally. The equalizing volume 29 is connected with the interior of a partition unit 4 via the duct 36.

[0140] FIG. 9 shows the cross-section B-B of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 10. The duct 36 is schematically drawn in FIG. 10 and is connected with a duct in which a valve unit 31 is disposed which is presently a double-acting valve unit. The valve unit 31 comprises two valve heads 31a at the opposite ends of the duct. Seals 33 serve for sealing when the pertaining valve head 31 is disposed in its valve seat. The duct 36 opens into an intermediate region.

[0141] On the side where the higher pressure is prevailing the valve head 31 of the valve unit 31 is pressed into the pertaining valve seat. On the other side this makes the valve head 31a lift off the valve seat and allows a free flow connection to the duct 36 and thus to the equalizing volume 29. This enables the compensation of temperature fluctuations. Moreover, if leakage loss occurs, magnetorheological fluid is transferred out of the equalizing volume into the damper volume.

[0142] An advantage of this construction is that the equalizing volume only requires a relatively low prestressing pressure of 2, 3 or 4 or 5 bar since the equalizing volume is always connected with the low pressure side and not with the high pressure side of the rotary damper. This configuration reduces the loads and stresses on the seals and increases long-term stability. If the equalizing volume is connected with the high pressure side, a prestressing pressure of 100 bar and more may be useful.

[0143] FIGS. 11 and 12 show cross-sections of the rotary damper 1 of the prosthesis device 100 illustrating different cross-sections. FIG. 11 shows a cross-section illustrating the partition units 4 connected with the housing in section. The magnetic insulator between the housing side parts 22 and 24 and the partition wall 4 causes the inserted curve of the magnetic field line. The magnetic field lines pass through the radially inwardly gap 26 between the inner end of the partition units 4 and the damper shaft 3 where they thus reliably seal the gap. When the magnetic field is switched off, the damping is reduced, and a weak base friction results.

[0144] In the section according to FIG. 11 one can also recognize the sliding bearings 44 for supporting the pivot shaft and the seals 28 for sealing the interior.

[0145] FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of a rotary damper 1 of a prosthesis device 100, wherein the section passes through the damper shaft 3 and a partition unit 5 connected therewith. The other of the partition units 5 connected with the damper shaft 3 on the opposite side is shown not in section. FIG. 12 also exemplarily shows the curve of a magnetic field line. It becomes clear that the axial gaps 25 between the partition unit 5 and the housing parts 22 and 24 are sealed by the magnetic field. Furthermore, the radial gap 27 between a radially outwardly end of the partition unit 5 and the housing is also exposed to the magnetic field so that the magnetorheological particles interlink, sealing the gap.

[0146] FIG. 13 shows another schematic cross-section not to scale of a damper device 1 wherein the top half shows a section of the damper shaft 3 and the partition unit 5 connected therewith while the bottom half shows a section of the partition unit 4 connected with the housing. Magnetic field lines are exemplarily drawn. Between the partition unit 4 and the damper shaft there is a narrow gap 26 preferably showing a gap height between approximately 10 and 50 μm. In the axial direction the partition unit 4 lies closely against the lateral housing parts. Between the partition unit 5 and the housing 12 there is a radial gap 27, and on the two axial front faces, an axial gap 25 each.

[0147] As a rule the axial gaps 25 show a considerably lower gap height than does the radial gap 27. The gap width of the axial gaps 25 is preferably like the gap width of the radial gaps 26 and is preferably between approximately 10 and 30 μm. The radial gap width 27 is preferably considerably larger and preferably lies between approximately 200 μm and 2 mm and particularly preferably between approximately 500 μm and 1 mm.

[0148] As the damper shaft 3 swivels, the volume of a chamber decreases and that of the other chamber increases. The magnetorheological fluid must substantially pass through the gap 27 from the one into the other chamber. This gap 27 serves as a damping duct 17. As can be clearly seen in FIG. 13, the magnetic field lines pass through the damping duct 17 so as to allow to generate a variable flow resistance therein.

[0149] The axial gaps 25 are likewise sealed by the magnetic field, at any rate when its magnetic field is made strong enough so that it is no longer guided through the damper shaft 3 alone. It has been found that with increasing strength of the magnetic field the entire magnetic field is no longer guided through the damper shaft 3 but it also passes axially through the axial gap 25 and thus, with increasing strength, seals the entire axial gap 25. A suitable field strength seals accordingly.

[0150] As has been described above, in this case the magnetically non-conductive rings 20 serve to prevent a magnetic short circuit at the electric coil 9.

[0151] FIG. 14 shows different views of the damper shafts 3 equipped with two partition units, the partition units 5 and 5a being diagonally opposed so as to show a symmetric structure. FIG. 14 shows the two connection ducts 63 each interconnecting two opposite chambers 61 and 61a respectively 62 and 62a. To enable pressure compensation between the two high pressure chambers and the two low pressure chambers, while pressure exchange or fluid exchange of a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber is only possible through the damping duct 17.

[0152] FIG. 15 shows a cross-section of a rotary damper 1 of another prosthesis device. This rotary damper is particularly small in structure so as to enable a small structured and lightweight prosthesis device. The rotary damper 1 of FIG. 15 may be employed in all the exemplary embodiments and its structure is basically the same. The partition units 4 connected with the housing can be seen in section. The magnetic insulator 14 between the housing side parts 22 and 24 and the partition wall 4 causes a curve of the magnetic field lines similar to FIG. 11. When the magnetic field is switched off, the damping is again reduced and a weak base friction results. The ring 20 is configured magnetically conductive to ensure safe sealing of the lateral axial gaps 26 in the region of the partition element 5. Sealing is safely obtained if a sufficient magnetic field strength is present. Again, as in FIG. 11, the sliding bearings 44 for supporting the swiveling shaft and the seals 28 for sealing the interior can be recognized.

[0153] The electric coils 9 are radially arranged in the region of the damper volume. In the region of the swiveling vane the frusto-conical shape of the rings 20 provided with a hollow cylinder leads to a secure sealing also of the lateral axial gaps 26. The rings 20 presently consisting of a magnetically conductive material cause reliable sealing of the axial sealing gaps 26 in the region of the swiveling vane respectively partition elements 5.

[0154] FIG. 16 shows a variant similar to FIG. 7, wherein again, two partition units each are attached to the housing and the damper shaft 3. The partition units 4 and 5 disposed symmetrically thus enable a swiveling motion of the damper shaft 3 by almost 180°. Between each of the partition units 4 and 5 two high pressure chambers and two low pressure chambers each are formed. The partition units 4 and 5 are configured rounded and flow-optimized so as to prevent flow separation and thus prevent undesirable sediments from the magnetorheological fluid. An equalizing device 30 comprising an equalizing volume 29 is also provided.

[0155] FIG. 17 finally shows another exemplary embodiment wherein the rotary damper 1 of the prosthesis device 100 is additionally equipped with a spring in the shape of a torsion bar. The damper shaft is coupled with one side and the housing, with the other side so that relative motion or relative rotation of the components relative to one another can be controlled to be damped via the rotary damper 1. The components may be adjustable and also provided for complete decoupling. This provides an active prosthesis device which may be set and adjusted for different conditions.

[0156] Furthermore, the damper shaft 3 in FIG. 17 is hollow. The spring in the shape for example of a torsion bar is disposed in the interior of the damper shaft so as to enable resetting by way of the spring force of the spring 47.

[0157] FIG. 18 shows a sectional detail view of another prosthesis device 100 wherein the rotary damper 1 operates basically the same as does e.g. the rotary damper of the prosthesis device 100 according to FIG. 3. Therefore, to the extent possible the same reference numerals are used, and the foregoing description applies identically also to the prosthesis device 100 respectively the pertaining rotary damper 1 of the FIGS. 18-20, unless the description is contrary or supplementary or the drawings show something different. FIG. 21 shows a variant of the rotary damper 1 of the prosthesis device 100 according to FIG. 18.

[0158] The rotary damper 1 for a prosthesis device 100 or an exoskeleton of FIG. 18 is likewise provided with a housing 12 and a damper shaft 3 which are configured pivotable relative to one another. The damper shaft 3 is rotatably supported in the housing 12 by means of roller bearings 44. The damper shaft 3 in its entirety is configured in three parts as will be discussed with reference to FIG. 20.

[0159] The housing 12 comprises a first end part 22 and a second end part 24 at the other end thereof, and disposed in-between, a center part 23. Both ends also accommodate external housing parts 12a with screwing apertures. The radially outwardly housing part 12a shows a non-round coupling contour 70 with recesses in the region of the end of the reference numeral line. Multiple recesses distributed over the circumference form the non-round coupling contour which allows non-rotatable connection with further components of a hip, knee, ankle, elbow, or e.g. shoulder prosthesis.

[0160] The two end parts 22 and 24 accommodate a circumferential electric coil 9 each, which serve to generate the magnetic field required for damping.

[0161] As in all the exemplary embodiments, the magnetic field is controllable. As in all the exemplary embodiments and configurations, a stronger magnetic field generates stronger damping (braking action). Simultaneously the stronger magnetic field also achieves better sealing of the gaps 25, 26 and 27 (see the schematic diagram of FIG. 13). Reversely, all the exemplary embodiments and configurations provide for setting and adjusting weaker damping (braking action) by way of a weaker magnetic field. Concurrently the sealing effect at the gaps 25 to 27 is weaker with a weaker magnetic field. This results in a lower base momentum acting without a magnetic field. The sealing effect of the gaps 25 to 27 is low without a magnetic field. This allows to provide a wide setting range as it is not possible in the prior art. The ratio of the maximal rotational force (or maximal braking action) to the minimal rotational force (or minimal braking action) within the provided swiveling angle or within the working area is very large and larger than in the prior art.

[0162] In conventional rotary dampers of prostheses, however, the minimal rotational force is already high if a high maximal rotational force is to be generated. The reason is that the seals of the gaps must be configured so as to ensure reliable or at least sufficient sealing including in the case of high active pressures. Reversely, in rotary dampers of prostheses intended to have a low braking momentum in idling, just a weak maximal rotational force is achieved since the seals are configured so as to produce low friction. In the case of high effective pressures this causes considerable leakage flow which strongly delimits the maximally possible rotational force.

[0163] The internal space of the rotary damper 1 provides a damper volume. A displacing device 2 comprising partition units 4 and 5 is configured in the housing. The partition units 4 and 5 partition the damper volume 60 into two or more chambers 61 and 62. The partition unit 4 is configured as a partition wall and fixedly connected with the housing 12. The partition unit 5 is likewise configured as a partition wall or a swiveling vane and is fixedly connected with the damper shaft 3. Preferably the partition unit 5 is formed integrally with the damper shaft 3. The damper volume 60 is presently filled with magnetorheological fluid 6. The damper volume 60 is sealed outwardly by means of a seal 28 in the housing part 22. If a pivoting motion occurs, the partition units 4 and 5 displace the magnetorheological fluid (MRF) contained in the damper volume so that the MRF partially flows from the one into the other chamber. A connection duct or equalizing duct 63 serves for pressure compensation between the chambers 61 and 61a. A suitable second connection duct 63a (see FIG. 20) serves for pressure compensation between the chambers 62 and 62a.

[0164] The rearwardly end in FIG. 18 also shows a valve 66 through which compressible fluid is filled into the equalizing device 30. Nitrogen is in particular used. The valve 66 may for example be incorporated in a screwed-in top or cap.

[0165] The front end in FIG. 18 shows, outside of the housing 12 of the rotary damper 1, a mechanical stopper 64 which mechanically limits the feasible pivoting range to protect the swiveling vanes inside against damage.

[0166] The magnetic field source 8 in the housing part 22 presently consists of electric coils 9 each being annular and accommodated in the housing part 22. In this exemplary embodiment both of the end parts are provided with electric coils 9. A controller may predetermine the magnetic field strength.

[0167] Two partition units 4 protrude radially inwardly from the housing into the damper volume 60. The partition units 4 form partition walls and thus delimit the feasible rotary motion of the damper shaft 3 on which two partition units 5 are also configured which protrude radially outwardly from the damper shaft. Rotating the damper shaft 3 swivels the partition walls 5 which thus form swiveling vanes. The chambers 61 and 61a are reduced accordingly (see FIG. 19) or increased again.

[0168] FIG. 19 also shows four air relief valves inserted in a prototype to achieve faster filling and draining and (all of) which may not have to be realized.

[0169] As FIG. 20 also shows, the electric coils 9 in this exemplary embodiment are radially disposed radially relatively far outwardly and are axially inwardly delimited by a ring 20 that is magnetically non-conductive or poorly conductive and serves to form the magnetic field curve. The ring 20 has in particular a hollow cylindrical shape.

[0170] In the complete longitudinal section according to FIG. 20 the equalizing device 30 can be seen which is accommodated in the interior of the damper shaft 3. The equalizing device 30 comprises an equalizing volume 29 filled with MRF, which is separated from the air chamber 32 by a movably disposed dividing piston 34. Both the air chamber 32 and also the dividing piston 34 and the equalizing volume 29 are accommodated inside a hollow cylindrical takeup space 30a entirely in the interior of the damper shaft 3. The hollow cylinder 30a is closed at the axially outwardly end by a top with the valve 66. This configuration allows a particularly compact, space-saving structure with only very few parts protruding from the rotary damper 1 which is generally substantially cylindrical. This increases the range of options as to installation and application of these kinds of prosthesis device 100.

[0171] In FIGS. 18 to 20 the equalizing device 30 is connected through ducts (not shown) with the duct 72 which is closed by a cover 71. This allows to optionally couple an external equalizing device 30 and to insert an insert member in the interior to largely fill the volume of the hollow cylinder 30a. This allows e.g. a particularly wide range of temperature compensation. It is also possible to ensure particularly long operating times even if some leakage occurs.

[0172] FIG. 20 clearly shows the presently tripartite damper shaft 3 consisting of the hollow shaft 3a, the junction shaft 3b and the projection 3c. The three parts are non-rotatably coupled with one another. It is also possible to configure the damper shaft 3 in two parts or in one piece only.

[0173] FIG. 21 shows a variant of the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 18 to 20 with a coupled external equalizing device 30. The further components may be identical. The rotary damper 1 according to FIG. 18 virtually allows to remove the cover 71 and to screw on the illustrated external equalizing device. In the interior an air or fluid chamber 32 is configured separated by a dividing piston 34 from the equalizing volume 29 filled with MRF.

[0174] In the interior of the hollow cylinder 30a an insert member 67 is accommodated to void-fill the volume.

[0175] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 21 two angle sensors 68 and 69 are attached as well. An angle sensor 68 providing reduced precision measures the absolute angular position and the angle sensor 69 providing enhanced precision, a relative angular position. This allows to provide a high-precision sensor system which is rugged and reliable and still works with high precision.

[0176] Overall, an advantageous prosthesis device 100 with a rotary damper 1 is provided. In order to allow compensation of the temperature-induced volume expansion of the MR-fluid (MRF) and the adjacent components, it is useful to provide an adequate equalizing volume.

[0177] In a specific case ca. 50 ml MRF per single actuator or rotary damper is required and thus ca. 150 ml for the entire system. The prestressing member is preferably a nitrogen volume that is in particular prestressed at ca. 75 bar.

[0178] In this example a coil wire having an effective cross-section of 0.315 mm.sup.2 was used. The number of turns of 400 showed a cable fill factor of ca. 65% with 16 ohm resistance. A larger wire diameter allows to obtain a still higher coil speed.

[0179] Preferably the axial clearance of the partition walls or swiveling vane is set. For faultless function of the actuator it is advantageous to center and adjust the axial position of the swiveling vane 5 relative to the housing. To this end e.g. threaded adjusting collars may be used which are brought to a central position by means of a dial gauge.

[0180] In a specific case MRF was filled up to a filled volume of (just less than) 75 ml MRF. For filling the MRF may be filled through the equalizing volume. By way of reciprocal movement of the swiveling vane the MRF can be distributed within the chambers 61, 62 (pressure space) and any air pockets can be conveyed upwardly. Thereafter the system may be prestressed with nitrogen (ca. 5 bar). Thereafter the deaeration screws 65 on the outside of the housing 12 may be opened to let the trapped air escape. Finally the nitrogen chamber 32 was prestressed to 30 bar for initial tests in the test rig.

[0181] For the purpose of optimizing, the actuator of the prosthesis may be taken to a negative pressure environment to better evacuate any air pockets.

[0182] High pressures are obtained without any mechanical sealing. The prosthesis device 100 with the rotary damper 1 is inexpensive in manufacture, sturdy and durable.

[0183] In this specific example the braking momentum at the test rig was >210 Nm. The unit is smaller in structure, weighs less, and is more cost-effective than in the prior art.

[0184] Switching times of <30 ms are possible and have been proven (full load step change).

[0185] The braking momentum is variable as desired. No mechanically moving parts are required. Controlling simply occurs by way of varying the electric current or the magnetic field.

[0186] A considerable advantage ensues from the absence of mechanical seals. Thus a very low base momentum of beneath 0.5 Nm is achieved. This is achieved by controlling not only the braking momentum but simultaneously also the sealing effect of the seals. On the whole there is a very low power consumption of just a few watts in the example.

[0187] The rotary damper 1 may be employed in a variety of prosthesis devices 100. Application as a (partial) hip prosthesis, a knee prosthesis, an artificial foot, elbow, (partial) shoulder prosthesis is possible. A suitably adapted rotary damper 1 may be installed therein. Dimensioning can be matched to the desired forces and moments to be applied. Suitable scaling is possible.

[0188] In all the configurations a prosthesis device 100 may be configured as a prosthesis, an orthosis or as an exoskeleton.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0189] 1 rotary damper [0190] 2 displacing device [0191] 3 damper shaft [0192] 3a hollow shaft [0193] 3b junction shaft [0194] 4 partition unit, partition wall [0195] 5 partition unit, partition wall [0196] 6 MRF [0197] 7 control device [0198] 8 magnetic field source [0199] 9 electric coil [0200] 10 magnetic field [0201] 11 connection (with 12) [0202] 12 housing of 2 [0203] 12a outwardly housing part [0204] 13 connection (with 3) [0205] 14 insulator [0206] 15 hydraulic line [0207] 16 power connection [0208] 17 damping duct [0209] 19 axis of 3, 9 [0210] 20 ring in 12 [0211] 22 first end portion [0212] 23 center region [0213] 24 second end portion [0214] 25 gap, axial gap [0215] 26 gap, radial gap [0216] 27 gap, radial gap [0217] 28 seal at 3 [0218] 29 equalizing volume [0219] 30 compensating device [0220] 30a hollow cylinder [0221] 31 valve unit [0222] 31a valve head [0223] 32 air chamber [0224] 33 seal [0225] 34 dividing piston [0226] 35 cap [0227] 36 duct [0228] 37 energy storage device [0229] 39 permanent magnet [0230] 40 sensor device [0231] 41 distance [0232] 42 seal of 23 [0233] 43 intermediate space [0234] 44 bearing [0235] 45 load sensor [0236] 46 arm [0237] 47 spring, torsion bar [0238] 48 sensor line [0239] 52 valve unit [0240] 53 direction of movement [0241] 54 pressure accumulator [0242] 55 direction of arrow [0243] 60 damper volume [0244] 61 chamber [0245] 62 chamber [0246] 63 connection duct [0247] 63a second connection duct [0248] 64 mechanical stopper [0249] 65 deaeration screw [0250] 66 nitrogen valve [0251] 67 insert member [0252] 69 sensor [0253] 70 non-round coupling contour [0254] 71 cover [0255] 72 duct [0256] 100 prosthesis device