JOINT STABILIZER FOR ADAPTIVE DAMPING OF A MOVEMENT OF A BODY

Abstract

A body joint stabilizing apparatus for adaptively damping a body movement, comprising: a receptacle, wherein the receptacle is filled with a shear-thickening medium, a tensioning body that is movable relative to the receptacle, wherein the tensioning body is connectable to a body region of the user that is movable relative to another body region of the user, on which the receptacle is fastenable, an effector body that is displaceably arranged in the receptacle and provided for an interaction with the shear-thickening medium, and a connection element for transmitting forces between the receptacle and the tensioning body, wherein the receptacle, the tensioning body and the effector body are connected to one another by way of the connection element, wherein the to connection element is guided via at least one deflection means for the purposes of dividing the force acting on the connection element.

Claims

1. A body joint stabilizing apparatus for adaptively damping a body movement, comprising: a receptacle, wherein the receptacle is filled with a shear-thickening medium, a tensioning body that is movable relative to the receptacle, wherein the tensioning body is connectable to a body region of the user that is movable relative to another body region of the user, on which the receptacle is fastenable, an effector body that is displaceably arranged in the receptacle and provided for an interaction with the shear-thickening medium, and a connection element for transmitting forces between the receptacle and the tensioning body, wherein the receptacle, the tensioning body and the effector body are connected to one another by way of the connection element, wherein the connection element is guided via at least one deflection means for the purposes of dividing the force acting on the connection element.

2. The body joint stabilizing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connection element comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the at least one deflection means is guided in movable fashion on the connection element between the first end and the second end.

3. The body joint stabilizing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first end of the connection element is connected to the effector body or the tensioning body and the second end of the connection element is connected to the receptacle or the tensioning body.

4. The body joint stabilizing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the deflection means deflects the connection element at least once through an angle of between 150 and 190.

5. The body joint stabilizing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the deflection means deflects the connection element at least once through substantially 180.

6. The body joint stabilizing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tensioning body is arranged outside of the receptacle (20).

7. The body joint stabilizing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the deflection means comprises a material with a low coefficient of friction.

8. The body joint stabilizing apparatus of claim 2 wherein the deflection means comprises at least one deflection pulley.

9. The body joint stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 the connection element has is tension-resistant.

10. The body joint stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the connection element is embodied in the form of an elongate, flexible tension element.

11. The body joint stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the connection element comprises a connection element selected from the group consisting of fibers, a strap, a belt, a rope, a cable and a wire.

12. The body joint stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the connection element is integral with the effector body (60).

13. The body joint stabilizing apparatus of claim 2 wherein the deflection means comprises at least two deflection pulleys for deflecting the connection element, with one deflection pulley being arranged on the tensioning body and the other deflection pulley being arranged on the effector body or on the receptacle.

14. The body joint stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the the interaction between the effector body and the shear-thickening medium are configured in such a way that the effector body is movable through the shear-thickening medium if a force acts on the effector body with a speed below a threshold and that the shear-thickening medium inhibits the movement of the effector body if a force acts on the effector body with a speed that is greater than or equal to a threshold.

15. The body joint stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shear-thickening medium comprises a solid, a polymer, a powder, a fluid, a paste, a gel, or any combination thereof.

16. The body joint stabilizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receptacle comprises an integral embodiment with a frame for fastening the body joint stabilizing apparatus to a body part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0045] Preferred further embodiments and aspects of the present invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. In the figures:

[0046] FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C schematically show different views of a body joint stabilizing apparatus for adaptively damping a body movement, by means of which an increase in the movement of the effector body is possible,

[0047] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C schematically show different views of a body joint stabilizing apparatus for adaptively damping a body movement, by means of which a reduction in the movement of the effector body is possible,

[0048] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C schematically show different views of a body joint stabilizing apparatus for adaptively damping a body movement, by means of which an increase in the movement of the effector body is possible,

[0049] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C schematically show different views of a body joint stabilizing apparatus for adaptively damping a body movement, by means of which a reduction in the movement of the effector body is possible,

[0050] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C schematically show different views of a body joint stabilizing apparatus for adaptively damping a body movement, by means of which a reduction in the movement of the effector body is possible,

[0051] FIGS. 6A and 6B schematically show different perspective views of a body joint stabilizing apparatus for adaptively damping the movement of a wrist,

[0052] FIG. 6C shows a detailed view of the body joint stabilizing apparatus of FIG. 6A,

[0053] FIG. 6D shows a sectional view of the body joint stabilizing apparatus along the section line H-H of FIG. 6A,

[0054] FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C schematically show different views of a deflection wedge, and

[0055] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C schematically show different views of a deflection pulley.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0056] Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below on the basis of the figures. Here, the same or similar elements, or elements with the same effect, are denoted by identical reference signs. In order to avoid redundancy, a repeated description of these elements is partially dispensed with in the following description.

[0057] A body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 for adaptively damping a body movement can be gathered from FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C. The body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 has a cylindrical receptacle 20 for receiving a shear-thickening medium and an effector body. An opening 22 in the movement direction B is arranged on one side of the receptacle 20. A connection element 50 for connecting the effector body, the tensioning body 40 and the receptacle 20 extends through the opening 22. Alternatively, the receptacle may also have a substantially rectangular cross section, wherein the outer walls of the body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 may have curves for an adaptation to the body geometry of the user.

[0058] The tensioning body 40 is arranged outside of the receptacle 20. Here, the tensioning body 40 may be arranged in one body region of the user, wherein the receptacle 20 may be arranged on a different body region of the user. Accordingly, the body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 is able to adaptively damp movements between these two body regions.

[0059] A deflection means 70 in the form of a deflection pulley is arranged on the tensioning body 40. The connection element 50 extends over the deflection means. The deflection means 70 deflects the connection element 50 in such a way that the connection element 50 has two portions, both of which extend substantially in the direction of the main movement direction B.

[0060] A second end 54 of the connection element 50 is fastened to the outer surface of the receptacle 20, on the same side on which the opening 22 is arranged as well. The connection element 20 has a fibrous embodiment, i.e., an embodiment in the form of a rope. Alternatively, the connection element may also be embodied in the form of a belt, strap, cable and/or wire.

[0061] The receptacle 20, the tensioning body 40 and the deflection means 70 are manufactured from polypropylene (PP). Alternatively, the receptacle and the tensioning body could also be manufactured from a different plastic or a metal, such as aluminum, for example, or ceramics. FIG. 1C is a sectional view of the body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 along the sectional line A-A of FIG. 1B. The interior 24 of the receptacle 20, in particular, can be gathered from FIG. 1C. The interior 24 is filled with a shear-thickening medium 30. The shear-thickening medium shown in FIG. 1C is a dilatant fluid. Alternatively, use can also be made of a shear-thickening solid. Moreover, sand can also be used as a medium.

[0062] Moreover, an effector body 60 is arranged in the interior 24 of the receptacle 20. The effector body 60 is fastened to the first end 52 of the connection element 50 and can be displaced in the interior 24 in the movement direction B by way of a relative movement between the receptacle 20 and the tensioning body 40, in particular by way of a movement in which the receptacle 20 and the tensioning body 40 move apart. The shear-thickening medium 30 flows around the effector body 60 if the effector body 60 is pulled in the direction of the opening 22 by the connection element 50. The effector body 60 has a shear surface 62, which forms the surface of the effector body 60, in relation to which the shear-thickening medium flows.

[0063] If the effector body 60 moves through the shear-thickening medium 30 below a critical speed, the effector body 60 can displace the shear-thickening medium 30 and move in unimpeded fashion to the opening 22. If the tensioning body 40 and the receptacle 20 are moved apart so quickly, i.e., in jerking fashion, that the effector body 60 moves through the shear-thickening medium 30 with a speed greater than or equal to a critical speed, the shear-thickening medium starts to solidify in the region of the shear surfaces 62 of the effector body 60. As a result, the mobility of the effector body 60 in the direction of the receptacle 22 is restricted or prevented, depending on the speed with which the effector body 60 moves.

[0064] The configuration of the connection element 50 and the deflection means 70 facilitates a gearing of the movement path, from the tension body 40 to the effector body 60. The body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C can facilitate a transmission ratio of the path and the speed of 1:2 between the tensioning body 40 and the effector body 60. That is to say, if the tensioning body 40 is spaced apart on account of a movement of the two body regions of the user away from one another by a distance X, then the effector body 60 travels along a path that is twice as long, i.e., 2X, relative to the receptacle 20. The same applies to the speed; if the tensioning body 40 is moved away from the receptacle 20 at the speed V, the effector body 60 moves with twice the speed, i.e., 2V, in relation to the receptacle 20.

[0065] In relation to the balance of forces, tensioning body 40 and effector body 60 behave in the ratio of 2:1. That is to say, if a force F acts on the tensioning body 40 when spacing apart the body regions of the user, only half of the force F, i.e. F, acts on the effector body 60.

[0066] Accordingly, the deflection means 70 serves as a force converter, by means of which the field of use of the body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 and the dimensioning of the components of the body joint stabilization apparatus 1 can be influenced. By way of example, increasing the path and/or the speed, with which the effector body 60 moves in relation to the receptacle 20, may be helpful for fields of application in which the body regions of the user to be stabilized only have comparatively small and/or slow movements, for which it is difficult to optimally exploit the effect of sheer thickening in the receptacle 20.

[0067] The effector body is made of polypropylene (PP). Alternatively, the effector body may also be manufactured from a different plastic or a metal, such as aluminum, for example.

[0068] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C show a perspective view of a body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 for adaptively dampening a body movement. The body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C differs from the body joint stabilizing apparatus of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C in that only a portion of the connection element 50 and the tensioning body 40 are arranged outside of the receptacle 20.

[0069] FIG. 2C shows a sectional view of the body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 along the section line C-C of FIG. 2B, from where it is possible to gather that the interior 24 of the receptacle 20 is divided into a first chamber 27 and a second chamber 28 by means of a separating wall 25. The effector body 60 is arranged in the first chamber 27. A deflection means 70 in the form of a deflection pulley is arranged in the second chamber 28, said deflection pulley being connected to the effector body 60 by way of a rod element 64. Here, the deflection pulley is rotatably mounted on the rod element 64. The rod element extends from the first chamber 27 into the second chamber 28 through an opening 23 in the separating wall 25. Movements acting on the deflection pulley that emanate from the connection element 50 are transmitted onto the effector body by means of the rod element 64. On account of the arrangement described above, the deflection means is prevented from coming into contact with the shear-thickening medium.

[0070] Moreover, two portions of the connection element 50 are arranged in the interior 24 of the receptacle, with one portion extending from the deflection means 70 to the opening 22 and the other portion extending from the deflection means 70 toward the inner wall 26 of the receptacle 20 in the surroundings of the opening 22. Here, both portions of the connection element 50 extend substantially in the movement direction B.

[0071] The body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C has the opposite behavior in relation to the body joint stabilizing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C. The transmission ratio of the tensioning body 40 shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C in relation to the effector body 60 is 2:1 in relation to the path and the speed. Thus, when the tensioning body 40 and the receptacle 20 move apart, the tensioning body 40 travels twice the path length in relation to the effector body 60.

[0072] The same applies to the ratio the speeds with which the tensioning body 40 and effector body 60 move in the case of a deflection of the body joint stabilizing apparatus 1. That is to say, the tensioning body 40 moves with twice the speed in relation to the effector body 60 when the tensioning body 40 and the receptacle 20 move apart. The force ratio has the opposite behavior. Thus, a force that is half the size of the force acting on the effector body 60 acts on the pullout body 40 in the case of a deflection of the body joint stabilizing apparatus 1, i.e., when the tensioning body 40 and the receptacle 20 move apart.

[0073] By way of example, if the receptacle 20 in the tensioning body 40 move apart in such a way that a force of 500 N acts on the tensioning body 40, a force of 1000 N acts on the effector body 60.

[0074] Such a configuration of the deflection means 70 and the connection element 50 can be helpful for fields of application in which there are comparatively large and/or fast movements between the body regions to be stabilized. Thus, the reduction in the scope of movement of the effector body 60 allows a smaller size of the body joint stabilizing apparatus 1.

[0075] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show a body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 for adaptively damping a body movement. The body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C differs from the body joint stabilizing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C in that a further deflection means 70 is arranged on the receptacle 20, said further deflection means additionally deflecting the connection element. Accordingly, the connection element 50 has a third portion, which extends virtually in the movement direction B from the deflection pulley 70 arranged on the receptacle 20 to the tensioning body 40. A second end 54 of the connection element 50 is fastened to the tensioning body 40.

[0076] In relation to the tensile force, the body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C has a transmission ratio of 3 to 1 between the tensioning body 40 and the effector body 60. The transmission ratio between the effector body 60 and the receptacle 20 is 1 to 2 in relation to the tensile force.

[0077] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show a body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 for adaptively damping a body movement. The body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C differs from the body joint stabilizing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C in that a further deflection means 70 is arranged on the effector body 60, said further deflection means additionally deflecting the connection element 50. Accordingly, the connection element 50 has a third portion, which extends virtually along the movement direction B and which emerges from the receptacle 20 through a further opening 22. The first end 52 of the connection element 50 is fastened to the tensioning body 40.

[0078] It can further be gathered from FIG. 4C that the receptacle 20, as shown in FIG. 2C, is divided into a first chamber 27 and a second chamber 28 by means of a separating wall 25 in order to is prevent the deflection means 70 from coming into contact with the shear-thickening medium 30. Here, the deflection means 70 is connected to the effector body 60 via a rod element 64.

[0079] In relation to the tensile force, the body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C has a transmission ratio of 3 to 2 between the tensioning body 40 and the effector body 60. The transmission ratio between the effector body 60 and the receptacle 20 is 2 to 1 in relation to the tensile force.

[0080] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show a body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 for adaptively damping a body movement. The body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C differs from the body joint stabilizing apparatus shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C in that a further deflection means 70 is arranged on the tensioning body 40, said further deflection means additionally deflecting the connection element 50. Accordingly, the connection element 50 has a third portion, which extends virtually along the movement direction B and which enters the receptacle 20 through a further opening 22. The first end 52 of the connection element 50 is fastened to the effector body 60. Moreover, the interior 24 of the receptacle 20 is not divided by a separating wall.

[0081] In relation to the tensile force, the body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C has a transmission ratio of 2 to 3 between the tensioning body 40 and the effector body 60. The transmission ratio between the effector body 60 and the receptacle 20 is 3 to 1 in relation to the tensile force.

[0082] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D show a body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 for adaptively damping a body movement, which is attached to a hand and a forearm for stabilizing the wrist. The body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C exhibits fastening loops 29, 44. The fastening loop 29 serves to fasten the receptacle 20 to the forearm. The fastening loop 44 serves to fasten the tensioning body 40 to the hand.

[0083] The fastening loops 29, 44 are securely connected to the receptacle 20 and the tensioning body 40, respectively, and adhere to the receptacle 20 and the tensioning body 40, respectively, by way of an adhesive bond, for example. Alternatively, the fastening loops may also have an integral embodiment with the receptacle and the tensioning body, respectively. In a further alternative, the fastening loops hold the receptacle and the tensioning body by way of the principle of static friction.

[0084] Here, the fastening loops can be closed by means of a hook-and-loop fastener. Alternatively, the fastening loops could also consist of closed elastic bands, with the loops, by way of their elastic properties, ensuring that the receptacle and the tensioning body are held against the body of the user.

[0085] In a further alternative, the fastening loop for fastening the tensioning body may also be replaced by a glove, wherein the tensioning body is integrated in the glove and securely connected to the latter.

[0086] In a yet further alternative, the fastening loops can be replaced by a bandage or tape, which are wound around the hand and the forearm, respectively, in order to fasten the tensioning body and the receptacle, respectively.

[0087] The body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 6A, 6B and 6C further shows that the tensioning body 40 comprises a rod element 42, on which a deflection means 70 is fastened. Moreover, it is possible to gather from FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D that the receptacle 20 is adapted to the form of the forearm.

[0088] The functional principle of the body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 shown in 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D corresponds to that of the body joint stabilizing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C. Accordingly, the body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 is able to adaptively dampen movements between the hand and the forearm, i.e., movements of the wrist.

[0089] FIG. 6D is a sectional view of the body joint stabilizing apparatus 1 along the section line H-H of FIG. 6A. FIG. 6D shows the fastening loop 29, which completely runs around the forearm and thus fastens the receptacle 20 to the forearm.

[0090] FIG. 7C shows a perspective detailed view of a deflection means 70 in the form of a friction wedge. The friction wedge is able to deflect a connection element through approximately 180. In order to receive and guide the connection element, the friction wedge has a race 74. FIG. 7A shows a side view of the friction wedge. FIG. 7B shows a sectional view of the friction wedge along the section line J-J of FIG. 7A.

[0091] FIG. 8C shows a deflection means 70 in the form of a deflection pulley. The deflection pulley has a race 74 for receiving and guiding a connection. Moreover, the deflection pulley has a bearing 76 for rotatably bearing the deflection pulley. By way of example, the bearing 76 can be embodied in the form of a ball bearing. FIG. 8A shows a side view of the deflection pulley. FIG. 8B shows a sectional view of the deflection pulley along the section line K-K of FIG. 7A.

[0092] That deflection means shown in FIGS. 7A to 8C are manufactured from polypropylene (PP). Alternatively, the friction wedge or the deflection pulley may also be manufactured from a different plastic. Moreover, the friction wedge or the deflection pulley may also be manufactured from metals such as aluminum, magnesium, steel, for example, or other low-friction materials.

[0093] Return means may be provided in order to bring the body joint stabilizing apparatuses illustrated in the preceding figures back into an initial position. These return means could have an elastic embodiment, for example, and connect the effector body to the side of the receptacle lying opposite the opening. If the effector body is deflected from the initial position by the action of a force, the elastic return means is stretched. Once the external force and the holding force of the shear thickening abate, the elastic return means can convey the effector body, the connection element and the tensioning body back into the initial position on account of the previously experienced stretch.

[0094] As far as this is applicable, all individual features that are illustrated in the individual exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another and/or can replace one another, without departing from the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0095] 1 Body joint stabilizing apparatus

20 Receptacle

22,22 Opening

23 Opening

24 Interior

[0096] 25 Separating wall
26 Inner wall
27 First chamber
28 Second chamber
29 Fastening loop
30 Shear-thickening medium
40 Tensioning body
42 Rod element
44 Fastening loop
50 Connection element

52 First end

54 Second end

[0097] 60 Effector body
62 Shear surface
64 Rod element
70, 70 Deflection means

74 Race

76 Bearing

[0098] B Movement direction