Finger element

• US 8,491,666 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2009
• Issued: 07/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vincent Systems GmbH
• Original Assignee: Vincent Systems GmbH
• Inventors: Schulz, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H
• Application Number:
  US13/203,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20120109337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,357 Days
• US Class Current: 623/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/583 Hands; Wrist joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/586 Fingers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/70 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30525 Worm gears
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5001 Cosmetic coverings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5007 having elastic means different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric insert elastic coating A61F2002/3007; springs A61F2002/5072; plate-like springs for feet A61F2002/6657
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/587 Thumbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6827 Feedback system for providing user sensation, e.g. by force, contact or position
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/701 operated by electrically controlled means, e.g. solenoids or torque motors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7635 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements

Abstract

The invention relates to a finger element, comprising a carrier component (1), a first finger member (5) having a first articulated connection (2) to the carrier component, a second finger member (6) having a second articulated connection (7) to the first finger member, an actuator for the first articulated connection (2) with a motor having a drive shaft, and a worm gear having a threaded worm, and a toothed segment engaging on the threaded worm, and further comprising a coupling mechanism (8) between the first and second articulated connections. The object of the invention is to modify a finger element such that the finger element in the active and passive functions thereof and in the dimensions thereof comes very close to a natural finger. The object is achieved in that the threaded worm is positively mounted axially movably on the drive shaft and axially guided through separate guides.

Claims

1. A finger element, comprising:

a) a carrier component,

b) a first phalanx with a first hinge connection to the carrier component,

c) a second phalanx with a second hinge connection to the first phalanx,

d) a servo drive for the first hinge connection with a motor with a drive shaft and a worm gearing with a threaded screw and a cog segment that engages to the threaded screw, and

e) a coupling mechanism between the first hinge connection and the second hinge connection, wherein

f) the threaded screw is supported on the drive shaft form fittingly and axially movable as well as guided in axial direction by separate guidances.

2. The finger element according to claim 1, wherein the motor and the threaded screw as well as the guidances are arranged in the first phalanx and the cog segment is connected to the carrier component.

3. The finger element according to claim 1, wherein the cog segment is formed by a gear segment with a gear axis, wherein the gear axis predetermines a rotation axis of the first hinge connection.

4. The finger element according to claim 1, wherein the guidances and the threaded screw are combined to an assembly that is inserted in the first phalanx.

5. The finger element according to claim 4, wherein the assembly is inserted elastically.

6. The finger element according to claim 1, wherein the threaded screw is supported in radial direction to the cog segment in the guidances.

7. The finger element according to claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises at least an elastic connection between the carrier component and the second phalanx in parallel to the first phalanx.

8. The finger element according to claim 7, wherein the connection encloses one or two spring bar connections as pull-push-rods.

9. The finger element according to claim 1, wherein the second phalanx comprises an exchangeable fingertip.

10. The finger element according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or second phalanx encloses a tactile sensor or a resistance strain gauge for detecting tactile signals.

11. The finger element according to claim 8, wherein the spring bar connections are formed in a curved or buckled manner.