IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0044642
(2005-01-27)
|
등록번호 |
US-7500407
(2009-03-10)
|
우선권정보 |
DE-10 2004 004 678(2004-01-29) |
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- Otto Bock Healthcare IP GmbH & Co. KG
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
10 인용 특허 :
13 |
초록
▼
A torque sensor for measuring a torque at a predetermined location of a structural element, in particular of a prosthesis, can be arranged outside the measurement location by virtue of the fact that it is constructed as a sensor structure (13, 13', 23) that forms a virtual pivot axis (16, 16') outsi
A torque sensor for measuring a torque at a predetermined location of a structural element, in particular of a prosthesis, can be arranged outside the measurement location by virtue of the fact that it is constructed as a sensor structure (13, 13', 23) that forms a virtual pivot axis (16, 16') outside the sensor. The sensor structure is provided with measurement transducers (29) which detect deformations of the sensor structure (13, 13', 23) and are used to determine a torque about the virtual pivot axis (16, 16'). A preferred application for the torque sensor is its incorporation in a prosthesis for the purpose of controlling an artificial joint.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A torque sensor for measuring a torque at a predetermined location with respect to a structural element, the torque sensor comprising: a sensor structure formed within the structural element, the sensor structure defining a virtual pivot axis at the predetermined location, wh
What is claimed is: 1. A torque sensor for measuring a torque at a predetermined location with respect to a structural element, the torque sensor comprising: a sensor structure formed within the structural element, the sensor structure defining a virtual pivot axis at the predetermined location, wherein the predetermined location is located a distance from the sensor structure, the sensor structure including elastically deformable hinges and measurement transducers which detect deformations of the elastically deformable hinges to determine the torque about the virtual pivot axis. 2. The torque sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor structure is designed as a four-hinge structure. 3. The torque sensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the measurement transducers are strain gages. 4. A torque sensor for measuring a torque at a predetermined location with respect to a structural element, the torque sensor comprising: a sensor structure formed within the structural element, the sensor structure defining a virtual pivot axis at the predetermined location, wherein the predetermined location is located a distance from the sensor structure, the sensor structure including two planar leaf-spring arrangements whose planes intersect in the virtual pivot axis and measurement transducers which detect deformations of the leaf spring elements to determine the torque about the virtual pivot axis. 5. The torque sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measurement transducers are strain gages. 6. The torque sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural element comprises a prosthesis and the torque sensor is used to control an artificial joint of the prosthesis. 7. A prosthesis including an artificial joint formed with respect to a structural element, the prosthesis comprising: a torque sensor adapted to control the artificial joint, the torque sensor formed within the structural element and configured to measure a torque at a predetermined location with respect to the structural element, the torque sensor including a sensor structure defining a virtual pivot axis located at the predetermined location, wherein the predetermined location is located a distance from the sensor structure, the sensor structure including measurement transducers which detect deformations of the sensor structure and are used to determine the torque about the virtual pivot axis. 8. The prosthesis as claimed in claim 7, wherein the torque sensor is designed as a multi-hinge structure with elastically deformable hinges. 9. The prosthesis as claimed in claim 8, wherein the torque sensor is designed as a four-hinge structure. 10. The prosthesis as claimed in claim 7, wherein the torque sensor is designed with two planar leaf-spring arrangements whose planes intersect in the virtual pivot axis. 11. The prosthesis as claimed in claim 7, wherein the measurement transducers are strain gages. 12. The prosthesis as claimed in claim 7, wherein the artificial joint comprises a knee joint with the sensor structure provided in the knee area, and wherein the virtual pivot axis of the sensor structure lies in the below-knee area of the prosthesis. 13. The prosthesis as claimed in claim 12, wherein the virtual pivot axis of the sensor structure lies in the ankle area of the prosthesis. 14. A method of sensing torque for use in controlling an artificial joint of a prosthesis, the method comprising the steps of: providing a torque sensor within a structural element of the prosthesis for measuring a torque at a predetermined location with respect to the prosthesis, the torque sensor including a sensor structure defining a virtual pivot axis located at the predetermined location, wherein the predetermined location is located a distance from the sensor structure; detecting deformations of the sensor structure; and determining the torque about the virtual pivot axis based on the detected deformations, wherein the torque may be used to control the artificial joint. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of detecting deformations comprises the step of providing measurement transducers on the sensor structure. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the measurement transducers comprise strain gages. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the sensor structure comprises a multi-hinged structure with elastically deformable hinges. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the sensor structure comprises two planar leaf-spring arrangements whose planes intersect in the virtual pivot axis. 19. The torque sensor as claimed in claim 4, wherein the measurement transducers are strain gages.
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