Abstract:
A method for movement of at least a finger limb whereby, in order to maintain a position of the finger limb, the electric motor is supplied with a current. In order to maintain a position of the finger limb, the electric motor is supplied the with less energy than the current which is supplied to the electric motor for moving the finger limb.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from German Application Serial No. 10 2011 110 101.6 filed Aug. 13, 2011. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention concerns a method for moving of at least one finger limb. 
         [0003]    In addition, the present invention covers a finger limb which comprises of an electric motor for movement of the finger limb and a control and/or regulating element which at least controls and/or regulates an electric current characteristic, such as the current level, voltage and/or the frequency of the current which is supplied into the electric motor. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Finger limbs are applied in the field of robotic and/or prosthetic to duplicate the function and/or look of natural, especially human finger limbs. Such finger limbs are movable mounted to a basic element. The basic element hereby serves for the attachment of the finger elements, comprising of the finger limb, to a body part, especially to a hand and or an arm part. An electric motor is used for movement of the finger limb relative to the basic element. Hereby, the electric motor can be positioned in the finger limb or outside of the finger limb, for instance at or in the basic element. 
         [0005]    If the finger limb needs to be moved, an electric motor, designed as a DC motor, as an electrically commutated motor, or a stepper motor, is supplied with a continuous or pulsed current so that the output shaft moves, especially pivots, the finger limb via a transmission such as a planetary gear, a spur gear, a bevel gear, and/or a worm gear, a head screw, a friction gear transmission and/or through driving rods, belts and/or chains. 
         [0006]    There are, however, situations in which the finger limb needs to be maintained in a position. This holding can take place against an outer force as it happens during the holding of a holding rod, whereby the weight of the person during the holding moves into the hand. It can also be desired to maintain a position without having a significant external force affecting the finger and/or the finger limb. 
         [0007]    EP 0748194 shows a finger element in which the movement of the electric motor is transferred, via a worm gear transmission, to a pivoting movement of the finger limb. The intention is to create a self locking for keeping the finger in its position even against an outside force. 
         [0008]    Known through EP 0748 194 B1 is an electrically operated hand prosthesis in which the drive motor, which moves the finger, is positioned in the finger. In accordance with the approach to the solution which is discussed here, the motor axle has a worm shaft which meshes with a respective worm gear wheel which is stationary positioned in the support body of the prosthesis. The proposed worm gear wheel/worm shaft combination has the alleged advantage that this transmission is a locking transmission in which the finger is locked in its position without a motor drive. 
         [0009]    EP 1962731 and EP 2135588 show a finger limb in which a worm gear transmission is applied for self locking, whereby the worm gear wheel is linked to the basic element via a bevel gear transmission. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is the task of the present invention to create a method and a device which enables an appropriate movements and holding of a finger limb. 
         [0011]    The task is solved through a device and a method in accordance with the invention. 
         [0012]    The task is especially solved through a method for moving at least one finger limb whereby an electric motor is supplied with current to maintain a finger position. This current is hereby larger than 0 and supplies the electric motor with lesser energy than the current which supplies the electric motor for the movement of the finger limb. 
         [0013]    Thus, it was discovered that the electric motor, for holding the finger limb, can be applied with a lesser current, a lesser current frequency, a lesser voltage and/or with a current with different characteristics, so that the electric motor is, however, supplied with energy but with lesser energy during a time interval as for the movement of the finger limb. 
         [0014]    It was also discovered that, instead or in addition of a self locking transmission, such as a worm gear transmission, the electric motor can be used as a brake. 
         [0015]    Through the use of the electric motor as a decelerator of finger limb movement, it is not necessary to apply transmissions with self locking features. Thus, a much larger variety of different transmissions can be utilized. 
         [0016]    Transmissions with an increased self locking feature have a much worse efficiency so that, during the movement of the finger via the self locking transmission, an increased level of energy has to be applied. This fact leads to the necessity of the application of stronger and larger motors, stronger and therefore larger energy storage, and stronger bearings for the motor and the transmission. Thus, the finger becomes heavier, bulky and operation of the finger is only possible for a limited time because of the limited energy storage capacity. 
         [0017]    Through the locking of the finger movement by means of an electric motor, the self locking of the transmission can be omitted and a smooth moving transmission can be used. Such transmissions can be bevel gear transmissions, bevel screw transmissions, spur gear screw transmissions, friction gear transmissions, globoid transmissions. 
         [0018]    Through the application of a transmission with low self locking, the stiffness of the finger can be designed in a way that the finger gives in when a larger, outer force affects the finger. Also, the application of the electric motor as a brake for movement of the finger creates the realization of a different finger stiffness. This finger stiffness can be matched to the bearer, to the finger and/or to the respective used situation. The matching can be accomplished through the amount of the energy which is supplied to the motor. 
         [0019]    It is therefore also possible to move the different fingers into a position in which the fingers create a hook for a handle, such as hooking into a handle of a suitcase. When lifting the suitcase and not all fingers are covering the handle, the load is distributed in this case just to the fingers which cover the handle. If the transmission here has a strong self locking, the load needs to be created by the covering fingers whereby the fingers can get damaged. If a transmission is used which has a lesser self-discovery, the handle covering fingers will slightly give in until the load is distributed to several or all fingers. 
         [0020]    Also, during a fall or other situations in which the finger can get damaged, the brake can be designed in such a way that the finger gives in and does not get damaged. 
         [0021]    It was also discovered that the electric motor needs to have less current supplied to decelerate a finger limb than for the movement of a finger limb. Thus, for executing movement of the finger, a current is supplied to the electric motor. If just a low current is supplied to the electric motor, the electric motor cannot overcome the friction load of the transmission, and/or the joints and/or other moving parts and the finger limb can be maintained in the momentary position without any motion. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the electric motor can be positioned in the finger limb. Thus, a slimmer basic element can be created because the basic element does not need any or few electric motors. That provides the basic element with a more natural look. 
         [0023]    Rotating motion of the shaft of the electric motor can be transferred to a bevel gear, whereby the bevel gear meshes with a second bevel gear and the second bevel gear is fixedly connected with the pivoting axis. A so-called bevel gear transmission has only a low self locking and transfers the torque of the electric motor to the basic element which is fixed connected with the body and/or machine part. 
         [0024]    The second bevel gear can also be fixedly connected with a second finger limb so that the first finger limb can move with reference to the second finger limb. 
         [0025]    Preferably, the movement of the finger limb and/or the finger and/or the gear wheel and/or the motor shaft and/or the transmission shaft is captured by means of a motion sensor. Hereby, the motion sensor or the motion sensors can be positioned in the joints or at other places of the finger limb, such as the finger limb tip. The motion sensors can also be positioning sensors, acceleration sensors, direction sensors and rotation speed sensors, force sensors, torque sensors, or the like. 
         [0026]    Preferably, the finger limb and/or the finger element can comprise of an electric motor, a control and/or sensors and/or a regulation of the electric motor, a battery and/or a transmission. Thus, the finger element can be attached to the basic element without the need to interconnect several other elements. The finger element can have an assigned input, such as an electric input through which an electric control signal is sent to the control and/or regulation. Such a control signal can be considered as a muscle potential. 
         [0027]    The current is preferably increased if the finger limb unintentionally moves. Thus, the electric motor receives just a low current for the holding of the finger limb, so that in total the energy consumption remains as low as possible. If the low current is not sufficient for the holding of the finger limb and the finger is moving, the current will be increased so that the finger limb reliably remains steady. If the finger limb moves, although it is intended to keep it in a certain position by means of the electric motor, the current which is supplied at that time to the electric motor can be reduced. Prior to the correction of the current, a position correction can be executed by activating the electric motor and thus the finger limb. 
         [0028]    Preferably, the holding current of the electric motor is lower than a factor 0.9, especially preferred more than the factor 0.5, especially lower than the factor 0.1 of the current which is needed to move the finger limb. 
         [0029]    Preferably, the finger limb comprises of an electric motor for the movement of the finger limb, and a control and/or regulation element which controls at least one current characteristic, such as the current strength, voltage, and/or frequency of the current which is supplied into the electric motor, whereby the control and/or regulation element provides a current for the electric motor which is needed for movement or holding of the finger limb, but for holding of the finger element, the controlled and/or regulated current characteristic is established in such a way that the electric motor receives less energy. 
         [0030]    The electric motor can hereby have a functional connection with a bevel gear and the bevel gear meshes with a second bevel gear, whereby the second bevel gear is fixed connected, relative to the finger limb, with a pivotable element and the rotation axis of the second bevel gear is the pivoting axis of the finger limb. 
         [0031]    The rotation axis of the second bevel gear can be positioned vertically with reference to the rotation axis of the first bevel gear. The axes of the bevel gears can be present in one plane, but can also be positioned with an offset with respect to one another, by modification of the tooth shape of the gear. 
         [0032]    Preferably, an additional finger limb can also be linked with an additional finger limb, especially mechanically or magnetically, so that the additional finger limb also moves when the first finger limb moves. The second finger limb can be positioned at the finger element of the first finger limb or at an additional, preferably neighboring, finger element. 
         [0033]    Preferably, the additional finger element has a battery through which the electric motor of the first finger element is supplied. In addition, the additional finger element can have a control/regulation for the control/regulation of the electric motor of the first finger limb. 
         [0034]    An additional embodiment comprises of a prosthesis with at least a finger limb, a positioned motor in it to drive the finger limb as well as a prosthesis basic part around which the finger limb pivots, whereby a non-locking transmission is positioned between the finger limb and the basic part. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0035]    In the following, the invention is further explained based on an embodiment and the support of the drawings. 
           [0036]    Hereby shows: 
           [0037]      FIG. 1  a side view of a finger element, 
           [0038]      FIG. 2  a top view of the finger element of  FIG. 1 , 
           [0039]      FIG. 3  a side, section view of the finger element of  FIG. 1 , 
           [0040]      FIG. 4  a top, section view of the finger element of  FIG. 1 , 
           [0041]      FIG. 5  the finger element of  FIG. 1  in an angled position, 
           [0042]      FIG. 6  a top view of the finger element of  FIG. 5 , 
           [0043]      FIG. 7  a section view, from the side, of the finger element of  FIG. 5 , 
           [0044]      FIG. 8  a top view of the finger element of  FIG. 7 , 
           [0045]      FIG. 9  an additional embodiment of a finger element. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0046]      FIG. 1  shows a finger element  1  comprising of a basic element  2 , a first finger limb  3  and a second finger limb  4 . The finger element  1  is hereby designed as a copy of a natural human finger. The basic element  2  is designed to be attached directly to a human body part, especially to a hand stump, and is preferably designed to be attached to a bracket which is connected with a body part. The first finger limb  3  is pivotable connected, by its proximate end  30 , with the basic element  2 . The second finger limb  4  is pivotable connected to a distal end  31  of the first finger limb  3 . 
         [0047]    The basic element  2 , as shown closer in  FIG. 2 , has an approximate shape of a horse shoe to accommodate the proximal end of the first finger limb  3 . Also, the basic element  2  has a first straight plane  5  which connects segments  6  and  7  and thereby forms the horse shoe shape. 
         [0048]    The straight plane  5  hereby enables that the basic element  2  can be connected with a bracket. 
         [0049]    The segments  6  and  7  are plate-shaped and each primarily extends in a plane in which the main extension direction of the finger element  1  is incorporated or where it is in parallel thereto. The plane surface  5  runs primarily perpendicular to the segments  6  and  7 . The segments  6  and  7  have each a bent convex shape upper edge  8  which extends in a direction of the distal end of the first finger limb  3 , via a rounded edge  9  and converts primarily into a straight extending front edge  10 . The front edge  10  converts, via a second rounded corner  11 , into a rounded lower edge  12 . The lower edge  12  borders with the rear edge  13  which is designed straight so that it can hold at a bracket. The basic element  2  has a recess  14  and  15  in each of the segments  6  and  7  through which an axle can be pass through, in each case, around which the first finger limb  3  pivots. 
         [0050]    In the area of the front corner  9 , the segments  6  and  7  have each another recess  14 ,  15  were a spring  20 ,  21  can be pivotable attached to. The basic element  2  hereby is preferably manufactured from metal, like steel, titanium and/or aluminum, but can also be constructed from plastic and/or compound material such as fiber glass reinforced or carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The springs  20 ,  21  are also preferably made from spring steel, a NiTi alloy and/or titanium. The springs  20 ,  21  have a curve shaped pattern. 
         [0051]    The first finger limb  3  comprises of an enclosure  22 , a cover  23 , an electric motor  24  with a transmission, a transmission output shaft  25 , a first bevel gear  26 , and a second bevel gear  27 . The enclosure is made as one piece from a material such as titanium, aluminum, plastic or steel and is close to a cylindrical shape, whereby the cylinder main axis Z extends itself along the finger limb main axis F. In a direction R, perpendicular to the finger limb main axis F and the pivot plane of the finger limb  3 , the shape of the enclosure  22  deviates from a cylindrical shape. Here, the enclosure  22  has a thickening  28  at its proximal end towards the top. The thickening  28  increases from a distal to a proximal. The thickening can be designed as either an increase of the wall thickness in this area, through a change of the inner space shape but maintaining the wall thickness, or through an additional, separate cavity. Batteries or other power storage devices, which supplies the motor in the cavity of the finger limb or in a neighboring finger limb, can be placed in such a cavity. It is also possible to accommodate one or several other circuits in the cavity. 
         [0052]    At the proximal end  29 , the enclosure  22  has a closed or substantially closed end  29 . The closed end  29  hereby transitions, by means of the rounding  30 , into the thickening  28 . The cavity of the enclosure  22  can be protected against external influences by the closed end  29 . The rounding  30  is hereby matched to the upper edge  8  of the basic element so that the upper edge  8  of the basic element mainly terminates with a rounding. 
         [0053]    Thus, the finger is further designed like the natural structure because the perimeter increases in the direction towards the hand and finally ends in an ankle shape. 
         [0054]    As it can also be seen in  FIG. 3 , the bottom part of the enclosure has an area of concavity so that also the bottom part of the enclosure  22  which deviates from the cylindrical shape. The area of concavity of the enclosure  22  is matched to the lower edge  12  of the basic element so that the lower edge  12  of the basic element can connect with an outer side of the first finger limb. The enclosure  22  has an opening, at the distal end, which leads into the cavity of the enclosure  22 . The opening and the cavity are dimensioned in such a way that the electric motor can be brought into the cavity through the opening. The opening can be blocked with a cover  23  so that the electric motor and/or the transmission, within the cavity, can be protected against external influences. The cover is hereby preferably made from plastic and can be clipped to the opening. Preferably, the cover ends with the outer area of the first finger limb so that the edges of the enclosure  22 , at the distal end, are surrounded by the cover. If the finger limb or the entire finger element is put into a casing, such as a glove, the edges of the finger limb or finger element, respectively, will not destroy the fibers of the casing. 
         [0055]    The electric motor is positioned within the cavity of the enclosure  22 . The electric motor itself hereby extends along a main extension direction Z of the finger limb and has a transmission with which the electric motor is integrated, and the transmission has an output shaft which is functionally linked with an output shaft of the electric motor, and the rotation of the output shaft of the electric motor is transferred to the bevel gear. The rotation axis of the bevel gear, therefore, runs coaxial or parallel with the main extending direction of the finger limb. A second bevel gear is present vertical to the first bevel gear and meshing with it. The rotation axis of this second bevel gear is vertical with reference to the plane of one of the segments of the basic element. The bevel gear is rotation-proof mounted by means of a bolt to the segment. At the opposite segment of the basic element, axially flush with the first bolt, an additional axle or bolt  16  is provided which serves as pivoting axis for the first finger limb. If the first bevel gear is driven by the electric motor, via the transmission, the first bevel gear supports itself with the second bevel gear and the first finger limb pivots together with its connected second finger limb around the pivoting axis which is determined by the bolt  16 . 
         [0056]    A second pivotable finger limb is connected at the distal end of the first finger limb. Hereby, the second finger limb has two sections which each are pivotable connected at one side of the first finger limb. The pivotable connection is hereby positioned at the distal end of the finger limb, mainly at one half of the height of the finger limb. The pivotable connection hereby comprises a recess, each positioned on one side of the enclosure  22 , and a recess at each of one section, whereby each recess on one side is connected with a recess of the enclosure through one or several connecting elements, such as axles or bolts. This connection, which can be, for instance, realize by a screw, serves as a pivoting axis around which the second finger limb pivots with reference to the first finger limb. 
         [0057]    The second finger limb  4  is connected by several, flexible bent springs  20 ,  21  which are designed, with the basic element, as a rod. The spring can hereby be elastically bent. The rod leads, during a pivoting motion of the first finger limb, to a pivoting motion of the second finger limb relative to the first finger limb. If the second finger limb is moved by a motion or by locking, created by the electric motor, the rod hereby bends and the second finger limb can be spring-loaded, elastically moved. During the movement of the second finger limb, the cover serves as a stop so that the second finger limb cannot include an angle which is lower than a determined limiting angle with reference to the main extending direction of the first finger limb. The connecting locations of the rod have an offset, with reference to the basic element as well as to the second finger element, distal to the respective pivoting axes. 
         [0058]    The second finger element has a recess, at its distal end, into which a pin can be inserted so that a cap can be mounted on the finger element. The cap is especially made from plastic and provides a soft fingertip. By an exchange of the fingertips, the length of the finger elements can also be easily changed. 
         [0059]    The finger limb comprises of an electric motor which is connected, by wiring, with a control and/or regulation device. The control and/or regulation hereby can be provided with a control and/or regulation input. This control and/or regulation input can, for instance, be connected to a muscle electrode which captures the muscle potential and creates a respective signal as the control and/or regulation input. 
         [0060]    Preferably, the control and/or regulation device supplies the electric motor with a current which is provided by a battery. Hereby, the battery is also positioned in the basic element or in an additional bracket. If a signal is now sent through the control and/or regulation input to the input to move the finger limb, a current of a certain amount and direction is provided for the electric motor by the control and/or regulation device. The amount and/or the polarity of the current can depend on the control and/or regulation signal, of previous signals, of the finger tip position, and/or of the finger speed, etc. If the finger now needs to be held in its position, the current which is sent to the electric motor is reduced to 1/10 of the maximal current. If a motion sensor detects still movement of the finger limb, the current will be increased until the finger limb does not move anymore. Hereby, the current has the opposite polarity in comparison to a current which would create the braking movement. 
         [0061]      FIG. 9  shows an additional embodiment, of a finger element  1 , comprising a first finger limb  3  and a second finger limb  4 , whereby the second finger limb  4  is attached at the distal end of the finger limb  3 . The first finger limb  3 , which can be pivoted around a first joint axis  34 , is connected at the basic element  2 . 
         [0062]    The second finger element  4  comprises of a stiff kernel which serves for the mounting and stabilization of the second finger limb  4 . Around the distal area of the kernel  38 , the soft and elastic fingertip  41  is positioned. A scraper, which bridges the transition between the first and the second finger limb and which creates an almost steady surface, is positioned between the kernel  38  and the distal end of the first finger limb. 
         [0063]    A lock cover or slide surface  40 ,  23 , respectively, is provided at the distal end of the first finger limb  3  to block the enclosure of the first finger limb and to have the second finger limb  4  to slide on it. The cover  40 ,  23  can also be used as stop for movement of the second finger limb  4 . 
         [0064]    The first finger limb  3  is driven by a drive  24 , such as an electric motor. The electric motor, or the transmission which is directly connected with the electric motor, respectively, comprises of a drive shaft  36 ,  25  which runs through the guides  37  which serve as bearings. A head screw gear  32 , which meshes with a head screw gear segment  33 , is torque proof positioned on the drive shaft  36 ,  25 . The head screw gear segment  33  has gear segments  35 . The head screw gear segment  33  is positioned at the first joint axis  34  and torque proof connected with the basic element  2 . 
         [0065]    A head screw transmission can hereby be interpreted as a spur gear with a curved toothing pattern. 
       REFERENCE CHARACTERS  
       [0066]      1  Finger Element 
         [0067]      2  Basic Element 
         [0068]      3  First Finger Limb 
         [0069]      4  Second Finger Limb 
         [0070]      5  Plane surface 
         [0071]      6  First segment 
         [0072]      7  Second segment 
         [0073]      8  Upper edge 
         [0074]      9  Upper, front edge 
         [0075]      10  Front edge 
         [0076]      11  Lower, front corner 
         [0077]      12  Lower edge 
         [0078]      13  Rear edge 
         [0079]      14  First recess 
         [0080]      15  Second recess 
         [0081]      16  First axle 
         [0082]      17  Second axle 
         [0083]      18  Third axle 
         [0084]      19  Fourth Axle 
         [0085]      20  Curve 
         [0086]      21  Curve 
         [0087]      22  Enclosure 
         [0088]      23  Cover 
         [0089]      24  Electric Motor 
         [0090]      25  Transmission output shaft 
         [0091]      26  First bevel gear 
         [0092]      27  Second bevel gear 
         [0093]      28  Thickening 
         [0094]      29  Proximal end of the enclosure 
         [0095]      30  Rounding of the enclosure 
         [0096]      31  Distal end of the enclosure 
         [0097]      32  Head screw gear 
         [0098]      33  Head screw gear segment 
         [0099]      34  First joint axis 
         [0100]      35  Gear segment 
         [0101]      36  Drive shaft 
         [0102]      37  Guide 
         [0103]      38  Kernel 
         [0104]      39  Scraper 
         [0105]      40  Slide surface/lock cover 
         [0106]      41  Fingertip