HINGE ASSEMBLY FOR AN ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE

摘要

A method of making a hinge assembly includes selecting a defined motion path of a hinge assembly comprising a first hinge arm including a first gear having a first plurality of teeth, and a second hinge arm including a second gear having a second plurality of teeth arranged to interact with the first teeth. The defined motion path includes a variable translation of the second hinge arm. The method involves determining a first profile of the first gear along the first teeth and a second profile of the second gear along the second teeth based on the defined motion path. The method involves connecting the first hinge arm to the second hinge arm such that as the second hinge arm rotates relative to the first hinge arm the interaction between the first and second teeth along the first and second profiles translates the second hinge arm along the defined motion path.

主权项

1. A method of making a hinge assembly comprising:
selecting a defined motion path of a hinge assembly comprising a first hinge arm including a first gear having a first plurality of teeth, and a second hinge arm including a second gear having a second plurality of teeth arranged to interact with the first teeth, the defined motion path including a variable translation of the second hinge arm relative to the first hinge arm; determining a first profile of the first gear along the first teeth and a second profile of the second gear along the second teeth based on the defined motion path; and connecting the first hinge arm to the second hinge arm such that as the second hinge arm rotates relative to the first hinge arm the interaction between the first and second teeth along the first and second profiles translates the second hinge arm along the defined motion path.