AUTOMATED HAND
The invention relates to an automated hand, such as a prosthetic hand. In one form, the automated hand may be fluid compatible. In one form, the automated hand may comprise features to reduce the risk of harm to motors and/or other sensitive components of the hand when subject to an impact. In one form, the hand may comprise a wrist joint configured to allow the hand to curl and flex and/or to rotate. In one form, one or more digits of the hand may be individually controlled. In one form the hand may include a thumb rotation locking mechanism. In one form the hand may be provided with removable grip plates. In one form, the hand may be configured for use as a training hand.
1 . An automated hand comprising:
a. a palm;
b. two or more digits extending from the palm, the two or more digits being attached to the palm by respective sealed knuckle joints; and
c. one or more motors configured to cause at least one of the digits to move; wherein the automated had is configured to operate when submerged in water.
2 . The automated hand of claim 1 wherein the knuckle joints are of a fluid tight construction to prevent water ingress via the knuckle joints and provide a sealed palm region.
3 . The automated hand of claim 1 wherein the palm comprises a metacarpal brace.
4 . The automated hand of claim 3 wherein the motors tightly engage with the metacarpal brace to form a fluid-tight interface.
5 . The automated hand of claim 3 wherein the motors are mounted within apertures in the metacarpal brace.
6 . The automated hand of claim 3 wherein the metacarpal brace is configured to form a sealed connection with the palm.
7 . The automated hand of claim 3 wherein the palm comprises an upper part and a lower part, the automated hand further comprising an O ring provided about the periphery of the metacarpal brace to form a seal with the lower palm part.
8 . The automated hand of claim 3 wherein the metacarpal brace is resiliently flexible.
9 . The automated hand of claim 8 wherein the metacarpal brace is formed of a material having a DMTA damping factor of between 0.05 and 0.8 over a temperature range of −20° C. to 100° C.
10 . An automated hand comprising:
a. a palm;
b. two or more digits extending from the palm, the two or more digits being attached to the palm by respective knuckle joints;
c. one or more motors configured to cause at least one of the digits to move; and
d. a wrist joint configured to attach the palm to a lower arm member comprising a sleeve, the wrist joint being configured to form a watertight attachment to the sleeve;
wherein the automated hand is configured to operate when submerged in water.
11 . The automated hand of claim 10 , wherein the wrist joint comprises an axle about which the palm can curl and flex and/or rotate laterally.
12 . The automated hand of claim 10 , wherein the wrist joint is configured to hold electrical connectors that connect electronics in the sleeve with electronics in the palm and/or digits of the hand.
13 . The automated hand of claim 12 wherein the wrist joint comprises a cable port and wherein the electrical connectors are located in cable port.
14 . The automated hand of claim 10 wherein the knuckle joints are sealed.
15 . The automated hand of claim 10 further comprising a sealed electronics housing within the palm, the sealed electronics housing having one or more motor controllers and electronics therein.
16 . The automated hand of claim 15 wherein the one or more motor controllers are located on a printed circuit board in the sealed electronics housing.
17 . An automated hand comprising:
a. a palm;
b. two or more digits extending from the palm; and
c. two or more motors configured to cause the two or more digits to move, the two or more motors being individually housed within sealed housings;
wherein the automated hand is configured to operate when submerged in water.
18 . The automated hand of claim 17 wherein the two or more motors are located in the two or more digits.
19 . The automated hand of claim 17 wherein the two or more digits extend from respective knuckle joints.
20 . The automated hand of claim 19 wherein the knuckle joints are sealed.