Abstract: An artificial wrist including a static body adapted to be bound to a support; a movable body adapted to be bound to an end effector; and a junction block defining an axis of rotation between the static body and the movable body and including a cable suitable to be moved by mutual rotation of the bodies and around the axis of rotation, and elastic member placing the cable under tensile stress and working in opposition to the movement of the cable to define a rest position in which the cable and the elastic member exerts a zero resulting torque on the bodies and, and an activation position in which they exert a non-zero resulting torque on the bodies and, bringing the bodies and back to the rest position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthesis (1) for limbs of the human body, in particular the leg, actuated by means of an actuator (10) capable of both generating and collecting energy. The actuator is a linear electro-hydrostatic (EHA) one, and is more compact and efficient than traditional drives based on electro-mechanical gears. Through a suitable kinematic chain, the actuator (10) produces an angle-dependent transmission ratio. The invention also comprises a generated rotor pump (20), whose external rotor is supported by rolling means.

Abstract: An ankle prosthesis is disclosed having an actuation system so as to act as a brake, modulated by motor means, proportional to the load stressing the prosthesis. The prosthesis is advantageously capable of reducing the work necessary to lift the prosthesis while maintaining an anthropometric encumbrance.

Abstract: An artificial wrist comprising including a static body adapted to be bound to a support; a movable body adapted to be bound to an end effector; and a junction block defining an axis of rotation between the static body and the movable body and comprising including a cable suitable to be moved by mutual rotation of the bodies and around the axis of rotation, and elastic member placing the cable under tensile stress and working in opposition to the movement of the cable so as to define a rest position in which the cable and the elastic member exerts a zero resulting torque on the bodies and, and an activation position in which they exert a non-zero resulting torque on the bodies and, bringing the bodies and back to the rest position.

Abstract: Underactuated prosthetic hand including base body; first and second prosthetic fingers each hinged to the base body; first control cable; actuator to move the first control cable; and for each pair of fingers second control cable having control ends associated with the first and second fingers; and transmission block to allow first control cable to control second control cable; transmission block includes guide integral with base body and defining sliding axis; movable element sliding along guide; first pulley for sliding first control cable hinged to movable element and second pulley for sliding second control cable hinged to the movable element so actuator, when moving first cable, determines moveable element translational movement to displace second control cable and the fingers; and elastic means opposing moveable element translational movement so the moveable element translational movement opposes elastic means allowing them to facilitate return to moveable element initial position.

Abstract: A foot for a robotic exoskeleton includes three rigid foot segments, namely a middle foot segment arranged to be connected to a leg of the robotic exoskeleton, a front foot segment elastically connected to the front end of the middle foot segment by a first set of leaf springs and a rear foot segment elastically connected to the rear end of the middle foot segment by a second set of leaf springs. The foot has laces for fastening the foot to a person's shoe. In the condition where the front foot segment and the rear foot segment are both in contact with the ground, and no load is applied onto the foot, the middle foot segment is not in contact with the ground, but is elastically suspended by the first and second sets of springs.

Abstract: A prosthetic wrist unit includes a drive motor, to be interposed between the distal end of an arm prosthesis and a prosthetic terminal device for positioning the terminal device at desired orientations. A reduction mechanism includes first and second cycloidal reduction stages, connected to each other, the first stage having a central wheel connected to the motor shaft, one or more satellite wheels rotatably placed on a planet carrier, and a fixed outer ring gear, the satellite wheels being in peripheral contact with the central wheel and the outer ring gear, the planet carrier being connected to the second stage. The central wheel, the satellite wheels and the outer ring gear have smooth mutually engaging surfaces, causing a rolling of the satellite wheels on the outer ring gear by friction forces generated by radial interference between the central wheel, the satellite wheels and the outer ring gear.

Abstract: Prosthetic finger including attachment constraining the finger to external body; phalanx proximal to attachment and phalanx distal to attachment and hinged to attachment defining first axis of rotation; distal phalanx hinged to proximal phalanx on opposite side of the attachment defining second axis of rotation; actuator to control rotation of phalanges; control cable defining control end constrained to distal phalanx and controlling rotation of phalanges in first direction. For each prosthetic finger; a return cable defining first return end constrained to attachment and second return end constrained to distal phalanx; elastic body to keep the return cable under tension and oppose the control cable, so when the control cable rotates the phalanges in the first direction, it moves the return cable, loading the elastic body and allowing the elastic body to control rotation of said phalanges in second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: Underactuated prosthetic hand including base body; and second prosthetic fingers each hinged to the base body; first control cable; actuator to move the first control cable; and for each pair of fingers second control cable having control ends associated with the first and second fingers; and transmission block to allow first control cable to control second control cable; transmission block includes guide integral with base body and defining sliding axis; movable element sliding along guide; first pulley for sliding first control cable hinged to movable element and second pulley for sliding second control cable hinged to the movable element so actuator, when moving first cable, determines moveable element translational movement to displace second control cable and the fingers; and elastic means opposing moveable element translational movement so the moveable element translational movement opposes elastic means allowing them to facilitate return to moveable element initial position.

Abstract: An actuation device (1) comprising a threaded shaft (2) connected at one end to driving means adapted to allow the threaded shaft (2) to rotate about its longitudinal axis (a). A movable element (3) is provided with a cylindrical cavity (30) adapted to receive the threaded shaft (2), and configured so that a rotation of the threaded shaft (2) corresponds to a translation the movable element (3) along the longitudinal axis (a). The device (1) has two guiding rods (4,4?) coupled to the movable element (3) and adapted to constrain the translation of the latter along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (a). Element (3) comprises a first (31) and a second (32) element constrained to each other, wherein the first element (31) is coupled to the threaded shaft (2) and the second element (32) is coupled to the two guiding rods (4,4?).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuation device (1) comprising a threaded shaft (2) connected at one end to driving means adapted to allow the threaded shaft (2) to rotate about its longitudinal axis (?). The device further comprises a movable element (3) provided with a cylindrical cavity (30) adapted to receive the threaded shaft (2), and configured in such a way that a rotation of the threaded shaft (2) corresponds to a translation the movable element (3) along the longitudinal axis (?). The device (1) further comprises two guiding rods (4,4?) coupled to the movable element (3) and adapted to constrain the translation of the latter along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (?). The movable element (3) comprises a first (31) and a second (32) element constrained to each other, wherein the first element (31) is coupled to the threaded shaft (2) and the second element (32) is coupled to the two guiding rods (4,4?).

Abstract: The foot comprises three rigid foot segments, namely a middle foot segment arranged to be connected to a leg of the robotic exoskeleton, a front foot segment elastically connected to the front end of the middle foot segment by means of a first set of leaf springs, and a rear foot segment elastically connected to the rear end of the middle foot segment by means of a second set of leaf springs. The foot is preferably configured in such a manner that in the condition where the front foot segment and the rear foot segment are both in contact with the ground, and no load is applied onto the foot, the middle foot segment is not in contact with the ground, but is elastically suspended by means of the first and second sets of springs.

Abstract: Elastic rotary actuators are provided having breaking units arranged in such a way as to apply on an output member an adjustable braking torque in order to introduce adjustable damping between an input member and the output member in parallel to elastic members.

Abstract: Elastic rotary actuators are provided having breaking units arranged in such a way as to apply on an output member an adjustable braking torque in order to introduce adjustable damping between an input member and the output member in parallel to elastic members.

Abstract: An actuator and a method for controlling the actuator are described. The actuator comprises: an output member rotatable around an axis of rotation; an input member rotatable around the axis and connected for rotation with the output member via a plurality of cylindrical helical springs; a motor assembly arranged to drive the input member to rotate around the axis of rotation; first and second sensors for detecting the angular position of the input member and the relative angular position between the input member and the output member; and an electronic control unit arranged to determine a desired angular velocity of the input member on the basis of a desired value for the impedance of the actuator and to control the motor assembly on the basis of the error between the desired angular velocity of the input member and the angular velocity of the input member.

Abstract: An actuator and a method for controlling the actuator are described. The actuator comprises: an output member rotatable around an axis of rotation; an input member rotatable around the axis and connected for rotation with the output member via a plurality of cylindrical helical springs; a motor assembly arranged to drive the input member to rotate around the axis of rotation; first and second sensors for detecting the angular position of the input member and the relative angular position between the input member and the output member; and an electronic control unit arranged to determine a desired angular velocity of the input member on the basis of a desired value for the impedance of the actuator and to control the motor assembly on the basis of the error between the desired angular velocity of the input member and the angular velocity of the input member.