Device for assisting joint exercise

Abstract

Provided is a device having a novel configuration and adapted to assist joint exercise. A device for assisting joint exercise that assists bending and extending of a joint including: a flexible assist force transmission section; a first mounting section and a second mounting section, which are provided at both end portions of the assist force transmission section, the first mounting section adapted to be mounted on one site and the second mounting section adapted to be mounted on another site sandwiching a user's joint; a drive source provided that exerts tensile force between the first mounting section and the second mounting section through the assist force transmission section, wherein at least a portion of the assist force transmission section is elastically deformable in an acting direction of the tensile force by the drive source.

Description

INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE[0001]The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-057470 filed on Mar. 16, 2011 including the specification, drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This is a Continuation of International Application No. PCT / JP2012 / 001792 filed on Mar. 14, 2012.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a device for assisting joint exercise which, when a user is bending and extending his joints, exerts on the user an assist force which makes it possible to realize bending and extending, or exerts a load (resist force) for efficiently strengthening the muscle strength required for bending and extending.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]From the past, to support movement such as walking or the like for physically disabled persons who have lost muscle strength or for elderly persons whose muscle strength has diminished, wearable type movement assistance devices like t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a device that helps users exercise their joints. It is designed to be easy to put on and take off and can strengthen muscles effectively, not just move them. Its structure is simple and light.

Problems solved by technology

However, with assistive devices using this kind of hard exoskeleton, it was necessary to accurately measure the physical build of the user (thigh and lower leg length and the like) and to precisely adjust the length of the exoskeleton arm, and when this adjustment was not done appropriately, excessive force could be applied to the joints during exercise, which could lead to a very dangerous situation.

Also, the work of putting on and taking off the exoskeleton type assistance device is not easy for a user who requires assistance to move, and a great deal of effort and time is required to put it on and take it off.

Because of that, it was difficult to wear and use for everyday purposes with the goal of supplementing reduced muscle strength to make movement easier.

In fact, when using an assistance device having a large exoskeleton, it is virtually impossible for the user to move in resistance to the drive force of the exoskeleton with his own muscle strength, and there was absolutely no consideration taken for using this kind of assistance device for walking training or the like with the goal of efficient strengthening of muscle strength.

Also, to control the movement of the assistance device, it is necessary to perform measurement of the surface electromyography, so there was also the problem of the user having to wear numerous surface electrodes (normally 18).

However, with this kind of structure of US 2011 / 0218466 as well, a hard exoskeleton (arm) that extends along the side surface of the thigh is required, so there were cases when device simplification and lightening were still not sufficient.

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