Exoskeleton, orthosis, wearable device or mobile robots using magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus

Abstract

A system comprises one or more wearable devices including a first body interface adapted to be secured to a first bodily part. A second body interface is adapted to be secured to a second bodily part separated from the first bodily part by a physiological joint. One or more joints provide one or more degrees of freedom between the first body interface and the second body interface. A magnetorheological (MR) fluid actuator unit comprises one or more power sources. An MR fluid clutch apparatus receiving torque from the at least one power source, the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus operable to generate a variable amount of torque transmission when subjected to a magnetic field. A transmission couples the MR fluid actuator unit to the wearable device for converting torque from the MR fluid actuator unit to relative movement of the body interfaces with respect to one another.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 505,392, filed on May 12, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present application relates generally to the field of exoskeletons or orthoses / orthotics, and more particularly, to exoskeletons or orthosis systems using magnetorheological (MR) fluid clutch apparatuses.BACKGROUND OF THE ART[0003]The use of exoskeletons, orthoses or prostheses on humans may be desirable to enhance human capacities or restore human capabilities. In some cases, the objective is the reduction of the amount of human effort required to perform a task or function and in other cases the objective may be to amplify human capacity. In some cases, the objective is to restore human function. In some other cases, the exoskeleton could have the function of generating energy for a later use. In many cases, there is an exchange or ene...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a wearable device that uses a special fluid to reduce the induced torque generated by the human body's powertrain. This technology can be used in various wearable devices such as exoskeletons or robotic arms. The device improves acceleration, control, and force output, while also reducing fatigue and injury risks for assembly workers. The use of magnetorheological fluid actuators allows for high force fidelity and often unobtainable speed limitations are overcome. Overall, this technology enhances the performance and efficiency of wearable robotics for various applications.

Problems solved by technology

Such actuator types may have a relatively low mechanical bandwidth, and may cause discomfort to the user.

This discomfort often disrupts device function, limits other human functions (e.g.: running) and decreases the interest in humans wearing such devices.

Since the interaction between the human body and the exoskeleton implies mechanical force distribution on soft tissues surrounding the joint and limb segment, exoskeletons may need soft or resilient contact patches to transfer a load to human, which may result in an ineffective power transfer.

In electrical motor, where high dynamic response is sought, the most common form of electromechanical actuation is found in direct-drive motors, which may be prohibitively heavy for exoskeletons.

Indeed, when coupled to a speed reducer (e.g.: gearbox), electromechanical actuators are lighter and less expensive than direct drive solutions for a given torque output, but their higher output inertia, friction and backlash may diminish their dynamic performance.

This situation may cause human injuries or discomfort due to low back-drivability.

Such exoskeletons may be not easily controlled due to their low bandwidth and the user will feel engagement and disengagement of the assistive power source.

Low bandwidth of the powertrain may be caused by the high inertia of parts that oppose to speed change in the system.

When the user input speed varies, the high inertia of the system may be perceived or felt by the user and can become a nuisance or danger.

A system with a low bandwidth may not adapt rapidly enough to human muscular dynamics such that the user may feel connected to a mechanical device that may cause an adaptation delay.

The nuisance may come from the fact that the mechanical system speed is not able to follow the user's input speed, creating sticking points or unnatural movement.

For example, if someone wants a device to apply a proportional assistance to the user's applied force in order to create the illusion of ease in moving loads, but the system has low bandwidth, the assistance will not adapt rapidly enough and will create a delay in the applied force that may be felt by the user.

For this reason, as the inertia increases, the actuator may lose its ability to adapt to the human change.

When there is an unpredictable human power source in contact with the exoskeleton, the bandwidth of the assistive powertrain needs to match or exceed the bandwidth of the human, otherwise the controllability of the system may not be optimal.

Such conditions result in employee fatigue, increased risk of injury, and reduced production efficiency.

While supernumerary robotics arms are a promising new type of wearable robots, they also have challenges of their own.

Traditional electric motor actuation, results in a trade-off between speed and torque density.

A robotic arm using direct-drive electric motors may have the capability of controlling its output force despite fast motion of the human base but may be heavy due to a poor force density.

On the other hand, a robot using highly-geared motors may be too slow to compensate for motions of the human.

While geared-motors used in conjunction with force sensors or elastic elements can be used to control of the output force in quasi-static situations, they remain a compromised solution with speed limitations and may not optimally maintain force control when the relative motion is too fast.

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