Wearable devices for assisting muscle strength

Abstract

The present invention provides a wearable device for assisting muscle strength, comprising: a main body mechanism, which extends along the vertical direction of the wearer's torso and is fixed to the side of the wearer's torso below the wearer's shoulder; a fastening mechanism, which extends along the extension direction of the wearer's upper arm and is arranged on the lower surface of the wearer's upper arm and contacts it; a connecting mechanism, which connects a first end to the fastening mechanism and connects a second end to the main body mechanism movably so as to be able to move relative to the main body mechanism; and a supporting mechanism, which is movably connected between the first end and the second end of the connecting mechanism to apply a supporting force to the connecting mechanism, and is connected to the main body mechanism and can move relative to it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a wearable device for assisting muscle strength. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for supporting the upper arm of a wearer by compensating for the load created by gravity. Background Art

[0002] Wearable robots are robots that assist body movements by being placed on or mounted to specific parts of the body, and are designed for medical, military, or industrial purposes. Especially in the case of wearable robots for work, they are designed to prevent injuries and support muscle strength by reducing the load applied to the worker. Wearable robots are robots made by imitating the wearer's exoskeleton, and designing the joints to have the same movements as the actual movements of the body is the core of the technology.

[0003] In particular, wearable devices for assisting upper arm muscle strength include a manual support mechanism configured to support a person supporting the weight of a tool. Typical manual support mechanisms are configured to compensate for gravity within a range of positions using a combination of structural elements, springs, cables, and pulleys. The configuration of these devices provides gravity compensation within a limited range of operation.

[0004] However, a problem with conventional wearable devices for assisting upper arm muscle strength is that, since it is an exoskeleton that mimics the wearer's shoulder joint, interference with the exoskeleton structure occurs in the wearer's working area, and thus the operating range of the shoulder joint may be limited.

[0005] Another problem with conventional wearable devices for assisting upper arm muscle strength is that when the upper arm is lowered below a predetermined angle, a load is continuously applied even in an area where muscle assistance is not required, so the wearer may feel inconvenience.

[0006] The above content is only intended to help understand the background of the present invention, and is not intended to represent that the present invention falls within the scope of the relevant technologies known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been completed in view of the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and the present invention aims to provide a wearable device for assisting muscle strength, which can apply the required supporting force according to the angle of the wearer's upper arm without interfering with the wearer's working area.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, according to one aspect of the present invention, a wearable device for assisting muscle strength may include: a main body mechanism, which extends in the vertical direction of the wearer's torso and is fixed to the side of the wearer's torso below the wearer's shoulder; a fastening mechanism, which extends along the extension direction of the wearer's upper arm, and the fastening mechanism contacts the lower surface of the wearer's upper arm; a connecting mechanism, which connects a first end to the fastening mechanism and a second end to the main body mechanism movably, and the connecting mechanism can move relative to the main body mechanism; and a supporting mechanism, which is movably connected between the first end and the second end of the connecting mechanism to apply a supporting force to the connecting mechanism, the supporting mechanism is connected to the main body mechanism and can move relative to the main body mechanism, wherein the supporting force varies according to the position of the supporting mechanism relative to the main body mechanism.

[0009] The device may further include a torso strap coupled to the body structure and encircling the torso of the wearer such that the body structure is secured to the sides of the wearer's torso.

[0010] The device may further include a shoulder strap configured such that a first end thereof is coupled to the torso strap disposed in front of the wearer and a second end thereof is coupled to the torso strap disposed in the rear of the wearer via an upper portion of the wearer's shoulder.

[0011] The main body mechanism may include: a fixing portion, which is fixed to the wearer's torso by forming contact with the side of the wearer's torso; and a rotatable portion, which is connected to the fixing portion and can rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the direction in which the main body mechanism extends, and the connecting mechanism and the supporting mechanism can be connected to the rotatable portion.

[0012] The fixed portion and the rotatable portion may be rotatably coupled to each other at a plurality of positions spaced apart from each other along the rotation axis.

[0013] The fastening mechanism may be coupled to the first end of the connecting mechanism and may be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to a rotation axis of a shoulder joint of the wearer's upper arm that rotates upward or downward.

[0014] The main body mechanism may include a first sliding groove extending in a vertical direction of the wearer's torso, and as the second end of the connecting mechanism slides along the first sliding groove, the connecting mechanism may move relative to the main body mechanism.

[0015] The supporting mechanism may include: an elastomer that generates an elastic force; and a first roller that is connected to the main mechanism and can move relative to the main mechanism by being connected to the first end of the elastomer via a cable. The elastic force of the elastomer varies according to the relative positions of the first roller and the main mechanism, and the supporting force applied to the connecting mechanism can vary.

[0016] The connection mechanism may include: a second sliding groove extending along a longitudinal direction of the connection mechanism; and a coupling body movable along the second sliding groove, and the coupling body may be integrally coupled with the first roller.

[0017] The body mechanism may include a contoured groove extending to allow the first roller to be movable therealong to generate a supporting torque by a supporting force applied to the connection mechanism.

[0018] The profile groove may have a cam surface having a predetermined cam profile, and the movement trajectory of the first roller corresponds to the cam surface. The magnitude and direction of the support force applied to the connecting mechanism may vary, and the point at which the support force is applied may vary. The support torque may vary depending on the position of the first roller in the profile groove.

[0019] When the angle between the main body mechanism and the connection mechanism is a first predetermined angle or smaller, the supporting torque generated by the supporting force may be zero.

[0020] When the angle between the main body mechanism and the connection mechanism is a second predetermined angle or greater, as the angle between the main body mechanism and the connection mechanism increases, the support torque generated by the support force may decrease.

[0021] When the angle between the main body mechanism and the connection mechanism is within a range between a first predetermined angle and a second predetermined angle, a supporting torque generated by a supporting force applied to the connection mechanism may have a maximum value.

[0022] The apparatus may further include an adjusting mechanism connected to the second end of the elastic body to move the second end of the elastic body to change the elastic force of the elastic body.

[0023] The adjustment mechanism may include: a threaded plate integrally connected to the main body mechanism; and a rotating screw threadably connected to the threaded plate while being connected to the second end of the elastic body, and as the rotating screw rotates, the second end of the elastic body can move relative to the threaded plate.

[0024] According to the wearable device for assisting muscle strength of the present invention, by supporting the upper arm of the wearer under the shoulder of the wearer, it is possible to prevent external devices from interfering with the working area of ​​the wearer.

[0025] A further advantage is that the required support force can be varied according to the angle of the wearer's upper arm, and the load can be eliminated in areas below a predetermined angle where support force is not required. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description presented in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0028] Figure 2 is a front view showing a wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0029] Figure 3A and Figure 3B is a view showing a state in which a wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is worn,

[0030] Figure 4 is an internal view showing a wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and

[0031] Figure 5 is a view showing a support torque curve according to an angle of an upper arm of a wearer on whose upper arm a wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is worn. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the following description, descriptions of structures or functions assigned to exemplary embodiments according to the concept of the present invention are intended to describe the exemplary embodiments, and thus it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various ways without being limited to the exemplary embodiments.

[0033] The exemplary embodiments according to the concept of the present invention may be variously modified and may have various shapes, so examples thereof are shown in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments according to the concept of the present invention are not limited to the exemplary embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but various modifications, correspondences, additions and substitutions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[0034] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. can be used to describe various elements in this article, the elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the teachings of the present invention, the first element discussed below can be referred to as the second element. Similarly, the second element can also be referred to as the first element.

[0035] It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly coupled or connected to the other element, or there may be an intermediate element between them. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another element, there is no intermediate element. In addition, the terms used herein to describe the relationship between elements, for example, "between," "directly between," "adjacent," or "directly adjacent," should be interpreted in the same manner as described above.

[0036] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "one", "an" and "the" are intended to also include plural forms, unless the context clearly states otherwise. It will be further understood that when used in this specification, the terms "comprise", "include", "have" etc. specify the existence of the claimed features, values, steps, operations, elements, components and / or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, values, steps, operations, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0037] Unless otherwise stated, all terms (including technical terms and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. It should also be understood that terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant technology and the present invention, and should not be interpreted as an ideal meaning or an overly formal meaning unless clearly defined herein.

[0038] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or similar components.

[0039] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a front view showing a wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3A and Figure 3B : is a view showing a state in which a wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is worn.

[0040] Reference Figures 1 to 3B, a wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a main body mechanism 100, a fastening mechanism 200, a connecting mechanism 300, and a supporting mechanism 400. The main body mechanism 100 extends along the vertical direction of the wearer's torso and is fixed to the side of the wearer's torso below the wearer's shoulder. The fastening mechanism 200 extends along the extension direction of the wearer's upper arm and is arranged to contact the lower surface of the wearer's upper arm. The connecting mechanism 300 is constructed such that its first end is connected to the fastening mechanism 200 and its second end is movably connected to the main body mechanism 100 so as to be movable relative to the main body mechanism 100. The supporting mechanism 400 is movably connected between the first end and the second end of the connecting mechanism 300 to apply a supporting force to the connecting mechanism 300, and is connected to the main body mechanism 100 so as to be movable relative to the main body mechanism, whereby the supporting force varies according to the position of the supporting mechanism 400 relative to the main body mechanism 100.

[0041] The main body mechanism 100 connected to the wearer's torso extends along the vertical direction of the wearer's torso, that is, the extension direction, and is fixed to the side of the wearer's torso. In particular, the main body mechanism 100 is fixed to the side of the wearer's torso below the wearer's shoulders and can be fixed to the wearer's flank.

[0042] The fastening mechanism 200 is in a shape extending along the extension direction of the wearer's upper arm and contacts the lower surface of the wearer's upper arm to be fastened thereto. The fastening mechanism 200 may be in the form of a plate extending in a plane, or may be bent into a curved surface to surround the side of the wearer's upper arm. The fastening mechanism 200 may be fastened by the upper arm strap 210 surrounding the wearer's upper arm.

[0043] The connecting mechanism 300 is a mechanism that connects the fastening mechanism 200 and the main body mechanism 100 together, and is configured such that its first end is coupled to the fastening mechanism 200, and its second end is coupled to the main body mechanism 100. Here, the second end of the connecting mechanism 300 is movably coupled to the main body mechanism 100, so the connecting mechanism 300 and the main body mechanism 100 can move relative to each other by sliding along the main body mechanism 100.

[0044] The supporting mechanism 400 applies a supporting force to the connecting mechanism 300 to generate a supporting torque in the connecting mechanism 300. In addition, the supporting mechanism 400 is movably coupled between the first end and the second end of the connecting mechanism 300, so the application point of the supporting force applied to the connecting mechanism 300 by the supporting mechanism 400 can be changed.

[0045] The support mechanism 400 may be disposed inside the main body mechanism 100. In particular, the support mechanism 400 is coupled to the main body mechanism 100 so as to be movable relative thereto, and when the support mechanism 400 moves relative to the main body mechanism 100, the position of the support mechanism 400 relative to the main body mechanism 100 changes, and therefore, the support force applied to the connection mechanism 300 may also change.

[0046] In other words, the support mechanism 400 is movable relative to the main body mechanism 100 and the connection mechanism 300, and therefore, the support force applied by the support mechanism 400 to the connection mechanism 300 changes, and the application point of the support force applied by the support mechanism 400 to the connection mechanism 300 may also change. Therefore, the support torque applied to the connection mechanism 300 may change.

[0047] Therefore, the present invention has the effect of preventing interference with external devices in the wearer's working area by supporting the wearer's upper arm under the wearer's shoulder, and can change the supporting torque applied to the connecting mechanism 300 according to the position of the upper arm.

[0048] The main body 100 may be secured to the torso of the wearer by a separate strap.

[0049] Specifically, the wearable device may further include a torso strap 111, which is coupled to the main body mechanism 100 and surrounds the torso of the wearer, so that the main body mechanism 100 is fixed to the side of the torso of the wearer. The torso strap 111 may surround the side of the torso of the wearer.

[0050] In addition, the wearable device may further include a shoulder strap 112 configured such that a first end thereof is coupled to a torso strap 111 disposed in front of the wearer, and a second end thereof is coupled to the torso strap 111 disposed in the rear of the wearer via the upper portion of the wearer's shoulder. The shoulder strap 112 may fix the torso strap 111 so that it does not move in the vertical direction of the wearer's torso.

[0051] The main body mechanism 100 may include a fixed portion 110 and a rotatable portion 120, wherein the fixed portion 110 is fixed to the wearer's torso by contacting the side of the wearer's torso, and the rotatable portion 120 is connected to the fixed portion 110 so as to be able to rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the direction in which the main body mechanism 100 extends, and the connecting mechanism 300 and the supporting mechanism 400 can be connected to the rotatable portion 120.

[0052] The fixing portion 110 fixed to the side of the wearer's torso may be fastened to the torso strap 111 to be fixed to the wearer's torso.

[0053] The rotatable portion 120 rotatably coupled to the fixing portion 110 can rotate around the fixing portion 110 as a rotation axis parallel to the direction in which the main body mechanism 100 extends. In other words, the rotatable portion 120 can rotate in front of or behind the wearer based on the fixing portion 110 fixed to the wearer's flank.

[0054] The connection mechanism 300 and the support mechanism 400 are coupled to the rotatable portion 120 so that as the wearer's upper arm rotates forward or backward about the shoulder joint, the rotatable portion 120 rotates, thereby compensating for the forward and backward movement of the wearer's upper arm.

[0055] In particular, the fixed portion 110 and the rotatable portion 120 may be rotatably coupled to each other at a plurality of positions 130 and 140 spaced apart from each other along a rotation axis parallel to a direction in which the main body mechanism 100 extends.

[0056] In other words, the fixing portion 110 and the rotatable portion 120 are rotatably coupled to each other at a plurality of positions 130 and 140 spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and thus the main body mechanism 100 can stably support the connection mechanism 300 and the support mechanism 400 .

[0057] The fastening mechanism 200 may be coupled to the first end of the connecting mechanism 300 to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the direction of a rotation axis that rotates upward or downward about a shoulder joint of the wearer's upper arm.

[0058] The fastening mechanism 200 that contacts the lower surface of the wearer's upper arm to support the wearer's upper arm should rotate as the angle of the wearer's upper arm relative to the wearer's torso changes. Therefore, in order to allow the wearer's upper arm to rotate freely upward around the shoulder joint, the fastening mechanism 200 can be rotatably connected to the first end of the connecting mechanism 300.

[0059] In particular, the rotation axes of the fastening mechanism 200 and the connecting mechanism 300 may be parallel to the rotation axis of the upward or downward rotation around the shoulder joint of the wearer's upper arm.

[0060] In addition, the second end of the connection mechanism 300, which will be described later, may be provided with a second roller 320 that slides along the first sliding groove 121 formed in the main body mechanism 100. The second roller 320 allows the connection mechanism 300 to rotate about a rotation axis parallel to a rotation axis that rotates upward or downward about a shoulder joint of the wearer's upper arm.

[0061] Therefore, the upward and downward movement of the wearer's upper arm can be compensated by the rotatable connection between the first end of the connecting mechanism 300 and the fastening mechanism 200 and the rotatable connection between the second end of the connecting mechanism 300 and the main body mechanism 100.

[0062] Specifically, the main body mechanism 100 is provided with a first sliding groove 121 extending in the vertical direction of the wearer's torso, and as the second end of the connecting mechanism 300 slides along the first sliding groove 121 , the connecting mechanism 300 can move relative to the main body mechanism 100 .

[0063] The second end of the connecting mechanism 300 is provided with a second roller 320 so as to be movable along the first sliding groove 121. In addition, the second roller 320 of the connecting mechanism 300 may be configured to be freely rotatable within the first sliding groove 121, so that the connecting mechanism 300 may rotate about the second roller 320 parallel to the rotation axis that rotates upward or downward about the shoulder joint of the upper arm of the user.

[0064] Therefore, the second end of the connecting mechanism 300 can translate along the first sliding slot 121 and can rotate within the first sliding slot 121, thereby compensating for the positional movement caused by the wearer's upper arm rotating around the shoulder joint and the fastening mechanism 200.

[0065] Figure 4 is an internal view showing a wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Further references Figure 4 , the support mechanism 400 of the wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an elastic body 430, which generates elastic force by deformation, and a first roller 410, which is coupled to the main body mechanism 100 so as to be movable relative to the main body mechanism by being connected to the first end of the elastic body 430 via a cable 440. Here, based on the relative positions of the first roller 410 and the main body mechanism 100, the elastic force of the elastic body 430 varies, and the supporting force applied to the connection mechanism 300 may vary.

[0067] The support mechanism 400 may include an elastic body 430 such as a spring, and the elastic body 430 generates elastic force by deformation. The first end of the elastic body 430 is connected to the first roller 410 through the cable 440, and the first roller 410 is connected to the main body mechanism 100 so as to be movable relative to the main body mechanism 100, so that when the first roller 410 moves relative to the main body mechanism 100, the relative position between the first roller 410 and the main body mechanism 100 can be changed.

[0068] The cable 440 connected from the first end of the elastic body 430 to the first roller 410 is fixed to the main body mechanism 100 between the first end of the elastic body 430 and the first roller 410 so as to come into contact with the first and second rotating shafts 450 and 460 rotatably coupled to each other.

[0069] When the relative position between the first roller 410 and the main body 100 changes, the distance between the first roller 410 and the first end of the elastomer 430 can change, so that the force pulling the elastomer 430 at the first end of the elastomer 430 changes according to the change in the length of the cable 440 to cause deformation of the elastomer 430, thereby changing the elastic force.

[0070] The connection mechanism 300 may include a second sliding groove 310 extending along a longitudinal direction of the connection mechanism 300 and a coupling body 420 that may move along the second sliding groove 310 , wherein the coupling body 420 may be integrally coupled to the first roller 410 .

[0071] In other words, the coupling body 420 integrally coupled to the first roller 410 can move in the longitudinal direction of the connection mechanism 300. Therefore, the coupling body 420 integrally coupled to the first roller 410 to which the elastic force of the elastic body 430 is applied slides in the longitudinal direction of the connection mechanism 300, and the application point of the supporting force applied to the connection mechanism 300 can be changed. In other words, the torque applied to the connection mechanism 300 can be changed.

[0072] Figure 5 is a view showing a torque curve based on the angle of an upper arm of a wearer on which a wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is worn.

[0073] Further references Figure 5 , the main body mechanism 100 may be provided with a contour groove 122 extending to allow the first roller 410 to move along it, thereby varying the supporting torque by the supporting force applied to the connecting mechanism 300 .

[0074] The profile groove 122 may be formed with a cam surface having a predetermined cam profile. The movement trajectory of the first roller 410 may correspond to the cam surface of the profile groove 122. As the first roller 410 slides along the profile groove 122, the magnitude and direction of the supporting force applied to the connection mechanism 300 may change, and the application point of the supporting force may change, and therefore, the supporting torque generated by the supporting force may change. That is, the supporting torque may change according to the position of the first roller 410 in the profile groove 122 having the cam surface.

[0075] Specifically, in a section (section A) where the angle between the main body mechanism 100 and the connection mechanism 300 is the second predetermined angle or greater, the contour groove 122 may be configured such that the support torque generated by the support force gradually increases as the angle decreases.

[0076] Furthermore, in a section (section B) in which the angle between the main body mechanism 100 and the connection mechanism 300 is within a range between a first predetermined angle or more and a second predetermined angle or less, the profile groove 122 may be configured so that a support torque generated by a support force applied to the connection mechanism 300 has a maximum value. In particular, the maximum value of the support torque may be a predetermined separation angle or more.

[0077] In addition, in a section (section C) where the angle between the main body mechanism 100 and the connection mechanism 300 is a predetermined separation angle or less, as the angle is reduced by mechanically separating from the mechanism that provides the support torque, the support torque can be reduced to 0. In particular, the support torque can be reduced to 0 from the separation angle to the first angle, and the support torque can be 0 at the first angle or less. Here, the first angle is predetermined to be smaller than the separation angle.

[0078] In particular, when the angle between the main body mechanism 100 and the connection mechanism 300 is a first predetermined angle or less, the profile groove 122 may be configured so that the support torque generated by the support force is 0. The support torque applied to the connection mechanism 300 may decrease linearly from a predetermined separation angle (e.g., about 70°), and at a first predetermined angle (e.g., about 60°) or less, the support torque may be 0.

[0079] At the first predetermined angle or less, the elastic force applied from the elastic body 430 to the first roller 410 is transmitted to the main body mechanism 100, and the supporting force applied to the connecting mechanism 300 may be 0. Therefore, when the wearer's upper arm moves downward to the predetermined angle or less, the arm can move freely by eliminating the load interfering with the movement of the wearer's upper arm.

[0080] Furthermore, when the angle between the main body mechanism 100 and the connection mechanism 300 is a second predetermined angle or greater, the contour groove 122 may be configured such that as the angle between the main body mechanism 100 and the connection mechanism 300 increases, the support torque generated by the support force decreases.

[0081] When the angle between the main body mechanism 100 and the connection mechanism 300 is a second predetermined angle (eg, approximately 100°) or greater, the elastic force may be reduced, thereby reducing the supporting torque supporting the upper arm of the wearer.

[0082] In other words, as the angle between the main body mechanism 100 and the connecting mechanism 300 increases, the distance between the first roller 410 and the first end of the elastic body 430 decreases to reduce the deformation of the elastic body 430, thereby reducing the elastic force. Therefore, as the angle deviates from the maximum angle at which the supporting torque is applied, the supporting torque can be reduced.

[0083] In addition, the contour groove 122 may be configured such that the angle between the main body mechanism 100 and the connection mechanism 300 is a limit angle (eg, approximately 135°) or less.

[0084] In addition, when the angle between the main body mechanism 100 and the connection mechanism 300 is within the range between the first predetermined angle or more and the second predetermined angle or less, the profile groove 122 may be configured so that the support torque generated by the support force applied to the connection mechanism 300 has a maximum value. In particular, the maximum value of the support torque generated by the support force may be within the range between the predetermined separation angle or more and the second predetermined angle or less.

[0085] In other words, the contour groove 122 can be configured so that the support torque applied to the connection mechanism 300 has a maximum value at an angle of approximately 90° corresponding to the positioning of the wearer's upper arm relative to the wearer's torso. Therefore, in the area where the load on the wearer's upper arm is the largest, the support torque applied by the connection mechanism 300 is the largest, thereby assisting the wearer when performing work.

[0086] The wearable device may further include an adjustment mechanism 500 connected to the second end of the elastic body 430 to move the second end of the elastic body 430 , thereby changing the elastic force of the elastic body 430 .

[0087] The adjustment mechanism 500 may include a threaded plate 510 and a rotating screw 520, wherein the threaded plate 510 is integrally connected to the main mechanism 100, and the rotating screw 520 is threadedly connected to the threaded plate 510 while being connected to the second end of the elastomer 430, wherein as the rotating screw 520 rotates, the second end of the elastomer 430 can move relative to the threaded plate 510.

[0088] The rotating screw 520 is connected to the second end of the elastic body 430, so that the second end of the elastic body 430 moves with the movement of the rotating screw 520, thereby changing the elastic force of the elastic body 430. The rotating screw 520 is threadedly connected to the thread plate 510 integrally connected to the main body mechanism 100 so as to move upward based on the main body mechanism 100 by rotating relative to the thread plate 510.

[0089] Therefore, by the wearer easily turning the rotation screw 520, the elastic body 430 is deformed to vary the elastic force, and thus, the supporting torque applied to the upper arm of the wearer can be varied.

[0090] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A wearable device for assisting muscle strength, the device comprising: a main body structure extending in a vertical direction along the torso of the wearer and secured to the side of the torso of the wearer below the shoulders of the wearer; a fastening mechanism extending along the extension direction of the wearer's upper arm, the fastening mechanism being in contact with the lower surface of the wearer's upper arm; a connecting mechanism having a first end coupled to the fastening mechanism and a second end movably coupled to the main body mechanism, the connecting mechanism being movable relative to the main body mechanism; as well as a support mechanism movably coupled between the first end and the second end of the connecting mechanism to apply a support force to the connecting mechanism, the support mechanism being coupled to the main mechanism and being movable relative to the main mechanism, wherein the support force varies according to a position of the support mechanism relative to the main mechanism, The main body mechanism includes a first sliding groove extending in the vertical direction of the wearer's torso, As the second end of the connecting mechanism slides along the first sliding groove, the connecting mechanism moves relative to the main body mechanism. The support mechanism includes: an elastic body and a first roller, the elastic body generates elastic force; the first roller is connected to the main body mechanism and can move relative to the main body mechanism by being connected to the first end of the elastic body via a cable, The elastic force of the elastic body changes according to the relative position of the first roller and the main body mechanism, thereby changing the supporting force applied to the connecting mechanism. The connection mechanism includes a coupling body integrally coupled to the first roller.

2. The wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to claim 1, further comprising a torso strap connected to the main body mechanism and surrounding the torso of the wearer so that the main body mechanism is fixed to the side of the torso of the wearer.

3. The wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to claim 2, further comprising a shoulder strap, wherein the shoulder strap is configured such that a first end thereof is connected to the trunk strap disposed in front of the wearer, and a second end thereof is connected to the trunk strap disposed in the back of the wearer via the upper part of the wearer's shoulder.

4. The wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to claim 1, wherein: The main institutions include: a fixing portion that is fixed to the torso of the wearer by coming into contact with the side of the torso of the wearer; and a rotatable portion, which is coupled to the fixed portion and is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the direction in which the main body mechanism extends, The connection mechanism and the support mechanism are coupled to the rotatable portion.

5. The wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to claim 4, wherein: The fixed portion and the rotatable portion are rotatably coupled to each other at a plurality of positions spaced apart from each other along the rotation axis.

6. The wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to claim 1, wherein: The fastening mechanism is coupled to the first end of the connecting mechanism and is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to a rotation axis of a shoulder joint of the wearer's upper arm that rotates upward or downward.

7. The wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to claim 1, wherein: The connecting mechanism comprises a second sliding groove extending along a longitudinal direction of the connecting mechanism, and the coupling body is movable along the second sliding groove.

8. The wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to claim 1, wherein: The main body mechanism includes a contour groove extending to allow the first roller to be movable along the contour groove, thereby generating a supporting torque by a supporting force applied to the connecting mechanism.

9. The wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to claim 8, wherein: The contour groove has a cam surface having a predetermined cam profile, and the movement trajectory of the first roller corresponds to the cam surface, The magnitude and direction of the supporting force applied to the connection mechanism changes, and the point at which the supporting force is applied changes, The supporting torque varies depending on the position of the first roller in the profile groove.

10. The wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to claim 8, wherein: When the angle between the main body mechanism and the connection mechanism is a first predetermined angle or smaller, the support torque generated by the support force is zero.

11. The wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to claim 8, wherein: When the angle between the main body mechanism and the connection mechanism is a second predetermined angle or greater, as the angle between the main body mechanism and the connection mechanism increases, the support torque generated by the support force decreases.

12. The wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to claim 8, wherein: When the angle between the main body mechanism and the connection mechanism is within a range between a first predetermined angle and a second predetermined angle, a support torque generated by a support force applied to the connection mechanism has a maximum value.

13. The wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment mechanism connected to the second end of the elastic body to move the second end of the elastic body to change the elastic force of the elastic body.

14. The wearable device for assisting muscle strength according to claim 13, wherein: The adjustment mechanism includes: a threaded plate integrally coupled to the main body mechanism; and a rotation screw threadably connected to the threaded plate while being connected to the second end of the elastic body. As the rotating screw rotates, the second end of the elastic body moves relative to the threaded plate.

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