Exoskeleton Ankle Joint Mechanism With Adjustable Cushioning Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exoskeleton ankle joint devices fail to adjust rotational torque according to different user body types, leading to poor user experience and potential reliability issues due to wear and increased size or cost.
Innovation Solution
A rotating cushioning and assisting mechanism with adjustable joint torque, utilizing a rotating outward expanding member, elastic return member, and inner support heterogeneous member to store and release energy for cushioning and assisted return, along with a pitch-adjustable member to customize torque settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber washer is used for energy storage in the ankle joint, then cushioning function is achieved, but the rubber will wear and age over time affecting reliability and service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rubber washer with a spring component that can be easily replaced. The spring is designed as a separate, modular component that can be quickly swapped out when worn or damaged, eliminating the need for complex disassembly and reducing maintenance time while maintaining reliable cushioning function throughout the service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the rubber washer (elastomeric material) with a spring (mechanical component). This replacement transitions from relying on material elasticity that degrades over time to a mechanical spring system that maintains consistent performance and can be readily replaced, thereby improving reliability and service life.
2Force
If the spring elasticity is selected small, then assembly experience is good, but the cushioning effect is not good; if the spring elasticity is selected large, then cushioning effect is good, but assembly experience is poor when installing preload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an adjustable mechanism that allows the spring preload to be dynamically modified after assembly. This enables the spring to be initially installed with a manageable preload, and then fine-tuned later to achieve the optimal cushioning effect, decoupling the assembly process from the performance tuning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides a mechanism to adjust the spring preload parameter after assembly. This allows the system to be initially configured with easy-to-install parameters and then optimized for maximum cushioning effect by adjusting the preload, thereby resolving the conflict between ease of assembly and cushioning performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the exoskeleton ankle joint device is designed with fixed rotational torque, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot be adjusted for different user groups with different body types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an adjustable mechanism that allows the rotational torque parameter to be modified to suit different user groups. By providing a simple adjustment mechanism (such as changing spring preload or selecting different spring constants), the device can be adapted to various body types without requiring complex redesign or multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the ankle joint device with a universal adjustment mechanism that can accommodate different user requirements. The same basic device structure can serve multiple user groups by adjusting the torque parameter, eliminating the need for multiple specialized versions and reducing overall system complexity.
4Force
If a hydraulic device is used for cushioning and assisting, then cushioning function is achieved, but it increases weight and size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic device with a spring-based mechanical system. This substitution eliminates the need for hydraulic fluid, pumps, and complex control systems, significantly reducing weight and size while maintaining the cushioning and assisting functions through elastic energy storage and release in the spring component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential cushioning function from the complex hydraulic system and implements it through a simple spring mechanism. By taking out only the necessary energy storage and release capability and implementing it through a lightweight spring, the device achieves the required cushioning function with minimal weight and size.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mechanism provides customizable torque adjustment, enhancing user experience and reliability by adapting to different body types, while reducing wear and size, and maintaining stability through a connecting rod and sliding bearing.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic return member connected to the free ends of the first rotating member and the second rotating member
Implementation Method 2
to stretch the elastic return member... store and release energy for cushioning and assisted return
Implementation Method 3
maintaining stability through a connecting rod and sliding bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating cushioning and assisting mechanism comprises a rotating outward expanding member, an elastic return member, and an inner support heterogeneous member; the rotating outward expanding member comprises a first rotating member and a second rotating member, which enclose to form an expandable compartment; the elastic return member is connected to the free ends of the first rotating member and the second rotating member; and the inner support heterogeneous member is rotationally disposed in the expandable compartment. When an external force drives the inner support heterogeneous member to rotate in the expandable compartment, a work done by the force exerted by the inner support heterogeneous member is converted into elastic potential energy to be stored; when the external force is over, the elastic potential energy is released and converted into kinetic energy to help the free ends of the two rotating members to move close.