Assist Garment Actuator Segmentation for Fit and Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assist garments with only assisting actuators suffer from localized wrinkles during extension and contraction, leading to improper fit and inadequate exertion of assist force on the human body, limiting adaptability to various body shapes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating fitting actuators that cross the assisting actuators, along with sensors and a controller to ensure proper fit and force exertion, allowing the assist garment to extend and contract in multiple directions and adjust to body shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only assisting actuators are used in the garment, then the device complexity is reduced, but the garment cannot properly fit the body and wrinkle formation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system is segmented into two functional groups: assisting actuators for muscle assistance and fitting actuators for garment fitting. This segmentation allows each group to perform its specialized function, with fitting actuators preventing wrinkles and assisting actuators providing mechanical assistance, thereby resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and fit quality
Solution Approach 2:
The garment integrates multiple functions through a unified structure where fitting actuators handle both garment tightening and wrinkle prevention, while assisting actuators provide mechanical assistance. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to achieve proper fit without significantly increasing overall device complexity
2Device complexity
If only assisting actuators are used, then the structure is simpler, but the assist force cannot be properly exerted on the muscle
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission system is segmented into two paths: fitting actuators transmit force to eliminate wrinkles and ensure contact between garment and muscle, while assisting actuators transmit assistive force directly to the muscle. This segmentation ensures that both fitting and assisting forces are properly exerted without interfering with each other
Solution Approach 2:
Fitting actuators serve as intermediaries that first establish proper garment-muscle contact by eliminating wrinkles, creating a reliable transmission path for the assisting actuators to effectively exert force on the muscle. The fitting actuators mediate between the garment structure and the muscle target
3Adaptability or versatility
If fitting actuators are added to cross the assisting actuators, then the adaptability to body shape is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system is segmented into fitting actuators for body contour adaptation and assisting actuators for muscle assistance. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, with fitting actuators adapting to various body shapes while assisting actuators providing targeted muscle support, achieving high adaptability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Fitting actuators are arranged in a direction crossing the assisting actuators, adding a dimensional aspect to the actuator configuration. This cross-directional arrangement enables the garment to adapt to three-dimensional body contours while maintaining the linear arrangement of assisting actuators for muscle alignment
Data Source
AI summary
An assist garment is configured to be worn on a part of a human body and includes a plurality of garment-fitting actuators placed linearly along at least one end portion of a garment body and configured to be driven to extend and contract, a plurality of assisting actuators placed linearly on the garment body to cross the plurality of garment-fitting actuators and configured to be driven to extend and contract, and a controller configured to individually control driving of the plurality of assisting actuators and driving of the plurality of garment-fitting actuators.