Back Exoskeleton with Energy Return Members for Spinal Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional material handling systems, such as exoskeletons, often cause lower back pain and spinal compression when lifting heavy objects due to the high forces endured by the wearer, particularly during bending and lifting tasks like unloading boxes or constructing buildings.
Innovation Solution
The exoskeleton system employs energy return members, such as carbon fiber rods or leaf springs, to offload the weight of the wearer's torso, providing high-energy return assistance during lifting and bending, thereby reducing the forces on the back and minimizing strain. This is achieved through a combination of chest and waist harnesses, leg energy return members, and differential mechanisms that allow for efficient energy storage and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional exoskeletons are used for lifting heavy objects, then lifting capability is improved, but lower back pain and spinal compression increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs energy return members (carbon fiber rods, spines or bars) that function as counterweight elements to offset the weight of the torso and reduce spinal compression. These members are positioned to provide mechanical support that counteracts gravitational force on the back, directly addressing the harmful effect of spinal compression while maintaining lifting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful high forces endured by the back during lifting into beneficial energy storage and return. The energy return members store mechanical energy during the lifting phase and release it during the return phase, transforming the harmful repetitive stress into a useful energy recovery mechanism that reduces overall spinal compression.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If energy return members are added to reduce spinal compression, then harmful factors are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes flexible carbon fiber rods, spines or bars as energy return members that can be integrated into the exoskeleton structure without adding significant complexity. These flexible members naturally conform to the body's movements and provide the necessary mechanical support through their inherent elastic properties, avoiding the need for complex rigid mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the energy return members by using materials with specific elastic properties (carbon fiber with high energy return characteristics). By selecting materials and dimensions that optimize the energy storage and release parameters, the system achieves force reduction with minimal structural complexity.
3Productivity
If the exoskeleton provides high-energy return assistance, then lifting capability is improved, but energy storage and release mechanisms become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The energy return members are designed to automatically store and release energy through passive elastic deformation without requiring external control systems. The carbon fiber rods, spines or bars naturally deform during lifting to store energy and automatically rebound to release energy, providing self-service functionality that enhances lifting capability without adding complex control mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If the exoskeleton is designed to be completely passive, then ease of operation is improved, but lifting assistance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The completely passive exoskeleton design utilizes energy return members that automatically perform the assistance function through elastic deformation. The system serves itself by storing energy during torso movement and releasing it during the return phase, providing lifting enhancement without requiring active control while maintaining natural user movement.
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 system enables users to lift objects up to 25-30% of their body weight with minimal energy expenditure and reduced spinal compression, enhancing lifting capabilities while minimizing discomfort and fatigue, particularly during squat and stoop lifts, and allowing for various applications like agriculture, construction, and patient handling.
Implementation Method 1
the energy return of this exoskeleton is provided by one or more energy return members, which may be in the form of one or more carbon fiber rods, spines or bars
Implementation Method 2
one or more energy return members which may be in the form of a leaf spring that is designed to offset weight of a wearer's torso when they bend forward at the waist
Data Source
AI summary
An exoskeleton to assist a user in moving as object comprising an upper body harness, a mid-body harness, and a lower body harness. First and second sets of elongated energy return members are located between the harnesses and are used to assist a user in moving an object.