Compact Driving Module for Wearable Motion Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motion assistance apparatuses for walking assistance, such as those used for individuals with mobility issues or for military purposes, often protrude and are bulky due to the placement of motors and decelerators, making them difficult to wear under clothing and causing noise issues from gear engagement and friction.
Innovation Solution
A slim, lightweight driving module with an improved gear structure and joint arrangement, incorporating a decelerating gear set with a ring gear, planetary gears, and noise reduction members like PEEK plastic materials and rings to mitigate noise and reduce the module's protrusion, allowing for effective power transmission while minimizing noise and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If motors and decelerators are placed in the motion assistance apparatus, then power transmission capability is improved, but the apparatus becomes bulky and protrudes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the decelerator inside the motor housing, creating a compact integrated structure. The gear train components are arranged concentrically around the motor shaft, with the output gear engaging the motor shaft and intermediate gears nested within the motor housing space, effectively reducing the overall volume while maintaining power transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the motor and decelerator into a single integrated driving module. The motor housing serves as the outer casing that contains both the motor stator and the decelerator gear train, eliminating the need for separate housings and reducing the overall apparatus volume while maintaining structural integrity.
2Power
If conventional gear structures are used for power transmission, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but noise from gear engagement and friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces elastomeric material as an intermediary between the gear teeth surfaces. This elastomeric coating or layer acts as a mediator that reduces direct metal-to-metal contact during gear engagement, thereby dampening the noise generated by gear tooth interactions while maintaining adequate friction for power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction for the gear components, combining metallic base materials with elastomeric coatings or layers. This composite approach allows the gear structure to maintain the strength and durability of metal while the elastomeric outer layer reduces noise through its damping properties and softer contact characteristics.
3Volume of moving object
If the apparatus structure is made compact, then wearability under clothing is improved, but the driving source and wearable portion become thicker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent redistributes the driving source components along the rotational axial dimension rather than expanding the radial thickness. The motor and decelerator are arranged in an axial sequence, with the gear train extending along the shaft axis, allowing the apparatus to be compact in the radial direction (thickness) while accommodating all components in the axial direction (length).
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 solution enables a compact, lightweight, and quiet motion assistance apparatus that can be worn under clothing, providing effective power transmission and improved wearability while reducing noise and visibility, thus enhancing user experience and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a ring between the frame set and the rotary joint, the ring being configured to at least partially mitigate noise produced based on interaction between the frame set and the rotary joint
Data Source
AI summary
A driving module may include a driving source configured to generate power, a gear train that includes a decelerating gear set configured to receive driving power from the driving source and a ring gear attached to one side of the gear train, and a rotary joint that includes at least one planetary gear configured to rotate in response to power received from an output end of the decelerating gear set and to revolve along the ring gear. The driving module may include one or more noise reducing members configured to mitigate noise produced based on interaction between one or more elements of the driving module. The driving module may be included in a motion assistance apparatus, where the driving module drives a module that supports a portion of a user body.