Damping-Adjustable Shoulder Joint Tracking Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shoulder rehabilitation methods are limited by the need for bulky and expensive actuators, restricted range of motion, and inability to track three-dimensional positional changes, leading to potential shoulder joint damage and pain.
Innovation Solution
A damping-adjustable shoulder joint tracking apparatus with a gravity compensation spring and rotary damper system that applies variable damping forces, using a magnetic clutch to control movement and reduce excessive motion, allowing for effective rehabilitation in both active and passive exercise modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an actuator is used to move the shoulder joint, then the shoulder joint can be rehabilitated with controlled motion, but the actuator is bulky and expensive, making it difficult to use and maintain in the hospital or clinical field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the actuator from the rehabilitation system and replaces it with a passive rehabilitation device that utilizes the patient's own body weight and gravity. The shoulder joint tracking function is achieved through passive mechanical means rather than active actuation, eliminating the need for bulky and expensive actuators while maintaining rehabilitation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a spring mechanism to compensate for the weight of the arm and rehabilitation device, creating a counterweight system that balances the gravitational force. This allows the shoulder joint to move freely within its range of motion without requiring additional actuators to overcome gravity, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining rehabilitation functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If a passive rehabilitation device is combined to a general upper extremity rehabilitation assistant device, then the device can support light upper extremity robot devices within 10 kg, but the range of use is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a variable damper that can adjust its damping coefficient dynamically based on the rehabilitation mode and patient needs. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the device to accommodate a wider range of weights and rehabilitation scenarios, expanding the supported weight limit beyond the original 10 kg restriction while maintaining device compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the damping parameter of the damper based on different rehabilitation modes (passive, active-assisted, active-resistive). By adjusting the damping coefficient, the device can adapt to different patient weights and rehabilitation requirements, thereby expanding the range of use beyond the original weight limitation
3Ease of operation
If the rehabilitation assistant device moves excessively during active exercise mode, then the device can accommodate patient movement, but the tracking performance of the shoulder joint is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the shoulder joint tracking device continuously monitors the position and movement of the shoulder joint. This information is fed back to the control system, which adjusts the damper's damping coefficient in real-time to maintain tracking accuracy while accommodating patient movement during active exercise mode
Solution Approach 2:
The variable damper dynamically adjusts its damping characteristics based on the rehabilitation mode and detected movement patterns. During active exercise mode, the damper provides appropriate resistance while allowing sufficient patient movement freedom, and during passive mode, it enables smoother motion. This dynamic adaptation maintains shoulder joint tracking accuracy across different operation modes
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 effectively compensates for gravity and applies damping forces to prevent shoulder joint damage, improving rehabilitation effectiveness and reducing pain by stabilizing arm movements during exercises.
Implementation Method 1
a gravity compensation spring... compensates for a vertical movement of a shoulder joint of a trainee, a weight of an arm, and gravity
Implementation Method 2
a rotary damper that changes a resistance magnitude according to a rotation speed
Implementation Method 3
rotary damper that changes a resistance magnitude according to a rotation speed
Implementation Method 4
a magnetic clutch that controls whether to transmit the damping force... a clutch coil that is an electromagnet
Implementation Method 5
a friction plate that generates a frictional force when the second shaft and the third shaft are connected
Data Source
AI summary
A shoulder joint tracking apparatus includes a gravity compensation spring that compensates for a vertical movement of a shoulder joint of a trainee, a weight of an arm, and gravity to a weight of a rehabilitation exercise device attached to the arm, and a shoulder joint tracking device that is provided at one side of the shoulder rehabilitation apparatus, is connected to the gravity compensation spring, and applies a damping force corresponding to a force applied by the trainee, in a direction opposite to a direction in which the force is applied, to control a vertical movement of the shoulder rehabilitation apparatus.