Electrolaminate Clutches for Flexible Exosuit Force Modulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals engaged in physically demanding activities, such as warfighters, the elderly, and those with disabilities, face challenges due to limited endurance, strength, and injury resistance, leading to increased risk of injury and difficulty in performing daily tasks, as existing assistive devices have limitations in providing comprehensive support.
Innovation Solution
A programmable body augmentation system comprising a flexible suit with integrated flexible linear actuators and clutched-compliance elements, controlled by a programmable controller to provide augmented forces and compliance, enabling various modes of operation for enhanced physical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rigid support devices are used, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible support structures including elastic bands, fabric straps, and compliant mechanical elements that conform to body contours while providing necessary support forces. These flexible elements replace rigid structures, allowing the device to adapt to user movement and maintain comfort during physical activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable parameters such as tension levels, support stiffness, and positioning that can be modified to balance structural strength and flexibility. Users can adjust the degree of support provided by elastic elements and mechanical components to match their specific needs and activity levels.
2Device complexity
If passive mechanical support devices are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different activities and users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is designed with multiple functional elements that can serve different purposes depending on configuration. The same device can provide support for various body parts, accommodate different activity intensities, and adapt to different user requirements through adjustable mechanisms and reconfigurable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic elements such as adjustable tensioning mechanisms, movable support points, and compliant structures that can change their properties during use. This allows the device to adapt its characteristics in real-time based on user needs and activity demands without requiring complex electronic controls.
3Force
If heavy-duty support structures are used, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes elastic bands and spring elements that provide mechanical advantage and load distribution through elastic deformation. These compliant elements can support significant loads while maintaining low weight, as they leverage material elasticity rather than requiring heavy rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs counterbalancing mechanisms where elastic elements and mechanical components work together to distribute and offset loads. The support structure is designed to balance forces across multiple points, reducing the weight requirement at any single location while maintaining overall load-bearing capacity.
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 enhances the user's physical capabilities by augmenting muscle forces and providing controlled compliance, thereby reducing fatigue and injury risk, enabling tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible, such as carrying heavy loads and performing rehabilitation activities.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolaminate clutch configured to generate clutching forces between two surfaces according to an applied voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible exosuit includes rigid and flexible elements configured to couple forces to a body of a wearer. Further, the flexible exosuit includes flexible linear actuators and clutched compliance elements to apply and/or modulate forces and/or compliances between segments of the body of the wearer. The flexible exosuit further includes electronic controllers, power sources and sensors. The flexible exosuit can be configured to apply forces to the body of the wearer to enable a variety of applications. In some examples, the flexible exosuit can be configured to augment the physical strength or endurance of the wearer. In some examples, the flexible exosuit can be configured to train the wearer to perform certain physical tasks. In some examples, the flexible exosuit can be configured to record physical activities of the wearer.