Exoskeleton Adjusting Assembly Pin-and-Recess Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Exoskeleton robots are laborious for users to put on or take off due to the complexity of existing adjusting mechanisms, which can be inconvenient for physically challenged individuals.

Innovation Solution

An adjusting assembly for exoskeleton robots featuring a first plate pivotably connected to a second plate via a shaft, with a second shaft that rotates to accommodate or release pins, allowing the second plate to be blocked or unblocked from rotation, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly by creating an open space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex adjusting mechanism is used to secure the leg assembly, then the stability and security of the connection is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates making it laborious for users to put on or take off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidease of dressing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a first plate attached to the waist assembly, a second plate attached to the leg assembly, pins for positioning, and a shaft with recesses for locking. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall operation while maintaining secure connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking function is extracted from a complex mechanism and simplified to a direct pin-and-recess engagement system. The pins protruding from the first plate engage directly with corresponding recesses in the second plate, eliminating the need for complex locking procedures and making the system easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple pins and locking components are used, then the manufacturing precision and connection stability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple pins are merged into a single integrated shaft structure with multiple recesses. Instead of using separate locking components for each pin, the shaft combines all locking functions into one unified element that rotates to engage or disengage all pins simultaneously, reducing device complexity while maintaining alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines the rotation axis, and contains all locking recesses in a single component. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms for each pin, simplifying the overall structure while ensuring precise manufacturing and assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3505307B1Adjusting assembly and exoskeleton robot comprising the same
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 FREE BIONICS TAIWAN INC
  • EP3505307B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3505307B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3505307B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention discloses an adjusting assembly for an exoskeleton robot. The adjusting assembly includes a first plate, a second plate pivotably connected to the first plate via a first shaft, and a second shaft. The first plate includes at least one pin aligned with each other in a first direction. The second shaft, extending in parallel with the first shaft in the first direction, includes a body and at least one recess. The second shaft is configured to rotate to a first position to accommodate the at least one pin in the at least one recess, and to a second position to release the at least one pin from the at least one recess. At the first position the second plate is blocked from rotation about the first shaft by the body. At the second position the second plate is allowed to rotate about the first shaft.