Powered Exoskeleton Foot Plate Mode Switching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Powered exoskeletons lack the capability to transition effectively between walking and wheeled movement, limiting their ability to achieve fast movement, which is essential for both military and civilian applications, particularly for the disabled and elderly.
Innovation Solution
A powered exoskeleton design that includes a foot part with a movable foot bottom plate and driving wheel system, allowing it to switch between walking and wheeled movement modes through a locking mechanism, enabling efficient transition between the two modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the powered exoskeleton uses only walking mode, then it can assist human movement, but it cannot achieve fast movement
Solution Approach 1:
The foot part is designed to perform multiple functions by switching between two states: in the first state, the foot bottom plate connects below the driving wheel to enable walking mode; in the second state, the foot bottom plate connects above the driving wheel to enable wheeled movement mode. This multi-functional design allows the exoskeleton to adapt to different movement requirements, achieving both assisted walking and fast wheeled movement.
2Speed
If the powered exoskeleton adds wheeled movement capability, then it can achieve fast movement, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the walking function and wheeled movement function into a single integrated foot part structure. The foot bottom plate, driving wheel, and locking mechanism work together as a unified system that can switch between modes. This combination approach adds wheeled movement capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by sharing common components and structures between the two movement modes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the powered exoskeleton includes mode switching mechanism, then it can transition between walking and wheeled movement, but the locking mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed as a dynamic system that can transition between locked and unlocked states based on the required movement mode. The first locking mechanism locks the foot bottom plate below the driving wheel for walking mode, while the second locking mechanism locks the foot bottom plate above the driving wheel for wheeled movement mode. This dynamic locking approach enables mode switching while keeping the mechanism relatively simple by using straightforward locking and unlocking actions rather than complex multi-stage systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A powered exoskeleton includes a leg part and a foot part. The foot part includes a foot bottom plate and a foot bottom plate driving wheel. The foot bottom plate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other; and the foot bottom plate driving wheel is connected below the leg part. The foot bottom plate is movably connected to the foot bottom plate driving wheel and capable of being turned over relative to the foot bottom plate driving wheel. In the walking mode, the foot bottom plate is turned over till the first surface of the foot bottom plate faces upward and is connected below the foot bottom plate driving wheel; and in the wheeled movement mode, the foot bottom plate is turned over till a second surface of the foot bottom plate faces upward and is connected above the foot bottom plate driving wheel.