Exoskeleton Force Balance Unit for Load Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exoskeletons are limited in their ability to efficiently handle heavy loads, particularly in terms of weight-bearing efficiency, adaptability to different body structures, and handling various types and sizes of materials, and they often cause discomfort and fatigue due to inadequate distribution of load and lack of buffer functions during movement.
Innovation Solution
The development of an exoskeleton with a spinal locomotion adaptation unit that allows for deformation to fit the human back, a force balance unit for coordinated load distribution between the back and front, quick-release joints for modularization, and a buffer device at each joint to absorb impact and vibration, enabling comfortable wear and efficient handling of diverse loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid weight-bearing structure is used to support heavy loads, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the adaptability to different body structures and movements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The exoskeleton is divided into multiple independent modules including hip joints, knee joints, ankle joints, and a spinal locomotion adaptation unit. Each module can independently adapt to movement requirements while maintaining overall structural strength for load-bearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The exoskeleton incorporates dynamic elements such as the spinal locomotion adaptation unit that can deform and adapt to different body movements and postures. The modular joint design allows dynamic adjustment while maintaining load-bearing capacity through controlled mechanical connections.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed-structure exoskeleton is used to maintain stability, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to handle various types and sizes of materials deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The exoskeleton features a universal modular platform that can accommodate different types and sizes of materials through standardized interfaces. The hip, knee, and ankle joints provide multi-functional movement capabilities that enable handling of diverse cargo while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows the exoskeleton to be configured for different handling tasks by adjusting or reconfiguring specific modules, enabling versatility in material handling while the overall modular structure maintains stability through standardized connection interfaces.
3Device complexity
If no buffer device is added to reduce impact during walking, then the device complexity is reduced, but the impact load on joints increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exoskeleton incorporates buffer devices at the hip, knee, and ankle joints that are designed to absorb impact loads during walking and movement. These cushioning elements are integrated into the joint structures, providing impact protection while maintaining relatively simple overall device complexity through unified joint module design.
4Productivity
If a specialized backpack is used for each type of cargo, then the load-bearing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and requirement for additional assistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exoskeleton employs a single universal modular platform that can handle various types and sizes of materials including water tanks, rice bags, oil drums, backpacks, and even wounded persons. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized backpacks and additional assistance operators, while maintaining load-bearing efficiency through optimized force distribution across the hip, knee, and ankle joints.
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 exoskeleton provides improved weight-bearing efficiency, reduces fatigue and discomfort, and allows for the handling of heavy and varied loads, including large and irregularly shaped items, while protecting joints from impact and vibration.
Implementation Method 1
a buffer device at each joint to absorb impact and vibration
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an exoskeleton which comprises a force balance back-carrying unit composed of a back-carrying assisting unit and a front-carrying assisting unit, a hip unit and a lower limb supporting unit, wherein the force balance back-carrying unit transfer the weight of a back-carrying load and/or a front-carrying load to the lower limb supporting unit through the hip unit to achieve the effort of assisting for the back-carrying load and/or the front-carrying load, wherein the length of the hip unit can be adjusted on the left-right plane and the upper-lower plane to adapt to wearers with different body types. On the other hand, the exoskeleton of the present invention is also provided with a buffer device to reduce the impact of the loads on the exoskeleton. The exoskeleton of the present invention also adopts quick-release joints, so as to modularize each part and standardize a docking interface of each module. The present invention can adapt to wearers with different hip shapes, and can transfer the weight of the back-carrying load and the front-carrying load to the lower limb supporting unit separately and simultaneously, so as to increase the weight-bearing efficiency and reduce the injuries to the back, the hands and the ankle joint.