Ankle-Foot Exoskeleton Local Battery Layout for Cable-Free Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exoskeletons with batteries located near the waist require exposed cables that cause snag hazards, add mass, and result in power losses and radio interference, making them cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A local battery system is integrated into the exoskeleton below the knee, eliminating the need for external cables and reducing mass, while using a battery management system to optimize power delivery and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery is located near the waist, then the power supply is sufficient for the exoskeleton, but exposed cables are required which cause snag hazards, add mass, and result in power losses and radio interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply system by placing the battery locally at the ankle joint rather than centrally at the waist. This segmentation allows the battery to be positioned close to the actuators it powers, eliminating the need for long exposed cables while reducing snag hazards and radio interference. The local battery system is integrated into the exoskeleton boot, creating a distributed power architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless power transmission intermediary between the battery and the actuators. Instead of using exposed cables that cause harmful effects, the system uses wireless power transmission to deliver energy from the locally positioned battery to the motor driver circuit board, thereby eliminating snag hazards and radio interference while maintaining sufficient power delivery.
2Power
If the battery is located near the waist, then the power supply is sufficient, but the cables add mass and make the system cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mass distribution by moving the battery from the waist to the ankle joint. This segmentation places the heavy battery component close to the actuators it powers, reducing the mass of cables required for power transmission. The local battery system eliminates the need for heavy exposed cables while maintaining sufficient power delivery capability to the actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless power transmission intermediary eliminates the need for physical cables that add mass to the system. By using wireless power transmission between the locally positioned battery and the actuators, the system reduces overall mass while maintaining adequate power delivery capability.
3Device complexity
If the battery is located near the waist, then the system architecture is simpler, but exposed cables cause power losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power distribution architecture by placing the battery locally at the ankle joint. This segmentation dramatically reduces the length of power transmission paths, thereby minimizing power losses in the cables or wireless transmission medium. The local battery system delivers power directly to the actuators with minimal energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless power transmission intermediary eliminates power losses associated with long exposed cables. By using wireless power transmission or a very short local connection between the battery and actuators, the system minimizes resistive power losses while maintaining a relatively simple architecture.
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 local battery system enhances user mobility by reducing snag hazards, power losses, and radio interference, providing efficient and reliable power to the exoskeleton actuators.
Implementation Method 1
a battery module held in the battery holder. The battery module can include a first power connector that electrically couples to a second power connector located in the battery holder to provide electric power to the electronic circuitry and the electric motor
Implementation Method 2
an electric motor that can generate torque about an axis of rotation of an ankle joint of the user
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes providing a battery holder of an ankle-foot exoskeleton wearable on a lower limb of a user, the battery holder configured to be disposed at the lower limb of the user and configured to receive a battery. The method includes providing an actuator of the ankle-foot exoskeleton, the actuator configured to receive power from the battery and generate torque about an axis of rotation of the lower limb. The method includes providing one or more housings of the ankle-foot exoskeleton, the one or more housings enclosing electronic circuitry configured to control delivery of the power from the battery to the actuator.