Adjustable Suit Exoskeleton Wire Positioning for Knee Assistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suit type exoskeletons face challenges in accurately attaching wires or webbing to varying human body sizes, leading to discomfort due to the need for multiple straps and controllers, and lack a separate device for controlling wire length.
Innovation Solution
A suit type exoskeleton design featuring removable controllers and sheath fixing units that allow adjustment of wire positions and lengths, with wires passing through tubular sheaths to prevent body pressure, and a buttress for support, enabling comfortable fit and effective power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If many straps and controllers are used to adjust the suit type exoskeleton to various body sizes, then the adaptability to different users is improved, but the wearing comfort deteriorates due to the presence of multiple straps and controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the controller from the wearing portion, allowing it to be removed and placed elsewhere. This separation eliminates the discomfort caused by having controllers attached to the body, while still maintaining the ability to adjust wire lengths for different body sizes through the removable controller mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The wearing portion is designed to be universal across different body sizes by using adjustable wire lengths controlled by the removable controller. Instead of having different configurations for different users, a single wearing portion can accommodate various body sizes through the adjustable wire length mechanism
2Adaptability or versatility
If the length of wires or webbing transmitting power is controlled using existing strap adjustment mechanisms, then the adaptability to different body sizes is improved, but the manufacturing precision and reliability of power transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wire length adjustment is segmented into discrete controllable units through the controller mechanism. The controller can precisely control wire length in specific intervals (e.g., 1cm increments), providing accurate and reliable power transmission while adapting to different body sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary device between the wire and the user's body. It provides precise control over wire length through a dedicated mechanism rather than relying on general-purpose strap adjusters, ensuring both accuracy and reliability in power transmission
3Reliability
If wires are attached to fixed positions on the body, then the power transmission reliability is improved, but the adaptability to different users with varying body sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wire attachment system is made dynamic through the removable controller that can be positioned at different locations on the body. This allows the wire attachment point to adapt to different body sizes and shapes while maintaining reliable power transmission to the appropriate muscle groups for each user
Data Source
AI summary
A suit type exoskeleton adjustable to a user's body size includes a wire, a wearing portion worn on a part of the user's body to assist with physical strength, a controller removably coupled to an outer surface of the wearing portion and coupled to an end of the wire, and a driver coupled to an opposite end of the wire and configured to provide power to the wire. A suit type exoskeleton for knee power assistance is characterized by use of the suit type exoskeleton which is adjustable to a user's body size for their knee.