IoT Exoskeleton Monitoring for Low-Weight Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exoskeleton systems face challenges such as discomfort, weight, poor adaptability to different operators, safety concerns, and inadequate monitoring and maintenance, limiting their widespread adoption and effectiveness in industrial settings.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based monitoring and maintenance management tool integrated with IoT modules and sensor systems, which can be retrofitted into existing exoskeletons, providing real-time data collection, fault detection, and maintenance alerts, while ensuring seamless integration and minimal weight addition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If onboard componentry is added for monitoring and maintenance, then monitoring capability is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling the assistive device operation and simultaneously processing data from multiple sensors (force sensors, inertial sensors, temperature sensors). This multi-functionality allows monitoring capabilities to be added without requiring entirely separate dedicated hardware systems, thereby limiting weight increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple sensor systems (force sensors in the mechanical linkage, inertial sensors on the operator and/or device) with the control processor into an integrated monitoring system. By merging these components into a unified system rather than adding separate independent monitoring systems, the overall weight increase is minimized while achieving comprehensive monitoring capability.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors and monitoring systems are integrated, then fault detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into distinct functional components: force sensors in the mechanical linkage for detecting forces, inertial sensors on the operator and/or device for detecting motion and orientation, and a processor for data processing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture by clearly defining the role of each sensor type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors forces and motion parameters through the sensors and provides feedback to the processor, which compares actual measurements against expected values or thresholds. This feedback mechanism enables automatic fault detection without requiring complex manual analysis systems, as the processor automatically identifies deviations indicating potential failures or abnormal conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the exoskeleton provides adaptive support for different operators, then adaptability is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exoskeleton employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms that automatically adapt to different operators based on real-time sensor data. The system continuously monitors forces, motion patterns, and operational parameters, and dynamically adjusts the assistive forces and mechanical configuration accordingly. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for complex manual reconfiguration systems or extensive operator-specific programming.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the operator's own motion data and force requirements, captured by the inertial and force sensors, to automatically adjust the assistive forces. The processor analyzes the sensor data and self-adjusts the mechanical linkage and actuation forces without requiring external input or complex control algorithms. This self-service capability allows adaptability while keeping the control system relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
An exoskeleton device includes components and/or systems for monitoring or regulating the performance of the exoskeleton. The components and systems include an integrated Internet of Thing (IoT) module that enables exoskeletons, either individually or collectively in a fleet, to provide users, operators, technicians, etc., with a cloud-based monitoring and maintenance management tool for observing data obtained from the IoT module of the exoskeleton and a fleet of such exoskeletons.