Joint Assembly with Gear Teeth and Elastic Connecting Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion assistance apparatuses for joints, such as those for the ankle, often lack efficient mechanisms to provide stable and versatile support for complex rotations and misalignment compensation, leading to discomfort and reduced effectiveness in assisting various motions.
Innovation Solution
A joint assembly comprising a plurality of frames with contacting faces featuring gear teeth, a connecting member with elastic material for pressure and alignment, and an insertion member with grooves for accommodating movement, allowing for engagement and disengagement of frames to support complex rotations and misalignment compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If separate motors are provided at left and right hip joint portions to improve muscular strength, then the driving power is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple motor functions into a single motor unit that can control both left and right hip joints through a shared transmission mechanism. This reduces the number of motors from two separate units to one integrated motor, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the driving power needed to assist muscular strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor unit is designed with multi-functionality to control both left and right hip joint portions. The motor serves universal purposes by driving both sides through a differential mechanism or shared transmission system, allowing one motor to perform the work that would otherwise require two separate motors.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid connection is used between frames to improve structural stability, then the stability is improved, but the ability to compensate for misalignment and complex rotations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between frames is divided into multiple segments: a rigid connection portion that provides structural stability, and a separate universal joint portion that enables misalignment compensation and complex rotations. This segmentation allows each portion to specialize in its function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal joint acts as an intermediary element between the rigid frame connections. This intermediary component transmits mechanical forces while accommodating angular misalignments and complex rotations, thereby maintaining both structural stability and adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal joint is provided in the middle of the power transmission chain to improve adaptability for complex rotations, then the versatility is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission system is segmented into a main rigid transmission chain for primary power transfer and a separate universal joint section for handling complex rotations. This segmentation isolates the precision-critical components from the high-adaptability components, allowing the rigid portions to be manufactured with standard precision while the universal joint handles the complex motion requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal joint serves as an intermediary that decouples the precision requirements from the adaptability requirements. It acts as a buffer that absorbs manufacturing tolerances while still providing the necessary complex rotation capability, thereby reducing the overall manufacturing precision burden on the entire system.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple chain links with articulated joints are used to improve flexibility for misalignment compensation, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the misalignment compensation function into the existing universal joints that are already part of the power transmission system. Instead of adding separate articulated chain links, the universal joints perform dual functions: power transmission and misalignment compensation, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal joints in the power transmission chain are designed with multi-functionality to handle both power transmission and misalignment compensation. This universal design eliminates the need for separate articulated chain links, as the same joints perform both functions, thereby reducing the overall number of components and simplifying the device structure.
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 joint assembly effectively assists in both plantar flexion and dorsiflexion motions, providing stable and smooth operation by adjusting frame distances and angles, thus enhancing user mobility and supporting a wide range of ankle movements.
Implementation Method 1
The connecting member includes an elastic material configured to provide a restoring force to force the plurality of frames back toward in an initial state when the plurality of frames is out of the initial state
Implementation Method 2
The contacting faces include a plurality of gear teeth therein. The gear teeth associated with the contacting faces of the two neighboring frames are configured to engage with each other.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A joint assembly comprising a plurality of frames (130) each including contactors (1311, 1312) provided in opposite directions to each other and an u-shaped middle portion (132) connecting the contactors; and a connecting member (140) configured to maintain contact between the contactors of two neighboring frames among the plurality of frames, wherein contactors include contacting faces, provided with a plurality of gear teeth therein. The plurality of stacked framed is configured to perform a rolling motion in response to a driving force applied to a power transmission cable.