Knee Exoskeleton Spring Guide for Passive Joint Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gait-supporting exoskeletons for the human knee joint are expensive, complex, and require significant energy due to their actuator, sensor, and control systems, making them difficult to manufacture and operate effectively.
Innovation Solution
An exoskeleton design utilizing a deflection guide and an elongate spring element between structural parts, adjustable via a positioning device, which dynamically adjusts support and relief without actuators or electronic systems, allowing for cost-effective and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If actuator technology, sensor technology and control/regulation systems are used to ensure support and relief in each situation, then the exoskeleton can provide effective support and relief for the knee joint, but the exoskeleton becomes expensive to manufacture and complex to handle and use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex actuator, sensor, and control systems from the exoskeleton, replacing them with a passive mechanical spring-based support mechanism. This eliminates the need for electronic control while maintaining the core function of providing knee joint support and relief during gait.
Solution Approach 2:
The exoskeleton employs a self-adjusting mechanical mechanism where the spring element automatically adapts to the user's gait pattern and knee joint requirements without external control. The deflection guide positioning device allows the system to self-regulate the spring action based on the user's movement, eliminating the need for active control systems.
2Reliability
If actuator technology, sensor technology and control/regulation systems are used to ensure support and relief in each situation, then the exoskeleton can provide effective support and relief for the knee joint, but the exoskeleton requires considerable energy to control the actuators, sensors and control/regulation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes all energy-consuming electronic components (actuators, sensors, control systems) and replaces them with a passive mechanical spring mechanism that provides support without requiring external energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-based mechanism automatically provides support during gait without requiring external energy input. The system utilizes the natural mechanics of the spring element and deflection guide to adapt to user movement, eliminating the need for powered actuators and control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between the deflection guide and the joint is changed to adjust the spring action, then the appropriate moment can be applied to achieve relief and support adapted to the human knee joint, but the positioning device adds complexity to the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables adjustment of the spring action characteristics by changing the distance between the deflection guide and the joint. This parameter change allows customization of the moment applied to the knee joint, adapting the support to individual user needs and different gait conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection guide positioning device provides dynamic adjustability, allowing the spring action characteristics to be modified during or before use. This enables the system to adapt to different users, gait patterns, and support requirements through simple mechanical repositioning rather than complex electronic control.
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 effective, passive support and relief for the knee joint across various movements, including walking and climbing, without the need for electrical energy, maintaining simplicity and affordability.
Implementation Method 1
an elongate spring element, in particular an elongate elastomer spring, an elastic band, or a band-spring combination, which extends between an upper connection point
Implementation Method 2
by changing the distance between the deflection guide and the joint, as viewed essentially in the direction from the joint to the front, the spring action and in particular the characteristic curve of the spring action can be adjusted
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an exoskeleton that includes upper and lower structural parts pivotably interconnected by means a joint; a deflection guide arranged in front of the joint; an elongate spring element extending between upper and lower connection points and which is guided over the deflection guide. A deflection-guide positioning device in the form of a device for resiliently positioning the deflection guide is provided and is designed such that the deflection guide can be resiliently positioned in the direction in which the spacing increases and reduces between the deflection guide and the joint, in order to dynamically adapt the degree of relief and/or support; or wherein the deflection-guide positioning device is in the form of a device for moving the deflection guide and is designed such that the spacing between the deflection guide and the joint, can be adjusted in order to adjust the degree of relief and/or support.