Negative Pressure Flexible Exoskeleton for Spacesuit Joint Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional rigid exoskeleton systems for extravehicular spacesuits are bulky, generate mechanical counterforces, and are exposed to harsh space environments, limiting motion capacity and posing safety and maintainability challenges due to misalignment with joint freedom degrees and external installation.
Innovation Solution
A power-assisted negative pressure type flexible exoskeleton system with inertial sensors, negative pressure type flexible actuators, and flexible bending sensors integrated into the spacesuit, using a pneumatic control system within a knapsack to provide controlled air pressure assistance, converting the system into a flexible internal structure that adapts to the extravehicular environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid exoskeleton structure is used for joint assistance, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the mass and inertia increase significantly affecting the wearer's motion state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid exoskeleton structures with flexible pneumatic artificial muscles that can provide joint assistance while adapting to body movements. These flexible actuators use pneumatic pressure to generate force, eliminating the need for heavy rigid mechanical structures while maintaining sufficient strength for joint support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic artificial muscles as the actuation mechanism, using compressed air to generate mechanical force for joint assistance. This pneumatic approach replaces traditional rigid motors and linkages, significantly reducing the mass and inertia of the exoskeleton system while providing adequate strength for movement assistance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid exoskeleton joint is designed to match spacesuit freedom degree, then the joint motion capability is improved, but the mechanical counterforce and misalignment issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pneumatic actuators can naturally adapt to the spacesuit's freedom degrees without creating mechanical counterforce. The soft, compliant nature of pneumatic muscles allows them to conform to the suit's movement constraints while providing assistance, eliminating the alignment and counterforce problems associated with rigid joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the actuator from rigid to flexible, allowing the system to adapt its mechanical properties to match the spacesuit's operational requirements. This parameter change enables the exoskeleton to provide joint assistance without generating harmful mechanical counterforces.
3Ease of operation
If the exoskeleton system is installed outside the extravehicular spacesuit, then the accessibility for operation is improved, but the exposure to severe space environment and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the exoskeleton system inside the spacesuit, nesting the actuation mechanism within the suit's existing structure. This internal placement protects the sensitive pneumatic and electronic components from the harsh space environment while maintaining full operational capability through the suit's material envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacesuit itself acts as an intermediary protective layer between the exoskeleton system and the severe space environment. By placing the exoskeleton inside the suit, the suit's materials serve as a barrier against extreme temperatures, radiation, and mechanical stresses, ensuring system reliability and safety.
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 system enhances joint motion assistance with improved control precision, reduces joint inertia, and ensures safety and maintainability by isolating the control system from the harsh space environment, providing comfortable and reliable power-assisted movement for astronauts.
Implementation Method 1
negative pressure type flexible actuators are respectively fixed at two joints of elbows and knees in the spacesuit
Data Source
AI summary
A power-assisted negative pressure type flexible exoskeleton system used for an extravehicular spacesuit. The system includes an exoskeleton pneumatic control system, a plurality of inertial sensors, a plurality of negative pressure type flexible actuators and a plurality of flexible bending sensors, wherein pneumatic energy is provided for the exoskeleton system by a gas source in the exoskeleton control system, compressed air is cleaned by a water-separating gas filter, normal work of a pneumatic actuating element is guaranteed, a pressure reducing valve and a pressure gauge carry out voltage stability control on the output pressure of the gas source, a two-position two-way valve serves as a gas source switch valve, and three-position three-way valves, proportional pressure valves and the flexible actuators form four pneumatic control loops of the left and right elbow joints and the left and right knee joints of the exoskeleton system.