Passive Locking Hand Exoskeleton Using Toothed Flexible Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic hand exoskeletons place significant strain on users' fingers due to the use of actuators, which can lead to injury and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A passive locking mechanism using a toothed flexible element that ratchetically engages planar flexible elements, allowing for enhanced grip strength without applying force directly to the fingers, and can be disengaged by straightening the joint, reducing strain and enabling simpler operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If actuators are used in hand exoskeletons to provide finger guidance and grasp assistance, then mobility and grip strength are improved, but strain on user's fingers increases leading to potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes actuators and sensors from the finger exoskeleton, extracting the harmful active forcing mechanism while retaining the beneficial grip assistance function through a passive locking mechanism that uses user's own finger movement to generate locking action
Solution Approach 2:
The exoskeleton uses the user's own finger bending motion to automatically engage the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for external actuators. The system serves itself by converting user movement into the locking action that provides grip strength
2Speed
If actuators are used to provide active forcing on fingers, then controlled mobility is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes all actuators and sensors from the system, replacing the complex active control mechanism with a simple passive locking structure that achieves controlled mobility through mechanical geometry rather than active forcing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex electromechanical actuator system with a pure mechanical passive locking mechanism using flexible elements with teeth that engage through geometric constraints during finger movement
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a passive locking mechanism is used to reduce finger strain, then safety and comfort are improved, but ease of operation may be reduced due to locking behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the locking mechanism dynamic and reversible - the flexible elements can automatically engage during finger bending and disengage during finger straightening, allowing the system to adapt its state based on user motion rather than requiring manual control
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically locks and unlocks based on the user's natural finger movement patterns, with no additional operational input required from the user. The locking behavior is self-regulated through the mechanical geometry of the flexible elements
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 solution allows users to resist large forces with minimal effort, reduces finger strain, and eliminates the need for actuators and sensors, resulting in a more comfortable and efficient exoskeleton design that enhances grip strength and endurance.
Implementation Method 1
current is applied to a shape metal alloy disposed on or adjacent to at least one of the first planar flexible element, the second planar flexible element, and the toothed flexible element when a disengagement of the toothed flexible element from the first and second planar flexible elements is desired
Data Source
AI summary
Systems (100) and methods (600) for operating an exoskeleton disposed at least partially on a joint of a wearer's limb (118). The methods involve respectively aligning first apertures (310 or 312) of a first planar flexible element (304 or 306) of the exoskeleton with second apertures (310 or 312) of a second planar flexible element (304 or 306) of the exoskeleton. The first and second planar flexible elements abut each other. A toothed flexible element (302) is then caused to ratchetedly engage the first and second planar flexible elements by bending the joint.