Prosthetic Arm Battery Switching for Compound Motion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prosthetic arms have limited movement capabilities, particularly for individuals who have lost their entire arm from shoulder to hand, and provide limited degrees of freedom, making it difficult for users to perform finer tasks effectively.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic system with a compound motion assembly that includes a master controller managing internal and external batteries for power, a battery charger, and a safety mechanism, allowing for improved range of motion, tactile capabilities, and comfort through a two-axis compound motion path and motorized drive system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing prosthetic arms are designed with simple structure, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but movement capabilities and degrees of freedom are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic arm is divided into multiple independent segments (shoulder joint, elbow joint, wrist joint, hand portion) that can move relative to each other. Each segment has its own motorized drive system, allowing independent control of each degree of freedom. This segmentation enables complex overall movement capabilities while keeping each individual segment's structure manageable and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces compound motion mechanisms that add rotational degrees of freedom to the basic linear movement. The shoulder joint provides abduction/adduction and flexion/extension, the elbow provides flexion/extension, and the wrist provides rotation and flexion/extension. This multi-dimensional movement approach transforms a simple single-axis structure into a complex multi-axis system capable of realistic human arm motion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If prosthetic hand provides only one degree of movement, then device complexity is reduced, but capability for finer tasks is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hand portion is segmented into multiple movable elements including fingers and thumb, each capable of independent movement. The fingers are divided into proximal and distal phalanges that can move relative to each other, providing multiple degrees of freedom for grasping and manipulating objects of various sizes and shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand structure employs dynamic movement capabilities where the degree of freedom at each joint can be actively controlled based on task requirements. The motorized drive system allows real-time adjustment of finger and thumb positions, enabling the hand to adapt its configuration for different tasks such as gripping, pinching, or manipulating small objects.
3Duration of action of moving object
If prosthetic arm uses limited power source, then device complexity is reduced, but duration of action is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into multiple battery units that can be independently managed. The controller can selectively activate different battery units based on power requirements and operational duration needs. This segmentation allows the system to extend operational duration by utilizing multiple power sources sequentially or in parallel, while keeping the power management structure organized and controllable.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system dynamically changes operational parameters such as power consumption rate, battery selection, and motor activation based on task requirements. The controller adjusts the power draw from batteries according to the current operational demands, enabling extended operational duration by optimizing energy usage across multiple battery units rather than operating at constant high power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for powering a prosthetic arm is disclosed. The system includes at least one internal battery located in the prosthetic arm, at least one external battery connected to the prosthetic arm, and a master controller configured to connect either the at least one internal battery or the at least one external battery to a power bus to power the prosthetic arm.