Soft Robotic Glove Exoskeleton Hydraulic Spring Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stroke survivors and individuals with limb impairments face challenges in restoring biomechanical capabilities due to difficulties in fine motor skills and muscle strength, particularly in hand and arm functions, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A soft robotic glove with a hydraulic system and soft actuators, coupled with a passive shoulder support exoskeleton, that uses preloaded elastic springs and a cable-driven mechanism to enhance grip strength and range of motion, controlled by flex sensors and a fluid supply system, providing intuitive and compliant assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a soft robotic glove with hydraulic system and soft actuators is used, then grip strength and range of motion are significantly increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic system with a fluid supply, vinyl tubing, and soft actuators filled with fluid. When the pump transfers fluid to the soft actuators, they expand and apply force to the digits, achieving up to 50% increase in grip strength while maintaining a relatively simple wearable structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses soft actuators made of flexible materials including a thickened base, fluid cavity defined by tubing, and retaining devices. These flexible components conform to the hand shape and provide compliant force application, enabling complex functionality without rigid mechanical structures
2Length of moving object
If an exoskeleton with preloaded elastic spring and cable-driven mechanism is used, then range of motion is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preloaded elastic springs that are预先 tensioned to provide assisting force. The springs are attached to drums and cables that are pre-configured to engage specific joints, enabling passive assistance for range of motion without requiring complex active control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex motorized actuation systems with a passive cable-driven mechanism using elastic springs. The springs store and release mechanical energy to assist joint movement, achieving enhanced range of motion through simple mechanical elements rather than complex electromechanical systems
3Ease of operation
If flex sensors and hydraulic system are integrated for intuitive control, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates flex sensors that detect finger position and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback enables intuitive control where the hydraulic system responds automatically to user intent, allowing natural interaction despite the complexity of the underlying hydraulic and sensor systems
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 device significantly increases grip strength by up to 50% and range of motion by 10-90% in the hand, allowing users to perform daily tasks with reduced muscle effort and tremors, while being lightweight and easily manufacturable for wider accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
an exoskeleton including a preloaded elastic spring
Implementation Method 2
transferring fluid between the fluid supply and at least one soft actuator of the plurality of soft actuators, and applying a force to at least one digit of the plurality of digits in response to the transfer of the fluid
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of soft actuators coupled to the plurality of sensors. The plurality of soft actuators can include a thickened base, a fluid cavity above the thickened base defined by a tube, and a retaining device wrapped around the tube
Data Source
AI summary
A device can include at least one of an exoskeleton comprising a preloaded elastic spring, a plurality of drums coupled to the preloaded elastic spring, and a cable coupled to a user, the plurality of drums and the preloaded elastic spring; and a robotic hand. The robotic hand includes a glove comprising digits, a tubing system in fluid communication with a fluid supply, a plurality of sensors coupled to the digits of the glove, and a plurality of soft actuators coupled to the tubing system and the plurality of sensors. The plurality of soft actuators comprises a thickened base, a fluid cavity above the thickened base defined by a tube, and a retaining device wrapped around the tube.