Supernumerary Artificial Limbs for Load-Responsive Body Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional freestanding devices and robotic exoskeletons provide limited support and stability to the human body, as they rely on user positioning and consume significant power due to constraints in joint angles and movement synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A device with supernumerary artificial limbs coupled to a base structure equipped with sensors and processors that measure body load, allowing for independent positioning and torque adjustment to support, brace, or stabilize the body, reducing power consumption by optimizing load distribution and contact points with the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If robotic exoskeletons physically couple along the entire lengths of user's limbs to supplement healthy or weakened limbs, then the device can provide structural support and movement assistance, but the device consumes significant power due to constraints from user's joint angles and posture requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The exoskeleton is divided into modular segments (hip unit, knee units, ankle units) that can independently sense and actuate, allowing each segment to optimize its power consumption based on local needs rather than requiring full-body synchronization
Solution Approach 2:
The exoskeleton uses the user's own body movements and muscle activations (detected via sensors) to trigger assistive actions, eliminating the need for continuous power consumption to maintain posture or synchronize with user intent
2Stability of the object's composition
If exoskeleton compensates for its weight and user's weight beginning from the joint angles of user's posture to provide support, then the device can maintain user's posture, but the requirements cause the exoskeleton to consume significant amount of power
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-positions the exoskeleton segments and pre-loads actuators based on anticipated user movements and gravitational forces, so that support is already in place before the user needs it, reducing reactive power demands
Solution Approach 2:
The exoskeleton dynamically adjusts stiffness, damping, and actuation parameters based on real-time sensor feedback from user joints, allowing passive mechanical support to handle stable postures (low power) while active actuation engages only during transitions or instability
3Device complexity
If freestanding devices are used to support human body without attaching or coupling to user's body, then the device structure is simple, but the device provides limited assistance and cannot prevent user from falling when user's strength falters
Solution Approach 1:
The exoskeleton merges the benefits of freestanding devices (simplicity, no skin contact) with active attachment mechanisms (ball joints at hip and knee, footplate attachment) that engage only when support is needed, combining structural simplicity with reliable fall prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor-based detection of user instability as an intermediary signal to trigger engagement of support mechanisms, allowing the device to remain passive and simple during normal use but activate reliably when fall risk is detected
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
Enhances user stability and reduces exertion by dynamically adjusting limb positions and torques to support body load, minimizing power consumption and preventing falls, especially in fatiguing postures or unstable environments.
Implementation Method 1
The base structure includes a sensor that obtains a measurement regarding load of the human body
Implementation Method 2
The actuator may actuate a rotational joint to change an angle of the rotational joint. In another example, the actuator may actuate a prismatic joint to change an extension of the supernumerary artificial limb
Implementation Method 3
The distal end of the supernumerary artificial limb may include a hook or a frictional end surface
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes at least one supernumerary artificial limb and a base structure configured to couple with a human body. The base structure includes a sensor that obtains a measurement regarding load of the human body. The proximal end of the supernumerary artificial limb is coupled to the base structure. The apparatus further includes a processor operatively coupled with the sensor and configured to receive the measurement from the sensor. The processor is also configured to generate a control signal to change at least one of a position of the supernumerary artificial limb and a torque exerted by the supernumerary artificial limb based on the measurement regarding the load.