Walking Assistance Apparatus Muscle Parameter Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motion assistance technologies face challenges in effectively cooperating with the human body without causing damage, particularly in providing personalized support for individuals with varying musculoskeletal and nerve conditions, which limits their ability to mass-produce and reduce the cost of such devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that estimate muscle parameters such as muscular strength, optimal length, and moving velocity using electromyogram (EMG) signals and motion data to identify characteristics of muscles like the soleus, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, vastus lateralis, hamstring, gluteus maximus, and hip flexor muscles, allowing for personalized walking assistance and gait analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a customizing algorithm is applied for each person to adjust details matching various body structures and musculoskeletal conditions, then the personalized support quality is improved, but personnel expenses and service costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonalized support qualityVSAvoidservice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies muscle characteristics and parameters using EMG signals and motion data without requiring manual professional assessment. The controller autonomously processes the data to determine muscle properties, eliminating the need for expensive personnel expenses and service costs while maintaining high personalized support quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual professional assessment with an automated electronic system that uses EMG sensors and motion data processing. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with electronic automation reduces service costs while improving adaptability through objective, data-driven muscle characteristic identification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonalized support qualityVSAvoidmass production capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic muscle characteristic identification without requiring manual customization processes. Each user's parameters are autonomously determined through EMG and motion data analysis, enabling rapid setup that is compatible with mass production workflows while maintaining personalized support quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system identifies and adjusts multiple muscle parameters (strength, optimal length, slack length, moving velocity) automatically based on individual user data. This parameter-based approach allows for standardized production processes that can accommodate personalized variations efficiently, supporting both mass production and customization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If traditional motion assistance apparatuses are used without accurate muscle parameter identification, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to cooperate with the human body without damage is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidcooperation safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual assessment and estimation methods with automated EMG-based measurement and electronic data processing. This substitution provides accurate, objective muscle parameter identification that improves cooperation safety while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through standardized sensor integration and algorithmic processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach enables accurate identification of muscle characteristics, facilitating personalized walking assistance and gait analysis, reducing the need for costly customization and enabling more efficient production of motion assistance devices.

Implementation Method 1

estimating a first torque of a joint of a user based on an electromyogram (EMG) signal of a muscle associated with the joint

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromyogram (EMG):

Data Source

PatentUS10583018B2Method of identifying parameter of characteristic of muscle, and walking assistance apparatuses and method based on the method

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a method of identifying a parameter of a characteristic of a muscle, and walking assistance apparatuses and method based on the method. The method of identifying a parameter of a characteristic of a muscle includes estimating a first torque of a joint based on an electromyogram (EMG) signal, estimating a second torque of the joint based on motion data, and identifying a parameter of a characteristic of a muscle associated with the joint based on the first torque and the second torque.