Wearable Back-Assist Robot With Adjustable Elastic Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable robots for industrial use are hindered by high prices, heavy weight, uncomfortable fit, and complex systems, necessitating a lightweight, simple, and comfortable design that effectively supports specific body parts like the waist with adjustable stiffness and motion limitations.
Innovation Solution
A wearable robot with an upper and lower wearing unit, incorporating elastic members and a stiffness adjustment unit, a clutch unit, and a posture recognition sensor to adjust stiffness and limit movement range, using passive mechanisms and small actuators for long-term wearability and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid frame structure is used to support body parts, then structural strength and stability are improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid frame structures with flexible elastic members (springs) that provide necessary support and stability while significantly reducing weight. The elastic members are configured to work with the body's natural movement, providing structural support without the bulk and weight of traditional rigid frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameter from rigid to elastic by using spring-based mechanisms. This allows the system to maintain structural integrity through elastic deformation rather than rigid support, reducing overall system weight while preserving strength characteristics.
2Weight of moving object
If passive mechanisms and small actuators are used instead of heavy actuators, then weight is reduced, but supporting force and power capability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs elastic members configured to provide counterbalancing forces that assist the user's natural movements. The springs are positioned and tensioned to create mechanical advantage, where the elastic recoil provides supporting force during exertion phases without requiring heavy actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static rigid support to dynamic elastic support. The passive mechanisms use the user's own movement dynamics to generate and modulate supporting forces, with springs expanding and contracting in response to body motion, providing power assistance without heavy actuators.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wearable robot covers the full body with multiple joints, then comprehensive support is improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wearable robot into separate modular units, each addressing specific body parts or movement types independently. Rather than a single complex full-body system, multiple simple modular modules can be worn as needed, reducing individual component complexity while maintaining overall adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic members and passive mechanisms are designed with universal application potential, where the same basic spring-based module can be applied to different body parts or movement types. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized complex components for each body region.
4Adaptability or versatility
If elastic members with large stroke are used to accommodate full range of motion, then motion flexibility is improved, but system complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic elastic members that adapt their effective stroke and stiffness based on the user's movement phase and force requirements. The spring-based system naturally adjusts its mechanical characteristics during motion, providing flexibility without requiring complex active control mechanisms to manage large strokes.
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 wearable robot provides adjustable stiffness and motion control, enhancing user comfort and durability while reducing weight and production costs, allowing for efficient work assistance without electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elastic members disposed in series or in parallel within the housing
Implementation Method 2
a clutch unit configured to limit a downward movement range of the moving part
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a wearable robot for assisting back muscle strength, comprising: an upper wearing part worn on the upper body; a back muscle strength assisting part that can be fixed to the upper wearing part; and a lower wearing part connected to a lower end portion of the back muscle strength assisting part, wherein the back muscle strength assisting part comprises a housing that can be fixed to the upper wearing part, a plurality of elastic members arranged in series or parallel within the housing, a moving part connected to the bottom of the elastic members and connected to the lower wearing part so as to slide up and down, and a rigidity control part that adjusts the rigidity of the elastic members.