Wearable Strength-Supporting System Using Gas Piston Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current active exoskeleton systems are heavy and costly due to their reliance on power sources and electric motors, limiting their use in applications where weight and cost are critical factors.
Innovation Solution
A wearable strength-supporting system that uses preloaded mechanical components and a strength control system to provide adjustable support without the need for a motor or power source, utilizing gas pistons and an adjustment arm for precise force distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If active exoskeleton systems use power sources and electric motors to provide adaptive support, then the support capability and adaptability are improved, but the system weight and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power source and electric motor components from the exoskeleton system, extracting only the essential mechanical support function. This is achieved through passive mechanical components like springs and dampers that provide support without requiring external power, thereby reducing system weight while maintaining adaptability through mechanical design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical motor-driven mechanical system with a purely passive mechanical system. Instead of using motors to adjust support forces, the system uses pre-configured mechanical components (springs, dampers, linkages) that automatically adapt to user movement and load conditions without electrical actuation
2Adaptability or versatility
If active exoskeleton systems use motors to detect and respond to load changes, then the adaptability to different weights is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The passive mechanical system automatically adapts to different load weights through its inherent mechanical properties. The springs and dampers self-adjust their support forces based on the applied load without requiring sensors or control systems to detect weight changes, eliminating the need for complex load detection and control mechanisms while maintaining adaptability
3Speed
If motors are used to provide instant balancing force, then the response speed is improved, but instantaneous impacts are transferred to the user's muscular and skeletal system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates passive cushioning elements (springs and dampers) that are pre-loaded to absorb and smooth out instantaneous impacts. These components are designed to deform and dissipate energy during sudden load changes, preventing impact transmission to the user while maintaining rapid mechanical response through their elastic and viscous properties
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 system achieves lightweight and cost-effective support by eliminating the need for motors and power sources, allowing users to work with varying loads without the instantaneous impacts associated with motor-driven systems.
Implementation Method 1
Gas pistons providing supporting force by storing elastic potential energy
Implementation Method 2
detecting the weight of the carried load
Data Source
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AI summary
The wearable strength-supporting system which moves the load as if the object does not have any weight without being exposed to a counter resistance on the horizontal and vertical axis by means of providing support to the arms of the user by creating a controlled balancing force to the load carried during a weight is lifted by the user. It consists of three main components, namely the body skeleton, carrier arms and strength control system. The connection of the body skeleton with the user is ensured at the waist, back, shoulders and side hip points where the load is transferred to the body. Carrier arms consists of the rotary planar joints between the arms, carrier slot, vertical and horizontal slide and beds and gas pistons. The strength control system consists of the sensor slot, strength sensors, microprocessor, electric motors and battery. This system is suitable for people who work in many fields such as military, agriculture, industry and transportation; are obliged to work by lifting compulsory high weights only by manpower or have to carry loads of variable weight with arm force.