Exoskeleton and method of providing an assistive torque to an arm of a wearer
First Claim
1. An exoskeleton comprising:
- a first link configured to pivot in a transverse plane about a first vertical axis;
a second link coupled to the first link and configured to pivot in a transverse plane about a second vertical axis distinct from the first vertical axis;
an arm support assembly coupled to the second link and configured to pivot about a horizontal axis, wherein;
the arm support assembly is connected to the first link by the second link;
the arm support assembly includes a spring configured to generate an assistive torque that counteracts gravity;
the arm support assembly is configured to provide the assistive torque to an arm of a wearer to support the arm of the wearer;
the arm support assembly further includes a cam profile and a cam follower; and
the arm support assembly is configured such that the spring causes the cam follower and cam profile to be pressed into contact and contact between the cam follower and cam profile determines an amount of the assistive force provided by the arm support assembly; and
a cuff coupled to the arm support assembly and configured to be coupled to the arm of the wearer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An exoskeleton includes a first link that pivots in a transverse plane about a first vertical axis and a second link that pivots in a transverse plane about a second vertical axis. The second link is coupled to the first link. An arm support assembly is coupled to the second link and pivots about a horizontal axis. The arm support assembly includes a spring that generates an assistive torque that counteracts gravity. The arm support assembly provides the assistive torque to an arm of a wearer to support the arm of the wearer. The arm support assembly further includes a cam profile and a cam follower. Contact between the spring, cam follower and cam profile determines an amount of the assistive force provided by the arm support assembly. A cuff is coupled to the arm support assembly and the arm of the wearer.
61 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An exoskeleton comprising:
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a first link configured to pivot in a transverse plane about a first vertical axis; a second link coupled to the first link and configured to pivot in a transverse plane about a second vertical axis distinct from the first vertical axis; an arm support assembly coupled to the second link and configured to pivot about a horizontal axis, wherein; the arm support assembly is connected to the first link by the second link; the arm support assembly includes a spring configured to generate an assistive torque that counteracts gravity; the arm support assembly is configured to provide the assistive torque to an arm of a wearer to support the arm of the wearer; the arm support assembly further includes a cam profile and a cam follower; and the arm support assembly is configured such that the spring causes the cam follower and cam profile to be pressed into contact and contact between the cam follower and cam profile determines an amount of the assistive force provided by the arm support assembly; and a cuff coupled to the arm support assembly and configured to be coupled to the arm of the wearer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of providing an assistive torque to an arm of a wearer with an exoskeleton, the exoskeleton including:
- a first link configured to pivot in a transverse plane about a first vertical axis;
a second link coupled to the first link and configured to pivot in a transverse plane about a second vertical axis distinct from the first vertical axis;
an arm support assembly coupled to the second link and configured to pivot about a horizontal axis, wherein the arm support assembly is connected to the first link by the second link, and the arm support assembly includes a spring, a cam profile and a cam follower; and
a cuff coupled to the arm support assembly and configured to be coupled to an arm of a wearer, the method comprising;generating an assistive torque, counteracting gravity, with the spring; providing the assistive torque to the arm of the wearer with the arm support assembly to support at least the arm of the wearer; and determining an amount of the assistive force provided by the arm support assembly with the cam profile and cam follower, wherein the arm support assembly is configured such that the spring causes the cam follower and cam profile to be pressed into contact and contact between the cam follower and cam profile determines the amount of the assistive force provided by the arm support assembly. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
- a first link configured to pivot in a transverse plane about a first vertical axis;
Specification