ARM SUPPORTING EXOSKELETON WITH A VARIABLE FORCE GENERATOR
First Claim
1. An arm supporting exoskeleton comprising an arm link mechanism, the arm link mechanism comprising:
- a proximal link;
a distal link, configured to rotate relative to the proximal link around a first rotational axis;
an arm coupler, attached to the distal link and configured to couple an upper arm of a person to the distal link; and
a variable force generator, comprising a first spring and a second spring, configured to create a torque between the proximal link and the distal link, and is configured to generate at least a first stiffness rate and a second stiffness rate, wherein;
when the variable force generator is in a first force mode, the variable force generator generates the first stiffness rate defined by the first spring that supports the upper arm of the person against gravity forces and,when the variable force generator is in second force mode, the variable force generator generates the second stiffness rate defined by the first spring and the second spring that supports the upper arm of the person against the gravity forces.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described herein is an arm supporting exoskeleton, comprising an arm link mechanism. The arm link mechanism comprises a proximal link, a distal link, an arm coupler, and a variable force generator. The distal link is rotatable relative to the proximal link. The arm coupler is adapted to couple an upper arm of a person to the distal link. The variable force generator comprises a first spring and a second spring, configured to create a torque between the proximal link and the distal link. In the first force mode, the variable force generator exhibits a first stiffness rate defined by the first spring that supports the upper arm of the person against gravity forces and. In the second force mode, the variable force generator exhibits a second stiffness rate defined by the first spring and the second spring that supports the upper arm of the person against the gravity forces.
3 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An arm supporting exoskeleton comprising an arm link mechanism, the arm link mechanism comprising:
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a proximal link; a distal link, configured to rotate relative to the proximal link around a first rotational axis; an arm coupler, attached to the distal link and configured to couple an upper arm of a person to the distal link; and a variable force generator, comprising a first spring and a second spring, configured to create a torque between the proximal link and the distal link, and is configured to generate at least a first stiffness rate and a second stiffness rate, wherein; when the variable force generator is in a first force mode, the variable force generator generates the first stiffness rate defined by the first spring that supports the upper arm of the person against gravity forces and, when the variable force generator is in second force mode, the variable force generator generates the second stiffness rate defined by the first spring and the second spring that supports the upper arm of the person against the gravity forces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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6. The arm supporting exoskeleton of claim 0, wherein the arm supporting exoskeleton is configured to create a tensile force between the first element and the second element.
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30. An arm supporting exoskeleton comprising an arm link mechanism, the arm link mechanism comprising:
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a proximal link; a distal link, configured to rotate relative to the proximal link around a first rotational axis; an arm coupler, attached to the distal link and adapted to couple an upper arm of a person to the distal link; and a variable force generator, comprising a first spring and a second spring configured to create a torque between proximal link and the distal link and adaptable to exhibit at least a first stiffness rate and a second stiffness rate, wherein; when variable force generator is in a first force mode, the variable force generator exhibits the first stiffness rate defined by the first spring that allows free, relatively unsupported motion of the upper arm of the person, and when variable force generator is in second force mode it exhibits the second stiffness rate defined by the first spring and the second spring that supports the upper arm of the person against gravity forces.
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Specification