Patent · US Active

Locomotion assisting device and method

US8348875B2 · kind B2 · utility

16Cited by
3References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 16, 2012
Grant dateJan 8, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 16, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61H2201/5097
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method of controlling an exoskeleton bracing system to walk includes identifying an expected current stance, receiving a tilt signal from a tilt sensor, and receiving a ground force signal from ground force sensors. Motorized joints are actuated to forwardly extend a leg brace when the expected stance includes standing with the leg braces together, the tilt signal indicates tilting forward, and the ground force signal indicates leaning on an opposite leg brace. Motorized joints are actuated to extend a trailing leg brace forward beyond a forwardly extended leg brace when the expected stance includes a forwardly extended leg brace and a trailing leg brace, the tilt signal indicates tilting forward, and the ground force signal indicates leaning on the forwardly extended leg brace. Motorized joints are actuated to converge both leg braces to a standing stance when the ground force signal indicates leaning on a trailing leg brace.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.