Robotic exoskeleton with adaptive viscous user coupling
US9149938B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 2014 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S901/49
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for preventing discomfort to a user of a robotic exoskeleton (200) determines the existence of an exoskeleton operating condition which has the potential to cause at least one of a discomfort or an injury to a user (204) when the exoskeleton is being worn by the user. Responsive to the determining, an exoskeleton control system (224) selectively controls at least one viscous coupling (208, 210) disposed at an interface location (201, 203) of the exoskeleton where a physical interaction occurs between a portion of the user and a portion of the exoskeleton when the exoskeleton is in use. The control system selectively varies a viscosity of a fluid (216) comprising the viscous coupling to control the stiffness of the interface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.