Devices used to cue a user to take a step when experiencing a walking disorder, such as a freezing of gait episode, are disclosed. The devices are configured to cue the user with a visual and/or audible cue. The devices include an activation module and a cueing module. The cueing module includes a metronome and a laser light source. The devices are mounted on an assistive mobility device or on the user.

An exoskeleton joint self-locking mechanism, a knee joint and a bionic rehabilitation robot are provided. The self-locking mechanism comprises a first base, a rotating outward expanding locking member, a second base and a locking driving member; the rotating outward expanding locking member comprises a first rotating frame and a second rotating frame, and outer sides of the first rotating frame and the second rotating frame have a first friction surface; one end of the first rotating frame is pivoted with one end of the second rotating frame; the second base is rotationally mounted on the first base, and an inner wall of the second base defines a second friction surface enclosing the first friction surface; the locking driving member applies/removes a force pushing away from free ends of the first rotating frame and the second rotating frame, to make the first friction surface lock/unlock the second friction surface.

An exoskeleton joint self-locking mechanism, a knee joint and a bionic rehabilitation robot are provided. The self-locking mechanism comprises a first base, a rotating outward expanding locking member, a second base and a locking driving member; the rotating outward expanding locking member comprises a first rotating frame and a second rotating frame, and outer sides of the first rotating frame and the second rotating frame have a first friction surface; one end of the first rotating frame is pivoted with one end of the second rotating frame; the second base is rotationally mounted on the first base, and an inner wall of the second base defines a second friction surface enclosing the first friction surface; the locking driving member applies/removes a force pushing away from free ends of the first rotating frame and the second rotating frame, to make the first friction surface lock/unlock the second friction surface.

An torque pattern adjustment apparatus including a display configured to display a first torque pattern corresponding to a gait cycle, and a generator configured to generate a second torque pattern by adjusting at least a portion of the first torque pattern in response to a reception of an input, and a torque pattern adjustment method using the same may be provided. The first torque pattern may be applied to a joint of a user.

A knee joint that is capable of widening a moveable range, and that has good energy efficiency and is small and lightweight is described. Also described is a knee joint that is of an active type, but comparatively inexpensive. A drive section moves a driven member. An elastic member is arranged between the driven member and a linear motion member. The linear motion member elastically moves in at least one direction, in accordance with movement of the driven member, by way of the elastic member. A crank mechanism can realize bending and extension of the knee joint by converting linear motion of the linear motion member to rotational motion.

An exoskeleton device that includes an artificial joint and a frame member extending from the artificial joint. The frame member is configured for extension over a limb of a user. The exoskeleton device also includes a self-aligning mechanism connected to the frame member. The self-aligning mechanism includes three passive degrees of freedom (pDOF) provided in a prismatic-revolute-revolute (PRR) configuration. The self-aligning mechanism also includes a limb attachment member configured for mechanically coupling to a portion of the limb of the user.

An exoskeleton device that includes an artificial joint and a frame member extending from the artificial joint. The frame member is configured for extension over a limb of a user. The exoskeleton device also includes a self-aligning mechanism connected to the frame member. The self-aligning mechanism includes three passive degrees of freedom (pDOF) provided in a prismatic-revolute-revolute (PRR) configuration. The self-aligning mechanism also includes a limb attachment member configured for mechanically coupling to a portion of the limb of the user.

A walking training system according to this embodiment includes a harness, at least three pulling units, and a control unit configured to control the at least three pulling units in such a way that a position of the harness in a horizontal plane becomes a target position. One of the at least three pulling units is a first pulling unit configured to apply a pulling force to the harness from front of the trainee, another one of the at least three pulling units is a second pulling unit configured to apply a pulling force to the harness from rear of the trainee, and another one of the at least three pulling units is a third pulling unit configured to apply a pulling force to the harness from a direction different from the first and second pulling units.

In one embodiment, a kinetic shape is designed by determining an applied force to be applied to an object that is to incorporate the kinetic shape, determining a reactive force that is desired to be produced in response to the applied force, inputting the applied force and the reactive force into a kinetic shape equation, and solving the equation to obtain the kinetic shape.

A single-lower-limb rehabilitation exoskeleton apparatus and control methods includes a controller, an intact lower-limb component and a paretic lower-limb component connecting communicatively with the controller. The controller is used to determine the current state of the intact lower-limb through the intact lower-limb component and the current state of the paretic lower-limb through the paretic lower-limb component. When the intact lower-limb component is in the lifting state, the movement data of the intact lower-limb is collected and sent to the controller. The controller is used to determine the corresponding gait data for the paretic lower-limb component according to the movement data of the intact lower-limb and send the gait data to the paretic lower-limb component. The paretic lower-limb component is used to drive the paretic lower-limb to move or walk according to the gait data while the intact lower-limb is in the supporting state.