WEARABLE DEVICE USING FLEXIBLE NON-POWERED VARIABLE IMPEDANCE MECHANISM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism, wherein the device can induce a user to have a correct posture during a squat exercise or lifting work, and can assist the user's muscular strength. According to the present invention, an angle between a (1-1)th lower string and a (1-2)th lower string and an angle between a (2-1)th lower string and a (2-2)th lower string change according to a knee angle depending on the user's posture, whereby an impedance mechanism that the user feels through the body changes.

Claims

1. A wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism, the wearable device comprising: a connection portion located on the user's back and located between the user's neck and bottom; an upper cable including a first upper string having one side worn on one side of an upper body of the user located above the connection portion and the other side extending in a direction of the connection portion, a second upper string having one side worn on the other side of the upper body of the user located above the connection portion and the other side extending in the direction of the connection portion, and an upper connection string, in a state of being caught at one side of the connection portion, having one side integrally connected to the first upper string and the other side integrally connected with the second upper string; a lower cable including a first lower string having one side provided on a first leg among a pair of legs of the user and the other side extending in a direction of the connection portion, a second lower string having one side provided on a second leg among the pair of legs of the user and the other side extending in a direction of the connection portion, and a lower connection string, in a state of being caught at the other side of the connection portion, having one side integrally connected with the first lower string and the other side integrally connected to the second lower string; and an elastic portion connecting the first lower string and the second lower string and formed of an elastic material.

2. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein a first connection portion and a second connection portion are mounted on both sides of the elastic portion, respectively, the first lower string includes a (1-1)th lower string having one side connected to one side of the lower connection string and the other side connected to one side of the first connection portion and a (1-2)th lower string having one side connected to the other side of the first connection portion and the other side provided on the first leg of the user, and the second lower string includes a (2-1)th lower string having one side connected to the other side of the lower connection string and the other side connected to one side of the second connection portion and a (2-2)th lower string having one side connected to the other side of the second connection portion and the other side provided on the second leg of the user.

3. The wearable device of claim 2, wherein when the user bends knees, while moving the knees outward, the (1-2)th lower string and the (2-2)th lower string are folded in a direction away from the (1-1)th lower string and the (2-1)th lower string, so that a distance between the (1-2)th lower string and the (2-2)th lower string increases, and as the distance between the (1-2)th lower string and the (2-2)th lower string increases, the lower connection string induces the upper cable to move downward and the upper cable induces the upper body of the user to be straightened.

4. The wearable device of claim 2, wherein when the user bends the upper body in a state in which the user does not bend the knees, the (1-2)th lower string and the (2-2)th lower string are moved closer to the (1-1)th lower string and the (2-1)th lower string in a straight line, tension of the upper cable and the lower cable increases, and the upper cable and the lower cable apply pressure in a direction in which the upper body of the user is straightened.

5. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein one side of the first upper string is worn on a first shoulder, among a pair of shoulders located at the upper body of the user, and one side of the second upper string is worn on a second shoulder among the pair of shoulders located at the upper body of the user.

6. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein one side of the first lower string is worn on a first foot connected to the first leg of the user, and one side of the second lower string is worn on a second foot connected to the second leg of the user.

7. The wearable device of claim 6, further comprising: a first band worn to wrap around a first knee provided on the first leg of the user and a second band worn to wrap around a second knee provided on the second leg of the user, wherein the first lower string extends in a direction of the first foot of the user in a state of being connected to the first band, and the second string extends in a direction of the second foot of the user in a state of being connected to the second band.

8. The wearable device of claim 7, further comprising: a first knee string having a ring shape and having one side coupled to the first food of the user and the other side coupled to an upper side of the first lower string by passing through a front side of the first band; and a second knee string having a ring shape and having one side coupled to the second foot of the user and the other side coupled to an upper side of the second lower string by passing through a front side of the second band, wherein the first knee string and the second knee string are each formed of an elastic material, and when the user bends the first knee and the second knee, tension based on elasticity of the first knee string and the second knee string located at the front of the first band and the second band increases so that the first knee string and the second knee string apply pressure in a direction in which the first knee and the second knee are spread.

9. The wearable device of claim 8, wherein a first front tunnel is formed at a front of the first band to guide the first knee string, a first rear tunnel is formed at a rear of the first band to guide the first lower string, a second front tunnel is formed at a front of the second band to guide the second knee string, and a second rear tunnel is formed at a rear of the second band to guide the second lower string.

10. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is located between the user's bottom and knees.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a user wears a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a coupling structure between a lower string and an elastic portion of a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a band of a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is worn on a user's knee.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure performs an erroneous movement of bending his upper body.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a mechanism applied by an upper cable and a lower cable to an upper body in a process in which a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure performs an incorrect movement of bending the upper body.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure performs normal movement of bending a knee.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mechanism applied by an elastic portion to the upper body in a process of performing a normal movement of bending a knee by a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a direction of force induced by a knee string to the leg in the process of performing a normal movement of bending the knee by a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a general mechanism of a process in which a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure performs a movement.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure moves his or her body in a direction of an object to perform a lifting movement.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure puts an object down.

[0035]

TABLE-US-00001 Detailed Description of Main Elements 1000: wearable device using flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism 100: connection portion 200: upper cable 210: first upper string 220: second upper string 230: upper connection string 300: lower cable 310: first lower string 312: (1-1)th lower string 314: (1-2)th lower string 320: second lower string 322: (2-1)th lower string 324: (2-2)th lower string 330: lower connection string 400: elastic portion 410: first connection portion 420: second connection portion 500: first band 502: first front tunnel 504: first rear tunnel 510: second band 512: second front tunnel 514: second rear tunnel 600: first knee string 610: second knee string

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Hereinafter, a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which a user wears a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a coupling structure between a lower string and an elastic portion of a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a wearable device 1000 using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is formed to be worn on a user's body and includes a connection portion 100, an upper cable 200, a lower cable 300, and an elastic portion 400, and may further include first and second bands 500 and 510 and first and second knee strings 600 and 610.

[0039] The connection portion 100 is located on the back of the user's upper body, and specifically, is located between the neck and the buttocks. The connection portion 100 interconnects the upper cable 200 and the lower cable 300 and may be formed in a ring shape, for example.

[0040] The upper cable 200 and the lower cable 300 are formed of a fabric, string, etc., and may be formed of a material having no elasticity. The upper cable 200 includes a first upper string 210, a second upper string 220, and an upper connection string 230. One side of the first upper string 210 is worn on one side of the upper body of the user positioned above the connection portion 100 and the other side extends in a direction of the connection portion 100. One side of the first upper string 210 is worn on a first shoulder 51 among a pair of shoulders located on the upper body of the user, and to this end, the one side of the first upper string 210 may be formed to wrap around the first shoulder 51 in the form of a shoulder strap of a backpack. One side of the second upper string 220 is worn on the other side of the user's upper body positioned above the connection portion 100 and the other side thereof extends in a direction of the connection portion 100. One side of the second upper string 220 is worn on a second shoulder S2 among the pair of shoulders located on the upper body of the user, and to this end, one side of the second upper string 220 may be formed to wrap around the second shoulder S2 in the form of a shoulder strap of a backpack. The upper connection string 230 is positioned so as to be caught on the upper side of the connection portion 100, in a state of being inserted into one side of the connection portion 100. In addition, one side of the upper connection string 230 is integrally connected with the first upper string 210, and the other side of the upper connection string 230 is integrally connected with the second upper string 220.

[0041] The lower cable 300 includes a first lower string 310, a second lower string 320, and a lower connection string 330. One side of the first lower string 310 is provided on a first leg L1 among a pair of legs of the user, and the other side thereof extends in a direction of the connection portion 100. One side of the second lower string 320 is provided on a second leg L2 among the pair of legs of the user, and the other side thereof extends in the direction of the connection portion 100. The lower connection string 330 is inserted into the other side of the connection portion 100 and is positioned to be caught at a lower portion of the connection portion 100. In addition, one side of the lower connection string 330 is integrally connected with the first lower string 310, and the other side of the lower connection string 330 is integrally connected with the second lower string 320.

[0042] The elastic portion 400 is formed of an elastic material, and may be formed of, for example, an elastic cable, a rubber band, or an elastic spring. The elastic portion 400 is located between the user's hip and knees and connects the first lower string 310 and the second lower string 320 to each other. In addition, a first connection portion 410 and a second connection portion 420 are mounted on both sides of the elastic portion 400 so as to be connected to the first and second lower strings 310 and 320, respectively. The first connection portion 410 and the second connection portion 420 are formed in a ring shape, for example.

[0043] In addition, the first lower string 310 includes a (1-1)th lower string 312 and a (1-2)th lower string 314 to be connected to the first connection portion 410. One side of the (1-1)th lower string 312 is connected to one side of the lower connection string 330 and the other side thereof is connected to one side of the first connection portion 410. One side of the (1-2)th lower string 314 is connected to the other side of the first connection portion 410 and the other side thereof is provided on the first leg L1 of the user. The second lower string 320 includes a (2-1)th lower string 322 and a (2-2)th lower string 324 to be connected to the second connection portion 420. One side of the (2-1)th lower string 322 is connected to the other side of the lower connection string 330 and the other side thereof is connected to one side of the second connection portion 420. One side of the (2-2)th lower string 324 is connected to the other side of the second connection portion 420 and the other side thereof is provided on the user's second leg L2. A lower end of the (1-2)th lower string 314 extends in a direction of a first foot F1 connected to the user's first leg L1 and is worn on the first foot F1, and a lower end of the (2-2)th lower string 324 extends in a direction of a second foot F2 connected to the user's second leg L2 and is worn on the second foot F2.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a band of a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is worn on a user's knee.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the first band 500 is worn to wrap a first knee K1 provided on the first leg L1 of the user. A second band 510 is worn to wrap a second knee K2 provided on the user's second leg L2. Each of the first and second bands 500 and 510 is formed of an elastic material and may be formed of a general knee band or the like wrapping the knee. In addition, a tunnel-shaped first rear tunnel 504 is formed at the rear of the first band 500 so that the (1-2)th lower string 314 is guided, and a tunnel-shaped second rear tunnel 514 is formed at the rear of the second band 510 so that the (2-2)th lower string 324 is guided. In addition, the (1-2)th lower string 314 is connected to the first rear tunnel 504 of the first band 500 and extends in the direction of the user's first foot F1, and the (2-2)th lower string 324 is connected to the second rear tunnel 514 of the second band 500 and extends in the direction of the user's second foot F2.

[0046] The first knee string 600 is formed in a ring shape, and one side thereof is coupled to the user's first foot F1 and the other side thereof passes through a front of the first band 500 and is coupled to an upper side of the (1-2)th lower string 314. The second knee string 610 is formed in a ring shape, and one side thereof is coupled to the user's second foot F2 and the other side thereof passes through a front of the second band 510 and is coupled to an upper side of the (2-2)th lower string 324. Here, a first front tunnel 502 in a tunnel shape is formed on both front sides of the first band 500 so that the first knee string 600 is guided, and a second front tunnel 512 in a tunnel shape is formed on both front sides of the second band 510 so that the second knee string 610 is guided. In addition, the first knee string 600 and the second knee string 610 are each formed of an elastic material, and may be formed of, for example, a rubber band.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure performs an erroneous movement of bending his upper body, and FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a mechanism applied by an upper cable and a lower cable to an upper body in a process in which a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure performs an incorrect movement of bending the upper body.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a movement of bending the upper body, that is, a movement of bending the back, while the user fixes the first and second knees K1 and K2 to straighten during a squat exercise or lifting work process is an incorrect movement. This incorrect movement causes the user to pull the upper cable 200 in the opposite direction of the waist, so that the (1-2)th lower string 314 and the (2-2)th lower string 324 are moved to be close to the (1-1)th lower string 312 and the (2-1)th lower string 322 in a straight line, and the upper cable 200 and the lower cable 300 become taut.

[0049] If this is described as an operation of a virtual rack gear R and a virtual pinion gear P, the rack gear R is located along the elastic portion 400, and the (1-2)th lower string (314) and the (2-2)th lower string 324 are connected to the pinion gear P that is moved along the rack gear R. Also, when the upper cable 200, the (1-2)th lower string 314, and the (2-2)th lower string 324 are pulled upward, the (1-2)th lower string 314 and the (2-2)th lower string 324 are moved toward the center of the body along the pinion gear P. Here, the (1-2)th lower string 314 and the (2-2)th lower string 324 are moved to be close to the (1-1)th lower string 312 and the (2-1)th lower string 322 in a straight line, and the upper cable 200 is moved upward along the user's body.

[0050] Meanwhile, as the upper cable 200 moves upward, tension of the upper cable 200 and the lower cable 300 increases, so that the upper cable 200 and the lower cable 300 apply pressure in a direction in which the user's upper body is straightened, thereby interfering with the user hunching the back. Then, the user may feel that the movement of hunching the back is limited, may recognize that the movement of hunching the back is wrong, and may perform an exercise or work in a correct posture.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure performs normal movement of bending a knee, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mechanism applied by an elastic portion to the upper body in a process of performing a normal movement of bending a knee by a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, during the squat exercise or lifting work process, the user movement of bending the first and second knees K1 and K2 outward, while moving the first and second knees K1 and K2, in a state in which the user straightens the back is a normal movement moving along a predetermined trace, such a normal operation induces the connection portion 100 to move downward as a distance between the first lower string 310 and the second lower string 320 increases, and the upper cable 200 connected to the connection portion 100 induces the upper body of the user to be straightened.

[0053] If this is described as an operation of a virtual rack gear R and a virtual pinion gear P, when the distance between the first lower string 310 and the second lower string 320 increases, the (1-2)th lower string 314 and the (2-2)th lower string 324 are moved along the pinion gear P in a direction away from the center of the body. At this time, as the (1-2)th lower string 314 and the (2-2)th lower string 324 are folded in a direction away from the (1-1)th lower string 312 and the (2-1)th lower string 322, the distance between the (1-2)th lower string 314 and the (2-2)th lower string 324 is increased. Also, as the distance between the (1-2)th lower string 314 and the (2-2)th lower string 324 increases, the lower connection string 330 induces the first and second connection portions 410 and 420 downward, and the upper cable 200 connected to the first and second connection portions 410 and 420 is pulled downward so that the upper body of the user is straightened, so that the user takes a posture of sitting with his or her back straight. That is, according to an angle of the first and second knees K1 and K2 taken by the user, the angle between the (1-1)th lower string 312 and the (1-2)th lower string 314 and the angle between the (2-1)th lower string 322 and the (2-2)th lower string 324 vary, thereby changing an impedance mechanism experienced by the user.

[0054] In addition, as the distance between the first lower string 310 and the second lower string 320 increases, the elastic portion 400 increases to store a lot of energy and apply pressure so that the distance between the first lower string 310 and the second lower string 320 decreases. Such pressure assists the user's muscle strength like a spring when the user takes a posture of getting up, allowing the user to work with less fatigue than before in the process of lifting an object or taking a posture of getting up, thereby increasing work efficiency.

[0055] Meanwhile, the first and second upper strings 210 and 220 and the first and second lower strings 310 and 320 are configured to be adjustable in length, so that strength of posture correction may be adjusted according to a total length. For example, when the length of the first and second upper strings 210 and 220 and the first and second lower strings 310 and 320 is the basic length, a posture of straightening the back right and bending only the legs may be induced, and when the length of the first and second upper strings 210 and 220 and the first and second lower strings 310 and 320 is slightly greater than the basic length, hunching the back may be allowed to some extent.

[0056] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a direction of force induced by a knee string to the leg in the process of performing a normal movement of bending the knee by a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, during the squat exercise or lifting work process, when the user takes a posture of bending the first and second knees K1 and K2 outward, while moving the first and second knees K1 and K2, in a state in which the user straightens the back, an upward pressure is applied to the lower cable 300. Then, the first knee string 600 and the second knee string 610 connected to the lower cable 300 extend upward, so that the first knee string 600 and the second knee string 610 located in front of the first band 500 and the second band 510 have increased tension due to elasticity.

[0058] Accordingly, the first knee string 600 and the second knee string 610 apply pressure in a direction in which the user's first knee K1 and second knee K2 are spread, so that the user's action occurs. That is, when the user takes a posture of spreading the first knee K1 and the second knee K2, pressure assists the user's muscle strength, allowing the user to work with less fatigue than before in the process of lifting an object or taking a posture of getting up, thereby increasing work efficiency.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a general mechanism of a process in which a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure performs a movement.

[0060] Referring to (a) of FIG. 9, the user is in a basic state of standing comfortably.

[0061] Referring to (b) of FIG. 9, the user performs a normal movement of bending the first and second knees K1 and K2, while moving the first and second knees K1 and K2 outward. Then, as the pinion gear P is moved outward, the (1-2)th lower string 314 and the (2-2)th lower string 324 are folded in a direction away from the (1-1)th lower string 312 and the (2-1)th lower string 322, which pulls the first and second upper strings 210 and 220 connected to the first and second lower strings 310 and 320, and thus, the upper body of the user is induced to be straightened.

[0062] Referring to (c) of FIG. 9, the user stops bending the first and second knees K1 and K2 and hunches his back. In this case, as the (1-2)th lower string 314 and the (2-2)th lower string 324 are moved in a direction closer to the (1-1)th lower string 312 and the (2-1)th lower string 322 in a straight line, the elastic portion 400 is lengthened, which rapidly increases tension of the first and second upper strings 210 and 220 and the first and second lower strings 310 and 320. Accordingly, the user recognizes that the movement of hunching his back is wrong, and the user's upper body is induced to be straightened.

[0063] As described above, the present disclosure accurately guides an exercise posture so that the knee is bent, while the knee is moving outward, when the user performs the squat movement, so that beginners who are prone to injuries due to an unfamiliar squat posture may be induced to realize the squat motion with the correct posture.

[0064] In addition, since the upper cable 200, the lower cable 300, and the elastic portion 400 are configured to have a simple structure to be worn on the body, separate exercise equipment such as a machine is not required and the user may easily make the squat movement anywhere in the state of wearing the present disclosure.

[0065] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure moves his or her body in a direction of an object to perform a lifting movement.

[0066] Referring to (a) of FIG. 10, the moment the user unconsciously hunches his back to move his body in a direction of an object, tension of the upper cable 200 and the lower cable 300 increases, so that the user hunching the back is interfered. Then, the user feels that the movement of hunching the back is limited, recognizes that the movement of hunching the back is wrong, and is induced to move his body in the direction of the object in a correct posture of straightening the back and bending the knees as shown in (b) of FIG. 10.

[0067] FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a user wearing a wearable device using a flexible non-powered variable impedance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure puts down an object.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 6 and (a) of FIG. 11, the user puts down the object in the correct posture of straightening his back and bending his knees. In this state, as the elastic portion 400 is stretched, a lot of energy is stored, so that a pressure is applied in a direction in which the distance between the first lower string 310 and the second lower string 320 is close. The pressure assists the user's muscle strength when the user takes a posture of getting up, allowing the user to work with less fatigue than before in the process of lifting an object, thereby increasing work efficiency.

[0069] Meanwhile, referring to (b) of FIG. 11, the moment the user hunches his back to put down the object, tension of the upper cable 200 and the lower cable 300 increases, so that the user hunching the back is interfered. Then, the user feels that the movement of hunching the back is limited, recognizes that the movement of hunching the back is wrong, and puts the object down in the correct posture of straightening the back and bending the knees as shown in (a) of FIG. 11.

[0070] As described above, the present disclosure induces an operator to lift an object in a correct posture or safely lower an object during a lifting work process, thereby preventing injury to the operator and achieving convenience in operation.

[0071] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail in the above embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure. If the modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims, the technical idea should also be regarded as belonging to the present disclosure.