LENGTH-ADJUSTABLE LOWER LIMB STRUCTURE, AND EXOSKELETON ROBOT USING SAME
20230293380 ยท 2023-09-21
Inventors
Cpc classification
A61H3/008
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B25J11/009
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
A61H3/04
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61H2201/1659
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61H1/0262
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B25J9/0006
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
A61H3/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
A61H3/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61H1/02
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B25J9/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B25J9/10
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
The disclosure relates to a lower limb structure, comprising: a hip joint assembly comprising a hip joint support, a hip joint driver fixed to the hip joint support, and a hip joint transmission handle driven by the hip joint driver; a thigh rod connected to the hip joint transmission handle and driven by the hip joint driver; a knee joint assembly comprising a knee joint fixing base, a knee joint driver fixed on the knee joint fixing base, and a knee joint transmission handle driven by the knee joint driver, wherein the knee joint fixing base comprises a sleeve and a connector which is connected to the knee joint driver, and the sleeve is slidably fixed on the thigh rod along an extension direction of the thigh rod; and a lower leg rod connected to the knee joint transmission handle and driven by the knee joint driver, wherein the thigh rod does not coincide with a line connecting centers of the hip joint driver and the knee joint driver, such that a movement range of the knee joint on the thigh rod regulator is larger. The disclosure also relates to an exoskeleton robot having the lower limb structure.
Claims
1. A length-adjustable lower limb structure applied to a lower limb of a robot, comprising: a hip joint assembly comprising a hip joint support, a hip joint driver fixed to the hip joint support, and a hip joint transmission handle driven by the hip joint driver; a thigh rod connected to the hip joint transmission handle, so as to be driven by the hip joint driver; a knee joint assembly comprising a knee joint fixing base, a knee joint driver fixed on the knee joint fixing base, and a knee joint transmission handle driven by the knee joint driver, wherein the knee joint fixing base comprises a sleeve and a connector connected to the knee joint driver, the sleeve is slidably fixed on the thigh rod along an extension direction of the thigh rod; and a lower leg rod connected to the knee joint transmission handle and driven by the knee joint driver, wherein the thigh rod does not coincide with a line connecting centers of the hip joint driver and the knee joint driver.
2. The lower limb structure according to claim 1, wherein, the thigh rod further comprises a thigh rod limit assembly comprising a first limit post, wherein, the thigh rod is provided with a plurality of first limit holes along an extension direction of the thigh rod, and the sleeve is formed with a first limit opening having a position aligned with one of the plurality of first limit holes; and the first limit post passes through the first limit opening to be clamped in one of the plurality of first limit holes.
3. The lower limb structure according to claim 2, wherein the thigh rod limit assembly further comprises an adjusting sleeve and a locking nut, wherein, the thigh rod passes through the adjusting sleeve to be in thread engagement with the adjusting sleeve, such that a position of the adjusting sleeve along the extension direction of the thigh rod is variable, and the adjusting sleeve is located below the sleeve, such that an upper end surface of the adjusting sleeve is in contact with a lower end surface of the sleeve; the locking nut surrounds the upper end surface of the adjusting sleeve and the lower end surface of the sleeve, to maintain the contact between the upper end surface of the adjusting sleeve and the lower end surface of the sleeve or maintain a constant axial distance between the upper end surface of the adjusting sleeve and the lower end surface of the sleeve.
4. The lower limb structure according to claim 3, wherein the thigh rod limit assembly further comprises a plurality of roll balls between the upper end surface of the adjusting sleeve and the lower end surface of the sleeve, such that the upper end surface of the adjusting sleeve and the lower end surface of the sleeve are in rolling contact via the plurality of roll balls.
5. The lower limb structure according to claim 4, wherein the thigh rod limit assembly further comprises a roll ball holding frame for holding the plurality of roll balls.
6. The lower limb structure according to claim 2, wherein, the thigh rod is formed with a groove along the extension direction of the thigh rod, the plurality of first limit holes are provided in the groove; a boss is formed on an inner surface of the sleeve, and the boss is clamped in the groove when the thigh rod passes through the sleeve.
7. The lower limb structure according to claim 1, further comprising a sole assembly connected to a lower end of the lower leg rod.
8. The lower limb structure according to claim 1, wherein the lower leg rod comprises: a hollow lower leg fixing rod having an upper end connected to the knee joint transmission handle; and a lower leg adjusting rod slidably fitted into the lower leg fixing rod.
9. The lower limb structure according to claim 8, wherein, the lower leg rod further comprises a lower leg rod limit assembly comprising a second limit post, wherein, the lower leg adjusting rod is provided with a plurality of second limit holes along an extension direction of the lower leg adjusting rod, and the lower leg fixing rod is formed with a second limit opening aligned with one of the plurality of second limit holes; and the second limit post passes through the second limit opening to be clamped in one of the plurality of second limit holes.
10. The lower limb structure according to claim 9, wherein the lower leg rod limit assembly further comprises a limit sleeve and an adjusting nut fixed to an inner surface of the limit sleeve, wherein, the adjusting sleeve surrounds a lower end of the lower leg fixing rod, such that the lower end of the lower leg fixing rod abuts against the adjusting nut, and the adjusting sleeve is rotatable relative to the lower leg fixing rod; the adjusting nut surrounds an outer surface of the lower leg adjusting rod and in thread engagement with the lower leg adjusting rod, such that the lower leg adjusting rod retracts into or extends out of the lower leg fixing rod.
11. The lower limb structure according to claim 10, wherein a lower end of the lower leg rod is formed with a flange, the inner surface of the limit sleeve is formed with a retracted step, and the flange is positioned between the retracted step and the adjusting nut.
12. The lower limb structure according to claim 11, wherein the lower leg rod limit assembly further comprises: a plurality of roll balls disposed between the flange and the retracted step; and a roll ball holding frame for holding the plurality of roll balls.
13. An exoskeleton robot, comprising: lower limbs each having a lower limb structure, the lower limb structure comprises: a hip joint assembly comprising a hip joint support, a hip joint driver fixed to the hip joint support, and a hip joint transmission handle driven by the hip joint driver; a thigh rod connected to the hip joint transmission handle, so as to be driven by the hip joint driver; a knee joint assembly comprising a knee joint fixing base, a knee joint driver fixed on the knee joint fixing base, and a knee joint transmission handle driven by the knee joint driver, wherein the knee joint fixing base comprises a sleeve and a connector connected to the knee joint driver, the sleeve is slidably fixed on the thigh rod along an extension direction of the thigh rod; and a lower leg rod connected to the knee joint transmission handle and driven by the knee joint driver; a waist support device mounted with the lower limbs; and a suspension device on which the waist support device is mounted, wherein the thigh rod does not coincide with a line connecting centers of the hip joint driver and the knee joint driver.
14. The exoskeleton robot according to claim 13, wherein the suspension device comprises: a suspension frame; a suspension mechanism mounted on the suspension frame, and the waist support device mounted on the suspension mechanism; and an auxiliary mechanism mounted on the suspension frame, and connected to the suspension mechanism, the auxiliary mechanism outputs an auxiliary force to assist the suspension mechanism to suspend the waist support device and the lower limbs.
15. The exoskeleton robot according to claim 14, wherein, after the waist support device is suspended to a predetermined position, the suspension mechanism is locked, and when the user moves through the lower limbs, and drives the waist support device to move up and down relative to the predetermined position, the auxiliary mechanism further outputs the auxiliary force to assist movement of the lower limbs.
16. The exoskeleton robot according to claim 15, wherein the suspension frame comprises a suspension bearing rod and two longitudinal sliding rods arranged in parallel on both sides of the suspension bearing rod, and the auxiliary suspension mechanism and the auxiliary mechanism are mounted on the suspension bearing rod.
17. The exoskeleton robot according to claim 16, wherein the suspension mechanism comprises: at least one pulley mounted on the suspension bearing rod; and a rope mounted on the at least one pulley, and connected to the auxiliary mechanism at one end, a member to be suspended is mounted on the rope, and the member is suspended by pulling the other end of the rope.
18. The exoskeleton robot according to claim 17, wherein the suspension bearing rod is provided with a through hole through which a part of the rope passes, and the member to be suspended is mounted on a part of the rope passing through the through hole.
19. The exoskeleton robot according to claim 17, wherein the auxiliary mechanism comprises: a fixing base fixedly connected to an end part of the suspension bearing rod; and a spring having one end connected to the fixing base, and the other end connected to one end of the rope.
20. The exoskeleton robot according to claim 17, wherein the suspension device further comprises a winch connected to the other end of the rope, the winch is rotated to drive the rope to slide between the at least one pulley to suspend the member to be suspended, and when the member is suspended to the predetermined position, the winch is locked.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0057] Concerning detailed contents and technical specification of the disclosure, now further explanations are made using one preferable embodiment, but the disclosure shall not be limited thereto.
[0058]
[0059] As shown in
[0060] As shown in
[0061] In this embodiment, the thigh rod 11 is configured not to coincide with a line A connecting centers of the hip joint assembly 10 and the knee joint assembly 12. For example, as shown in
[0062]
[0063] As shown in
[0064] The thigh rod 11 has a groove 111 (e.g., a V-shaped groove) arranged along a longitudinal direction of the thigh rod 11 and a plurality of limit holes 112 formed along the longitudinal direction of the thigh rod 11. These limit holes 112 can be formed in the groove 111, and arranged at an equal interval. In some embodiments, the limit holes 112 can be formed only on a part of length of the thigh rod 11, or can be formed on an entire length of the thigh rod 11.
[0065] As shown in
[0066] In some embodiments, a boss 126 is formed in the sleeve 124, a position of the boss 126 corresponds to a position of the groove 111 on the thigh rod 11, such that when the thigh rod 11 is fitted in the sleeve 124, the boss 126 is just clamped in the groove 111, thereby preventing relative rotation of the thigh rod 11 and the knee joint fixing base 122 around an axis of the thigh rod.
[0067] The sleeve 124 is formed with apertures (not shown), and when the apertures on the sleeve 124 are aligned with the limit holes 112 on the thigh rod 11, a limit post 125 can pass through the apertures and the limit holes to fix the sleeve 124 and the thigh rod 11. Therefore, the sleeve 124 can slide along a longitudinal direction of the thigh rod 11 to adjust an actual length of the thigh rod 11. After the actual length of the thigh rod 11 is adjusted, one aperture of the sleeve 124 is aligned with the limit holes 112 at corresponding positions of the thigh rod 11, and the sleeve 124 and the thigh rod 11 are fixed using the limit post 125. In some embodiments, scale lines and size markings are also provided near the limit holes 112, thereby facilitating quick location and adjustment of the length of the thigh rod.
[0068] In some embodiments, the limit post 125 has one end with a handle, and the other end with a tapered tip, an outer periphery of the limit post 125 and an inner periphery of the apertures of the sleeve 124 are provided with threads mating with each other, and the limit holes 112 of the thigh rod are configured as taper holes. Therefore, during operation, the limit post 125 can be rotated into the apertures of the sleeve 124 through the handle, such that the tapered tip of the limit post 125 abuts against the limit holes 112, thereby applying a radial pushing force to the thigh rod, and preventing the thigh rod from swaying from left to right along a radial direction after location.
[0069] As shown in
[0070] The locking nut 152 surrounds a position where the adjusting sleeve 151 is in contact with the sleeve 124, i.e., surrounding the upper end surface of the adjusting sleeve 151 and the lower end surface of the sleeve 124. In some embodiments, an inner surface of the locking nut 152 and an outer surface of the sleeve 124 may form threads mating with each other, and a lower end of the locking nut 152 may form a step part 157, such that the flange 156 is clamped in the step part 157 to limit a position of the adjusting sleeve 151 along a longitudinal direction of the thigh rod 11. Therefore, during use, the locking nut 152 holds the adjusting sleeve 151 and the sleeve 124 together, and when the adjusting sleeve 151 and the sleeve 124 are adjusted to the desired position on the thigh rod 11, the locking nut 152 is rotated tightly, such that the locking nut 152 can closely maintain contact between the adjusting sleeve 151 and the sleeve 124, or maintain a constant axial distance between the adjusting sleeve 151 and the sleeve 124, thereby firmly locking of the thigh rod, the sleeve 124, the adjusting sleeve 151 and the locking nut 152.
[0071] In some embodiments, the limit assembly 15 may further comprise a pad 153 between the locking nut 152 and the sleeve 124 to adjust an axial relative position between the locking nut 152 and the sleeve 124, and apply a pre-tightened force to thread connection therebetween, such that the connected threads are more fastened.
[0072] In some embodiments, the limit assembly 15 may further comprise roll balls 154 (e.g., steel balls) between the upper end surface of the adjusting sleeve 151 and the lower end surface of the sleeve 124, and the roll balls 154 can be held between the upper end surface of the adjusting sleeve 151 and the lower end surface of the sleeve 124 by a holding frame 155 to limit radial motion of the roll balls 154. A gravity of the sleeve 124 (or the knee joint fixing base 122) and a force born along the longitudinal direction of the thigh rod 11 are delivered to the adjusting sleeve 151 through the roll balls 154, and when the adjusting sleeve 151 is rotated, the sleeve 124 (or the knee joint fixing base 122) is driven to move up and down along the longitudinal direction of the thigh rod 11 through transmission of the roll balls 154.
[0073] In some embodiments, a bottom end of the thigh rod 11 may be further provided with a baffle plate 113 to limit the adjusting range of the adjusting sleeve 151 along the longitudinal direction of the thigh rod 11.
[0074] Hereinafter a structure of the lower leg rod 13 is described with reference to
[0075] The lower leg rod 13 comprises a lower leg fixing rod 131 and a lower leg adjusting rod 132. The lower leg fixing rod 131 has one end fixedly connected to a knee joint transmission handle 127, and the knee joint transmission handle 127 is connected to the knee joint driver 121, such that the lower leg rod 13 can rotate by the driving of the knee joint assembly 12. The lower leg fixing rod 131 is hollow, such that the lower leg adjusting rod 132 can be fitted therein, and the lower leg adjusting rod 132 can slide in the lower leg fixing rod 131 along a length of the lower leg fixing rod 131.
[0076] The lower leg adjusting rod 132 is formed with a plurality of limit holes 133 (e.g., taper holes) along a longitudinal direction. These limit holes 133 can be arranged at an equal interval, and the lower leg fixing rod 131 is formed with apertures. When the lower leg adjusting rod 132 is fitted in the lower leg fixing rod 131, the apertures of the lower leg fixing rod 131 may be aligned with one of the plurality of limit holes 133, and a length of the lower leg rod 13 may be adjusted by aligning the apertures of the lower leg fixing rod 131 with different limit holes. The lower leg adjusting rod 132 and the lower leg fixing rod 131 may be fixed to each other through the limit post passing through the apertures and the limit holes, so the length of the lower leg rod 13 may be fixedly adjusted. In some embodiments, scale lines and size markings are also provided near the limit holes 133, thereby facilitating quick location and adjustment of the length of the lower leg rod.
[0077] In some embodiments, a groove 134 (e.g., a V-shaped groove) may be formed on an outer surface of the lower leg adjusting rod 132 along the longitudinal direction, and the limit holes 133 may be formed in the groove 134. A boss 135 may be formed correspondingly on the inner surface of the lower leg fixing rod 131. When the lower leg adjusting rod 132 is fitted in the lower leg fixing rod 131, the boss 135 is clamped in the groove 134, thereby preventing relative rotation of the lower leg adjusting rod 132 and the lower leg fixing rod 131 around an axis of the lower leg rod.
[0078] The lower leg rod limit assembly 16 comprises a limit post 161. When the apertures of the lower leg fixing rod 131 is aligned with one of the plurality of limit holes 133, the limit post 161 passes through the apertures and the limit holes to be clamped, such that the lower leg adjusting rod 132 and the lower leg fixing rod 131 are fixed to each other. In some embodiments, the limit post 161 has one end with a handle, and the other end with a tapered tip. An outer periphery of the limit post 161 and an inner periphery of the apertures of the lower leg fixing rod 131 are provided with threads mating with each other. Therefore, the limit post 161 can be rotated into the apertures of the lower leg fixing rod 131 through the handle, such that the tapered tip of the limit post 161 abuts against the limit holes 133, thereby applying a radial pushing force to the lower leg adjusting rod 132, and preventing the lower leg adjusting rod 132 from swaying from left to right along a radial direction after location.
[0079] The lower leg rod limit assembly 16 further comprises a limit sleeve 162 and an adjusting nut 163 fixedly connected to the limit sleeve 162. For example, the adjusting nut 163 may be fixed through a limit screw 164 and the limit sleeve 162.
[0080] The limit sleeve 162 surrounds a lower end of the lower leg fixing rod 131, and may rotate around an axis of the lower leg fixing rod 131, but a relative position of the limit sleeve 162 and the lower leg fixing rod 131 on a longitudinal direction of the lower leg fixing rod 131 is maintained unchanged. In some embodiments, the lower end of the lower leg fixing rod 131 may be formed with a flange 136, the limit sleeve 162 is formed with an retracted step 167, and the flange 136 and the step 167 mate with each other, such that a lower surface of the step 167 is in contact with an upper surface of the flange 136.
[0081] The adjusting nut 163 is fixed to a lower end of the limit sleeve 162, and an upper end surface of the adjusting nut 163 is in contact with a lower end surface of the lower leg fixing rod 131 (a lower end surface of the flange 136). Therefore, a combination of the limit sleeve 162 and the adjusting nut 163 is clamped together with the flange 136, and the flange 136 limits positions of the limit sleeve 162 and the adjusting nut 163 on the longitudinal direction of the lower leg fixing rod 131, such that a relative position of the limit sleeve 162 (and the adjusting nut 163) and the lower leg fixing rod 131 on the longitudinal direction of the lower leg fixing rod 131 is maintained unchanged. In some embodiments, roll balls 165 (e.g., steel balls) may be further provided between the step 167 and the flange 136, instead of surface contact with rolling contact, thereby reducing rotational friction, and reducing a torque desired by rotation of the adjusting sleeve 162. The roll balls 165 can be held by a holding frame 166.
[0082] An inner surface of the adjusting nut 163 and an outer surface of the lower leg adjusting rod 132 form threads mating with each other. Therefore, when the limit sleeve 162 rotates, the adjusting nut 163 rotates accordingly, and the lower leg adjusting rod 132 may retract into or extend out of the lower leg fixing rod 131 by engaged transmission of the threads between the adjusting nut 163 and the lower leg adjusting rod 132, thereby adjusting the length of the lower leg rod.
[0083] Referring to
[0084] Further, referring to
[0085] Referring to both
[0086] Further, the suspension frame 31 comprises two longitudinal sliding rods 311 arranged in parallel and a suspension bearing rod 312. The suspension bearing rod 312 is vertically connected to ends of the two longitudinal sliding rods 311. The suspension bearing rod 312 is provided with a bearing groove 3121 extending from one end of the suspension bearing rod 312 to the other end, and the bearing groove 3121 is provided with a through hole. The suspension mechanism 32 comprises four pulleys 321 and a rope 322. The four pulleys 321 are mounted in parallel on the bearing groove 3121. The rope 322 is mounted on the four pulleys 321, and has one end connected to the auxiliary mechanism 33, a part S of the rope 322 passes through the through hole, and the waist support device 2 is mounted on the part S of the rope 322 passing through the through hole (for example, the waist support device 2 is mounted with pulleys, and the part S is connected to the pulleys), and suspended by pulling the other end of the rope 322.
[0087] More further, the auxiliary mechanism 33 comprises a fixing base 331 fixedly connected to an end part of the bearing groove 3121, and a spring 332 having one end connected to the fixing base 331, and the other end connected to one end of the rope 322. The suspension bearing rod 312 is further provided with multiple scales, and a tension of the spring 332 is adjusted according to the multiple scales, such that the auxiliary mechanism 33 outputs different auxiliary forces to be adapted to weights of the patients.
[0088] Still further, the suspension device further comprises a winch 34 connected to the other end of the rope 322. The winch 34 is rotated to drive the rope 322 to slide among the four pulleys 321 to suspend the waist support device 2 and the lower limb 3. It shall be noticed that in this embodiment, the four pulleys are taken as a preferable embodiment, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0089] The disclosure is only preferable embodiment of the disclosure, not limiting the implementing scope of the disclosure, and those skilled in the art shall make various corresponding modifications and variations according to the disclosure without departing from spirit and essence of the disclosure, but these corresponding modifications and variations shall belong to the protection scope of the appended claims of the disclosure.