University of California

Suitx, Inc.

U.S. Bionics, Inc.

Logan Van Engelhoven

Homayoon Kazerooni

James Hatch

Minerva V Pillai

John Jow Kuwata

Valantyn Joseph Sean Koziak

Wayne Yi-Wei Tung

Valantyn Koziak

James Ren

A human interface device is configured to be coupled to a trunk of a person and comprises a frame, a fabric coupled to said frame configurable to be under tensile forces, and a belt configured to be coupled to two side edges of said frame wherein when said belt is worn by said person, an area of said fabric will be pushed against the person's lower back conforming to the shape of the lower back of said person. In operation when said human interface device is worn by said person, the weight of any load coupled to or supported by said frame will be partially supported by the friction force between the area of said fabric which is pushed against the person's lower back, and the person's lower back allowing said person to carry said load.

Human interface device for exoskeleton apparatus

Described herein is an arm supporting exoskeleton including a proximal link, a distal link, a torque generator, and a bracket. The distal link is configured to rotate relative to the proximal link about a first rotational axis forming a first angle between the proximal link and the distal link. The torque generator is configured to provide a torque profile between the proximal link and the distal link as a function of the first angle, thereby producing a supporting force onto the upper arm of the person. The bracket is coupled to one of the proximal link or the distal link. A location of the bracket is adjustable to adjust an effective length of the torque generator to adjust an amplitude of the torque profile provided by the torque generator thereby adjusting the supporting force onto the upper arm of the person.

Arm supporting exoskeleton with a variable force generator

A remote center jointis configured to rotate segmentrelative to segmentalong axis. Remote center jointcomprises a segmentcoupled to base segmentalong axis. Segmentis coupled to segmentabout axisintersecting axisat first point. Segmentis coupled to segmentabout axisintersecting first point. Segmentis coupled to segmentabout axisparallel to axis. Segmentis geared to segment. Segmentis coupled to segmentabout axisintersecting axisat second point. Segmentis coupled to segmentalong axisintersecting second point. Segmentis geared to segment. Axisof rotation of terminal segmentrelative to segmentconnects first pointand second point

Remote center shoulder joint for shoulder supporting exoskeleton

A neck supporting exoskeleton is configured to be worn by a person to support the person's head during backward extension motions of the person's neck. The neck supporting exoskeleton may comprise a torso frame configured to be coupled to the person's torso, a head pillow configured to contact the rear portion of the person's head during backward extension motions of the person's neck, a linkage allowing for relative motion between the head pillow and the torso frame in the sagittal plane of the person, and an actuator configured to impose a supporting force onto the head pillow. When the person's neck extension angle increases beyond an engagement angle, the actuator causes the linkage to impose a supporting force onto the head pillow resisting the backward extension motion of the head pillow and the person's head relative to the torso frame thereby providing a support for the person's head.

Neck supporting exoskeleton

Described herein is an arm supporting exoskeleton, comprising an arm link mechanism. The arm link mechanism comprises a proximal link, a distal link, an arm coupler, and a variable force generator. The distal link is rotatable relative to the proximal link. The arm coupler is adapted to couple an upper arm of a person to the distal link. The variable force generator comprises a first spring and a second spring, configured to create a torque between the proximal link and the distal link. In the first force mode, the variable force generator exhibits a first stiffness rate defined by the first spring that supports the upper arm of the person against gravity forces and. In the second force mode, the variable force generator exhibits a second stiffness rate defined by the first spring and the second spring that supports the upper arm of the person against the gravity forces.

Described herein is an arm supporting exoskeleton, comprising an arm link mechanism. The arm link mechanism comprises a proximal link, a distal link, an arm coupler, and a variable force generator. The distal link is rotatable relative to the proximal link. The arm coupler is adapted to couple an upper arm of a person to the distal link. The variable force generator comprises a first spring and a second spring, configured to create a torque between the proximal link and the distal link. In the first force mode, the variable force generator exhibits a first stiffness rate defined by the first spring that supports the upper arm of the person against gravity forces and In the second force mode, the variable force generator exhibits a second stiffness rate defined by the first spring and the second spring that supports the upper arm of the person against the gravity forces.

Variable force generators for arm supporting exoskeletons

An arm supporting exoskeleton comprises a shoulder base coupled to an arm link mechanism. The arm link mechanism comprises a proximal link and a distal link configured to rotate relative to each other about a rotating joint; at least one arm-coupler adapted to couple a user's arm to the distal link; a tensile force generator coupled to the proximal link and the distal link, and providing a torque to flex the distal link relative to the proximal link; and a protrusion located substantially at the rotating joint. When the distal link extends past a toggle angle, the protrusion constrains the tensile force generator, and the torque provided by the tensile force generator remains substantially small. When the protrusion does not constrain the tensile force generator, the torque tends to flex the distal link relative to the proximal link, thereby reducing human shoulder forces and torques required to raise the arm.

Apparatus for human arm supporting exoskeleton

An arm supporting exoskeleton comprises a shoulder base coupled to an arm link mechanism. The arm link mechanism comprises a proximal link and a distal link configured to rotate relative to each other about a rotating joint; at least one arm-coupler adapted to couple a user's arm to the distal link; a tensile force generator coupled to the proximal link and the distal link, and providing a torque to flex the distal link relative to the proximal link; and a protrusion located substantially at the rotating joint. When the distal link extends past a toggle angle, the protrusion constrains the tensile force generator, and the torque provided by the tensile force generator remains substantially small, When the protrusion does not constrain the tensile force generator, the torque tends to flex the distal link relative to the proximal link, thereby reducing human shoulder forces and torques required to raise the arm.

Growing community of inventors

Berkeley, CA, United States of America

Logan Van Engelhoven