The Chinese University of Hong Kong

The University of Hong Kong

Xiao Jun Wang

Xiang Cao

Kai Yu Tong

Sai Chen

Yong Hu

De Hao Duan Mu

Wing Cheong Leung

Yu Qi Fang

Xiao Dong Li

This invention discloses a pneumatic and cable-driven hybrid artificial muscle, comprising pneumatic actuator, pneumatic pressure regulating assembly, and cable drive assembly. The pneumatic pressure regulating assembly is connected to the pneumatic actuator to regulate air pressure in the pneumatic actuator for controlling the pneumatic actuator to extend or contract. The cable actuation assembly comprises a cable fixedly connected to the pneumatic actuator for controlling the pneumatic actuator to contract. In this invention, the artificial muscle employs a dual pneumatic and cable actuation mechanism. By leveraging the inherent stiffness of the pneumatic actuator, it can provide substantial actuation force for joint movement. Simultaneously, the cable actuation assembly can provide significant pulling force, effectively ensuring safety in human-machine interaction and offering sufficient bidirectional aiding force to individuals with disabilities who use the artificial muscle as an aiding actuation device.

Pneumatic and cable-driven hybrid artificial muscle

Self balancing scooter

Systems and methods for a muscle signal-driven cycling system for persons with disability for rehabilitation are provided. A system comprises integrating both motor power and muscle power to facilitate rehabilitation cycling-based exercises. By using the intensity of real-time muscle activity signals as inputs, a motor applies either assistive or resistive force to rotate a gear at different speeds to facilitate or impede the cycling motion, and the electrical pulses from an electrical stimulation device can be provided to stimulate target muscles to generate muscle contraction to support the continuous cycling movement.

Interactive cycling system and method of using muscle signals to control cycling pattern stimulation intensity

Growing community of inventors

Hong Kong, China

Xiao Jun Wang