Strength-assistive device

Passive muscle-assist device that supports upper body weight using a cam and cam follower elastic structure

This technology features a body worn on the user's thighs and a muscle-assist member that supports the front of the upper body. It utilizes a mechanical elastic structure with a cam and cam follower to support upper body weight and assist muscle strength without the need for an external power source.

Conventional muscle-assist devices are heavy, expensive, and complex due to the inclusion of motors, power supplies, and control units.

By combining the cam's rotational profile with an elastic member, this technology generates a moment in the direction of the muscle-assist member's rotation. Through the linear movement of a cam follower utilizing a cross-roller guide, it provides muscle-assist effects during the user's bending motions without requiring a power source. It is suitable for industrial muscle support, rehabilitation, and logistics, reducing weight, cost, and strain on the lower back by supporting upper body weight passively.

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Key Features:

• A muscle-assist device comprising a moving part that is provided to move along the longitudinal direction of a guide part, is coupled with a cam follower, and is connected to the guide part in the form of a cross-roller guide.
• A guide part fixed to the outer surface of the first or second body part, provided such that its longitudinal direction faces the direction of movement of the cam follower.
• A muscle-assist member rotatably connected to the body in a front-to-back direction, capable of supporting the front of the user's upper body.
• A body having a first body part and a second body part, each of which can be worn on the user's thighs.

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This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning for the development of under-actuated mechanisms and gait control technology for assistive exoskeleton robots for the independent walking of individuals with paraplegia.