Design and Analysis of a Novel Shoulder Exoskeleton Based on a Parallel Mechanism

Power-assisted upper-limb exoskeletons are primarily used to improve the handling efficiency and load capacity.However,kinematic mismatch between the kinematics and biological joints is a major problem in most existing exoskeletons,because it reduces the boosting effect and causes pain and long-term joint damage in humans.In this study,a shoulder augmentation exoskeleton was designed based on a parallel mechanism that solves the shoulder dislocation problem using the upper arm as a passive limb.Consequently,the human–machine synergy and wearability of the exoskeleton system were improved without increasing the volume and weight of the system.A parallel mechanism was used as the structural body of the shoulder joint exoskeleton,and its workspace,dexterity,and stiffness were analyzed.Additionally,an ergonomic model was developed using the principle of virtual work,and a case analysis was performed considering the lifting of heavy objects.The results show that the upper arm reduces the driving force requirement in coordinated motion,enhances the load capacity of the system,and achieves excellent assistance.

Design,Simulation and Kinematic Validation of a Hip Prosthetic Mechanism with a Multimotor Function

We previously developed a powered hip prosthetic mechanism with kinematic functions of hip flexion-extension and abduction-adduction,and its theoretical and simulation-based kinematics were verified.Because internal-external hip rotation has a positive effect on the movements of human lower limbs according to medical research,we developed a novel hip prosthetic mechanism based on a previous hip prosthesis that possesses motion characteristics similar to those of a human bionic hip,and the motion characteristics of multiple Degrees-of-Freedom(DoFs)were analyzed after kinematic modeling.Then,a walking model of the human‒machine model was established,and the walking stability of an amputee,which reflects the rehabilitation effect,was explored while the hip prosthetic mechanism considered the internal-external rotation of the hip.Finally,a prototype and its verification platform were built,and kinematic validation of the hip prosthetic mechanism was carried out.The results showed that the designed Parallel Mechanism(PM)possesses human-like motion characteristics similar to those of a human bionic hip and can be used as a hip prosthesis.Moreover,the existing motion characteristic of internal-external hip rotation can enhance the walking stability of an amputee via this hip prosthetic mechanism.

Design of a novel side-mounted leg mechanism with high flexibility for a multi-mission quadruped earth rover BJTUBOT

Earth rover is a class of emerging wheeled-leg robots for nature exploration.At present,few methods for these robots’leg design utilize a side-mounted spatial parallel mechanism.Thus,this paper presents a complete design process of a novel 5-degree-of-freedom(5-DOF)hybrid leg mechanism for our quadruped earth rover BJTUBOT.First,a general approach is proposed for constructing the novel leg mechanism.Subsequently,by evaluating the basic locomotion task(LT)of the rover based on screw theory,we determine the desired motion characteristic of the sidemounted leg and carry out its two feasible configurations.With regard to the synthesis method of the parallel mechanism,a family of concise hybrid leg mechanisms using the 6-DOF limbs and an L1F1C limb(which can provide a constraint force and a couple)is designed.In verifying the motion characteristics of this kind of leg,we select a typical(3-UPRU&RRRR)&R mechanism and then analyze its kinematic model,singularities,velocity mapping,workspace,dexterity,statics,and kinetostatic performance.Furthermore,the virtual quadruped rover equipped with this innovative leg mechanism is built.Various basic and specific LTs of the rover are demonstrated by simulation,which indicates that the flexibility of the legs can help the rover achieve multitasking.