scholarly journals Bio-Inspired Conceptual Mechanical Design and Control of a New Human Upper Limb Exoskeleton

Robotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Narek Zakaryan ◽  
Mikayel Harutyunyan ◽  
Yuri Sargsyan
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Artificial Muscle ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Upper Limb Exoskeleton ◽  
System A ◽  
Rehabilitation Robots ◽  
Point Control ◽  
And Control ◽  
Human Upper Limb

Safe operation, energy efficiency, versatility and kinematic compatibility are the most important aspects in the design of rehabilitation exoskeletons. This paper focuses on the conceptual bio-inspired mechanical design and equilibrium point control (EP) of a new human upper limb exoskeleton. Considering the upper limb as a multi-muscle redundant system, a similar over-actuated but cable-driven mechatronic system is developed to imitate upper limb motor functions. Additional torque adjusting systems at the joints allow users to lift light weights necessary for activities of daily living (ADL) without increasing electric motor powers of the device. A theoretical model of the “ideal” artificial muscle exoskeleton is also developed using Hill’s natural muscle model. Optimal design parameters of the exoskeleton are defined using the differential evolution (DE) method as a technique of a multi-objective optimization. The proposed cable-driven exoskeleton was then fabricated and tested on a healthy subject. Results showed that the proposed system fulfils the desired aim properly, so that it can be utilized in the design of rehabilitation robots. Further studies may include a spatial mechanism design, which is especially important for the shoulder rehabilitation, and development of reinforcement learning control algorithms to provide more efficient rehabilitation treatment.

scholarly journals A 4-DOF Upper Limb Exoskeleton for Physical Assistance: Design, Modeling, Control and Performance Evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 5865
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ahsan Gull ◽  
Mikkel Thoegersen ◽  
Stefan Hein Bengtson ◽  
Mostafa Mohammadi ◽  
Lotte N. S. Andreasen Struijk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Tracking Control ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Trajectory Tracking Control ◽  
Upper Limb Exoskeleton ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Physically Disabled People ◽  
Human Upper Limb

Wheelchair mounted upper limb exoskeletons offer an alternative way to support disabled individuals in their activities of daily living (ADL). Key challenges in exoskeleton technology include innovative mechanical design and implementation of a control method that can assure a safe and comfortable interaction between the human upper limb and exoskeleton. In this article, we present a mechanical design of a four degrees of freedom (DOF) wheelchair mounted upper limb exoskeleton. The design takes advantage of non-backdrivable mechanism that can hold the output position without energy consumption and provide assistance to the completely paralyzed users. Moreover, a PD-based trajectory tracking control is implemented to enhance the performance of human exoskeleton system for two different tasks. Preliminary results are provided to show the effectiveness and reliability of using the proposed design for physically disabled people.

scholarly journals An innovative equivalent kinematic model of the human upper limb to improve the trajectory planning of exoskeleton rehabilitation robots

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 661-675
Author(s):  
Qiaolian Xie ◽  
Qiaoling Meng ◽  
Qingxin Zeng ◽  
Hongliu Yu ◽  
Zhijia Shen
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Trajectory Planning ◽  
Wrist Joint ◽  
Kinematic Model ◽  
Human Motion ◽  
Upper Limb Exoskeleton ◽  
Rehabilitation Robots ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Human Arm ◽  
Human Upper Limb

Abstract. Upper limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robots have been attracting significant attention by researchers due to their adaptive training, highly repetitive motion, and ability to enhance the self-care capabilities of patients with disabilities. It is a key problem that the existing upper limb exoskeletons cannot stay in line with the corresponding human arm during exercise. The aim is to evaluate whether the existing upper limb exoskeleton movement is in line with the human movement and to provide a design basis for the future exoskeleton. This paper proposes a new equivalent kinematic model for human upper limb, including the shoulder joint, elbow joint, and wrist joint, according to the human anatomical structure and sports biomechanical characteristics. And this paper analyzes the motion space according to the normal range of motion of joints for building the workspace of the proposed model. Then, the trajectory planning for an upper limb exoskeleton is evaluated and improved based on the proposed model. The evaluation results show that there were obvious differences between the exoskeleton prototype and human arm. The deviation between the human body and the exoskeleton of the improved trajectory is decreased to 41.64 %. In conclusion, the new equivalent kinematics model for the human upper limb proposed in this paper can effectively evaluate the existing upper limb exoskeleton and provide suggestions for structural improvements in line with human motion.

Human Upper Limb Experimental Analysis for Assistive Devices in Feeding Process

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 122-127
Author(s):  
Cristian Copilusi ◽  
Ionut Geonea ◽  
Alexandru Margine ◽  
Adrian Rosca
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Experimental Analysis ◽  
Command And Control ◽  
Disabled Persons ◽  
Assistive Devices ◽  
Upper Arm ◽  
Experimental Process ◽  
Feeding Process ◽  
And Control ◽  
Human Upper Limb

This research addresses attention to human upper limb experimental analysis during feeding process aiding disabled persons. The research core is focused on the experimental process of obtaining the angular amplitudes and trajectories developed by the human upper arm during feeding process. The research originality consists on the obtained results which can be used in further researches for command and control of robotic assisting devices.

Study of Co-Simulation of Rehabilitation Robot for Upper Limb Based on Virtual Prototype

2013 ◽  
Vol 712-715 ◽  
pp. 2272-2276
Author(s):  
Zhi Lan ◽  
Zhen Yan ◽  
Jian Jun Xu
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Virtual Prototype ◽  
Rehabilitation Robot ◽  
Electrical System ◽  
Kinematic Parameters ◽  
Rehabilitation Robots ◽  
Dynamics And Control ◽  
Intellectual Control ◽  
Set Up ◽  
And Control

A novel rehabilitation robot for upper limb, which can implement single joint and multi-joint complex motions and provide activities of daily living (ADL) training for hemiplegic patients, was presented. Based on the software ADAMS and the software MATLAB/Simulink, the virtual prototype and the platform of co-simulation of mechanical-electrical system were set up. On the platform of co-simulation, the rehabilitation robots kinematics, dynamics and control have been simulated, and each joints kinematic parameters, torque can be obtained, and parameters of controller can be also confirmed. It offered reliance for the actual intellectual control of the rehabilitation robot.

Wheel-Based Stair Climbing Robot with Hopping Mechanism – Demonstration of Continuous Stair Climbing Using Vibration –

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuji Asai ◽  
◽  
Yasuhiro Chiba ◽  
Keisuke Sakaguchi ◽  
Naoki Bushida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Stair Climbing ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Climbing Robot ◽  
Soft Landing ◽  
Hopping Mechanism ◽  
And Control ◽  
Two Bodies

We propose a simple hopping mechanism using vibration of a two-degrees-of-freedom (2-DOF) system for a fast stair-climbing robot. The robot, consisting of two bodies connected by springs and a wire, hops by releasing energy stored in springs and travels quickly using wheels mounted on its lower body. The trajectories of bodies during hopping change based on mechanical design parameters such as reduced mass of the two bodies, the mass ratio between the upper and lower bodies, and spring constant, and control parameters such as initial contraction of the spring and wire tension. This property allows the robot to quickly and economically climb stairs and land softly without complex control. In this paper, we propose a mathematical model of the robot and investigate required tread length for continuous hopping to climb a flight of stairs. Furthermore, we demonstrate fast stair-climbing and soft landing for a flight of stairs in experiments.

scholarly journals U-Limb: A multi-modal, multi-center database on arm motion control in healthy and post-stroke conditions

GigaScience ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Averta ◽  
Federica Barontini ◽  
Vincenzo Catrambone ◽  
Sami Haddadin ◽  
Giacomo Handjaras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Rehabilitation Robotics ◽  
Human Machine Interaction ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Upper Limb Movements ◽  
Arm Motion ◽  
And Control ◽  
Human Upper Limb

Abstract Background Shedding light on the neuroscientific mechanisms of human upper limb motor control, in both healthy and disease conditions (e.g., after a stroke), can help to devise effective tools for a quantitative evaluation of the impaired conditions, and to properly inform the rehabilitative process. Furthermore, the design and control of mechatronic devices can also benefit from such neuroscientific outcomes, with important implications for assistive and rehabilitation robotics and advanced human-machine interaction. To reach these goals, we believe that an exhaustive data collection on human behavior is a mandatory step. For this reason, we release U-Limb, a large, multi-modal, multi-center data collection on human upper limb movements, with the aim of fostering trans-disciplinary cross-fertilization. Contribution This collection of signals consists of data from 91 able-bodied and 65 post-stroke participants and is organized at 3 levels: (i) upper limb daily living activities, during which kinematic and physiological signals (electromyography, electro-encephalography, and electrocardiography) were recorded; (ii) force-kinematic behavior during precise manipulation tasks with a haptic device; and (iii) brain activity during hand control using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

scholarly journals Dynamic analysis of two-link flexible manipulator considering the link length ratio and the payload

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 303-313
Author(s):  
Duong Xuan Bien ◽  
Chu Anh My ◽  
Phan Bui Khoi
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Flexible Manipulator ◽  
Length Ratio ◽  
Elastic Displacement ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Nonlinear Dynamic Model ◽  
Link Length ◽  
Modeling And Analysis ◽  
Robot Systems ◽  
And Control

Dynamic modeling and analysis of flexible manipulators play an essential role in optimizing mechanical design parameters and control law of real robot systems. In this paper, a nonlinear dynamic model of a manipulator is formulated based on the Finite Element Method. To analyze the dynamic behavior effectively, a numerical simulation scheme is proposed by taking full advantages of MATLAB and SIMULINK toolboxes. In this manner, the effect of varying payload and link length ratio of the manipulator to its elastic displacement is dynamically taken into account. The simulation results show that the payload and length link ratio have significant influences on the elastic displacements of the system. In particular, a proper spectrum of the link length ratio, in which the flexural displacement of the end point of the manipulator is smallest, is demonstrated. To this end, the proposed methodology could be used further to select optimal geometric parameters for the links of new robot designs.

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