Mechanical support device comprising a variable impedance module
AssigneeHuman Motion Technologies LLC
InventorsTianyao Chen, Joshua M. Caputo
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Abstract
A mechanical support device comprising a variable impedance module is disclosed herein. The variable impedance module is configured to adjustably control a stiffness, a damping, and/or a range of motion of a joint. In various instances, the mechanical support device is intended for use with an ankle joint. In such instances, the mechanical support device further comprises a shoe and an ankle brace releasably coupled to the shoe.
Claims13
A variable impedance module configured for use with a mechanical support device configured to support an ankle joint of a user of the mechanical support device, wherein the variable impedance module comprises:
- a coil spring, wherein the variable impedance module is configured to apply a pulling force to the ankle joint when the coil spring is stretched, and wherein the variable impedance module is configured to apply a pushing force to the ankle joint when the coil spring is compressed;
- a rope;
- and
- a first pair of rollers spaced a first distance apart from one another, wherein a stiffness of the ankle joint is adjustably controlled by selectively changing the first distance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.