Exoskeleton device and method

An exoskeleton device, comprising:

• an exoskeleton, wherein the exoskeleton comprises:
• a base section for attachment to a body section of a human body,
• a support section movably coupled to the base section for supporting a body part of the human body,
• an actuator device acting on the support section for providing a support force for the body part,
• wherein the exoskeleton device further comprises:
• a sensor device for detecting a risk variable, wherein the risk variable comprises at least one of the following:
• a movement of the support section, a force, and a pressure between the support section and the body part, and
• a control device for controlling the actuator device, the control device being configured to detect a risk state on a basis of the detected risk variable, in which risk state there is a risk of health impairment and/or damage, and, in response to the detection of the risk state, to initiate a safety measure which comprises outputting a warning signal and/or counteracting the risk state,
• wherein the control device is configured to enter a safety state after carrying out the safety measure, in which safety state the support force is reduced and/or deactivated, and wherein a user input is required to leave the safety state and to provide and/or increase the support force after carrying out the safety measure.

A method of operating an exoskeleton device, the exoskeleton device, comprising:

• an exoskeleton, wherein the exoskeleton comprises:
• a base section for attachment to a body section of a human body, a support section movably coupled to the base section for supporting a body part of the human body, an actuator device acting on the support section for providing a support force for the body part, and wherein the exoskeleton device further comprises:
• a sensor device for detecting a risk variable, wherein the risk variable comprises at least one of the following:
• a movement of the support section, a force, and a pressure between the support section and the body part, and a control device for controlling the actuator device, the control device being configured to detect a risk state on a basis of the detected risk variable, in which risk state there is a risk of health impairment and/or damage, and, in response to the detection of the risk state, to initiate a safety measure which comprises outputting a warning signal and/or counteracting the risk state, wherein the risk state comprises a risk movement state in which there is a risk movement of the support section in which there is a risk of the support section hitting a head of a user, and/or wherein the risk state comprises a risk attachment state in which the support section does not support the body part and/or is not attached to the body part, the method comprising the steps of:
• detecting the risk variable,
• detecting the risk state on the basis of the risk variable,
• initiating the safety measure in response to the detected risk state.