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US 2014/0276304 A1Published application
Friction-Based Orthotic Impedence Modulation Device
AssigneeYale University
InventorsAaron Dollar, Shamaei Ghahfarokhi
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an impedance modulation device for an orthotic application. The device includes a high-stiffness loading spring, a low-stiffness return spring, a shaft having an output connector, and an engagement mechanism. When the engagement mechanism engages the shaft, the device exhibits a high stiffness at the output connector, and wherein when the engagement mechanism disengages the shaft, the device exhibits a low stiffness at the output connector.
Claims20
An impedance modulation device for an orthotic application, comprising:
- a high-stiffness loading spring;
- a low-stiffness return spring;
- a shaft having an output connector;
- and
- an engagement mechanism;
- wherein when the engagement mechanism engages the shaft, the device exhibits a high stiffness at the output connector, and wherein when the engagement mechanism disengages the shaft, the device exhibits a low stiffness at the output connector.
3 more elements
An orthotic device, comprising:
- a frame;
- an impedance modulator comprising a high-stiffness loading spring, a low-stiffness return spring, a shaft having a connector, and an engagement mechanism;
- a pulley assembly positioned relative to a joint and connected to the shaft connector;
- wherein the pulley assembly turns and pulls the shaft of the impedance modulator, and when the engagement mechanism engages the shaft, the modulator exhibits a high stiffness at the shaft connector, and when the engagement mechanism disengages the shaft, the modulator exhibits a low stiffness at the shaft connector.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.