Wearable assistive device that efficiently delivers assistive force
A wearable assistive device such as an exoskeleton may include a main frame that support a hip joint of a user. The main frame may have a predetermined curvature and structure that closely conforms to and remains in contact with a hip of the user at or near the hip joint so that the main frame may stably support both hip joints. While the user wears the exoskeleton and walks, bends, or lifts, the exoskeleton may stably and efficiently provide a force to assist a movement originating at the hip joint of the user, thereby aiding the user in stably walking, bending, or lifting.
1. A wearable assistive device, comprising:
a waist support configured to support a waist of a user, the waist support having a first side and a second side;
a first frame coupled to the first side of the waist support, the first frame having a predetermined curvature so as to cover a side of a first hip joint of the user at a first hip joint supporting position;
a second frame coupled to the second side of the waist support, the second frame having a predetermined curvature so as to cover a side of a second hip joint of the user at a second hip joint supporting portion; and
a hip matching assembly that connects the waist support to the first or second frame and interlocks with a movement of the first or second hip joint of the user to move the first or second frame, the hip matching assembly having:
a first rail portion that is provided at the waist support and moves the first frame at the first hip joint supporting position with a movement of the first hip joint, wherein the first rail portion comprises a first guide member including a first guide groove having a predetermined curvature and a first rail member provided at a lower end of the waist support and coupled with the first guide groove, wherein the first rail member is configured to move along the first guide groove in a curved path around a first rotation axis, and
a second rail portion that connects the first rail portion to the first frame and moves the first frame at the first hip joint supporting position with a movement of the first hip joint, wherein the second rail portion comprises a second guide member provided at an inner side of a cover and including a second guide groove having a predetermined curvature.
2. The wearable assistive device of claim 1 , wherein the second rail portion further comprises:
a second rail member provided at a rear of the first guide member and coupled to the second guide groove via a rail method such that the second rail member is configured to move along the second guide groove.
3. The wearable assistive device of claim 1 , wherein the first rotation axis is a front-rear axis around which a leg pivots during adduction or abduction in a frontal plane of motion.