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Publication Number
US-11826302-B2
Publication Date
2023-11-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
A self-aligning, self-drawing coupler for coupling body assemblies together improves usability of a wearable robotic device. A self-contained removable actuator cassette improves the ease of manufacture and of replacing parts in the field. A tensioning retention system designed for one handed operation makes donning and doffing a wearable robotic device easier. A two-stage attachment system increases the range of sizes a wearable robotic device will fit. A removable, integrated ankle-foot orthotic system makes donning and doffing a wearable robotic device easier. An infinitely adjustable, integrated ankle-foot orthotic system increases the range of sizes a wearable robotic device will fit. A manually-removable hip-wing attachment system makes field changes easier, and protecting such a system from inadvertent disengagement during operation increases safety.
Core Innovation
The wearable robotic device includes a thigh assembly attachable to a thigh portion of a user's body and a hip assembly attachable to a hip region of the user's body, where the hip assembly is coupled to the thigh assembly. The hip assembly partially circumscribes the hip region and includes a rigid housing and a removable hip wing configured to be attachable to the hip region of the user's body. The removable hip wing is removable from the rigid housing by operation of a manually-operable removal mechanism.
The removable hip wing includes a hooked hinge portion with an inner hook surface and an outer hook surface partially circumscribing a rotational axis of the hip wing. The rigid housing includes a hinge pin, and the inner hook surface engages with the hinge pin so that the removable hip wing rotates around the hinge pin when attached to the rigid housing.
The rigid housing includes a radially-inward facing hinge guide surface that is radially offset, and the outer hook surface engages with the hinge guide surface so that the hooked hinge portion is positioned relative to the hinge pin and the radially offset hinge guide surface. The rigid housing further includes a detachment pocket configured to receive the hooked hinge portion for sliding to disengage the hooked hinge portion from the hinge pin, thereby detaching the removable hip wing from the rigid housing.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim directed to the wearable robotic device, with claim coverage focused on the detachable hip wing attachment and hinge-pin rotation structure, and dependent refinements that specify hinge geometry and a sliding detachment pocket.
Manually removable hip wing attached to a hip-region housing
A wearable robotic device with a thigh assembly attachable to a thigh portion and a hip assembly attachable to a hip region, where the hip assembly partially circumscribes the hip region, includes a rigid housing, and includes a removable hip wing attachable to the hip region and removable from the rigid housing by operation of a manually-operable removal mechanism.
Hooked hinge portion engaging a hinge pin for rotation
The removable hip wing includes a hooked hinge portion with an inner hook surface and an outer hook surface partially circumscribing a rotational axis, and the rigid housing includes a hinge pin such that the inner hook surface engages the hinge pin and the removable hip wing rotates around the hinge pin when attached to the rigid housing.
Radially offset hinge guide surface engaged by the outer hook surface
The rigid housing includes a radially-inward facing, radially offset hinge guide surface, and the outer hook surface engages with the hinge guide surface to cooperate with the hooked hinge portion and hinge pin in the attached configuration.
Detachment pocket for sliding disengagement from the hinge pin
The rigid housing includes a detachment pocket configured such that the hooked hinge portion can slide to disengage from the hinge pin, thereby detaching the removable hip wing from the rigid housing.
Overall, the claim set covers a wearable robotic device with a hip assembly rigid housing and a removable hip wing that is manually removable and rotates around a hinge pin using hooked inner and outer hook surfaces, with refinements specifying a radially offset hinge guide surface interaction and a detachment pocket enabling sliding disengagement from the hinge pin.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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