Integrated design and analysis of smart actuators for hybrid assistive knee braces

H. T. Guo; W. H. Liao

doi:10.1117/12.815964

6 April 2009 Integrated design and analysis of smart actuators for hybrid assistive knee bracese-fla

H. T. Guo, W. H. Liao

Proceedings Volume 7288, Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2009; 72881U (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.815964
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to develop smart actuators for knee braces as assistive devices for helping disabled people to recover their mobility. The actuator functions as motor, clutch, and brake. In the design, magnetorheological (MR) fluids are utilized to generate controllable torque. To decrease the size of the actuator, motor and MR fluids are integrated. MR fluids are filled inside the DC motor based actuator. Additional design factors of smart actuators including influence of permanent magnet on MR fluids and dynamic sealing are also considered. Finite element model of the smart actuator is built and analyzed. A prototype of the smart actuator with two different inner armatures is fabricated and their characteristics are investigated. Torques are compared between simulation and experiments. The results show that the developed smart actuator with multiple functions is promising for assistive knee braces.

Citation Download Citation

H. T. Guo and W. H. Liao "Integrated design and analysis of smart actuators for hybrid assistive knee bracese-fla", Proc. SPIE 7288, Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2009, 72881U (6 April 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.815964

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