The present invention relates to a load bearing apparatus, and more particularly, to a passive exoskeleton whereby a load may be placed on the passive exoskeleton and thereby transfer weight of the load from the passive exoskeleton to a ground surface. The passive exoskeleton comprises a rigid body member for attaching proximate a portion of a user’s body, a sliding rod attached with the body member, and a ground surface engage-able foot analog attached with the sliding rod. When a user places a load on the body member, weight of the load from is transferred from the body member, through the sliding rod, and into the foot analog, causing the passive exoskeleton to support at least a portion of the load.

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(EN)Load measuring sections (50, 52) are provided with reaction sensors (50a, 50b, 52a, 52b) for measuring the loads at two positions, i.e. the tiptoes and the heels, on the sole side of the right and left feet of a person (12) wearing the device. The reaction sensor (50a) detects the reaction to a load on the front side of the right foot (right tiptoe), and the reaction sensor (50b) detects the reaction to a load on the rear side of the right foot (right heel). The reaction sensor (52a) detects the reaction to a load on the front side of the left foot (left tiptoe), and the reaction sensor (52b) detects the reaction to a load on the rear side of the left foot (left heel). Each reaction sensor (50a, 50b, 52a, 52b) is arranged to detect, based on the variation in capacitance, the loads acting on the right and left feet by the walking motion of the person (12) wearing the device, and can detect the variation in load incident to movement of weight and whether or not the foot of the person (12) wearing the device contacts the ground surface.
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(EN)A motion assisting wearable frame (18A) has a waist fastening member (30) to be attached to the waist of a person (12), a right leg assist portion (54) provided downward from the right side portion of the waist fastening member (30), and a left leg assist portion (55) provided downward from the left side portion of the waist fastening member (30). A fitting portion (31) to be fitted to the backside at the waist of a person (12) with no clearance is fixed to the backside of the waist fastening member (30). The fitting portion (31) consists of a bag-shaped resin member formed in curved shape to cover the backside at the waist of the person (12). The fitting portion (31) is in deformable fluid state until it is attached to the person (12) under a state where the internal pressure is the atmospheric pressure. After it is attached to the person (12), the internal pressure is reduced so that the shape is varied in accordance with the figure of the person (12) at a portion abutting against backside at the waist.
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A method for controlling movement using an active powered device including an actuator, joint position sensor, muscle stress sensor, and control system. The device provides primarily muscle support although it is capable of additionally providing joint support (hence the name “active muscle assistance device”). The device is designed for operation in several modes to provide either assistance or resistance to a muscle for the purpose of enhancing mobility, preventing injury, or building muscle strength. The device is designed to operate autonomously or coupled with other like device(s) to provide simultaneous assistance or resistance to multiple muscles.

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A high-power electrostatic actuator comprising rotor and stator layers with fault-tolerant electrode structures, a housing to contain the electrodes and dielectric fluid, and electronic circuitry driving a plurality of high-voltage phases. The actuator is constructed from multiple rotor and stator films separated by spacing elements. The electrode structure provides self-alignment for precise assembly. The actuator assembly includes built-in fine-position sensors to allow optimal timing in powering phases, and a coarse position sensor for feedback control. The electrode structure has a large region of linear force to provide low torque-ripple allowing simple high/low voltage pulsing instead of analog high voltage waveforms. Single or double sided flexible circuit manufacturing techniques are used to fabricate the rotor and stator films at low cost.

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