Load measuring parts 50 and 52 are provided with reaction sensors 50a, 50b, 52a and 52b to measure loads at two positions, the tiptoe and the heel, on each sole of right and left feet of a wearing person 12. The reaction sensor 50a detects a reaction force to a load on a front side of the right foot (right tiptoe), the reaction sensor 50b detects a reaction force to a load on a rear side of the right foot (right heel), the reaction sensor 52a detects a reaction force to a load on a front side of the left foot (left tiptoe), and the reaction sensor 52b detects a reaction force to a load on a rear side of the left foot (left heel). The reaction sensors 50a, 50b, 52a and 52b are arranged to detect, based on a change of a capacitance, the loads on the right and left feet during a walk action. A change of the load accompanied with a shift of the weight and a contact between the wearing person’s foot and the ground can be detected.

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An artificial muscle (10) comprises a chamber (12) having a flexible wall of plastics material, a device for heating and/or cooling a low-boiling-point fluid contained in, or in communication with, the chamber so that at least some of the fluid changes state between liquid and gaseous so that the force in the chamber on the flexible wall changes and/or the flexible wall moves to change the volume of the chamber, and a tendon (14) which at least partly encircles the chamber over an extent that varies with variations in the chamber volume for transmitting force between the flexible wall and a load. The use of a low-boiling-point fluid operating at around its boiling point enables plastics materials to be used without thermal damage, and the use of plastics materials enables low production costs. The use of a flexible wall to convey an effort to a load avoids the need for sliding parts and can provide advantages such as reduced friction and ease of sealing. The use of a low-boiling-point fluid operating at around its boiling point also enables large changes in pressure to be achieved with relatively small changes in temperature, so that the muscle can operate over a relatively small temperature range. The use of a low-boiling-point fluid operating at around its boiling point also reduces the risk of personal injury. The tendon arrangement provides less of a restriction on the operating range of the muscle than a McKibben type arrangement.

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(EN)Disclosed is a wearable motion assist device (10) provided with a motion assist glove (20) that comprises finger insertion portions (21) into which fingers of a wearer are inserted, drive units (40) that are disposed on the back side of the motion assist glove (20) and drive the finger insertion portions (21), linear members (50) that are disposed along the extension directions of the finger insertion portions (21) so as to transmit the drive force of the drive units (40) to the finger insertion portions (21), a biosignal detection unit (60) that detects a biosignal for operating the fingers of the wearer, and a control unit (70) that outputs a drive control signal to the drive units (40) on the basis of the biosignal generated by the biosignal detection unit (60), the wearable motion assist device (10) being characterized in that the drive units (40) operate the liner members (50) in the extending directions or bending directions of the finger insertion portions (21) on the basis of the drive control signal from the control unit (70).
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System for controlling an exoskeleton haptic device for rehabilitation purposes, and corresponding exoskeleton haptic device.

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A technique for deflecting an actuator belt includes applying a variable deflection force to the actuator belt. The technique may be used to construct actuators for active orthotics, robotics or other applications. Versions with passive clutches may also be used to construct variable-ratio motor gearheads, or may be scaled up to build continuously variable transmissions for automobiles, bicycles, or other vehicles.

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