Impact of friction and gait parameters on the optimization of series elastic actuators for gait assistance

Elastic actuators feature increased energy efficiency and improved human-robot interaction compared to directly driven concepts for active orthoses and prostheses. Structure and parameters of the elastic actuation system are often designed via a model-based minimization of energy consumption based o...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Stuhlenmiller, Florian, Clos Costa, Daniel|||0000-0001-7530-930X, Rinderknecht, Stephan, Beckerle, Philipp, Font Llagunes, Josep Maria|||0000-0002-7192-2980
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/127806
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/127806
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2018.12.009
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Biomechanics
Biomedical engineering
Series elasticity
Compliant actuators
Energy efficiency
Design optimization
Biomecànica
Enginyeria biomèdica
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria mecànica
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria biomèdica
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria biomèdica::Biomecànica
Descripción
Sumario:Elastic actuators feature increased energy efficiency and improved human-robot interaction compared to directly driven concepts for active orthoses and prostheses. Structure and parameters of the elastic actuation system are often designed via a model-based minimization of energy consumption based on gait data gained from healthy individuals. However, natural motion exhibits variability among individuals and may not consider requirements of persons using assistive devices. A parametric study is performed examining the impact of varying gait characteristics on the energy consumption and constraints of an optimized (clutchable) series elastic actuator of the knee joint. Furthermore, friction parameters are varied to analyze the impact on actuator constraints. Results of the parametric study indicate increased energy consumption for a slower cadence compared to the healthy gait data for both systems. The clutchable series elastic actuator is less impacted by constraints than the series elastic actuator. The utilized models are evaluated experimentally at a test bench, indicating good accordance to the measured energy consumption. The results highlight the interrelation of friction and gait parameters with energy consumption and actuator constraints and indicate that the optimization procedure for the actuator design requires detailed models of component efficiency as well as subject-specific gait characteristics.