WO2024089659A1

WO2024089659A1 - Exoskeleton for assisting trunk movements

Info

Publication number: WO2024089659A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/060851
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yonnel GIOVANELLI; Cheynet YANN; Pascal FRAZAO; Philippe FERAUD; Arnaud Morel; Bruno Berard
Original assignee: SNCF Voyageurs
Priority date: 2022-10-28
Filing date: 2023-10-27
Publication date: 2024-05-02
Also published as: FR3141366A1

Abstract

The invention mainly relates to an exoskeleton for assisting bending movements of the wearer's trunk comprising an articulated waist support belt (2) provided with support points (3) against the waist of the wearer, means for supporting the legs (4) of the wearer, which means are articulately mounted on the belt (2), and a system for supporting a bending movement (5) of the wearer's trunk, which comprises: • a lumbar support device (6) articulately connected to the rear portion (12) of the support belt (2) and comprising a lumbar support portion (8), and means for bringing the lumbar support portion (8) into abutment (9) with the lower portion of the wearer's back, and • means for supporting the bending movement of the trunk (7) connected to the support belt (2) and to the leg support means (4).

Description

Exoskeleton to assist trunk movements.

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The invention falls within the field of systems for physically assisting movements of the human body, and more particularly in the field of exoskeletons for physically assisting movements of the trunk of a user wearing such an exoskeleton.

PRIOR ART AND DISADVANTAGES OF PRIOR ART

[0002] In many situations, most of the time linked to professional activity, individuals must regularly bend down and get up again, in particular to carry and move loads or to carry out work on the ground or at low height. These movements consisting of lifting loads, bending down and getting up again in a repeated and prolonged manner ultimately lead to lower back pain, or even injuries in these regions of the body.

[0003] Exoskeletons are known, essentially composed of a wide lumbar belt, the dorsal part of which follows the shape of the spinal column, which belt possibly includes cylinders which accompany or retain the flexion of the wearer's trunk.

[0004] Exoskeletons comprising less bulky belts are also known, which exoskeletons are also provided with straps surrounding the thorax and thighs. These exoskeletons include means of supporting or retaining the wearer's trunk which extend between the wearer's thighs and thorax.

[0005] A disadvantage of these prior art systems lies in the large number of straps used. These are sometimes complex to install and create support zones on the upper body, waist and thighs.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention therefore aims to provide an exoskeleton for assisting trunk movements that is simple to install, space-saving and ergonomic.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION [0007] To this end, the invention aims at an exoskeleton for assisting the flexion movements of the trunk of a wearer comprising an articulated waist support belt extending in a plane and provided with support points against the waist of the wearer, means for holding the legs of the wearer mounted in an articulated manner on the support belt, and a system for supporting a flexion movement of the wearer's trunk which comprises:

• a lumbar support device connected in an articulated manner to the posterior portion of the support belt and comprising a lumbar support portion and means for bringing said lumbar support portion into contact with the lower back of the wearer, And

• means of supporting the flexion movement of the trunk connected to the support belt and the means of support for the legs.

[0008] The exoskeleton may also include the following optional characteristics considered in isolation or in all possible technical combinations:

The leg support means are mounted at least between a flexed position facing a front portion of the belt and an equilibrium position in which the leg support means extend perpendicular to the plane of the belt. support belt, and the means of supporting the flexion movement of the trunk include:

• means of elastic return of the means of holding the legs from the flexed position towards the balance position, and

• belt tightening means connected to the elastic return means and exerting a belt tightening force when the leg support means move from their equilibrium position to their flexed position.

The positioning belt in use on the carrier comprises two free ends spaced apart from each other.

The leg support means comprise two thigh straps, each comprising a femoral part of which a so-called connecting end is connected to the support belt, and a support part under the wearer's knee pivotally connected to an opposite end of the femoral part . The femoral part and/or the holding part below the knee comprises a telescopic tube.

Each thigh support includes means of supporting the flexion and extension of the wearer's knee.

The belt includes two members for adjusting the distance separating the holding belt from each femoral part.

The adjustment member comprises a longitudinal rod projecting from the holding belt and a cam extending perpendicular to the rod and pivotally connected to the fixing end of the femoral part, a free end of said cam being connected to the elastic return means. The exoskeleton comprises walking support means connected to the belt and to the leg support means and exerting a restoring force on the leg support means from the equilibrium position to the flexed position.

The support portion of the lumbar support device comprises two juxtaposed lumbar support plates articulatedly connected to the feed means formed by a T-shaped connecting member, which T-shaped connecting member is connected to the support belt via a joint ball joint and comprises at least one member for bringing the lumbar support plates into contact support against the lower back of the wearer.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

[0009] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description given below, for information only and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended figures among which:

[0010] [Fig. 1 ] Figure 1 represents a side view of the exoskeleton of the invention, the thigh shown being in an equilibrium position;

[001 1 ] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 represents a side view of the exoskeleton of the invention, the thigh shown being in a flexed position;

[0012] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 represents a perspective view of the means for holding the legs of the exoskeleton;

[0013] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a part of the telescopic femoral part in an intermediate position; [0014] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 shows a side view of a detail of the leg support means;

[0015] [Fig. 6] Figure 6 represents a front view of an upper part of the exoskeleton;

[0016] [Fig. 7] Figure 7 represents a perspective view of the support belt and the lumbar support device of the exoskeleton;

[0017] [Fig. 8] Figure 8 shows a flat view of Figure 7;

[0018] [Fig. 9] Figure 9 shows a detail of the means of supplying the lumbar support device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] It is firstly specified that in the figures, the same references designate the same elements whatever the figure in which they appear and whatever the form of representation of these elements. Likewise, if elements are not specifically referenced in one of the figures, their references can easily be found by referring to another figure.

[0020] It is also specified that the figures essentially represent two embodiments of the object of the invention but that there may be other embodiments which meet the definition of the invention.

[0021] The invention relates to an exoskeleton 1 for assisting trunk movements, intended to be installed around the waist and on the legs of a wearer in order to accompany the flexion movements of the trunk of said wearer.

[0022] By trunk, we mean the upper part of the body between the base of the neck and the waist of the wearer.

[0023] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 6 to 8, the exoskeleton comprises a support belt 2 at the waist of the wearer extending in a plane. According to the invention, the belt 2 comprises a plurality of rectilinear segments articulated together via pivot joints. The articulated belt 2 includes:

• a posterior portion 12 formed by a posterior segment 28 and intended to face the back of the wearer equipped with the exoskeleton,

• two lateral portions 27 formed by two lateral segments 29 and intended to extend laterally on either side of the wearer's pelvis facing the iliac bones, one end of each lateral segment 29 being connected in an articulated manner at opposite ends of the posterior segment 28, and • an anterior portion 1 1 formed of two anterior segments 30 and intended to extend facing the wearer's stomach, one end of each anterior segment 30 being connected in an articulated manner to the opposite end of each lateral segment 29.

[0024] Furthermore, the articulated belt 2 comprises support points 3 against the waist of the wearer, which support points 3 are preferably provided on the lateral 29 and anterior 30 segments of the belt to come to bear against the iliac crests of the carrier's pelvis. In this way, the contact between the belt 2 and the wearer is reduced, which limits the pressure points on the wearer and contributes to comfort for the wearer equipped with the exoskeleton 1.

The belt 2 also includes means 23 for tightening the belt 2 around the waist of the wearer. These tightening means 23 comprise at least one elastic member housed in the belt 2 extending along all the segments 28, 29, 30, the opposite ends of said elastic member being respectively connected to the two front segments 30. This elastic member being under tension when the wearer is equipped with the exoskeleton 1, said elastic member exerts a force tending to close the articulated belt 2 on itself, that is to say to reduce the angles between two adjacent articulated segments.

[0026] Furthermore, the total length of the belt 2 is such that once worn, the free ends 24 of the two front segments 30 remain at a distance, which makes this belt 2 adaptable to any type of wearer whatever its size. morphology, while ensuring the maintenance of this belt 2 and avoiding the effects of restraint. Ergonomics and comfort are therefore optimal for the wearer.

[0027] With reference to Figures 1 to 5, the exoskeleton 1 of the invention comprises means for holding the legs of the wearer 4 connected to the articulated belt 2 via members for adjusting the distance 18 of said means for holding the legs 4 to belt 2.

More precisely, the belt 2 comprises two adjustment members 18 connected to the respective lateral segments 29, so that the members 18 extend from the pelvis to the thighs of the wearer of the exoskeleton 1. Each adjustment member 18 comprises a telescopic longitudinal rod 19 projecting from the retaining belt 2 and a cam 20 extending perpendicular to said rod 19.

[0029] The means for holding the legs 4 comprise two thigh straps 14 each connected by a pivot joint to the cam considered 20 of so that the thigh straps 14 extend along the thighs and legs of the wearer, which means for holding the legs 4 and which thigh straps 14 are movable between a flexed position facing the front portion 1 1 of the belt 2 and an equilibrium position in which the thigh straps 14 and the leg support means 4 extend perpendicular to the plane of the support belt 2.

[0030] Each thigh piece 14 comprises a telescopic femoral part 15, one end of which is connected in an articulated manner to the cam 20 of the adjustment member considered 18, and a holding part under the wearer's knee 16 pivotally connected to the opposite end of the femoral part 15.

[0031] The telescopic rod 19 of each adjustment member 18, and the telescopic femoral part 15 ensure optimal adjustment of the position of the thigh straps 14 whatever the morphology of the wearer, who can adjust the telescopic rod 19 and the femoral part 15 so that, when wearing the exoskeleton 1, the articulation between the femoral part 15 and the cam 20 is opposite the articulation between the pelvis and the femur considered and the articulation between the femoral part 15 and the support part under the knee 16 is opposite the wearer's knee in question.

[0032] With reference to Figure 4, the femoral part 15 comprises a sliding internal tube 31 inside an external tube 32 between a narrowed position in which the size of the femoral part 15 is minimal and an enlarged position in in which the size of the femoral part 15 is maximum, as well as means for moving and fixing the internal tube 31 relative to the external tube 32. These means for moving and fixing include a cable 33 wound between first and second pulleys 34 , 35 distant housed in the external tube 32, which cable 33 is secured to the internal tube 31 via a fixing part 36 of said tube 31 disposed between the two pulleys 34, 35. The two pulleys 34, 35 are each mounted on an axis of integral rotation of the external tube 32, the axes of the two pulleys 34, 35 extending transversely relative to the external tube 32. Finally, the means of movement and fixing include an external wheel (not shown) accessible to the wearer and allowing adjustment the winding of the cable 33 around the pulleys 34, 35: the movement of the wheel in one direction causes the winding of the cable 33 around the first pulley 34 and its unwinding of the second pulley 35 causing the femoral part 15 to shrink , while moving the wheel in the other direction causes the cable 33 to wind around the second pulley 35 and its unwinding of the first pulley 34 causing the enlargement of the femoral part 15.

[0033] Furthermore, when the femoral part 15 is in its narrowed position, the end of the internal tube 31 comes into contact with the first pulley 34 while when the femoral part 15 is in its enlarged position, the fixing part of the cable 36 secured to the internal tube 31 comes into contact with the second pulley 35.

[0034] These cable movement means 33 and pulleys 34, 35 have the advantage of simply modifying the length of the telescopic femoral part 15 while ensuring sufficiently solid maintenance of the femoral part 15 in an intermediate position located between the position narrowed and the position enlarged.

Finally, the opposite free end of the internal tube of the femoral part comprises a cam 26 extending parallel to the internal tube 31.

[0036] With reference to Figure 5, the knee support part 16 comprises a rod 37, one end of which is pivotally connected to the cam 26 of the internal tube 31 of the femoral part 15 and the opposite end of which comprises a part support under the knee 38 intended to be placed around the calf of the wearer.

[0037] Advantageously but not limitingly, the rod 37 of the knee support part 16 is also telescopic to facilitate attachment under the wearer's knee, and includes movement and fixing means similar to those fitted to the femoral parts. 15.

The thigh straps 14 are movable at least between a flexed position (shown in Figure 2) in which the femoral parts 15 are facing the anterior portion 11 of the belt 2 and an equilibrium position ( shown in Figure 1) in which at least the femoral parts 15 extend perpendicular to the plane of the support belt 2. Of course, the movement of the femoral parts 15 beyond the equilibrium position, up to a position in which said femoral parts 15 are opposite the posterior portion 12 of the belt 2, is possible.

[0039] According to the invention and with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the exoskeleton 1 comprises means for supporting the flexion movement of the wearer's trunk 7 connected to the articulated belt 2 and to the means for holding the legs 4.

[0040] More precisely and as also shown in Figure 3, these means for supporting the flexion movement of the trunk 7 comprise means for elastic return 13 of the means for holding the legs 4 from their flexed position towards their equilibrium position.

[0041] These elastic return means 13 comprise two elastic return members in flexion 42 shown in part in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 8, which each comprise a fixing part 41 (Figure 8) in the posterior segment 28 of the belt 2. More precisely, the fixing parts 41 of the two elastic members in flexion 42 are respectively fixed to the opposite ends of the posterior segment 28.

[0042] Furthermore, the opposite ends of the elastic flexion return members 42 are respectively fixed to the femoral parts 15 of the thigh straps 14. More precisely, the elastic flexion return member 42 fixed to the femoral part 15 corresponding to the leg right side of the wearer is fixed to the end of the posterior segment 28 of the belt 22 which is opposite the right side of the wearer's pelvis, and the elastic flexion return member 42 fixed to the corresponding femoral part 15 to the wearer's left leg is fixed to the end of the posterior segment 28 of the belt 2 facing the left side of the wearer's pelvis.

[0043] Thus, when the wearer of the exoskeleton 1 flexes the trunk, the thighs 14 move towards their flexed position causing the extension of the elastic flexion return members 42, thus generating a force opposing the flexion of the exoskeleton 1. trunk allowing it to accompany the movements of the wearer's trunk.

[0044] Furthermore and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, each elastic bending return member 42 is connected to the end of the cam 20 of the corresponding adjustment part 18, so that during the bending movement of the trunk of the wearer, the cams 20 amplify the extension of the elastic members 42 and therefore the restoring force of the thigh straps 14 towards their equilibrium position. Support for trunk flexion movements is thus improved.

[0045] Finally, the elastic return members 42 in flexion are connected to the means for tightening the belt 23 at the level of the fixing parts 41, so that the extension of the elastic return members 42 during flexion of the trunk of the wearer causes an amplification of the tightening of the belt 2 around the waist of the wearer, further improving the lumbar support of the wearer during trunk flexion movements.

[0046] In addition and as shown in Figure 1, the exoskeleton also includes walking support means 21 connected to the belt 2 and to the leg holding means 4. These are return members elastic in extension 21 whose ends are respectively connected to the femoral parts 15 and to the belt 2 and which exert a restoring force on the means for holding the legs from their equilibrium position to their flexed position.

[0047] With reference to Figures 3 and 5, each thigh piece 14 also includes means for supporting the flexion of the wearer's knee. These support means include two elastic return members in flexion of the knee 39 each fixed on the thigh guard considered 14.

[0048] Each elastic return member in flexion of the knee 39 comprises one end fixed to the internal tube 31 of the femoral part considered 15 and an opposite end fixed to the holding part around the calf 16, which elastic member 39 is extended during a knee flexion movement by the wearer of the exoskeleton 1, which helps to support the wearer when he has to lower then get up to grab an object on the ground. Furthermore, each elastic return member in flexion of the knee 39 is connected to the cam 26 of the corresponding internal tube 31, so that during the flexion movement of the wearer's knee, the cams 26 amplify the extension of the elastic return members in knee flexion 39. The support of knee flexion movements is thus improved.

[0049] Each thigh piece 14 also comprises means for supporting the extension of the wearer's knees, formed of two elastic return members in extension of the knee 40 which operate in an antagonistic manner with respect to the means for supporting flexion of the knees . These means of supporting knee extension help to support the wearer's walking.

[0050] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 6 to 9, the exoskeleton 1 also comprises a lumbar support device 6 connected in an articulated manner to the posterior portion 12 of the articulated belt 2 and which forms, with the means of support for the flexion movement of the trunk 7, a system for supporting the flexion movements of the trunk of the wearer 5 (Figures 1 and 2).

[0051] The lumbar support device 6 comprises a lumbar support portion 8 formed of two lumbar support plates 22 juxtaposed and intended to be arranged on either side of the spine of the wearer equipped with the exoskeleton 1.

[0052] Furthermore, the lumbar support device comprises means for bringing into contact support 9 of said lumbar plates 22 against the lower back of the carrier, which feed means 9 comprise a T-shaped connecting member 46 comprising:

• a vertical bar 43 extending perpendicular to the plane of the belt 2, one end of which is pivotally connected to the center of the posterior segment 12 of said belt 2 via a ball joint 25, and

• a horizontal bar 44 extending parallel to the plane of the belt 2 and which is secured to the opposite end of the vertical bar 43, and whose opposite ends are respectively pivotally connected via ball joints 45 to the two support plates lumbar 22.

The feed means 9 further comprise a feed member 10a of the lumbar support plates 22 against the lower back of the wearer. With reference to Figure 9, this feed member 10a is a torsion spring which exerts a force on the vertical bar 43 of the T-shaped connecting member 46 tending to tilt it towards the back of the wearer equipped with the exoskeleton 1.

Advantageously, the supply means 9 comprise a retaining member of the connecting member 10b formed by a torsion spring which exerts a force on the vertical bar 43 the T-shaped connecting member 46 antagonistic to that exerted by the feed member 10a. This antagonistic force is lower than the input force, and makes it possible to limit the support of the lumbar plates 22 against the wearer's back in order to improve comfort.

[0055] Finally, the supply means 9 comprise two holding members 10c of the T-shaped connecting member 46 formed by two lateral torsion springs arranged on either side of the vertical bar 43 and which ensure the holding of said vertical bar 43 in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the belt 2 and to the axis of the posterior segment 28, in order to ensure the correct positioning of the lumbar support plates 22 on either side of the lumbar vertebrae of the wearer.

Claims

1. Exoskeleton (1) for assisting the flexion movements of the trunk of a wearer comprising an articulated waist support belt (2) extending in a plane and provided with support points (3) against the waist of the carrier, means for holding the legs (4) of the wearer mounted in an articulated manner on the support belt (2), and a system for supporting a flexion movement (5) of the trunk of the wearer which comprises:

• a lumbar support device (6) connected in an articulated manner to the posterior portion (12) of the support belt (2) and comprising a lumbar support portion (8) and means for providing contact support (9 ) of said lumbar support portion (8) against the lower back of the wearer, and

• means for supporting the flexion movement of the trunk (7) connected to the support belt (2) and the leg support means (4).

2. Exoskeleton (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means for holding the legs (4) are mounted at least between a flexed position facing a front portion (11) of the belt ( 2) and a position of balance in which the leg support means (4) extend perpendicular to the plane of the support belt (2), and in that the means supporting the flexion movement of the trunk ( 7) include:

• elastic return means (13) means for holding the legs (4) from the flexed position towards the balance position, and

• belt tightening means (23) connected to the elastic return means (13) and exerting a belt tightening force (2) when the leg support means (4) move from their equilibrium position towards their flexed position.

3. Exoskeleton (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support belt (2) in use on the wearer comprises two free ends (24) spaced apart from each other.

4. Exoskeleton (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for holding the legs (4) comprise two thigh straps (14), each comprising a femoral part (15) of which a so-called connecting end is connected to the support belt, and a support part under the wearer's knee (16) pivotally connected to an opposite end of the femoral part (15).

5. Exoskeleton (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the femoral part (15) and/or the holding part under the knee (16) comprises a telescopic tube.

6. Exoskeleton (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that each thigh guard (14) comprises means for supporting the flexion and extension of the wearer's knee (17).

7. Exoskeleton (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the belt (2) comprises two distance adjusting members (18) separating the support belt (2) from each femoral part ( 15).

8. Exoskeleton (1) according to claims 2 and 7, characterized in that the adjustment member (18) comprises a longitudinal rod (19) projecting from the retaining belt (2) and a cam (20) extending perpendicularly to the rod (19) and pivotally connected to the fixing end of the femoral part (15), a free end of said cam (20) being connected to the elastic return means (13).

9. Exoskeleton (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises walking support means (21) connected to the belt (2) and to the leg support means (4) and exerting a restoring force on the leg support means from the equilibrium position towards the flexed position.

10. Exoskeleton (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support portion (8) of the lumbar support device (6) comprises two juxtaposed lumbar support plates (22) connected in an articulated manner to the means feed member (9) formed by a T-shaped connecting member, which T-shaped connecting member (9) is connected to the retaining belt (2) via a ball joint (25) and comprises at least one feeding member (10) lumbar support plates (22) in contact support against the lower back of the wearer.