Experimental Study of a lower body exoskeleton applying a torsion bar gravity compensator

토션바 중력보상기를 적용한 하지용 외골격 장치 실험연구

This paper is about the study of a new exo-skeleton device applying a gravity compensator. The exo-skeleton devices is to reduce the external torque applied to the human body joint for the purpose of helping the disabled, reducing heavy payload for industry workers or military soldiers. Most of the exoskeleton devices are actuated by the motors, but motors are limited in energy such that a short durability is always a big problem. In this paper, an exoskeleton device using a new gravity compensator based on a torsion bar is proposed to reduce the torque load applied to human body joints. The exoskeleton device is designed for the lower body of human. Analyses on the torsion bar spring and link of the exoskeleton device using FEM method were performed. To reduce the applied torque to the human joint, a torsion bar gravity compensator is applied to the exoskeleton. The effect of the torsion bar compensator for the exoskeleton device was verified through load test using developed test equipment.