Patent ID: 8894592
Filing Date: 2014-11-25
Classification: A61F,A61H,B25J

Abstract:
1. A method of reducing the oxygen consumption of a person during a walking cycle utilizing an exoskeleton device, adapted to be coupled to said person, including at least one power unit, first and second leg supports rotatably connected to an exoskeleton trunk, and first and second hip actuators configured to create torques between said exoskeleton trunk and said first and second leg supports respectively, said method comprising: creating a first unidirectional torque utilizing said first hip actuator, when said first leg support enters a stance phase, to move said first leg support in the stance phase backward relative to said exoskeleton trunk thereby pushing the exoskeleton trunk in a forward direction until said second leg support in a swing phase enters a stance phase such that the exoskeleton device is in the double stance condition; and creating a second unidirectional torque utilizing said first hip actuator, when said second leg support enters the stance phase, to move said first leg support while still in the stance phase forward until said first leg support leaves a support surface and moves into a swing phase.