Supporting module and motion assistance apparatus including the same

A supporting module including a supporting frame including a proximal end and a distal end, a connecting plate connected with the distal end of the supporting frame, a sliding plate in contact with one face of the connecting plate, a supporting band connected to both ends of the connecting plate, and an elastic strip configured to connect the sliding plate and the connecting plate is disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0162455, filed on Nov. 19, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

At least one example embodiment relates to a supporting module and/or a motion assistance apparatus including the supporting module.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the onset of rapidly aging societies, a number of people are experiencing inconvenience and/or pain from joint problems. Thus, there is a growing interest in motion assistance apparatuses enabling the elderly and/or patients having joint problems to walk with less effort. The motion assistance apparatuses may include active joint structures including hydraulic systems and/or driving motors to drive each joint portion to improve muscular strength of legs of the users.

SUMMARY

Some example embodiments relate to a support.

In some example embodiments, the support includes a supporting frame having a proximal end and a distal end; a connecting plate configured to connect to the distal end of the supporting frame, the connecting plate having a first end and a second end; a sliding plate configured to contact a rear face of the connecting plate via an elastic force; a supporting band connected to the first end and the second end of the connecting plate; and an elastic strip configured to generate the elastic force to connect the sliding plate and the rear face of the connecting plate.

In some example embodiments, the supporting band includes a first band including a first connector and a second connector, the first connector and the second connector each having a first end and a second end with a flexible material therebetween, the first end of the first connector connected to the first end of the connecting plate and the first end of the second connector connected to the second end of the connecting plate; and a second band having an adjustable length and configured to connect between the second end of the first connector and the second end of the second connector.

In some example embodiments, the first band and the connecting plate are configured to move relative to the sliding plate and the second band when the supporting frame moves.

In some example embodiments, the elastic strip is configured to provide a restoring force to draw the sliding plate toward the connecting plate when the supporting frame moves.

In some example embodiments, the supporting band further includes first rings each configured to connect the connecting plate to respective ones of the first connector and the second connector; and second rings each configured to connect the respective ones of the first connector and the second connector to the second band.

In some example embodiments, the connecting plate has an accepting groove therein, the accepting groove configured to accept the distal end of the supporting frame.

In some example embodiments, the sliding plate has a guide groove therein in a direction perpendicular to the supporting band, and the connecting plate has a protrusion thereon, the protrusion configured to slide into the guide groove.

In some example embodiments, the support the elastic strip is configured to pass through the connecting plate in a longitudinal direction of the supporting band to connect the connecting plate and the sliding plate.

In some example embodiments, the support includes at least one shock absorbing pad attached to an inner side face of one of the sliding plate and the supporting band.

Some other example embodiments also relate to a support.

In some example embodiments, the support includes a supporting frame; a joint frame configured to detachably attach to the supporting frame, the joint frame having an inner side face and an outer side face on opposite sides thereof; and a supporting band having a first end and a second end with a flexible material therebetween, the first end of the supporting band connected to the inner side face of the joint frame, and the second end of the supporting band configured to detachably attach to the outer side face of the joint frame.

In some example embodiments, the joint frame has a joint groove on the inner side face thereof such that the joint frame is configured to accept an end portion of the supporting frame.

In some example embodiments, the joint frame includes at least one fixing rod on the outer side face thereof, and the supporting band has at least one rod hole therein to accept respective ones of the at least one fixing rod.

Some other example embodiments also relate to a support.

In some example embodiments, the support includes a supporting frame; a supporting band having a looped shape and including at least one shock absorbing pad attached to an inner side face thereof; at least one movable wire running on an outer side face of the supporting band in a longitudinal direction of the supporting band; and a connecting plate connected to the at least one movable wire, the connecting plate configured to connect to the supporting frame.

In some example embodiments, the support includes a tube on the outer side face of the supporting band, the tube configured to receive the at least one movable wire such that the at least one movable wire is configured to pass through and move within the tube.

In some example embodiments, the supporting band includes a sliding plate configured to contact with a rear face of the connecting plate, and wherein the connecting plate is configured to move on the sliding plate in at least one of upward, downward, leftward, and rightward directions.

In some example embodiments, the support includes an elastic band configured to draw the sliding plate toward the connecting plate, wherein the connecting plate has a protrusion on the rear face thereof, and the sliding plate has an accepting groove on a front face thereof, the protrusion configured to slide into the accepting groove.

Some other example embodiments relate to a motion assistance apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the motion assistance apparatus includes a fixing device attached to a user; a driver rotatably fixed to the fixing device; and a support configured to support a portion of a body of the user, and to rotate in response to a driving force from the driver.

In some example embodiments, the support includes a supporting frame having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end connected to the driver, a supporting band connected to the distal end of the supporting frame, a sliding plate connected to an inner circumferential face of the supporting band via an elastic force, and an elastic strip configured to generate the elastic force to connect the sliding plate and the supporting band.

In some example embodiments, the supporting band includes a connecting plate having a front face and a rear face, the front face of the connecting plate configured to connect to the distal end of the supporting frame, and the rear face of the connecting plate configured to connect to the sliding plate; and a first band including a first connector and a second connector, the first connector and the second connector each having a first end and a second end with a flexible material therebetween, the first end of the first connector connected to the first end of the connecting plate and the first end of the second connector connected to the second end of the connecting plate.

In some example embodiments, when the driver generates the driving force, the supporting frame is configured to move with respect to the sliding plate in a direction perpendicular to the supporting band.

In some example embodiments, the elastic strip is configured to pass through the connecting plate in a longitudinal direction of the supporting band to connect the connecting plate and the sliding plate, and the elastic strip is configured to provide a restoring force to draw the sliding plate toward the connecting plate when the supporting frame moves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit this disclosure to the particular example embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the example embodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

Various example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some example embodiments are shown. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity.

FIG. 1illustrates a motion assistance apparatus and a supporting module according to some example embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 1, a motion assistance apparatus1may be worn by a user to assist a motion of the user. The user may be a human, an animal, or a robot. However, example embodiments are not limited thereto. Further, althoughFIG. 1illustrates a case in which the motion assistance apparatus1assists a motion of a thigh of the user, the motion assistance apparatus1may also assist a motion of another part of an upper body, for example, a hand, an upper arm, and a lower arm of the user, or a motion of another part of a lower body, for example, a foot, and a calf of the user. The motion assistance apparatus1may assist a motion of a part of the user. Hereinafter, a case in which the motion assistance apparatus1assists a motion of a thigh of a human will be described as an example.

The motion assistance apparatus1may include a fixing module30, a driving module40, a rotating joint60, and a supporting module100. Further, the motion assistance apparatus1may include a controller (not shown).

The fixing module30may be attached to the user, and configured to cover a portion of an external surface of the user. For example, the fixing module30may be attached to one side of a waist of the user, and include a curved surface corresponding to a contact portion of the user.

The driving module40may provide power to be transmitted to the rotating joint60. For example, the driving module40may be disposed in a lateral direction of the rotating joint60, in detail, such that an axis of rotation of the driving module40may be spaced apart from an axis of rotation of the rotating joint60. In this example, when compared to a case in which the driving module40and the rotating joint60share an axis of rotation, a height of a portion protruding from the user may relatively decrease. The driving module40may be disposed to be spaced apart from the rotating joint60much more than is illustrated in the drawings. In this example, a power transmitting module may be additionally provided to transmit power from the driving module40to the rotating joint60. The power transmitting module may be a rotary body such as, for example, a gear, or a longitudinal member such as, for example, a wire, a cable, a string, a rubber band, a spring, a belt, and a chain.

The rotating joint60may rotate by receiving power from the driving module40. The rotating joint60may assist a motion of a joint portion of the user. The rotating joint60may be disposed on one side of the fixing module30at a position corresponding to the joint portion of the user. For example, the rotating joint60may be disposed on one side of a hip joint of the user. One side of the rotating joint60may be connected to the driving module40, and another side of the rotating joint60may be connected to the supporting module100.

The supporting module100may support a part of the user, and assist a motion of the part of the user. The supporting module100configured to rotate using rotation power of a joint assembly46may include a hinge combination structure combined with the rotating joint60. In this example, by a hinge axis of the hinge connection structure and an axis of rotation of the rotating joint60, the supporting module100may perform a two degree of freedom (DOF) motion with respect to the fixing module30.

The supporting module100may include a supporting frame110, a sliding plate120and a supporting band130.

The supporting frame110may transmit power to a part of the user. One end portion of the supporting frame110may be rotatably connected to the rotating joint60, and another end portion of the supporting frame110may be connected to the supporting band130to transmit power to a part of the user. For example, the supporting frame110may push or pull a thigh of the user. The supporting frame110may extend and be bent in a longitudinal direction of the thigh of the user to cover at least a portion of the circumference of the thigh of the user. The supporting frame110may be provided in a shape of the thigh to be in close contact with the thigh, thereby minimizing a degree of separation occurring in an operation.

The one end portion of the supporting frame110may be disposed on a side surface of the thigh of the user, and the other portion of the supporting frame110may be disposed on a front surface of the thigh of the user. A surface on the side of the one end portion of the supporting frame110may be orthogonal to a surface on the side of the other end portion of the supporting frame110. Through this, the supporting frame110may transfer a driving force from an output end of the driving module40, for example, an actuator, to the thigh of the user as a normal force.

The supporting band130may be connected to the other end portion of the supporting frame110to apply force to a portion of the user. For example, the supporting band130may be disposed along the front surface of the thigh of the user, or in a circumferential direction of the thigh of the user to push or pull the thigh of the user. The supporting band130may include a curved surface corresponding to the thigh of the user, and be configured to extend from the other end portion of the supporting frame110toward both sides of the supporting frame110.

The controller (not shown) may include a memory and a processor.

The memory may be a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, and a combination of two or more of the above-mentioned devices. The memory may be a non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer-readable media may also be a distributed network, so that the program instructions are stored and executed in a distributed fashion. The non-volatile memory may be a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a Random Access Memory (RAM).

The processor may be implemented by at least one semiconductor chip disposed on a printed circuit board. The processor may be an arithmetic logic unit, a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable array, a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor or any other device capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner.

The processor may be programmed with instructions that configure the processor into a special purpose computer to instruct the driving module40to generate power and to transmit the generated power, via the rotating joint60, to the supporting module100to move the supporting frame110upward or downward, while the sliding plate120and the supporting band130are in close contact with the body of the user. Thus, the supporting frame110may move upward or downward relative to the sliding plate120and the supporting band130.

FIGS. 2A and 2Billustrate the supporting module100in an assembled state.FIG. 2Ais a front side view of the supporting module100andFIG. 2Bis a bottom view of the supporting module100.

Referring toFIGS. 2A and 2B, the supporting frame110may spirally extend downward from the driving module40to the supporting band130.

The supporting band130may include a connecting plate131connected to the supporting frame110. The supporting band130may further include two first rings132configured to connect the connecting plate131and respective connectors133that are each attached to different sides of a second band135.

The connecting plate131may move in connection with the supporting frame110. The connecting plate131may be connected with the sliding plate120. Irrespective of whether the supporting frame110moves, a rear face of the connecting plate131may be maintained to be in surface contact with a front face of the sliding plate120.

Both ends of the connecting plate131may be connected with two connectors133formed with a flexible material. A second band135of which a length is adjustable may connect the two connectors133. The second band135may cover a rear portion of a thigh of a user and lift the thigh through the driving module40.

An inner side face of the second band135and a rear face of the sliding plate120may be in close contact with the thigh of the user. Thus, a shock absorbing pad may be attached to the inner side face of the second band135and to the rear face of the sliding plate120, thereby providing an increased comfort to the user.

FIGS. 3 and 4are exploded perspective views of the supporting modules100.FIG. 3illustrates an example of the supporting module100viewed at the front of the supporting module100.FIG. 4illustrates an example of the supporting module viewed at the rear of the supporting module100.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, the supporting module100may include the supporting frame110, the sliding plate120and the supporting band130.

The supporting frame110may have a front end portion111and a distal end112. An outer circumferential face of the supporting band130may be connected to the distal end112of the supporting frame110. The sliding plate120may be connected to an inner circumferential face of the supporting band130via an elastic strip138configured to connect the sliding plate120and the supporting band130. The sliding plate120may be configured to move relative to the supporting band130.

The supporting frame110and the supporting band130may be connected through a plane joint corresponding to a connection scheme of the sliding plate120and the connecting plate131. The plane joint may minimize a protruding length of the supporting band130, thereby forming a structure having a size wearable in clothes of the user.

The supporting band130may be configured in a form of loop. The distal end112of the supporting frame110may be connected to the outer circumferential face of the supporting band130. The sliding plate120may be connected to an inner face side of a portion of the supporting band130by the elastic strip138. In this example, the portion of the supporting band130may be connected to the supporting frame110.

The supporting band130may include the connecting plate131, the first rings132, the connectors133, second rings134, and the second band135.

The connecting plate131may have a front face connected to the distal end112of the supporting frame110and a rear face connected to the sliding plate120. The second band135may have an adjustable length and be connected to both ends of a first band.

The connector133may include a fabric band1331formed with an elastic material and a connector wire1332fixed to the fabric band1331along an outer border of the fabric band1331. The fabric band1331and the connector wire1332may have elasticity and thus, be bent by an external force.

The connecting plate131may include a first end and a second end each connected to a respective one of the connectors133that are formed with a flexible material. For example, the first end and the second end of the connecting plate131may be connected respective ones of the first rings132, and each of the first rings132may be connected to respective a first end of respective ones of the flexible connectors133. A second end of each of the flexible connectors133may be connected, via a respective second ring134, to the second band135.

For example, one end of the connector wire1332may be connected to a rear end of the first ring132, and the other end of the connector wire1332may be connected to a head end of the second ring134. The front end of the second ring134may include a slot and thus, the connector wire1332may pass through the slot.

Based on the connecting plate131, the two first rings132may be symmetrical to each other, the two second rings134may be symmetrical to each other, and the two connectors133may be symmetrical to each other.

The second band135may include a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the second band135may include a band ring1352to be connected to the first band. The tail portion of the second band135may include a length adjuster1351including a hook and loop fastener configured to be folded at a central portion of the distal end.

Two slots may be longitudinally formed at a tail end of the second rings134to insert the band ring1352or the length adjuster1351. For example, a tail end of a first one of the second rings134may be connected with the band ring1352of the second band135, and a tail end of a second one of the second rings134may have the length adjuster1351of the second band135pass therethrough. The length adjuster1351may pass through an outer slot of two slots of the second rings134toward a center of the supporting band130, and pass through an inner slot of the two slots at the tail ends of the second rings134in a direction separating from the center of the supporting band130.

The connecting plate131may include an accepting groove configured to accept the distal end112of the supporting frame110. The accepting groove may be formed in a shape corresponding to the distal end112of the supporting frame110to firmly accept the distal end112of the supporting frame110and prevent separation of the distal end112.

A front face of the connecting plate131may be connected with a cover136. A rear face of the connecting plate131may be connected with the sliding plate120by the elastic strip138. The elastic strip138may connect the sliding plate120to the connecting plate131in a tensed state and thus, a tensile force may be exerted between the sliding plate120and the connecting plate131.

The sliding plate120may include a guide groove121in a direction perpendicular to the supporting band130and strip slots122may be formed on both sides of the sliding plate120to fix the elastic strip138. The connecting plate131may include a protrusion insertable in the guide groove121. The guide groove121may assist the connecting plate131to translationally move on a surface of the sliding plate120in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the supporting band130in lieu of moving in the longitudinal direction of the supporting band130.

At least one shock absorbing pad may be attached to an inner side face of the sliding plate120or an inner side face of the supporting band130to increase a frictional force and reduce a shock applied to an inner side.

FIGS. 5A and 5Bare perspective views illustrating an example of the supporting module100.FIGS. 5A and 5Billustrate a case in which a user is wearing the supporting modules100, and an inner circumferential face of the supporting band130may be in contact with a thigh of the user.

Referring toFIGS. 5A and 5B, the first band may move the supporting frame110relative to the sliding plate120and the second band135. In response to a movement of the supporting frame110, the elastic strip138may provide a restoring force to prevent the sliding plate120separating from the connecting plate131.

Strip slots122may be formed on both sides of the sliding plate120to fix the elastic strip138. When the elastic strip138passes through the connecting plate131and the strip slots122of the sliding plate120in a longitudinal direction of the supporting band130, the elastic strip138may connect the connecting plate131and the sliding plate120.

FIG. 5Aillustrates an example in which the supporting frame110pulls the connecting plate131upward relative to the sliding plate120based on various motions of a user. When the connecting plate131is pulled upward, a frictional force may be exerted on the sliding plate120and the second band135with respect to the thigh and thus, may not be pulled upward dissimilarly to the connecting plate131.

The elastic strip138may extend by a distance to which the connecting plate131separates from the sliding plate120and thus, exert a restoring force to relocate the connecting plate131to an original position. The elastic strip138may be formed in a shape of, for example, a parallelogram while moving upward.

Also, the connector wire1332of the connector133may also be formed in a shape of, for example, the parallelogram while moving upward. The connector wire1332may have elasticity. Thus, the connector wire1332may exert the restoring force on the connecting frame131by a length to which a diagonal of the parallelogram is elongated at a level length in a longitudinal direction of the supporting band130.

FIG. 5Billustrates an example in which the supporting frame110pushes the connecting plate131downward relative to the sliding plate120based on various motions of a user. In this example, the elastic strip138and the connector wire1332may extend to be in the shape of the parallelogram, and exert the restoring force in an upward direction relative to the connecting plate131.

When the supporting module100is applied to the motion assistance apparatus1, a compensation for a change in length resulting from, for example, walking and various motions may be allowed. The connecting plate131may be provided in a form of passive joint configured to move relative to the sliding plate120. Thus, when various motions, for example, an adduction motion, and walking including a sitting down motion, a standing up motion, a stepping up motion, and a stepping down motion, are performed, a position of the supporting band130may change while minimizing an inconvenience and a resistance which the user may experience in response to the change in the position.

FIG. 6is a perspective diagram illustrating a supporting module according to other example embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 6, a supporting module200may include a supporting frame205, a joint frame210attachable to and detachable from the supporting frame205, and a supporting band220formed with a flexible material.

One end of the supporting band220may be connected with an inner side face of the joint frame210and the other end of the supporting band220may extend from the one end in a lateral direction to be attached to and detached from an outer side face of the joint frame210.

The joint frame210may extend in a lateral direction, and then spirally twist and extend in a longitudinal direction. The joint frame210may have the same form as a lower end portion of the supporting frame110of the supporting module100discussed supra with regards toFIGS. 1 to 5B. The supporting band220may be connected with a portion between a middle portion and a lower end portion of an inner side face of the joint frame210using an adhesive or a hook and fastener.

A portion of the joint frame210may extend upward, and a length of the supporting frame205may be adjusted based on the extended portion of the joint frame210. Thus, the supporting frame205of the supporting module200may be formed to be shorter than the supporting frame110of the supporting modules100.

The supporting band220may spirally extend downward from the middle portion of the joint frame210to the lower end portion of the joint frame210. When the supporting band220extends to a lowermost end portion of the joint frame210, the supporting band220may extend in the lateral direction. The supporting band220may extend to have a sufficient length corresponding to various circumferences of a thigh of a user.

The joint frame210may include a joint groove213formed on the inner side face of the joint frame210to accept an end portion of the supporting frame205. The joint frame210may also include at least one fixing rod214formed on an outer side face of the joint frame210. A joint guide211may be formed at an upper end of the joint frame210such that the joint frame210is readily attached to and detached from the supporting frame205. A loop and fastener215may be attached between the fixing rods214of the joint frame210to fix the other end of the supporting band220.

The supporting band220may include at least one rod hole222formed on the inner side face of the supporting band220to accept the fixing rod214. A nonwoven fabric223may be attached to the inner side face of the other end of the supporting band220to be attached to the hook and fastener215. The supporting module200is provided in a simple structure including overall two parts and thus, a user may easily wear and remove the supporting module200with one hand.

A close-contact plate221may be attached to the outer side face of the supporting band220disposed adjacent to the lower end portion of the joint frame210. The close-contact plate221may be formed with a nitinol material or a carbon steel material. The nitinol material and the carbon steel material may be shape memory alloy materials. Thus, the nitinol material or the carbon steel material may allow the supporting band220to have a restoring force such that the supporting band220is restored to be in an original shape from a tensed state. The close-contact plate221may be additionally attached to a portion adjacent to the nonwoven fabric223.

FIGS. 7A and 7Billustrate an example of an operation of the supporting module200.FIG. 7Aillustrates an example in which the supporting frame205is pulled upward.FIG. 7Billustrates an example in which a force is applied to the supporting frame205to be pushed downward.

Referring toFIGS. 7A and 7B, the supporting band220may be formed with an elastic material, and the joint frame210may be formed with a hard material.

In response to the supporting frame205pulled upward as illustrated inFIG. 7A, a portion of the supporting band220connected with the joint frame210may also be pulled upward. Conversely, in response to the supporting frame205pushed downward as illustrated inFIG. 7B, a portion of the supporting band220connected with the joint frame210may also be pushed downward.

A portion of the supporting band220disposed on an opposite side of the portion connected with the joint frame210may not move upward or downward due to a frictional force with respect to a thigh of a user. The supporting band220may have elasticity. Thus, when a force is applied to the supporting frame205, the portion of the supporting band220connected with the joint frame210may be elongated to allow the supporting frame205to easily perform translational movement.

A portion including the close-contact plate221formed with a metal material on the supporting band220may not be tensed. Thus, the portion of the supporting band220connected with the joint frame210may be tensed in a shape of parallelogram and move in a vertical direction when the supporting frame205moves upward or downward.

FIGS. 8A and 8Billustrate a supporting module according to other example embodiments.

Referring toFIGS. 8A and 8B, in the example embodiments discussed above with regard toFIGS. 1-5B, the supporting modules100may include the supporting band130configured as one layer. In contrast, in other example embodiments, a supporting module300may include a supporting band320on which a movable wire332is disposed and thus, be configured with two layers330.

The supporting module300may include the supporting band320formed in a loop shape and having an inner side face on which a shock absorbing pad322is attached. The supporting module300may further include the movable wire332movably fixed on an outer side face of the supporting band320and configured to cover the supporting band320in a longitudinal direction of the supporting band320, and a connecting plate340connected to the movable wire332. In this example, the supporting frame310may be fixed to the connecting plate340.

When the supporting band320is attached to a thigh of a user, the supporting band320may not move in a vertical direction until the supporting band320is detached from the thigh. Thus, the shock absorbing pad322may need to be provided to an inner side of the supporting band320. The shock absorbing pad322may increase a frictional force between the supporting band320and the thigh of the user such that the supporting band320is firmly attached to the thigh. Also, the shock absorbing pad322may minimize a rubbed degree to increase a comfort of the user.

In some example embodiments, to fix the movable wire332to the supporting band320, a tube331may be fixed on the outer side face of the supporting band320. A portion of the movable wire332may pass though the tube331and move in the tube331. The tube331and the movable wire332may be disposed on the outer side face of the supporting band320in a form of two columns. On an inner side face of the tube331, lubricant may be applied to reduce a friction with the movable wire332.

In other example embodiments, the movable wire332may pass through the supporting band320in proximity to the portion on which the connecting plate340is disposed such that the movable wire332may be fixed to the supporting band320without need to use the tube331.

In an example, the wire332may be formed with an inflexible and hard material. For example, a Dyneema wire applied to bulletproof products may be used as the movable wire332. Since the movable wire332is inflexible, the movable wire332may be set to be longer than the supporting band320.

A wire connector350may be disposed between an end of the movable wire332and the connecting plate340to fix the movable wire332. The movable wire332may pass through the wire connector350in a direction perpendicular to the supporting band320.

A sliding plate323may be disposed on a central portion of the supporting band320to be in contact with a rear face of the connecting plate340. The connecting plate340may move on the sliding plate323in at least one of upward, downward, leftward, and rightward directions. In this example, the connecting plate340may move relative to the sliding plate323.

The connecting plate340and the sliding plate323may be connected to each other by an elastic band360. Based on an elastic force of the elastic band360, the rear face of the connecting plate340and a front face of the sliding plate323may be in close contact with each other.

The connecting plate340may include a protrusion341disposed on the rear face of the connecting plate340. The sliding plate323may include an accepting groove formed on the front face of the sliding plate323. The protrusion341may be in contact with the accepting groove of the sliding plate323. The accepting groove of the sliding plate323may function as, for example, a guide to restrict a moving range of the connecting plate340.

FIGS. 9A through 10Billustrate an example of an operation of the supporting module300.FIG. 9Aillustrates an example in which the supporting frame310is pulled upward.FIG. 9Billustrates an example in which the supporting frame310is pushed downward.FIG. 10Aillustrates an example in which the supporting frame310moves rightward.FIG. 10Billustrates an example in which the supporting frame310moves leftward.

FIGS. 9A and 9Billustrate an example in which the supporting frame310and the connecting plate340move in response to a motion of a user lifting or lowering a leg in a forward or backward direction, or a motion of a user spreading or bringing legs together.

The elastic band360may continually apply a force to maintain a close contact between the connecting plate340and the sliding plate323and thus, the connecting plate340and the sliding plate323may not move in a direction of separating from each other. Through this, despite the connecting plate340moving on the sliding plate323, a portion of the rear face of the connecting plate340may be consistently in contact with the front face of the sliding plate323.

Also, when the connecting plate340moves on the sliding plate323, the elastic band360may apply a restoring force in a direction opposite to a moving direction. After the motion of the user, the restoring force may be applied to rearrange the connecting plate340on the sliding plate323to be in an original state.

Referring toFIGS. 9A and 9B, the wire332may be changed into a form of parallelogram in response to the connecting plate340moving upward or downward. A distance increasing when the wire332arranged in a lateral direction is rearranged in a diagonal direction may be shorter than a distance obtained by subtracting a length of the supporting band320from an entire length of the wire332. Thus, the connecting plate340may not move upward or downward in the range of the entire length of the wire332.

FIGS. 10A and 10Billustrate an example in which the supporting frame310and the connecting plate340move in response to a motion of a user twisting a leg. As an example, when the user is wearing the supporting module300on a right leg,FIG. 10Acorresponds to a motion of outwardly twisting the right leg andFIG. 10Bcorresponds to a motion of inwardly twisting the right leg.

InFIG. 10A, the connecting plate340may translationally move from a right side to a left side on the sliding plate323. InFIG. 10B, the connecting plate340may translationally move from the left side to the right side on the sliding plate323. In this example, the wire332may move in the tube331in a longitudinal direction of the wire332.

When circumstances corresponding toFIGS. 9A through 10Boccur simultaneously, the connecting plate340may translationally move on the sliding plate323in the diagonal direction.

The units and/or modules described herein may be implemented using hardware components and software components. For example, the hardware components may include microphones, amplifiers, band-pass filters, audio to digital convertors, and processing devices. A processing device may be implemented using one or more hardware device configured to carry out and/or execute program code by performing arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations. The processing device(s) may include a processor, a controller and an arithmetic logic unit, a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable array, a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor or any other device capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner. The processing device may run an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications that run on the OS. The processing device also may access, store, manipulate, process, and create data in response to execution of the software. For purpose of simplicity, the description of a processing device is used as singular; however, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a processing device may include multiple processing elements and multiple types of processing elements. For example, a processing device may include multiple processors or a processor and a controller. In addition, different processing configurations are possible, such a parallel processors.