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Design of a Robotic Exoskeleton Force Multiplier for Upper Limb

Oscar Arteaga, Edison Argüello M., Héctor C. Terán, Sonia Chacon, Richard Navas, Alexis Lamingo and Leopoldo Loor
Departamento de Ciencias de la Energía y Mecánica, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador

Abstract— This researching is based on the design and implementation of a force multiplier exoskeleton for upper limb with two degrees of freedom. This study focuses on a type of current exoskeleton that improves the motor functions of the human body by increasing the strength, speed and physical resistance of the user. The exoskeleton is based on the anthropometry of the Ecuadorian population and human biomechanics for the modeling of the exoskeleton that was based on the mathematical model of its kinematics; in addition, the design was validated with CAE software in which mechanical simulations and analysis were performed of finite element stresses to determine the safety of the system. In the same way, when using inverse kinematic analysis, the non-linear relationship between the position and orientation of the end of the exoskeleton with respect to a reference coordinate system is determined. These parameters were applied in the design of the control system which uses sensors to determine their position and orientation to execute the required movements by means of a joystick. The intention of the exoskeletal device is to be implemented in an industrial work environment, since it can lift and transport loads of up to 120 Newton. 

Index Terms— Exoskeleton, upper limb, strength industry

Cite: Oscar Arteaga, Edison Argüello M., Héctor C. Terán, Sonia Chacon, Richard Navas, Alexis Lamingo, and Leopoldo Loor, "Design of a Robotic Exoskeleton Force Multiplier for Upper Limb" International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Research, Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 80-86, January 2020. DOI: 10.18178/ijmerr.9.1.80-86

Copyright © 2020 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided that the article is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.