Development of Wearable Chair Using Pneumatic Passive Elements

Takashi Mitsuda, Masato Wakabayashi, and Sadao Kawamura

Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan

Received:

October 20, 2003

Accepted:

February 12, 2004

Published:

June 20, 2004

Keywords:

wearable robot, orthosis, passive device, pneumatic actuator

Abstract

This paper proposes a wearable chair that reduces the burden on the lower limbs in standing and details the orthosis we developed. The wearable chair consists of a seat, thigh link, lower thigh link and a pair of shoes. These components are connected by pneumatic passive elements and switched from free motion to fixed position by vacuum pressure. Users can sit at any place or time by fixing the joints. The pneumatic passive elements are flexible and lightweight compared to conventional passive device. Results of experiments on walking and weight support using the chair are described.

Cite this article as:

T. Mitsuda, M. Wakabayashi, and S. Kawamura, “Development of Wearable Chair Using Pneumatic Passive Elements,” J. Robot. Mechatron., Vol.16 No.3, pp. 256-263, 2004.

Data files:

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