Development of a myoelectric control system for a knee-mounted biomechanical energy harvester

膝式生物机械能量采集器肌电控制系统的开发

• 批准号: 405707-2011
• 负责人: Selinger, Jessica
• 金额: $ 3.64万
• 依托单位: Simon Fraser University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships - Doctoral
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2012-01-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=515581
• 关键词: Development; myoelectric; control; system; knee

Our lab has developed a new wearable technology that unobtrusively generates storable electricity from the natural motion of walking. Currently, the device can extract up to 5W of electricity from each leg - enough to simultaneously power ten mobile phones. The device, which resembles an orthopedic knee brace, harvests energy from the end of a walker's stride, when the muscles are working to slow the movement of the leg. By aiding the body in decelerating the leg, the effort of the user is decreased and storable energy is harvested in much the same way hybrid cars recycle energy from braking. Currently, the device uses knee-angle and speed of movement to determine at what point in the stride to harvest energy. However, we propose to control the device with the muscle activity of the user. Using electrode sensors that indicate when muscles are contracting, we can tap into the user's nervous system and naturally integrate our device and the user. We believe this control system will harvest more energy from the body, be more comfortable for the user, and be more adaptable to changing environments and movements. To develop the control system we must, i) determine the ideal muscles to use for device control, ii) determine the optimal times during a stride to harvest energy and how these times relate to muscle activity, iii) determine how the level of muscle activity should relate to the applied resistance of the device, and finally iv) assess the new muscle activity controlled device in terms of power generation, user acceptability, and adaptability. Our device has the potential to revolutionize the meaning of portable power. The applications for such a device are vast, from powering vital communication equipment for soldiers and rescue workers to powering medical devices such as drug-pumps and prostheses. The restricting weight and limited working time of battery power can be overcome by granting humans the ability to serve as their own renewable power source.

我们的实验室已经开发出一种新的可穿戴技术，它可以从走路的自然运动中悄悄地产生可储存的电力。目前，该设备可以从每个支路中提取高达5W的电力-足以同时为10部手机供电。这种装置类似于整形外科的膝盖支架，从步行者大步结束时获取能量，此时肌肉正在工作以减缓腿部的运动。通过帮助身体降低腿部的速度，用户的努力减少了，可储存的能量也得到了收集，这与混合动力汽车回收制动能量的方式大致相同。 目前，该设备使用膝角和移动速度来确定在步幅的哪个点收集能量。然而，我们建议通过用户的肌肉活动来控制设备。使用电极传感器来指示肌肉何时收缩，我们可以进入用户的神经系统，并自然地将我们的设备和用户整合在一起。我们相信这个控制系统将从身体获取更多的能量，让使用者更舒适，更能适应不断变化的环境和运动。 为了开发控制系统，我们必须，i)确定用于设备控制的理想肌肉，ii)确定在大步中获取能量的最佳时间以及这些时间与肌肉活动的关系，iii)确定肌肉活动的水平应该如何与设备施加的阻力相关，以及最后iv)从发电量、用户可接受性和适应性方面评估新的肌肉活动控制设备。 我们的设备有可能彻底改变便携式电源的意义。这种设备的应用范围很广，从为士兵和救援人员的重要通信设备供电，到为药物泵和假肢等医疗设备供电。通过赋予人类作为自己的可再生能源的能力，电池电力的限制重量和有限的工作时间可以被克服。