Finger assist device

摘要

A finger assist device is formed by rotatably connecting a plurality of units in a finger bending direction and a finger spreading direction. The unit is worn on a finger by nipping the finger with a nipping part from the pad and the back of the finger, and a drive force is controlled by detecting a first contact force between the finger pad and the nipping part and a second contact force between the finger back and the nipping part. Since the intention of the wearer of the finger assist device appears in the first contact force and the second contact force, the drive force of the finger assist device is appropriately controlled according to the wearer's intention, and thereby, bending and spreading of the finger may be appropriately assisted.

主权项

1. A finger assist device assisting movement of a finger comprising:
a nipper adapted to be worn on the finger; a plurality of units rotatably connected to one another in a bending direction, at least one of the units being coupled to the nipper; a sensor provided in the nipper to detect a contact force generated toward the nipper; a driver drivably connected to the plurality of units to impart relative rotation thereto; and a drive force controller operatively associated with the sensor and driver, the controller being configured to control a drive force of the driver in response to the contact force detected by the sensor, wherein the sensor includes a first sensor that detects a first contact force generated in the bending direction and a second sensor that detects a second contact force generated in a spreading direction opposite the bending direction, wherein the drive force controller being configured to increase the drive force for rotating the units in the bending direction if the first contact force is larger than the second contact force, and to decrease the drive force for rotating the units in the bending direction if the first contact force is smaller than the second contact force.