Abstract: An optical element driving mechanism is provided and includes a fixed assembly, a movable assembly, a driving assembly and a stopping assembly. The fixed assembly has a main axis. The movable assembly is configured to connect an optical element, and the movable assembly is movable relative to the fixed assembly. The driving assembly is configured to drive the movable assembly to move relative to the fixed assembly. The stopping assembly is configured to limit the movement of the movable assembly relative to the fixed assembly within a range of motion.

Abstract: An optical sensing device is disclosed. The optical sensing device includes a sensing pixel, a driving circuit and a first light shielding layer. The sensing pixel includes a sensing circuit and a sensing element electrically connected to the sensing circuit. The driving circuit is electrically connected to the sensing circuit. The first light shielding layer includes at least one first opening corresponding to the sensing element, and the first light shielding layer is overlapped with the driving circuit in a top-view direction of the optical sensing device.

Abstract: A biokinetic energy collection apparatus and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The apparatus includes: a counter weight, configured to oscillate with a movement of a wearer, to convert a mechanical energy generated by the movement into kinetic energy of the counter weight; a rotating frame, mechanically coupled to the counter weight, and configured to receive the kinetic energy from the counter weight; a planetary gear train, mechanically coupled to the rotating frame, to rotate as the rotating frame moves; and a stator assembly and a rotor assembly, coupled to each other, where the stator assembly includes a coil, the rotor assembly includes a rotor and a third permanent magnet located on the rotor, and the rotor is mechanically coupled to the planetary gear train and receives the kinetic energy from the planetary gear train, to cause the third permanent magnet to rotate with the rotor.

Abstract: The present application relates to a smart knee joint for a human lower limb exoskeleton, a prosthesis, and an orthosis. The smart knee joint reproduces part or all of the biomechanics of the knee joint of the human body by using a motor driving unit and a controllable elastic energy storage unit based on a magnetorheological damper. The motor driving unit here can be replaced with a controllable damping unit. The smart knee joint is developed for helping amputees or patients with impaired mobility regain/repair natural gaits and also reduce their burden of walking. The motor drive unit operates in a generator mode and an actuator mode. Energy harvesting technologies are exploited to reduce the power consumption of the smart knee joint then to prolong the working time. In addition, the controllable elastic energy storage unit based on the magnetorheological damper can further reduce the energy consumption of the smart knee joint, and also simplify the control of the knee joint.

Abstract: The present application provides a human joint energy harvesting apparatus for capturing the biomechanical energy of a joint to generate electrical energy. The generated electrical energy may provide a real-time power supply to the wearable electronics. The apparatus employs a linear slide rail mechanism and cooperates with the user's first limb and second limb to form a slider-crank mechanism, which converts the rotating motion of the joint into a linear motion of the linear slide rail mechanism. The bending beam converts the linear motion of the linear slide rail mechanism into a bending motion. A piezoelectric film may be bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the bending beam. During walking, the bending beam is deformed, causing the piezoelectric film to be stretched or compressed to generate electrical energy. To harvest more energy, the bending beam used in the apparatus is designed to be subjected to forced motion and free vibration, and a proof mass is attached to it.

Abstract: A human motion energy harvesting apparatus embeddable in a wearable electronic device is provided. The apparatus may include a base; a first rotor disposed in a ring shape and connected to the base, the first rotor being rotatable circumferentially relative to the base, wherein a plurality of pairs of first permanent magnets may be disposed on a surface of the first rotor; an oscillating weight fixed coaxially with the first rotor; a second rotor disposed in a ring shape and coaxially connected to the base with the first rotor, the second rotor being rotatable circumferentially relative to the base, wherein a plurality of pairs of second permanent magnets may be disposed on a surface of the second rotor; a modulation ring fixed to the base coaxially with the first rotor between the first rotor and the second rotor; and a stator fixed to the base coaxially with the first rotor on a side of the second rotor opposite the first rotor, wherein a coil is arranged on the stator.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for recognizing motion pattern of human lower limb and prostheses, orthoses, or exoskeletons thereof. The method may comprise collecting motion data; inputting the collected motion data and corresponding limb motion patterns into a classifier or pattern recognizer to train the classifier or the pattern recognizer; and inputting the motion data of the limb obtained in real time by the sensor into the trained classifier or the trained pattern recognizer to recognize a motion pattern of the limb.

Abstract: The present application provides a human joint energy harvesting apparatus for capturing the biomechanical energy of a joint to generate electrical energy. The generated electrical energy may provide a real-time power supply to the wearable electronics. The apparatus employs a linear slide rail mechanism and cooperates with the user's first limb and second limb to form a slider-crank mechanism, which converts the rotating motion of the joint into a linear motion of the linear slide rail mechanism. The bending beam converts the linear motion of the linear slide rail mechanism into a bending motion. A piezoelectric film may be bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the bending beam. During walking, the bending beam is deformed, causing the piezoelectric film to be stretched or compressed to generate electrical energy. To harvest more energy, the bending beam used in the apparatus is designed to be subjected to forced motion and free vibration, and a proof mass is attached to it.

Abstract: A human motion energy harvesting apparatus embeddable in a wearable electronic device is provided. The apparatus may include a base; a first rotor disposed in a ring shape and connected to the base, the first rotor being rotatable circumferentially relative to the base, wherein a plurality of pairs of first permanent magnets may be disposed on a surface of the first rotor; an oscillating weight fixed coaxially with the first rotor; a second rotor disposed in a ring shape and coaxially connected to the base with the first rotor, the second rotor being rotatable circumferentially relative to the base, wherein a plurality of pairs of second permanent magnets may be disposed on a surface of the second rotor; a modulation ring fixed to the base coaxially with the first rotor between the first rotor and the second rotor; and a stator fixed to the base coaxially with the first rotor on a side of the second rotor opposite the first rotor, wherein a coil is arranged on the stator.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an actuator, comprising a first torsion spring body and a second torsion spring body, each of the first torsion spring body and the second torsion spring body comprising: an inner ring; an outer ring; and a plurality of elastic units, connected in parallel between the inner ring and the outer ring. An outer ring of the first torsion spring body and an outer ring of the second torsion spring body are rigidly connected, and an inner ring of the first torsion spring body and an inner ring of the second torsion spring body are aligned with each other. The actuator further includes a motor element and a braking element. The motor element is for providing an output torque, and is connected with the inner ring of the first torsion spring body. The braking element is for providing a braking torque, and is connected with the inner ring of the second torsion spring body.

Abstract: A powered ankle-foot prosthesis and associated methods of use are described herein. Such prostheses can employ an actuator and elastic components, the actuator being controlled to deliver net positive work to propel the wearing amputee forward and the elastic components being used to store and release negative energy to improve efficiency. Elastic components can be linear springs coupled with a cam and configured in parallel to the actuator. The cam profile can be designed to generate a desired spring torque versus angle curve rather than a spring stroke versus angle curve, thereby reproducing human ankle controlled dorsiflexion stiffness. Such configurations improve system energy efficiency and reduce both actuator torque and power requirements. Such prostheses can also operate in a passive mode, in which a nearly normal gait can be achieved even without powered assist.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an actuator, comprising a first torsion spring body and a second torsion spring body, each of the first torsion spring body and the second torsion spring body comprising: an inner ring; an outer ring; and a plurality of elastic units, connected in parallel between the inner ring and the outer ring. An outer ring of the first torsion spring body and an outer ring of the second torsion spring body are rigidly connected, and an inner ring of the first torsion spring body and an inner ring of the second torsion spring body are aligned with each other. The actuator further includes a motor element and a braking element. The motor element is for providing an output torque, and is connected with the inner ring of the first torsion spring body. The braking element is for providing a braking torque, and is connected with the inner ring of the second torsion spring body.

Abstract: A powered ankle-foot prosthesis and associated methods of use are described herein. Such prostheses can employ an actuator and elastic components, the actuator being controlled to deliver net positive work to propel the wearing amputee forward and the elastic components being used to store and release negative energy to improve efficiency. Elastic components can be linear springs coupled with a cam and configured in parallel to the actuator. The cam profile can be designed to generate a desired spring torque versus angle curve rather than a spring stroke versus angle curve, thereby reproducing human ankle controlled dorsiflexion stiffness. Such configurations improve system energy efficiency and reduce both actuator torque and power requirements. Such prostheses can also operate in a passive mode, in which a nearly normal gait can be achieved even without powered assist.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) apparatus including a processing unit, a base and a printing head is provided. The processing unit is configured to read and process digital 3D model information. The base is coupled to and controlled by the processing unit. The base includes a plurality of heating regions. The processing unit is configured to selectively heat at least one of the heating regions according to the digital 3D model information. The printing head is disposed above the base. The printing head is coupled to and controlled by the processing unit to dispense a thermal melting material layer-by-layer on the heated heating region to form a 3D object related to the digital 3D model information.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) apparatus including a processing unit, a base and a printing head is provided. The processing unit is configured to read and process digital 3D model information. The base is coupled to and controlled by the processing unit. The base includes a plurality of heating regions. The processing unit is configured to selectively heat at least one of the heating regions according to the digital 3D model information. The printing head is disposed above the base. The printing head is coupled to and controlled by the processing unit to dispense a thermal melting material layer-by-layer on the heated heating region to form a 3D object related to the digital 3D model information.

Abstract: Disclosed are a pickup device assembly and an optical drive system. The assembly may comprise: a laser generator for generating laser beams; an objective lens; and at least one piezoelectric actuator for generating bending moments once applied with voltages, wherein the generated bending moments move the objective lens such that the laser beams are focused by the objective lens and then aim at concentric spiral data tracks of a disc with a strongest reflected signal of the laser beams from the disc.

Abstract: Provided is an actuator, comprising a motor/generator element and a clutch/brake element. The motor/generator element comprises a stator made of a high magnetic permeable material, an outer coil being wound around the stator; a rotor made of a high magnetic permeable material and with a plurality of permanent magnets fixed thereon; and a cavity configured to receive a fluid. The clutch/brake element is arranged in the cavity. An inner coil is wound around the clutch/brake element. The fluid is capable of producing a shear stress in response to an electromagnetic field induced from the inner coil.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-powered and self-sensing MR damping device, comprising: an MR damper part having a damper piston assembly and a damper cylinder, the damper piston assembly being movable relative to the damper cylinder under an external excitation; a power generator configured to generate electrical power according to the relative movement between the damper piston and the cylinder assembly; and an electrical circuit configured to estimate said relative movement to output a damper driving current based on the estimated velocity, wherein the MR damper part is further configured to generate a damper force according to the damper driving current. An electrical circuit for the device is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are a pickup device assembly and an optical drive system. The assembly may comprise: a laser generator for generating laser beams; an objective lens; and at least one piezoelectric actuator for generating bending moments once applied with voltages, wherein the generated bending moments move the objective lens such that the laser beams are focused by the objective lens and then aim at concentric spiral data tracks of a disc with a strongest reflected signal of the laser beams from the disc.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuated suspension with passive damping is disclosed for precision positioning of hard disk drive while reducing undesired shock vibrations. Along the longitudinal axis of an etched suspension, two piezoelectric actuators dispose near the base plate to provide a push-pull motion. The actuators have two main portions. The first portion is piezoelectric elements to provide active positioning. The second portion is viscoelastic damping layers underneath the piezoelectric elements for passive damping. The complementary parts such as stiff edge elements and optional soft boundary covers are used to enhance the actuating abilities of the actuators and prevent any contaminants of the viscoelastic layers from going into the clean sealed chamber of the hard disk drive, respectively.