Development of Hip Joint Torque Sensor for Measuring Hip Rotation Force of Walking Assist Robot of Leg Patient

Abstract

In this paper, we designed and fabricated a hip joint torque sensor that can measure the torque applied to the hip joint of a walking assistant robot that can be used by a leg patient. To do this, we modeled the structure of the hip joint torque sensor so that it can be connected to the thigh link and the body of the walking assist robot. We calculated the rated torque of the hip joint torque sensor using computer simulation and determined the size of the torque sensor using a finite element program. The hip joint torque sensor was made by constructing a Wheatstone bridge and attaching a strain gauge. The characteristic test of the fabricated torque sensor was performed using a calibration device, and the reproducibility error and the nonlinearity error of the torque sensor were both less than 0.04%. Therefore, it is proposed that the developed hip joint torque sensor can be attached to the thigh link of the wearable walking assist robot, and the torque sensor can accurately measure the torque applied to the hip joint.