On the design and validation of a parallel robot for lower limb rehabilitation

Authors

  • Iuliu Nadas CESTER, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania. National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies; Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Paul Tucan CESTER, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Bogdan Gherman CESTER, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Alexandru Banica CESTER, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Vasile Rednic National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies; Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Giuseppe Carbone DIMEG, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
  • Doina Pisla CESTER, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Keywords:

parallel robot, robotic rehabilitation for lower limb, robot design, robotic system testing, finite element analysis

Abstract

This paper focuses on the enhancement of the design of a parallel robotic system for lower limb rehabilitation for bedridden patients following a stroke. The robotic system consists of two parallel robotic modules, each one targeting specific patient’s joints, namely the hip-knee module and the ankle module. A FEA has been performed on the main elements of the robot to identify the most suitable profile to be used within the final design of the mechanism. An evaluation of the robotic system's user acceptability was also undertaken within laboratory tests conducted with healthy subjects to determine the overall level of satisfaction regarding the robot's performance.

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Published

2022-06-02

Issue

Vol. 67 No. 2 (2022): The Romanian Journal of Technical Sciences. Applied Mechanics

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Articles

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