Design and Analysis of Powered Ankle-Foot Mechanism Using Hydraulic System

Abstract:

Currently available foot prosthesis model are more than 50 in number. In order to perform some extraordinary errands, for example, strolling, moving, cycling, golfing, swimming, snow skiing or running they are employed. Many are waterproof and made of lightweight materials, for example, plastic, metal combinations and carbon-fiber composites. Prosthetic feet can be essential (unmoving), explained (moving in at least one bearings), or element reaction (putting away and returning vitality when strolling, giving a feeling of "pushing off," much like the human foot). However there are certain problems which are not completely tackled by the currently available prosthesis for which the walking pattern remains strongly disturbed. Today's prosthetic feet may have toe and heel springs to permit more lower leg development and movable heel statures, and to assimilate stun but the load distribution is not proper which leads to fatigue. In this paper, a powered ankle-foot prosthesis mechanism that aims at the equal distribution of the load using a hydraulic system in order to store the energy in the spring over the movement of prosthetic ankle was presented. Although the prosthetic foot presented in this paper is driven by an electric-motor it is made lighter and robust than the currently available ones. Some primary experiments were conducted by taking the forces acting to account. A 3-D model of the proposed design was made using piston cylinder arrangement in order to get a real ankle like movement, thereafter the stress analysis of the same was done and results were discussed.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 877)
• Pages: 384-390
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.877.384
• Online since: February 2018
• Authors: Sanghamitra Debta, Kaushik Kumar*
• Keywords: Amputee, Ankle-Foot, Load Distribution, Prosthetic Feet, Spring Mechanism

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