Tuesday 24 May 2016

Dr. Kesorn Pechrach Weaver- Piezoelectrics in Prosthetics: Energy harvesting: Prosthetic and Energy Harvesting Equipments

Dr. Kesorn Pechrach Weaver- Piezoelectrics in Prosthetics: Energy harvesting: Prosthetic and Energy Harvesting Equipments: Prosthetic Foot & Harvesting Equipments Propulsion is generated   from the reaction   between the foot   and the ground   in...

Prosthetic and Energy Harvesting Equipments





Prosthetic Foot & Harvesting Equipments

Propulsion is generated from the reaction between the foot and the ground in the standing phase. To improve the propulsion function of the foot prosthesis and stump system, it must shorten the first period of the standing phase when the ankle power is negative and more quickly release energy in the second period. Decreasing the elastic modulus of the material of the energy storing element could greatly increase the energy stored and energy released. The elastic modulus of the material has only a small effect on the propulsion index, but the stored and released energy changes significantly with it. [17]
Considering the motion and power variation in the ankle joint in the standing phase, during the muscles contract and the direction of reaction force exerted by the ground coincides with the direction of the relative motion. The muscular power during that period is defined to be negative. During the standing phase, the muscles extend, the reaction force is in the opposite direction to the relative motion, and the power is defined as positive. [49-51]