Modeling and control of the linear actuator for the lower limb rehabilitation device

Abstract

In recent years, the number of stroke patients has increased, which has led to an increased need for motor rehabilitation exercises. The application of automation devices in the rehabilitation of patients is becoming increasingly developed. These devices help reduce the patient training time and workload. Each type of equipment uses different actuators such as electric motors, pneumatic cylinders, and hydraulic cylinders. Different from previous studies, in this paper, a research model of lower extremity rehabilitation devices using a simple actuator which is a linear actuator is presented. The main contribution of this study is that a dynamic model of the linear actuator associated with the action dynamics of the lower extremities of the studied model with three degrees of freedom was established. A mathematical model for this actuator is also presented, simulating the response of the mechanism using the MATLAB/Simulink software. A lower extremity rehabilitation device using a linear actuator was manufactured and tested. The test results for 10 volunteers show that the actuator works and causes miniature angle errors. This experiment demonstrates that the linear actuator can be used in stroke patient rehabilitation equipment and contributes to the diversification of the mechanism in automation equipment.