Print Email Facebook Twitter Design of a cosmetic glove stiffness compensation mechanism for toddler-sized hand prostheses Title Design of a cosmetic glove stiffness compensation mechanism for toddler-sized hand prostheses Author Bos, R.A. (TU Delft Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control) Plettenburg, D.H. (TU Delft Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control) Date 2017 Abstract The addition of a cosmetic glove to an upper limb prosthesis has a distinct effect on the cosmetic value, but its viscoelastic behaviour adds a substantial amount of stiffness and hysteresis to the system. As a result, the overall usability of the prosthesis is degraded. A novel negative stiffness element is designed to compensate for the cosmetic glove’s stiffness. A combination of linear helical springs and the concept of rolling link mechanisms has resulted in a Rolling Stiffness Compensation Mechanism (RSCM). Results show that the RSCM is capable of exerting a progressive negative stiffness characteristic and can be built small enough to fit inside a 33 mm diameter wrist. Using the RSCM, an otherwise voluntary opening toddler-sized prosthesis is converted into a voluntary closing device, reducing maximum operation forces down to 40 N with a combined efficiency of 52%. Further adjustments to the design are possible to further improve the efficiency of the mechanism. Moreover, changes in geometric relations of the mechanism offers possibilities for a wide range of prostheses and other applications. Subject OA-Fund TU Delft To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:58eba0cf-d637-4c5a-86fa-78f3d1e3c543 DOI https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0183233 ISSN 1932-6203 Source PLoS ONE, 12 (8) Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2017 R.A. Bos, D.H. Plettenburg Files PDF Bos_Plettenburg.pdf 5.18 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:58eba0cf-d637-4c5a-86fa-78f3d1e3c543/datastream/OBJ/view