Design and development of knee rehabilitation robot

Abstract

This research presents a comprehensive design and analysis of a knee rehabilitation platform aimed at aiding individuals with knee dysfunction. Dysfunction in the knee joint can lead to an imbalance in gait and posture during activities of daily living (ADLs) such as standing, walking, and running. This study focuses on developing a 2-degree-of-freedom (2-DoF) knee rehabilitation device capable of mimicking linear and angular movements. A slider mechanism-based knee rehabilitation device is developed and simulated alongside various other mechanisms. The proposed mechanism achieves 32.5° of flexion for a linear movement of 0.45 m within 6 seconds, outperforming other mechanisms. To validate simulation results, a 3D-printed model is fabricated, and experimental studies are conducted under no-load conditions, showing close alignment with simulation outcomes with a deviation of ±5%. The device’s key features include portability, compliance, compactness, and enhanced stiffness. Future research will involve conducting pilot studies to further evaluate the practical efficacy and potential enhancements of the proposed knee rehabilitation platform.