Design of Spurs Gear for High Backdrivability Powered Knee Orthosis for FES-Assisted Knee Swing

This paper described the investigation of the fracture of the gear designed for Powered knee orthosis rotation. Powered Knee Orthosis (PKO) is an assisting device that supports knee swing activities for disabled people. The main challenge in designing the gear includes the strength of the gear and bending stress of the gear tooth with selection of suitable material. This study highlights the appropriate specifications of the material and shape of the gear tooth that are suitable for PKO when the size and thickness of the gear are reduced. The contact stress and deformation analysis were analyzed by using Finite Element Method via Solidworks software. The simulated result of Von mises stress, deformation displacement of the design, and material selected demonstrate a safe specification to support the required intensity and rigidity of spurs gear for high backdrivability of PKO for knee swing activities.