The Journal of Korea Robotics Society (로봇학회논문지)

Korea Robotics Society (한국로봇학회)
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Development of Wearable Body Weight Support System to Reduce Muscle Activity in Various Upright Tasks

다양한 직립 작업의 근육 활성도 경감을 위한 착용형 체중지지 시스템 개발

  • Kim, Hwang-Guen (School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and ReCAPt, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Pyo, Sang-Hun (School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Lee, Ho-Su (School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Yoon, Jung-Won (School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and ReCAPt, Gyeongsang National University)
  • Received : 2017.03.06
  • Accepted : 2017.05.04
  • Published : 2017.05.31
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Abstract

While working in an industrial environment which requires extended periods of upright posture; workers tend to develop muscle fatigue due to the constant load on lower-limb muscles. In addition, when working while bending knees; muscle fatigue of lower back and hamstrings is increased due to the abnormal posture. This can lead to damage of muscles, induce musculoskeletal disorders, and reduce long-term working efficiency. Recent medical studies have shown that long-term working in an upright posture can induce musculoskeletal disorders such as foot fatigue, edema, pain and varicose veins. Likewise, medical and rehabilitation expenses have grown due to the increase in musculoskeletal conditions suffered by workers. For this problem, we aim to develop a device that can reduce the physical fatigue on the lower limbs by supporting the weight of workers during the extended periods of upright and bending postures in the industrial environments. In this paper, we have designed and manufactured a wearable weight support system; with a user intention algorithm that the users can maintain various postures. For validation of the developed system, we measured the muscle activity of the users wearing the system with EMG sensors.

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References

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