• 로봇학회논문지
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2006

In this paper, we propose a methodology for classifying types of lower limb disability and their mechanical structure, based on extensive survey of previous developments. We also propose a task-oriented design with human-friendly and energy-efficient assistive system. The result can be used for optimal design of wearable walking-assistive robot considering the type of disability and the content of task.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.357-364
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• 2010

This study proposes a lower-limb exoskeleton system that is controlled by a wearer's muscle activity. This system is designed by following procedure. First, analyze the muscle activation patterns of human leg while walking. Second, select the adequate actuator to support the human walking based on calculation of required force of knee joint for step walking. Third, unit type knee and ankle orthotics are integrated with selected actuator. Finally, using this knee-assistive system (KAS) and developed muscle stiffness sensors (MSS), the muscle activity pattern of the subject is analyzed while he is walking on the stair. This study proposes an operating algorithm of KAS based on command signal of MSS which is generated by motion intent of human. A healthy and normal subject walked while wearing the developed powered-knee exoskeleton on his/her knees, and measured effectively assisted plantar flexor strength of the subject's knees and those neighboring muscles. Finally, capabilities and feasibility of the KAS are evaluated by testing the adapted motor pattern and the EMG signal variance while walking with exoskeleton. These results shows that developed exoskeleton which controlled by muscle activity could help human's walking acceptably.

• 한국정밀공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국정밀공학회 2010년도 춘계학술대회 논문집
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• pp.1379-1380
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• 2010

• 제어로봇시스템학회논문지
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.538-546
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• 2015

This paper describes an intelligent ankle assistive robot which provides assistive power to reduce ankle torque based on an analysis of ankle motion and muscle patterns during walking on level and sloped floors. The developed robot can assist ankle muscle power by driving an electric geared motor at the exact timing through the use of an accelerometer that detects gait phase and period, and a potentiometer to measure floor slope angle. A simple muscle assistive link mechanism is proposed to convert the motor torque into the foot assistive force. In particular, this mechanism doesn't restrain the wearer's ankle joint; hence, there is no danger of injury if the motor malfunctions. During walking, the link mechanism pushes down the top of the foot to assist the ankle torque, and it can also lift the foot by inversely driving the linkage, so this robot is useful for foot drop patients. The developed robot and control algorithm are experimentally verified through walking experiments and EMG (Electromyography) measurements.

• 재활복지공학회논문지
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.321-328
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• 2016

본 논문에서는 신체의 노화로 인해 보행활동이 제한되는 고령자가 사용하는 전동형 보행보조시스템의 조작 편리성 향상을 위해 기존의 조작 기법인 보행의지 기법과 융합이 가능한 보행상태 기법을 제안한다. 이것은 사용자가 핸들바를 파지하고 있는지 여부를 파악하고 그에 따라 사용자의 보행의지를 판별하는 단순 트리거 신호로 사용한다. 또한 보행의지 파악을 위한 사용자의 보행상태 확인은 레이저 거리 측정 장치를 사용하여 검출된 사용자의 선속도와 회전각속도를 보행보조시스템 중심의 선속도와 회전각속도로 사용한다. 이를 위해 사용자의 양측 다리 중심점을 추정하여 가상의 인체중심점 검출 기법을 제안한다. 실험은 보행자의 선속도 및 회전각속도와 보행 보조시스템 중심의 선속도 및 회전각속도를 비교 분석하는 실험을 진행하였다. 실험 결과, 사용자와 보행보조시스템 중심 간에 선속도와 회전각속도의 오차율은 각각 1%와 2.77%로 나타냈으며, 이는 사용자의 선속도와 회전각 속도를 보행보조시스템의 양측구동기, 속도산출기에 적용이 가능한 것으로 확인했다. 이를 통해 본 논문에서 제안하는 보행의지 기법과 보행상태 기법을 융합한다면 사용자가 보행보조시스템에 끌려가는 현상과 조작 미숙으로 인한 오작동 등이 예방 가능할 것으로 확인되었다.

• 제어로봇시스템학회논문지
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.223-228
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• 2011

In this paper, we proposed a technique to recognize three states in stance phase of gait cycle. Walking assistive devices are used to help the elderly people walk or to monitor walking behavior of the disabled persons. For the effective assistance, they adopt an intelligent sensor system to understand user's current state in walking. There are three states in stance phase; Loading Response, Midstance, and Terminal Stance. We developed a foot pressure sensor using 24 FSRs (Force Sensing/Sensitive Resistors). The foot pressure patterns were integrated through the interpolation of FSR cell array. The pressure patterns were processed to get the trajectories of COM (Center of Mass). Using the trajectories of COM of foot pressure, we can recognize the three states of stance phase. The experimental results show the effective recognition of stance phase and the possibility of usage on the walking assistive device for better control and/or foot pressure monitoring.

• 재활복지공학회논문지
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.23-28
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• 2010

심폐기능 허약자의 경우 다른 보행기능은 정상이지만 산소 공급에 문제가 발생된 경우로서, 에너지 소모를 최소한으로 줄여주는 보행보조 시스템이 필요하다. 심폐기능 허약자의 보행을 원활히 보조하기 위하여 본 연구에서는 고관절에 부착된 DC모터를 이용하여, 보행시 고관절 굴곡 및 신전을 제어하는 시스템을 고안하였다. 두 개의 모터를 좌우 고관절에 부착되어 정상 보행패턴을 기준으로 고관절의 굴곡과 신전의 설정각도를 정의하고 보행을 보조한다. 실험결과 보행보조에 의한 에너지 소모도 감소는 14.8%이었다.

• 제어로봇시스템학회논문지
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.553-559
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• 2015

The purpose of this research is to develop a gait assistive device to enhance the gait stability and training efficiency of stroke patients. The configuration of this device is mainly composed of a motored wheel and a single cane whose lower end is attached to a motored wheel frame. A patient can feel haptic information from continuous ground contact from the wheel while walking through the grip handle. In addition, the wheeled cane can avoid using excessive use of the patient's upper limb for weight support and motivate the patient to use a paralyzed lower limb more actively. Moreover, the proposed device can provide intuitive and safe user interaction by integrating a force sensor and a tilt sensor equipped to the cane frame, and a switch sensor at the cane's handle. The admittance control has been implemented for the patient to change the walking speed intuitively by using the interaction forces at the handle. A hemi-paretic stroke patient participated in the walking assistive experiments as a pilot study to verify the effectiveness of the proposed haptic cane system. The results showed that the patient could improve walking speed and muscle activations during walking with a constant speed mode of the haptic cane. Moreover, the patient could maintain the preferred walking speeds and gait stability regardless of the magnitude of resistance forces with the admittance control mode of the haptic cane. The proposed robotic gait assistive device with a simple and intuitive mechanism can provide efficient gait training modes to stroke patients with high possibilities of widespread utilizations.

• 대한기계학회논문집A
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• 제38권8호
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• pp.837-848
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• 2014

본 논문에서는 보행이 불편한 노인들의 효과적인 자가 재활을 위한 보행 보조 로봇의 개발에 대해 연구하였다. 개발된 로봇의 주요 특징은 크게 유아보행기 및 전동휠체어 메커니즘을 융합한 안전성 및 운동성향상과 가변저항 및 스테레오 카메라를 이용한 정확한 보행 추종 제어 알고리즘으로 나눌 수 있다. 구체적으로, 유아보행기의 메커니즘을 적용하여 사용자가 보행 중 넘어지는 사고로부터 안전을 확보하는 동시에 다리근육의 부담을 줄여줄 수 있는 골반지지대를 설계하였으며, 전동휠체어와 같이 구동모터를 이용하여 사용자가 적은 힘으로도 로봇을 이동시킬 수 있도록 하였다. 다음으로, 골반지지대에 부착된 가변저항을 이용하여 사용자의 보행 의도 및 방향을 로봇이 자동적으로 판단하고 사용자를 추종할 수 있도록 하였으며, 스테레오 카메라를 이용한 사용자 하체모션분석 알고리즘으로부터 추종 반응속도와 정확성을 한층 높였다. 최종적으로, 단계적인 보행 보조 실험을 통해 개발된 로봇의 사용자 보행 추종 성능을 실험적으로 검증하였다.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.478-487
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• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to analyze the effect of wearable complex muscle support system on energy efficiency during walking in elderly. Design: Cross sectional study Methods: Twenty healthy elderly participated in this study. All subjects performed a 6 minuteswalk test(6MWT) and stair climbing test in dual, slack and no suit conditions. In each condition, oxygen consumption(VO₂), metabolic equivalents(METs), energy expenditure measures(EEm), physiological cost index(PCI), walking velocity and heartrate were measured. Through repeated measured ANOVA, it was investigated whether there was a statistically significant difference in the measurement results between the three conditions. Results: In over-ground walking, VO₂, METs and EEm showed significant differences between no suit and slack conditions(p<0.05). In stair climbing, VO₂ showed significant difference between slack and dual conditions(p<0.05). Also, METs and EEm showed significant differences between no suit and slack, and between slack and dual conditions(p<0.05). Conclusions: Wearing the wearable complex muscle support system for elderly does not have much benefit in energy metabolism efficiency in over-ground, but there is a benefit in stair walking.