• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.463-467
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• 2012

This study aims to empirically investigate population stereotype of burner-control linkage of four-stove gas range for Koreans. Background: The previous studies' results for gas range stereotypes were different depending upon methods adopted, i.e., whether using questionnaires, computer simulation or physical models. It is known that the physical model experiment should not be methodologically replaced by the computer simulation or paper-and-pencil tests. Stereotype of gas range for Koreans was surveyed based on questionnaires, but has not been dealt with by using physical models. Method: An experiment was conducted to investigate stereotype of four-burner gas range, in which 32 subjects participated and a real gas range available in the market was bought and used. Four types of burner-control linkage were used as independent variable, and reaction time as dependent variable. Results: ANOVA revealed that four types of burner-control linkage and subjects' gender were not significant on reaction time. Duncan's multiple range test showed that reaction times for type III was significantly lower than those for the other three types of burner-control linkage(${\alpha}$=0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded based on the results of this study that stereotype of gas range for Koreans is type III. This is in agreement with results of existing studies using questionnaire survey, while different from those based on physical models. Application: The results of this study would be useful as an ergonomic guideline when designing gas ranges or similar equipments for minimizing operation errors.

• IE interfaces
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.100-107
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• 2010

For proper ergonomic evaluation using a digital human model simulation (DHMS) system such as $RAMSIS^{(R)}$, the postures of humanoids for designated tasks need to be predicted accurately. The present study (1) evaluated the accuracy of driving postures of humanoids predicted by RAMSIS, (2) proposed a method to improve its accuracy, and (3) examined the effectiveness of the proposed method. The driving postures of 12 participants in a seating buck were measured by a motion capture system and compared with their corresponding postures predicted by RAMSIS. Significant discrepancies ($8.7^{\circ}$ to $74.9^{\circ}$) between predicted and measured postures were observed for different body parts and driving tasks. Two methods (constraints addition and user-defined posture) were proposed and their effects on posture estimation accuracy were examined. Of the two proposed methods, the user-defined posture method was found preferred, reducing posture estimation errors by 11.5% to 84.9%. Both the posture prediction accuracy assessment protocol and user-defined posture method would be of use for practitioners to improve the accuracy of predicted postures of humanoids in virtual environments.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.23-36
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• 1998

The primary objective of this research was to establish and quantify the relationship between the physical degradation factors of multimedia telecommunications (teleconferencing) system and Subjective human perception. The research was performed in two stages. A field survey of the real users and pilot experiments were carried out in the first stage to determine customers' major complaints and corresponding system degradation factors. A prototype teleconferencing simulator was developed in two separate sound-treated chambers equipped with audio/video equipment running under a custom-developed software program. In the second stage, simulation experiments using the semantic differential methodology were performed utilizing 26 paid participants (14 college students and 12 housewives). The results indicated that audio/video synchronization and the frame rate were the main system factors for both subject groups, but different pattern of factors' influence was found according to the group, implying that the system configuration would hopefully accommodate the characteristics of the end users. Also, a single quality index, developed for system preference, was revealed to be highly correlated with user satisfaction. The results provide some fundamental data on the human subjective perception of multimedia telecommunications quality, and further can help establish the quality standards to enhance service level.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.27-39
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• 2000

국제연합은 1975년에 "장애인 권리선언"을 결의하였고, 1981년을 "세계 장애인의 해"로 결정하였다. 우리나라에서도 1981년 6월 5일, 법률 제 3452호 "심신장애자 복지법"을 제정, 공포하였고 1989년 12월 30일 "장애인 복지법"으로 개정하였다. 한편, 미국에서는 1990년 7월 26일 George Bush 전 대통령이 "The American with Disabilities Act of 1990(ADA)"에 서명하였다. 이 법은 인종, 성별, 출신지, 그리고 종교에 관계없이 장애자에게도 같은 시민 권리 보호를 제공한다는 것이다. 그럼에도 불구하고 장애인을 위해 설계된 건물이나 시설물들이 그렇게 많지 않다는데 그 문제점이 있다. 따라서 본 연구의 목적은 신체 장애인에게 “동등한 생활의 질”을 제공하자는 데 있다. 그에 따른 목표로써 신체장애에 대한 구분이 이루어 졌고, 이동 수단으로서의 wheelchair에 대해 조사되었고, ADA accessibility guidelines가 분석되었다. 또한 인간공학과 감성공학으로 재활공학에 접근하였으며 가상현실이 이용되는 현 추세도 연구되었다. 결론적으로, 제시된 guidelines를 이용하여 가상현실의 세계에서 충분히 simulation을 마친 후에 장애인을 위한 좀더 과학적이고 합리적인 건물 또는 시설물 그리고 wheelchair를 제작할 수 있으면 한다.과학적이고 합리적인 건물 또는 시설물 그리고 wheelchair를 제작할 수 있으면 한다.

• Journal of Auto-vehicle Safety Association
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.52-61
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• 2020

In recent years, the increasing interest in health-care requires the industrial products to be well-designed ergonomically. In the commercial vehicle industry, several researchers have demonstrated the driver's posture has great effect on the orthopedic desease such as fatigue, back pain, scoliosis, and so on. However, the existing sensor systems developed for measuring the driver posture in real time have suffered from inaccuracy and low reliability issues. Here, we suggest our smart vehicle seat system capable of real-time driver posture monitoring by using the air bag sensor package with high sensitivity and reliability. The ergonomic numerical model which can evaluate a driver's posture has been developed on the basis of the human body segmentation method followed by simulation-based validation. Our experimental analysis of obtained pressure distribution of a vehicle seat under the different driver's postures revealed our smart vehicle system successfully achieved the driver's real-time posture data in great agreement with our numerical model.

• Korean Journal of Computational Design and Engineering
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.242-253
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• 2009

Nowadays, manufacturing industry has been making its effort not only for productivity elevation but also for cost reduction in order to survive in the global market which is more and more challenging. In this paper, the method for planning of digital manufacturing system is proposed and door trim assembly system is determined as the subject of our research. First of all, the process sequence is generated based on the product analysis. And, the static and dynamic relationships between system components are represented using IDEF0 and UML model. The working time is estimated through the regression analysis based on MODAPTS method. According to the system configuration strategy, initial concept system layout is implemented 3D virtual environment. The problems caused by bad working motions are detected and modified through the ergonomic analysis using RULA method. According to proposed procedure, digital door trim assembly system is implemented in DLEMIA.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.327-335
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• 2019

Background: There have been some concerns related to manual handling of large items in industry. Manual handling operations of large sheet metal may expose workers to risks related to efficiency as well as occupational safety and health. Large sheet metals are difficult to move and burdensome to lift/transfer, and handling the sharp sheet edges may result in contact stress and/or cut injuries on the workers. Methods: Through observation, interview, and immersive simulation activities, a few problems related to current handling of sheet metals were identified. A sheet metal trolley-lifter was then designed and fabricated to address these issues. A pilot study on the use of the developed trolley-lifter for handling sheet metals was conducted to compare between the new and traditional handling methods. Results: The pilot study of the trolley-lifter showed promising results in terms of improving the cycle time, manpower utilization, and working postures compared with the traditional handling method. Conclusion: The trolley-lifter offers an alternative solution to automation and a mechanized assistive device by providing a simple mechanism to assist the handling of sheet metals effectively and safely.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.237-243
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• 2013

Objective: The present study developed an estimation method of boundary zone representative humanoids(hereafter, EBZ method) using descriptive statistics on the design target population. Background: The boundary zone method(hereafter, BZ method) generates representative humanoids at a boundary zone that statistically accommodates a designated percent of the design target population; however, the BZ method has a practical limitation because it requires a large scale anthropometric database on the design target population. Method: The EBZ method developed in the present study consisted of 3 steps. In the first step, the boundary zone of accommodating a designated percent(e.g., 90%) is formed under the assumption of normal distributions for anthropometric sizes. In the second step, cases that fall within the boundary zone are estimated using descriptive statistics(mean, standard deviation, and covariance) on the design target population. In the last step, K-mean cluster analysis is conducted for the cases, and representative humanoids are selected from each of clusters. Results: Evaluation results showed that mean accommodation percent of the EBZ method was 90.9%(range: 90.8~91.1%) which is similar to the target percent(90%). In addition, standard deviation of accommodation percent for 100 repetitions was 0.1%. Lastly, the number of representative humanoids generated by the EBZ method(n = 20) was similar to the BZ method(n = 16). Conclusion: The EBZ method can generate representative humanoids which accommodate a designated percent of the design target population using descriptive statistics. Application: The EBZ method can be utilized in the generation of humanoids for ergonomic design and evaluation of products when the large scale anthropometric database on the design target population is not existed.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.455-465
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• 2017

This study focuses on design development and verification through virtual simulation based on 3D model data in the cloud platform as a method of utilization of engineering technology of design in the fourth industrial revolution era. The goal of research is to develop and examine a design for the needs of the target that has never been met before through virtual simulations that can be conducted in practice. As a research method, we analyzed secondary data to identify the needs of the target, and did literature research for the ergonomic data and target body development stages. In addition, the design development process of this study was shown meaningful result in design, structure, safety, material, durability through loop test of 7 virtual simulations. This study can be applied to the automated process system based on 3D model data in the 4th industrial revolution era and can be used as an element of the cyber physics system for the additional research.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 2010

In this study, the optimal position for the backrest pivot of an office chair was investigated by evaluating its performance in terms of the lumbar support and sliding distance of the back from the backrest during tilting motions. The simulation was performed using a mathematical model, which included a human body and a chair. Forty-two backrest pivot points were selected on the sagittal plane around the hip joint of a sitting model. A motion analysis study was also performed using a prototype of an office chair (A-type) with a backrest pivot located on the hip joint of a normal Korean model and a typical office chair (B-type) with its pivot located under the seat. The simulation results showed that both the lordosis angle and the slide distance of the back were minimized when the backrest pivot was positioned close to the hip joint. The experimental results showed that the slide distance and gap between the sitter's lumbar and the backrest was smaller with the A-type than the B-type. Based on the simulation and experimental results, it can be concluded that the backrest can support the sitter's lumbar area more effectively as the pivot position for reclining approaches closer to the hip joint. In this position, the sitter can maintain a comfortable and healthy sitting posture. This paper presents the methods and guidelines for designing an office chair with ergonomic considerations.