A Novel Passive Occupational Shoulder Exoskeleton With Adjustable Peak Assistive Torque Angle For Overhead Tasks

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Tian, Jin, Zhu, Haiqi, Lu, Changjia, Yang, Chifu, Liu, Yingjie, Wei, Baichun, Yi, Chunzhi
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Tian, Jin
Zhu, Haiqi
Lu, Changjia
Yang, Chifu
Liu, Yingjie
Wei, Baichun
Yi, Chunzhi
author_facet Tian, Jin
Zhu, Haiqi
Lu, Changjia
Yang, Chifu
Liu, Yingjie
Wei, Baichun
Yi, Chunzhi
contents Objective: Overhead tasks are a primary inducement to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Aiming to reduce shoulder physical loads, passive shoulder exoskeletons are increasingly prevalent in the industry due to their lightweight, affordability, and effectiveness. However, they can only accommodate a specific task and cannot effectively balance between compactness and sufficient range of motion. Method: We proposed a novel passive occupational shoulder exoskeleton to handle various overhead tasks with different arm elevation angles and ensured a sufficient ROM while compactness. By formulating kinematic models and simulations, an ergonomic shoulder structure was developed. Then, we presented a torque generator equipped with an adjustable peak assistive torque angle to switch between low and high assistance phases through a passive clutch mechanism. Ten healthy participants were recruited to validate its functionality by performing the screwing task. Results: Measured range of motion results demonstrated that the exoskeleton can ensure a sufficient ROM in both sagittal (164°) and horizontal (158°) flexion/extension movements. The experimental results of the screwing task showed that the exoskeleton could reduce muscle activation (up to 49.6%), perceived effort and frustration, and provide an improved user experience (scored 79.7 out of 100). Conclusion: These results indicate that the proposed exoskeleton can guarantee natural movements and provide efficient assistance during overhead work, and thus have the potential to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Significance: The proposed exoskeleton provides insights into multi-task adaptability and efficient assistance, highlighting the potential for expanding the application of exoskeletons.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2411_13770
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A Novel Passive Occupational Shoulder Exoskeleton With Adjustable Peak Assistive Torque Angle For Overhead Tasks
Tian, Jin
Zhu, Haiqi
Lu, Changjia
Yang, Chifu
Liu, Yingjie
Wei, Baichun
Yi, Chunzhi
Robotics
Objective: Overhead tasks are a primary inducement to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Aiming to reduce shoulder physical loads, passive shoulder exoskeletons are increasingly prevalent in the industry due to their lightweight, affordability, and effectiveness. However, they can only accommodate a specific task and cannot effectively balance between compactness and sufficient range of motion. Method: We proposed a novel passive occupational shoulder exoskeleton to handle various overhead tasks with different arm elevation angles and ensured a sufficient ROM while compactness. By formulating kinematic models and simulations, an ergonomic shoulder structure was developed. Then, we presented a torque generator equipped with an adjustable peak assistive torque angle to switch between low and high assistance phases through a passive clutch mechanism. Ten healthy participants were recruited to validate its functionality by performing the screwing task. Results: Measured range of motion results demonstrated that the exoskeleton can ensure a sufficient ROM in both sagittal (164°) and horizontal (158°) flexion/extension movements. The experimental results of the screwing task showed that the exoskeleton could reduce muscle activation (up to 49.6%), perceived effort and frustration, and provide an improved user experience (scored 79.7 out of 100). Conclusion: These results indicate that the proposed exoskeleton can guarantee natural movements and provide efficient assistance during overhead work, and thus have the potential to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Significance: The proposed exoskeleton provides insights into multi-task adaptability and efficient assistance, highlighting the potential for expanding the application of exoskeletons.
title A Novel Passive Occupational Shoulder Exoskeleton With Adjustable Peak Assistive Torque Angle For Overhead Tasks
topic Robotics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.13770