A New Materials Handling System to Prevent Back Injuries

9322807 Kazerooni这项研究调查了在涉及工人举重的情况下使用扩展器来支持材料搬运功能的情况。伸缩器是一种计算机控制的材料处理装置，工人佩戴它来操纵工作场所的负荷，以最大限度地减少工人感受到的重量、强度和苛刻程度。据推测，当工人佩戴这些设备来操纵负荷时，确实可以防止背部受伤。这项研究包括分析举起、移动和转移负载所需的动作，根据工人和生理特性来量化伸缩器的性能，设计一种轻型电磁执行器，其行为类似于Hill的伸缩器模型，并开发自适应控制规则，以防止在存在人类手臂动力学变化的情况下人类引起的不稳定。这项研究的重点是为我们经济的各个部门感受到的一个真实和实际的问题提供解决方案。如果研究目标得以实现，研究结果将对成本节约产生重大影响，特别是在经济中涉及工人显著举重的那些工业部门。工业中每年因背部受伤而造成的成本和生产力损失是惊人的。这项研究确实提供了一些潜力，以将这些损失降至最低，并改善员工的工作条件和士气。

9322807 Kazerooni This research investigates the use of extenders to support material handling functions in situations where weight lifting by workers is involved. Extenders are computer-controlled material handling device that are worn by workers to maneuver loads in work places to minimize the weight intensity and exaction level felt by the worker. It is hypothesized that these devices, when worn by workers to maneuver loads, do prevent back injuries. The research includes the analysis of maneuvers needed to lift, move, and transfer loads, quantify the performance of extenders in terms of workers, physiological characteristics, design a lightweight electromagnetic actuator that behaves like Hill's model of extenders, and develop adaptive control rules which will prevent human induced instability in the presence of variation in human arm dynamics. This research focuses on providing a solution to a real and practical problem that is felt in various sectors of our economy. If the research goals are realized, the outcome will have a significant impact on cost savings, especially in those industrial segments of the economy in which significant weight lifting by workers is involved. Annual cost and losses in productivity due to back injury cases in industry is staggering. This research does offer some potential to minimize these losses and improve employees' working conditions and morale.