NRI: Small: Reducing Trunk Musculoskeletal Forces During Manual Work

该奖项的研究目标是开发一套先进的工程原理，用于设计外骨骼系统，以减少人体在各种工作场所执行各种繁重任务时的内部肌肉骨骼力和氧气消耗。假设这些系统将减少与工作有关的背部受伤的严重程度和数量，同时提高汽车装配厂和配送中心的工人安全。 研究方法从探索人机交互的过程中发展而来，即设备和人之间的功率和信息流决定了设备的整体功能和性能。 利用人机交互中各种元件的动态模型，将为外骨骼开发无源阻抗和致动器。将进行一组实验以量化外骨骼系统在矢状面、额状面中对人体躯干的影响以及围绕脊柱的旋转。如果成功的话，这里提出的技术将体现在为在工厂，仓库和配送中心反复移动物体的工人开发广泛的外骨骼设备。该项目将产生一套工程原则，减少由于配送中心和汽车装配厂的重复操作而造成的伤害风险。 该项目将进一步增加工人负担得起的援助系统的可用性，并改善工人的生活质量。这项研究的教育影响来自拟议的协同努力，将教育与研究相结合。研究生和本科工程专业的学生将通过参与研究受益。 在这个研究项目中开发的原型将丰富与人类互动的辅助设备的设计，建模和控制研究的教育平台。

The research objective of this award is to develop a set of advanced engineering principles for design of the exoskeleton systems that reduce the internal musculoskeletal forces and oxygen consumption in a person during a variety of laborious tasks in various workplaces. The hypothesis is that these systems will decrease the severity and number of work-related back injuries while enhancing worker safety in automobile assembly plants and distribution centers. The research approach progresses from the exploration of the human-machine interaction when both the flow of power and information between the device and human dictate the overall functionality and performance of the device. Employing the dynamic models of various elements in this human-machine interaction, passive impedances and actuators will be developed for the exoskeletons. A set of experiments will be conducted to quantify the effect of the exoskeleton system on human trunk in sagittal plane, in frontal plane, and rotation around the spine. If successful, the technologies proposed here will manifest in the development of broad classes of exoskeleton devices for workers who repeatedly move objects in factories, warehouses and distribution centers. This project will yield a set of engineering principles that decrease the risk of injuries due to repetitive maneuvers in distribution centers and in auto assembly plants. This project further will increase the availability of affordable assist systems for workers and improve the quality of life for workers. The educational impact of this research is derived from the proposed concerted effort to integrate education with research. Graduate and undergraduate engineering students will benefit through involvement in the research. The prototypes developed in this research project will enrich educational platforms for the study of design, modeling, and control of assist devices interacting with humans.