The Development of an Innovative Occupational Passive Upper Extremity Exoskeleton and an Investigation of Its Effects on Muscles
Source abstract
Abstract
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are one of the main problems reducing the life quality of workers. Occupational exoskeletons are one of the most promising solutions for solving this issue. In this study, an innovative and passive upper-extremity exoskeleton design was presented and tested by measuring ten different muscle activities for two tasks: Task 1, for over-the-head tool handling, and Task 2, for completely stretched forearm tool handling. The special optimized switch mechanism design allowed for free motion when it was not active, which provided design advantages in comparison to the currently available designs. The muscle activity levels were measured via EMG for both tasks and the results were compared and evaluated with and without the exoskeleton on the human body. It was shown that the muscle activity for Task 1 was reduced by 55% for the middle deltoid, 37% for the posterior deltoid, and 27% for the anterior deltoid muscles, in comparison to no exoskeleton for Task 1. For Task 2, the muscle activity was reduced by 48% for the middle deltoid, 20% for the posterior deltoid, and 38% for the anterior deltoid. The exoskeleton presented in this study is an efficient design that significantly increases shoulder comfort, especially in working conditions, without bringing an additional metabolic cost for the secondary muscles.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Robotics · Muscle activation and electromyography studies · Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Mechanical Engineering Department, Bursa Uludag University, Gorukle, Bursa 16240, Türkiye
OCALIS Engineering Inc., Gorukle, ULUTEK Technology Development Zone, Bursa 16285, Türkiye
Mechanical Engineering Department, Bursa Technical University, Yıldırım, Bursa 16310, Türkiye
Funding
TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey)
References (26)
Show source-provided references
1. Constand, M.K., and MacDermid, J.C. (2013). Effects of neck pain on reaching overhead and reading: A case-control study of long and short neck flexion. BMC Sport. Sci. Med. Rehabilition, 5.10.1186/2052-1847-5-21 ↗
2. Bennett, S.T., Han, W., Mahmud, D., Adamczyk, P.G., Dai, F., Wehner, M., Veeramani, D., and Zhu, Z. (2023). Usability and Biomechanical Testing of Passive Exoskeletons for Construction Workers: A Field-Based Pilot Study. Buildings, 13.10.3390/buildings13030822 ↗
3. Mahdi, S.M., Yousif, N.Q., Oglah, A.A., Sadiq, M.E., Humaidi, A.J., and Azar, A.T. (2022). Adaptive Synergetic Motion Control for Wearable Knee-Assistive System: A Rehabilitation of Disabled Patients. Actuators, 11.10.3390/act11070176 ↗
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012). Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Requiring Days Away from Work, 2011.
5. Schmalz, T., Bornmann, J., Schirrmeister, B., Schändlinger, J., and Schuler, M. (2019). Principle Study about the Effect of an Industrial Exoskeleton on Overhead Work, Verlag Orthopädie-Technik. Special print from: Orthopädie Technik 06/19.
6. Good ergonomics and team diversity reduce absenteeism and errors in car manufacturing10.1080/00140139.2013.875597 ↗
7. Exoskeletons for industrial application and their potential effects on physical work load10.1080/00140139.2015.1081988 ↗
8. Ergonomics assessment of passive upper-limb exoskeletons in an automotive assembly plant10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103120 ↗
9. Objective and Subjective Effects of a Passive Exoskeleton on Overhead Work10.1109/TNSRE.2019.2945368 ↗
10. Zhao, L., Yang, T., Yang, Y., and Yu, P. (2023). A Wearable Upper Limb Exoskeleton for Intuitive Teleoperation of Anthropomorphic Manipulators. Machines, 11.10.3390/machines11040441 ↗
11. Jäger, M., Helbig, T., Goos, M., Köhring, S., and Witte, H. (2023). Characterization of an Antagonistic Actuation System with Nonlinear Compliance for an Upper-Arm Exoskeleton. Actuators, 12.10.3390/act12050196 ↗
12. Evaluation of a passive exoskeleton for static upper limb activities10.1016/j.apergo.2018.02.009 ↗
13. Matthew, R.P., Mica, E.J., Meinhold, W., Loeza, J.A., Tomizuka, M., and Bajcsy, R. (October, January 28). Introduction and initial exploration of an active/passive exoskeleton framework for portable assistance. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS), Hamburg, Germany.
14. A light-weight passive upper arm assistive exoskeleton based on multi-linkage spring-energy dissipation mechanism for overhead tasks10.1016/j.robot.2019.103309 ↗
15. Investigation into the applicability of a passive upper-limb exoskeleton in automotive industry10.1016/j.promfg.2017.07.252 ↗
16. and Wisner, D. Exoskeleton technology: Making workers safer and more productive
17. Influence of different passive shoulder exoskeletons on shoulder and torso muscle activation during simulated horizontal and vertical aircraft squeeze riveting tasks10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103822 ↗
18. The Exo4Work shoulder exoskeleton effectively reduces muscle and joint loading during simulated occupational tasks above shoulder height10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103800 ↗
19. Effects of a passive upper extremity exoskeleton for overhead tasks10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102478 ↗
20. Neumann, D.A. (2010). Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System, Foundations for Rehabilitation, Mosby, Elsevier. [2nd ed.].
21. (2023, January 19). iStock. Available online: https://www.istockphoto.com/tr/fotoğraf/human-anatomy-view-gm452538239–29931726.
22. Winter, D.A. (2009). Biomechanics and Motor Control of Human Movement, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. [4th ed.].10.1002/9780470549148 ↗
23. Verdel, D., Sahm, G., Bruneau, O., Berret, B., and Vignais, N. (2023). A Trade-Off between Complexity and Interaction Quality for Upper Limb Exoskeleton Interfaces. Sensors, 23.10.3390/s23084122 ↗
24. Riemer, J., Jaitner, T., and Wischniewski, S. (2023). Investigating Inter-day Variations in the Physical Effects of Exoskeletons: Requirements for Long-Term Biomechanical Studies. Appl. Sci., 13.10.3390/app13116483 ↗
25. Hays, E., Slayton, J., Tejeda-Godinez, G., Carney, E., Cruz, K., Exley, T., and Jafari, A. (2023). A Review of Rehabilitative and Assistive Technologies for Upper-Body Exoskeletal Devices. Actuators, 12.10.3390/act12040178 ↗
26. Considerations for industrial use: A systematic review of the impact of active and passive upper limb exoskeletons on physical exposures10.1080/24725838.2019.1684399 ↗