The kinematic effect of an upper and lower-limb exoskeleton and the evaluation of biomechanical risk factors: A proof of concept study
Authors
Wulff, Phillip Jønson ; Christensen, Jonas Andre Gaardahl
Term
4. semester
Education
Publication year
2020
Submitted on
2020-06-02
Pages
96
Abstract
Muskuloskeletale lidelser (MSD) er den mest udbredte arbejdsrelaterede helbredsudfordring i Europa. Passive industrielle eksoskeletter kan være gavnlige ved at reducere belastning. I dette studie undersøgte vi, hvordan to eksoskeletter – BackX (rygstøtte) og ShoulderX (skulderstøtte) – påvirker kroppens bevægelser (kinematik) under to dynamiske arbejdsopgaver i produktionen hos Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S. Metode: Vi analyserede eksisterende bevægelsesdata fra tidligere projekter hos Siemens Gamesa. Vi gennemførte en automatiseret RULA-vurdering (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment), et screeningsværktøj der hurtigt vurderer risici ved arbejdsstillinger. Derudover udviklede vi et testbatteri med standardiserede arbejdsopgaver, som kan bruges til at sammenligne opgaver på tværs af produktionsmiljøer og lette implementeringen af eksoskeletter. Resultater: For BackX fandt vi ingen statistisk signifikante kinematiske forskelle, men flere tendenser tydede på ændringer i hele kroppens bevægelsesmønstre. For ShoulderX fandt vi flere statistisk signifikante kinematiske forskelle samt yderligere ikke-signifikante tendenser. Konklusion: Eksoskeletter ændrer, hvordan leddene arbejder sammen og fordeler belastning under bevægelse. Set fra et biomekanisk perspektiv kan disse ændringer flytte belastning mellem ryg og skulder og dermed potentielt øge risikoen for arbejdsrelaterede lidelser. Dette bør indgå i vurderingen, når eksoskeletter implementeres i produktionen.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common work-related health problem in Europe. Passive industrial exoskeletons can help reduce strain. In this study, we examined how two exoskeletons—BackX (back support) and ShoulderX (shoulder support)—affect body movement (kinematics) during two dynamic production tasks at Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S. Method: We analyzed existing motion data from previous Siemens Gamesa projects. We performed an automated Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), a screening tool that quickly evaluates posture-related risk. We also developed a standardized test battery of work tasks to help industrial sites compare their tasks and support exoskeleton implementation. Results: For BackX, we found no statistically significant kinematic differences, although several non-significant trends suggested changes in whole-body movement patterns. For ShoulderX, we observed several statistically significant kinematic differences and additional non-significant trends. Conclusion: Exoskeletons change how joints interact and how loads are distributed during movement. From a biomechanical perspective, these changes may shift strain between the back and shoulder and could pose potential risks for work-related disorders. Such factors should be considered when introducing exoskeletons in production settings.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
Keywords
Passive ; exoskeleton ; Kinematics ; Biomechanics ; indutry ; test battery ; dynamic
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