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JRM Vol.32 No.1 pp. 138-148
doi: 10.20965/jrm.2020.p0138
(2020)

Paper:

TasKi: Overhead Work Assistance Device with Passive Gravity Compensation Mechanism

Yasuyuki Yamada*, Hirokazu Arakawa**, Taro Watanabe**, Shunya Fukuyama**, Rie Nishihama**, Isao Kikutani***, and Taro Nakamura**

*Faculty of Engineering and Design, Hosei University
2-33 Ichigayatamachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0843, Japan

**Chuo University
1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan

***Nabtesco Corporation
JA Kyosai Bldg., 2-7-9 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093, Japan

Received:
March 28, 2019
Accepted:
November 21, 2019
Published:
February 20, 2020
Keywords:
overhead work, supporting device, weight compensation mechanism, feeling of wearing
Abstract

During overhead work, workers need to keep raising weights of approximately 2 to 4 kg with the muscular strength of their upper limbs, and the burden of this work is high. Therefore, we developed an assistive device, named TasKi, using a self-weighted compensation mechanism to reduce the burden on upper limbs during overhead work. It can compensate for upper limb weight using the force of a spring in various postures of the upper limbs, without a battery. In this study, to provide effective assistance to many users, we clarified the crucial assistance and parameter adjustment range of settings corresponding to physical differences. First, the assistive force value of TasKi to reduce the work burden of each user was confirmed via a subjective evaluation experiment and myoelectric potential measurements. Next, we conducted a test survey of TasKi users and investigated the relationship between physique and the wearing feeling. According to the survey, 80% of the subjects provided favorable opinions on the assistive method used by TasKi. Finally, we had subjects of various physiques wear the device and investigated the relationship between physique and the wearing feeling with respect to shoulder joint movements. It was observed that the subjects with greater shoulder widths experienced difficulties when moving in the direction of internal-external rotation because of the small size of TasKi. The influence on the ease of motion and perception of size was less in the direction of flexion-extension and adduction-abduction motions.

Overhead work assist by gravity compensation mechanism

Overhead work assist by gravity compensation mechanism

Cite this article as:
Y. Yamada, H. Arakawa, T. Watanabe, S. Fukuyama, R. Nishihama, I. Kikutani, and T. Nakamura, “TasKi: Overhead Work Assistance Device with Passive Gravity Compensation Mechanism,” J. Robot. Mechatron., Vol.32 No.1, pp. 138-148, 2020.
Data files:
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