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JRM Vol.32 No.5 pp. 1010-1018
doi: 10.20965/jrm.2020.p1010
(2020)

Paper:

Active Cloth Fabricated by a Flat String Machine and its Application to a Safe Wheelchair System

Makoto Takada*, Shuichi Wakimoto*, Takero Oshikawa*, Takeji Ueda**, and Takefumi Kanda*

*Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University
3-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan

**Energyfront Inc.
394-28 Uchio, Minami-ku, Okayama 701-0212, Japan

Received:
April 17, 2020
Accepted:
August 7, 2020
Published:
October 20, 2020
Keywords:
pneumatic artificial muscle, active cloth, safe wheelchair system, welfare apparatus
Abstract

In this study, a pneumatically contracting active cloth has been developed; its application is proposed for a safe sitting-posture recovery system for wheelchair users to avoid fall-related accidents. The active cloth consists of thin artificial muscles knitted via a flat string machine. The safe wheelchair system is configured with an active cloth and seating pressure sensor. The seating pressure sensor, located on the seating surface of the wheelchair, estimates the inclination of the upper body of the user; when this reaches an angle that is dangerous for falling from the wheelchair, the active cloth contracts to correct the posture of the upper body. In this paper, we clarify the fabrication process and fundamental characteristics of the active cloth and indicate its potential as a mechanical element for welfare apparatuses by demonstrating a safe wheelchair system.

Active cloth and safe wheelchair system

Active cloth and safe wheelchair system

Cite this article as:
M. Takada, S. Wakimoto, T. Oshikawa, T. Ueda, and T. Kanda, “Active Cloth Fabricated by a Flat String Machine and its Application to a Safe Wheelchair System,” J. Robot. Mechatron., Vol.32 No.5, pp. 1010-1018, 2020.
Data files:
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Last updated on Oct. 01, 2024