High Force-Weight Ratio Lower Back Assistive Device Using Lightweight Design and Passive Pneumatic Mechanism

Yuri Shinta; Tomoki Toyama; Motohiro Kitaura; Yasuyuki Yamada

doi:10.20965/jrm.2025.p0700

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JRM Vol.37 No.3 pp. 700-709

doi: 10.20965/jrm.2025.p0700

(2025)

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High Force-Weight Ratio Lower Back Assistive Device Using Lightweight Design and Passive Pneumatic Mechanism

Yuri Shinta^, Tomoki Toyama^, Motohiro Kitaura^, and Yasuyuki Yamada^*

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

^**Department of System Design, Graduate School of Engineering and Design, Hosei University
2-33 Ichigayatamachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0843, Japan

^***Department of Manufacturing, Atelier-K Ltd.
4-5-12 Tadera, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0086, Japan

Received:

March 27, 2024

Accepted:

February 5, 2025

Published:

June 20, 2025

Keywords:

assistive device, pneumatic system, air cylinder, wearable device, exoskeleton structure

Abstract

The high rate of lower back pain in workplaces that involve lifting heavy loads is a worldwide problem. Various lower back assistive devices have been developed to reduce the lower back burden during lifting work; however, they often have issues such as weight, workability with them and more, and are not used continuously in workplaces after purchasing. In this study, we conducted parameter adjustments of the pneumatic spring using a single-acting air cylinder to develop a device capable of assisting in lifting tasks. We performed requirements analysis, modeled lifting movements, examined various parameters of the assistance device, and designed skeletal structures and attachment components to meet the target weight.

Pneumatic assist device for lifting tasks

Cite this article as:

Y. Shinta, T. Toyama, M. Kitaura, and Y. Yamada, “High Force-Weight Ratio Lower Back Assistive Device Using Lightweight Design and Passive Pneumatic Mechanism,” J. Robot. Mechatron., Vol.37 No.3, pp. 700-709, 2025.

Data files:

References

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[2] M. Lobo and J. Martins, “Development of a wearable exoskeleton for industrial applications,” Master’s thesis, RepositoriUM, Universidade do Minho, 2023.
[3] H. Kobayashi, Y. Ishida, and H. Suzuki, “Realization of all motion for the upper limb by a muscle suit,” 13th IEEE Int. Workshop on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN 2004), pp. 631-636, 2004. https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2004.1374835
[4] H. Kobayashi, “Performance evaluation of lift suits,” J. of the Robotics Society of Japan, Vol.38, pp. 143-150, 2024 (in Japanese).
[5] H. Kobayashi and M. Tanaka, “A study on the development of a new control method for robotic arms,” J. of the Society of Instrument and Control Engineers, Vol.56, No.1, pp. 44-53, 2024 (in Japanese).
[6] N. Poon, L. van Engelhoven, H. Kazerooni, and C. Harris, “Evaluation of a trunk supporting exoskeleton for reducing muscle fatigue,” Proc. of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 2019 Annual Meeting, Vol.63, No.1, pp. 980-983, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1177/1071181319631491
[7] S. Madinei, M. M. Alemi, S. Kim, D. Srinivasan, and M. A. Nussbaum, “Biomechanical assessment of two back-support exoskeletons in symmetric and asymmetric repetitive lifting with moderate postural demands,” Applied Ergonomics, Vol.88, Article No.103156, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103156
[8] E. Nutz, J.-S. Jarvers, J. Theopold, C. Kleber, and G. Osterhoff, “Effect of an upper body exoskeleton for surgeons on postoperative neck, back and shoulder complaints,” J. of Occupational Health, Vol.66, Issue 1, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1093/joccuh/uiae020
[9] M. Goršič, Y. Song, B. Dai, and V. D. Novak, “Short-term effects of the auxivo liftsuit during lifting and static leaning,” Applied Ergonomics, Vol.102, Article No.103765, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103765
[10] T. Toyama, M. Kitaura, and Y. Yamada, “Development of a pneumatic passive lower back assist device with assist force adjustment function,” IEEE/ASME Int. Int. Conf. on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, pp. 338-343, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1109/AIM52237.2022.9863274
[11] M. Kouchi and M. Mochimaru, “Japanese 3-D body shape and dimensions data 2003,” National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, H18PRO-503, 2006.
[12] P. P. F. M. Kuijer, S. H. van Oostrom , K. Duijzer, and J. H. van Dieën, “Maximum acceptable weight of lift reflects peak lumbosacral extension moments in a functional capacity evaluation test using free style, stoop and squat lifting,” Ergonomics, Vol.55, No.3, pp. 343-349, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2011.642005
[13] H. Muraoka and T. Suzuki, “Does the attitude toward a heavy lifting motion change when instructed to use a squat method? Focusing on lifting an object” Japanese J. of Rehabilitation Medicine, Vol.57, No.2, pp. 174-182, 2020 (in Japanese). http://dx.doi.org/10.2490/jjrmc.18033
[14] Y. Yamada, G. Endo, and E. F. Fukushima, “Pneumatic walking assistive device for use over long period,” Advanced Robotics, Vol.28, No.18, pp. 1253-1264, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1080/01691864.2014.920722

This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationa License.

[1] [1] T. Walter, N. Stutzig and T. Siebert, “Active exoskeleton reduces erector spinae muscle activity during lifting,” Original Research, April 25, 2023, Sec.Biomechanics, Vol.11, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1143926

[2] [2] M. Lobo and J. Martins, “Development of a wearable exoskeleton for industrial applications,” Master’s thesis, RepositoriUM, Universidade do Minho, 2023.

[3] [3] H. Kobayashi, Y. Ishida, and H. Suzuki, “Realization of all motion for the upper limb by a muscle suit,” 13th IEEE Int. Workshop on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN 2004), pp. 631-636, 2004. https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2004.1374835

[4] [4] H. Kobayashi, “Performance evaluation of lift suits,” J. of the Robotics Society of Japan, Vol.38, pp. 143-150, 2024 (in Japanese).

[5] [5] H. Kobayashi and M. Tanaka, “A study on the development of a new control method for robotic arms,” J. of the Society of Instrument and Control Engineers, Vol.56, No.1, pp. 44-53, 2024 (in Japanese).

[6] [6] N. Poon, L. van Engelhoven, H. Kazerooni, and C. Harris, “Evaluation of a trunk supporting exoskeleton for reducing muscle fatigue,” Proc. of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 2019 Annual Meeting, Vol.63, No.1, pp. 980-983, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1177/1071181319631491

[7] [7] S. Madinei, M. M. Alemi, S. Kim, D. Srinivasan, and M. A. Nussbaum, “Biomechanical assessment of two back-support exoskeletons in symmetric and asymmetric repetitive lifting with moderate postural demands,” Applied Ergonomics, Vol.88, Article No.103156, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103156

[8] [8] E. Nutz, J.-S. Jarvers, J. Theopold, C. Kleber, and G. Osterhoff, “Effect of an upper body exoskeleton for surgeons on postoperative neck, back and shoulder complaints,” J. of Occupational Health, Vol.66, Issue 1, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1093/joccuh/uiae020

[9] [9] M. Goršič, Y. Song, B. Dai, and V. D. Novak, “Short-term effects of the auxivo liftsuit during lifting and static leaning,” Applied Ergonomics, Vol.102, Article No.103765, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103765

[10] [10] T. Toyama, M. Kitaura, and Y. Yamada, “Development of a pneumatic passive lower back assist device with assist force adjustment function,” IEEE/ASME Int. Int. Conf. on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, pp. 338-343, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1109/AIM52237.2022.9863274

[11] [11] M. Kouchi and M. Mochimaru, “Japanese 3-D body shape and dimensions data 2003,” National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, H18PRO-503, 2006.

[12] [12] P. P. F. M. Kuijer, S. H. van Oostrom , K. Duijzer, and J. H. van Dieën, “Maximum acceptable weight of lift reflects peak lumbosacral extension moments in a functional capacity evaluation test using free style, stoop and squat lifting,” Ergonomics, Vol.55, No.3, pp. 343-349, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2011.642005

[13] [13] H. Muraoka and T. Suzuki, “Does the attitude toward a heavy lifting motion change when instructed to use a squat method? Focusing on lifting an object” Japanese J. of Rehabilitation Medicine, Vol.57, No.2, pp. 174-182, 2020 (in Japanese). http://dx.doi.org/10.2490/jjrmc.18033

[14] [14] Y. Yamada, G. Endo, and E. F. Fukushima, “Pneumatic walking assistive device for use over long period,” Advanced Robotics, Vol.28, No.18, pp. 1253-1264, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1080/01691864.2014.920722

High Force-Weight Ratio Lower Back Assistive Device Using Lightweight Design and Passive Pneumatic Mechanism

Yuri Shinta*, Tomoki Toyama**, Motohiro Kitaura***, and Yasuyuki Yamada*

Yuri Shinta^, Tomoki Toyama^, Motohiro Kitaura^, and Yasuyuki Yamada^*