POWER ASSIST WEAR FOR UPPER LIMB DRIVEN BY SHEET-LIKE PNEUMATIC RUBBER MUSCLE

抄録

Along with declining birthrate and a growing proportion of elderly, to increase the number of people who requires nursing is anticipated. As a result, the shortage of the workers in medical welfare field is serious concerns in Japan. Then, if the wearable power assist device can be developed, many people can live independent life with a slight degree of assist. The purpose of this study is to develop a power assist wear to assist an activity of daily living of aged or disabled person. For the actuator, it is required to have a compact, light-weight and flexibility. Developed sheet-like curved type pneumatic rubber muscle is made of rubber band and has a high affinity for human skin. In this paper, the characteristics of the sheet-like curved type pneumatic rubber muscle and the power assist wear are described.