定荷重ばねを用いた腰部アシスト装具の評価

抄録

We have fabricated a lumbar power-assist orthosis using a constant force spring that has a long range elongation and exerts a constant force regardless its amount. In this orthosis, the spring is placed between the links attached to the back and thighs and gives an assistive force for reduction waist burden. This paper examined how the orthosis effects to reduce the burden of the user through simulation and several experiments of lifting heavy object. These results show that the assistive effect is influenced by the combination of postures of waist and knee joint.