Development of a winch-type power assist suit that realizes luggage lifting movement and knee fixation-and-release movement with a single motor

Abstract

In this paper, we present a mechanical design of a winch-type power assist suit that realizes luggage lifting movement and knee fixation-and-release movement with a single motor. To solve the problems of our previous power assist suit, we realized the descent of a load of 20kg, reduced the weight, improved the safety, and strengthened the rigidity. We developed a prototype power assist suit and verified if it works as designed. We also conducted lifting experiments and confirmed that it could lift a load of 5kg. We measured the surface electromyogram (EMG) and confirmed that it reduced the burden on the wearer's arms and back when lifting a load.