• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.279-282
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• 2020

In this study, body pressure was quantitatively detected using built-in optical sensors, inside an air cushion seat. The proposed system visualizes the effect of the body pressure distribution on the air cushion seat. The built-in sensor is based on the time-of-flight (ToF) optical method, instead of the conventional electrical sensor. A ToF optical sensors is attached to the bottom surface of the air-filled cells in the air cushion. Therefore, ToF sensors are durable, as they do not come in physical contact with the body even after repeated use. A ToF sensor indirectly expresses the body pressure by measuring the change in the height of the air-filled cell, after being subjected to the weight of the body. An array of such sensors can measure the body pressure distribution when the user sits on the air cushion seat. We implemented a prototype of the air cushion seat equipped with 7 ToF optical sensors and investigated its characteristics. In this experiment, the ToF optical pressure sensor successfully identified the pressure distribution corresponding to a sitting position. The data were accessed through a mobile device.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.7-13
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• 2016

This paper presents the meter-out and meter-in speed control characteristics of a pneumatic cylinder with relief valve type cushion device. The piston displacement and velocity are measured to investigate high speed driving performance with variation of the pressure setting in relief valve, air supply pressure, load mass, the supply and exhaust flow rate from the cylinder. Also, the internal pressures and temperatures driving pressure and cushion chamber are measured. The piston displacements and velocities of meter-out and meter-in control are compared experimentally determined data. A comparison experimental data meter-out and meter-in control show that a relief valve type cushion device is suitable for high speed pneumatic cylinders. The desired response characteristics of piston displacement and velocity are satisfactory adjust the pressure setting of a relief valve with varying system parameters such as air supply pressure, load mass and controlled flow rate.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.24-30
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• 2013

This paper studies the comparative analysis on two different internal cushion devices (the types of needle and relief valve) used to absorb the energy which is generated when the pneumatic cylinder moves with the load at meter-out speed control system. The effect at varying the piston velocity under same driving condition is mainly investigated. The simulation results on pressure in the cushion chamber and the dynamic behavior of the relief valve type cushion device are compared with the needle valve type. Design and performance are improved with the cushion configuration of better quality at high-speed pneumatic cylinder. Based on the relation between absorbed energy and impact energy at cushion process, cushion performance at pneumatic cylinder is evaluated.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.338-344
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• 2016

Recent trends in transport system for carrying heavy freight are that demands of a high efficiency, economic efficiency, convenience and safety are increased. Conventional transport systems were poor in transport efficiency and economic efficiency. And Safety problems can be caused to products and workers. In order to overcome these problems, an air cushion transport device with a high-pressure air is required. The air cushion transporter is a device for reducing the frictional force of floor surface and lifting the heavy freight by spraying the high-pressure air to the floor. Technology to float and transfer freight using high-pressure air is very convenient and initial cost can be reduced. In this paper, the study on the levitation performance and transport efficiency of air cushion transport system is conducted and verified that air cushion transporter has a significantly higher transport efficiency than conventional heavy handling systems.

• 연구논문집
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• s.28
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• pp.73-87
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• 1998

A pneumatic control system of compressed air as a working fluid has a variety of advantages such as low price, high respondence, non-explosion and good control performance and thus has many applications in the field of automobile, electronic and semiconductor industry. However, it has a difficulty in contolling a precise position due to quick response of system and compressibility of working fluid and. in particular, shock stress may occur due to an external load, resulting in fracture of a cylinder cap unless cushion device is equipped in the linear actuator. To avoid this, a cushion device should be installed for damping effect of the external load and the supply pressure as well as for decreasing shock stress and vibration caused by high speed rotation. Previous studies include dimensionless analyses and computer simulations of cushion capability and experiments of horizontally-mounted cylinder performances. A new attempt is experimentally made in this study using a vertically-mounted cylinder under an operation condition of 4, 5 and 6 (bar) as supply pressure and 40, 70 and 100 (kgf) as external load. It turns out that the cushion pressure is mainly a function of the external load rather than the supply pressure. The cushion characteristics was also revealed in the meter-in circuit.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.54-59
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• 2015

Due to the tendency to use high speed pneumatic cylinders to improve productivity, cushioning devices are adopted to decelerate the piston motion of pneumatic cylinders to reduce noise, vibration, and impact. This paper presents a comparison of the cushion characteristics of a high speed pneumatic cylinder with a relief valve type cushioning device. The system parameters selected are the damping coefficient, Coulomb friction, heat transfer coefficient, and cracking pressure of the relief valve in the air cushioning device. The integral of the time multiplied square error (ITSE) is used to quantitative measure the cushioning performance to assess the effect of varying these. The cushioning performance achieved good results when the ITSE is a minimum value. In a comparison of the piston displacement and velocity with the variations in system parameters, the heat transfer coefficients are not as significantly affected as the other. Also, the cracking pressure of the relief valve is mainly affected by the pressure and temperature in the cushion chamber.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.287-292
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• 2001

Prupose : We analyzed setup errors induced by using air-vacuum cushion as immobilization device in patients with rectal cancer. Materials and methods : We had treated the twenty patients with rectal cancer by 6 MV, 10 MV X-ray from Aug. 1998 to Aug. 1999 at Chungnam National University Hospital. All patients were treated at prone position. They were separated to two groups, control group, 10 patients using styrofoam, and test group, 10 patients using styrofoam and air-vacuum cushion. We measured errors of posterior field for x, y axis and lateral field for z, y axis with simulation film and EPID image using a matching technique. Results : In control group, the mean displacement values of pelvic bone landmark for x axis and y axis were 0.02 mm. 0.78 mm, respectively and the standard deviations of systematic error were 2.13 mm, 2.40 mm, respectively and the standard deviation of random error were 1.46 mm. 1.51 mm, respectively. In test group, the mean displacement values of x axis and y axis were -0.33 mm. 0.81 mm, respectively and the standard deviations of systematic error were 1.71 mm, 3.08 mm, respectively and the standard deviations of random errors were 1.40 mm. 1.88 mm, respectively. The mean displacement values of z axis and y axis were 2.98 mm. 0.74 mm, respectively and the standard deviations of systematic error were 4.75 mm, 2.65 mm, respectively and standard deviations of random error were 2.69 mm. 1.86 mm, respectively. The statistical difference of field size by using air vacuum cushion between two groups in posterior direction and lateral direction was not shown. Conclusion : We think that use of air-vacuum cushion may not be an advantage for improving setup accuracy in rectal cancer patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.635-642
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• 2013

We have prepared a DEMO conveyor device for conveying a large 8G class glass sheet using ahorizontal air-cushion system. This device consists of the body frame and the driving frame that are combined to realize a frame for conveying glass without any contact.The driving frame comprises an air flotation table (bed), drive roller supported at both ends, and ASU. Part of the ASU serves to control the airflow as the chamber consists of a porous pad and fan. Fiber filters replace the porous pad and axial fans serve as an air compressor. In addition, to determine the appropriate glass levitation from the air table, this study examined the design specifications of the applied filter (discharge speed of HEPA and ULPA filters, and flow rate) as well as the height of the and the proper supporting roller height (14mm). Then, after adjusting the position of the ASU and the number of ASUs required to configure the UNIT air floating C/V, we analyzed the height and flatness of the glass and derived the appropriate layout (1140-mm distance between ASUs).

• Korean Journal of Occupational Therapy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.85-95
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the awareness and availability on items of 2018 assistive devices distribution program for the disabled in the occupational therapists. Methods : A total of 132 occupational therapists participated in the survey from May 1 to May 31. Results : 96.2% of the occupational therapists responded that assistive device is helpful in lives of the disabled people. Especially, they responded that assistive device is the most helpful in 'movement and mobility'. Awareness on an angle spoon/fork with built-up handle and universal cuff was the highest, while a visual signaling indicator was the lowest. Availability on an air cushion was the highest, while a visual signaling indicator and a voice guidance system were the lowest. 67.4% responded that 'sometimes' they use the assistive device and 77.3% responded they will utilize the assistive device. To improve awareness and availability, 43.2% needed financial support, 32.6% needed to add insurance bill and 22.7% needed related education. Conclusion : In the future, this result will be available as a basic data for the education about assistive device for the occupational therapists.