• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.425-433
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• 2014

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of CAD (Computer Aided Design) based alpine mono-ski bucket design on disabled ski athletes' kinematic characteristics. Two national team ski athletes with LW11 disabilities (Locomotion Winter Classification) category for sit ski participated in both pre and post experiment. Both of the subjects performed 3 trials of carved turn on a ski slope under two conditions. Where, subject "A" performed pre experiment with personal bucket and post experiment with the newly developed CAD based bucket whereas, Subject "B" as control subject performed both pre and post experiment with his personal bucket. For the experiment, 24 Infrared cameras were positioned on the ski slope which covered the path of the ski turn. Also, motion capture suit with reflective markers were worn by both subjects. In the result, decrement in medial/lateral displacement of COM, anterior/posterior displacement of COM, flexion/extension angle of trunk as well as velocity losing rate of COM was observed in subject "A" when using the newly developed CAD based bucket. In contrast, no larger effect on performance was observed when using personal buckets. In conclusion, the findings obtained from the study indicated effectiveness of newly developed CAD based bucket by reducing excessive movement of hip and trunk which is an important factor to perform an effective turn.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.22 no.3_1spc
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• pp.587-592
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• 2013

Until recently, the primary users of wheelchairs were people with lower body disabilities. However, the number of patients recovering from accidents or surgery, as well as the number of elderly people using wheelchairs, is constantly increasing. This study examined the design and manufacture of standing and gait assist wheelchairs that assist temporary gait disturbed patients to take rehabilitation training and elderly people to engage in walking exercise. A kinematic analysis was used to select a drive motor and design a four-bar linkage mechanism for lifting the backrest vertically. Using a multibody dynamic simulation, detailed design was performed taking into consideration the spatial motion and partial interference, and the necessary push force and stroke of the linear actuator were also calculated. To ensure structural safety, the von-Mises equivalent stresses of the upper and lower brackets of the linear actuator were verified through a finite element analysis. The manufactured wheelchair was shown to operate successfully as intended, using the developed controller for the drive motors and linear actuator.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 2015

In this paper, we proposed the fabrication methodology of orthotic device using 3D Computer-Aided Design programme and 3D printing technology based on images acquired from 3D scanner. We set the process and methodology of its fabrication method and confirmed whether it is available for clinical by fabricating four kinds of orthotic device for a patient with cerebral palsy. 3D printing technology method was indicated quantitatively and qualitatively about duration, tensile strength stronger comparing with conventional method, and we could propose that the 3D printing technology for the orthosis could be the proper method to mediate and compensate with reported problems related to orthosis.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.257-263
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to survey the elderly patients through Basic information, Problems Wheelchair, Wheelchair Satisfaction, Usage and Requirements. The meaning of purpose is identify the problems and difficulties of wheelchair use in geriatric patients and an alternative for the correct use of wheelchairs elderly patients. The study investigated through questionnaires. That used questionnaires to modified to Gu Hyeon-Mo questionnaire (2005) and Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology 2.0. 120 of 150 questionnaires were collected and one of them is excluded. Analysis results suggest the following. It was often feel joint pain results from physical damage. In addition when you use a wheelchair it was often feel discomfort in lower back and pelvis. And it feels uncomfortable when moving the tilt. Wheelchair satisfaction of the participants responded to the most 'Normal'. Results of the wheelchair operation ability is as follows. In the case of manual wheelchairs was feeling the difficulty to cross the threshold, Wheel lying, Stairs usage. Also In the case of an electric wheelchair was feeling the difficulty to use Tilt and Decline, Separate from the motor, and Replacement battery. In conclusion, To reduce of back pain and hip joints of elderly patients need to modify design and appearance of the wheelchair. In a later study will find to reduce discomfort and to improve satisfaction of the elderly who use wheelchairs. It will have to periodically examine the usage and satisfaction with them.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2010

According to graying of population and income enlargement of people, interest about U-Healthcare of new form fusing with IT technology are enlarged. Need a estimation technology and standard of test method for safety and performance considering usage environment of U-Healthcare medical device. In this research, developed the standard of test method for usage environment safety and performance of U-Healthcare medical device referring IEC standards and KS standards.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2007

Applying the gyroscopic technology, HeadZmouse has been developed to simulate left and right mouse click, double click, drag and drop, and even a wheel function for navigating web. This device was designed to work on both PC and Macintosh environments using a USB cable. The first time you use this device, you'll find out how much freedom it offers to someone who can't use his or her hands freely. Rather than being tied to your computer, simple manipulation such as blowing an air (breathing) into a sonic sensor can simulate all the functions which standard mouse has, even including a wheel function. Also, a macro-interface device has been developed. By storing repetitive tasks into a memory, you can carry out repetitive tasks just by clicking a button once.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2016

An electric wheelchair is a assistive device to maneuver on the ground. Tip-over of an electric wheelchair is increasing every year. Dynamic stability metric test item in KS P 7176 has not ensured safety of electric wheelchair on the slope. This study presents design the foldable electric wheelchair that can load in the car and analysis of tip-over measurement which is easily computed for electric wheelchair. Wheelchair frame is designed with a four-bar link mechanism for a foldable structure, and seat module, battery and power driving module can be separated. This analysis is performed during a maneuver on the ground by force-moment stability metric. Several elements, center of gravity position, rotational radius and acceleration, were evaluated how to affect stability metric. This stability metric can reduce tip-over of wheelchair and provide a clue to make of dynamic stability test item.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.319-325
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• 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop the assistive device for accelerator and brake pedals using bio-signals from the prefrontal lobe in the driving simulator and evaluate its performance. Background: There is lack of assistive devices for the driving in peoples with disabilities in Korea. However, if bio-signals and/or brain waves are used at driving a car, the people with serious physical limitations can improve their community mobility. Method: 15 subjects with driver's license participated in this study for experiment of driving performance evaluation in the simulator. Each subject drove the simulator the same course 10 times in three separated groups which use different interface controllers to accelerate and brake: (1) conventional pedal group, (2) joystick group and (3) bio-signal group(horizontal quick glance of the eyes and clench teeth). All experiments were recorded and the driving performances were evaluated by three inspectors. Results: Average score of bio-signal group for the driving in the simulator was increased 3% compared with the pedal group and was increased 9% compared with the joystick group(p<0.01). The subjects using bio-signals was decreased 44% in number of deduction compared with others because the device had the built-in modified cruise control. Conclusion: The assistive device for accelerator and brake pedals using bio-signals showed significantly better performance than using general pedal and a joystick interface(p<0.01). Application: This study can be used to design adaptive vehicle for driving in people with disabilities.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.837-848
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• 2014

This paper describes the development of a walking assistive robot for effective self-rehabilitation for elderly people facing an inconvenience in walking. The main features of the developed robot are enhanced safety and mobility using the baby walker and electric wheelchair mechanisms and an accurate walking tracking control algorithm using potentiometers and stereo cameras. Specifically, a pelvis supporter is designed to prevent the user from falling down and reduce the burden on their legs, and electric motors are used for easy locomotion with low effort. Next, the walking intention and direction of the user are automatically recognized by using potentiometers attached at the pelvis supporter so that the robot can track the user, and the rapidity and accuracy of the tracking were increased by applying a lower-body motion analysis algorithm with stereo cameras. Finally, the user-tracking performance of the developed robot was experimentally verified through stepwise walking assistance experiments.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.213-219
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• 2014

This study applied the data of 384 senior citizens over 65 years old having difficulties in everyday life, among the ageing research panel of Korea Labor Institute in 2000, due to their visual impairment in the final analysis to investigate factors affecting the use of vision aids by the aged with visual impairment. The analysis was based on the service usage Andersen-Newman model and the factors were classified into preceding factors, potential factors and desire factors. To examine the effects of each factors on the use of vision aids by the aged with visual impairment, logistic regression analysis was carried out. In the analysis results, the level of vision aids usage was shown to increase significantly with unemployed status and higher education level in the preceding factors, lower subjective stratum consciousness in the potential factors, and higher cognitive function in the desire factors. The limitation and implication of this study were suggested on the basis of the results.