• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2005

A new design of shoulder straps and frame of backpack is proposed for reducing compression and fatigue of shoulder. The stress reduction effects of a backpack equipped with the newly designed shoulder straps and frame have been analyzed statistically through various experiments. We show that the newly designed shoulder straps(wider than the conventional ones) is superior to existing shoulder straps in respect of RPE, task performance measure and physiological measure. The new frame is also proven to be superior to existing frame in respect of RPE and task performance measure. In conclusion, the proposed shoulder straps and frame are shown to enhance the task performance of soldiers.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.309-315
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• 2015

This paper presents a lower-limb exoskeleton testbed and its control method. An exoskeleton is a wearable robotic system that can enhance wearer's muscle power or assist human's movements. Among a variety of its applications, especially for military purpose, a wearable robot can be very useful for carrying heavy loads during locomotion by augmenting soldiers' mobility and endurance. The locomotion test on a treadmill was performed up to maximum 4km/h walking speed wearing the lower-limb exoskeleton testbed with a 45kg backpack load.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.143-146
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• 2001

Background : Backpack palsy was described in military personnel with shoulder girdle and proximal upper extremity symptoms, predominantly motor in nature related to the use of heavy backpack. Currently, backpack were used for sports, transporting school books and child carriers. We evaluated clinical and electrophysiological feature of backpack palsy. Methods : We included 11 patients with brachial plexopathy as a result of wearing a heavy backpack on long distance marches. All patients were done routine blood sampling, chest X-ray, C-spine X-ray and electrophysiological studies. Results : All patients were right handed person and were not as having a thoracic outlet syndrome. Sensory changes were main initial symptoms and major persistent symptoms were motor weakness. 9 patients(81.8%) were damaged the brachial plexus on non-dominant side, 1 patient was dominant and 1 patient was bilateral involvement. 10 patients(90.9%) were damaged to upper trunk of the brachial plexus by EMG findings. The prognosis was good, 10 patients(90.9%) were complete recovery during 8 weeks, 1 patient was developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy confirmed by 3-phase bone scan. Conclusions : Depression of the clavicle and costoclavicular space probably plays a certain role in pathogenic mechanism. The non-dominant side is more frequently affected, probably due to underdevelopment of the musculature in that side.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.241-249
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• 2022

As for military backpacks in Korea, utility backpack products equipped with various functions along with comfort and convenience are being developed. As a result, the volume and weight of the backpack increase, and many lightweight studies of the materials forming the backpack are being conducted. This study is a basic study on frame lightweight using fiber-reinforced composites to deal with aluminum, a back frame that maintains the shape of a backpack and provides stability when worn by combatants. As is known, only fiber-reinforced composites have sufficient light weight and mechanical properties, but the mechanical properties were reviewed by drilling holes to maximize the light weight. Tensile strength and flexural strength were measured by drilling 6mm, 12mm, 18mm, and 24mm holes, and the tensile strength and flexural strength were measured when 1, 3, 5, and 7 holes of 12mm were increased. As a result, even when the number of holes was increased, tensile strength did not change significantly, and the flexural strength showed to be higher in the case of 3 holes and 5 holes than in the case of 1 hole.