• Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.78-84
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• 2004

To optimize movement of a multi-joint robot arm is known to be a difficult problem, because it is a kind of redundant system. Although the end-effector is set its position by each angle of the joints, the angle of each joint cannot be uniquely determined by the position of the end-effector. There exist the infinite number of different sets of joint angles which represent the same position of the end-effector. This paper describes how to manage the angle of each joint to move its end-effector preferably on an X-Y plane with obstacles in the end-effector’s reachable area, and how to optimize the movement of a multi-joint robot arm, evading obstacles. The definition of “preferable” movement depends upon a purpose of robot operation. First, we divide viewpoints of preference into two, 1) the standpoint of the end-effector, and 2) the standpoint of joints. Then, we define multiple objective functions, and formulate it into a multi-objective programming problem. Finally, we solve it using multi-purpose genetic algorithm, and obtain reasonable results. The method described here is possible to add appropriate objective function if necessary for the purpose.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.275-281
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• 2015

Objective : In order for Taekwondo athletes to perform destructive kicking performance, they are expected to have Taekwondo-specific muscle properties such as high muscle strength and power. The purpose of this study was to investigate the joint angle-dependent force-producing property of Taekwondo athletes' knee extensor muscles, which is one of the primary muscle groups involved in kicking performance. Method : Ten Taekwondo male athletes (age: $19.9{\pm}0.7yrs$, height: $180.6{\pm}6.2cm$, body mass: $75.9{\pm}8.9kg$, career: $9.2{\pm}2.9yrs$.) and 10 healthy male non-athletes (age: $26.3{\pm}2.6yrs$, height: $174.2{\pm}4.8cm$, body mass: $72.8{\pm}7.7kg$) participated in this study. Subjects performed maximum isometric knee extension at knee joint angles of $40^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $80^{\circ}$, and $100^{\circ}$ (the full knee extension was set to $0^{\circ}$) with the hip joint angles of $0^{\circ}$ and $80^{\circ}$ (the full extension was set to $0^{\circ}$). During the contractions, knee extension torque using an isokinetic dynamometer simultaneously with muscle activities of the rectus femoris (RF), and the vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) using surface electromyography were recorded. Based on the torque values at systematically different knee-hip joint angles, the joint torque-angle relationships were established and then the optimal joint angle for the knee extensor was estimated. Results : The results of this study showed that the isometric knee extension torque values were greater for the Taekwondo athletes compared with the non-athlete group at all hip-knee joint angle combinations (p<.05). When the hip joint was set at $80^{\circ}$, the peak isometric torque was greater for the Taekwondo athletes compared with the non-athlete group ($313.61{\pm}36.79Nm$ and $221.43{\pm}35.92Nm$, respectively; p<.05) but the estimated optimum knee joint angles were similar ($62.33{\pm}5.71^{\circ}$ and $62.30{\pm}4.67^{\circ}$ for the Taekwondo athletes and non-athlete group, respectively). When the hip joint was set at $0^{\circ}$, the peak isometric torque was greater for the Taekwondo athletes compared with the non-athlete group ($296.29{\pm}45.13Nm$ and $199.58{\pm}25.23Nm$, respectively; p<.05) and the estimated optimum knee joint angle was larger for the Taekwondo athletes compared with the non-athlete group ($78.47{\pm}5.14^{\circ}$ and $67.54{\pm}5.77^{\circ}$, respectively; p<.05). Conclusion : The results of this study suggests that, compared with non-athletes, Taekwondo athletes have stronger knee extensor strength at all hip-knee joint angle combinations as well as longer optimum muscle length, which might be optimized for the event-specific required performance through prolonged training period.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.125-132
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• 2014

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the optimal knee joint angle and hip joint angle for minimizing the cervical muscle tension and maximizing the muscle activity of the trunk during the bridging exercise for trunk stabilization. METHODS: The bridging exercise in this study included seven forms of exercise: having a knee joint flexion angle of $120^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$ and hip joint abduction angle of $15^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, $5^{\circ}$. The posture of the bridging exercise was as follows. To prevent the increase of hyper lumbar lordosis during the bridging exercise, the exercise was practiced after maintaining the lumbar neutral position through the pelvic posterior tilting exercise. RESULTS: The abduction angles did not result in statistically significant effects on the cervical erector, external oblique, rectus abdominis and erector spinae muscles. However, in relation to the knee joint angles, during the bridging exercise, statistically significant results were exhibited. CONCLUSION: The knee joint angle affected the muscle activity of the neck muscle. The greater the knee joint angle, the lower the load placed on the neck muscle. In contrast, the load increased as the knee joint angle decreased. In addition, the muscle activity of the neck muscle and trunk muscle increased as the knee joint angle decreased.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2002.11c
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• pp.399-402
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• 2002

In this study, we constructed a four-channel impedance measurement system including a two-channel goniometer to analyze human arm movement. Impedances and joint angles were simultaneously measured for wrist and elbow movements. As the impedance changes resulting from wrist and elbow movements depended heavily on electrode placement, we determined the optimal electrode configurations for those movements by searching for high correlation coefficients, large impedance changes, and minimum interferences in ten subjects (age: 29+6). Our optimal electrode configurations showed very strong relationships between the wrist joint angle and forearm impedance (correlation coefficient = 0.95+0.04), and between the elbow joint angle and upper arm impedance (correlation coefficient = -0.98+0.02). Although the measured impedances changes of the wrist (1.1+1.5 ohm) and elbow (-5.0+2.9 ohm) varied among individuals, the reproducibilities of wrist and elbow impedance changes of five subjects were 5.8+1.8 % and 4.6+1.4 % for the optimal electrode pairs, respectively. We propose that this optimal electrode configuration would be useful for future studies involving the measurement of accurate arm movements by impedance method.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2010

The objective of this study is to investigate the optimal arrangement of cameras used for the robot's vision control scheme. The used robot's vision control scheme involves two estimation models, which are the parameter estimation and robot's joint angle estimation models. In order to perform this study, robot's working region is divided into three work spaces such as left, central and right spaces. Also, cameras are positioned on circular arcs with radius of 1.5m, 2.0m and 2.5m. Seven cameras are placed on each circular arc. For the experiment, nine cases of camera arrangement are selected in each robot's work space, and each case uses three cameras. Six parameters are estimated for each camera using the developed parameter estimation model in order to show the suitability of the vision system model in nine cases of each robot's work space. Finally, the robot's joint angles are estimated using the joint angle estimation model according to the arrangement of cameras for robot's point-position control. Thus, the effect of camera arrangement used for the robot's vision control scheme is shown for robot's point-position control experimentally.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.157-166
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• 2007

This study was to compare the major kinematic factors between the success and failure group on performing the back somersault motion in floor exercise. Three gymnasts(height : $167.3{\pm}2.88cm$, age : $22.0{\pm}1.0years$, body weight : $64.4{\pm}2.3kg$) were participated in this study. The kinematic data was recorded at 60Hz with four digital video camera. Two successful motions and failure motions for each subject were selected for three dimensional analysis. 1. Success Trail It was appear that success trail was larger than failure group in projection velocity, but success trail was smaller than failure trail in projection angle. Also it was appear that success trail was longer than failure group in the time required. Hand segment velocity and maximum velocity in success trail were larger than those in failure trail, and this result was increasing the projection velocity and finally increasing the vertical height of center of mass. At the take-off(event 2), flection amount of hip and knee joint angle was contributed to the optimal condition for the take-off and at the peak point, hip and knee joint angle was maximum flexed for reducing the moment of inertia. Also in this point, upper extremities of success trail extended more than those of failure trail. in this base, success trail in upward phase(p3) 2. Failure Trail It was appear that failure trail was smaller than success trail in projection velocity, but failure trail was larger than success trail in projection angle. Also it was appear that failure trail was more short than success trail in the time required. Hand segment velocity and maximum velocity in failure trail were smaller than those in success trail, and this result was reducing the projection velocity and finally reducing the vertical high of center of mass. At the take-off(event 2), flection amount of hip and knee joint angle wasn't contributed to the optimal condition for the take-off and at the peak point, hip and knee joint angle wasn't maximum flexed for reducing the moment of inertia. Also in this point, upper extremities of failure trail didn't extended more than those of success trail.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2008.11b
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• pp.891-896
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• 2008

Behavior of the existing tunnel in the jointed rocks was affected by the adjacent slope excavation. In this study, large scale model tests were conducted. To investigate the tunnel distortion depending on the excavated slope angle and the joint dip of the ground performed model tests were numerically back analyzed. Consequently, as the joint dip and slope angle became larger, the tunnel distortion was tended to be larger. Ground displacement was also greatly dependent on the joint dip and the excavated slope angle, which indicated the possibility of the optimal slope reinforcement.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.357-363
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different saddle heights on lower-limb joint angle and muscle activity. Six elite cyclists(age: $32.2{\pm}5.2years$, height: $171.0{\pm}3.5cm$, weight: $79.7{\pm}5.6kg$, cycle career: $13{\pm}6.2years$) participated in three min. submaximal(90 rpm) pedaling tests with the same load and cadence based on saddle heights where subject's saddle height was determined by his knee flexion angle when the pedal crank was at the 6 o'clock position. Joint angles(hip, knee, ankle joints) and the activity of lower limb muscles(biceps femoris(BF), vastus lateralis(VL), tibialis anterior(TA) and gastrocnemius medial(GM)) were compared by measuring 3D motion and electromyography(EMG) data. Results showed that there were significant differences in minimum hip & knee joint angle and range of motion of hip and knee joint between saddle heights. Onset timing and integrated EMG of only BF among 4 muscles were significantly different between saddle heights. Especially there was a negative relationship between minimum hip joint angle and onset timing of BF in most subject, which means that onset timing of BF became fast as the degree of bending of the hip joint became larger by saddle height. Optimal pedaling will be possible through increased amount of muscle activation due to the appropriate burst onset timing by proper pedaling posture with adjusted saddle height.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.175-187
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to find the relationship between Achilles tendon angle, angular velocity from 2D cinematography utilized to easily analyze the functions of shoes, ankle joint moment, knee joint moment, and hip joint moment from 3D cinematography utilized to predict the injury. Also, this study was to provide the optimal standard to analyze the injury related to the shoes. Subjects in this study were 30 university male students and 18 conditions (2 types of running speed, 3 of midsole hardness, 3 of midsole height) were measured using cinematography and force platform. The results were as following. 1) Hip joint abduction moment was effected by many variables such as running speed, midsole height, maximum achilles tendon angle, ground reaction force. 2) Knee joint rotational moment in running was approximately 1/10 - 1/4 times of the injury critical value and eversion moment was approximately 1/4 - 1/2 times of the injury critical value. 3) Ankle joint pronation moment in running was 1/3 - 1/2 times of the injury critical value. 4) Knee joint rotational moment was found to be irrelevant with maximum achilles tendon angle or angular velocity. 5) Pronation from running was thought to be relevant to rather eversion moment activity than rotational moment activity of knee joint. 6) Plantar flexion abductor of ankle showed significant relationship with the ground reaction force variable. 7) When the loading rate for ground reaction force in passive region increased, extensor tended to be exposed to the injury. Main variables in biomechanical analysis of shoes were impact absorption and pronation. Among these variables, pronation factor was reported to be relevant with knee injury from long duration exercise. Achilles tendon angle factor was utilized frequently to evaluate this. However, as the results of this study showed, the relationship between these variables and injury relating variable of knee moment was so important. Studies without consideration on this finding should be reconsidered and reconfirmed.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.434-441
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• 2013

Bending motion has been used in the surgical instruments with bending structures and tendon mechanisms. A simplified bending angle amplification ratio between the proximal and distal bending joint was derived in this article. The bending structure of disk and rib in the proximal joint was analyzed based on finite element method with an emphasis on the circumferential uniformity of bending stiffness. Regarding the distal joint, optimal design and sensitivity analysis was done with four design variables of outer and inner diameter, rib height and rib width while maximizing the deformation under the stress distribution below the yield stress. Outer diameter and rib width are most critical to maximum deformation as the outer diameter and inner diameters are so to maximum equivalent stress.