• 재활복지공학회논문지
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.147-156
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• 2017

시각장애인의 보행보조도구인 흰 지팡이는 보행에 필요한 정보인 장애물의 유무를 직접 접촉해야만 인식할 수 있으며 지면의 낮은 장애물을 탐지하기 어렵다는 단점이 있다. 최근 이러한 문제들을 해결하기 위해 새로운 보행보조도구들이 개발되고 있지만 개발된 도구들의 외형과 높은 가격으로 인해 많이 사용되지 못하고 있다. 이에 본 논문에서는 적외선 센서와 압력 센서, 진동 모터를 사용하여 두 가지 유형의 보행보조신발을 제작하였다. 두 가지 유형의 보행보조신발은 장착된 적외선 센서의 개수에 따라 단일 센서 (SS)와 이중 센서 유형(DS)으로 분류하였다. 유효성 평가를 위해 장애물이 배치된 공간에서 보행 보조 신발과 흰 지팡이를 가지고 보행할 때 나타나는 보행 소요 시간과 충돌 횟수를 비교하였다. 실험 결과, 개발된 보행보조신발 사용 시 지팡이에 비해 소요시간이 증가하였으나 충돌 횟수는 감소하였다. 또한, 보행보조신발 사용 시 흰 지팡이에 비해 이동시간과 충돌횟수가 더욱 크게 감소하였다. 따라서 개발된 보행보조신발이 시각장애인의 안전한 보행 환경을 제공하고 새로운 형태의 보행보조도구에 적응하는 시간을 감소시키는데 큰 도움을 줄 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• 로봇학회논문지
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2006

In this paper, we propose a methodology for classifying types of lower limb disability and their mechanical structure, based on extensive survey of previous developments. We also propose a task-oriented design with human-friendly and energy-efficient assistive system. The result can be used for optimal design of wearable walking-assistive robot considering the type of disability and the content of task.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 제어로봇시스템학회 2001년도 ICCAS
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• pp.32.2-32
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• 2001

We have developed the power assistive leg called HAL (Hybrid Assistive Leg) which provide the walking aid for walking disorder persons or aged persons without nursing person. We developed HAL-3 by considering some problems of HAL-1,2 which had developed previously. The mechanism of HAL-3 actuator could be simplified and sophisticated by using the harmonic drive. As the control signal of HAL-3 EMG signal was used. We proposed a calibration method to identify parameters which relates the EMG to joint torque by using HAL-3. We could obtain suitable torque estimated by EMG and realize power assist in walking according to the intention of the operator To the remove discomfort for quick motion power assist, the feedforward controller was installed at the beginning of motion ...

• 한국정밀공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국정밀공학회 2010년도 춘계학술대회 논문집
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• pp.1379-1380
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• 2010

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.357-364
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• 2010

This study proposes a lower-limb exoskeleton system that is controlled by a wearer's muscle activity. This system is designed by following procedure. First, analyze the muscle activation patterns of human leg while walking. Second, select the adequate actuator to support the human walking based on calculation of required force of knee joint for step walking. Third, unit type knee and ankle orthotics are integrated with selected actuator. Finally, using this knee-assistive system (KAS) and developed muscle stiffness sensors (MSS), the muscle activity pattern of the subject is analyzed while he is walking on the stair. This study proposes an operating algorithm of KAS based on command signal of MSS which is generated by motion intent of human. A healthy and normal subject walked while wearing the developed powered-knee exoskeleton on his/her knees, and measured effectively assisted plantar flexor strength of the subject's knees and those neighboring muscles. Finally, capabilities and feasibility of the KAS are evaluated by testing the adapted motor pattern and the EMG signal variance while walking with exoskeleton. These results shows that developed exoskeleton which controlled by muscle activity could help human's walking acceptably.

• 제어로봇시스템학회논문지
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.223-228
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• 2011

In this paper, we proposed a technique to recognize three states in stance phase of gait cycle. Walking assistive devices are used to help the elderly people walk or to monitor walking behavior of the disabled persons. For the effective assistance, they adopt an intelligent sensor system to understand user's current state in walking. There are three states in stance phase; Loading Response, Midstance, and Terminal Stance. We developed a foot pressure sensor using 24 FSRs (Force Sensing/Sensitive Resistors). The foot pressure patterns were integrated through the interpolation of FSR cell array. The pressure patterns were processed to get the trajectories of COM (Center of Mass). Using the trajectories of COM of foot pressure, we can recognize the three states of stance phase. The experimental results show the effective recognition of stance phase and the possibility of usage on the walking assistive device for better control and/or foot pressure monitoring.

• 제어로봇시스템학회논문지
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.553-559
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• 2015

The purpose of this research is to develop a gait assistive device to enhance the gait stability and training efficiency of stroke patients. The configuration of this device is mainly composed of a motored wheel and a single cane whose lower end is attached to a motored wheel frame. A patient can feel haptic information from continuous ground contact from the wheel while walking through the grip handle. In addition, the wheeled cane can avoid using excessive use of the patient's upper limb for weight support and motivate the patient to use a paralyzed lower limb more actively. Moreover, the proposed device can provide intuitive and safe user interaction by integrating a force sensor and a tilt sensor equipped to the cane frame, and a switch sensor at the cane's handle. The admittance control has been implemented for the patient to change the walking speed intuitively by using the interaction forces at the handle. A hemi-paretic stroke patient participated in the walking assistive experiments as a pilot study to verify the effectiveness of the proposed haptic cane system. The results showed that the patient could improve walking speed and muscle activations during walking with a constant speed mode of the haptic cane. Moreover, the patient could maintain the preferred walking speeds and gait stability regardless of the magnitude of resistance forces with the admittance control mode of the haptic cane. The proposed robotic gait assistive device with a simple and intuitive mechanism can provide efficient gait training modes to stroke patients with high possibilities of widespread utilizations.

• 한국운동역학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2007

Walking is not only an essential component of the human mobility, but also is a good exercise. Inability to walk freely can reduce an individual's quality of life and independence substantially. Being a relatively low impact activity, walking is particularly good for the elderly and research has shown that regular walking in the elderly reduces the chance of fall-related injuries and mental diseases as well. In spite of the documented benefits of regular walking, it is still difficult to walk without the aid of assistive devices for the frail elderly who have lower extremity problems. Assistive walking devices(AWD), such as crutches, canes, hiking-poles, T-Poles and walkers, are often prescribed to the elderly to make their walking be safe and efficient. Many researchers have demonstrated the effects of AWDs such as reducing lower extremity loading, improved dynamic/gait stability, yet, no study has been done for gait pattern when the elderly gait with AWDs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether T-Poles, one of the AWDs, change the elderly gait pattern. Eight community-dwelling female elderly participated in this study. Laboratory kinematics during walking with T-Poles(PW) and with out T-Poles(NPW) was assessed. PW showed significant increase in step width, stride length, gait velocity and decrease in swing time. No significances were found in lower body joint angles but meaningful trend and pattern were found. Maybe the reason was due to the participants. Our participants were healthy enough so that the effect of T-Poles was minimum. PW also showed typical gait phases which are no single support phase during a gait cycle. It indicates that walking with T-Poles may guarantee safe and confident walking to the frail elderly.

• 재활복지공학회논문지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.1-5
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• 2013

본 논문에서는 슬관절 의지 장치의 무릎 각도 제어를 통해 보행 상태를 추론하는 방법을 제안한다. 슬관절 의지의 제어에서 절대위치 엔코더를 이용해 무릎의 각도를 측정하고, 스트레인 게이지를 통해 발바닥의 부하를 측정하여 현재 보행 상태를 추론할 수 있다. 본 논문에서는 2개의 센서를 사용하여 현재 보행 상태를 4가지 상태로 추론하는 방법을 제안하였으며, 실험을 통하여 제안된 방법의 유효성을 보였다.

• 재활복지공학회논문지
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.299-303
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• 2014

최근 노년인구의 증가로 이동 보조기기의 수요가 증대되고 있다. 이동 보조 기기 중 하나인 보행보조기의 수요도 늘고 있다. 보행보조기란 고령자나 환자들 같은 지역 이동이 불편한 사람들의 체중을 분담 받아 보행을 도와주는 기기이다. 본 논문에서는 현재 수동 보행보조기에 전동 기능을 탑재하여 사용자들의 보행을 도와주는 전동 보행보조기를 제작하였다. 또한 장거리 이동시 차에 실어 이동 시킬 수 있도록 경량의 접이식 구조를 적용하여 설계 및 제작 하였다.