• Design Convergence Study
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.55-70
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• 2018

This study was conducted as a part of long-term project on the development of a set of design guidelines for a crutch as mobility aids for the handicapped in the lower extremity and the suggestion a practical solution for a crutch design. The purpose of this study is to develop a design of a crutch and a set of prototypes that reflects the characteristics of crutch-gait and has a realistic possibility for mass production-based industry. TOGO, a axillary crutch as the result of this study, shows a number of characteristics distinguished from ordinary crutches. These are (1)Minimize the shock associated with planting of the crutch tips by improving the form and structure of crutch tip and axillary pad, (2)Ergonomically designed crutch in accordance with users' body movement while walking on crutches, (3)Easy length control to maximize mobility and maneuverability by changing the cross section of the crutch revolutionary, (4)Minimize possibilities of safety hazards, and (5)Attractive shape of the crutch to keep user self-esteem. The revolutionary crutch derived from this study results has been patented, and the company is seeking to mass-produce and find ways to commercialize it after reviewing the potential problems that may arise in the mass production environment.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.243-253
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• 2016

In this study, crutch and crutch gait for the handicapped in the lower extremity were discussed, and the study was conducted as a part of long-term research that suggests a practical solution for a crutch design. Three axillary crutches were evaluated in the study by a set of design guidelines for crutches delivered from the advanced research. In this comparative study with axillary crutch design variations, 31 healthy subjects were participated and three crutches were evaluated by ten guidelines. The result showed that Mobilegs-ultra and In-motion Pro were significantly greater than KM Crutch. However, no statistically significant difference was found between Mobilegs-ultra and In-motion Pro. While analyzing with guidelines, Mobilegs-ultra and In-motion Pro were significantly greater than KM Crutch for 6-guideline, but no significant difference was found among three crutches for the guidelines related with Lightweight and Economical feasibility and marketability. The result of the study is expected to be used for a solid foundation to evaluate for the reasonableness of the guidelines with comprehensive analysis for crutch gait evaluation in the further study.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.157-169
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• 2015

In this study, three axillary crutches(Mobilegs, KM crutch, Pro In-motion) were tested with 12 healthy male subjects by measuring the EMG activity of the latissimus dorsi and gastrocnemius and the user-perceived levels focusing on the comfort and ease of use. The result showed that the EMG activity of the gastrocnemius was significantly reduced during ambulation using Mobilegs and Pro In-motion compared with the ambulation using KM crutch, a conventional crutch. However, no statistically significant difference was found for EMG activity of the latissimus dorsi. Subjects perceived the Mobilegs to be more comfortable and easy to use than the other crutches. Theses result may delivered mostly from the characteristics of spring-loaded axillary pad and ergonomic crutch handle. The results indicate that ambulation using the spring-loaded crutch is much easy with asking less exertion at gastrocnemius. In addition, the characteristics of crutch design, such as embedded spring, makes muscles to consume less energy. When the reasonable structure and form of the axillary pad and crutch handle are applied herein, the ambulation using the crutches are perceived to comfort.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.830-841
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• 2001

The purpose of my study is to provide some information on clothing for the handicapped with special needs. So I have designed clothes for the handicapped to provide some solutions for their clothing problems. These clothing designs for crutch and wheelchair users were based on solutions proposed by many researchers. The number of handicapped has been increasing gradually for years, especially the physically handicapped. Although they make use of many instruments for ease of movements and other physical conditions, most of the handicapped generally use crutches and wheelchairs. So I designed clothing for the crutch and wheelchair users. In order to ease problems in dressing and undressing, when using the crutch and wheelchair, various physical attributes of clothing should be considered: (1) Selection of fabric, (2) construction and location of the opening, (3) type and location of fastenings, and (4) design of garments for comfort and ease of movement. Clothing should also be able to satisfy psychological needs related to attractive appearance. My designs have proposed seven items of clothing. These include a cape-coat, over-blouse, one-piece dress and an pants for the crutch users. Also, a shirts, pants, and wheelchair wrap for wheelchair users will be displayed.

• The tire
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• s.26
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• pp.17-21
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• 1970

• The tire
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• s.27
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• pp.15-19
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• 1970

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.103-108
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• 2008

The aim of this paper is to improve the design of a pair of axilla crutches through quality function deployment(QFD) and discomfort experiments. User needs for the crutches, as well as the engineering characteristics which have influence on the ergonomic quality of crutches were determined from the interview with many users. This information was entered in the house of quality, and the results show that the axillary pad and grip are the most important quality factors. And the results from the discomfort experiments confirmed the QFD output. A prototype reflecting the QFD results was proposed. The present study demonstrated how QFD approach can be a methodological tool geared to greater ergonomics consideration in product design.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1791-1800
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• 2001

연구의 목적은 지체장애인들의 신체적 특성을 고려하여 움직이기 편하면서 외관이 보기 좋은 기능성 의복을 제작하는데 있다. 휠체어, 크러치를 사용하는 여성 장애인을 대상으로 쟈켓, 바지, 휠체어 랩을 제작하여 외관상 기성복과 차이가 나지 않으면서 보조기구를 사용하는데 불편함이 없는 디자인을 제시하였다. 연구의 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 휠체어사용자 쟈켓은 어깨와 팔의 동작을 쉽게 하기 위해서 뒤 bodice 소매둘레부위에 artion pleats를 주었으며 팔꿈치 부위에 주름으로 처리하여 당김과 움직임을 수월하게 하였다. 바지는 허리선 위치를 수정하고 굽혀져 있는 무릎부위에 앞은 주름, 뒤는 다아트로 처리하였다. 둘째, 크러치 사용자는 전체적으로 외관이 올라간 것처럼 보이는 것을 막기 위하여 쟈켓 길이를 길게 하고 쟈켓 위에 조끼를 덧입은 것처럼 보이게 하였다. 바지의 허리선은 고무벨트를 달았으며 양쪽 옆트임을 하여 지퍼를 달았다. 셋째, 휠체어 랩은 방수와 방한을 대비하여 만든 옷으로 전체적인 외관이 롱 원피스 형이며 발부위에 사각형 발판을 만들어 바람이 들어오지 못하도록 하였고, 양쪽 옆 지퍼를 사용하여 여밈 처리하였다.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.23 no.57
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• pp.77-85
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to analyze problems of KS measurement of the wheelchair and a pair of crutches and to propose proper measurements of the wheelchair and a pair of crutches for the posteriori handicapped. Research method is as following ; First, it is compared that Anthropometry of Korean and Japanese adults relevance with design measurement of the wheelchair and a pair of crutches. Second, we compared measurements of KS wheelchairs with measurements of the wheelchair manufactured by the T aids company and the D aids company, and then compared and analyzed differences of measurements about each part of the wheelchair. Third, we compared measurements of a pair of crutches of an fixed and an elastic type with anthropometry and analysis. The result, measurements of KS wheelchair and KS a pair of crutches shows unsuitable to Korean adults. It may cause handicapped. We proposed measurements of the aids(the wheelchair and a pair of crutches) proper to the handicapped of Korean adults with improvement of these problems.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.393-400
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• 2015

This paper describes the development of a chest-wearable robot that can efficiently perform self walking rehabilitation without a helper. The features of the developed robot are divided into three parts. First, as a mechanical characteristic, the conventional elbow crutch is attached at the forearm. However, the proposed robot is attached to the patient's chest, enabling them to feel free to use their hands and eliminate the burden of the arms. Second, as a characteristic of the driving algorithm, pressure sensors attached to the chest automatically perceive the patient's walking intention and move the robot-leg thereafter. Also, for safety, it stops operating when an obstacle is found in front of the patient by using ultrasonic sensors and generates a beeping sound. Finally, by using the scotch yoke mechanism, supporting legs are moved up and down using a rotary servo motor without excessive torque that is generated by large ground reaction forces. We showed that the developed robot can effectively perform self walking rehabilitation through walking experiments, and its performance was verified using Electromyograph (EMG) sensors.