• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.26-33
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• 2016

This paper describes of a mathematical and real experimental analysis for a walking robot which uses servo valve driven hydraulic actuator. Recently, many researchers are developing a walking robot based on hydraulic systems for the difficult and dangerous missions such as walking in the rough terrain and carrying a heavy load. In order to design and control a walking robot, the characteristics of the hydraulic actuators in the joint through the view point of walking such as controllability and backdrivability must be analyzed. A general mathematical model was used for analysis and proceeds to position and pressure changes characteristic of the input and backdrivability experiment. The result shows the actuator is a velocity source, had a high impedance, the output stiffness is high in contact with the rigid external force. So stand above the controller and instruments that complement the design characteristics can be seen the need to apply a hydraulic actuator in walking robot.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.1-5
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• 2013

In this paper, we proposed how to estimate the walking state in the knee disarticulation prosthesis's knee angle control. In control of the knee disarticulation prosthesis, we can estimate walking state that measurement of knee angle using absolute encoder and measurement of load on the soles using strain gage. We suggested a method of estimating the current walking states which can be divided into four cases and showed the effectiveness of the method via a series of experiments.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.237-244
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• 2018

Objective: Flat-footed people struggle with excessive ankle joint motion during walking and running. This study aimed to investigate the effects of customized three-dimensional 3D-printed insoles on the kinematics of flat-footed people during daily activities (walking and running). Method: Fifteen subjects (height, $169.20{\pm}2.61cm$; age, $22.87{\pm}8.48years$; navicular bone height, $13.2{\pm}1.00mm$) diagnosed with flat feet in a physical examination participated in this study. Results: The customized 3D-printed insoles did not significantly affect 3D ankle joint angles under walking and running conditions. However, they shifted the trajectory of the center of pressure (COP) laterally during fast walking, which enhanced the load distribution on the foot during the stance phase. Conclusion: The customized 3D-printed insoles somewhat positively affected the pressure distribution of flat-footed people by changing the COP trajectory. Further research including comparisons with customized commercial insoles is needed.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.481-486
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to optimize parameters of a contact model to obtain similar ground contact force of human walking. Dynamic walking simulation considering ground contact is performed to determine load specifications when developing walking assist robots. Large contact forces that are not observed in actual experimental data occur during the simulation at the initial contact (e.g., heel contact). The large contact force generates unrealistic large joint torques. A lower exoskeleton robot with no ankles is developed with the Matlab simscape and the nonlinear hyper volumetric contact model is applied. Parameters of the nonlinear hyper volumetric model were optimized using actual walking contact force data. As a result of optimization, it was possible to obtain a contact force pattern similar to actual walking by removing the large contact force generated during initial contact.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.83-91
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• 2024

Purpose : This case study aimed to investigate the effects of backward walking exercises with a front-loaded bag on craniovertebral angle (CVA), craniorotational angle (CRA), and gait variables in subjects with forward head posture (FHP). Methods : Two individuals in their twenties with FHP performed backward walking exercises on a treadmill while carrying a front-loaded bag with a load equivalent to 20 % of their body weight, for 30 minutes per day, three times a week, over two weeks. CVA and CRA were measured before and after the intervention using side view photographs taken from 1.5 meters away. CVA was calculated by marking C7, the tragus of the ear, and the outer canthus of the eye, and CRA was determined using the same landmarks. Image J software was used for angle analysis, with measurements taken three times and averaged. Gait variables such as step length and cadence were recorded using a step analysis treadmill and analyzed with the software included with the equipment, with measurements taken at baseline and after the two-week intervention. Results : Both participants demonstrated notable improvements in the CVA, indicating enhanced head alignment relative to the cervical spine. There was also a marked decrease in the CRA, suggesting a reduction in rotational misalignment. Although differences were observed in gait variables, such as step length and cadence, these changes were not consistent across measurements. The results suggest that backward walking exercises with a load carried in front can positively influence postural adjustments by aligning the cervical spine in individuals with FHP. Conclusion : The findings of this case study indicate that backward walking exercises with a front-loaded bag can effectively improve cervical spine alignment in individuals with FHP. Differences were observed in gait variables, such as step length and cadence, but these changes were not consistent across measurements. Future studies should explore these effects more comprehensively and consider optimizing the exercise protocol for better therapeutic outcomes.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers D
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.257-263
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• 2000

One of the basic assumptions in the static gait design for a walking robot is that the weight of leg should be negligible compared to that of body, so that the total gravity center is not affected by swing of a leg. Based on the ideal assumption of zero leg-weight, conventional static gait has been simply designed for the gravity center of body to be inside the support polygon, consisting of each support leg's tip position. In case that the weight of leg is relatively heavy, however, while the gravity center of body is kept inside the support polygon, the total gravity center of walking robot can be out of the polygon due to weight of a swinging leg, which causes instability in walking. Thus, it is necessary in the static gait design of a real robot a compensation scheme for the fluctuation in the gravity center. In this paper, a body impedance control is proposed to obtain the total gravity center based on foot forces measured from load cells of a real walking robot and to adjust its position to track the pre-designed trajectory of the corresponding ideal robot's body center. Therefore, the walking stability is secured even in case that the weight of leg has serious influence on the total gravity center of robot.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.413-420
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare different kinds of outdoor walking shoes in terms of muscle fatigue and ground reaction force on walking, and to provide foundational data for developing and choosing outdoor walking shoes that fit the users. Method: The study subjects were 30 healthy men. The experiment was conducted by using outdoor walking shoes with different inner and outer harnesses of the midsole, and shapes of the outsole. For data collection, electromyography was used to measure the muscle fatigue of the anterior tibial muscle and gastrocnemii, which contribute to the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the ankle joint, and the biceps muscle of the thigh and lateral great muscles, which contribute to the flexion and extension of the knee joint. A GRF measurement device was used to measure the X, Y, and Z axes. Results: In the type A outdoor walking shoes, regarding the hardness of the midsole, the inner part was soft, while the outer part was hard. The vertical ground reaction force was the lowest, which means least impact while walking and light load to the knees and ankles. The type C outdoor walking shoes were intended to provide a good feel in wearing the shoes. The tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemii indicate low fatigue, which means that during a long-distance walk, it will minimize the fatigue in the muscles of the lower limbs. Conclusion: To sum up the study results, the different types of outdoor walking shoes indicate their unique characteristics in the biomechanical comparison and analysis. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Thus, a systematic and constant follow-up research should be conducted to cope with expanding market for outdoor walking shoes. Lastly, this study is expected to present foundational data and directions for developing outdoor walking shoes.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2015

Objective : Walking with a Material handling is an activity frequently undertaken by agricultural workers in Korea, due to the nature of their work. This study aimed to investigate differences in biomechanical variables according to the mechanical alignment of the lower limbs when walking with a heavy load, and to use this as basic data in the design of various working environments to reduce the skeletomuscular burden on the knee joint. Method : The study subjects comprised of 22 right-foot dominant adult men and women aged between 20 and 23 years. The subjects were divided into a varus or valgus group according to the mechanical alignment of the lower limb by using radiographic findings. The subjects walked without any load and with a load of 10%, 20%, or 30% of their body weight held in front of them. The Kwon3d XP program was used to calculate biomechanical variables. Results : The flexion/extension moment of the knee joint showed a decreasing trend with increased load, irrespective of the mechanical alignment of the lower limb, while the varus group did not show normal compensatory action when supported by one leg at the point of maximum vertical ground reaction force. In addition, in terms of the time taken, subjects showed no difficulties in one-foot support time up to 20%/BW, but at 30%/BW, despite individual differences, there was an increase in single limb. The increased load resulted in a decrease in the ratio of standing phase to ensure physical stability. The valgus group showed a trend of increasing the stability of their center of mass with increasing load, through higher braking power in the early standing phase. Conclusion : In conclusion, although there was no statistical difference in biomechanical variables according to the mechanical alignment of the lower limbs, the varus group showed a more irregular walking pattern with a Material handling than the valgus group, partially proving the association between lower limb alignment and walking with a Material handling.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2007.07a
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• pp.1764-1766
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• 2007

This paper aims to generate the static walking pattern of a biped robot on stairs and to show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm using its ankle and pelvis. Differently from the previous biped robots, our biped robot has the peculiar mechanism on its ankle and pelvis. By using this mechanism, we can reduce the load in the knee when a biped robot ascends the stairs. This means that a biped robot can climb up a higher step. The stairs walking trajectory that is separated into a ankle trajectory and a pelvis trajectory is generated by cubic spline interpolation. Finally, we confirm the feasibility of the proposed algorithm through the computer simulation and the real walking experiment.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.25-31
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate knee muscle strength, balance, and proprioception by walking while giving weight to the ankle joint at a load of 0%, 10%, and 15% gradient on a treadmill. Methods : Twenty-four subjects were divided into three groups. Group A walked on a 0% gradient while giving weight to the ankle joint as a load. Group B walked on a 10% gradient while giving weight to the ankle joint as a load. Group C walked on a 15% gradient while giving weight to the ankle joint as a load. This was performed three times per week for four weeks. The walking speed was set at 4km/hour and the walking time was set at 20 minutes. Measurements were performed before and after the experiment. Biodex medical system and Balance system SD were used as measuring instruments. Results : There was no significant difference between the gradients in muscle strength, balance and proprioception. However, there were differences in pretest and posttest measurements for muscle strength, balance and proprioception in each gradient. In particular, the gradient of 10% showed a significant difference. Conclusion : According to the results of this study, to use a 10% gradient is effective when walking while giving weight to the ankle joint as a load.