Active Cloth Fabricated by a Flat String Machine and its Application to a Safe Wheelchair System

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 1010-1018
Author(s):  
Makoto Takada ◽  
Shuichi Wakimoto ◽  
Takero Oshikawa ◽  
Takeji Ueda ◽  
Takefumi Kanda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Sensor ◽  
Fabrication Process ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Artificial Muscles ◽  
Wheelchair Users ◽  
Sitting Posture ◽  
Recovery System ◽  
Mechanical Element ◽  
Seating Surface

In this study, a pneumatically contracting active cloth has been developed; its application is proposed for a safe sitting-posture recovery system for wheelchair users to avoid fall-related accidents. The active cloth consists of thin artificial muscles knitted via a flat string machine. The safe wheelchair system is configured with an active cloth and seating pressure sensor. The seating pressure sensor, located on the seating surface of the wheelchair, estimates the inclination of the upper body of the user; when this reaches an angle that is dangerous for falling from the wheelchair, the active cloth contracts to correct the posture of the upper body. In this paper, we clarify the fabrication process and fundamental characteristics of the active cloth and indicate its potential as a mechanical element for welfare apparatuses by demonstrating a safe wheelchair system.

Pressure Sensing Fabric

2006 ◽  
Vol 920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhang Hui ◽  
Tao Xiao Ming ◽  
Yu Tong Xi ◽  
Li Xin Sheng
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Sensor ◽  
Fabrication Process ◽  
Sensing Element ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Pressure Sensing ◽  
Conductive Yarns ◽  
Flexible Pressure Sensor ◽  
Fabric Surface ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Resistive Grids

AbstractThis paper presents an approach for decoding the pressure information exerted over a piece of fabric by means of resistive sensing. The proposed sensor includes a distributed resistive grids constructed by two systems of orthogonally contacted electrical conductive yarns, with no external sensing element to be attached on the fabric. Since the conductive yarns serve as the sensing and wiring elements simultaneously, this design simplifies the fabrication process, reduces the cost and makes the production of large area flexible pressure sensor possible. The location of the pressure applied on the fabric can be identified by detecting the position where the change of the resistances occurs between two embroidered yarns. Meanwhile, the magnitude of the pressure can be acquired by measuring the variations of the resistance. In order to eliminate the “crosstalk” effect between adjoining fibers, the yarns were separately wired on the fabric surface.

The Pressure Sensor Fabrication Process

2013 ◽  
pp. 75-99
Author(s):  
Pilar González Ruiz ◽  
Kristin De Meyer ◽  
Ann Witvrouw
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Sensor ◽  
Fabrication Process ◽  
Sensor Fabrication

scholarly journals Effect of wheelchair-modified rowing exercise on cardiometabolic risk factors in spinal cord injured wheelchair users: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e040727
Author(s):  
Rasmus Kopp Hansen ◽  
Afshin Samani ◽  
Uffe Laessoe ◽  
Aase Handberg ◽  
Ryan Godsk Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk Factors ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Vascular Structure ◽  
Wheelchair Users ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
And Function

IntroductionCardiovascular and metabolic diseases are a growing concern for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Physical inactivity contributes to cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality in the SCI population. However, previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the effects of exercise on cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with SCI. This discrepancy could be influenced by insufficient exercise stimuli. Recent guidelines recommend 30 min of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic exercise, three times per week, for improvement in cardiometabolic health in individuals with SCI. However, to date, no studies have implemented an exercise intervention matching the new recommendations to examine the effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to determine the effects of 12 weeks of wheelchair user-modified upper-body rowing exercise on both traditional (constituents of the metabolic syndrome) and novel (eg, vascular structure and function) cardiometabolic risk factors in manual wheelchair users with SCI.Methods and analysisA randomised controlled trial will compare 12 weeks of upper-body rowing exercise, 30 min three times per week, with a control group continuing their normal lifestyle. Outcome measurements will be performed immediately before (baseline), after 6 weeks (halfway), 12 weeks of training (post) and 6 months after the termination of the intervention period (follow-up). Outcomes will include inflammatory (eg, C reactive protein) and metabolic biomarkers determined from venous blood (with serum fasting insulin as primary outcome), body composition, arterial blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness level, brachial artery vascular structure and function and autonomic nervous system function.Ethics and disseminationThis trial is reported to the Danish Data Protection Agency (J.nr. 2019-899/10-0406) and approved by the Committees on Health Research Ethics in The North Denmark Region on 12 December 2019 (J.nr. N-20190053). The principal investigator will collect written informed consent from all participants prior to inclusion. Irrespective of study outcomes, the results will be submitted to peer-reviewed scientific journals for publication.Trial registration numberNCT04390087.

A Novel Silicon Base Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor Using Front Side Etching Process

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chih-Tang Peng ◽  
Ji-Cheng Lin ◽  
Chun-Te Lin ◽  
Kuo-Ning Chiang ◽  
Jin-Shown Shie
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Sensor ◽  
Thermal Loading ◽  
Fabrication Process ◽  
Back Side ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Front Side ◽  
Sensor Performance ◽  
Novel Structure ◽  
Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor ◽  
Packaging Structure

By applying the etching via technology, this study proposes a novel front-side etching fabrication process for a silicon based piezoresistive pressure sensor to replace the conventional backside bulk micro-machining. The distinguishing features of this novel structure are chip size reduction and fabrication costs degradation. In order to investigate the sensor performance and the sensor packaging effect of the structure proposed in this research, the finite element method was adopted for analyzing the sensor sensitivity and stability. The sensitivity and the stability of the novel sensor after packaging were studied by applying mechanical as well as thermal loading to the sensor. Furthermore, the fabrication process and the sensor performance of the novel pressure sensor were compared with the conventional back-side etching type pressure sensor for the feasibility validation of the novel sensor. The results showed that the novel pressure sensor provides better sensitivity than the conventional one, and the sensor output signal stability can be enhanced by better packaging structure designs proposed in this study. Based on the above findings, this novel structure pressure sensor shows a high potential for membrane type micro-sensor application.

Classification of Upper Body Shapes Among Korean Male Wheelchair Users to Improve Clothing Fit

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jangwoon Park ◽  
Kwangae Park ◽  
Baekhee Lee ◽  
Heecheon You ◽  
Chungeun Yang
Keyword(s):  
Upper Body ◽  
Wheelchair Users ◽  
Clothing Fit ◽  
Body Shapes

scholarly journals Fluid volume control during short-term space flight and implications for human performance

2001 ◽  
Vol 204 (18) ◽  
pp. 3209-3215
Author(s):  
Donald E. Watenpaugh
Keyword(s):  
Space Flight ◽  
Fluid Intake ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Extracellular Fluid ◽  
Fluid Volume ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Volume Control ◽  
Fluid Loss ◽  
Fluid Filtration ◽  
Sitting Posture

SUMMARY Space flight exerts substantial effects on fluid volume control in humans. Cardiac distension occurs during the first 1–2 days of space flight relative to supine and especially upright 1g conditions. Plasma volume contraction occurs quickly in microgravity, probably as a result of transcapillary fluid filtration into upper-body interstitial spaces. No natriuresis or diuresis has been observed in microgravity, such that diuresis cannot explain microgravity-induced hypovolemia. Reduction of fluid intake occurs irrespective of space motion sickness and leads to hypovolemia. The fourfold elevation of urinary antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels on flight day 1 probably results from acceleration exposures and other stresses of launch. Nevertheless, it is fascinating that elevated ADH levels and reduced fluid intake occur simultaneously early in flight. Extracellular fluid volume decreases by 10–15% in microgravity, and intracellular fluid volume appears to increase. Total red blood cell mass decreases by approximately 10% within 1 week in space. Inflight Na+ and volume excretory responses to saline infusion are approximately half those seen in pre-flight supine conditions. Fluid volume acclimation to microgravity sets the central circulation to homeostatic conditions similar to those found in an upright sitting posture on Earth. Fluid loss in space contributes to reduced exercise performance upon return to 1g, although not necessarily in flight. In-flight exercise training may help prevent microgravity-induced losses of fluid and, therefore, preserve the capacity for upright exercise post-flight. Protection of orthostatic tolerance during space flight probably requires stimulation of orthostatic blood pressure control systems in addition to fluid maintenance or replacement.

scholarly journals Perception of Computer Work Health Impact among Higher Education Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-103
Author(s):  
László Berényi ◽  
Bernadett Szolnoki ◽  
Lehel Zoltán Györfy ◽  
Nikolett Deutsch
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Computer Work ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Workplace Design ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Design Work ◽  
Sitting Posture

Beyond professional and IT competencies, sufficient computer work requires adequate workplace design. Applying ergonomic aspects in design and utilization aims to establish and maintain the man-machine system while considering long term impacts. However, the human body is quite adaptive to health-disadvantaged work postures, and it may be adversely affected, which leads to a decrease in work performance as well. This study investigates the relationship between computer use habits, workplace design, work environment, and perceived health impacts among higher education students. The study aims to find the critical factors of computer work for establishing ergonomic development actions. The results are based on the responses of 711 business students from various higher education institutions in Hungary, using a voluntary online survey. Cross-tabulation, ANOVA, and correlation analyses could show that exposition to the risk by workload and wrong workplace selection go together with more health problems. The results show that portable computers are preferred, sitting posture is usually wrongly chosen, tiredness in the upper body is common, but students rated their workplace design rather good. The main experience of the study is that targeted actions are required for protecting the health and improve efficiency in performing computer activities.

Is velocity of a pointing movement performed in a sitting posture increased by upper body instability?

1994 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédéric Lino ◽  
Simon Bouisset
Keyword(s):  
Upper Body ◽  
Sitting Posture ◽  
Pointing Movement

The Safety Assessment of Wheelchair Occupants in Road Passenger Vehicles in a Frontal Crash: A Computer Simulation

2007 ◽  
Vol 353-358 ◽  
pp. 2569-2572
Author(s):  
Young Shin Lee ◽  
Ki Du Lee ◽  
Hyun Kyoon Lim
Keyword(s):  
Safety Assessment ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Restraint System ◽  
Frontal Impact ◽  
Automobile Accidents ◽  
Wheelchair Users ◽  
Frontal Crash ◽  
Occupant Restraint System ◽  
Passenger Vehicles

With the increasing needs of the more convenient transportation, wheelchairs are often used by people with mobility disabilities and the elderly people. However, as wheelchairs are primarily designed for the mobility assistive devices, not for the vehicle seats, wheelchair users are exposed to risk factors for neck and upper body injury caused by automobile accidents. In this paper, in accordance with the ANSI/RESNA WC-19, a fixed vehicle mounted wheelchair occupant restraint system (FWORS), wheelchair integrated restraint system (WIRS), and wheelchair integrated x-bend restraint system (WIXRS) are evaluated using computer simulations for the case when a wheelchair is subjected to the frontal impact (20 g, 48 km/h).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document