A flexible and passive exoskeleton is presented in this paper. The exoskeleton uses carbon fiber beams to provide an energetic return to its wearer and relieve their lower back muscles. The design of the exoskeleton and potential elastic mechanisms are described, and the results of biomechanical testing are given. The exoskeleton decreased the erector spinae muscle activity by 21-39.7%. / MS / A flexible and passive wearable device, or exoskeleton, is presented in this paper. Utilizing carbon fiber beams, the un-powered exoskeleton provides assistance to the wearer during lifting. By storing energy as the wearer bends and returning it to the body as they straighten, the muscles have to work less. If muscles work less, then the risk of low back pain or low back disorders hopefully decreases. The design of the exoskeleton, tradeoffs between different types of springs to store energy, and the results of biomechanical testing are presented. The exoskeleton decreased the amount the low back muscles worked by 21-39.7%.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/95965 |
| Date | 19 June 2018 |
| Creators | Beauchamp, Sarah Emily |
| Contributors | Engineering Science and Mechanics, Asbeck, Alan T., Nussbaum, Maury A., Queen, Robin M. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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