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METHODOLOGY FOR A TASK-SPECIFIC AND PERSONALISED DEVELOPMENT OF AN INITIAL EXOSKELETON DESIGN

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2021

Tobias Drees ,
Steffen Kunnen ,
Robin Pluhnau  and
Arun Nagarajah
Tobias Drees*
Affiliation:
University of Duisburg-Essen
Steffen Kunnen
Affiliation:
University of Duisburg-Essen
Robin Pluhnau
Affiliation:
University of Duisburg-Essen
Arun Nagarajah
Affiliation:
University of Duisburg-Essen
*
Drees, Tobias, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute of product engineering, Germany, tobias.drees@uni-due.de

Abstract

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The use of exoskeletons promises improved ergonomics, empowerment of users and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. However, the development process is complex and a generic development methodology that will guide and assist designers through it is missing. The goal of this paper is to describe a methodological approach that will assist the conceptual design of exoskeletons. Based on derived methodological requirements, activities 1, 2, and 3 of the VDI 2221 (Methodology for the development of technical products) are specified to adapt the generic guideline to the development process of exoskeletons. These activities include the analysis and determination of the relationship between the use case, product requirements and motions, technical functions, and design solutions. For generating a list of product requirements designers must focus on the workers’ motions and needs for a for a task-specific and personalised development. Use case specific movements are generalised by using rotational and translational basic movements that result in six degrees of freedom and from which a function structure is derived. The method is critically reviewed based on the established methodological requirements.

Keywords

Design methodologyEarly design phasesConceptual designExoskeletonResearch methodologies and methods
Type
Article
Information
Proceedings of the Design Society , Volume 1: ICED21 , August 2021 , pp. 2077 - 2086
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BYCreative Common License - NCCreative Common License - ND
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is unaltered and is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work.
Copyright
The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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