KR102743725B1 - Auxiliary Equipment For Worker - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assistive device for a worker, which minimizes weight and cost in a non-powered (or powered) manner while simultaneously simplifying the structure, and which provides auxiliary torque and auxiliary power for a load in the hip joint area when the wearer works with luggage, while simultaneously providing various degrees of freedom for rotation or bending of the upper body.

Description

Auxiliary Equipment For Worker

The present invention relates to an assistive device for workers. More specifically, the present invention relates to an assistive device for workers that can minimize weight and cost while simplifying the structure in a non-powered (or powered) manner, provide assistive torque and load to the hip joint area when the wearer works with luggage, and provide various degrees of freedom for rotation or bending of the upper body.

Recently, wearable robots for workers using power have been introduced. Wearable robots for workers are being introduced to support the repetitive load applied to the worker's body during specific repetitions or to assist the worker's movements.

Most of them are equipped with electric actuators, so that they can exert force greater than the wearer's physical ability, provide assistive force to protect joints and muscles during repetitive movements, or provide assistive force to support the worker's posture due to the nature of the work that requires maintaining an uncomfortable posture for a long time, thereby reducing physical fatigue. In addition, equipment that provides assistive force against gravity for a specific posture using springs, etc. rather than electric actuators (equipment for vehicle assembly or construction work, etc.) has been introduced, but such products are designed to support a specific posture, and are not suitable for work that requires various movements and degrees of freedom.

The loading and unloading work performed in logistics complexes involves loading and unloading luggage through continuous, repetitive movements in a narrow space, where the size or weight of the items being handled is not standardized. The weight of the luggage must also be withstood. The body is repeatedly twisted or the upper body is bent and raised between the conveyor belt and the vehicle for a long time. The number of workers is also flexibly operated depending on the amount of logistics.

There is a growing demand for worker assistance devices that can reduce fatigue and injuries of workers loading and unloading parcels and increase work efficiency while minimizing cost, weight, and size.

In addition to the loading and unloading of parcels, there are cases where the load assistance function of the work object is required depending on the worker's work environment, and various supports such as a ventilation function in an environment with insufficient air conditioning facilities or a lighting function in a dark environment need to be provided.

The present invention aims to provide a worker's assistive device that can minimize weight and cost while simplifying the structure in a non-powered (or powered) manner, provide assistive torque and assistive force for load in the hip joint area when the wearer works with luggage, and provide various degrees of freedom for rotation or bending of the upper body.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention can provide an assistive device for a worker, including: an upper body unit mounted on the upper body of a wearer; a pelvis unit worn on the pelvis of the wearer; a thigh unit worn on the thigh of the wearer; and a connecting unit connecting the upper body unit, the pelvis unit, and the thigh unit and providing an assistive torque that assists a hip joint extension or flexion motion of the wearer.

In addition, the connecting unit includes an auxiliary torque generating device mounted on the pelvic unit; a pair of upper connecting bars connecting the auxiliary torque generating device and the upper body unit; and a pair of lower connecting bars connecting the auxiliary torque generating device and the thigh unit, and the auxiliary torque generating device can generate a restoring torque when the connecting angle of the upper connecting bar and the lower connecting bar decreases.

And, the pelvic unit includes a pair of pelvic members that wrap around both sides of the wearer's pelvis, and the auxiliary torque generating device constituting the connecting unit can be mounted on the outer side of each of the pelvic members so as to be rotatable within a predetermined range.

Here, the auxiliary torque generating device may include a housing, a cam member rotatably mounted by a rotating shaft eccentric with the housing and having a curved rolling surface on an outer circumferential surface and connected to the lower connecting bar side, a cam roller that rolls along the rolling surface of the cam member and is connected to the upper connecting bar side, an elastic member mounted in a compressed state within the housing to propel the cam roller in the direction of the rolling surface of the cam member, and a mount member on which the elastic member is supported at one end and the cam roller is rotatably mounted at the other end.

In this case, the elastic member may be a coil spring that is compressible in the longitudinal direction of the housing.

And, the upper connecting bar can be connected to the housing side of the auxiliary torque generating device, and the lower connecting bar can be connected to the cam member side of the auxiliary torque generating device.

Additionally, the upper connecting bar can be bent from the housing of the auxiliary torque generating device toward the rear of the wearer's upper body and connected to the upper body unit.

In addition, the upper body unit may include a back member including a back member covering the back of the wearer and a branch member branching to both shoulders of the wearer, and a size adjustment device mounted on the back member to allow a change in the connection height, connection width, or connection angle of a pair of the upper connection bars.

Here, the size adjustment device may include a guide bar mounted vertically on the climbing member, a slider slidably mounted on the guide bar, a rotator mounted on the slider so as to be rotatable about the x-axis in the forward direction of the wearer, and a pipe-shaped extender mounted horizontally penetrating the rotator and having each end of the upper connecting bar inserted or withdrawn in a state where it is elastically pulled at both ends to enable width adjustment.

In this case, the upper connecting bar can be connected horizontally to both ends of the extender of the size adjusting device.

Additionally, the guide bar may be composed of a hollow carbon pipe.

In addition, a wire traction device may be further provided, which is mounted on the above-mentioned climbing member and has a traction wire wound around it to provide a traction force that tractions a glove-shaped hand support part mounted on the hand of the wearer.

In addition, two of the above wire pulling devices can be detachably mounted on the branch portion of the climbing member.

Here, the traction wire constituting the wire traction device is elastically wound by an elastic member, and the housing can be mounted on the branch section in a sliding lock manner.

In this case, the traction wire may be configured in the form of a detachable clip so as to be connected to a hand support member worn on the wearer's hand via a branch portion of the climbing member, and a wire guide member mounted on the branch portion may be provided.

And, the wire pulling device may be provided with a locking portion in the form of a projection that selectively protrudes from the lower surface of the housing, a locking release button that is mounted on the outer surface of the housing and can release the locking state of the locking portion by a pushing action, and a sliding rail for slidingly mounting the wire pulling device on the branch portion at the lower portion of the housing, and may be provided with a catch protrusion for catching and fixing the locking portion of the wire pulling device on the branch portion of the climbing member, and a guide slot for slidingly mounting the housing of the wire pulling device.

In addition, the lower connecting bar may be bent from the lower portion of the cam member of the auxiliary torque generating device toward the front of the wearer's thigh and connected to the thigh member of the thigh unit by being bent toward the front of the thigh.

In addition, the thigh unit may include a thigh member that wraps around the front of the wearer's thigh and a cap member that is mounted on the thigh member in a state where an end of the lower connecting bar is received on an outer surface of the thigh member.

Here, the lower connecting bar may be connected to the front of the thigh member, and an end of the lower connecting bar may be bent in a predetermined direction, and a rotational space may be provided inside the cap member so that the end of the lower connecting bar can rotate at a predetermined angle.

According to the worker's assist device according to the present invention, it is possible to provide assistive torque and assistive force for load in the hip joint area while the wearer is working with luggage, while also providing various degrees of freedom for rotation or bending of the upper body.

In addition, according to the worker's assistant according to the present invention, the structure can be simplified while minimizing the weight, volume, and cost by being non-electric.

In addition, according to the worker's auxiliary device according to the present invention, the load burden applied to the arm can be reduced through the wire traction device detachably mounted on the upper body unit, but since the wire traction device is not mounted in the form of an exoskeleton of the arm, free movement of the arm, which is most frequently used in loading and unloading work, can be provided.

In addition, the worker's auxiliary device according to the present invention is provided with a size adjustment device so as to accommodate various body sizes of workers and minimize volume during storage.

In addition, according to the worker's auxiliary device according to the present invention, the wearer can selectively attach and detach auxiliary devices of various purposes and functions, so the usability of the equipment can be increased.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a worker holding a box-shaped piece of luggage to explain the concept of a worker's assistant according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a worker's assistant according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of a wearer wearing a worker's aid according to the present invention.
Figures 4 to 6 illustrate side views of a process in which a wearer wearing a worker's assistant according to the present invention lifts a baggage present on the floor.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate rear and side views of a worker's aid according to the present invention with wearable parts such as a suit and band removed.
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a rear view of the upper body unit of the worker's auxiliary device according to the present invention and a rear view of the wire traction device mounted on the upper body unit in a separated state.
Figure 11 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a wire traction device (130) as a utility device of a worker's auxiliary device according to the present invention.
Figure 12 illustrates the winding state of the traction wire inside the wire traction device.
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a width-wise size adjustment state of an extender constituting a size adjustment device of an assistant for workers according to the present invention.
Figure 14 illustrates an outer side view and an inner side view of a connecting unit of a worker's auxiliary device according to the present invention.
Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the operating state of an auxiliary torque generating device constituting a connecting unit of an auxiliary device for a worker according to the present invention.
Figure 16 illustrates a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an auxiliary torque generating device constituting a connecting unit of an auxiliary device for a worker according to the present invention.
Figure 17 illustrates a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a thigh unit of a worker's auxiliary device according to the present invention.
FIGS. 18 and 19 are perspective views of an embodiment in which a lighting device and a blower device are respectively mounted on the upper body unit of a worker's auxiliary device according to the present invention instead of a wire traction device.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be embodied in other forms. Rather, the embodiments introduced herein are provided so that the disclosed contents can be thorough and complete, and so that the spirit of the invention can be sufficiently conveyed to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals represent like elements throughout the specification.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a worker (w) holding a box-shaped piece of luggage (B) to explain the concept of a worker's assistant according to the present invention.

The loading and unloading of baggage (B) such as parcels involves repeatedly loading or unloading numerous baggage (B) between the conveyor belt and the delivery vehicle, and the work is quite tiring. In addition, when loading or unloading baggage (B), the location of the baggage (B) and the weight and shape of the baggage (B) are different.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, when a worker is carrying a baggage (B) and loading and unloading, the worker's arm is directed forward and the center of gravity (g) of the baggage (B) is located in front of the worker. Therefore, compared to a state where the worker is standing upright without the baggage (B), the weight of the baggage (B) and the moment due to the weight of the baggage (B) are applied to the body through the worker's arms, shoulders, spine, and lower body including the hip and knee joints.

Accordingly, the present invention applies a gravity compensation mechanism of the arm using a spring (also possible with an electric drive) or the like to compensate for the weight of the arm and the baggage (B), thereby reducing fatigue of the arm of the worker, and providing a load transfer structure so that the load of the baggage (B) is transferred to the ground through an assistive device in addition to the body organs of the spine, waist, and legs of the worker, thereby minimizing physical burden. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 and below.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a worker's assistant (1) according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of a wearer wearing a worker's assistant (1) according to the present invention, and FIGS. 4 to 6 are side views of a process in which a wearer wearing a worker's assistant (1) according to the present invention lifts a baggage (B) located on the floor.

The worker's assist device (1) according to the present invention may be configured to include an upper body unit (100) mounted on the upper body of the wearer; a pelvis unit (300) worn on the pelvis of the wearer; a thigh unit (400) worn on the thigh of the wearer; and a connecting unit (200) for connecting the upper body unit (100), the pelvis unit (300), and the thigh unit (400) and providing an assisting torque for assisting the wearer's hip joint extension or flexion motion.

That is, the worker's auxiliary device (1) according to the present invention can provide auxiliary torque in the movement of unfolding or extending the upper and lower body while the worker lifts the baggage (B), thereby reducing the wearer's load burden and assisting muscle strength.

Accordingly, the worker's assist device (1) according to the present invention comprises an upper body unit (100), a pelvis unit (300), and a thigh unit (400) which are respectively mounted on the wearer's upper body, pelvis, and thigh, and the upper body unit (100), the pelvis unit (300), and the thigh unit (400) are connected using a connecting unit (200) so as to provide an assistive force or assistive torque for the deployment or extension of the upper body unit (100) and the thigh unit (400) centered on the pelvis unit (300).

The above connecting unit (200) is provided with an auxiliary torque generating device (210) mounted on each side of the pelvis unit (300) to provide an assistive force or an auxiliary torque for the expansion or extension of the upper body unit (100) and the thigh unit (400) centered on the pelvis unit (300) when the worker lifts the baggage (B), and includes a pair of upper connecting bars (230) connecting the auxiliary torque generating device and the upper body unit (100) and a pair of lower connecting bars (250) connecting the auxiliary torque generating device and the lower body unit. The auxiliary torque generating device (210) may be provided to generate a restoring torque when the connecting angle of the upper connecting bar (230) and the lower connecting bar (250) decreases, for example, when the worker lifts the baggage (B), and may be mounted on the pelvis unit (300) installed at the pelvis, which is the rotation center of the worker's upper and lower bodies. there is.

And, in order to transmit the auxiliary torque generated from the auxiliary torque generating device (210) to the upper body and lower body, the auxiliary torque generating device (210) of the connecting unit (200), the upper body unit (100), and the thigh unit (400) are connected by each connecting bar (230, 250).

Specifically, the connecting unit (200) may include a pair of upper connecting bars (230) connecting each of the auxiliary torque generating devices (210) and the rear of the upper body unit (100), and a pair of lower connecting bars (250) connecting each of the auxiliary torque generating devices and the front of the thigh unit (400).

Each connecting bar (230, 250) has a rigidity that allows the auxiliary torque or auxiliary power provided from the auxiliary torque generating device (210) to be transmitted, and one end of each connecting bar (230, 250) may be connected to the auxiliary torque generating device (210) on both sides of the pelvis, and the other end may have a bent shape so as to reach the rear of the upper body and the front of the thigh, respectively.

In addition, the pelvic unit (300) includes a pair of pelvic members (310) that wrap around both sides of the wearer's pelvis, and the auxiliary torque generating device (210) can be rotatably coupled to the outside of each pelvic member (310) within a predetermined range.

The above auxiliary torque generating device (210) is described later with respect to a structure in which it is connected to the outside of each pelvic member (310) so as to be rotatable within a predetermined range.

As shown in Fig. 2, the pelvic unit (300) can be equipped with a belt or the like that can be worn on the wearer's waist and pelvis to connect the pelvic member (310).

In addition, the worker's assistant (1) according to the present invention

The upper body unit (100) may include a back panel member (110) including a back panel portion (113) that wraps around the wearer's back panel and a branch portion (111) that branches off to the wearer's shoulders.

As shown in Fig. 2, the back member (110) is mounted on the wearer's back area, and a suit member (s) that wraps around the wearer's chest can be mounted on the back member (110).

The above-mentioned climbing member (110) may be composed of resin or carbon-reinforced plastic, and the above-mentioned suit member (s) may be composed of flexible fabric or sheet material.

In addition, the auxiliary torque generating device (210) may be further equipped with a wire traction device (130) having a traction wire wound around it to provide traction force for traction of a glove-shaped hand support member (g) mounted on the wearer's hand, which is mounted on the climbing member (110).

The above-mentioned back member (110) includes a back part (113) that wraps around the wearer's back and a branch part (111) that branches off to both shoulders of the wearer, and two wire traction devices (130) can be mounted on each of the branch parts (111).

The above wire traction device (130) has a housing, an elastic member within the housing, and a traction wire (w) connected to the elastic member, and the traction wire (w) can be connected to a glove-shaped hand support member (g).

Accordingly, the traction wire (w) is configured to traction the hand support part (g), and as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, when the wearer lifts the baggage (B) on the floor, the auxiliary torque generating device (210) provides auxiliary torque for extension or expansion of the hip joint through the connecting bar (230, 250), and the wire traction device (130) tractions the hand support part (g) toward the upper body unit (100) through the traction wire (w), thereby alleviating the muscle strain caused by the baggage (B).

In addition to the movement of the worker lifting the baggage (B) located on the ground as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the auxiliary torque generating device (210) and the wire traction device (130) can significantly reduce the moment of the upper body tilting due to the baggage (B) and the gravitational load applied to the hand even when the worker is standing while holding the baggage (B) as shown in FIG. 6, and can also provide hip joint extension assistance power to assist the wearer's muscle strength or physical strength burden during the stance phase walking, which is the process in which the wearer's weight is increased from the moment when the sole of one foot touches the ground while walking to the moment when the foot separates.

The wire traction device (130) of this type is provided to assist the hip joint extension movement when the worker directly lifts a relatively large baggage (B) and to share the weight of the baggage (B). However, as described later, the wire traction device (130) is detachably mounted on the upper body unit (100) and can be replaced with various utility auxiliary devices depending on the work environment, type of work, or various needs of the worker. A description of this will be postponed later.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate rear and side views of the worker's auxiliary device (1) according to the present invention with the wearable parts such as a suit and band removed.

The upper body unit (100) constituting the worker's auxiliary device (1) according to the present invention may be provided with, in addition to the aforementioned wire traction device (130) provided to reduce the load burden of the baggage (B) applied to the hands and arms, a size adjustment device (150) mounted on the climbing member (110) of the upper body unit (100) to allow changes in the connection height, connection width, or connection angle of a pair of the upper connection bars (230).

As shown in Fig. 7, the upper connecting bar (230) can be connected in the direction of both sides of the size adjusting device (150).

The above size adjustment device (150) may be configured to include a guide bar (151) mounted vertically on the climbing member, a slider (152) slidably mounted on the guide bar (151), a rotator (153) mounted on the slider (152) so as to be rotatable about the x-axis in the forward direction of the wearer, and a pipe-shaped extender (154) that is mounted horizontally penetrating the rotator (153) and is inserted or withdrawn while each end of the upper connecting bar is elastically pulled at both ends to enable width adjustment.

The above guide bar (151) may be provided to vertically cross the center of the above climbing member (110), and the above guide bar (151) may be configured in the form of a hollow carbon pipe to ensure light weight and rigidity. The above guide bar (151) may have a circular, oval, or polygonal cross-section.

The above guide bar (151) can change the position of the extender (154) equipped with the upper connecting bar (230) according to the length of the wearer's upper body, and can minimize the size of the assistive device even when it is not in use, thereby increasing the ease of storage.

That is, the width and connection position of the upper connection bar (230) can be changed according to the size of the wearer's body and the ratio of the upper and lower body.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the slider (152) is mounted so as to be able to slide up and down along the guide bar (151) while being penetrated by the guide bar (151), and a rotator (153) can be mounted on the slider (152) so as to be able to rotate around the x-axis.

In addition, an extender (154) may be installed through the rotator (153). Specifically, the extender (154) may be configured to penetrate the rotator (153) in a horizontal direction and have upper connecting bars (230) installed at both ends so as to be insertable or withdrawable, thereby allowing for width adjustment.

Accordingly, the rotator (153) can rotate in the x-axis direction with the extender (154) penetrating through it, thereby responding to the inclination of the upper body of a worker wearing the assistive device in the x-axis direction, thereby allowing various movements and minimizing the worker's discomfort and discomfort with the assistive device.

In addition, the extender (154) is installed so as to penetrate the rotator (153) in a horizontal direction, and is configured in a pipe shape in which the ends of each upper connecting bar (230) are inserted or withdrawn in a state in which they are elastically pulled at both ends, thereby enabling the spacing between the upper connecting bars (230) to be adjusted according to the size of the wearer's upper body, and can also enable the auxiliary device to be stored in a state in which its size is minimized when stored.

The structure in which an elastic member (see FIG. 14, 1543) is provided inside the above extender (154) to provide elastic restoring force during the process of adjusting the gap between the upper connecting bars (230) connected at both ends will be described later.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a rear view of the upper body unit (100) of the worker's auxiliary device (1) according to the present invention and a rear view of the wire traction device (130) mounted on the upper body unit (100) in a separated state.

And, two wire traction devices (130) mounted on the upper body unit (100) as utility devices can be detachably mounted on the branch portion (111) of the climbing member (110) as described above.

And, as shown in Fig. 10, each of the wire traction devices (130) has a hollow housing (131), and a traction wire (w) is elastically wound by an elastic member (not shown) within each housing, and the housing can be mounted on the branch section (111) in a slide locking manner.

The above housing (131) is depicted as having a cylindrical shape, but its shape may be changed in various ways.

The above wire pulling device (130) is provided with a locking part (133) in the form of a projection that selectively protrudes from the lower surface of the housing (131), a locking release button (132) that is mounted on the outer surface of the housing (131) and allows the locking part (133) to be inserted into the housing when pressed, and a sliding rail (134) for slidingly mounting the wire pulling device (130) to the mounting part (115) of the branch part (111) at the lower portion of the housing (131).

The branch portion (111) of the above-mentioned climbing member (110) may be provided with a mounting portion (115) in which a wire traction device (130) is mounted, a mounting groove (114) formed in the mounting portion (115) for mounting the locking portion (133), a catch protrusion (114s) for catching and fixing the locking portion (133) within the mounting groove (114), and a guide slot (112) for slidingly mounting the housing of the wire traction device (130).

The above locking portion (133) is configured in a protrusion shape with one surface protruding from the lower surface of the housing (131) as an inclined surface (133s), and the locking portion (133) can be configured in a structure in which the protruding state is released by the locking release button (132), and the locking release button (132) is elastically supported by an elastic member (not shown), and when the wire traction device (130) is replaced or replaced with another utility device such as a lighting device or a blower device described later, the locking release button (132) provided on the wire traction device (130) is pressed to release the locking state of the locking portion (133) of the wire traction device (130) relative to the engaging protrusion (114s) of the mounting groove (114), thereby detaching the wire traction device (130).

A sliding rail (134) is provided in the housing (131) of the above wire traction device (130), and a guide slot (112) is provided in the mounting portion (115) formed in the branch portion (111) of the above climbing member (110), so that when the wire traction device (130) is mounted on the climbing member (110), positioning can be easily determined.

Accordingly, when the wire traction device (130) is mounted on the branch portion (111), the locking portion (133) may be mounted by entering the mounting groove (114) without resistance by a structure such as an inclined surface (133s) in the insertion direction, but may be structured such that the locking portion (133) is caught on a catch (114s) of the mounting groove (114) in the separation direction and fixed in a sliding lock manner. The fixed state or locked state of the locking portion (133) may be released by a locking release button (132).

In addition, a wire guide member (137) configured in the form of a detachable clip may be provided so that the traction wire (w) is connected to a hand support member (g) worn on the wearer's hand via a branch member (111) of the climbing member (110).

That is, the wire guide member (137) may be provided to guide the arrangement path of the traction wire (w) in order to prevent the worker's shoulder from being rubbed by the traction wire (w), and the wire guide member (137) may be detachably mounted to the branch portion (111) of the climbing member (110) in the form of a clip.

In addition, a wire guide tube (138) is provided to arrange the traction wire (w) wound inside the housing of the wire traction device (130) to the wire guide member (137), so that the housing (131) of the wire traction device (130), the wire guide tube (138), and the wire guide member (137) can be separated and mounted as an integral body, and direct friction between the traction wire (w) and the wire guide member (137) passing through can be minimized.

In addition, a band connecting member (170) may be mounted on the left and right sides of the band connecting member (115) at the lower part of the climbing member (110) of the upper body unit (100). The band connecting member (170) may be rotatably mounted on a mounting hole formed in the band connecting member.

Accordingly, since the direction of connection of the band member can be changed, the band member can be flexibly worn in response to the wearer's body shape.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a wire traction device (130) as a utility device of an assistant for workers according to the present invention, and FIG. 12 illustrates a winding state of a traction wire (w) inside the wire traction device (130).

The above wire pulling device (130) may be divided into an upper housing (131a) and a lower housing (131b), and an opening through which the locking part (133) can be exposed may be formed in the lower housing (131b).

Inside the housing (131), a reel unit (1303) is provided in which the traction wire (w) is elastically wound, thereby providing a traction force in the opposite direction to the direction in which the wound traction wire (w) is released. Accordingly, when the hand support part is pulled and worn on the hand, a traction force can be provided in the direction of the reel unit (1303), so that a worker wearing an assistive device equipped with a wire traction device on the upper body unit can reduce the burden of the load of the baggage.

The above reel unit (1303) can be rotatably mounted on a rotational shaft connecting the upper housing (131a) and the lower housing (131b), and a bearing (1307) can be provided at the upper and lower portions to minimize rotational friction of the reel unit (1303).

In addition, the locking part (133) and the locking release button (132) are installed on each mounting hole or opening, and a torsion spring (1306) is provided between the locking part (133) and the locking release button (132) to elastically support the locking part (133) and the locking release button (132).

The above locking part (133), the locking release button (132) and the torsion spring (1306) can be fixed by a fixing member (1305) to prevent displacement.

When the above-mentioned locking release button (132) is pressed, the torsion spring (1306) equipped with the above-mentioned locking release button is rotated to release the locking state of the locking part (133) so that the wire pulling device can be separated.

In addition, at least one roller (1307) may be provided in the housing (131) to guide the winding motion of the traction wire, and a pair of wire guide tubes (138) may be provided in the housing as shown in FIG. 11.

The traction wire wound on the above reel unit (1303) is connected to a hand support unit through one wire guide tube (138a), and the traction wire passing through the hand support unit can be fixed to an anchor part (1308) provided at the end of the wire guide tube within the housing through another wire guide tube (138b).

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a width-direction size adjustment state of an extender (154) constituting a size adjustment device (150) of a worker's auxiliary device (1) according to the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 13(a) shows a cross-sectional view of an extender (154) in a state where the spacing of the upper connecting bars (230) is minimized, and FIG. 13(b) shows a cross-sectional view of an extender (154) in a state where the spacing of the upper connecting bars (230) is maximized.

The worker's auxiliary device (1) according to the present invention has a structure in which its size can be varied depending on the wearer's body size, etc.

Since the width of the torso and the height of the hip joint among the wearer's body sizes may vary depending on the wearer's gender, age, or individual differences, the worker's auxiliary device (1) according to the present invention may be equipped with a size adjustment device (150) described with reference to FIG. 7 for adjusting the connection interval and connection position of the upper connection bar (230) connected to the upper unit in response to the wearer's body size.

The above size adjustment device (150) is equipped with an upper and lower guide bar (151) and an extender (154) with adjustable width, so that the width and height of the worker's auxiliary device (1) can be adjusted according to the width of the wearer's torso and the position of the hip joint.

The above extender (154) is provided in a pipe shape and configured so that the upper connecting tube can be inserted or withdrawn, so that its longitudinal width can be adjusted in response to the width of the wearer's torso, and by adjusting the height of the extender (154) in the upper body unit (100), the height of the upper connecting bar (230) mounted on the extender (154) can be adjusted, thereby ultimately adjusting the height of the auxiliary torque generating device (210) connected to the upper connecting bar (230).

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the extender (154) constituting the size adjustment device (150) may include a metal coupler (1545) that is provided with an elastic member (1543) on the inside of a pipe-shaped housing (1541), an end of the elastic member (1543) connected to the inner end of the upper connecting bar (230), and a pipe-shaped friction reduction member (1544) that wraps around the outer surface of the coupler (1545) to reduce friction with the inner surface of the pipe-shaped housing (1541).

Since the above coupler (1545) is an elastic member and it is not easy to fix the coil spring and the upper connecting bar (230), as an additional configuration, the upper connecting bar (230) and the above coupler (1545) can be joined by welding or pressing, etc., with the end of the above upper connecting bar (230) inserted into the pipe-shaped coupler (1545).

Furthermore, since the end of the coil spring, which is an elastic member (1543), may be configured in a ring shape, a ring connecting member (1548) for hanging the end ring of the elastic member (1543) between the coupler (1545) and the elastic member may be further provided. The ring connecting member (1548) and the coupler (1545) may be connected with a bolt or the like, or may be fixed by a method such as compression or welding.

The above friction reducing member (1544) may be composed of a material that reduces friction between the metal coupler (1545) and the inner surface of the pipe-shaped housing (1541) during the horizontal sliding process of the upper connecting bar (230) in accordance with the body size of the wearer. For example, Teflon resin may be applied to the above friction reducing member (1544).

A structure in which both ends of an upper connecting bar (230) are connected to both ends of an elastic member provided inside the pipe-shaped housing (1541) may also be configured, and as illustrated in FIG. 13, two elastic members may be provided in a single row inside the pipe-shaped housing (1541), each end of which is connected to a fixed member (1542) fixed inside the pipe-shaped housing (1541), and the other end of each may be connected to a coupler (1545) to which the other end of the upper connecting bar (230) is connected.

FIG. 14 illustrates an outer side view and an inner side view of a connection unit (200) of a worker's auxiliary device (1) according to the present invention, FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of an operating state of an auxiliary torque generating device (210) constituting a connection unit (200) of a worker's auxiliary device (1) according to the present invention, and FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an auxiliary torque generating device (210) constituting a connection unit (200) of a worker's auxiliary device (1) according to the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 14(a), the worker's assist device (1) according to the present invention includes a pair of pelvic members (310) that surround both sides of the wearer's pelvis, and the auxiliary torque generating device (210) is mounted on the outer side of the pelvic members (310) to provide auxiliary torque when the wearer performs hip joint extension or flexion movements.

And, as illustrated in FIG. 14(b), the auxiliary torque generating device (210) is provided with an arc-shaped guide groove (321) in an axial coupling member (320) that is axially coupled to the pelvic member (310) but is not fixed thereto and is mounted on the inner surface of the pelvic member (310), and a guide shaft (201) that is secured to the guide groove (321) on the inner surface of the auxiliary torque generating device (210) and has a limited rotation range, so that the auxiliary torque generating device (210) can be mounted on the outer side of the pelvic member (310) so as to be rotatable within a predetermined range.

Therefore, the wearer can be allowed some movement of the upper and lower body in addition to the load task of lifting the baggage (B).

And, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the auxiliary torque generating device (210) may include a housing (212) on which the upper connecting bar (230) is mounted, a cam member (219) that is rotatably mounted by a rotary shaft (218) eccentric with the housing (212) and has a curved rolling surface (219s) on its outer circumferential surface and is connected to the lower connecting bar (250), a cam roller (217) that is rolled along the rolling surface (219s) of the cam member (219) and is connected to the upper connecting bar (230), an elastic member (214) that is mounted in a compressed state within the housing (212) and propels the cam roller (217) in the direction of the rolling surface (219s) of the cam member (219), and a mount member (215) on which the elastic member (214) is supported at one end and the cam roller (217) is rotatably mounted at the other end.

The above cam member (219) is rotatably mounted by the housing (212) and the eccentric rotation shaft (218), has a curved cloud surface (219s) on its outer surface, and can be connected to the lower connecting bar (250). Accordingly, the lower connecting bar (250) can be rotatably coupled to the eccentric rotation shaft (218) with respect to the auxiliary torque generating device (210).

And, a cam roller (217) is provided, which is mounted on the upper connecting bar (230) and the housing (212) side and is driven along the cloud surface (219s) of the cam member (219) and can be driven along the cloud surface (219s) of the cam member (219).

The above cam roller (217) is mounted and supported by the elastic force of the elastic member (214) inside the housing equipped with the upper connecting bar (230), but is not directly connected to the elastic member (214), but is mounted on one end of a separate mount member (215), and one end of the elastic member (214) can be supported on the other end of the mount member (215).

As shown in FIG. 15 or FIG. 16, the elastic member (214) may be a coil spring mounted in a compressed state in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and a torque adjustment shaft (213) may penetrate into the elastic member (214) so that one end of the torque adjustment shaft (213) may be fastened to the mount member (215).

A coil spring having a linear elastic modulus or rigidity of about 10.0 N/M to 30.0 N/M can be applied to the above elastic member (214).

The other end of the torque adjustment shaft (213) is extended outside the housing (212) and mounted on a torque adjustment wheel (211) at one end, and a pressure plate (213p) that supports the other end of an elastic member (214) within the housing (212) can be fixedly mounted on the torque adjustment shaft (213).

Accordingly, by rotating the torque adjustment wheel (211) to adjust the fastening depth of the mount member (215) of the torque adjustment shaft (213), the pressure plate (213p) mounted on the torque adjustment shaft (213) compresses or extends the elastic member to change the length of the elastic member supported on the other end of the mount member (215), thereby adjusting the elastic force applied to the cam roller (217). The elastic force range of the elastic member that can be adjusted by the torque adjustment wheel can be about 20% to provide auxiliary torque or auxiliary force.

The state illustrated in Fig. 15(a) is a state in which the wearer illustrated in Fig. 5 lifts the baggage (B) from the floor, and in this case, the cam roller (217) mounted on the housing is displaced along the cloud surface (219s) of the cam member (219), so that the distance between the cam roller (217) and the eccentric rotational shaft (218) within the housing increases, and the elastic member contracts. Accordingly, the elastic repulsive force of the elastic member and the auxiliary torque resulting therefrom can be provided in a direction in which the distance between the cam roller (217) and the eccentric rotational shaft (218) within the housing decreases.

Accordingly, the elastic force of the elastic member is eventually converted into an auxiliary torque that rotates the housing in which the cam roller (217) is mounted in the upright state of the wearer as shown in FIG. 6 so that the cam roller (217) is in the state as shown in FIG. 15(b), and this auxiliary torque can assist the hip joint extension or unfolding movement of the wearer.

Accordingly, the elastic force or auxiliary torque generation section of the elastic member can be determined by changing the position of the rotation shaft for fastening the cam member (219) and the housing on the cam member (219) or the distance from the cam roller (217).

That is, as shown in Fig. 15(a), the process in which the wearer lifts the baggage (B) may be the time at which the wearer experiences the greatest muscular load, so the elastic member is compressed the most at the angle of the upper connecting bar (230) and the lower connecting bar (250), and as shown in Fig. 15(b), when the wearer has completely lifted the baggage (B), the muscular load is relatively reduced, so the position of the rotation axis on the cam member (219) may be selected so that the compression of the elastic member is minimized.

Fig. 15 illustrates an example of lifting a baggage (B) on the floor, but even in the case of other types of work, such as lifting a baggage (B) from a high place and placing it on the floor, the load burden on the worker can be reduced by providing an auxiliary torque that acts as resistance in the direction of hip joint flexion.

And, as shown in FIG. 16, the mount member (215) on which the cam roller (217) is mounted is in a state where the elastic member is elastically supported at the rear, and one end of the torque adjustment shaft (213) is screw-fastened to the fastening hole (215c) of the mount member (215) shown in FIG. 16(b) and the other end is extended outside the housing and is mounted on the torque adjustment wheel (211) at the end, and a pressure plate (213p) that supports the other end of the elastic member within the housing is provided, as described above.

By rotating the torque adjustment wheel (211), the depth of fastening of the torque adjustment shaft (213) within the mount member (215) can be changed, and the pressure plate (213p) provided on the torque adjustment shaft (213) can set the size of the auxiliary torque by compressing the elastic member.

That is, when handling luggage with a relatively large load, the torque control wheel (211) can be turned to further compress the elastic member (214), and when handling luggage with a light load, the torque control wheel (211) can be turned in the opposite direction to release the compression state of the elastic member (214) to ensure more free movement.

In order to prevent twisting within the housing during the process of mounting the torque adjustment shaft (213) to the mount member (215), a twist prevention protrusion (215p) conforming to the shape of the inner surface of the housing (212) may be provided to prevent twisting within the housing when the torque adjustment shaft (213) rotates along the longitudinal direction of the outer surface of the mount member (215).

The above-mentioned anti-twist projection (215p) is formed into a groove formed on the inner surface of the housing, thereby preventing rotation or twisting of the mount member (215) within the housing due to torsional torque that may occur when the torque adjustment shaft (213) rotates.

And, the upper connecting bar (230) can be connected to the housing side of the auxiliary torque generating device (210), and the lower connecting bar (250) can be connected to the cam member (219) side of the auxiliary torque generating device (210).

The lower connecting bar (250) may be directly connected to the cam member (219), but may be connected to the cam member (219) via an internal/external rotation member (220) that is axially coupled to the internal/external rotation axis of the cam member (219) to allow internal/external rotation or external rotation of the thigh.

The housing (212) above may not have a separate connecting bar insertion space prepared inside since the elastic member (214) and the mount member (215) are formed internally. Accordingly, the upper end of the upper connecting bar (230) may be bent from the housing of the auxiliary torque generating device (210) toward the rear of the wearer's upper body and connected to the upper body unit (100), and the lower end of the upper connecting bar (230) may be bent in the longitudinal direction of the inner surface of the housing (212) of the auxiliary torque generating device (210) and then mounted between the auxiliary housings (212') mounted on the housing, fixed to the auxiliary torque generating device (210), and configured to rotate together.

Figure 17 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a thigh unit (400) of a worker's auxiliary device (1) according to the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the lower connecting bar (250) may be configured to be bent from the lower portion of the cam member (219) of the auxiliary torque generating device (210) toward the front of the wearer's thigh and connected to the thigh member (410) of the thigh unit (400).

The reason why the thigh member (410) supports the front of the wearer's thigh is that the auxiliary torque provided from the auxiliary torque generating device (210) provides auxiliary power or auxiliary torque to the wearer's hip joint during an extension or unfolding motion in a high-flexion state, thereby facilitating power transmission to the thigh, etc.

Specifically, the thigh unit (400) may be configured to include a thigh member (410) that wraps around the front of the wearer's thigh, and a cap member (430) that is mounted on the thigh member (410) in a state in which an end of the lower connecting bar (250) is received on an outer surface of the thigh member (410), and the lower connecting bar (250) is connected to the front of the thigh member (410), and an end of the lower connecting bar (250) is bent in a predetermined direction, and a rotational space (412) is provided inside the cap member (430) so that the end of the lower connecting bar (250) can rotate at a predetermined angle, so that a certain degree of movement of the wearer's thigh may be allowed.

In addition, a support surface (412s) formed on the inner surface of the cap member within the rotational space (412) may be provided to limit the rotation angle of the lower connecting bar (250) with respect to the thigh member, and may be configured in the form of an inclined surface to support an end of the lower connecting bar (250).

In addition, the outer surface of the thigh member (410) may be provided with a receiving portion (412) for receiving a bent end of the lower connecting bar (250) and a fixing groove (413) for supporting the lower connecting bar (250) that enters the receiving portion (412) to securely attach the lower connecting bar (250) to the rotating space formed together with the cap member (430).

The above thigh member (410) is provided with two receiving portions (412) so that it can be applied regardless of left and right, and the fixing groove (413) can be provided in both directions.

In addition, the end of the lower connecting bar (250) may be configured to be received in the inner receiving portions (412) on the left and right sides and then bent once more to prevent twisting of the lower connecting bar (250) and to prevent separation of the lower connecting bar.

Figures 18 and 19 are perspective views of an embodiment in which a lighting device (130B) and a blower device (130C) are respectively mounted on the upper body unit (100) of the worker's auxiliary device (1) according to the present invention instead of the wire traction device (130).

As described above, the present invention is provided with a detachable wire traction device (130) on the wearer's upper body unit (100).

The above wire traction device (130) is provided to reduce the load of the baggage (B) applied to the wearer's arm, but various utility devices may be applied depending on the type of work and work environment.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, a lighting device (130B) may be applied to the upper body unit (100) for a wearer working in a poorly lit work environment, and a blower device (130C) may be applied to the upper body unit (100) for a wearer working in a high-temperature work environment.

Each lighting device (130B) and blower device (130C) also have a housing having a structure similar to that of the wire pulling device (130) described above, and the housing can be mounted in a locking manner to the branch section (111).

Likewise, the lighting device (130B) and the blower device (130C) may be provided with a locking portion in the form of a protrusion having a sloped surface on one side protruding from the lower surface of the housing, a locking release button mounted on the outer surface of the housing and capable of inserting the locking portion into the housing when pressed, and a sliding rail for slidingly mounting the lighting device (130B) or the blower device on the branch portion at the lower portion of the housing, and a fixing groove having a catch provided for the locking portion of the wire pulling device to be caught and fixed on the branch portion of the climbing member, and a guide slot for slidingly mounting the housing of the lighting device (130B) and the blower device (130C) may be provided, and the locking method may be applied in the same manner, but various locking structures may be applied if it is a detachable method.

In addition, the blower and lighting device may be configured with a structure that is equipped with a rechargeable battery and can be recharged and replaced. In addition, as the utility device described above, the wire traction device may be configured as an electric traction device equipped with a motor and a battery rather than an elastic member type, and such a utility device may be configured to provide various applications depending on the type of work or work environment of the worker.

Although this specification has been described with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will be able to modify and change the present invention in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Therefore, if the modified implementation basically includes the elements of the claims of the present invention, it should be considered that it is included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1: Auxiliary device for workers
100 : Thigh Unit
200 : Connection Unit
300 : Pelvic Unit
400 : Thigh Unit

Claims (19)

An upper body unit mounted on the wearer's upper body; a pelvic unit mounted on the wearer's pelvis;
A thigh unit worn on the wearer's thigh; and a connecting unit connecting the upper body unit, the pelvis unit, and the thigh unit, and providing an auxiliary torque to assist the wearer's hip joint extension or flexion motion;
The above connecting unit includes an auxiliary torque generating device mounted on the pelvic unit; a pair of upper connecting bars connecting the auxiliary torque generating device and the upper body unit; and a pair of lower connecting bars connecting the auxiliary torque generating device and the thigh unit.
The upper body unit comprises a back panel member mounted on the back and both shoulders of the wearer, a guide bar mounted vertically on the back panel member to allow for changing the connection height, connection width, or connection angle of a pair of upper connection bars mounted on the back panel member, a slider slidably mounted on the guide bar, a rotator mounted on the slider to be rotatable about the x-axis in the forward direction of the wearer, and a pipe-shaped extender mounted horizontally penetrating the rotator and capable of adjusting the width by inserting or withdrawing each end of the upper connection bar while being elastically pulled at both ends; A worker's assist device characterized by comprising: In the first paragraph,
An auxiliary device for a worker, characterized in that the auxiliary torque generating device generates a restoring torque when the connecting angle between the upper connecting bar and the lower connecting bar decreases. In the first paragraph,
A worker's assistive device characterized in that the pelvic unit includes a pair of pelvic members that wrap around both sides of the wearer's pelvis, and the auxiliary torque generating device constituting the connecting unit is mounted on the outer side of each of the pelvic members so as to be rotatable within a predetermined range. In the second paragraph,
The above auxiliary torque generating device
A worker's auxiliary device characterized by comprising: a housing, a cam member rotatably mounted by an eccentric rotational shaft with respect to the housing and having a curved rolling surface on an outer circumferential surface and connected to the lower connecting bar side, a cam roller that rolls along the rolling surface of the cam member and is connected to the upper connecting bar side, an elastic member mounted in a compressed state within the housing to propel the cam roller in the direction of the rolling surface of the cam member, and a mount member on which the elastic member is supported at one end and the cam roller is rotatably mounted at the other end. In paragraph 4,
An auxiliary device for a worker, characterized in that the elastic member is a coil spring that can be compressed in the longitudinal direction of the housing. In the second paragraph,
The above upper connecting bar is connected to the housing side of the auxiliary torque generating device,
An auxiliary device for a worker, characterized in that the lower connecting bar is connected to the cam member side of the auxiliary torque generating device. In the second paragraph,
An auxiliary device for a worker, characterized in that the upper connecting bar is bent from the housing of the auxiliary torque generating device toward the rear of the wearer's upper body and connected to the upper body unit. In the second paragraph,
A worker's auxiliary device characterized in that the upper body unit's back panel member includes a back panel portion that wraps around the wearer's back panel and a branch portion that branches off to the wearer's shoulders. delete In the first paragraph,
An auxiliary device for a worker, characterized in that the upper connecting bar is connected horizontally to both ends of the extender of the size adjusting device. In the first paragraph,
An auxiliary device for workers, characterized in that the above guide bar is composed of a hollow carbon pipe. In Article 8,
An assistive device for workers, characterized in that it further comprises a wire traction device having a traction wire wound inside a housing to provide traction force for traction of a glove-shaped hand support part mounted on the above-mentioned climbing member and mounted on the hand of the wearer. In Article 12,
A worker's auxiliary device characterized in that two of the above wire pulling devices are detachably mounted on the branch portion of the above climbing member. In Article 13,
An auxiliary device for workers, characterized in that a traction wire is elastically wound by an elastic member within a housing constituting the wire traction device, and the housing is mounted to the branch section in a sliding lock manner. In Article 12,
An auxiliary device for a worker characterized in that the traction wire is configured in the form of a detachable clip so as to be connected to a hand support member worn by the wearer via a branch portion of the climbing member, and a wire guide member mounted on the branch portion is provided. In Article 12,
The wire pulling device is provided with a locking portion in the form of a projection that selectively protrudes from the lower surface of the housing, a locking release button that is mounted on the outer surface of the housing and can release the locking state of the locking portion by a pushing action, and a sliding rail for slidingly mounting the wire pulling device on the branch portion on the lower surface of the housing, and a catch for fixing the locking portion of the wire pulling device on the branch portion of the climbing member, and a guide slot for slidingly mounting the housing of the wire pulling device. In the second paragraph,
An assistive device for workers, characterized in that the lower connecting bar is bent from the lower part of the cam member of the auxiliary torque generating device toward the front of the wearer's thigh and connected to the thigh member of the thigh unit by being bent toward the front of the thigh. In Article 17,
A worker's assistive device characterized in that the thigh unit includes a thigh member that wraps around the front of the wearer's thigh and a cap member that is mounted on the thigh member in a state in which an end of the lower connecting bar is received on an outer surface of the thigh member. In Article 18,
An assistive device for a worker, characterized in that the lower connecting bar is connected to the front of the thigh member, an end of the lower connecting bar is bent in a predetermined direction, and a rotational space is provided inside the cap member so that the end of the lower connecting bar can rotate at a predetermined angle.

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