Evaluation of the static and dynamic assistive torque of a passive upper limb occupational exoskeleton.

Abstract

Adjusting the assistive torque of upper limb occupational exoskeletons is essential to optimize their effectiveness and user acceptance in companies. This adjustment enables a balance to be struck between the expected benefits and potential undesirable effects associated with their use, particularly for the shoulder joint, which is sensitive to the balance of forces. Despite this, no study has yet evaluated these assistive torques in static and dynamic conditions representative of work situations. The aim of this article is therefore to evaluate these assistive torques under these two conditions, using an isokinetic dynamometer. Angular velocities ranging from 0 to 240°/s and four levels of assistance were investigated. The results showed that the maximum assistive torques in flexion (energy restitution phase) were lower than those in extension (tensioning phase) by 20 to 36% and were median in static conditions. It was also observed that the level of assistance and the exoskeleton opening angles had a strong impact on the assistive torques, unlike the angular velocity in dynamic conditions, which had a minimal effect. Quantifying these assistive torques is crucial for assessing their biomechanical impact and adjusting the exoskeleton's assistance to the operator and the task performed.