Assist suit

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel assist suit capable of adjusting an assist force.SOLUTION: An upper body attachment member 2 to be attached to an upper body, a pair of thigh attachment members 3 to be attached to right and left thighs, respectively, and an upper end connected to an upper end side connector 21 provided on a back side of the upper body attachment member 2, and a pair of elastic members 4 whose lower ends are respectively connected to lower end side connection tools 31 provided in the respective thigh mounting members 3, for reducing the operation load of the wearer (S), wherein the assist force is adjusted by a gap adjustment device 5 for determining a separation distance between the wearer (S) and the elastic members 4 when worn.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an assist suit for reducing the movement burden on the wearer. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, wearable assistive devices that utilize elasticity, such as "assist suits," have been put into practical use as a means of reducing the burden on workers and the elderly, particularly the burden caused by bending forward (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 listed below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-188896 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-144858 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The assist suits disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2 each have a pair of elastic members arranged on the back side of the body, and the elastic members bend as the wearer bends forward, generating an elastic assist force, thereby reducing the movement load on the wearer. Therefore, wearing this type of assist suit makes it possible to reduce the movement load when lifting luggage, etc.

[0005] However, the weight of the load to be lifted varies from work site to work site, and the required assist force also varies depending on the muscular strength of the person wearing the assist suit. As a result, the wearer may feel that the assist suit does not sufficiently reduce the burden of movement, or that bending the elastic member is more of a burden than the reduction in the burden of movement, hindering smooth work.

[0006] The present invention was completed in consideration of the above technical problems, and aims to provide a new assist suit that allows the assist force to be adjusted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The assist suit of the present invention, which solves the above-mentioned technical problems, is an assist suit for reducing the wearer's burden on movement, and is characterized by comprising an upper body attachment member attached to the upper body, a pair of thigh attachment members attached to each of the left and right thighs, and a pair of elastic members whose upper ends are connected to an upper end connector provided on the back side of the upper body attachment member and whose lower ends are connected to lower end connectors provided on each thigh attachment member, and further comprising a gap adjustment device for determining the distance between the wearer and the elastic members when worn (hereinafter referred to as the ``assist suit of the present invention'').

[0008] In the assist suit of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is one in which the gap adjustment device determines the distance between the wearer and the upper end of the elastic member.

[0009] In the assist suit of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is one in which the gap adjustment device determines the distance between the wearer and the lower end of the elastic member.

[0010] In the assist suit of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is one in which the gap adjustment device determines the distance between the wearer and the middle of the elastic member.

[0011] In the assist suit of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is one in which the gap adjustment device determines the distance between the wearer and at least two of the upper end, lower end, or middle of the elastic member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The assist suit of the present invention makes it possible to adjust the assist force. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a back view (a) and a front view (b) showing the assist suit of the present invention according to embodiment 1 worn by a wearer. [Figure 2] Figure 2(a) is a front view showing the wearing state in which the gap adjustment device has adjusted the distance between the wearer and the elastic member to a small value, Figure 2(b) is a side view showing the manner in which a load placed on the ground is lifted in this wearing state, and Figure 2(c) is a side view showing the operation of lifting a load placed on a desk in this wearing state. [Figure 3] Figure 3(a) is a front view showing the worn state in which the gap adjustment device provides a fixed distance between the wearer and the elastic member, Figure 3(b) is a side view showing the manner in which a load placed on the ground is lifted in this worn state, and Figure 3(c) is a side view showing the operation of lifting a load placed on a desk in this worn state. [Figure 4] Figure 4(a) is a side view showing how another gap adjustment device is used to create a fixed distance between the wearer and the elastic member, and how a load placed on the ground is lifted in this worn state, and Figure 4(b) is a side view showing how a load placed on a desk is lifted in this worn state. [Figure 5] FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view showing the assist suit of the present invention according to embodiment 2 from the rear side, and FIG. 5(b) is an enlarged perspective view showing the operation of the gap adjustment device. [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) is a side view showing how luggage placed on the ground is lifted in a worn state in which the gap adjustment device has adjusted the distance between the wearer and the elastic member to a small value, and Figure 6(b) is a side view showing how luggage placed on the ground is lifted in a worn state in which the gap adjustment device has provided a constant distance between the wearer and the elastic member. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the assist suit of the present invention according to embodiment 3 from the front side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view showing a wearer wearing an assist suit of the present invention according to embodiment 3 lifting a load placed on the ground. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0015] [Embodiment 1] <Inventive Assist Suit 1> Figure 1 shows the state in which a wearer (S) is wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention according to embodiment 1. The assist suit 1 of the present invention comprises an "upper body attachment member (2)", a pair of "thigh attachment members (3)", and a pair of "elastic members (4)", and further comprises a "gap adjustment device (5)".

[0016] -Upper body attachment part 2- The upper body attachment member 2 is a member that is attached to the upper body when putting on the assist suit 1 of the present invention. The upper body attachment member 2 is provided with an upper end connector 21 for connecting the upper ends of the elastic members 4. In this embodiment, the upper body attachment member 2 is provided with a back support plate 20, an upper end connector 21 provided on the back side of the back support plate 20, and a pair of loop-shaped shoulder straps 22 (22L, 22R) attached to the back support plate 20. The bottom of the upper end connector 21 is provided with connection receiving portions (sockets) at two positions symmetrical to the left and right of the center line for connecting the upper ends of the elastic members 4.

[0017] -Thigh attachment part 3- The pair of thigh attachment members 3 (3L, 3R) are attached to the left and right thighs when wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention. Each thigh attachment member 3 (3L, 3R) is provided with a lower end connector 31 to which the lower end of the elastic member 4 is connected. In this embodiment, the thigh attachment member 3 comprises a thigh support plate 30, a loop-shaped thigh band 32 fixed to the back of the thigh support plate 30, and a support rod 33 connecting the thigh support plate 30 and the lower end connector 31. The lower end connector 31 is provided with a fixing hole to which the lower end of the elastic member 4 is connected.

[0018] -Elastic member 4- The upper ends of the pair of elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) are connected to an upper end connector 21 provided on the upper body attachment member 2, and the lower ends are connected to lower end connectors 31 provided on each thigh attachment member 3 (3L, 3R). In this embodiment, carbon fiber round rods are used for each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R), and ball studs provided on the upper ends are connected to connection receiving portions (sockets) provided on the upper end connector 21, while the lower ends of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) are inserted and fixed into fixing holes in the lower end connectors 31 provided on each thigh attachment member 3 (3L, 3R), thereby disposing each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) on the back side of the assist suit 1 of the present invention. Note that the upper ends of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) are connected to the upper end connector 21 by ball joints, and therefore can pivot around the connecting portion. Moreover, the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) are so designed that the distance between them can be adjusted by adjusting the belts 41 that connect them together.

[0019] -Gap adjustment device 5- The gap adjustment device 5 plays a role in determining and changing the distance between the wearer (S) and the elastic members 4 when wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention. In particular, in this embodiment, the gap adjustment device 5 determines the distance between the wearer (S) and the upper ends of the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R). In this embodiment, the gap adjustment device 5 is constructed by providing shoulder stabilizers 51 for each of the shoulder straps 22 (22L, 22R) of the upper body wearing member 2.

[0020] <Use of the assist suit 1 of the present invention> 2 and 3 show a wearer (S) wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration. The assist suit 1 of the present invention is worn in two ways: "wearing with the distance between the wearer (S) and the elastic member 4 adjusted to be small" as shown in Fig. 2, and "wearing with a fixed distance between the wearer (S) and the elastic member 4" as shown in Fig. 3.

[0021] -Wearing with the distance between the wearer (S) and the elastic member 4 adjusted to be small (see Figure 2)- The assist suit 1 of the present invention is worn by attaching the upper body attachment member 2 to the upper body of the wearer (S) and attaching the thigh attachment members 3 to both thighs of the wearer (S).

[0022] When the upper body attachment member 2 is attached to the upper body of the wearer (S), the wearer (S) puts both arms through each of a pair of shoulder straps 22 (22L, 22R) provided on the upper body attachment member 2 and leads them to the left and right shoulders, and carries the upper body attachment member 2 on the back with the back support plate 20 positioned in the middle of the wearer's (S) back.

[0023] On the other hand, when wearing the thigh attachment members 3 (3L, 3R), the wearer's (S) legs are passed through each of the pair of thigh bands 32 provided on the thigh attachment members 3 (3L, 3R) and guided to the left and right thighs, and the thighs are attached to the wearer's (S) thighs by adjusting the loop diameter of the thigh bands 32. At this time, the position of the thigh support plate 30 is adjusted to position the thigh support plate 30 in front of the thighs.

[0024] In this embodiment, the distance between the wearer (S) and the elastic member 4 can be adjusted to a smaller distance by pulling the shoulder stabilizer 51 of the gap adjustment device 5 to reduce the loop diameter of each shoulder strap 22 (22L, 22R), thereby eliminating play in each shoulder strap 22 (22L, 22R) around the shoulders, as shown in FIG. 2(a).

[0025] In this wearing state, as shown in Figure 2(b), when the wearer (S) wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention bends forward to lift a load (W) placed on the ground, the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) bend, and an elastic force (F) is generated in the direction of returning the wearer's (S) body to an upright position. The generated elastic force (F) becomes an assist force that reduces the movement burden on the wearer (S).

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2(c), even when a wearer (S) wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention performs a low-stress task that requires only a slight bending of the body, such as lifting a load (W) placed on a desk, the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) will bend depending on the degree of bending, and an elastic force will be generated in the direction of returning the wearer's (S) body to an upright position.

[0027] However, when performing such low-load work, some workers (S) may feel that the elastic member 4 constantly following the work movement is a burden that exceeds the reduction in the work load.

[0028] -Wearing with a certain distance between the wearer (S) and the elastic member 4 (see Figure 3)- In this embodiment, a certain distance is maintained between the wearer (S) and the elastic member 4 by loosening the shoulder stabilizers 51 of the gap adjustment device 5 to enlarge the loop diameter of each shoulder strap 22 (22L, 22R), thereby increasing the play of each shoulder strap 22 (22L, 22R) around the shoulders, as shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0029] 3(b), when a wearer (S) wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention bends forward to lift a load (W) placed on the ground, the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) bend, and an elastic force (f) is generated in the direction of returning the wearer's (S) body to an upright position. The generated elastic force (f) acts as an assist force to reduce the movement burden on the wearer (S).

[0030] This elastic force (f) is smaller than the elastic force (F) generated when the wearer (S) and the elastic members 4 are adjusted to a small distance (see FIG. 2) as described above. This is because when a certain distance is provided between the wearer (S) and the elastic members 4 by the gap adjustment device 5, the degree of deflection of the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) becomes small.

[0031] However, as shown in Figure 3(c), when a wearer (S) wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention performs a low-load task such as lifting a load (W) placed on a desk, the presence of a distance between the wearer (S) and the elastic member 4 buffers the elastic member 4 from following the movement, allowing the task to be performed smoothly.

[0032] That is, the assist suit 1 of the present invention having the above-described configuration makes it possible to adjust the assist force. As a result, even when the required assist force differs depending on the workload, such as the weight of the load to be lifted, or the muscle strength of the wearer (S), the required assist force can be applied to the wearer (S).

[0033] In the present embodiment, the assist suit 1 of the present invention uses the upper body attachment member 2 that is worn by being carried on the back, but the present invention is not particularly limited to the attachment mode or shape of the upper body attachment member 2. The upper body attachment member 2 may be, for example, a waistcoat or vest that is worn by being worn.

[0034] Furthermore, in the assist suit 1 of the present embodiment, the thigh attachment members 3 (3L, 3R) are attached by wrapping loop-shaped thigh bands 32 around the thighs, but the present invention is not particularly limited to the manner in which the thigh attachment members 3 (3L, 3R) are worn or the shape thereof. Furthermore, the thigh attachment members 3 (3L, 3R) are not necessarily limited to a pair of independent members, and may be partly or entirely connected. The thigh attachment members 3 (3L, 3R) may also be attached by wearing, for example, shorts or long trousers.

[0035] Furthermore, in the assist suit 1 of the present invention in this embodiment, round rods made of carbon fiber are used for the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R), but the material and shape of the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) are not particularly limited in the present invention. In addition to carbon fiber, materials such as glass fiber, metal, plastic, rubber, and silicon can be used as appropriate for the material of the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R). Furthermore, the shape of the elastic members 4 can be selected appropriately from shapes other than round rods, such as square rods, flat plates, hollow pipes, and helical springs. Furthermore, a single elastic member 4 may be constructed by bundling multiple elastic materials together.

[0036] In addition, in this embodiment of the present invention, when arranging the elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) in the assist suit 1 of the present invention, the ball stud provided at the upper end is connected to the connection receiving portion (socket) provided on the upper end connector 21, and the lower end is inserted and fixed into the fixing hole of the lower end connector 31. However, in the present invention, the fixing means of the elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) to the upper end connector 21 and the lower end connector 31 is not particularly limited as long as it does not easily come off or break during use of the present invention's assist suit 1.

[0037] In the assist suit 1 of the present embodiment, the gap adjustment device 5 is adjusted by using shoulder stabilizers 51 to adjust the loop diameter of each shoulder strap 22 (22L, 22R), but the present invention is not particularly limited to the form of the gap adjustment device 5 or the manner in which the gap is adjusted. As the gap adjustment device 5, for example, as shown in Figure 4, the back support plate 20, the back support plate 20 and the upper end connector 21 are connected by a cord 52 such as a wire, and the length of the cord 52 can be adjusted by a dial 53 or the like, thereby determining the distance between the wearer (S) and the elastic member 4.

[0038] [Embodiment 2] <Inventive Assist Suit 1> Figure 5 shows the assist suit 1 of the present invention according to embodiment 2. The assist suit 1 of the present invention according to this embodiment is the same as embodiment 1, except that the gap adjustment device 5 determines the distance between the wearer (S) and the lower ends of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R).

[0039] -Gap adjustment device 5- As shown in Figure 5(b), in this embodiment, the support rod 33 connecting the thigh support plate 30 and the lower end connector 31 in the thigh attachment member 3 (3L, 3R) has a core-sheath structure, and is made extendable by changing the position of the fixing pin 331, thereby constructing the gap adjustment device 5.

[0040] <Wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention> Figure 6 shows a wearer (S) wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration. Note that the wearing of the assist suit 1 of the present invention shown in Figure 6(a) is "wearing with the distance between the wearer (S) and the elastic member 4 adjusted to be small" by shortening the support rod 33, and the wearing of the assist suit 1 of the present invention shown in Figure 6(b) is "wearing with a fixed distance between the wearer (S) and the elastic member 4" by extending the support rod 33.

[0041] When the wearer (S) wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention bends forward to lift a load (W), the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) bend, generating elastic forces (F, f) in the direction of returning the wearer's (S) body to an upright position. The generated elastic forces (F, f) act as an assist force that reduces the movement burden on the wearer (S). It has been confirmed that this assist force increases the smaller the distance between the wearer (S) and the lower end of the elastic members 4.

[0042] [Embodiment 3] <Inventive Assist Suit 1> Figure 7 shows the assist suit 1 of the present invention according to embodiment 3. The assist suit 1 of the present invention according to this embodiment is the same as those of embodiments 1 and 2, except that the gap adjustment device 5 determines the distance between the wearer (S) and the middle of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R).

[0043] -Gap adjustment device 5- As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the gap adjustment device 5 is constructed by fixing both ends of the band-shaped body 54 to the middle of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) and providing a protrusion 55 that extends forward from the center of the band-shaped body 54.

[0044] <Wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention> Figure 8 shows a wearer (S) wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration. When the assist suit 1 of the present invention is worn, the protrusion 55 of the gap adjustment device 5 is interposed between the wearer (S) and each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R), and the middle of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) is spaced apart from the wearer (S) by the protruding length of the protrusion 55.

[0045] When the wearer (S) wearing the assist suit 1 of the present invention bends forward to lift a load (W), the elastic members 4 (4L, 4R) bend, and an elastic force (F) is generated in the direction of returning the wearer's (S) body to an upright position. The generated elastic force (F) acts as an assist force that reduces the movement burden on the wearer (S). It has been confirmed that this assist force increases as the distance between the wearer (S) and the middle of the elastic members 4 increases.

[0046] In this embodiment, the gap adjustment device 5 uses a protrusion 55 that is interposed between the wearer (S) and each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R), and it is preferable that this protrusion 55 has a balloon structure whose volume can be changed by introducing air or the like.

[0047] Furthermore, in the assist suit 1 of the present invention relating to this embodiment, the gap adjustment device 5 determines the distance between the wearer (S) and the middle of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R), and the "middle" of the elastic member 4 is preferably a part below 10% of the effective length of the elastic member 4 toward the upper end and a part above 20% of the effective length of the elastic member 4 toward the lower end.

[0048] Therefore, the "upper end" of the elastic member 4 is preferably the part more than 10% of the effective length of the elastic member 4 toward the upper end, and the "lower end" of the elastic member 4 is preferably the part less than 20% of the effective length of the elastic member 4 toward the lower end.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments 1 to 3, the gap adjustment device 5 separates one of the upper end, middle, or lower end of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) from the wearer (S), but in the present invention, it is preferable to use multiple gap adjustment devices 5 to separate two or more of the lower end, middle, or upper end of each elastic member 4 (4L, 4R) from the wearer (S).

[0050] It should be noted that the present invention can be embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or main features. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited in any way by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and variations within the equivalent range of the claims are within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0051] The present invention is suitably used as a means for reducing the movement burden on the wearer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1. Assist Suit of the Present Invention (Assist Suit) 2 Upper body attachment 21 Upper end connector 3 Thigh attachment member 31 Lower end side connector 4 Elastic member 5 Spacing adjustment device

Claims

1. An assist suit for reducing the movement burden of the wearer, an upper body attachment member attached to the upper body; A pair of thigh attachment members attached to the left and right thighs, respectively; a pair of elastic members each having an upper end connected to an upper end connector provided on the back side of the upper body attachment member and a lower end connected to a lower end connector provided on each thigh attachment member; and The assist suit is further characterized by being equipped with a gap adjustment device for determining the distance between the wearer and the elastic member when worn.

2. The assist suit according to claim 1, The assist suit has a gap adjustment device that determines the distance between the wearer and the upper end of the elastic member.

3. The assist suit according to claim 1, The assist suit has a gap adjustment device that determines the distance between the wearer and the lower end of the elastic member.

4. The assist suit according to claim 1, The assist suit has a gap adjustment device that determines the distance between the wearer and the middle of the elastic member.

5. The assist suit according to claim 1, The assist suit has a gap adjustment device that determines the distance between the wearer and at least two of the upper end, lower end, or middle of the elastic member.

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