Automated PPE Fitting via 3D Collision Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Personal protective equipment (PPE) often fails to fit well together, leading to reduced protection and potential exposure to hazards, as existing methods require time-consuming and inventory-intensive trial and error to select compatible PPE models and sizes.
Innovation Solution
An automated or semi-automated PPE fitting system using three-dimensional computer models of workers and PPE to simulate interactions, calculate fitness scores, and optimize PPE placements to minimize collisions and ensure compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If trial and error approach is used to select compatible PPE models and sizes, then PPE compatibility can be achieved, but the process is time consuming and requires large inventory
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a three-dimensional digital twin (virtual copy) of the worker and applies virtual PPE models to this digital representation. This allows simulation of PPE fit and interaction without requiring physical trial and error with actual PPE items, thereby reducing time while maintaining accurate fit assessment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical trial-and-error fitting process with a computational simulation system. Instead of physically trying on different PPE models, the system uses computer-generated three-dimensional models to simulate PPE placement, collision detection, and fit assessment, eliminating the need for physical inventory manipulation and reducing time requirements
2Reliability
If multiple PPE models and sizes are kept in inventory to support trial and error, then compatible PPE can be selected, but inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining physical inventory of multiple PPE models and sizes, the system creates a digital library of three-dimensional PPE models. These virtual models can be applied to the worker's digital twin without requiring physical possession of each variant, thereby reducing inventory quantity while maintaining the ability to assess compatibility across multiple options
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a three-dimensional digital twin as an intermediary between the worker and physical PPE. This digital representation allows virtual testing of PPE compatibility without requiring physical PPE items to be held in inventory, serving as a mediator that eliminates the need for physical stock while maintaining assessment accuracy
3Measurement precision
If physical trial and error fitting is performed, then PPE fit can be assessed, but the process is time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the slow physical trial-and-error fitting process with rapid computational simulation. Three-dimensional PPE models are digitally applied to a three-dimensional worker model, and collision detection algorithms instantly assess fit and interactions, providing precise fit measurement much faster than physical manipulation of actual PPE items
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary virtual fitting simulations before physical PPE selection. By pre-testing multiple PPE models on the digital twin and identifying compatible options through collision detection and fitness scoring, the system narrows down choices before physical fitting is required, thereby increasing overall productivity while maintaining measurement precision
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of selecting personal protection equipment (PPE) for a worker. The system identifies sets of PPEs and simulates a fitting of the identified PPE sets to the worker. Fitting includes, for each of the identified PPE sets, selecting a three-dimensional computer model for each article of the PPE set, placing the computer model of each of the PPE articles of the PPE set being fitted on a computer model representing the worker, identifying collisions between the computer models as placed, and taking an action based on the identified collisions.