Ergonomic Guided Seat Positioning for Overhead Workstations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Workers performing repetitive tasks above their head experience strain in the neck and shoulders due to existing ergonomic solutions, which also impose severe strain on the legs and limit accurate displacement, making it difficult to perform work operations efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An automatic guided vehicle with an ergonomic seat that follows a programmed path, equipped with adjustable seat parameters and foot-operated pedals, allowing workers to maintain an ergonomic position while moving along a guidepath to various work positions without straining their legs, ensuring accurate and efficient work operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual propulsion of cart is used to move between positions, then movement between work positions is achieved, but accurate displacement is limited due to poor range of motion of worker's legs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical propulsion with an automated guided vehicle system that uses sensors, motors, and control systems to achieve precise positioning. The AGV can accurately displace to specific work positions without being constrained by worker leg range of motion
Solution Approach 2:
The AGV acts as an intermediary between the worker and the workpiece. It handles all movement and positioning tasks, allowing the worker to remain stationary on the ergonomic seat while the vehicle precisely positions them at various work locations
2Stability of the object's composition
If worker braces legs against floor to prevent cart movement, then cart stability is improved, but additional strain is placed on worker's legs and work operation may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for manual bracing with an automated system. The AGV uses its own propulsion and stabilization mechanisms to maintain stability during operations, eliminating the need for workers to brace their legs against the floor
Solution Approach 2:
The AGV provides excessive stabilization capability beyond what is needed, using its automated control systems to more than adequately prevent cart movement during work operations, thereby completely eliminating the need for worker leg bracing
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for ergonomically supporting a worker while performing a work operation includes an automatic guided vehicle capable of moving a seat carrying the worker between a first non-work position relative to a work piece and a second work position at which the worker performs the work operation. The automatic guided vehicle includes controls to enable the worker to ergonomically position the angle of a seatback relative to a seat bottom and the height of the seat relative to the automatic guided vehicle for ergonomic support of the worker while performing the work operation. Under program control, the automatic guided vehicle is movable from one work position to another work position and/or back to the non-work position.