Motion-Sensing Ergonomic Manikin Positioning in CAD

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual positioning of ergonomic manikins in computer-aided design systems is time-consuming, costly, and imprecise, making it impractical for efficient ergonomic analysis and design optimization.

Innovation Solution

A system integrating motion-sensing input devices with computer-aided design systems to track spatial coordinates and convert them into angle data, allowing for precise positioning and control of ergonomic manikins using processor-implemented methods and algorithms, enabling marker-less motion tracking and voice control capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual positioning of ergonomic manikins is used in computer-aided design systems, then positioning can be performed with existing tools, but the process becomes time-consuming and imprecise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidpositioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning operations with an automated optical motion-sensing system. The motion-sensing input device captures spatial coordinates of body landmarks, and algorithms automatically compute joint angles and update the ergonomic manikin model, eliminating the need for manual iterative positioning while achieving higher precision and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If full body motion tracking and control is used to position human models, then positioning precision and awareness of safety issues improve, but costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and implements only the essential motion capture functionality needed for ergonomic analysis, using a simplified motion-sensing input device rather than comprehensive full-body motion tracking systems. This selective approach achieves sufficient positioning precision for ergonomic manikin applications while significantly reducing system costs and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If manual positioning methods are used, then existing computer-aided design tools can be utilized, but the workflow becomes iterative and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign efficiencyVSAvoidimplementation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces iterative manual positioning workflows with an automated system that captures motion data and automatically updates the ergonomic manikin model in real-time. This substitution eliminates repetitive manual operations, accelerates the design process, and reduces dependency on external service providers while maintaining compatibility with existing computer-aided design tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9245063B2Creating ergonomic manikin postures and controlling computer-aided design environments using natural user interfaces

Publication Date: 2016.01.26 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A computer receives a set of spatial coordinates from a motion-sensing input device, the spatial coordinates describing a position of at least one joint of a limb of a human model. The computer sends the set of spatial coordinates to a computer-aided design application, the computer-aided design application representing movements of the ergonomic manikin based on changes in limb angles described by a plurality of instances of angle data. The computer receives angle specifications from a computer-aided design application, the angle specifications corresponding to an angle of the limb in at least one three-dimensional plane. The computer converts the set of spatial coordinates to angle data in accordance with the received angle specifications, the angle data describing positioning of the limb.