Wearable Sensor Load Estimation for Worker Fatigue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current load estimation methods for workers, such as those at manufacturing or distribution sites, fail to accurately differentiate between short-term and long-term loads, making it difficult to determine the nature of the load and whether it can be alleviated with a short rest or requires a longer break.
Innovation Solution
A load estimation apparatus that uses sensor data from wearable devices on various body parts to estimate operation and posture loads, distinguishing between short-term and long-term loads by analyzing sensor data for acceleration, angular velocity, and other parameters, and employing machine learning models to determine the type of operation or posture, thereby calculating cumulative loads and their required elimination times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If work tables are used to estimate worker load, then the estimation process is simple, but the estimated load significantly differs from the actual load because it does not reflect the worker's operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual work table-based load estimation system with an automated sensor-based measurement system. Operation sensors mounted on the worker's body automatically capture operational data, replacing the need for manual work table tracking and significantly improving estimation accuracy while reducing human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces operation sensors as an intermediary between the worker and the load estimation system. These sensors act as mediators that directly measure the worker's operational state, providing accurate real-time data about actual workload without requiring manual input or interpretation of work tables.
2Measurement precision
If operation sensors are used to estimate worker load, then the actual load can be accurately measured, but it becomes difficult to determine the nature of the load and whether it can be eliminated by taking a short rest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total operational load into distinct components: operation load (from operational sensors), posture load (from posture sensors), and cumulative load. This segmentation allows the system to not only measure the magnitude of load but also identify its nature and source, enabling determination of whether the load can be eliminated by short rest or requires longer recovery periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters being measured from simple load magnitude to multiple dimensions including operation type, posture type, operation load value, and posture load value. By measuring and analyzing these multiple parameters, the system can characterize the nature of the load and provide insights into appropriate rest requirements.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are mounted on the worker to capture detailed operational data, then accurate load estimation is achieved, but the device complexity and burden on the worker increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the sensor system with multi-functionality, where a single integrated sensor unit performs multiple functions: detecting operation type, detecting posture type, measuring operation load, and measuring posture load. This universal sensor design reduces the number of separate devices needed while maintaining comprehensive measurement capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a load estimation apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry acquires sensor data from a measurement target, estimates an operation of a body part of the measurement target, based on the sensor data, estimates an operation load of the body part, based on information on the operation, estimates a posture of the body part, based on the sensor data, estimates a posture load of the body part, based on information on the posture, estimates a first cumulative load, based on the operation load, and estimates a second cumulative load, which requires a longer load elimination time than the first cumulative load, based on the operation load and the posture load.