Analysis of Musculoskeletal Biomechanics of Lower Limbs of Drivers in Pedal-Operation States
In this study, to establish the biomechanical characteristics of commercial vehicle drivers’ muscles and bones while operating the three pedals, a driver pedal-operation simulator was built, and the real-life situation was reconstructed in OpenSim 3.3 software. We set up three seat heights to invest...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/21/8897 |
| _version_ | 1827765298526158848 |
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| author | Song Zhang Hailin Kui Xiangyu Liu Zhonglin Zhang |
| author_facet | Song Zhang Hailin Kui Xiangyu Liu Zhonglin Zhang |
| author_sort | Song Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, to establish the biomechanical characteristics of commercial vehicle drivers’ muscles and bones while operating the three pedals, a driver pedal-operation simulator was built, and the real-life situation was reconstructed in OpenSim 3.3 software. We set up three seat heights to investigate the drivers’ lower limbs, and the research proceeded in two parts: experiment and simulation. Chinese adult males in the 95th percentile were selected as the research participants. In the experiment, Delsys wireless surface electromyography (EMG) sensors were used to collect the EMG signals of the four main muscle groups of the lower limbs when the drivers operated the three pedals. Then, we analyzed the muscle activation and the degree of muscle fatigue. The simulation was based on OpenSim software to analyze the driver’s lower limb joint angles and joint torque. The results show that the activation of the hamstrings, gastrocnemius, and rectus femoris muscles were higher in the four muscle groups. In respect of torque, in most cases, hip joint torque > knee joint torque > ankle joint torque. The knee joint angles were the largest, and the ankle joint angles changed the most. The experimental results provide a reference for improving drivers’ handling comfort in commercial vehicles and provide theoretical bases for cab design and layout optimization. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T11:20:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0b42b9d34a214de287f99f7e26cc7af0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T11:20:59Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-0b42b9d34a214de287f99f7e26cc7af02023-11-10T15:12:37ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202023-11-012321889710.3390/s23218897Analysis of Musculoskeletal Biomechanics of Lower Limbs of Drivers in Pedal-Operation StatesSong Zhang0Hailin Kui1Xiangyu Liu2Zhonglin Zhang3Department of Automotive Engineering, Hebei Jiaotong Vocational and Technical College, Shijiazhuang 050035, ChinaCollege of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, ChinaCollege of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, ChinaIn this study, to establish the biomechanical characteristics of commercial vehicle drivers’ muscles and bones while operating the three pedals, a driver pedal-operation simulator was built, and the real-life situation was reconstructed in OpenSim 3.3 software. We set up three seat heights to investigate the drivers’ lower limbs, and the research proceeded in two parts: experiment and simulation. Chinese adult males in the 95th percentile were selected as the research participants. In the experiment, Delsys wireless surface electromyography (EMG) sensors were used to collect the EMG signals of the four main muscle groups of the lower limbs when the drivers operated the three pedals. Then, we analyzed the muscle activation and the degree of muscle fatigue. The simulation was based on OpenSim software to analyze the driver’s lower limb joint angles and joint torque. The results show that the activation of the hamstrings, gastrocnemius, and rectus femoris muscles were higher in the four muscle groups. In respect of torque, in most cases, hip joint torque > knee joint torque > ankle joint torque. The knee joint angles were the largest, and the ankle joint angles changed the most. The experimental results provide a reference for improving drivers’ handling comfort in commercial vehicles and provide theoretical bases for cab design and layout optimization.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/21/8897vehicle ergonomicsmusculoskeletal biomechanicspedal operationcar seat heightselectromyography (EMG)musculoskeletal model |
| spellingShingle | Song Zhang Hailin Kui Xiangyu Liu Zhonglin Zhang Analysis of Musculoskeletal Biomechanics of Lower Limbs of Drivers in Pedal-Operation States Sensors vehicle ergonomics musculoskeletal biomechanics pedal operation car seat heights electromyography (EMG) musculoskeletal model |
| title | Analysis of Musculoskeletal Biomechanics of Lower Limbs of Drivers in Pedal-Operation States |
| title_full | Analysis of Musculoskeletal Biomechanics of Lower Limbs of Drivers in Pedal-Operation States |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of Musculoskeletal Biomechanics of Lower Limbs of Drivers in Pedal-Operation States |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of Musculoskeletal Biomechanics of Lower Limbs of Drivers in Pedal-Operation States |
| title_short | Analysis of Musculoskeletal Biomechanics of Lower Limbs of Drivers in Pedal-Operation States |
| title_sort | analysis of musculoskeletal biomechanics of lower limbs of drivers in pedal operation states |
| topic | vehicle ergonomics musculoskeletal biomechanics pedal operation car seat heights electromyography (EMG) musculoskeletal model |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/21/8897 |
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