Affiliation:
1. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
Abstract
This manuscript investigates the rotational mechanical impedance of the human hand–arm system with respect to vibration excitation around the gripping axis of the hand under the influence of body posture, gripping force, and push force. Knowledge of rotational mechanical impedance is required for deriving models of hand–arm biodynamics. These models are used in the validation of power tools to predict further vibrational human–machine interactions. In the current state of research, such models exist for translational but not rotational vibration excitation. Consequently, this study investigates the properties of a hand–arm system with respect to rotational vibration excitation. In the study, the rotational impedance of the hand–arm systems of 13 adults was measured at various gripping and push forces applied in different body postures. The setup of the test used in this study consisted of a shaker that applied rotational vibrations at certain frequencies to the subjects’ hand–arm systems via a cylindrical handle. The results of the study indicate a spring–damper dynamic of the hand–arm system. The gripping force strongly influences the magnitude of rotational impedance across the frequency spectrum. Regarding push force and posture, no corresponding influence could be determined. The results suggest that the frictional contact between the hand and handle might confer a damping effect.
Funder
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Reference44 articles.
1. Health effects associated with occupational exposure to hand-arm or whole body vibration;Krajnak;J. Toxicol. Environ. Health,2018
2. Hand-arm vibration syndrome and dose-response relation for vibration induced white finger among quarry drillers and stonecarvers. Italian Study Group on Physical Hazards in the Stone Industry;Bovenzi;Occup. Environ. Med.,1994
3. A field survey of hand–arm vibration exposure in the UK utilities sector;Edwards;Eng. Constr. Arch. Manag.,2020
4. Rashid, Z., Shafiq, M., Cocca, P., Marciano, F., and Tayyab, A. (2017). Hand Arm Vibration, Grip Strength Assessment and the Prevalence of Health Disorders Among Stone Crushing Workers. Adv. Intell. Syst. Comput.
5. Association between vibration exposure and hand-arm vibration symptoms in a Swedish mechanical industry;Vihlborg;Int. J. Ind. Ergon.,2017