Masters Theses

Keywords and Phrases

Compliant Mechanism; Gripping Strength; Hand Exerciser; Mechanical Advantage; Rehabilitation Exercise; Variable Resistance

Abstract

"Rehabilitation exercise plays a vital role in recovering from an injury or illness condition by improving flexibility and restoring muscle strength. If not done correctly, exercising can cause more damage to the health condition than in healing. Understanding the muscle’s resistance level while performing an exercise helps design the exercising equipment not to overstrain the muscle during operation. This research presents a methodology to develop a variable-resistance hand exerciser by using a compliant cam-follower mechanism. The proposed design comprised a compliant follower and a rigid cam. The rigid cam is synthesized using the human hand force-deflection profile as an input along with the material and geometric properties of the compliant follower. A novel pseudo-rigid body model approach is used to inspect the compliant follower’s interference with a rigid cam during the operation. Design considerations such as optimizing the exerciser weight and size are considered by analyzing the input variables. Anthropometric data of the hand is also employed to develop the exerciser in conjunction with hand tool design guidelines. A customization process is proposed to adapt to individual needs. The results are also validated experimentally"--Abstract, p. iii

Advisor(s)

Midha, A. (Ashok)

Committee Member(s)

Chandrashekhara, K.
Liuo, Frank W.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Summer 2021

Pagination

xii, 135 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes_bibliographical_references_(pages 124-134)

Rights

© 2021 Jyothi Komatireddy, All Rights Reserved

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 12176

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