摘要 |
A human power amplifier assist device (10) includes an end-effector (14) tha t is grasped by a human operator and applied to a load (25). The end-effector (14) is suspended, via a line (13), from a take-up pulley (11), winch or dru m that is driven by an actuator (12) to lift or lower the load (25). The end- effector (14) includes a force sensor (31) that measures the vertical force imposed on the end-effector (14) by the operator and delivers a signal to a controller (20). The controller (20) and actuator (12) are structured in suc h a way that a predetermined percentage of the force necessary to lift or lowe r the load (25) is applied by the actuator (12), with the remaining force bein g supplied by the operator. The load (25) thus feels lighter to the operator, but the operator does not lose the sense of lifting against both the gravitation and inertial forces originating in the load (25).
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