Title: Load control based on PIC microcomputer for a training machine suited to elderly people

Authors: Hongbo Wang, Takakazu Ishimatsu, Fumio Kasagami, Shunji Moromugi

Addresses: School of Mechanical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan. ' Business Development Division, DAIHEN Corporation, Osaka, Japan. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan

Abstract: This paper presents a load control method based on PIC microcomputer for a training machine suited to elderly people. The training machine allows the elderly people to maintain their physical ability through exercise close to ordinary motion that appears in daily life such as extending or flexing legs. The system configuration of the training machine and the muscle stiffness sensor used for human–machine interface are described. The hardware and software of the motor controller based on PIC microcomputer are introduced and the load control method with the control function of reverse current is proposed. Several experiments are conducted to evaluate the training system and the results indicate the effectiveness of the control system.

Keywords: elderly people; human–machine interface; HMI; load control; microcomputers; motor control; training machines; physical training; exercise; reverse current; ageing population.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISTA.2009.028054

International Journal of Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications, 2009 Vol.7 No.4, pp.382 - 395

Published online: 03 Sep 2009 *

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