Heather C. Humphreys

Compensation for biodynamic feedthrough in backhoe operation by cab vibration control

This research investigates and seeks to mitigate the undesirable effects of biodynamic feedthrough in backhoe operation. Biodynamic feedthrough occurs when motion of the controlled machine excites motion of the human operator, which is fed back into the control input device. This unwanted input can cause significant performance degradation, which can include limit cycles or even instability. Backhoe user interface designers indicate that this is a problem in many conventional machines, and it has also proved to degrade performance in this testbed. A particular backhoe control system, including the biodynamic feedthrough, is modeled and simulated. Cab vibration control is selected as a means to mitigate the biodynamic feedthrough effect. Two controller based methods are developed based on these models and presented, both of which use the working implement itself to reduce the cab motion. In this case, the backhoe arm has dual functionality, to perform excavation operations and to cancel cab vibration. Results show that significant reductions in cab motion can be obtained with minimal tracking performance degradation, without additional actuators.

Development of controller-based compensation for biodynamic feedthrough in a backhoe

Biodynamic feedthrough can occur in many types of human-controlled machines where the operator is also a passenger. The motion of the controlled machine excites motion of the human operator’s body, causing motion of the operator’s hand, creating undesirable input. Backhoes are one example of a machine that is susceptible to significant performance degradation from biodynamic feedthrough. This study investigates and models the system dynamics, including the human operator and biodynamic feedthrough, develops two methods of compensation for biodynamic feedthrough based on those models, compares them with similar controllers without vibration compensation, and experimentally validates the performance of the biodynamic feedthrough compensation. The performance results, as well as operator survey results, show that the operators perform better and prefer the vibration-compensating controllers over their non-vibration-compensating counterparts.

Modeling of Biodynamic Feedthrough in Backhoe Operation

An advanced backhoe user interface has been developed which uses coordinated control with haptic feedback. Results indicate that the coordinated control provides more intuitive operation that is easy to learn, and the haptic feedback also relays meaningful information back to the user in the form of force signals from digging forces and system limitations. However, results show that the current system has significant problems with biodynamic feedthrough, where the motion of the controlled device excites motion of the operator, resulting in undesirable forces applied to the input device and control performance degradation. This unwanted input is difficult to decouple from the intentional operator input in experiments. This research presents an investigation on the effects of biodynamic feedthrough on this particular backhoe control system, using system identification to empirically define models to represent each component. These models are used for a preliminary simulation study on potential methods for biodynamic feedthrough compensation.Copyright

Hydraulically Actuated Patient Transfer Device With Passivity Based Control

This paper describes the development of a hydraulically actuated patient transfer device, utilizing a force amplifying passivity based control strategy. The patient transfer device is intended for moving mobility limited patients, for example, from a bed to a chair, from a wheelchair into a car, or from the floor into a wheelchair. Our needs assessment has indicated that a more powerful, more easily maneuverable device is needed which is operable by a single caregiver with one hand. For this purpose, we are proposing a coordinated force amplifying control strategy. The caregiver input to the device is measured from a force sensor mounted on the device near the patient. The output is the force applied by the device actuators in the same direction as the input; this force may be amplified to assist the caregiver. Passivity-based control provides a way to implement this force amplifying control to aid in stability, which is critical for a device that interacts directly with humans. This paper describes the implementation of this force amplifying passivity-based control on a simpler pre-prototype two DOF patient transfer device.Copyright

Caretaker-Machine Collaborative Manipulation With an Advanced Hydraulically Actuated Patient Transfer Assist Device

A significant market need has been identified for an improved assist device for transferring mobility limited patients, particularly those who are heavier or bariatric. This paper discusses our needs assessment for a new patient transfer assist device (PTAD), an initial design for a multiple degree of freedom hydraulically actuated device, and possible solutions for the caretaker interface design. The relevant patient population includes those with spinal cord injuries, neuromuscular disorders, and the elderly; most patients are wheelchair users and unable to perform independent transfers. The caretaker interface design for the PTAD presents a unique challenge in terms of human-machine collaborative manipulation, as well as control of a powerful and intrinsically stiff machine in a delicate environment with both the caretaker and patient in the workspace. This paper presents a needs assessment to determine the specific problems with the antiquated current market patient lifts, as well as user input on proposed improvements. It also presents the design of a functional first prototype PTAD, a mechanical simulation, preliminary simulation results on an impedance control approach, and next steps toward design and implementation of a caretaker- and patient-friendly operator interface and control system.Copyright

Advanced Hydraulically Actuated Patient Transfer Assist Device

A new, advanced patient transfer device is being developed for moving mobility limited patients, for example, from a wheelchair to a bed or a floor into a chair. Current market patient lift devices are antiquated and insufficient for customer needs, with only one actuated degree of freedom. The high power to size ratio of hydraulic actuation makes it suitable for moving larger, heavier patients. We have developed a prototype pump-controlled hydraulically actuated patient transfer device that is more maneuverable and agile, using multiple actuated degrees of freedom. We are also working toward developing a more intuitive and safe caretaker interface and control strategy.We have performed an extensive needs assessment; these are a few associated key design requirements relevant to this presented work. A compact package is needed for ease of maneuvering the patient around obstacles in an uncertain environment. The device is capable of producing large forces, so it is desirable for the controller to minimize any unintentional large external contact forces, or provide force feedback. In this system, the caretaker and device work together to maneuver a complex payload, a human body; the operator’s mental workload must be minimized. With humans in the device workspace, safety and stability are necessary, including environment interactions.This new application presents several challenges related to the hydraulic control. First, we are using a separate bidirectional fixed displacement pump with a reversible brushed DC motor for each degree of freedom. The low level control involves obtaining desirable response from each motor-pump-actuator system, while compensating for significant static friction. At a higher level, we are testing several approaches to attain the desired intuitive control and desired dynamics, and minimize the operator workload. First, we are developing a coordinated control using a force input, such that the operator simply pushes on the device in the desired direction of motion. We are testing several different controllers to attain the desired dynamics. This paper presents the design of the machine, the proposed control structures as applied to this application, operator interface options, some preliminary results, and future work.© 2014 ASME

Human-interactive control of a hydraulically actuated patient transfer assist device with redundant obstacle sensing

A significant need has been identified for an improved device for transferring mobility limited people, for example, from a bed to a wheelchair, a wheelchair to a toilet, a floor to a wheelchair, or a wheelchair into a car. A new prototype concept patient transfer assist device has been developed, using electro-hydraulic pump controlled hydraulic actuation. With such a powerful device working in a relatively delicate and unstructured environment with both the patient and caregiver in its workspace, a form of interaction control to manage any external interaction forces is necessary. This paper presents a form of interaction control using redundant sensing of obstacles, using both proximity sensing from an ultrasonic sensor and external force sensing from a load cell. The control strategy is based on impedance control with force feedback. Experiments on one degree of freedom of the patient transfer device show that the control strategy can significantly reduce external interaction forces, as long as one or both of the sensors detects the obstacle. Further investigations will incorporate the redundant interaction control into multiple degrees of freedom of the patient transfer assist device system, and human operator experiments will be performed.

Advanced patient transfer assist device with intuitive interaction control

This research aims to improve patient transfers by developing a new type of advanced robotic assist device. It has multiple actuated degrees of freedom and a powered steerable base to maximize maneuverability around obstacles. An intuitive interface and control strategy allows the caregiver to simply push on the machine in the direction of desired patient motion. The control integrates measurements of both force and proximity to mitigate any potential large collision forces and provides operators information about obstacles with a form of haptic feedback. Electro-hydraulic pump controlled actuation provides high force density for the actuation. Nineteen participants performed tests to compare transfer operations (transferring a 250-lb mannequin between a wheelchair, chair, bed, and floor) and interaction control of a prototype device with a commercially available patient lift. The testing included a time study of the transfer operations and subjective rating of device performance. The results show that operators perform transfer tasks significantly faster and rate performance higher using the prototype patient transfer assist device than with a current market patient lift. With further development, features of the new patient lift can help facilitate patient transfers that are safer, easier, and more efficient for caregivers.