Analysis of Continuous Steering Movement Using a Motor-Based Quantification System

Hsin-Min Lee,Jia-Yuan You,Ping-Chia Li,Shyi-Kuen Wu

doi:10.3390/s121216008

Hsin-Min Lee, Jia-Yuan You + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/s121216008

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Abstract

Continuous steering movement (CSM) of the upper extremity (UE) is an essential component of steering movement during vehicle driving. This study presents an integrated approach to examine the force exertion and movement pattern during CSM. We utilized a concept similar to the isokinetic dynamometer to measure the torque profiles during 180°/s constant-velocity CSM. During a steering cycle, the extremity movement can be divided into stance and swing phases based upon the hand contact information measured from the hand switch devices. Data from twelve normal young adults (six males and six females) showed that there are three typical profiles of force exertion. The two hands exhibit similar time expenditures but with asymmetric force exertions and contact times in both the clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) steering cycles. Both hands contribute more force but with less contact time in their outward CSM directions (i.e., CW for the right hand and CCW for the left hand). These findings help us to further understand CSM and have a number of important implications for future practice in clinical training. Considerably more research is required to determine the roles of the various shoulder muscles during CSM at various speeds.

Highlights

Vehicle driving is a common skill of daily living activity in many countries
As the steering wheel rotates at constant velocity, the steering torque can be measured without the effects of acceleration and deceleration of the wheel
Compared to the torque profile of the CCW steering shown in Figure 6(b), we process the CCW data with respect to the left hand switch signal [Figure 7(d–f)]

Summary

Introduction

Vehicle driving is a common skill of daily living activity in many countries. In Taiwan, almost two-thirds of adults have driving licenses, and average car ownership reached 0.88 per household [1]in 2012. Compared to the subtle steering adjustments during straight lane driving, CSM involves movements of almost all upper limb joints in a larger functional range of hand use. To make the wheel rotate, steering torque is exerted on the wheel by the movement of proximal joints of the upper extremities (UEs) with the tangent force applied on the rim of the wheel via hand grasping. During CSM, the UE muscles contract to generate the necessary force or torque, and these muscle activities are a good candidate for UE exercises. CSM features a coordinated and reciprocal use of both hands that is suitable for the bimanual task of rehabilitation training [3,4]. It is interesting and necessary to know the details of the force exertion and movement pattern during CSM to understand the feasibility of using CSM in a therapeutic program for clinical training of disabled patients

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