Instrumentation for monitoring the torsion of the spine of a tractor operator at work

✍ Scribed by P. Almgren; S. Klensmeden; G. Friberg

• Book ID: 104140238
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1987
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 289 KB
• Volume: 37
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-8634
• DOI: 10.1016/s0021-8634(87)80025-2

✦ Synopsis

A method of measuring and registering the torsion of the spine of a tractor operator is described. The method is based on emission and detection of polarized light. Light sources placed beside the operator's seat and in the roof of the tractor cab emit polarized light, modulated at a frequency of 100 Hz, above the operator. Detectors placed on the operator's head, shoulder and hips emit signals which, following computer processing, yield information of the angle of the various parts of the body in relation to the longitudinal direction of the tractor. Algorithms for calculating angles from the signals emitted by the detectors are described. The angles can be determined with an accuracy of +2 ~ . The detectors are not influenced by external sources of light such as sunshine or headlights.