Theoretical Analysis and Optimization of a Gloved Hand-Arm System.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Occupational Health
• Vibration Engineering

Background:

• Antivibration (AV) gloves can mitigate hand-transmitted vibration from equipment.
• Existing studies often rely on experimental or modeling data, leaving optimal glove properties unclear.
• A need exists for analytical investigation into hand-arm system dynamics and AV glove effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analytically investigate hand-arm system dynamics with and without AV gloves.
• To identify key design parameters influencing AV glove performance.
• To optimize AV glove properties for reduced vibration transmissibility.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a lumped parameter model for the hand-arm system.
• Modeled hand-tool interaction as a linear spring-damper system.
• Employed the method of harmonic balance for analytical solutions and performed parametric analysis.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated that AV glove effectiveness is frequency-dependent and not consistently repetitive.
• Identified key design parameters influencing vibration isolation.
• Observed significant variations in glove performance across different frequency ranges.

Conclusions:

• Analytical modeling provides insights into AV glove dynamics and performance.
• Optimizing glove parameters is crucial for effective vibration reduction.
• Further research can refine glove design for enhanced hand-arm protection against vibration.