Conference article

Shigekazu Ishihara
School of Psychological Science, Hiroshima International University, Japan

Keiko Ishihara
School of Psychological Science, Hiroshima International University, Japan

Mitsuo Nagamachi
School of Psychological Science, Hiroshima International University, Japan

Masato Sano
Sanyo Electric, Co. Ltd, Japan

Yoshihisa Fujiwara
Sanyo Electric, Co. Ltd, Japan

Masahiro Naito
Sanyo Electric, Co. Ltd, Japan

Kenichi Ozaki
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden

Download article

Published in: 11th QMOD Conference. Quality Management and Organizational Development Attaining Sustainability From Organizational Excellence to SustainAble Excellence; 20-22 August; 2008 in Helsingborg; Sweden

Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 33:30, p. 351-360

Published: 2008-12-09

ISBN:

ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)

Methodology/Approach: Recently; the "Washer Dryer" type washing machines with horizontal or slant drums are becoming popular in Japan. We measured and analyzed posture while using the washing machines with 3 dimensional motion capture measurement devices. Subjective Kansei and usability questionnaires were also used. After the measurement; measured working postures were analyzed with the human kinematic model (3D SSPP) that can estimate theoretical value of the muscle tension and loads on the lumber vertebrae; knees and ankles. Three types of washers (European type; box shape and horizontal drum; Conventional Japanese type; a vertical drum; New type; slant drum with higher profile) were used for the experiment. 12 female participants aged between 22 and 43 took evaluation.

On electrics shaver; electromyogram of lower arm and pressure to the face was measured.

Findings: On Washer-dryer; theoretical muscular forces (%MVC; percent of maximum voluntary contraction which is a percentage of the maximum muscular force of 50 percentile female) on elbow; hip; knee and ankle were estimated. Sum of the %MVC of the new type was 116; European type was 133 (knee tension is high) and conventional Japanese type was 284 (ankle tension is 110; which exceeds the limit). The new type requires only 40% of the muscular force required for the conventional Japanese type. From the subjective evaluation; the new type was better than the European type washer and conventional type on subjective fatigue evaluation and general evaluation; with statistical significance with one-way ANOVA.

On shaver; EMG was reduced 20% from conventional shape and it was and statistically significant. Pressure force to the face skin was reduced 85% and also significant.

Originality/Value of paper: The practical case examples of improvement with Kansei ergonomics; through the commercial product development