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A team of researchers from the Harbin Institute of Technology in China has developed an innovative backpack that can significantly reduce the physical strain of carrying heavy loads. This self-lightening backpack, engineered by Yanhe Zhu and his team at the State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems, uses a unique mechanism to dampen the vertical forces generated by the weight of the contents, making it much easier and more comfortable for the wearer.
Backpacks, especially when loaded with heavy items, are notorious for causing discomfort due to the up-and-down motion of the contents as the user moves. This constant shifting not only increases the perceived weight of the backpack but also exerts additional force on the user’s back and legs. To address this, the Chinese team designed the “quasi-zero stiffness and controlled damping backpack” that effectively counters these vertical forces without the need for an external power source.
Unlike other weight-dampening backpacks, which often rely on motors that add extra weight and require power, this new design uses a set of symmetrical constant-force mechanisms, including springs and rotating rods. These components work together to minimize the vertical movement of the load, significantly reducing the strain on the wearer. Additionally, an electromagnetic motor is used to prevent the contents from striking the bag’s structure. The entire system is controlled by a microcontroller, which uses minimal electrical energy, making it highly energy-efficient.
To test the effectiveness of their design, the researchers conducted experiments in which volunteers wore both traditional backpacks and the new model while walking on a treadmill. According to Interesting Engineering, the results showed that the self-lightening backpack reduced the energy expenditure of wearers by 11% and decreased the vertical movement of the load by 85%. This innovative design adapts dynamically to the wearer’s movements, adjusting to prevent collisions with the bag’s structure, even when the user bends their back.
With these impressive results, the team is now focused on making the self-lightening backpack available to the public. Their future work includes integrating intelligent algorithms to allow the system to adapt to more diverse movements, such as jumping, and exploring energy recovery systems to further enhance the backpack’s performance. This new backpack promises to be a game-changer for anyone who needs to carry heavy loads over long distances.
