Apparatus and method for testing strength and durability of wearable motion assistance device

A testing apparatus for evaluating strength and durability by repeatedly applying an impact force to a lower-limb-type wearable motion assistance device,

• the testing apparatus comprising:
• a base at one end of which an impinging surface is formed along a vertical direction;
• a vibration exciter that is secured at another end of the base and causes reciprocating motion of a piston rod by driving an actuator to excite the piston rod in a horizontal and straight linear direction;
• a stage that is connected to a tip of the piston rod and can be moved freely slidably on the base integrally with the piston rod;
• a dummy doll that is secured and retained on the stage and partially imitates at least a lower back part and legs of a human body;
• and
• a load cell that is provided on a tip of the piston rod or the impinging surface and measures, via the stage, distortion caused by application of a load on a foot part of the dummy doll,
• wherein when the piston rod is excited at predetermined stroke length and operating speed in a state where the dummy doll wears the wearable motion assistance device, a reciprocable area of the stage relative to the impinging surface of the base is adjusted to make a measured value of the load cell exceed a predetermined reference value.