Study on the biomechanical characteristics of lower limbs of excavator drivers under the influence of seat parameters

The operating environment of excavators is harsh, with drivers working continuously for long hours and heavy workloads, which can cause problems such as joint and muscle injuries. In order to further investigate the influence of seat position parameters on the biomechanical characteristics of lower limbs of excavator drivers, this study is based on the OpenSim software to construct a biomechanical model, with nine seat positions as variables, to analyze key biomechanical indicators such as lower limb muscle activation and joint torque of excavator drivers. Then, by comparing and verifying theoretical calculations, simulation analysis, and experimental testing, the influence mechanism of seat position on lower limb biomechanics was quantified, and the biomechanical characteristics of excavator drivers’ lower limbs were deeply explored. The final results indicate that pedal operation under seat position parameters has a significant impact on the load on the driver’s lower limbs. The variation in vertical and horizontal distance between the seat and pedals can cause significant nonlinear changes in the activation pattern of the entire lower limb muscles. In addition, analysis shows that during pedal operation, knee joint torque and ankle joint torque exhibit particularly high sensitivity to changes in joint angle. These findings provide theoretical support for exploring the relationship between driver posture and biomechanical changes, and data support for determining the optimal seat position to reduce muscle fatigue and joint injuries. The research results can provide scientific basis for optimizing driving environment, preventing occupational injuries, and improving excavation efficiency.