International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 05 | May 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
Carry Comfort Belt
Aniket Sampat Pawar1 , C K Ageena Krishna 2 , Shivang Mukesh Mandvia 3
1Student, Vidya Varidhi Vidyalaya, Nallasopara, Mumbai,Maharastra,India
2Senior Manager, Learning Links Foundation, New Delhi, India
3Assistant Manager, Learning Links Foundation, New Delhi, India ***
Abstract - This paper describes the design and implementation of a belt, which helps in distributing the weightofschoolbagsandheavybagsacrosstheshoulders aswellasdorsumandreducesstrainonthebody.InIndia, students in the K-12 education system frequently carry excessivelyheavyschoolbags,leadingtosignificanthealth concerns such as musculoskeletal strain, postural deformities, and chronic back pain. Current backpack designs concentrate the entire load on the shoulders, failing to distribute weight effectively across the body. Prolonged exposuretosuchstresscanresultinlong-term spinal complications, negatively impacting students’ physicalwell-beingandposture.Tomitigatethisissue,we propose "Carry Comfort", an ergonomic load-distribution belt designed to redistribute the weight of school bags evenly across the upper and lower back. The prototype integrates a biomechanically optimized support system that transfers a portion of the load to the lumbar region, reducingstrainontheshoulders. Thedesignincorporates adjustablestrapsandlightweightyetdurablematerialsto ensure comfort and adaptability for different body types. The development process involves analyzing the biomechanical impact of weight distribution, material selection for durability and comfort, and real-world testing for effectiveness. Preliminary results indicate a significant reduction in shoulder pressure and improved posture alignment. This innovation has the potential to enhance student health and can be extended to other applications,suchashikingandoccupationalergonomics.
Key Words: HeavyBags,StudentPosture,StudentHealth, Lightweight Bags, Easier to Carry, Universal Usage, ErgonomicBackpack,WeightDistribution.
1.INTRODUCTION
According to CBSE and SSC guidelines, the recommended weightofschoolbagsforstudentsinclasses9and10is45 kg. However, Education Viskaspedia and the Times of IndiaresearchViskaspediaandtheTimesofIndiaindicate that the average weight of school bags for 7th-standard studentsisaround8kg.Thisexcessive weightcanleadto discomfort and difficulty concentrating in classrooms. Carry Comfort aims to reduce the strain caused by heavy bags, enhance students' focus, and provide an easier carrying solution for both students and working professionals.
1.1 Problem caused by Heavy Bags:
Health Issues: Shoulder strain, back pain, poor posture andneckpain.
Loss of Balance: Difficulty in walking and climbing stairs.
Decreased Focus: Physical discomfort reduces concentrationintheclassroom.
1.2 Proposed Solution:
Reduces Physical Discomfort: Carry Comfort minimizes shoulderstrainandbackpressure.
Improves Stability: The device evenly distributes weight across the body, improving balance while walking.
Enhances Focus: By correcting posture and reducing spinal pressure, Carry Comfort helps students concentratebetterinclass.
Universal Use: This device is suitable for students, dailyworkers,travellers,andtourists.
Easy to Use: Carry Comfort easily attaches to any bag and belt, effectively distributing weight across the body.
2. Technical Aspects & Materials
TheCarryComfortBeltisconstructedusinga10mmthick, 32cmlong,and10cmwidesunboardastheprimaryloaddistributing structure. This board rests against the user’s back, while a same-sized wooden plank is attached perpendicularly (90 degrees) to support the bag. The prototypeintegrates:
Strap Material: Nylon-based school belt, ensuring durabilityandcomfort.
LoadCapacity:Successfullytestedwithupto20kgwithout deformation.
Biomechanical Optimization: The design redistributes weight,reducingdirectshoulderstrain.
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 05 | May 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
Weight Sensor Validation: Strain measured via Arduinoprogrammed sensors indicated a 75% reduction in shoulderstress.
Stability & Comfort: The prototype offers perfect balance while walking and standing, with minor discomfort while runningduetotheneedforforwardlean.
3. Comparison with Existing Solutions
Table -1: Feature comparison
Feature Traditional Backpack Ergonomic Backpacks Carry Comfort Belt
Weight Distribution Concentrated onshoulders Partialwaist support Evenly distributed acrosswaist &hips
Shoulder
Strain Reduction High Moderate 70-75% Reduction
Stability While Walking Unstablewith highloads Improved Highly Stable
Running Comfort Notoptimized Slightly better Needsminor adjustment
Maximum TestedLoad 10-15kg 12-18kg 20kg
4. CAD Modeling in Onshape
The Carry Comfort Belt was initially designed using Onshape,acloud-basedCADsoftware.
The model features a 10mm thick, 32cm long, and 10cm widesunboard,withasame-sizedwoodenplankattached at90degreestoserveasarestingbaseforthebag.
Thedesignaimedtoredistributethebag’sweightfromthe shoulders to the waist and hips, reducing musculoskeletal strain.
Fig -1:RenderedCadModel
Fig -2:DrawingandDimensionsofModel
Fig -3:ImageofRealPrototype
5. Sensor Integration and Load Measurement
To measure the effectiveness of load redistribution, an SF45-65 Square-Shape Flexible Resistance-Type Thin Film PressureSensorwasintegratedwithanArduinoUno.This allowed real-time monitoring of pressure on the shoulder strapsbeforeandafterusingtheCarryComfortBelt.
Volume: 12 Issue: 05 | May 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
5.1 Components Used:
SF45-65 Thin Film Pressure Sensor
o Forcerange:0.1–20kg
o Sensingarea:45mm×65mm
o Responsetime:<10ms
Arduino Uno
10kΩ Resistor (voltagedivider)
Arduino Uno
Custom shoulder pad housing for the sensor
5.2 Working Principle:
The SF45-65 Square-Shape Flexible Resistance-Type Thin Film Pressure Sensor operates on the principle of forcesensitive resistance (FSR). This sensor consists of a semiconductivepolymerthatchangesitselectricalresistancein responsetoappliedmechanicalpressure.Whennoforceis applied, the resistance is extremely high often in the megaohm range. As pressure is applied to the sensor's active area (45mm x 65mm), the conductive particles inside the polymer matrix are pressed closer together, reducingtheresistancedramatically.
Tomeasurethevaryingresistance,thesensorisconfigured in a voltage divider circuit with a fixed resistor (typically 10kΩ). One end of the sensor is connected to a 5V power supply (from the Arduino), while the other end is connected to both an analog input pin and a resistor that goes to ground. As force increases and resistance decreases, the voltage at the analog pin increases. This voltageisreadbytheArduino’sanalog-to-digitalconverter (ADC),whichconvertsitintoadigitalvaluerangingfrom0 to1023(correspondingto0–5V).
Using a pre-calibrated relationship between force and output voltage, the Arduino can then calculate the approximateforcebeingappliedonthesensor.Thesensor was strategically placed beneath the shoulder strap of the school bag to capture the real-time load being exerted on thestudent'sshoulders.
Thismethodprovidesanefficient,low-costwaytomonitor and compare shoulder load before and after the implementation of the Carry Comfort Belt. It enables accurate assessment of how effectively the belt redistributestheloadtootherpartsofthebodysuchasthe lowerbackandhips.
5.3
6. Future Enhancements & Applications
To further optimize the Carry Comfort Belt, the following improvementsareproposed:
Improved Running Comfort: Introducing a hinged or flexible joint at the wooden plank connection can allow slight posture adjustments, improving usability for active users.
Material Optimization: Using lightweight composites like carbonfiber-reinforcedplasticinsteadofwoodtoenhance strengthwhilereducingoverallweight.
Adjustable Tilt Mechanism: A mechanism that allows the user to modify the bag’s resting angle based on activity type(walkingvs.running).
Broader Applications: While designed for students, this technologycanbeextendedto:
Hiking&TrekkingGearforbetterweightdistribution.
Industrial&OccupationalErgonomicsforworkerscarrying heavyloads.
7. CONCLUSION
Carry Comfort reduces the pressure of the bag’s weight, whichsignificantlyimprovesstudents'and workers'wellbeing.Thisgadgetisaffordable,practical,andcanbeeasily used by anyone, making it a universal solution for reducingthestrainofheavybags.
Circuit Diagram:
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 05 | May 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
REFERENCES
PubMed Central Article – PMC5001159 Shamsi, M. B., & Bharati, S. J. (2016). School bags and musculoskeletal healthinchildren.JournalofOrthopedicResearchand Therapy, 5(3). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5001159/
Greater Kashmir Article, Wani, F. (2022, September 14). How much should a school bag weigh? Greater Kashmir. https://www.greaterkashmir.com/opinion/howmuch-should-a-school-bag-weigh/
PubMed Central Article – PMC11116274,Gulati, S., & Sharma, N. (2023). Prevalence of back pain among school children and its correlation with schoolbag weight. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(1), Article 11116274. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11116274 /
CBGA India Blog, Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability. (2019, January 11). School bags – A weighty issue. CBGA India. https://www.cbgaindia.org/blog/school-bagsweighty-issue/
BIOGRAPHIES
Student Name: Aniket Sampat Pawar
Grade:10th
School Name: Vidya Varidhi Vidyalaya
Mentor Name: Shivang Mukesh
Mandvia
Company Name: Learning Links Foundation
Mentor Name: Ageena Krishna C.K
Company Name: Learning Links Foundation