13226results about "Apparatus for force/torque/work measurement" patented technology

A movement measuring device determines the speed of the body's specific movement on the basis of the maximum value of the acceleration sensed by an acceleration sensing unit attached to the body, when the body has made a specific movement. For example, when the player wears the device on his arm and makes a punching motion, the punching speed is found from the maximum acceleration resulting from the punching action. Furthermore, a game device obtains data indicating the magnitude of a specific movement of the body, on the basis of the acceleration sensed by an acceleration sensing unit, and then decides the outcome of the game on the basis of the strength and weakness of the punch. This enables the user to easily play a fighting sport game involving the player's actual punching motions anywhere.

The device comprises a rigid former reproducing the volume of a portion of the body and suitable for receiving the compressive orthosis. The former (10) incorporates a plurality of sensors (22) distributed over various points of the former and configured in such a manner as to avoid significantly modifying the surface profile of the former, the sensors essentially measuring the pressure applied locally on the former by the orthosis at the location of the sensor and perpendicularly to the surface of the former. Advantageously, at the location of the measurement point, each sensor comprises a thin wall capable of being subjected to microdeformation under the effect of the pressure applied by the orthosis, and means such as a strain gauge bridge, for example. The thin wall can constitute a portion of a support pellet which is fitted to the former in such a manner that its outside surface, which includes the thin wall, is flush with the outside surface of the former.

The invention provides a system, method and device which allows for real time monitoring of an athlete's performance during an athletic event, such as a boxing match or kick-boxing match, to provide a greater quantity of information to a viewer of the event. The system (9) includes a plurality of monitoring articles (10) attached to each fighter (202 and 204) and a computing device (50) positioned outside of the fighting environment (200). Each of the plurality of monitoring articles (10) preferably includes a motion sensing device (34), a microprocessor (18) and a wireless transceiver (38). The monitoring article (10) creates a real-time impact force signal for each punch or kick, which is wirelessly transmitted outside of the fighting environment (200) to a computing device (50) for processing into an impact value for transmission to and image on an electro-optical display (250).

A capacitive force sensor (100) includes a substrate (101) having at least one electrode pair (102,103) defining a capacitance disposed thereon. The substrate (101) is fixed relative to a first plate (106). A drive circuit (104) is configured to apply a voltage relative to a circuit ground (105) to the electrode pair (102,103). The first plate (106) is separated from a second plate (107) that is coupled to circuit ground (105) by a compliance member (108,109). The compliance member (108,109) is configured to oppose a compression force (110) while allowing the first plate (106) to physically move relative to the second plate (107). A capacitive detection circuit (111) is then configured to detect a change the capacitance when the compliance member (108,109) is compressed. The compression force (110) is then determined from the change in capacitance and the spring constant of the compliance member (108,109).

A system for determining the tongue weight and total weight of a towed vehicle and other parameters includes a drawbar transducer in one embodiment, a receiver hitch transducer in another embodiment, and a trailer tongue transducer in a further embodiment. Strain gauges are strategically located on the transducer and information regarding the towed vehicle are sent to a display. In one embodiment, a portable display unit, smartphone or the like has a receiver for receiving transmitted data from the transducer reflective of the towed vehicle measured and calculated parameter so that a user can view the tongue weight in practically real time as well as other parameters relating to loading and towing. In this manner, the user can adjust the contents of the towed vehicle to achieve proper tongue weight without the necessity of going back and forth between the trailer and the transducer. A method is also disclosed for determining a safe towing condition based on the trailer tongue weight, trailer pulling force, acceleration during towing, calculated trailer weight, and other factors.

Disclosed herein is an improved input device for a processing system, such as, for example a computer system; and an improved method for operating that input device. The system monitors at least one indicia, such as an operating parameter of the input device, where the operating parameter has a first characteristic when the input device is in one operating position or state, but where are the operating parameter has a second characteristic when the input device is in another position or state. In one example, the operating parameter includes generally vertical movement of the input device. In other embodiments, other operating parameters may be relied upon.

Methods and systems are disclosed for determining speed, power and/or impact (sporting characteristics) of persons involved in activity. Wireless signals may be generated indicative of the sporting characteristics for receipt and display on a watch worn by the user or on a remote display. Sensors may attach to the person or to a vehicle ridden by the person, to gauge activities such as jogging, hockey, biking, football and aerobics.

A fiber optic force sensing assembly for detecting forces imparted at a distal end of a catheter assembly. The structural member may include segments adjacent each other in a serial arrangement, with gaps located between adjacent segments that are bridged by flexures. Fiber optics are coupled to the structural member. In one embodiment, each fiber optic has a distal end disposed adjacent one of the gaps and oriented for emission of light onto and for collection of light reflected from a segment adjacent the gap. The optical fibers cooperate with the deformable structure to provide a change in the intensity of the reflected light, or alternatively to provide a variable gap interferometer for sensing deformation of the structural member. In another embodiment, the gaps are bridged by fiber Bragg gratings that reflect light back through the fiber optic at central wavelengths that vary with the strain imposed on the grating.

The present invention concerns movement facilitation devices for facilitating movement between a first portion of a first object and a second portion of the first object. One or more of the movement facilitation devices may be combined to form a movement device for facilitating movement of at least one joint or limb of a patient's body. One form of a movement device according to the invention is a glove which at least partially encloses the joint or limb. The invention also encompasses systems for applying Continuous Passive Motion therapy to a joint or limb of a patient using the devices of the invention. The invention also encompasses the use of shape memory materials and of conducting polymers in the devices and systems of the invention, as well as the design of force transducers and actuators that may be used in the devices.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring head acceleration and/or forces acting thereon are disclosed. A device for monitoring an acceleration or a force acting on the head of a user includes a flexible article adapted to be worn on the head of the user; and a monitoring assembly coupled to the flexible article. The monitoring assembly includes a sensor for measuring a force on the head and transmitting data relating to the force, the sensor disposed proximate to the head, a processor adapted to receive the force data from the sensor, and a flexible strip operatively connecting the sensor and the processor.

A method and apparatus are provided for filling a gap of missing data using source specified data. The method includes analyzing a first set of data representative of utility consumption for a plurality of days to determine clusters of days of the week having similar utility consumption. The method further includes generating an individual profile of utility consumption for each cluster, and copying data from at least one individual profile into the gap to form a second set of data without any gaps. A system for filling a gap of missing data using source specified data includes a microprocessor programmed to copy data from at least one individual profile into the gap, and to adjust the copied data up or down to account for local trend information adjacent to the gap.

A capacitive encoder includes a signal-balanced shield electrode configuration that does not require electrical ground connection or active sensing and control in order to maintain the shield electrode(s) at a sufficiently constant voltage during capacitive position measurements. The shield electrode configuration is positioned in a capacitive coupling gap between transmitter electrodes and receiver electrodes during operation. The shield electrode configuration is patterned in a manner that complements the layout of the transmitter electrodes, such that the shield electrode configuration inherently floats at a nominally constant electrical potential when coupled to the signals present on the transmitter electrodes. The resulting capacitive encoder is thus more economical to build, convenient to install, and reliable during operation than capacitive encoders which use an electrical connection, compensation drive circuitry, or grounding in order to control the potential of a shield member that operates at a potential that is not inherently constant.

Methods and systems for constructing a load history database for a structure is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that may include detecting a measurable parameter on the structure utilizing a sensor positioned on the structure and determining a value of external loads acting upon the structure based on the detected parameter. Further, the method may include evaluating the value of the external loads against a pre-established factor. Based on the evaluation, the value of the external loads are selectively stored in the load history database.

The present invention relates to a hand-held working tool, such as a setting device used for driving fastening elements such as nails, bolts, pins and the like into a surface, or an at least partially percussive hand-held tool having a housing part (11) and a working mechanism such as a setting or striking mechanism arranged inside the housing of the device and having at least one sensing device (17) for sensing acceleration forces occurring during a setting or striking pulse as well as a handle. For improving this type of hand-held working tool (10) an interface (30) for data communication and data output is arranged on the hand-held working tool.