Electric scooter handlebars with balance monitoring

Abstract

This utility model discloses a handlebar for an electric mobility scooter with balance force monitoring, comprising: a horizontal tube, a vertical tube, a signal processing module, an alarm module, a control module, and two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays. The top of the vertical tube is fixed to the middle of the horizontal tube. A left handlebar is installed at one end of the horizontal tube, and a right handlebar is installed at the other end. The two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays are a first flexible pressure sensor array and a second flexible pressure sensor array. The first flexible pressure sensor array is fixed to the outer surface of the left handlebar, and the second flexible pressure sensor array is fixed to the outer surface of the right handlebar. The signal processing module is connected to both sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays to obtain the pressure difference between them. The alarm module is connected to the signal processing module for issuing an alarm. The control module is electrically connected to the signal processing module for controlling the speed. This utility model collects the pressure data of the handlebar in real time to determine its balance status. When an abnormality occurs in the balance, an alarm is issued promptly, and the control module is activated to take corresponding measures.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of safety monitoring technology for electric mobility scooters for the elderly, specifically relating to a handlebar for an electric mobility scooter with balance force monitoring. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing aging of the population, the use of electric mobility scooters for the elderly is becoming more and more widespread. However, due to declining physical function and relatively weaker balance, elderly people are prone to falls and other safety accidents when riding these scooters. Currently, most electric mobility scooters for the elderly on the market lack effective balance monitoring methods, failing to accurately and in real-time obtain the balance status of elderly riders. This makes it difficult to issue timely alarms or take appropriate control measures when balance abnormalities occur, posing significant safety hazards.

[0003] Existing balance monitoring devices suffer from two main drawbacks: firstly, their complex structure and inconvenient installation increase the weight and cost of the mobility scooter; secondly, their low monitoring accuracy fails to accurately reflect changes in pressure distribution on the handlebars, making them unsuitable for the dynamic balance monitoring needs of elderly riders. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a simple, easy-to-install, and accurate balance force monitoring device to improve the safety of elderly riders of electric mobility scooters. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this invention is to provide an electric mobility scooter handlebar with balance force monitoring. This electric mobility scooter handlebar uses a flexible pressure sensor to monitor the pressure distribution applied by both hands on the handlebar in real time during riding, thereby determining its balance status. When an abnormality occurs in the balance, an alarm is issued in a timely manner and the control module is activated to take corresponding measures.

[0005] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution.

[0006] An electric mobility scooter handlebar with balance force monitoring includes: a horizontal tube, a vertical tube, a signal processing module, an alarm module, a control module, and two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays. The top of the vertical tube is fixed to the middle of the horizontal tube. A left handlebar is installed at one end of the horizontal tube, and a right handlebar is installed at the other end of the horizontal tube.

[0007] The two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays are the first flexible pressure sensor array and the second flexible pressure sensor array; each set of flexible pressure sensor arrays consists of N flexible pressure sensors arranged in an array.

[0008] A first flexible pressure sensor array is fixedly mounted on the outer surface of the left handrail, and a second flexible pressure sensor array is fixedly mounted on the outer surface of the right handrail.

[0009] The signal processing module is connected to two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays to obtain the pressure difference between the two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays.

[0010] The alarm module is connected to the signal processing module for alarm purposes; the signal processing module is electrically connected to the control module, which is used to control the speed of the electric mobility scooter.

[0011] In the above technical solution, each flexible pressure sensor is a piezoresistive pressure sensor.

[0012] In the above technical solution, the signal processing module is electrically connected to the first flexible pressure sensor array and the second flexible pressure sensor array via shielded cables.

[0013] In the above technical solution, the signal processing module includes: a Wheatstone bridge, a signal amplification circuit, a filtering circuit, an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, and a microcontroller. The Wheatstone bridge is used to convert the resistance change of each flexible pressure sensor into an analog voltage signal. The signal amplification circuit amplifies the analog voltage signal to obtain an amplified analog signal. The filtering circuit is used to filter out high-frequency interference signals from the amplified analog signal. The analog-to-digital conversion circuit is used to convert the filtered analog signal into a digital signal. The microcontroller is used to convert the digital signal into a pressure signal and calculate the pressure difference between the two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays.

[0014] In the above technical solution, the first flexible pressure sensor array is attached to the outer surface of the left hand grip corresponding to the gripping position, and the second flexible pressure sensor array is attached to the outer surface of the right hand grip corresponding to the gripping position.

[0015] In the above technical solution, the first flexible pressure sensor array and the second flexible pressure sensor array are symmetrically arranged with the straight line where the riser is located as the center line.

[0016] In the above technical solution, the grip positions of both the left and right wheel chocks are curved surfaces.

[0017] In the above technical solution, each flexible pressure sensor in the first flexible pressure sensor array is attached to the outer surface of the left handrail with conductive adhesive, and each flexible pressure sensor in the second flexible pressure sensor array is attached to the outer surface of the right handrail with conductive adhesive.

[0018] In the above technical solution, N=8, and the eight flexible pressure sensors in the same flexible pressure sensor array are arranged in two rows, with four flexible pressure sensors in the first row and four flexible pressure sensors in the second row.

[0019] In the above technical solution, the microcontroller uses an ARM Cortex-M3 core.

[0020] In the above technical solution, the alarm module includes a buzzer and an LED indicator.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] 1. This utility model adopts a flexible pressure sensor array that fits into the handlebars, which can collect pressure distribution data on the handlebars in real time and accurately reflect the balance status of elderly people when riding.

[0023] 2. This utility model has a simple structure and is easy to install. Without changing the original structure of the electric mobility scooter, it only requires the flexible pressure sensor to be fitted and installed on the handlebar part. It is suitable for various types of electric mobility scooters for the elderly. Therefore, it is low in cost and easy to promote and apply.

[0024] 3. This utility model can promptly issue an alarm and trigger the control module to take corresponding measures when an imbalance occurs, effectively improving the safety of elderly people riding electric mobility scooters. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the handlebars of the electric mobility scooter of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure in this utility model.

[0027] Among them, 1: horizontal tube, 2: flexible pressure sensor array, 2-1: flexible pressure sensor, 3: signal processing module, 4: alarm module, and 5: control module. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The following is a detailed description of the handlebars of the electric mobility scooter with balance force monitoring according to the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, an electric mobility scooter handlebar with balance force monitoring includes: a horizontal tube 1, a vertical tube, a signal processing module 3, an alarm module 4, a control module 5, and two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays 2. The top of the vertical tube is fixed to the middle of the horizontal tube. A left handlebar is installed at one end of the horizontal tube, and a right handlebar is installed at the other end of the horizontal tube.

[0031] The two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays 2 are the first flexible pressure sensor array and the second flexible pressure sensor array; each set of flexible pressure sensor array consists of N flexible pressure sensors arranged in an array.

[0032] A first flexible pressure sensor array is fixed (attached) to the outer surface of the left handrail, and a second flexible pressure sensor array is fixed (attached) to the outer surface of the right handrail.

[0033] The signal processing module 3 is connected to two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays 2 respectively, and is used to obtain the pressure difference between the two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays.

[0034] Alarm module 4 is connected to signal processing module 3 for alarm purposes; signal processing module 3 is electrically connected to control module 5, which is used to control the speed of the electric mobility scooter.

[0035] The working principle of the electric mobility scooter handlebars with balance force monitoring is as follows: When riding, both hands act on the left and right handlebars at both ends of the horizontal tube 1, respectively. The pressure difference between the first and second flexible pressure sensor arrays is obtained through the signal processing module 3. When the balance is abnormal, an alarm is issued through the alarm module 4, and the electric mobility scooter is decelerated through the control module 5.

[0036] Example 2

[0037] An electric mobility scooter handlebar with balance force monitoring, based on Embodiment 1, wherein each flexible pressure sensor is a piezoresistive pressure sensor.

[0038] The signal processing module 3 is electrically connected to the first flexible pressure sensor array and the second flexible pressure sensor array via shielded cables (to reduce external electromagnetic interference); the signal processing module is powered by the power supply module; the signal processing module includes: a Wheatstone bridge, a signal amplification circuit, a filtering circuit, an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, and a microcontroller;

[0039] The Wheatstone bridge is used to convert the resistance change of each flexible pressure sensor into an analog voltage signal. The signal amplification circuit amplifies the analog voltage signal to obtain an amplified analog signal. The filtering circuit is used to filter out high-frequency interference signals from the amplified analog signal. The analog-to-digital conversion circuit is used to convert the filtered analog signal into a digital signal. The microcontroller uses a calibration formula to convert the digital signal into a pressure signal and calculate the pressure difference between the two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays.

[0040] The first flexible pressure sensor array is attached to the outer surface of the left handrail, corresponding to the hand gripping position, and the second flexible pressure sensor array is attached to the outer surface of the right handrail, corresponding to the hand gripping position. The first and second flexible pressure sensor arrays are symmetrically arranged with the straight line of the riser as the center line.

[0041] Both the left and right hand grips are curved, and their curved shape allows them to fit snugly against the user's palm.

[0042] Preferably, each flexible pressure sensor in the first flexible pressure sensor array is attached to the outer surface of the left handrail using conductive adhesive, and each flexible pressure sensor in the second flexible pressure sensor array is attached to the outer surface of the right handrail using conductive adhesive. Preferably, N=8. The eight flexible pressure sensors in the same flexible pressure sensor array are arranged in two rows, with four flexible pressure sensors in the first row and four flexible pressure sensors in the second row.

[0043] In this embodiment, each flexible pressure sensor can be a flexible piezoresistive sensor disclosed in Yu Y, Zhao Y, Xue T, et al. Mechano-Filtering Encapsulation: A Stitching-Based Packaging Strategy Implementing Active Noise Suppression in Piezoresistive Pressure Sensors[J]. Micromachines, 2025, 16(4). The substrate material of this flexible piezoresistive sensor is a low-density melamine sponge (density 10 mg / cm³). 3 This flexible piezoresistive sensor is fully encapsulated with medical-grade elastic silicone (0.7mm thick, Shore A42 hardness), combining pressure sensitivity with skin contact safety.

[0044] Example 3

[0045] An electric mobility scooter handlebar with balance force monitoring, based on embodiment 2, uses an ARM Cortex-M3 core for the microcontroller.

[0046] Alarm module 4 includes a buzzer and an LED indicator. Alarm module 4 emits sound and light alarms to make it easy for users to see and hear the alarms and to remind them to pay attention to their balance.

[0047] The control module 5 is connected to the motor controller and brake controller of the electric mobility scooter via a CAN bus. It is used to control the deceleration of the electric mobility scooter's motor (such as reducing the motor speed by 30%), and at the same time send a slight braking signal to the braking system to increase the stability of the vehicle and help the user regain balance.

[0048] This utility model relates to an electric mobility scooter with a balance monitoring system. The handlebars monitor the user's balance while riding. If the balance is normal, monitoring continues; if abnormal, the microcontroller sends an alarm signal to the alarm module 4. Additionally, the microcontroller can send control signals to the control module 5 to adjust the motor, brakes, and other systems of the electric mobility scooter, assisting the user in regaining balance.

[0049] The present invention has been described above by way of example. It should be noted that, without departing from the core of the present invention, any simple modifications, alterations or other equivalent substitutions that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative effort fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A handlebar for an electric mobility scooter with balance force monitoring, characterized in that, include: The system comprises a horizontal tube (1), a vertical tube, a signal processing module (3), an alarm module (4), a control module (5), and two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays (2). The top of the vertical tube is fixed to the middle of the horizontal tube (1). A left handrail is installed at one end of the horizontal tube (1), and a right handrail is installed at the other end of the horizontal tube (1). The two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays (2) are a first flexible pressure sensor array and a second flexible pressure sensor array. Each set of flexible pressure sensor arrays (2) consists of N flexible pressure sensors (2-1) arranged in an array. A first flexible pressure sensor array is fixed to the outer surface of the left handrail, and a second flexible pressure sensor array is fixed to the outer surface of the right handrail. The signal processing module (3) is connected to the two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays (2) respectively to obtain the pressure difference between the two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays (2). The alarm module (4) is connected to the signal processing module (3) for alarm purposes. The signal processing module (3) is electrically connected to the control module (5), and the control module (5) is used to control the driving speed of the electric mobility scooter.

2. The handlebar of the electric mobility scooter with balance force monitoring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal processing module (3) includes: a Wheatstone bridge, a signal amplification circuit, a filtering circuit, an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, and a microcontroller; The Wheatstone bridge is used to convert the resistance change of each flexible pressure sensor (2-1) into an analog voltage signal. The signal amplification circuit amplifies the analog voltage signal to obtain an amplified analog signal. The filtering circuit is used to filter out high-frequency interference signals from the amplified analog signal. The analog-to-digital conversion circuit is used to convert the filtered analog signal into a digital signal. The microcontroller converts the digital signal into a pressure signal and calculates the pressure difference between the two sets of flexible pressure sensor arrays (2).

3. The handlebar of the electric mobility scooter with balance force monitoring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first flexible pressure sensor array is attached to the outer surface of the left hand grip, corresponding to the gripping position, and the second flexible pressure sensor array is attached to the outer surface of the right hand grip, corresponding to the gripping position.

4. The handlebars of the electric mobility scooter with balance force monitoring according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each flexible pressure sensor (2-1) in the first flexible pressure sensor array is attached to the outer surface of the left handrail with conductive adhesive, and each flexible pressure sensor (2-1) in the second flexible pressure sensor array is attached to the outer surface of the right handrail with conductive adhesive.

5. The handlebar of the electric mobility scooter with balance force monitoring according to claim 4, characterized in that, Each flexible pressure sensor (2-1) is a piezoresistive pressure sensor.

6. The handlebar of the electric mobility scooter with balance force monitoring according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first flexible pressure sensor array and the second flexible pressure sensor array are symmetrically arranged with the straight line where the riser is located as the center line.

7. The handlebar of the electric mobility scooter with balance force monitoring according to claim 4, characterized in that, Both the left and right wheel chock grip positions are curved surfaces.

8. The handlebar of the electric mobility scooter with balance force monitoring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal processing module is electrically connected to the first flexible pressure sensor array and the second flexible pressure sensor array via shielded cables. The alarm module includes a buzzer and LED indicators.

9. The handlebar of the electric mobility scooter with balance force monitoring according to claim 1, characterized in that, N=8. The eight flexible pressure sensors in the same flexible pressure sensor array are arranged in two rows, with four flexible pressure sensors in the first row and four flexible pressure sensors in the second row.

10. The handlebar of the electric mobility scooter with balance force monitoring according to claim 2, characterized in that, The microcontroller uses an ARM Cortex-M3 core.

Images