Artificial Limb Strain Gauge Sensor Block Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detection devices for artificial limbs require multiple strain gauges and a large sensor block to achieve significant strain output, making them cumbersome and difficult to downsize, while current designs often result in low strain output due to inadequate bending force application.
Innovation Solution
A compact sensor block design with a specific structure featuring a base, offset front and rear side walls, and an upper wall with a center portion of higher rigidity and thinner portions for strain gauges, allowing for increased bending and strain output, along with a ring-like fixing screw for amplifier placement and radiation shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor block is designed with a large size to produce greater strain, then the strain output is improved, but the device size increases and downsize becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor block employs local quality by creating thin-walled portions specifically at the locations where strain gauges are to be mounted, while maintaining thicker walls in other areas for structural support. This localized thinning increases strain output at the measurement locations without requiring the entire sensor block to be large or thin-walled, thus resolving the contradiction between strain output and overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a uniform thin-walled structure to a non-uniform structure with varying wall thickness across different regions. By optimizing the wall thickness distribution in the vertical and horizontal dimensions, the design achieves high strain output at specific locations while maintaining compact overall dimensions, effectively resolving the size-output contradiction.
2Measurement precision
If multiple strain gauges are used to detect load and moment independently, then the measurement capability is improved, but the number of components and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the detection functions for load and moment into a single integrated sensor block with strategically placed strain gauges. Instead of using separate detection devices or multiple independent strain gauge assemblies, the design combines multiple measurement capabilities within one compact structure, reducing component count and manufacturing complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor block is designed as a universal detection unit that can simultaneously measure both load and moment through its strategically positioned strain gauges. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensors for each parameter, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving measurement capability.
3Volume of moving object
If the sensor block walls are made thin to reduce size, then the device is downsized, but the structural strength and durability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor block employs local quality by creating thin-walled portions specifically at the locations where strain gauges are to be mounted, while maintaining thicker walls in other areas for structural support. This localized thinning increases strain output at the measurement locations without requiring the entire sensor block to be large or thin-walled, thus resolving the contradiction between strain output and overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor block is segmented into different regions with different wall thickness characteristics. The vertical walls and horizontal portions are designed with optimized thickness distributions, having thinner sections at strain gauge locations and thicker sections for structural support, allowing the device to be downsized while maintaining necessary strength.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances strain gauge output while reducing the size of the sensor block, allowing for more efficient signal processing and effective load and moment detection in artificial limbs, with improved durability and ease of calibration.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor block portion, which supports the strain gauges, produces a greater strain... the external force is applied to each strain gauge as a bending force
Implementation Method 2
a strain gauge supported by the sensor block and adapted to detect a load and moment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention provides a detection device for detecting a load and moment and capable of increasing the output by a strain gage. The detection device is provided with a characteristic sensor block. The sensor block includes a base having an axis extending in the direction of a load to be detected, a front side wall raised from the base at a position offset from the axis of the base, a rear side wall raised from the base at a position offset from the axis of the base in the direction opposite the front side wall, and an upper wall for connecting the upper end of the front side wall and the upper end of the rear side wall. The sensor block supports each strain gauge on the upper surface of the upper wall. The upper wall includes a center portion located at the center between the front side wall and the rear side wall, a first portion located between the center portion and the front side wall, and a second portion located between the center portion and the rear side wall. The first portion and the second portion, which support the strain gauges, have a smaller thickness than the center portion and are relatively easily deformed or strained.