Displaceable Force Measurement Assembly with Virtual Reality Immersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional force measurement systems are cumbersome and lack flexibility in assessing balance characteristics, particularly for elderly individuals and those with balance disorders, as they often rely on antiquated technology with fixed images and are not adaptable to different testing schemes.
Innovation Solution
A force measurement system with a displaceable force measurement assembly that includes a surface for receiving the subject's body, force transducers to measure applied forces, actuators to displace the assembly, and a visual display device for immersive virtual reality scenarios, allowing for adjustable and interactive testing environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional balance systems employ fixed images in displaceable background enclosures, then the system structure is simple, but the adaptability to different testing schemes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed images with dynamic virtual reality scenarios that can be programmatically changed. The force measurement assembly remains displaceable, but the visual environment transitions from static to dynamic, allowing adaptation to different testing schemes through software control rather than physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical approach of physical background enclosures with fixed images against a virtual reality display system. This replaces the mechanical image display mechanism with an electronic/virtual system that can present multiple scenarios without physical movement, thereby improving adaptability while reducing mechanical complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the base assembly has a high step height, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of operation for elderly individuals and those with balance disorders is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the force measurement assembly displaceable relative to the base assembly, allowing the testing surface to be dynamically adjusted to various heights. This enables the system to accommodate different user needs and abilities while maintaining stability through controlled movement rather than fixed high step height.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the height parameter of the force measurement assembly through actuator-driven displacement. By making the assembly height adjustable rather than fixed, the system can adapt to different user requirements (such as lower heights for elderly individuals) while maintaining structural stability through the base assembly's fixed foundation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the force measurement assembly is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to create immersive virtual reality testing environments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces displacement capability to the force measurement assembly to enable synchronized movement with virtual reality scenarios. This dynamic adjustment allows the physical platform to respond to virtual environment changes, creating more immersive and adaptable testing conditions while accepting the necessary increase in mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the force measurement assembly: it serves as both a force sensing platform and a movable component for virtual reality synchronization. By making the assembly displaceable, it can serve multiple testing purposes (balance assessment, virtual reality immersion, motion synchronization) that a fixed assembly could not achieve.
4Measurement precision
If conventional balance systems use antiquated technology, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the measurement precision and accuracy of balance assessment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces antiquated mechanical balance assessment devices with a system that integrates force transducers, virtual reality displays, and computational processing. This substitution enables more precise measurement and assessment capabilities through electronic sensing and data processing rather than mechanical methods, while accepting the necessary increase in technological complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors force measurements and synchronizes virtual reality scenarios with the subject's movements. This closed-loop feedback enables more accurate balance assessment by adapting the testing environment in real-time based on measured physiological data, improving measurement precision through iterative adjustment.
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
The system provides a more accurate and flexible means of assessing balance by creating immersive virtual reality environments that adapt to the subject's movements, enhancing the ability to quantify balance characteristics and facilitate testing for diverse populations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one force transducer, the at least one force transducer configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are representative of forces and/or moments being applied to the surface of the force measurement assembly by the subject
Implementation Method 2
at least one actuator operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly, the at least one actuator configured to displace the force measurement assembly
Implementation Method 3
at least one visual display device having an output screen, the at least one visual display device configured to display one or more virtual reality scenes on the output screen so that the scenes are viewable by the subject, wherein the one or more virtual reality scenes are configured to create a simulated environment for the subject
Data Source
AI summary
A force measurement system having a displaceable force measurement assembly includes: a force measurement assembly with a surface configured to receive a subject, and having at least one force transducer; at least one actuator operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly, the at least one actuator configured to displace the force measurement assembly; at least one visual display device having an output screen, the at least one visual display device configured to display one or more virtual reality scenes on the output screen so as to create a simulated environment for the subject; and one or more data processing devices operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly, the at least one actuator, and the at least one visual display device. In one or more embodiments, a method for testing a subject disposed on a displaceable force measurement assembly is further disclosed.