Electronic Handle Force Sensing via Photocell and Shutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic handles for walking assistance devices are expensive and bulky, making them unsuitable for widespread use, especially among the aging population who require intuitive and affordable solutions for controlling motorized devices.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electronic handle that uses a coupling between a photocell and a shutter element, allowing for the measurement of forces as low as 15 N with inexpensive and robust sensors, which includes a central part made of materials with high Young's modulus and an outer envelope capable of elastic deformation, enabling precise force component measurement without the need for direct fixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive force sensors (strain gauges, piezoelectric sensors) are used in electronic handles, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical force sensors with a simplified system combining a photocell (optical sensor) and a shutter element. The shutter element blocks light based on its position, which is controlled by the force applied to the handle, converting mechanical force into optical signal modulation. This substitution dramatically reduces sensor complexity and cost while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a shutter element as an intermediary between the force application and the photocell. The shutter element translates force-induced mechanical displacement into optical blocking, serving as a mediator that converts one form of energy (mechanical) into another (optical) that can be easily measured by the photocell. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall sensing system.
2Device complexity
If unidirectional force sensors are used in electronic handles, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to measure multiple force components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the force measurement capability by using multiple independent photocell-shutter pairs, each oriented to detect force components in different directions. Instead of using a single complex sensor, the system divides the measurement task into multiple simple, independent measurement channels, each handling a specific force component direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends force measurement from one dimension to multiple dimensions by arranging photocells and shutters to detect force components in different spatial directions. This dimensional expansion allows the system to measure complex multi-directional forces using simple unidirectional detection elements, effectively converting a 1D measurement problem into a multi-D measurement capability.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, sensitive, and reliable means to measure force components, allowing for intuitive control of motorized devices like walking assistance devices, with improved sensitivity and reduced measurement drift over time, and eliminates the need for recurring recalibrations.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic handle (1) arranged so as to allow measurement of at least one component of a force applied to it, in which the electronic handle (1) comprises a photocell (30, 50)
Implementation Method 2
an outer envelope (20) capable of elastic deformation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic handle (1) or to an apparatus for assisting with walking equipped with such a handle, said electronic handle being arranged so as to allow at least one component of a force that is applied thereto to be measured, said handle (1) comprising a central part (10) and an exterior jacket (20), said electronic handle (1) being characterised in that it comprises a first photoelectric cell (30) and a first obturating element (40), which are arranged so that a force applied to the electronic handle (1) is able to cause a modification of the amount of photons received by a first receiver (32), said modification being proportional to a first component of the force applied to the electronic handle (1).