EMS Training Device Corrosion Protection via Resistance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional EMS training devices experience unpredictable failures of electrodes due to corrosion, leading to inadequate muscle stimulation, as differences in resistance in the current circuit cause oxidation and increased resistance, which can render electrodes unable to transmit the required stimuli for muscle contraction.
Innovation Solution
An EMS training device with a measuring device to detect resistance, a comparison device to assess deviations from target values, and a compensation device to balance resistance differences, using a protective electrode or sacrificial anode to prevent corrosion, ensuring consistent current delivery and extending the operational lifespan of electrodes and garments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If EMS electrodes are used in conventional training devices, then muscle stimulation can be provided, but the electrodes suffer from corrosion and resistance deviations leading to unpredictable failures
Solution Approach 1:
A protective electrode is introduced as an intermediary element between the current source and the working EMS electrode. This protective electrode acts as a sacrificial component that undergoes corrosion instead of the working electrode, thereby protecting the main electrode from degradation and ensuring reliable long-term operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary protective action by using the protective electrode to preemptively undergo corrosion and oxidation processes. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful effects from affecting the working electrode, maintaining its electrical properties and reliability throughout the training device's operational life.
2Adaptability or versatility
If differences in resistance are allowed to exist in the current circuit, then the system operates with natural variations, but corrosion occurs due to oxidation from resistance deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the measuring device continuously monitors resistance values in the current circuit. When resistance deviations are detected, the control device adjusts the current distribution accordingly, and the protective electrode compensates for the effects of these variations, preventing corrosion while maintaining adaptability to natural resistance differences.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If measuring and compensation devices are added to protect against corrosion, then electrode lifespan is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective electrode serves itself as a sacrificial component that automatically undergoes corrosion without requiring active control or intervention. The measuring device simply monitors resistance deviations, and the system self-adjusts through the protective electrode's automatic corrosion process, extending electrode lifespan while minimizing the complexity of active control mechanisms.
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 effectively compensates for resistance deviations, preventing corrosion and ensuring reliable muscle stimulation by maintaining optimal current flow, thereby extending the lifespan of EMS electrodes and garments.
Implementation Method 1
at least one measuring device in order to detect in the line branch a resistance or a quantity corresponding to the resistance as an actual value
Implementation Method 2
at least one compensation device in order to compensate a deviation of the actual value from the target value in the line branch
Implementation Method 3
using a protective electrode or sacrificial anode to prevent corrosion
Data Source
AI summary
An EMS training device includes an EMS stimulus generating unit for generating EMS stimuli following a specified excitation pattern with current pulses and/or an alternating current. EMS electrodes are attached to a living body in pairs for applying the EMS stimuli to the body. Line branches connect the EMS electrodes to the EMS stimulus generating unit to apply the EMS stimuli to corresponding EMS electrodes such that a current with a specified amplitude and frequency pattern is conducted through the body. To protect the EMS electrodes and/or other susceptible elements of the line branches from corrosion, the EMS training device has at least one measuring device for measuring a value of a resistance in the line branch, a comparison device for comparing the value with a target value, and at least one compensation device for compensating for a deviation of the actual value from the target value.