External Force Sensor Housing for a Human-Powered Rotational Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Human-powered vehicle sensors experience variations in zero points due to use and deterioration, affecting measurement accuracy, and existing attachment methods complicate the integration of force sensors with rotational devices.
Innovation Solution
An electrical device for a rotational device of a human-powered vehicle comprising a housing with an outer and inner surface, where the force sensor is attached to the outer surface using an adhesive agent, positioned outside the internal space to improve measurement accuracy and simplify attachment, and includes a flexible printed circuit for enhanced flexibility and a wireless communicator for communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the force sensor is attached to the attachment surface configured to be attached to the additional attachment surface of the rotational device, then the housing and force sensor can be attached as a single unit simplifying the process, but the sensor attachment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensor is integrated with the housing to form a single assembly unit that is attached to the rotational device as one piece. This merging of components simplifies the attachment process by reducing the number of separate attachment operations required, while the internal integration manages the complexity of sensor mounting within the housing structure.
2Measurement precision
If the force sensor is provided entirely outside the internal space, then the distance to the additional attachment surface is shortened improving measurement accuracy, but the housing structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensor is positioned in the external space of the housing rather than within the internal space, utilizing the dimensional space outside the housing boundaries. This positioning reduces the measurement distance to the attachment surface, improving accuracy while the housing structure accommodates this external placement through its design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components (force sensor, position detector, wireless communicator) are integrated in the electrical device, then the device functionality is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical device is designed as a multi-functional integrated unit that combines the force sensor for force measurement, position detector for rotational position detection, and wireless communicator for data transmission. This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple functions that would otherwise require separate components, enhancing versatility while managing complexity through integration.
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 enhances measurement accuracy and simplifies the attachment process of force sensors to rotational devices, improving adhesive strength and enabling wireless communication, while protecting electrical components with a cover.
Implementation Method 1
The housing (28) is configured to be attached to an additional attachment surface (14S) of the rotational device (10) with an adhesive agent (78)
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical device for a rotational device of a human-powered vehicle comprises a housing and a force sensor. The housing includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface includes an attachment surface configured to be attached to an additional attachment surface of the rotational device with an adhesive agent. The inner surface defines an internal space. The force sensor is attached to the attachment surface and is configured to measure a force applied to the rotational device in an attachment state where the attachment surface is attached to the additional attachment surface of the rotational device.