Floating Sensor Mount for Sports Handle Reduces Motion Artifacts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cardiac activity measurement systems, particularly those embedded in sports equipment, face challenges with reliability during rigorous physical activity and strong motion artifacts, which can lead to decreased signal quality and unusable data.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an optical cardiac activity sensor with a floating attachment mechanism on the handle of sports equipment, which reduces pressure on the sensor and enhances signal quality by absorbing some of the force applied during physical activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the optical sensor is rigidly attached to the sports equipment handle, then the sensor maintains stable position, but motion artifacts increase and signal quality decreases during physical activity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor position stabilityVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a floating attachment mechanism that allows the optical sensor to dynamically adjust its position relative to the handle. The sensor is not rigidly fixed but can move independently within a defined range, enabling it to adapt to vibrations and motions during exercise. This dynamic positioning reduces motion artifacts while maintaining contact with the user's finger, thereby improving signal quality without sacrificing position stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If pressure is applied to the optical sensor during gripping, then contact with skin is ensured, but motion artifacts increase and measurement reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecardiac activity measurement accuracyVSAvoiddata usability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sensor assembly into two independent functional parts: the optical sensor unit that contacts the user's finger for measurement, and the floating attachment mechanism that connects to the handle. This segmentation allows the sensor to maintain light contact with the skin for accurate measurement while the floating connection absorbs excessive gripping forces, preventing motion artifacts and ensuring data usability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the sensor is firmly fixed to reduce motion during exercise, then position stability improves, but the sensor transmits more vibrations and reduces signal quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor positioningVSAvoidcardiac signal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a floating attachment mechanism as an intermediary element between the optical sensor and the sports equipment handle. This intermediary absorbs vibrations and mechanical stresses from the handle, preventing them from being transmitted to the sensor. The floating connection acts as a vibration isolator, allowing the sensor to maintain stable positioning while filtering out harmful vibrations to preserve signal quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution allows for accurate measurement of cardiac activity even during intense physical activity, by maintaining signal quality and reducing motion artifacts, thereby providing reliable data for heart rate, heart rate variability, and other cardiac metrics.

Implementation Method 1

an optical cardiac activity sensor configured to measure cardiac activity of the user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoplethysmography: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

attachment means for floatingly attaching the optical cardiac activity sensor to a handle of a sports equipment in order to reduce pressure on a measuring head of said sensor caused by a physical contact between said measuring head and at least one finger or a palm of the user when gripping the handle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3569139B1Floating cardiac activity sensor for a sports equipment handle
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 POLAR ELECTRO
  • EP3569139B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3569139B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C
  • EP3569139B1 patent drawingFigure 2D~2E

AI summary

There is provided a cardiac activity measurement assembly for a sports equipment handle and the handle, said assembly comprising: an optical cardiac activity sensor configured to measure cardiac activity of a user; and attachment means for floatingly attaching the optical cardiac activity sensor to a handle of sports equipment in order to reduce pressure on a measuring head of said sensor caused by a skin contact between said measuring head and at least one finger or a palm of the user when gripping the handle.