Fluid-Filled Glove Joint Sensing for Reliable Hand Action Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gloves for capturing hand actions are costly, have high technical thresholds, and suffer from unreliable sensing due to false touch signals, making them less suitable for widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device with a flexible sealing structure filled with fluid and a pressure sensing unit that converts fluid pressure changes into electrical signals, allowing for robust hand action capture, particularly at knuckles, with minimal dependence on sensor position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If 9-axis positional sensing or magnetic localization sensing is used to capture hand actions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic sensing systems (9-axis sensors, magnetic localization) with a simple pneumatic system. A flexible sealed chamber filled with fluid communicates with a pressure sensor, where joint movement mechanically deforms the chamber and changes fluid pressure, which is then measured electronically. This substitutes complex direct electronic sensing with a mechanical-pneumatic transduction system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluid-filled flexible chamber as an intermediary between the joint movement and the pressure sensor. The chamber acts as a mediator that converts mechanical deformation into pressure changes, which are then easily measured by the pressure sensor. This intermediary simplifies the sensing mechanism compared to direct electronic sensing of joint position.
2Device complexity
If electrical resistance sensors are used to sense finger actions, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to false touch signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pneumatic system with a fluid-filled flexible chamber to sense joint movement. Instead of using electrical resistance sensors that are prone to false signals, the system measures pressure changes in the fluid caused by chamber deformation. This pneumatic approach provides more reliable sensing as pressure changes are more directly correlated with actual joint movement and less susceptible to false signals.
3Measurement precision
If precise sensor positioning is required for accurate hand action capture, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sensing parameter from direct joint position measurement to pressure measurement. The flexible chamber is designed to deform with joint movement, and this deformation translates to pressure changes in the fluid. The pressure sensor measures these changes regardless of its exact position on the chamber, making the system tolerant to positioning variations and easier to install.
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 and reliable method for capturing hand actions, offering robust sensing signals and accurate recognition of hand movements with reduced sensitivity to sensor placement.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensing unit, the pressure sensing unit being in fluid communication with the flexible sealing structure. A pressure of the fluid inside the flexible sealing structure changes in response to a deformation of the joint of the user, and the pressure sensing unit converts a change in the pressure of the fluid into an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing device may be provided. The sensing device may include a flexible sealing structure and a pressure sensing unit. The flexible sealing structure is provided at a joint of a user, and the flexible sealing structure is filled with fluid inside. The pressure sensing unit is in fluid communication with the flexible sealing structure. A pressure of the fluid inside the flexible sealing structure changes in response to a deformation of the joint of the user, and the pressure sensing unit converts a change in the pressure of the fluid into an electrical signal.