Force Sensor Balance Scale with Deformable Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices fail to interactively and effectively encourage users to achieve and maintain balance, leading to a lack of awareness and activation of plantar tactile sensitivity, resulting in decreased anti-gravity muscle tone and increased risk of obesity, as they do not provide dynamic feedback on weight distribution.
Innovation Solution
A bathroom scale equipped with force sensors and deformable members that detect and display imbalance, providing visual and audible feedback to encourage users to correct their posture and maintain balance, thereby reactivating plantar tactile sensitivity and engaging anti-gravity muscles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional bathroom scale is used to measure weight, then the weight measurement function is provided, but the device does not provide interactive feedback to encourage users to achieve and maintain balance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using force sensors to detect weight distribution on the platform and providing visual or audible signals to the user. When imbalance is detected (unequal force distribution on left and right sides), the system generates feedback signals that guide the user to adjust their posture and achieve balance, thereby resolving the contradiction between adding interactive functionality and maintaining device simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the bathroom scale multi-functional by combining traditional weight measurement with balance training functionality. The same platform and force sensors serve dual purposes: measuring total weight and detecting weight distribution for balance assessment. This eliminates the need for separate balance training devices, resolving the contradiction between enhanced functionality and device complexity
2Reliability
If force sensors and deformable members are added to provide balance feedback, then interactive balance correction is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensors serve dual functions: measuring total body weight and detecting weight distribution for balance assessment. The deformable members (springs) both support the platform mechanically and enable the sensing of vertical force variations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, mitigating the increase in device complexity while maintaining reliable balance detection
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable members (springs) automatically provide the mechanical support and force transmission needed for sensing without requiring active control or additional power sources. The system uses the user's own weight and posture adjustments as the input signal, eliminating the need for complex actuation mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains reliability while keeping the device structure relatively simple
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 device allows users to dynamically achieve and maintain balance, reactivating plantar tactile sensitivity and engaging anti-gravity muscles, promoting a sense of verticality and encouraging physical activity by providing interactive feedback on weight distribution.
Implementation Method 1
force sensors (4) provided between said support means (6) and the plate (3) to each supply an electrical signal representative of a force detected by the sensor (4)
Implementation Method 2
The deformable members (5) are associated with each of the sensor zones (4) to support in an upward direction the plate (3) and said sensors (4) connected to the housing (30)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to scales (1) for detecting balance abnormalities of the human body. Effort sensors (4) are provided under the tray (3). A processing unit (10) determines from the sensor signals the global weight of a user on the tray, and said weight can be visualised through display means (2). Deformable organs (5) are associated with each sensor (4) and support the tray (3) in an upward direction relative to a fixed portion (30, 6) of the scales. A module (11) detects by comparison and from the sensor data received by the processing unit an abnormal distribution of the efforts. The display can advantageously be modified when an abnormal distribution of the efforts is indicated by the detection module (11). The user can thus dynamically exercise in order to find a balanced positioning of his feet on the mobile tray (3).