Glove Impact Resistance Testing with Localized Load Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current impact resistance testing methods for gloves do not accurately measure the force distribution across specific areas of the hand, such as joints and knuckles, and often use weights or energies that exceed those encountered in real-world work environments, making them impractical for assessing hand injury prevention.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for applying an impact force to a glove at multiple locations using a load cell to measure the transferred impact force, allowing for the determination of impact resistance at specific points, with a controlled impactor weight and height to simulate realistic work environment impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard test protocols (ASTM F1937-04, EN 1621-1) use large masses (0.5-5 kg) and high impact energies (5-50 J), then impact resistance can be measured, but the test conditions exceed real-world work environment impacts and cannot accurately assess hand injury prevention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the impact test parameters from standard protocols (5-50 J, 0.5-5 kg masses) to realistic work environment parameters (0.5-2 J, 0.05-0.2 kg masses). This parameter adjustment allows the test to measure impact resistance under conditions that actually occur in work environments, improving both measurement accuracy and real-world applicability simultaneously.
2Device complexity
If a single load cell is used to measure total impact force, then measurement is simple, but force distribution across specific areas (joints, knuckles) cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement system by placing multiple load cells at different locations on the anvil (corresponding to joints, knuckles, and palm areas). This segmentation allows each load cell to measure force at its specific location, enabling determination of force distribution across different hand areas while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an anvil as an intermediary element between the glove and the measurement system. The anvil serves as a platform that can support multiple load cells at different positions, allowing localized force measurement without requiring direct attachment of multiple sensors to the glove itself.
3Area of stationary object
If the striking face of the impactor is large, then impact is distributed across a large surface area, but impact resistance of smaller specific sections (joints, knuckles) cannot be accurately determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments both the impactor and the measurement system. The impactor has a striking face with multiple distinct contact areas corresponding to different hand regions (joints, knuckles, palm). Simultaneously, the anvil has multiple load cells positioned to measure forces at corresponding locations. This dual segmentation enables precise localized impact resistance measurement while maintaining appropriate impact distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
An impact resistance test method of a glove having a protective material includes applying an impact force, with an impactor, to the glove at a plurality of locations on a section of the glove, measuring, with a load cell, a transferred impact force transferred through the section of the glove, and determining an impact resistance of the glove based on the measured transferred impact force. The impactor has a predetermined weight and is dropped from a predetermined height to apply the impact force to the section of the glove. An apparatus for carrying out the test method is also provided.