Gripping Force Measurement Device with Multi-Sensor Finger Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices struggle to provide detailed information on finger force distribution, particularly distinguishing weaker fingers from stronger ones, and often face issues with precise gripping force measurement due to rotational moments and improper grip alignment.

Innovation Solution

A gripping force measurement device with multiple pressure sensors, including a first sensor and two or more second sensors oriented in the same direction, allowing for adjustable positioning and separate button activation, which enables detailed force measurement by allowing multiple fingers to apply force and reducing the risk of rotational moments and improper contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a single pressure sensor is used to measure overall gripping force, then the device structure is simple, but detailed information on finger force distribution cannot be acquired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinger force distribution informationVSAvoidsensor arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensing function is segmented into multiple independent pressure sensors arranged at different positions and orientations. This allows each sensor to capture force information from specific fingers, enabling detailed finger force distribution measurement while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular sensor placement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If only a pair of pressure sensors are used, then the device structure is simple, but rotational moments are generated depending on positional relationship between thumb and other fingers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip stabilityVSAvoidsensor configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Pressure sensors are strategically positioned at specific locations on the device surface with different orientations to match the contact points of various fingers. This local optimization ensures that each sensor captures force from the intended finger while the overall arrangement maintains grip stability and minimizes rotational moments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor arrangement employs asymmetric positioning and orientation to counterbalance rotational moments. By placing sensors at non-symmetric positions with appropriate angular orientations, the system compensates for the natural asymmetry in human hand gripping, preventing unwanted rotation while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If pressure sensors are fixed at specific positions, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot adapt to different subjects' hand sizes and positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different hand sizesVSAvoidposition adjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensors are mounted on movable buttons that can be positioned at different locations on the device surface. This dynamic positioning capability allows the sensor arrangement to adapt to different hand sizes and gripping styles of various subjects, while the button mechanism keeps the adjustment system relatively simple and intuitive to operate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables precise and detailed measurement of finger force distribution by allowing individual finger force application, reducing errors in gripping and improving measurement accuracy through adjustable sensor positioning and guided finger placement.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of pressure sensors held by the body portion, wherein the plurality of pressure sensors includes a first sensor that is at least one pressure sensor, and two or more second sensors other than the first sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-sensitive surface detection: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3705043B1Gripping force measurement device
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 KITAGAWA INDS
  • EP3705043B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3705043B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2F
  • EP3705043B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A gripping force measurement device includes a body portion and a plurality of pressure sensors. The plurality of pressure sensors includes at least one first sensor and two or more second sensors including pressure-sensitive surfaces oriented in the same direction. A pressure-sensitive surface of the first sensor and the pressure-sensitive surfaces of the two or more second sensors are disposed such that, when a subject pressurizes the pressure-sensitive surface of the first sensor and the pressure-sensitive surfaces of the two or more second sensors, the gripping force measurement device is grippable by the subject.