Insole Pressure Sensor Floor Reaction Force Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for measuring a walking state require sensors to be adjusted for each individual's foot shape and size, making it difficult to easily measure walking states in daily life, especially as they fail to accurately capture all components of floor reaction forces and their application points beyond the vertical component.
Innovation Solution
A walking state measurement system that estimates floor reaction forces using motion data and lower limb vertical load data, eliminating the need for sensor adjustments by incorporating a floor reaction force estimation unit and a walking state calculation unit to determine joint torque, muscle tension, and metabolic cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are arranged on shoe surface to measure floor reaction force, then measurement capability is improved, but sensor arrangement must be adjusted for each individual's foot shape and size, increasing device complexity and reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pressure distribution data from a standard insole model as a template to represent and predict the pressure distribution patterns for individual users. By copying the structural framework of the standard model and adapting it with user-specific parameters, the system achieves accurate measurement without requiring physical sensor arrangement adjustments for each user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the physical sensor arrangement problem into a parameter adjustment problem. Instead of physically repositioning sensors for each user, the system changes the parameters (pressure distribution characteristics) of a standard model to match individual user characteristics through data processing and prediction algorithms.
2Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are arranged on shoe surface, then floor reaction force measurement is enabled, but adjustment time increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing a standard insole model with pressure distribution characteristics. This pre-prepared model serves as a foundation that can be quickly adapted to individual users, eliminating the need for time-consuming sensor arrangement adjustments and enabling rapid deployment of the measurement system.
3Ease of operation
If standard insole model with pressure distribution data is used, then sensor arrangement adjustment is eliminated, but comprehensive floor reaction force components (lateral, longitudinal, point of application) cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal standard insole model that serves multiple functions: it provides the structural framework for pressure distribution measurement, enables prediction of complete floor reaction force components, and eliminates the need for individual sensor arrangement adjustments. This single model structure is adapted to different users through parameter modification rather than physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The standard insole model acts as an intermediary between the simple pressure sensor arrangement and the complex floor reaction force analysis. It transforms the limited pressure distribution data into comprehensive floor reaction force components (lateral force, longitudinal force, and point of application) through prediction based on the model's pressure distribution characteristics.
4Measurement precision
If motion capture device and force plate are used, then accurate walking state measurement is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase making it difficult for daily life measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from the complex motion capture and force plate system. By using only pressure sensors arranged on an insole to capture pressure distribution data, and combining this with motion data from simpler sensors, the system achieves accurate walking state measurement without requiring the complex and expensive motion capture device and force plate infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A walking state measurement device according to the present invention includes: at least one memory storing a set of instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the set of instructions to: estimate a floor reaction force by use of at least either of motion data and lower limb vertical load data of a walker, and outputting the floor reaction force as floor reaction force data; and calculate a walking state of the walker by use of at least either of the motion data and the floor reaction force data, and outputting the walking state.