Instrumented Treadmill Force Measurement System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional force measurement systems for balance assessment, such as balance plates and treadmills, are cumbersome, difficult to transport, and pose challenges for subjects with balance disorders due to their design and operation, particularly in maintaining central position during testing.
Innovation Solution
A force measurement system comprising an instrumented treadmill with adjustable speed belts and force transducers that sense loads and output signals, processed by a data processing device to control belt speed and compute center of pressure and gravity, ensuring the subject maintains a central position and facilitating easy transport and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional force measurement systems use separate plates for each foot, then independent measurement under each foot is achieved, but the system becomes heavier and more difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate force measurement plates into a single integrated plate with distinct measurement zones for each foot. The single plate design maintains the capability to independently measure forces under each foot while eliminating the need to transport and position multiple separate plates, thereby reducing overall system weight and simplifying transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The single force measurement plate serves multiple functions: it provides independent measurement zones for each foot, maintains a low profile for safety, and integrates all necessary sensing capabilities in one unit. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate plates while preserving measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If conventional balance plates have force measuring feet placed underneath the surface, then force measurement capability is achieved, but the overall height increases making it difficult for patients to step on and off
Solution Approach 1:
The force measuring elements are transitioned from a vertical configuration (feet underneath the surface) to a horizontal configuration (sensing zones distributed across the top surface). This dimensional change allows the measurement functionality to be maintained while reducing the overall height of the device, making it safer and more accessible for patients with balance disorders.
3Measurement precision
If two separate balance plates are used for independent leg measurement, then weight distribution assessment is achieved, but the possibility of inadvertently mixing left and right signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the measurement capabilities into a single integrated plate with spatially distributed sensing zones, the system maintains accurate weight distribution assessment while eliminating the risk of mixing signals between separate plates. The unified design ensures that left and right foot measurements are taken from a single coordinated system, improving reliability.
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 system provides a portable, low-profile solution for balance assessment that helps maintain subject stability and safety during testing, enhancing the accuracy and convenience of balance evaluations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one force transducer, the at least one force transducer configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are representative of one or more loads being applied to the one or more respective surfaces of the one or more treadmill belts by the subject
Data Source
AI summary
A force measurement system includes an instrumented treadmill with one or more treadmill belts configured to rotate at a plurality of different speeds, one or more speed adjustment mechanisms coupled to the one or more treadmill belts, and at least one force transducer. The force measurement system further includes a data processing device configured to receive one or more signals that are representative of one or more loads being applied to one or more respective surfaces of the one or more treadmill belts by a subject, and to convert the one or more signals into one or more output load components, the data processing device further configured to determine a position of a body portion of the subject and to control the speed of the one or more treadmill belts using the position determined for the body portion of the subject.