Integrated Vibration and Contact Force Converter for Hand-Arm Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vibration measurement devices fail to accurately measure vibrations and contact force directly on the operator's hand during manual operation of tools, which is essential for assessing the health risk of hand-arm vibration syndrome, as they do not account for the force applied by the operator.
Innovation Solution
An integrated converter that combines a tri-axial acceleration sensor and contact force measurement module, featuring a customizable casing with a measurement module and force-sensitive elements, allowing precise measurement of vibrations and contact force transmitted to the operator's hand, with a strap for secure attachment and auto-calibration capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vibration measurements are performed using known vibrometers, then vibration amplitude can be measured, but contact force cannot be measured simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a vibration sensor (accelerometer) and a contact force sensor (force-sensitive resistor) into a single integrated measurement device that can simultaneously measure both vibration amplitude and contact force. This merging of multiple sensing functions into one device resolves the contradiction by enabling both measurements without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement device is designed to perform multiple functions: measuring vibration acceleration and measuring contact force. The device includes both an accelerometer for vibration measurement and a force-sensitive resistor for contact force measurement, making it a universal tool that eliminates the need for separate measurement instruments.
2Measurement precision
If measurements are conducted in laboratory conditions, then both vibrations and contact force can be measured, but measurements cannot be performed under working conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement device is segmented into portable, wearable components that can be attached to the operator's hand. The device includes a strap for secure attachment and is designed to be worn during actual work, enabling measurements under working conditions rather than requiring laboratory settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The device includes automatic calibration capabilities that allow it to calibrate itself without requiring laboratory equipment or external calibration devices. This self-service feature enables the device to maintain measurement precision while being used in field conditions.
3Device complexity
If only vibration amplitude is measured, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but health risk assessment is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges vibration amplitude measurement and contact force measurement into a single integrated system. By combining these measurements, the device provides accurate health risk assessment without significantly increasing operational complexity, as both measurements are taken simultaneously by the same device.
Solution Approach 2:
The device measures multiple parameters (vibration acceleration and contact force) to accurately determine the vibration dose delivered to the operator. This multi-parameter approach provides comprehensive health risk assessment while maintaining ease of use through automatic data processing and evaluation.
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 accurate on-site measurement of vibrations and contact force during tool operation, providing real-time data to assess and mitigate the risk of hand-arm vibration syndrome, improving operator safety by quantifying the dose of vibration exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a) a tri-axial acceleration sensor (116)
Implementation Method 2
b) at least one force sensor (151, 152)
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
An integrated vibrations and contact force converter, comprising: a first element (11) separated from a second element (12) by an elastic spacer (170); at least one acceleration sensor (116) configured to measure amplitude of acceleration of vibrations of the converter; at least one contact force sensitive element (151, 152, 183) configured to measure the force exerted on the second element (12); wherein the first element (11) and the second element (12) are connected by a connector (16) configured to provide a non-zero pressing force from the first element (11) to the second element (12) at the absence of forces external to the converter.