Lumbar Sensor Feedback Mat for Pelvic Tilt Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercises for strengthening core and back muscles, such as pelvic tilts, lack effective feedback mechanisms to ensure proper alignment and prevent injuries from improper posture.
Innovation Solution
A postural awareness device with a lumbar sensor and hall effect sensors that provide feedback through light, vibration, or sound when the lumbar is pressed against a resilient sensor body, adjusting intensity or frequency based on alignment with the centerline of the mat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pelvic tilt exercise is performed without feedback mechanisms, then the exercise can be performed simply, but proper alignment cannot be ensured and injury risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using hall effect sensors to detect magnet position and provide real-time feedback to the user through visual, auditory, or tactile signals. This feedback mechanism guides the user to achieve proper lumbar compression and alignment during pelvic tilt exercises, resolving the contradiction between exercise simplicity and alignment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical alignment guides with an electromagnetic sensing system. Instead of using physical markers or mechanical stoppers to indicate proper position, the system uses hall effect sensors to detect magnet position and provides feedback accordingly, reducing mechanical complexity while improving alignment reliability.
2Reliability
If feedback intensity is increased to improve alignment awareness, then proper posture can be achieved more effectively, but user comfort and ease of exercise decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by providing feedback signals at specific intervals or thresholds rather than continuously. The feedback activates when the magnet reaches certain positions relative to the hall effect sensors, creating discrete, manageable cues that maintain alignment awareness without overwhelming the user with constant information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes feedback parameters dynamically based on exercise progress. The system can adjust feedback intensity, frequency, and type based on detected magnet position and compression level, providing gentle cues initially and increasing intensity only when needed, thus balancing alignment awareness with user comfort.
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 device ensures proper alignment during pelvic tilts by providing real-time feedback, reducing the risk of injury and enhancing muscle strengthening effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A lumbar sensor 40 includes a magnet 50 and a hall effect sensor 62. The magnet 50 is configured an offset magnet distance 54 from the interface surface 94 of the posture training mat 80 and a sensor distance 55 from the hall effect sensor 62.
Implementation Method 2
The magnet 50 is configured in a sensor body 42 that extends from a posture training mat and is resilient, wherein the sensor body can be compressed by the lumbar and then spring back to an original shape.
Data Source
AI summary
A postural awareness device provides feedback when the lumbar is press down against a lumbar sensor to move a magnet toward a hall effect sensor or sensors. The magnet is configured in a sensor body that extends from a posture training mat and is resilient, wherein the sensor body can be compressed by the lumbar and then spring back to an original shape. A feedback device may include a light device, a vibration device and/or a sound device. The feedback signal, light, vibration or sound may initiate when the magnet is actuated by compression of the sensor body toward the posture training mat. The feedback signal may then change intensity or frequency as the magnet is actuated further toward the hall effect sensor. A feedback light may change color as the magnet is brought closer to the hall effect sensor.