Modular Force Measurement System for Leg Movement Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional measurement and testing systems with large measurement surface areas cannot separately analyze the movement of individual legs and are difficult to install and adapt to different space configurations, lacking the ability to combine data channels from devices with varying sampling rates into a single time-synced channel.

Innovation Solution

A measurement and testing system comprising a plurality of force measurement assemblies with force transducers, an input device for selecting which assemblies to combine, and a data processing device that forms virtual force measurement assemblies, converts signals into load output data, and synchronizes data from devices with different sampling rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a large measurement surface area is used to enable comprehensive body movement analysis, then the measurement coverage is improved, but the system becomes difficult to install and adapt to different space configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement surface areaVSAvoidadaptability to different space configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the measurement surface into multiple separate force measurement assemblies (e.g., individual force plates or pressure sensors) that can be independently positioned and configured. Each assembly measures forces at its location, and the data processing device combines these measurements to provide comprehensive whole-body analysis, enabling both large measurement coverage and adaptability to different space configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If a large measurement surface area is used to enable comprehensive body movement analysis, then the measurement coverage is improved, but the system cannot separately analyze the movement of individual legs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement surface areaVSAvoidability to separately analyze individual leg movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement surface is segmented into multiple force measurement assemblies positioned at different locations. The data processing device processes signals from each assembly separately, enabling differentiation between forces applied by the left and right legs. This segmentation allows both comprehensive coverage and precise individual leg analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The data processing device acts as an intermediary that receives raw force signals from multiple measurement assemblies, processes and differentiates them by source (left vs. right leg), and outputs separate analysis results for each leg's movement patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple force measurement assemblies with different sampling rates are used to enhance measurement capabilities, then the measurement versatility is improved, but the data cannot be combined into a single synchronized channel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to combine diverse data channelsVSAvoiddata synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The data processing device serves as an intermediary that receives data channels from multiple force measurement assemblies operating at different sampling rates. It performs time-synchronization processing, resampling, and alignment to combine these diverse channels into a single synchronized data stream for reliable integrated analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The data processing device dynamically adjusts sampling parameters, resampling rates, and time alignment for each input channel to ensure synchronization. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system combines data from devices with varying sampling rates into a coherent synchronized output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 separate analysis of leg movement, easy installation, and combines data from diverse devices into a single synchronized channel, enhancing data analysis and adaptability in various settings.

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 first signals that are representative of the one or more measured quantities

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce sensing: Force

Data Source

PatentUS10331324B1Measurement and testing system

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 BERTEC CORP

AI summary

A measurement and testing system is disclosed herein. The measurement and testing system includes a plurality of force measurement assemblies; an input device configured to output a signal comprising input data indicative of which of the plurality of force measurement assemblies are to be combined with one another; and a data processing device operatively coupled to the input device and each of the force transducers of each of the force measurement assemblies, the data processing device is configured to receive the signal outputted by the input device and to form a virtual force measurement assembly comprising a subset of the plurality of force measurement assemblies based upon the input data of the signal. In one or more embodiments, the data processing device further is configured to combine a plurality of measurement signals with varying sampling rates into a single time-synced synthetic channel.