Self-Powered Pedometer Using Piezoelectric Film for Gait Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pedometers lack the ability to accurately detect gait abnormalities and provide real-time monitoring of walking or running progress without the need for battery maintenance, limiting their effectiveness in tracking cumulative distance and potential health issues related to gait.

Innovation Solution

A self-powered pedometer system utilizing a piezoelectric film to generate deformation signals, an EEPROM to record and store data, and an RFID or NFC tag to transmit information, which includes an accelerometer for acceleration data and a real-time clock for timing, allowing for the analysis of step patterns and detection of abnormalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional pedometers use battery power, then continuous operation is achieved, but maintenance complexity increases due to battery replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation durationVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The piezoelectric film generates electrical energy from the mechanical deformation caused by foot movement, enabling the device to power itself without external battery intervention. This self-powered mechanism eliminates the need for battery replacement while maintaining continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical energy storage system (battery) with a mechanical energy conversion system (piezoelectric film). The piezoelectric material converts mechanical deformation from foot movement into electrical energy, substituting the traditional power source mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If pedometers use simple step counting, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates regarding gait abnormality detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidgait detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement function into multiple independent sensors (piezoelectric film for force, accelerometer for motion, gyroscopic sensor for orientation). Each sensor captures a specific aspect of gait, and their combined data provides comprehensive and precise gait analysis without requiring a single complex device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The piezoelectric film serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the power source for the device and the primary sensor for detecting foot strike forces. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while enhancing measurement capabilities for gait analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If pedometers track cumulative distance, then health monitoring capability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealth monitoring capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The piezoelectric film continuously generates electrical energy during every step of the user's movement. This continuous energy generation ensures that the device can maintain continuous health monitoring operations without energy interruption, as the power generation occurs simultaneously with the useful action of walking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 tracking of steps and detection of gait abnormalities, providing real-time monitoring and cumulative progress without battery maintenance, suitable for various users including athletes and those with mobility concerns, offering early detection of physical ailments.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric film to generate a plurality of deformation signals based upon an associated plurality of deformations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8387468B2Method and apparatus for a self-powered RFID-readable pedometer

Publication Date: 2013.03.05 INTEL GE CARE INNOVATIONS

AI summary

A device, system and method for analyzing a user's motion using a piezoelectric film to generate a plurality of deformation signals based upon an associated plurality of deformations, an EEPROM to record data associated with the plurality of deformation signals, and a transceiver to receive at least a portion of the recorded data from the EEPROM and to transmit data, wherein the analysis may determine an abnormality in the user's gait.