Portable Surface Performance Testing With Adjustable Foot Strikes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for measuring friction, traction, deformation, and cutting ability of athletic surfaces are undesirable and lack portability and accuracy in simulating human foot strikes.
Innovation Solution
A portable surface performance testing apparatus comprising a cart, actuator, and footform that applies force at an adjustable angle to mimic human foot strikes, equipped with sensors and actuators to measure and quantify various surface properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing devices are used to measure friction and traction forces, then measurement capability is provided, but portability and accuracy in simulating human foot strikes are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system is divided into separate modular components including a footform assembly, actuator mechanism, data collection system, and power source that can be independently handled and reconfigured. This segmentation enables both high measurement precision through specialized components and improved portability by allowing the system to be transported in parts and assembled at the test site.
Solution Approach 2:
A footform assembly serves as an intermediary between the actuator mechanism and the turf surface, accurately replicating human foot strike characteristics. The footform includes specialized geometry and material properties that mediate between the mechanical actuation system and the surface being tested, enabling accurate simulation of human biomechanics while maintaining system portability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex testing equipment is deployed to measure multiple surface properties, then comprehensive data is obtained, but device complexity and transportability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The testing apparatus is designed with multi-functional capabilities to measure friction, traction, deformation, and cutting ability of turf surfaces using a single integrated system. The footform assembly can be configured for different test types, and the data collection system captures multiple parameters simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes adjustable parameters including contact angle (0-89 degrees), force magnitude, and test configuration to adapt to different measurement requirements. By changing these parameters rather than requiring different physical devices, the system achieves high versatility with controlled complexity, allowing comprehensive surface evaluation through parameter optimization rather than equipment proliferation.
3Ease of operation
If on-site testing is performed with portable equipment, then field applicability is improved, but measurement accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The critical measurement and actuation components are extracted into a self-contained portable apparatus that can be transported to field locations. The system includes integrated sensors, actuators, and data collection equipment that are removed from laboratory settings and deployed directly on-site, maintaining measurement accuracy while enabling field applicability through careful extraction and integration of essential functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The footform assembly creates an accurate mechanical copy of human foot strike characteristics, replicating the geometry, force distribution, and contact patterns of actual human footwear on turf surfaces. This copying approach ensures that portable field measurements accurately reflect real-world performance conditions, maintaining measurement precision while enabling on-site testing capabilities.
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
Accurately measures and quantifies traction, deceleration, and cutting ability of athletic surfaces, providing real-time data for surface evaluation and safety assessment.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator mechanically linked to the cart... the cart, rail and actuator are arranged to move the cart and attached footform at an angle relative to a substantially horizontal surface to be tested
Implementation Method 2
measure the friction, traction, deformation and cutting ability of turf and playing surfaces... study various forces acting on an athletic field or other surface caused by the interaction between a shoe and the turf or surface during a simulated impact
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and systems disclosed herein are designed to be used to study various forces acting on an athletic field or an athletic surface caused by the interaction between a shoe and the turf or athletic surface during a simulated impact. Various surfaces can be tested and analyzed, including assessing deceleration, acceleration and cutting traction potential on the surfaces. The disclosed apparatuses and systems allow for the testing of a wide variety of footwear, at any desired impact angle, and at various simulated forces.