Rowing Oarlock Power Measurement via Segmented Force and Angle Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring rowing power are either too expensive or difficult to use, hindering widespread adoption and effective rowing performance improvement.
Innovation Solution
A rowing-boat oarlock installation with a mounted oarlock that detects angular displacement using MEMS gyro or rotary encoder, combined with a power module for force measurement, allowing for wireless transmission and computation of power exerted during rowing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional power measurement systems are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the measurement function into two separate modules: a power module that measures force and angle, and a processing module that calculates power. This segmentation allows the sensing部分 to remain simple while the computation is done separately, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing module that receives raw measurements from the power module and computes power expenditure. This intermediary separates the simple measurement function from the complex calculation function, allowing accurate measurement without requiring the entire system to be complex.
2Measurement precision
If traditional power measurement systems are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The power module automatically performs measurements and the processing module automatically calculates power expenditure without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously completing the measurement and computation tasks, improving ease of operation while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a combination of simple force sensors, angle sensors, and electronic computation. This substitution maintains measurement accuracy while dramatically improving ease of operation by eliminating complex mechanical adjustments and setups.
3Ease of operation
If simple measurement methods are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a combination of simple force sensors, angle sensors, and electronic computation. This substitution maintains measurement accuracy while dramatically improving ease of operation by eliminating complex mechanical adjustments and setups.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the approach from direct complex mechanical power measurement to measuring separate parameters (force and angle) and computing power through parameter transformation. This allows simple sensors to achieve accurate power measurement through mathematical computation.
4Productivity
If comprehensive power measurement is implemented, then rowing efficiency improvement is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the measurement function into two separate modules: a power module that measures force and angle, and a processing module that calculates power. This segmentation allows the sensing部分 to remain simple while the computation is done separately, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and device complexity.
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 cost-effective and easy implementation of rowing power measurement, improving rowing efficiency and coordination without requiring extensive setup or adjustments between uses.
Implementation Method 1
Detection of angular displacements of the oarlock from the datum may involve optical means with measurements of the angular displacements derived from a MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) gyro
Implementation Method 2
the means for detecting angular displacements of the oarlock and providing measurements of the angular displacements may be a rotary encoder
Data Source
AI summary
An oarlock-installation for a boat in which an oarlock is mounted on an upright pin for angular displacement about the pin during rowing of the boat, the oarlock-installation comprising a mechanism for deriving measurements of angular displacement of the oarlock from a datum angle about the pin during the rowing, a mechanism for deriving measurements of force exerted on the oarlock during the rowing, and a mechanism for deriving measurement of rowing power from the measurements of force and the measurements of angular displacement. The rowing-boat oarlock-installation may also comprises a power module, attached to the oarlock, which is responsive to rowing of the rowing-boat to derive force measurements in accordance with rowing forces exerted on the power module during the rowing.