Body Analysis Scale Contact Plate Galvanic Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body analysis scales face issues with electrode design, including sharp edges, material limitations, discomfort due to cold contact, difficulty in cleaning, and interference from direct current, which affect measurement accuracy and user experience.
Innovation Solution
The measuring elements are positioned within or behind the contact plate, ensuring galvanic isolation and eliminating direct contact with the user, allowing for improved design and reducing interference, while using a contact plate between the user and electrodes to prevent discomfort and facilitate cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrodes are made of metal with edges for effective measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but the electrodes can injure users and become slippery when wet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a contact plate as an intermediary component between the user's foot and the measuring electrode. The contact plate made of non-slip, non-injurious material transmits the electrical signal while eliminating direct contact hazards. This mediator resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement functionality while removing harmful edges and slipperiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact between metal electrodes and skin with an indirect coupling through the contact plate. This substitution eliminates the mechanical harm (sharp edges) while preserving the electrical measurement function through capacitive or resistive coupling.
2Measurement precision
If electrodes are attached on the side facing the user for direct contact measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but design possibilities are limited and cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attaching electrodes on the user-facing side for direct contact, the patent inverts the arrangement by placing electrodes on the opposite side of the contact plate. The user contacts the smooth outer surface, while electrodes remain hidden on the inner or rear side, enabling both precise measurement and easy cleaning of the user-facing surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the electrode arrangement from the user-contact surface to another dimension (inner side or rear side of the contact plate). This spatial reconfiguration allows the user-facing surface to be smooth and cleanable while electrodes remain positioned for effective measurement through the plate.
3Measurement precision
If electrodes are exposed for direct skin contact during measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but the measurement process becomes uncomfortable due to cold contact
Solution Approach 1:
The contact plate serves as a thermal mediator between the user's foot and the electrode. Being larger and having different thermal properties, it reduces the cold sensation while maintaining electrical coupling, thus improving comfort without sacrificing measurement precision.
4Measurement precision
If measuring elements are in direct contact with the user for accurate bioelectrical impedance measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but direct current can falsify the measuring signal
Solution Approach 1:
The contact plate acts as an electrical intermediary that enables measurement while blocking direct current interference. Through capacitive coupling or AC signal transmission through the plate, the system achieves accurate bioelectrical impedance measurement without DC falsification.
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
This configuration enhances user comfort, design flexibility, and measurement accuracy by preventing direct current interference and reducing wear, while allowing for precise bioelectrical impedance measurements and calculation of body fat percentage and other values.
Implementation Method 1
measuring elements (2) for measuring a at least with a variable correlating to a body value
Implementation Method 2
a galvanic isolation of the measuring element from the person to be analyzed, so that a measuring signal cannot be falsified by a direct current
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The scale (1) has measuring elements arranged within or on a side of a contact plate (11). The elements measure a variable of an evaluation electronics, where the variable correlates with a body value. The elements are designed as a capacitor plate and form a capacitor together with a body part i.e. foot sole, of a person, where the body part serves as another capacitor plate. The capacitor is acted upon with alternating current. The electronics determines a dielectric between a conductive layer in the body part and the former plate and calculates the variable from the determined dielectric.