Segmented Impactor for Comprehensive Sports Floor Comfort Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the impact comfort of sports floors, particularly for children, are insufficient as they only assess a single zone of contact, failing to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact on a larger surface, and are limited to homogeneous materials.
Innovation Solution
A device with a cylindrical frame and concentric cylinders equipped with strain gauges and an accelerometer, allowing for a hemispherical impact zone and precise measurement of deformation across a wider area, capable of detecting contact points and transmitting signals for comprehensive impact analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single spherical impactor is used to measure impact comfort, then the measurement is simple to perform, but the measurement coverage is limited to a single zone only
Solution Approach 1:
The impactor is divided into multiple spherical elements (first spherical element, second spherical element, third spherical element, fourth spherical element) arranged in a matrix pattern. Each spherical element has its own strain gauge to measure impact forces independently, allowing simultaneous measurement across multiple zones of the floor covering while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple spherical impact elements and their associated strain gauges are combined into a single integrated impactor device. This merging allows the device to function as both a simple handheld tool and a multi-point measurement system, achieving comprehensive area coverage without sacrificing ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If a single strain gauge is used in the impactor, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient for comprehensive impact analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The strain measurement function is segmented across multiple independent strain gauges (first strain gauge, second strain gauge, third strain gauge, fourth strain gauge), each associated with a specific spherical element. This segmentation allows precise measurement of impact forces at different locations while keeping each individual strain gauge component simple and standard.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple strain gauges serve universal measurement functions by detecting impact forces regardless of which spherical element contacts the floor covering first. This multi-functional capability enhances measurement precision without requiring complex specialized sensors for each measurement point.
3Productivity
If impact comfort is measured only at a single contact zone, then the measurement process is quick, but the reliability of the impact comfort index is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process is segmented into multiple simultaneous measurement points through the matrix arrangement of spherical elements. Each element with its strain gauge captures impact data from different zones, allowing the system to gather comprehensive reliability data while maintaining quick measurement speed through parallel data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple spherical elements enable continuous measurement coverage across the impact zone. As the impactor contacts the floor covering, multiple elements simultaneously engage and continue measuring throughout the impact event, ensuring no critical impact data is missed and maintaining both speed and reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional impactors are used, then they work well on homogeneous materials, but they cannot accurately measure impact on heterogeneous floor structures
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented matrix of spherical elements allows the impactor to adapt to heterogeneous floor structures by distributing contact points across different zones. Each spherical element can independently contact different material properties within the floor covering, capturing accurate local impact characteristics that reflect the true heterogeneity of the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Each spherical element with its associated strain gauge provides localized measurement capability tailored to the specific properties of the floor covering material at that location. This local quality approach allows the device to accurately measure impact on varied surfaces by treating each contact point according to its local material characteristics rather than assuming uniform properties.
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 precise and comprehensive measurement of the impact comfort index, providing high-quality results on various types of sports flooring structures, regardless of their homogeneity, and aiding in designing floor coverings with optimal structural properties for safety and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a set of means (12) themselves associated with measuring means (13) of the prestress gauge type
Implementation Method 2
an accelerometer (14), and all of the connectors, electrical wires and cables (15), which are associated with each measuring means (13)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The device has a frame including a support wall externally and internally defining two receiving areas for receiving a set of strain gauges. The frame is integrated in a protective support (18) receiving a lid for sealing an interior chamber and allowing the fixing of a fixing plate (19) co-operating with a magnetized part (S1) of a support (S). A receiving unit (12) receives the strain gauges on whole or part of its periphery for measuring the impact on floor coverings, where a space is established for the passage of wires associated with the strain gauges.