Sensing Module for Human Assistive Devices Reducing Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional human assistive devices experience noise and instability in power output due to muscle swelling and skin friction during human body movement, affecting the accuracy and longevity of pressure sensors.
Innovation Solution
A sensing module is designed with a body attaching member, a base module, a transmission member, and sensors positioned on a cup-shaped hollow space, allowing the sensors to be activated independently of muscle movement, reducing friction and noise through a separate configuration that includes an initial position-constraining member and a rotating bearing to minimize contact and shear forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors contact the human body directly to detect movement, then measurement precision is improved, but noise from muscle swelling and skin friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing module is divided into separate functional components: a body attaching member that contacts the human body, a transmission member that transfers movement, and a sensor that remains isolated from direct contact. This segmentation allows the sensor to detect movement through the transmission mechanism while avoiding direct exposure to noise sources like muscle swelling and skin friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission member acts as an intermediary between the body attaching member and the sensor. It transfers the mechanical movement from the body to the sensor without requiring the sensor to directly contact the body, thereby mediating the interaction and filtering out harmful noise from muscle swelling and skin friction.
2Ease of operation
If sensors are positioned to directly contact the human body for movement detection, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to friction and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing module is divided into separate functional components: a body attaching member that contacts the human body, a transmission member that transfers movement, and a sensor that remains isolated from direct contact. This segmentation allows the sensor to detect movement through the transmission mechanism while avoiding direct exposure to noise sources like muscle swelling and skin friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission member acts as an intermediary between the body attaching member and the sensor. It transfers the mechanical movement from the body to the sensor without requiring the sensor to directly contact the body, thereby mediating the interaction and filtering out harmful noise from muscle swelling and skin friction.
3Productivity
If pressure sensors remain in constant contact with the human body during movement, then productivity is improved through continuous monitoring, but the lifespan of sensors decreases due to friction and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission member acts as an intermediary between the body attaching member and the sensor. It transfers the mechanical movement from the body to the sensor without requiring the sensor to directly contact the body, thereby mediating the interaction and filtering out harmful noise from muscle swelling and skin friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact between the sensor and the body with a mechanical transmission system. This substitution eliminates the need for the sensor to withstand direct friction and wear from body movement, thereby extending sensor lifespan while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.
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
The solution effectively reduces noise and instability in sensor signals, enabling more precise movement assistance and extending the lifespan of pressure sensors by separating sensor activation from muscle swelling and skin friction, thus improving the overall performance and reliability of human assistive devices.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating bearing to minimize contact and shear forces
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensing module (4, 4', 4") is disclosed in the present invention and includes a body attaching member (40, 40'), a base module (41, 41'), a transmission member (42, 42') and a first sensor (43). The body attaching member (40, 40') is attached to a human limb and disposed on the base module (41, 41'). The transmission member (42, 42') is coupled to and moved with the body attaching member (40, 40'). The first sensor (43) is disposed on a side of the body attaching member (40, 40') and separate from the body attaching member (40, 40'). When the body attaching member (40, 40') is driven to move along a direction by the human limb, the body attaching member (40, 40') drives the transmission member (42, 42') to activate the first sensor (43) to generate a first signal (α1). Since the first sensor (43) is separate from the human limb, the first sensor (43) is not affected by muscle swelling and skin friction during movement. Accordingly, the actuating module (44) is able to drive an exoskeleton member more precisely.