Side-Mounted IMU Clip for Accurate Jump Height Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IMU sensor modules attached to athletes' feet for measuring jump height suffer from unwanted motion signal noise due to varying shoe materials and discomfort, requiring cumbersome and expensive verification methods like Vertec or smartphone video analysis.
Innovation Solution
A single clip with a hard plastic material attached over the shoe collar, holding an IMU sensor module with x-axis and y-axis accelerometers, paired via Bluetooth low energy with a smartphone for real-time jump height calculation, using specialized algorithms to reduce noise and provide accurate data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber slipper is used to attach the IMU sensor module to the toe area, then the sensor can be securely mounted, but the stretchy material causes unwanted mechanical vibrations to be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rubber slipper material from the sensor attachment system and replaces it with a hard plastic clip that directly secures the IMU module to the shoe collar. This extraction of the problematic flexible material eliminates the source of spurious vibration signals while maintaining secure sensor mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The hard plastic clip serves as an intermediary between the IMU sensor module and the shoe. It provides a rigid connection that transmits foot motion accurately to the sensor while filtering out unwanted vibrations, acting as a mediator that solves both mounting security and measurement precision requirements.
2Measurement precision
If a stiff material is used for a tight fitting slipper, then measurement accuracy improves, but discomfort in mounting and dismounting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the attachment system into separate functional components: a hard plastic clip for secure mounting and a flexible band for comfortable wear. This segmentation allows the clip to provide rigid measurement accuracy while the flexible band maintains ease of operation through elastic deformation during putting on and taking off.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible elastic band as a thin film component that wraps around the foot and secures the hard plastic clip. This flexible film provides comfort during mounting and dismounting while the hard clip maintains measurement precision, combining the benefits of both rigid and flexible materials.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are placed on the foot, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary additional sensors from the system, retaining only a single IMU module positioned optimally on the shoe collar. This extraction simplifies the device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through careful selection of the sensor location and mounting method.
Solution Approach 2:
The hard plastic clip serves multiple functions simultaneously: it secures the sensor module, provides a rigid connection for accurate measurement, and acts as a vibration filter. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precision.
4Measurement precision
If external verification equipment like Vertec or smartphone video is used, then measurement accuracy is verified, but cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the IMU sensor system to perform self-verification of jump height measurements through its own integrated algorithms and processing capabilities. The system independently calculates and validates measurements without requiring external verification equipment, thereby reducing cost and complexity while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical verification systems (Vertec) and complex video analysis systems with electronic signal processing and algorithms that run on the IMU module and connected devices. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive external equipment while providing accurate verification through digital signal analysis.
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 solution provides accurate and repeatable jump height measurements with reduced noise and discomfort, eliminating the need for external verification equipment and allowing use with any shoe brand, while being cost-effective and easy to use.
Implementation Method 1
use a 3-axis accelerometer with a 3-axis gyroscope for a 6 degree of freedom sensor
Implementation Method 2
use a 3-axis accelerometer with a 3-axis gyroscope for a 6 degree of freedom sensor
Implementation Method 3
The clip has downwardly open spring biased legs used to hold a foot extending from one leg
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention measures jump heights using an IMU sensor module slipped in a pocket of a removable side ankle mount clip placed over any low, mid or high tops ankle athletic running shoe. A micro-processor in the IMU sensor module converts analog jump height data collected with real time digital signal processing to digital data sent to specialized algorithms loaded in a RF paired smartphone to refine the digital data to accurately calculate the height of the jump. The clip has two downward spaced legs joined by a curved arch at the top with a first leg being flexible and fitting snugly against a wearer's ankle below the fibula bone with the curved arch resting over the shoe's collar. The second leg has a foot extending outwardly from the curved arch to form a pocket with a top opening to receive and snugly hold the module.