Ski Pole Force Sensor System for Poling Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current performance monitoring solutions for activities involving poles, such as skiing and Nordic walking, fail to capture essential aspects of physical activity performance effectively, particularly in measuring poling power and cardiac activity simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising force sensors integrated into skiing poles, a cardiac activity sensor, and a computing unit that determines poling power by combining force and velocity data, and outputs an efficiency indicator based on heart rate, allowing for real-time feedback and data storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple sensors (force sensors, velocity sensors, cardiac activity sensors) are integrated into the pole system, then measurement precision and comprehensiveness of performance metrics are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance metrics measurementVSAvoidsensor integration system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensors (force sensors, velocity sensors, and cardiac activity sensors) into an integrated pole system with a unified computing unit. This merging approach allows comprehensive performance measurement while managing complexity through centralized data processing and a single integrated structure rather than separate monitoring devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pole system is designed to perform multiple functions: measuring force during poling, tracking velocity of movement, monitoring cardiac activity, and calculating performance metrics. This multi-functional design consolidates what would traditionally require separate devices into a single universal monitoring system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If real-time data processing and feedback are implemented, then productivity and training efficiency are improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption of monitoring system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system processes data in real-time to provide immediate feedback on poling power, velocity, and performance metrics. This feedback mechanism enables users to adjust their technique during training sessions, improving training efficiency without requiring continuous high-energy processing of historical data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The computing unit processes and outputs only the most relevant performance metrics and indicators needed for training optimization, rather than continuously analyzing all raw sensor data. This selective processing reduces energy consumption while maintaining training effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 system provides comprehensive performance metrics, enabling users to optimize their technique and training by accurately measuring poling power and cardiac activity, thereby improving skiing and Nordic walking efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

At least one strain gauge is physically coupled with a second surface, opposite the first, of the plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStrain gauge: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 2

at least one cardiac activity sensor configured to measure cardiac activity of the user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCardiac activity detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3364323B1Performance monitoring system
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 POLAR ELECTRO
  • EP3364323B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3364323B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3364323B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5A

AI summary

There is provided a system for monitoring performance of a user, the system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including a computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the system to perform operations comprising: obtaining force data measured by at least one force sensor coupled with one or more poles and velocity data measured by at least one sensor for measuring velocity of the user, determining poling power based on the force data and the velocity data, and outputting a poling power indicator based on the determined poling power.