Strain Gauge Structure for Wearable Fine Movement Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current strain gauges are unsuitable for fine movement measurements required in wearable devices, as they lack sensitivity to detect direction and location precision, making them inadequate for healthcare and wearable applications.
Innovation Solution
A strain gauge structure comprising a layer of piezoelectric or piezoresistive material with multiple contact pads in a non-linear configuration, connected to a multiplexer, measuring device, amplifier, analog-to-digital converter, microcontroller, and wireless adapter, allowing for two-dimensional strain field measurement and detection of malfunctioning pads by inferring signals from multiple directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional strain gauge structure is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but sensitivity and direction detection capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The strain gauge is divided into multiple independent piezoresistive elements arranged in a grid pattern, with each element capable of detecting strain in specific directions. This segmentation enables the system to achieve high sensitivity and directional detection capability by combining signals from multiple elements, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Measurement precision
If multiple contact pads are added to detect direction and location, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional single-dimensional strain measurement to two-dimensional measurement by arranging piezoresistive elements and contact pads in a grid pattern. This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous detection of strain in multiple directions and precise location identification, achieving high measurement precision without requiring an excessive number of contact pads.
3Measurement precision
If piezoresistive or piezoelectric material layer is integrated with multiple contact pads, then directionality and sensitivity are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple piezoresistive elements, contact pads, and signal processing circuits into an integrated strain gauge device. The piezoresistive elements are formed on a substrate with contact pads, and the entire structure is manufactured as a single integrated component using standard semiconductor fabrication techniques, thereby improving directionality while maintaining ease of manufacture.
4Measurement precision
If signal processing components (multiplexer, amplifier, ADC) are added, then measurement capability is enhanced, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multiplexer sequentially connects different piezoresistive elements to the signal processing circuitry rather than maintaining continuous connections for all elements. This periodic switching approach enables the system to process signals from multiple sensors using a single set of processing components, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high measurement precision and signal accuracy.
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 detection of fine movements with improved sensitivity and directionality, suitable for wearable devices by forming a two-dimensional strain tensor field with location and direction information, and identifying malfunctioning contact pads.
Implementation Method 1
A strain gauge structure comprising a layer of piezoelectric or piezoresistive material with multiple contact pads in a non-linear configuration
Implementation Method 2
A strain gauge structure comprising a layer of piezoelectric or piezoresistive material with multiple contact pads in a non-linear configuration
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a structure for a strain gauge device is provided. The structure comprises a layer of strain gauge material and one or more contact pads positioned directly on the layer of strain gauge material. The structure further comprises a multiplexer, measuring device, amplifier, analog to digital converter, microcontroller, and wireless adapter. According to the structure, the multiplexer selects a given contact pad pair of the one or more contact pad pairs, the measuring device measures signal generated by the layer of strain gauge material between the given contact pad pair, the amplifier amplifies the measured signal, the analog to digital converter converts the amplified analog signal to a digital signal, the microcontroller processes the digital signal, and the wireless adapter transmits the processed digital signal. In addition, the structure may further comprise a battery to provide energy to the structure.