Tensile Force Sensor with Angled Tensioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing force sensors for physical activity and athletic training are either too costly, heavy, or complex, and lack the necessary accuracy and portability to effectively monitor tensile forces during exercises, especially when requiring wireless monitoring and minimal weight.
Innovation Solution
A tensile force sensor with a tensioner made from hard material featuring a straight central segment and angled bends, equipped with a single strain gauge for precise force measurement, integrated with a processing module and wireless transmitter for real-time data transmission to mobile devices, enabling lightweight, accurate, and cost-effective monitoring of tensile forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If commercial load cells are used for force measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but cost and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a custom-designed tensioner made from inexpensive hard plastic material instead of expensive commercial load cells. This disposable-like approach uses a simple, low-cost component that can be easily replaced if needed, achieving the required measurement precision without the weight and cost penalties of commercial alternatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional metal load cell materials to hard plastic, and modifies the structural parameters by creating a specific geometry with angled bends. This parameter change enables the tensioner to achieve the necessary stiffness and measurement precision while significantly reducing weight and cost.
2Measurement precision
If stationary machinery with force transducers is used, then measurement precision is improved, but portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential force measurement function from large stationary machinery and isolates it into a compact, portable tensioner device. By removing unnecessary structural components and focusing only on the core measurement mechanism, the device achieves portability while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioner is designed as a universal device that can be used across multiple applications and exercise types, replacing the need for different specialized stationary machines. This multi-functionality allows the same portable device to provide precise force measurement in various settings, eliminating the trade-off between precision and portability.
3Measurement precision
If complex sensor systems with multiple components are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tensioner body, strain gauge mounting structure, and data processing components into a single integrated unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate complex subsystems while maintaining measurement precision, as the integrated design ensures proper mechanical coupling and signal transmission without additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified digital copy or representation of the physical tensioner state through wireless data transmission to mobile devices. Instead of requiring complex display mechanisms or multiple sensors, the system creates a digital copy of the measurement data that can be viewed and analyzed on portable devices, reducing overall system complexity.
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 provides a lightweight, cost-effective, and highly accurate means to monitor tensile forces during dynamic and static exercises, offering real-time feedback and data analysis through mobile devices, addressing the limitations of existing sensors by combining high precision, maximum load capacity, and reduced size.
Implementation Method 1
a tensile force at the affixing extremities of the tensioner is transformed into a U-shaped distortion of the straight central segment
Implementation Method 2
a strain gauge being disposed on said straight central segment
Data Source
AI summary
The tensile force sensor comprises at least one strain gauge in a tension piece comprising a central rectilinear segment and two folds at an angle, significantly thicker than the central rectilinear segment. The strain gauge is arranged in said central rectilinear segment in such a manner that a traction force on the fastening ends of the tension piece results in a U-shaped buckling of the central rectilinear segment. The invention also comprises a processing module connected to the strain gauge, adapted to detect and process as data the elastic deformations caused in the central rectilinear segment by the longitudinal stresses generated by traction on the fastening ends of the tension piece. The invention allows a portable and low cost wireless sensor to be produced.