Treadmill Deck Piezoelectric Sensor Cadence Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Exercise machines, such as treadmills, lack comprehensive feedback on gait performance, caloric expenditure, and deck stiffness, leading to inaccurate calculations and user confusion, particularly due to arbitrary transition speeds and interference from cadence noise in heart rate readings.
Innovation Solution
The integration of piezoelectric sensors around the treadmill deck to measure deck deflection and provide real-time feedback on cadence, stride length, and metabolic expenditure, adjusting deck stiffness based on user-specific data, and filtering noise from heart rate signals to improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If arbitrary transition speed (e.g., 4.5 mph) is used to switch between walking and running caloric equations, then caloric expenditure calculation is simplified, but measurement precision and user accuracy deteriorate due to individual variation in transition speed
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses piezoelectric sensors to detect footfall patterns and provides real-time feedback to determine actual gait transition. This feedback mechanism replaces arbitrary speed thresholds with sensor-based detection of when the user actually transitions from walking to running, improving accuracy while maintaining calculation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical speed-threshold-based equation switching system with a sensor-based detection system. Piezoelectric sensors detect footfall forces and patterns to automatically determine gait type, substituting the manual or arbitrary speed-based method with an automated sensing approach.
2Measurement precision
If piezoelectric sensors are integrated around the treadmill deck to measure deck deflection and provide real-time feedback, then measurement precision and user feedback quality improve, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric sensors serve multiple functions: detecting footfall events for cadence calculation, measuring deck deflection for stride length determination, and providing data for caloric expenditure calculation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensor systems for each measurement, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric sensors utilize the existing deck structure and footfall forces to generate electrical signals for measurement. The system leverages the natural mechanical energy of user footfalls to power the sensing mechanism, reducing the need for additional power sources or complex sensor installations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If deck stiffness is made adjustable to accommodate different user preferences and workout types, then adaptability and user comfort improve, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to user confusion and difficulty in selecting appropriate settings
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to users about their footfall patterns and deck deflection characteristics, enabling them to understand the effect of different stiffness settings. This feedback loop helps users make informed decisions about deck stiffness selection, reducing confusion and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts deck stiffness parameters based on detected user characteristics and workout conditions, reducing the need for manual user selection. This dynamic parameter adjustment maintains adaptability while simplifying user interaction.
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
Enhances user feedback with accurate cadence and stride length data, adjusts caloric expenditure calculations to individual user characteristics, and improves heart rate measurement accuracy by filtering cadence noise, resulting in a more personalized and effective workout experience.
Implementation Method 1
The piezoelectric sensors provide electrical output signals that correlate to the deflection of the deck caused by a user's feet impacting the flexible deck during the exercise session.
Implementation Method 2
some commercial and/or residential treadmills provide the ability to determine a user's heart rate via biopotential sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for profiling exercise sessions are described. An example method of determining cadence of a user disclosed herein includes receiving output signals from a sensor generated in response to consecutive footfalls of the user impacting a deck of a treadmill during an exercise session and processing the output signals from the sensor to determine respective magnitude values of a peak or a trough value of each of the output signals. The method includes detecting whether a first output signal has a first peak or trough value and detecting whether a second output signal has a second peak or trough value, determining a time interval between the first peak or trough value detected and the second peak or trough value detected, and calculating a cadence value of the user based on the time intervals.