Ultra-thin force sensor array for non-intrusive weight measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bathroom scales are bulky and pose safety hazards, making them inconvenient and difficult to use, especially for individuals with limited mobility, as they often need to be concealed to avoid tripping or collision risks.
Innovation Solution
A ultra-thin body weight scale apparatus with five or more force sensors, allowing a total thickness of between 0.4 inches and 0.004 inches, enabling placement in traffic areas without being noticeable, and can be used as a standalone device or integrated with a toilet for weight measurement, featuring wireless communication and processing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bathroom scales are made bulky to ensure structural stability and sensor accuracy, then measurement reliability is improved, but safety hazards increase and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by replacing the traditional bulky scale structure with an ultra-thin scale (0.004-0.4 inches) that uses flexible substrate materials and thin-film force sensors. This thin-film approach maintains structural integrity and sensor accuracy while eliminating the bulk that causes tripping hazards and safety issues in bathroom environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by integrating multiple force sensors (5 or more) with varying types (strain gauges, piezoelectric sensors, capacitive sensors) onto a unified thin substrate. This composite sensor array works together to provide reliable weight measurements despite the reduced thickness, maintaining measurement reliability while achieving a safe, thin profile.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If scale thickness is reduced to eliminate tripping hazards, then safety is improved, but measurement accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the weight measurement function into multiple discrete force sensors (5 or more) distributed across the thin scale surface. Each sensor contributes to the total weight measurement, allowing the thin structure to maintain accuracy through distributed sensing rather than relying on a single thick structural element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical weight measurement (relying on thick substrate deformation) with advanced sensor technologies including strain gauges, piezoelectric sensors, and capacitive sensors. These sensors detect weight through electrical or optical means rather than mechanical deformation, enabling accurate measurements in an ultra-thin structure where mechanical methods would fail.
3Measurement precision
If multiple force sensors are added to maintain accuracy in thin structure, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple force sensors (5 or more) into a unified thin-scale system where the sensors work collectively as a single measurement apparatus. The sensors are integrated onto the same substrate and processed together, combining their individual measurement capabilities into a cohesive system that achieves high precision without requiring separate complex measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional thin-scale system where the same sensor array serves multiple purposes: weight measurement, bioimpedance analysis (when electrodes are present), and potential health monitoring. This universal approach allows the complex sensor array to perform multiple functions, justifying the added complexity through enhanced capability rather than single-purpose measurement.
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 thin scale design prevents tripping hazards and allows for unobtrusive placement in high-traffic areas, providing accurate weight measurements while being non-intrusive and safe for users with mobility issues, and can seamlessly integrate with toilet systems for comprehensive weight monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The scale includes five or more force sensors which enable a total scale thickness of between 0.4 inches and 0.004 inches
Data Source
AI summary
A thin scale apparatus for measuring body weight includes 5 or more force sensors within a total thickness of between 0.4 inches and 0.004 inches measured between a bottom surface and a top surface of the thin scale apparatus. The thin scale is designed to be thin enough to be non-intrusive or not recognized by a user. A weight of a toilet user may be determined as a combination of additive force of force sensors in a thin scale and force sensor associated with a toilet seat of a toilet. The force sensors may be positioned in one or more cavities on a bottom side of a substrate material of the thin scale or be embedded within a substrate material. Embodiments of a standalone thin scale and a thin scale with a toilet are disclosed.