Ultrasonic Sensor Assembly for Weight Training Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weight training equipment with magnetic sensors is bulky and costly, necessitating a more compact and cost-effective sensor arrangement.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic sensor assembly comprising a transmitter unit, a receiver unit, and a rotatable pin unit is integrated into the weight training equipment, allowing for the measurement of weight block movement using ultrasound, which is more space-efficient and economical.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetic sensors are used to indicate training status, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces magnetic sensors with an ultrasonic sensing system that uses sound wave transmission and reflection to measure weight block position. The transmitter emits ultrasonic waves that reflect off the weight block to the receiver, eliminating the need for complex magnetic sensor arrays while maintaining measurement capability through acoustic physics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ultrasonic waves as an intermediary medium to transmit measurement information. Instead of direct magnetic field interaction between sensors and weight blocks, the ultrasonic waves serve as a mediator that carries position data from the weight block to the sensing system, simplifying the overall sensor arrangement
2Measurement precision
If magnetic sensors are used to indicate training status, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ultrasonic transmitters and receivers that are generally more cost-effective than precision magnetic sensors. The ultrasonic components can be manufactured at lower cost using standard acoustic materials and assembly processes, reducing overall manufacturing expenses while achieving the required measurement precision for training monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
By substituting magnetic sensing technology with ultrasonic acoustic sensing, the patent leverages成熟的ultrasonic component manufacturing industries, allowing for more economical production. The ultrasonic system uses simpler materials and fewer precision-critical components compared to magnetic sensor arrays, thereby reducing manufacturing costs
3Measurement precision
If magnetic sensors are used to indicate training status, then measurement capability is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from a distributed array of magnetic sensors and consolidates it into a compact ultrasonic transmitter-receiver pair. By removing the need for multiple magnetic sensors spread across the equipment, the sensor assembly volume is dramatically reduced while maintaining the ability to track weight block position and training status
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic waves act as a compact intermediary that can traverse the measurement space without requiring physical sensor arrays. This allows the sensing system to maintain measurement capability across the weight block's range of motion using a much smaller physical footprint compared to magnetic sensor configurations
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 ultrasonic sensor assembly effectively measures weight block movement with high accuracy, providing a cost-effective and space-saving solution for monitoring training status without the need for bulky magnetic sensors.
Implementation Method 1
A distance between the pin unit and the sensor assembly during exercise can be measure by ultrasound transmitted from the transmitter unit toward the pin unit and further reflected by the reflection surface and received by the receiver unit
Implementation Method 2
ultrasound transmitted from the transmitter unit toward the pin unit and further reflected by the reflection surface and received by the receiver unit
Data Source
AI summary
A weight training equipment with an ultrasonic sensor assembly including a transmitter unit, a receiver unit, a case and the support. The case is rotatably supported upon the support to expose the transmitter and the receiver upwardly. A freely rotatable pin unit is selectively inserted into the hole of the corresponding weight block of the weight training equipment to have its reflection surface downwardly face the sensor assembly. A distance between the pin unit and the sensor assembly during exercise can be measure by ultrasound transmitted from the transmitter unit toward the pin unit and further reflected by the reflection surface and received by the receiver unit.