Universal Force Transducer with Crosstalk Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional load transducers face limitations in accurately measuring forces and moments due to issues like crosstalk between channels, sensitivity to ambient temperature, and variability in measurement accuracy based on load position, requiring a more versatile and accurate force measurement system capable of correcting for these issues.
Innovation Solution
A force measurement system comprising a compact, universal load transducer with integrated data processing and mobile device capabilities to determine center of pressure and body sway parameters, assessing fall risk and correcting for measurement errors, using strain gages and inertial measurement units to process data and provide accurate force and moment measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional load transducers are used with force plates of varying footprint sizes, then custom load transducers must be designed and fabricated for each size, but this significantly increases material costs and device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a universal load transducer design that can be used with force plates of various footprint sizes. The transducer incorporates multiple strain gage configurations that can measure forces and moments regardless of the force plate dimensions, eliminating the need for custom transducers for each plate size.
Solution Approach 2:
The load transducer is divided into multiple independent load channels, each with its own strain gages mounted on elastic elements. This segmentation allows each channel to independently measure specific force or moment components, enabling the transducer to adapt to different force plate configurations without requiring complete redesign.
2Measurement precision
If strain gages are mounted on elastic elements to measure forces and moments, then measurement precision is improved, but crosstalk between channels occurs reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the source of crosstalk by carefully designing the elastic elements and strain gage mounting positions. Each load channel is isolated mechanically so that forces applied to one channel do not significantly affect other channels, removing the harmful interaction while preserving the measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The strain gages are positioned at specific locations on the elastic elements where they are most sensitive to the intended force or moment component. This localized placement optimizes the measurement precision for each specific parameter while minimizing interference from other components, addressing each measurement need with tailored gage positioning.
3Area of stationary object
If load transducers span the full length or width of the force plate, then they can measure forces across the entire surface, but this results in elongate transducers that utilize excessive stock material
Solution Approach 1:
The load transducer design nests multiple functional elements within a compact structure. The elastic elements and strain gages are arranged in a space-efficient configuration that allows the transducer to cover the necessary force plate area without requiring an elongate shape, thereby reducing material consumption while maintaining measurement coverage.
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 system enhances measurement accuracy and versatility, reducing crosstalk and temperature effects, and enabling precise force measurements across various load positions and force plate sizes, while also assessing fall risk through advanced data processing and mobile device integration.
Implementation Method 1
A transducer can incorporate one or more load channels. Each load channel measures one of the load components, and is comprised of one or more strain gages mounted to one or more elastic elements that deform under the applied load. An appropriate circuitry relates the resistance change in each set of gages to the applied force or moment.
Data Source
AI summary
A force measurement system is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a force measurement assembly configured to receive a subject; a data processing device operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly, the data processing device configured to determine a center of pressure for the subject using output forces and/or moments from the force measurement assembly; and a mobile device configured to determine one or more parameters indicative of the body sway for the subject. In this embodiment, a fall risk of the subject is assessed based upon a combination of the center of pressure and the one or more parameters indicative of the body sway determined for the subject.