Universal Sensor Pod with Smart Connector for Biomechanics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biomechanical assessment laboratories require specialized sensor platforms for specific sensing functions, leading to inefficient utilization of sensor functions due to duplication and replication across customized sensors.
Innovation Solution
A universal sensor platform with a connector configured to detect multiple sensor types and associated processing, allowing it to assume various operational capabilities by manipulating native measurement capabilities, such as converting linear acceleration into angular velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized sensor platforms are used for specific sensing functions, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and loss of substance increase due to duplication across customized sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor platform is designed with a universal connector that can detect and interface with multiple sensor types (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, EMG sensors, etc.), allowing a single platform to perform multiple sensing functions that previously required separate specialized platforms. This eliminates duplication of common components like batteries, processors, and memory while maintaining specialized measurement capabilities through interchangeable sensor modules.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customized sensor types are used for different sensing functions, then adaptability to specific measurement needs is improved, but device complexity increases due to replication of common components
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into modular components: a universal sensor platform that handles common functions (power management, data processing, communication) and interchangeable sensor modules that provide specialized sensing capabilities. This segmentation allows the platform to be configured for different measurement needs by simply swapping modules, reducing the need for multiple complete specialized platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal connector and platform architecture enable a single base unit to support multiple sensor types and functions, making the system adaptable to different measurement requirements without increasing overall device complexity. The platform can be configured for kinematic analysis, kinetic assessment, EMG monitoring, or other biomechanical measurements as needed.
3Loss of information
If multiple specialized sensor platforms are deployed, then comprehensive data collection capability is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease due to inefficient resource utilization
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing functions (inertial measurement, magnetic field sensing, EMG detection, kinetic measurement) that previously required separate specialized platforms are merged into a single universal sensor platform. This consolidation maintains comprehensive data collection capability while improving productivity by eliminating the need to deploy, configure, and manage multiple separate sensor systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal sensor pod provides a native sensing function during a first mode of operation and a secondary sensing function during a second mode of operation. The universal sensor pod may transition from the native sensing function to the secondary sensing function upon detecting that a sensor capable of the secondary sensing function is connected to the universal sensor pod via a smart connector. The universal sensor pod may continue one or more native sensing functions along with the secondary sensing function upon detecting that a sensor capable of the secondary sensing function is connected to the universal sensor pod via a smart connector. A code embedded within the smart connector is transmitted to a processor contained within the universal sensor pod and in response, the processor executes a firmware application that is tailored to the secondary sensing function code in response to receiving the code.