Universal Vehicle Power Measurement via Extracted Sensor Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for measuring human-powered vehicle performance, such as bicycles, often require expensive sensors installed in customized crank or hub components, making them difficult to install and move between vehicles, and lack real-time monitoring capabilities under actual conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system using a suite of sensors, including accelerometers, differential pressure sensors, and barometric pressure sensors, to measure forces opposing vehicle movement, such as gravity, aerodynamic drag, and friction, which are then calculated by a microcomputer to provide performance data without the need for customized components, allowing for easy transfer between vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive sensors are installed in customized crank or hub components, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing functionality from the crank/hub components and places it in a separate, universal body-mounted unit. The sensors measure forces opposing the vehicle (aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance, gravity) rather than directly measuring pedal forces, allowing the same unit to work with any vehicle without customized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed as a universal measurement system that can be mounted on any vehicle body and work with standard components. The unit includes multiple sensors (accelerometer, differential pressure sensor, barometric pressure sensor) that can measure various opposing forces, making it applicable to different vehicle types and configurations without requiring vehicle-specific customization.
2Measurement precision
If customized crank or hub components are used, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is extracted from the vehicle-specific crank or hub components and placed in a separate, portable unit that mounts to the vehicle body. This allows the same measurement device to be removed from one vehicle and transferred to another without modification, as it no longer depends on customized vehicle components.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed as a universal measurement system that can be mounted on any vehicle body and work with standard components. The unit includes multiple sensors (accelerometer, differential pressure sensor, barometric pressure sensor) that can measure various opposing forces, making it applicable to different vehicle types and configurations without requiring vehicle-specific customization.
3Device complexity
If simple manipulation of wheel speed data is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate measurement elements (accelerometer, differential pressure sensor, barometric pressure sensor) that indirectly measure the forces opposing the vehicle. These sensors provide direct measurements of aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance, and gravitational forces, which are then used to calculate power and energy expenditure more accurately than direct wheel speed manipulation alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces simple mechanical wheel speed measurement with a multi-sensor electronic measurement system. The accelerometer measures vehicle acceleration and gravitational forces, the differential pressure sensor measures aerodynamic pressure, and the barometric pressure sensor measures altitude changes. These electronic measurements are processed by a microcomputer to calculate power and energy, providing more precise results than mechanical wheel speed manipulation.
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
Enables accurate, real-time measurement of power output and energy expenditure without the need for expensive or customized equipment, providing users with comprehensive performance data in a lightweight, self-contained unit.
Implementation Method 1
An accelerometer provides data related to changes in velocity (vehicle acceleration) and gravitational forces (hills)
Implementation Method 2
A differential pressure sensor provides information on the aerodynamic pressure applied against the front of the vehicle, and this is used to calculate the total opposing aerodynamic force
Implementation Method 3
a barometric pressure sensor is used to measure instant altitude and changes in altitude
Implementation Method 4
These opposing forces include gravity, aerodynamic drag, inertia and friction
Implementation Method 5
These opposing forces include gravity, aerodynamic drag, inertia and friction
Implementation Method 6
These opposing forces include gravity, aerodynamic drag, inertia and friction
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is disclosed comprising a suite of sensors for measuring instant static and dynamic pressure and the speed and acceleration of a vehicle, such as a bicycle. A microprocessor receives data from the sensors and calculates power expended by the rider or other power source by finding the total of all forces impinging upon the vehicle and rider, thereafter multiplying by the speed of the ground vehicle. In some embodiments accuracy is improved by calibration techniques, user input of data, or temperature compensation of certain factors. Other data, such as wind speed, distance traveled, altitude, or surface grade may be presented to the user. In one embodiment data is stored for later analysis.