Wearable Motion Sensor Layout for Multidirectional Body Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable devices require multiple unidirectional sensors to measure body movements and bio-signals, which is inefficient and costly, and lacks the capability for multidirectional sensing.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device utilizing a single sensor with an inner electrode, outer electrodes, and deformation elements made of carbon nanotubes or similar materials, arranged in a circular configuration, which changes resistance values based on deformation, allowing for precise sensing of muscle and skin movements in various directions, and is combined with a controller and actuator for assistance in body movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple unidirectional sensors are used to measure body movements in various directions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single sensor structure performs multiple sensing functions by detecting resistance changes in deformation elements arranged in different directions. The sensor can measure body movements in various directions simultaneously, replacing what would traditionally require multiple unidirectional sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor divides the sensing function into multiple deformation elements (first, second, third deformation elements) arranged in different directions within a single sensor structure. Each deformation element responds to movements in its specific direction, and the controller integrates these signals to achieve comprehensive multidirectional measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If multiple unidirectional sensors are used to measure body movements in various directions, then measurement precision is improved, but the number of sensors required increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single sensor structure performs multiple sensing functions by detecting resistance changes in deformation elements arranged in different directions. The sensor can measure body movements in various directions simultaneously, replacing what would traditionally require multiple unidirectional sensors, thereby reducing the number of sensors required while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple deformation elements that would traditionally require separate sensors are merged into a single sensor structure. The first, second, and third deformation elements are integrated within one sensor, allowing multidirectional measurement with a reduced number of sensors
3Manufacturing precision
If carbon nanotubes are aligned in one direction for sensing, then manufacturing precision is improved, but sensing capability in various directions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing function is segmented into multiple deformation elements with carbon nanotubes aligned in different directions (first, second, and third directions). Each deformation element maintains high manufacturing precision with unidirectional carbon nanotube alignment, while the combination of multiple elements provides versatile sensing capability in various directions
Solution Approach 2:
Different deformation elements have different local qualities in terms of carbon nanotube orientation. The first deformation element has carbon nanotubes aligned in a first direction for sensing movements in that direction, while other elements have carbon nanotubes aligned in different directions, allowing each element to be optimized for its specific sensing direction while collectively providing multidirectional sensing capability
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 sensitive real-time measurement and assistance of human body movements with a minimal number of sensors, allowing for precise implementation of various movements and potential applications in exercise assistance and remote control of devices.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of deformation elements disposed between the inner electrode and each of the outer electrodes and formed of a material whose resistance is changed by deformation
Implementation Method 2
Carbon nanotubes, which are cylindrical carbon crystals with a diameter of 5 nm to 10 nm, are attracting attention as a next-generation high-tech material because of their high tensile strength and high electrical conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device for assisting a human body movement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a sensor including an inner electrode arranged at a center of an arbitrary circle, a plurality of outer electrodes arranged at regular intervals in a circumferential direction at positions spaced apart from the inner electrode in a radial direction so as to be arranged on a circumference of the circle, and a plurality of deformation elements disposed between the inner electrode and each of the outer electrodes and formed of a material whose resistance is changed by deformation; a controller configured to apply different control signals to an actuator according to a combination of different resistance values of the deformation elements of the sensor; and the actuator operating based on the control signals of the controller.