Wheatstone Bridge Load Sensing Circuit for Weight Distribution Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weight measurement technologies do not provide accurate weight distribution between different body parts, such as left and right sides, toes, and heels, nor do they account for postural sway or unsteady positions, which are crucial for identifying issues like bad knees or toes.
Innovation Solution
A body weight measuring apparatus with a load sensing unit featuring Wheatstone bridge circuits and an amplifier circuit to measure distributed weights across various points, coupled with a microcontroller for digital conversion and transmission, allowing for accurate weight distribution analysis and postural sway assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple Wheatstone bridge circuits are used to measure weight distribution at different points, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing platform is divided into multiple measurement zones (front, rear, left, right) with separate Wheatstone bridge circuits for each zone. This segmentation enables independent measurement of weight distribution across different body parts while using standardized circuit configurations that can be manufactured and calibrated systematically.
Solution Approach 2:
The same Wheatstone bridge circuit design and load cell configuration is reused across multiple measurement zones. This universal approach allows the system to measure various weight distributions (total weight, weight bearing, lateral balance, postural sway) using identical hardware components, reducing device complexity despite multiple measurement functions.
2Measurement precision
If sampling is performed at multiple time instances to account for postural sway, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs periodic sampling of weight data at multiple time instances during a measurement cycle. By taking measurements at regular intervals (e.g., 100ms or 200ms apart) and analyzing the variation, the system can detect postural sway and determine weight stability without requiring excessively long measurement durations. The periodic sampling approach balances precision with time efficiency.
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 precise measurement of weight distribution between body parts and accounts for postural sway, providing accurate total weight and statistical analysis of load stability, facilitating the identification of potential health issues like bad knees or toes.
Implementation Method 1
The load sensing unit includes at least one wheatstone bridge circuit configured to generate a load information comprising at least one of: left-side weight, a right-side weight, a posterior-side weight, and an anterior-side weight
Implementation Method 2
The load sensing unit includes at least one wheatstone bridge circuit configured to generate a load information
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement circuit of a body weight measuring apparatus is provided. The measurement circuit comprises a load sensing unit including at least one wheatstone bridge circuit for generating a load information comprising at least one of: a left-side weight, a right-side weight, an anterior-side weight, and a posterior-side weight in the form of an output voltage, upon application of a load. The load sensing unit is powered by an input excitation voltage across the at least one wheatstone bridge circuit. The measurement circuit includes an amplifier circuit to amplify the output voltage to generate an amplified output, an analog to digital converter circuit for converting the amplified output to a digital representation of the weight of the load, and a microcontroller to receive and transmit the digital representation of the weight of the load to a server for computing an exact weight of the load.