Systems and methods of power output measurement
US8122773B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 2009 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 28, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2562/0247
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention pertains to systems and methods for measuring power output, as in an athletic activity such as cycling. One embodiment relates to a force sensing device configured to be mounted on the bottom surface of a shoe as part of a mechanical linkage through which force is exerted. For cycling, the force sensor is mounted on the bottom surface of a cycling shoe and fitted with a cleat that interlockingly engages a bicycle pedal. To measure both positive and negative pressures on the pedal, the force sensor is pre-stressed with a compressive load to an intermediate point in its dynamic range. Strains that further compress or decompress the force sensor can thus be measured. The computing module mathematically converts the measured pressures, positive and negative, to a measurement of total power exerted by the rider. In addition, the computing module may utilize cyclical regularities in the signal to compute the rider's cadence (pedal revolutions per unit of time). Data from the force sensor is transmitted wirelessly to a remote display where it can be viewed by the rider.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.