Could somebody tell me how these pressure readings are done?

[Chuck]

The gizmo described in the link below is designed to (1) measure
maximum grip strength, and then (2) provide feedback so that you can
maintain a pressure equal to 30% of your maximum for a couple
minutes. Of course it is also microprocessor controlled, has a
display screen, blinking LEDs, and probably a beep, but what I would
really like to know is how the pressure readings might be done. Are
there load cells generally available for that kind of thing? Are
they expensive?

I'm trying to get a rough idea of what such a device might cost to
make. In other words, if manufactured in thousands, is this a $200
device, or a $20 device?

http://www.mcmaster.ca/ua/opr/nms/newsreleases/2004/ihg.html

 

[PN2222A]

A resistive strain gage epoxy bonded to a bit of spring steel forms the
force transducer. Less than $10 in those quantities. Add analog
amplification (with high gain, very low offset voltage) a microprocessor and
a display. Also batteries and a power switch.

$50 to $100 per unit in low production volumes.

"Chuck" <rtjKILLSPAM49@lycos.com> wrote in message
news:1099697882.HMVz7/bmXc1Xlb0wXAUf2Q@teranews...

The gizmo described in the link below is designed to (1) measure
maximum grip strength, and then (2) provide feedback so that you can
maintain a pressure equal to 30% of your maximum for a couple
minutes. Of course it is also microprocessor controlled, has a
display screen, blinking LEDs, and probably a beep, but what I would
really like to know is how the pressure readings might be done. Are
there load cells generally available for that kind of thing? Are
they expensive?

I'm trying to get a rough idea of what such a device might cost to
make. In other words, if manufactured in thousands, is this a $200
device, or a $20 device?

http://www.mcmaster.ca/ua/opr/nms/newsreleases/2004/ihg.html

 

[Dave Garnett]

One tyre pressure sensor I took apart used a small silicone rubber moulding,
like the moulded keypads on phones etc. The way it worked was that as
pressure was applied, the moulding distorted and more and more of a carbon
contact on the rear touched a pad on the pcb. Hence the resistance lowered.
Suprisingly, it seemed to work ! For your application, all you need is a
short term reading, and +- 25% accuracy.

Once you have the moulding in production, the manufacturing cost would be
close to zero - you would probably have some keys anyway !

Dave

"Yukio" <yano@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:ZjYid.133074$%k.80337@pd7tw2no...

Looks like a modified digital tire pressure guage to me, at ~ $10.00 a pop
I think they use a silicon chip force transducer similar to the pressure
sensors used in the Electronics package for automotive fuel injection , a
barometric pressure sensor. Just modify a glove by adding a pressure
sensing bladder, add a tire pressure gauge for a read-out and use the
ANALOG
computer found between the Subject's ears, to do the calculations. Why try
reinventing the wheel, all of the equipment is available off the shelf .
You just have to repackage it and put a fancy label on it.

Yukio Yano

"PN2222A" <bipolar@lithium.net> wrote in message
news:YIVid.18328$6q2.16320@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com...
A resistive strain gage epoxy bonded to a bit of spring steel forms the
force transducer. Less than $10 in those quantities. Add analog
amplification (with high gain, very low offset voltage) a microprocessor
and
a display. Also batteries and a power switch.

$50 to $100 per unit in low production volumes.

"Chuck" <rtjKILLSPAM49@lycos.com> wrote in message
news:1099697882.HMVz7/bmXc1Xlb0wXAUf2Q@teranews...

The gizmo described in the link below is designed to (1) measure
maximum grip strength, and then (2) provide feedback so that you can
maintain a pressure equal to 30% of your maximum for a couple
minutes. Of course it is also microprocessor controlled, has a
display screen, blinking LEDs, and probably a beep, but what I would
really like to know is how the pressure readings might be done. Are
there load cells generally available for that kind of thing? Are
they expensive?

I'm trying to get a rough idea of what such a device might cost to
make. In other words, if manufactured in thousands, is this a $200
device, or a $20 device?

http://www.mcmaster.ca/ua/opr/nms/newsreleases/2004/ihg.html

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