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Related Concept Videos

Force Classification01:22

Force Classification

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Forces play a crucial role in the study of physics and engineering. They are essential in describing the motion, behavior, and equilibrium of objects in the physical world. Forces can be classified based on their origin, type, and direction of action.
Contact and non-contact forces are two of the most widely used categories of forces. As the name suggests, contact forces require physical contact between two objects to act upon each other. Examples of contact forces include frictional,...
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Static and Kinetic Frictional Force01:05

Static and Kinetic Frictional Force

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One of the simpler characteristics of sliding friction is that it is parallel to the contact surfaces between systems, and is always in a direction that opposes the motion or attempted motion of the systems relative to each other. If two systems are in contact and moving relative to one another, then the friction between them is called kinetic friction. For example, kinetic friction slows a hockey puck sliding on ice.
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Magnetic Damping01:17

Magnetic Damping

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Eddy currents can produce significant drag on motion, called magnetic damping. For instance, when a metallic pendulum bob swings between the poles of a strong magnet, significant drag acts on the bob as it enters and leaves the field, quickly damping the motion.
If, however, the bob is a slotted metal plate, the magnet produces a much smaller effect. When a slotted metal plate enters the field, an emf is induced by the change in flux; however, it is less effective because the slots limit the...
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Frequency of Spring-Mass System01:17

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One interesting characteristic of the simple harmonic motion (SHM) of an object attached to a spring is that the angular frequency, and the period and frequency of the motion, depend only on the mass and the force constant of the spring, and not on other factors such as the amplitude of the motion or initial conditions. We can use the equations of motion and Newton's second law to find the angular frequency, frequency, and period.
Consider a block on a spring on a frictionless surface. There...
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Mechanical Systems01:22

Mechanical Systems

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Mechanical systems are analogous to to electrical networks where springs and masses play similar roles to inductors and capacitors, respectively. A viscous damper in mechanical systems functions similarly to a resistor in electrical networks, dissipating energy. The forces acting on a mass in such systems include an applied force in the direction of motion, counteracted by forces from the spring, a viscous damper, and the mass's acceleration. This interplay of forces is mathematically...
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Stability of structures01:14

Stability of structures

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In mechanical engineering, the stability of systems under various forces is critical for designing durable and efficient structures. One fundamental way to explore these concepts is by analyzing systems like two rods connected at a pivot point, O, with a torsional spring of spring constant k at the pivot point. This system is similar in appearance to a scissor jack used to change tires on a car. In this case, the arms of the linkage (equivalent to the rods in this system) are entirely vertical,...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Measurement of Dynamic Force Acted on Water Strider Leg Jumping Upward by the PVDF Film Sensor
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Force Plate with Simple Mechanical Springs and Separated Noncontact Sensor Elements.

Yuta Kawasaki1, Ami Ogawa2, Hidetoshi Takahashi1

  • 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kouhoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Kanagawa, Japan.

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 13, 2021
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a novel force plate (FP) design using mechanical springs and noncontact sensors. This adaptable biomechanics tool offers customizability for measuring ground reaction forces (GRF) in various applications.

Keywords:
force plateground reaction forcenoncontact distance sensor

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Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Sensor Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering

Background:

  • Force plates (FPs) are crucial for measuring ground reaction forces (GRF) in biomechanics.
  • Conventional FPs rely on strain gauges, limiting design flexibility and requiring redesign for performance changes.
  • A need exists for adaptable FP designs that can be easily modified for custom requirements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose and develop a novel force plate (FP) utilizing mechanical springs and noncontact distance sensors.
  • To demonstrate the feasibility of creating an easily modifiable FP for custom biomechanical measurements.
  • To evaluate the performance of a prototype FP for measuring ground reaction forces during human walking.

Main Methods:

  • Designed and fabricated a prototype force plate (FP) incorporating 12 mechanical springs and 4 noncontact sensors.
  • Utilized planar coils and magnets as sensor elements, with output proportional to displacement.
  • Conducted calibration experiments to assess force and moment measurement capabilities and resolution.

Main Results:

  • The prototype FP achieved a resonance frequency of 123 Hz, exceeding specifications.
  • Independent measurement of vertical and horizontal forces and moments was demonstrated.
  • High resolutions of 1.9 N (anterior-posterior) and 1.4 N (vertical) were achieved.
  • The fabricated FP showed comparable GRF measurement performance to commercial FPs during human walking.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed force plate (FP) design using springs and noncontact sensors offers significant advantages in adaptability and customizability.
  • This novel approach provides a viable alternative to conventional strain gauge-based FPs.
  • The method is well-suited for developing FPs tailored to specific, custom-made biomechanical research requirements.