Diseño y construcción de un pedal de bicicleta basado en sensores piezorresistivos para determinar la fuerza resultante

Abstract

In the Colombian cycling, the training guidelines are adjusted from qualitative data based on the direct observation of the sportsman. The aim of this research was to improve this process by the implementation of instrumented pedals to collect quantitative data of the performance of the cyclist. In this article we present the design and construction of a prototype of a dynamometric device that allows the acquisition of force data in the pedal. The device works based in a piezoresistive force sensor (FlexiForce®) connected to a specific mechanical adjustment and a signal conditioning system that gives a proportional voltage to the exerted force, whose registry and analysis are made in LabVIEWTM. The device allows the visualization of the pedaling force in real time.