Punching BagMeasuring Forces Applied to a Punching Bag
Daniel Bergeron, Luke Bosse,
Jennifer Farrar, Kristi Harrison,
Explain how it presents our design.
1
Overview
Objective
Materials
Methods
Conclusion
Luke
Here is an overview of our project. First, we have our objectives.
Followed by the materials and methods. After that we are going to
display some of the data collected from the punching bag, along
with the results and calculations that could be made from that
data. We also have a comparison between two different data loggers,
our kid friendly lesson and the overall conclusion.
2
Objectives
Create a punching bag that will measure acceleration using Wiimote
accelerometers
Calculate a maximum applied force using acquired data
Compare two different accelerometers
Our design objectives that demonstrate biomechanical applications
in a fun interactive way for middle/high school students.
A project that allows engineers to apply concepts and learn to
configure the setup and analysis of data.
The main objective of our project was to create an experiment for
middle and high schoolers that is not only fun and interactive but
also helps to demonstrate some of the biomechanical applications we
have learned throughout this course. Our goal was to create a
punching bag using the accelerometer found in a wiimote along with
a data collection program to calculate the applied force. We are
also going to test the wiimote application to a second
accelerometer. In this case the accelerometer found in one of our
smartphones.
3
Materials
Wiimote
The wiimote contains the accelerometer used for measurement. It
connects wirelessly via bluetooth to a laptop running DarwiinRemote
software.
DarwiinRemote is capable of capturing acceleration data from the
three axis accelerometers found in the Wiimote, logging the data,
and providing the operator with a real time graphical display of
the data being recorded.
The iPhone DataLogger application was used as a second method of
measuring the acceleration.
We created the punching bag using a duffle bag stuffed with tshirts
and sheets because we felt a relatively soft, lightweight stuffing
would be the most appropriate for a safe and fun exercise for the
projected age group.
A scale was used to measure the mass of the punching bag, it was
found to weigh 35 lbs.
4
Methods
Figure 1: (left) Punching Bag. (above) Hanging set up
To perform this experiment first we loaded the bag full of clothes
and other materials until it weighed 35 lbs and hung it over the
beam seen in the picture on the right. Next we placed the wiimote
in the bag, as shown in the picture, and connected it to the
Darwiin program via Bluetooth. After performing multiple trials
that included punching and kicking the bag, we then repeated the
test using our second accelerometer by placing the iphone equipped
with the datalogger program in the same spot.
Brandon
The wiimote contains the accelerometer used for measurement. It
connects wirelessly via bluetooth to a laptop running DarwiinRemote
software.
DarwiinRemote is capable of capturing acceleration data from the
three axis accelerometers found in the Wiimote, logging the data,
and providing the operator with a real time graphical display of
the data being recorded.
The iPhone DataLogger application was used as a second method of
measuring the acceleration.
We created the punching bag using a duffle bag stuffed with tshirts
and sheets because we felt a relatively soft, lightweight stuffing
would be the most appropriate for a safe and fun exercise for the
projected age group.
A scale was used to measure the mass of the punching bag, it was
found to weigh 35 lbs.
5
Brandon
Shows the results of Danie’s first punch using the wiimote
The graph shows the acceleration in the x y and z directions
X axis-perpendicular to the punch
Y axis-up and down through the bag
Z axis-parallel to the direction of the punch
We can see that the largest acceleration based on the wiimotes
orientation was in the negative z direction. In other words, it
goes away from Daniel as he punches it, just as one would expect
when punching an object.
The acceleration in the y direction shows movement as well which
reflects the swing of the bag, as it moves down and then swings
back up because fo the rope connected to the pendulum
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Figure 4: Resultant Acceleration
Brandon
the image on the left shows a second trial of punching bag, but
only the z-axis because that is the main axis of motion
The image on the right shows the resultant acceleration of punch 2,
based on all three axes. We found the resultant to determine the
total acceleration of the bag and then used that determine the
overall force of the punching bag in all three directions
7
(a) amax= -4.9 g (b) amax= -4.22 g
Brandon
We did a second punch and a frontal kick for multiple trials and
data.
Harder Punch = Daniel.
Front Kick = Jenny.
As you can see, the peaks from the kick are not as high as from the
punch, meaning the kick did not produce as much force as from the
punch
We can see the punch has a shorter impact time based on the steeper
slope of the highest peak, while the kick shows a longer impact
duration.
8
Calculations
Force Z axis (lbs)
Jenny
Weighed the bag in pounds. We kept the mass/weight in pounds
because it is more relatable to middle/high school kids than
Newtons. Max acceleration in the z axis was found by taking the
maximum value of the acceleration spike. Force=mass*acceleration
(9.81 m/s2 cancels out) Force is found in pounds. Resultant force
is found the same way. Comparison between force and resultant force
shows how head on the punch/kick is to the bag.
9
Data Logger Comparison
Figure 6: Comparison of the data collected from the Wiimote and the
iPhone during the same trial
Luke
We had iPhone in with the wiimote to serve as a comparative method
of analysis.
This showed how the iPhone DataLogger is insufficient for our
project because the application has a limited data acquisition
range of 2g.
10
How does the iPhone data compare to the Wiimote data?
How do we use the graphs?
Kristi
Our punching bag uses an accelerometer. An accelerometer is a
sensor that measures acceleration in all directions (Up/down,
Front/back, Left/Right).
The Wiimote is the device with the accelerometer. The way it
connects through bluetooth is how the Wiimotes work wirelessly for
all of the Wii games.
All iPhones have an accelerometer that reads the direction of the
phone, used in many apps like temple run.
By graphing the data, the peak visually represents the maximal
acceleration needed to find the maximum force applied.
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Summary
We aimed to create a kid-friendly exercise to demonstrate
biomechanical principles
Accelerometer data can easily be recorded and analyzed to calculate
an applied force
Jenny
Our goal is to create a kid friendly lesson on the use of
accelerometers that can be found in everyday objects
12
Summary
Our project is a very basic model with potential for numerous other
applications of more technical design
Figure 7: LoadStar Sensors boxing training technology
LoadStar Sensors-real life application that is used to measure
force of boxing punches.
Our design is a very basic model with great potential.
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Questions?