4D Instrumented Handle

Our BioRow 4D Instrumented Handle sensor for a sculling oar has been developed and successfully tested in 2021. This sensor inbuilt into a handle of a SCULLING oar and can measure 4D forces and torques:

1. Axial handle force F_ha;
2. Horizontal (at squared blade) handle force F_hx;
3. Vertical (at squared blade) handle force F_hy;
4. Twisting torque at the handle M_h.

This allows in-depth analysis of oar biomechanics: e.g. the axial blade force can be derived as the difference between he gate and handle axial forces. No sweep version of the sensor is available yet.

From outside, the sensor looks like a normal oar handle covered with a soft grip elastomer (red or black colour), so it is fully row-able and creates no problem with oar handling.

To install the sensor, the oar must be modified: the handle side to be cut at about 5cm from the top, and drilled for mounting holes, where the carbon rod holding the sensor is installed. This is NON-REVERSIBLE modification: to install a standard grip again, the oar must be repaired at the factory.

Installation of the sensor includes mounting membranes (1) holding a carbon rod (2), which transmits forces to the set of load cells with strain-gauges (3), connected with amplifiers (4). Carbon fibre grip (5) covers the whole sensor and provides transmission of the forces from rower’s hand to the sensor. Connection of the sensor is provided by a flat cable (6), which can be taped to the oar shaft and creates no obstacles for sculling.

The sensor is supplied with connection to BioRowTel system. Each sensor sends data to four channels, so the Master or Slave extension unit can be connected to two sensors.

Alternatively, the sensor can be supplied to your custom-made electronics with marked excitation and signal wires.

BioRow 4D Instrumented Handle sensor is pre-calibrated at the factory and calibration coefficients are provided in the supporting documentation.

Here you can find the data and results of the studies using this sensor:

• Axial force at the blade (RBN 2021/06);
• Force transmission at the handle (RBN 2021/12);
• Details of force transmission at the handle (RBN 2022/01).

Technical specifications:

The sensor mass                                  100 g

Outer diameter of the handle              35 mm

Number of channels                            4

Power supply                                      +5 V

Current consumption                          150 ma

Signal output                                       0-4 V

Linearity                                              <0.1%

Cross-talk                                            up to 5%

Please take a look on www.biorow.com website for more information.