Accelerometer Project Help

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello, I am gathering materials for my Arduino project. I am very new to this ecosystem, so please be patient.

I am trying to measure the impulse of a punch on a punching bag (so I can calculate force). I plan to do this with an UNO or clone and a 3-axis accelerometer inside the bag OR boxing glove. That being said, I do not know how to find the correct sensors or connector to hook up to the board.

I found this accelerometer, "SparkFun Triple Axis Accelerometer Breakout - KX134 (Qwiic)(SparkFun Triple Axis Accelerometer Breakout - KX134 (Qwiic) - SEN-17589 - SparkFun Electronics)

I don't know if it's right for the board. I need a sensor with high g force detection capabilities because of the large amount of force that will be imparted to the bag by a fist. I also don't know if this sensor will connect to the board without an adapter, but from what I can tell, I need a 4-Pin JST to PWM Sensor Adapter.

Does anyone have any advice for the sourcing of sensors and general help for a newcomer?
Thanks a lot.

2

Don't confuse force with acceleration. The accelerometer measures acceleration (force/mass), which will not be very large when measured on a massive punching bag.

You will have a problem removing the acceleration due to gravity, which is also measured by the accelerometer. If you have the accelerometer perfectly vertical at all times, with Z pointing straight down, then the X and Y accelerations may be useful. However, it is quite difficult to maintain that orientation.

3

Ah I didn't think about orientation. Do you have any recommendations on what type of sensor to use? Maybe some kind of impact FSR?

4

Just about any accelerometer will work to get you started. Then you will understand the problem with removing the acceleration due to gravity.

Maybe some kind of impact FSR?

FSRs are very nonlinear and not much use for quantitative measurements.

5

Thanks for the help. One more thing, would you recommend I buy a MEMS type accelerometer? Or just a regular one?

6

All consumer grade accelerometers are MEMS.

7

Thank you for the clarification.

8

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