An electronic module fixing unit for smart clothing

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fixing unit (1) for use in positioning / fixing an electronic module / device (A) on smart wearable clothing, comprising: a body (2) which comprises a lower surface (21) on which the base of the electronic module / device (A) is positioned, a rear wall (22) on which the rear surface of the electronic module / device (A) rests, and a lock wall (23) on which the front surface of the electronic module / device (A) is positioned; at least one rear tab (4) which is located on the rear wall (22) in the form of a protrusion and adapted to fit into a recess located on the electronic module / device (A); and at least one lock tab (3) which is located on the lock wall (23) in the form of a protrusion and adapted to fit into a recess located on the electronic module / device (A).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] AN ELECTRONIC MODULE FIXING UNIT FOR SMART CLOTHING

[0003] Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a fixing unit for securely positioning an electronic module on smart wearable clothing / garments, such as smart gloves, using a minimum number of parts.

[0005] Background of the Invention

[0006] Smart systems and materials, which have become increasingly important and widely used in recent years, are also finding an increasing application area in the textile industry. In addition to materials that react physically and chemically to external environmental conditions, smart / interactive textile structures targeted at integrating electronic and textile materials are being developed. These smart systems, which are characterized as the clothing of the future, include many functions such as protection, guidance, communication, etc. In the state of the art, smart clothing (garments) contains many sensors, circuits, and electronic modules. In the state of the art, various fixing units have been developed for fixing the electronic module on smart clothing, the most widely used being a slide assembly by which an electronic module is positioned onto a slot via slides.

[0007] In the fixing unit with slide according to the state of the art, the slide structure occupies a significant amount of space on the fixing unit, and the space problem caused by employing a slide creates the technical problem of having to use a smaller device / electronic module. Furthermore, fixing units comprising slides and large bodies make smart clothing heavier and cause ergonomic problems for the user. Moreover, the device / electronic module can be easily released from the slides and fall out of the fixing unit and thus out of the smart clothing. Application no. KR102462584B known in the state of the art discloses fixing of the electronic module on the glove, which is smart clothing, via a fixing unit with slide.

[0008] Application no. TR2018 / 18450 known in the state of the art relates to a smart glove comprising a fixing body with slide for fixing the electronic module having a sensor. In the said application, there is provided a body with a closed structure on four sides and a slide structure is located within the body. In the application, there is also provided a flexible holding structure on the flexible lower portion and this structure does not lock the electronic module, but only guides it into the closed body.

[0009] Summary of the Invention

[0010] The objective of the present invention is to realize a fixing unit which enables the electronic module / device to be positioned / fixed on smart clothing / garments ergonomically and with a minimum number of parts.

[0011] The objective of the present invention is to realize a fixing unit which enables an electronic module / device to be fixed / positioned more securely on the smart clothing.

[0012] The objective of the present invention is to realize a fixing unit which enables an electronic module / device to be fixed / positioned on smart clothing with a more lightweight structure.

[0013] Another objective of the invention is to realize a fixing unit which is used on smart clothing, i.e. glove, and thus ensures a reduced weight imposed on the hand and a more ergonomic use. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0014] The drawings of the fixing unit developed for achieving the objective of the present invention show the following:

[0015] Figure 1. is a side perspective view of the fixing unit of the present invention and the locking system in detail.

[0016] Figure 2. is a side view of the fixing unit of the present invention in normal state, flexed state and module holding area in detail.

[0017] Figure 3. is a top view of the fixing unit of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4. is a side view of the fixing unit of the present invention and the electronic module in disassembled state.

[0019] The parts in the figures are individually numbered and their equivalents are given below.

[0020] 1. Fixing unit

[0021] 2. Body

[0022] 21. Lower surface

[0023] 211. Fixed part

[0024] 212. Flexible part

[0025] 22. Rear wall

[0026] 23. Lock wall

[0027] 3. Lock tab

[0028] 4. Rear tab

[0029] 5. Additional flexing recess

[0030] 6. Module holder

[0031] A. Electronic module

[0032] B. First recess

[0033] C. Second recess

[0034] P. Pin A fixing unit (1) for use in positioning / fixing an electronic module / device (A) on smart wearable clothing comprises: a body (2) which comprises a lower surface (21) on which the base of the electronic module / device (A) is positioned, a rear wall (22) on which the rear surface of the electronic module / device (A) rests, and a lock wall (23) on which the front surface of the electronic module / device (A) is positioned, at least one rear tab (4) which is located on the rear wall (22) in the form of a protrusion and adapted to fit into a recess located on the electronic module / device (A), at least one lock tab (3) which is located on the lock wall (23) in the form of a protrusion and adapted to fit into a recess in the electronic module / device (A).

[0035] The fixing unit (1) of the present invention is used for fixing / positioning an electronic module / device (A) on a smart clothing and comprises a body (2) to grasp the electronic module / device (A) from its lower, front and rear parts, and the said fixing unit enables the electronic module / device (A) to be locked therein by means of the locking function of its front and rear parts. The said fixing unit (1) comprises a body (2) comprising a lower surface (21) on which the base of the electronic module / device (A) is placed, which a rear wall (22) located at one side of the lower surface (21) and a lock wall (23) located at the other side of the lower surface (21) so as to be opposite to the rear wall (22), and it also comprises a lock tab (3) and rear tab (4) for fixing the electronic module / device (A) within the body (2). The said rear tab (4) is in the form of a protrusion extending over the rear wall (22) towards the electronic module / device (A). The said lock tab (3) is in the form of a protrusion extending over the lock wall (23) towards the electronic module / device (A). Electronic module / device (A) is provided with one recess structure each located on both the front surface and the rear surface, and when the lock tab (3) and the rear tab (4) located on the body (2) fit into these recesses, the electronic module / device (A) is fixed within the body (2) from both its front part and rear part and locked within the body (2) in both horizontal and vertical directions. By means of the developed fixing unit (1), there is no need for a closed structure to completely enclose the electronic module / device (A) and a slide structure for fixing the electronic module / device (A), and by using only the rear wall (22) and the lock wall (23), an easy and robust locking feature has been achieved and the area occupied by the fixing unit (1) and the weight have been reduced compared to the prior art. Also, the negligible level of flexing of the pins (P) in the electronic module / device (A) allows the electronic module / device (A) to fit into the fixing unit more easily. In addition, the structure of the plastic inherently provides flexing and ensures that the electronic module / device (A) is completely locked into the fixing unit (1), as it locks the electronic module / device (A) very well.

[0036] When it is desired to fix the electronic module / device (A) into the said fixing unit (1), the electronic module / device (A) is placed on the body (2) such that the recesses of the electronic module / device match the rear tab (4) and the lock tab (3) located on the body (2). For an easier mounting, the electronic module / device (A) is first positioned on the rear wall (22) of the body (2) through its rear surface and then positioned on the lock wall (23) through its front surface. While placing the electronic module / device (A), the recesses located on the electronic module / device (A) are matched with the rear tab (4) and the lock tab (3), and the lock tab (3) is inserted into the recess on the electronic module / device (A) with the flexing movement formed in the lock tab (3) structure, and thus the electronic module / device (A) is fixed into the body (2) from both the front and rear parts.

[0037] In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic module / device (A) comprises a first recess (B) located on its rear surface and a second recess (C) located on its front surface. The rear tab (4) located on the fixing unit (1) matches with the first recess (B) and the lock tab (3) matches with the second recess (C). In an embodiment of the invention, there are provided pins (P) on the rear surface of the electronic module / device (A) for electrical signaling and there is provided a pin slot on the rear wall (22) of the body (2) for positioning these pins (P) into the body (2).

[0038] In an embodiment of the invention, the outer body of the electronic module / device (A) is preferably square or rectangular. In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic module / device (A) comprises at least one or all of a sensor, power supply, button, display, pin for electrical signal. In this way, smart clothing has an adaptable structure.

[0039] In an embodiment of the invention, the lower surface (21) has a fixed part (211) and a flexing part (212), which is connected to the fixed part (211), extends flexibly from the fixed part (211), and comprises a lock wall (23) thereon. The said flexing part (212) can flex over the fixed part (211) when the rear surface of the electronic module / device (A) is brought onto the lock tab (3), and thus the lock tab (3) can easily fit into the recess / second recess (C) on the electronic module / device (A). In another embodiment of the invention, the flexing part (212) is separated from the fixed part (211) in a bifurcated manner. The flexing part (212) is manually flexed downwards by means of the lock wall (23) positioned at its end and the lock tab (3) located on the lock wall (23), and it allows the lock tab (3) oriented in the opposite direction to fit into the recess of the electronic module (A) and hold it therein. At the same time, the rear tab (4) on the other side of this body (2) locks the electronic module (A) in the opposite direction. In this way, the release movement opposite to the orientation of the tabs is prevented.

[0040] In an embodiment of the invention, the lock wall (23) and the lock tab (3) together have a C-shape. In an embodiment of the invention, an additional flexing recess (5) is located on the lower surface (21) at the side of the base part of the rear wall (22). The said additional flexing recess (5) facilitates the flexing movement of the rear wall (22). In an embodiment of the invention, module holders (6) in the shape of a recessed channel are located on the lower surface (21). Two strips, preferably 1mm higher, are located on the lower surface (base) (21) of the electronic module (A) in the form of a ridge. These strips allow the electronic module (A) to be inserted into the fixing unit such that it corresponds to the module holders (6) in the shape of a recessed channel, which are located on the lower surface (21) of the fixing unit.

[0041] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixing unit (1) is positioned in a stable manner on a smart glove. In an embodiment of the invention, the fixing unit (1) is positioned in a stable manner on a smart clothing / garment.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fixing unit (1) for use in positioning / fixing an electronic module / device (A) on smart wearable clothing, comprising: a body (2) which comprises a lower surface (21) on which the base of the electronic module / device (A) is positioned, a rear wall (22) on which the rear surface of the electronic module / device (A) rests, and a lock wall (23) on which the front surface of the electronic module / device (A) is positioned, and characterized by at least one rear tab (4) which is located on the rear wall (22) in the form of a protrusion and adapted to fit into a recess located on the electronic module / device (A), at least one lock tab (3) which is located on the lock wall (23) in the form of a protrusion and adapted to fit into a recess located on the electronic module / device (A).

2. A fixing unit (1) according to claim 1, comprising a lower surface (21) which has a fixed part (211) and a flexing part (212) connected to the fixed part (211), extending flexibly from the fixed part (211), and comprising a lock wall (23) thereon.

3. A fixing unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a flexing part (212) which is separated from the fixed part (211) in a bifurcated manner.

4. A fixing unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a lock wall (23) and a lock tab (3) which together form a C-shape.

5. A fixing unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an additional flexing recess (5) which is located on the lower surface (21) at the side of the base part of the rear wall (22).

6. A fixing unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a module holder (6) in the shape of a recessed channel, which is located on the lower surface (21).

7. A fixing unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a body (2) which has a shape into which the electronic module / device (A) with a preferably square or rectangular outer body is positioned.

8. A fixing unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, adapted to an electronic module / device (A) which has a first recess (B) located on its rear surface and a second recess (C) located on its front surface.

9. A fixing unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, used for positioning / fixing the electronic module / device (A), which comprises at least one or all of a sensor, power supply, button, display, pin for electrical signal, on smart wearable clothing.

10. A fixing unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, used for positioning / fixing the electronic module / device (A) on smart wearable clothing, which is a smart glove.

11. A fixing unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, used in a stable manner on the smart garment.

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