Athletic Band Pocket for Secure Skin-Contact Sensor Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing athletic apparel does not effectively integrate electronic modules for intense physical activities, leading to distraction and potential device loss, while adhering to regulatory restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A band with a pocket designed to securely hold an electronic module, featuring a sensor that can be placed in close proximity to the skin for physiological monitoring, with a casing and interface for user input, and a tubular body made of elastic fabric with a bonding material for secure fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an electronic device is removed from a pocket to be operated, then the athlete can access the device functions, but the athlete becomes distracted and may drop the device
Solution Approach 1:
The band is divided into functional segments including a secure pocket for device storage, a sensor opening for physiological monitoring, and an interface for controlled access. This segmentation allows the device to remain secured in the pocket while still enabling operational access through the interface without full removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The band acts as an intermediary between the athlete and the electronic device. It provides a secure holding mechanism (pocket) while mediating access through controlled interfaces (sensor opening, button interface), eliminating the need for complete device removal and reducing distraction and dropout risk.
2Measurement precision
If a sensor is placed in close proximity to skin for physiological monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but the device must be securely integrated into apparel
Solution Approach 1:
The band merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: device housing (casing), sensor mounting platform, physiological monitoring interface, and secure apparel integration. This consolidation achieves precise skin-proximity sensing while maintaining relatively simple apparel integration through the unified band design.
3Reliability
If athletic apparel is designed to retain electronic modules, then device security is improved, but the apparel structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The band serves multiple universal functions: it secures the electronic device through the pocket, provides physiological monitoring via the sensor opening, enables user interaction through the interface, and functions as wearable apparel. This multi-functionality achieves reliable device retention while avoiding excessive structural complexity through design efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A performance monitoring system includes an athletic band or other article of apparel worn by a user, with a pocket supported by the article and defining a cavity, where the pocket has a sensor opening extending through an inner wall of the pocket and an access opening providing access to the cavity. The system also includes an electronic module received in the cavity such that the module can be inserted and removed from the cavity through the access opening. The module has a projection on an underside of the electronic module and a sensor mounted on the projection, where the projection extends through the sensor opening when the electronic module is received in the cavity and is configured to place the sensor in close proximity to skin of the user, such that the sensor is configured to sense a physiological parameter of the user.