Biometric Electrodes With Ti-Al-Cr-Si-C-N Coating for Stable Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrodes in electronic devices used for measuring biometric information are prone to damage from external environmental factors, leading to degraded signal quality due to inconsistent surface resistance and susceptibility to noise, which existing filters like high pass and low pass filters may not adequately address.

Innovation Solution

The use of electrodes made from a conductive material compound containing titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), silicon (Si), carbon (C), and nitrogen (N) provides a durable and low-resistance surface, maintaining signal quality even when exposed to external conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the electrode is directly exposed to the external environment, then the ease of operation and contact with user body is improved, but the durability and resistance to environmental damage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact with user bodyVSAvoiddurability against environmental damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode uses a composite material structure consisting of a base material (e.g., stainless steel or titanium) combined with a conductive coating layer (e.g., conductive polymer or metal oxide). This composite structure provides both the mechanical durability needed for environmental exposure and the electrical conductivity required for bio-signal measurement, resolving the contradiction between ease of contact and environmental resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional electrode materials are used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the surface resistance consistency and signal quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the surface properties of the electrode by changing parameters such as surface roughness, porosity, and chemical composition through treatments like anodization, plasma treatment, or deposition of conductive coatings. These parameter changes reduce surface resistance and improve signal quality while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established industrial processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If filters are added to remove noise, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise removalVSAvoidfilter system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding complex filter systems to the electronic device, the patent extracts the noise reduction function to the electrode itself by using specially designed electrode materials and structures that inherently minimize noise generation. This approach achieves measurement precision improvement without increasing overall device complexity, as the noise filtering capability is built into the electrode rather than added as a separate system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The electrodes offer excellent durability and low surface resistance, ensuring high electrical conductivity and accurate bio-signal measurement, while withstanding environmental changes such as temperature and humidity.

Implementation Method 1

The first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode may include a conductive material that is a compound containing titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), silicon (Si), carbon (C), and nitrogen (N)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4149358B1Electronic device and electrode included in the same
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4149358B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4149358B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4149358B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing, a display viewed through at least a portion of a front surface of the housing, a rear cover disposed on a rear surface of the housing, a first electrode disposed on a lateral surface of the housing, and second and third electrodes disposed at different positions on the rear cover. The first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode may include a conductive material that is a compound containing titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), silicon (Si), carbon (C), and nitrogen (N).