Biometric Sensor Package for Garment Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heart rate monitor belts cannot be easily integrated into garments due to the need for precise electrode placement and the lack of equipment in the garment manufacturing supply chain to handle electronics, making it impractical to re-tool or alter existing supply chains.
Innovation Solution
A biometric sensor package is designed with a sensor arrangement sandwiched between flexible material layers, including a material allowance for integration into garments, allowing for sewing or adhesive affixation using existing machinery without modifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If heart rate monitor belts are integrated into garments, then the convenience and comfort for users is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and supply chain requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the integrated garment system into separate functional modules: the garment itself and the detachable biometric sensor package. This segmentation allows the sensor package to be manufactured independently using specialized equipment, then integrated into the garment through simple attachment mechanisms, thus improving user convenience while avoiding manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate components such as adhesive layers, elastic materials, and detachable connectors that mediate between the sensor package and the garment. These intermediaries enable easy integration without requiring complex manufacturing processes or modifications to existing supply chains
2Manufacturing precision
If specialized equipment is added to garment manufacturers for electrode alignment and affixation, then the integration precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost and process complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor package is pre-assembled with electrodes in their correct positions and orientations before integration into the garment. This preliminary action ensures precise electrode alignment without requiring specialized equipment during garment manufacturing, as the precision is achieved during sensor package fabrication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adhesive materials with specific properties (such as elasticity and bonding strength) that enable precise positioning of the sensor package on the garment without requiring mechanical alignment equipment. The adhesive parameters are selected to maintain electrode orientation while simplifying the attachment process
3Ease of manufacture
If heart rate monitor belts are made as separate wearable devices, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the comfort and versatility in garment integration worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor package is designed with universal attachment features that enable it to be integrated into various types of garments (shirts, dresses, sportswear) without modification. The detachable design and standardized attachment mechanisms provide versatility while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor package incorporates flexible and elastic materials that allow it to conform to different garment shapes and sizes. This flexibility enables adaptation to various garments while the package itself remains a simple, self-contained unit that is easy to manufacture
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a biometric sensor package. In particular, a biometric sensor package for integration with a garment. Furthermore, methods of manufacturing of such biometric sensor packages are disclosed. Still yet, methods of integrating biometric sensor packages in to garments are disclosed. The biometric sensor packages described herein can easily be manufactured by current biometric sensor manufactures, for example heart rate monitor belt manufacturers. The biometric sensor packages described here can then be easily integrated in to garments by current garment manufacturers without requiring any special knowledge or tooling relating to the actual biometric sensor arrangements within the biometric sensor packages. Through the use of biometric sensor packages described herein biometric sensor arrangements, such as heart rate monitors and EEG sensors can be easily integrated into garments, such as sports bras, shirts and shorts, without disrupting existing supply chains and factories.