Optical Biosensor Module Stacked Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical biosensor modules in wearable devices are difficult to miniaturize, leading to increased size and light loss due to the placement of light-emitting and light-receiving units on the same plane, which hinders the miniaturization of wearable devices and affects power efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The optical biosensor module design features a stacked configuration with the light-emitting unit positioned above the light-receiving unit on a circuit board, utilizing an opaque interface to prevent light interference and a non-light transmissive layer to enhance light reception, allowing for a more compact form factor and reduced light loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the light-emitting unit and light-receiving unit are disposed on the same plane of the circuit board, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the size of the wearable device increases and cannot be miniaturized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. The light-emitting unit and light-receiving unit are disposed at different heights on the circuit board, with the light-emitting unit positioned above the light-receiving unit. This vertical stacking in the Z-dimension reduces the horizontal footprint, enabling miniaturization of the wearable device while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized mounting processes.
2Device complexity
If the light-emitting unit and light-receiving unit are disposed on the same plane, then the structure is simple, but light loss increases due to longer optical path
Solution Approach 1:
By stacking the light-emitting unit above the light-receiving unit in the vertical dimension, the optical path length is significantly reduced. The light travels a shorter distance from the emitter to the receiver, minimizing attenuation and energy loss. This three-dimensional arrangement optimizes optical efficiency while the modular design keeps structural complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light guide structure as an intermediary component between the light-emitting unit and light-receiving unit. This light guide efficiently directs and concentrates the emitted light toward the receiver, improving light coupling efficiency and reducing losses. The light guide acts as a mediator that optimizes the optical path without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the light-emitting unit is positioned away from the user's skin, then the structure allows for larger component spacing, but light loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stacked configuration allows the light-emitting unit to be positioned closer to the user's skin in the vertical direction while maintaining adequate horizontal spacing for other components. The Z-axis stacking enables compact integration near the skin surface without compromising the lateral arrangement of other device components, thus reducing light loss while preserving ease of assembly and component accessibility.
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
This design miniaturizes the wearable device, reduces light loss, and achieves power savings by positioning the light-emitting unit closer to the user's skin, while maintaining effective light reception and signal quality.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitter electrically connected to the second circuit and having a light-emitting surface that faces away from the light-receiving surface
Implementation Method 2
a light receiver electrically connected to the first circuit and having a light-receiving surface that faces away from the mounting surface
Implementation Method 3
an opaque interface exists between the light receiver and the light emitter, and a top side of the light emitter blocking wall is equal to or higher than the light-emitting surface
Data Source
AI summary
An optical biosensor module includes a circuit board having a mounting surface and first and second circuits. A light-receiving unit is disposed on the mounting surface, and includes a light receiver electrically connected to the first circuit and having a light-receiving surface. A light-emitting unit is disposed on the light-receiving surface, and includes a light emitter electrically connected to the second circuit and having a light-emitting surface, and a light emitter blocking wall surrounding the light emitter. An opaque interface exists between the light receiver and the light emitter, and a top side of the light emitter blocking wall is equal to or higher than the light-emitting surface.