Bio-Signal Connector Layout for Hot-Swappable Battery Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The long-term bio-signal measurement operation time is limited by battery recharge requirements, necessitating frequent battery replacements or multiple devices, which is uneconomical, cumbersome, and potentially unreliable due to connection failures.

Innovation Solution

A bio-signal measurement system with a disposable electronic apparatus containing a battery that can be hot-swapped, connected to a separate bio-signal processing device via dual quick-release connectors, ensuring seamless data transfer and power supply without integrating the battery in the processing device, allowing for easy maintenance and cost-effective operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the battery is integrated in the bio-signal processing device, then the device can operate independently, but the recharging time increases and measurement continuity is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement operation timeVSAvoidrecharging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent parts: a reusable bio-signal processing device and a disposable electronic apparatus containing the battery. This segmentation allows the battery to be replaced independently without affecting the processing device, enabling continuous measurement operations by swapping batteries rather than recharging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a disposable electronic apparatus with a battery that can be used once and then discarded or replaced. This eliminates the need for recharging the main processing device, as the disposable unit provides sufficient battery life for extended measurements, and replacement is simpler and faster than recharging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Duration of action of moving object

If multiple bio-signal devices are used to continue measurement, then measurement continuity is maintained, but device complexity and connection reliability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall measurement timeVSAvoidnumber of devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using multiple complete bio-signal devices, the system segments the functionality into a permanent processing device and replaceable battery units. This reduces the number of devices needed from multiple complete systems to a single processing device with interchangeable power sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable electronic apparatus is designed with universal connectors that interface with the bio-signal processing device, allowing a single processing device to work with multiple battery units. This multi-functionality enables continuous operation without requiring multiple specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Duration of action of moving object

If the battery is replaced by a second device, then measurement continues, but connection reliability and operational simplicity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement continuityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the battery replacement function from the processing device, creating a dedicated disposable electronic apparatus that interfaces through standardized connectors. This segmentation ensures that connection and disconnection operations are simplified and standardized, improving reliability compared to handling multiple complete devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4223222B1Electronic apparatus, bio-signal measurement system and bio-signal coupling method
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 BITTIUM BIOSIGNALS OY
  • EP4223222B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4223222B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4223222B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

An electronic apparatus of a bio-signal measurement system comprises a first electric connector arrangement that is repeatedly connectable with and releasable from a first electric counter-connector arrangement of the bio-signal data processing apparatus. The electronic apparatus comprises also a second electric connector arrangement that is connectable with a second electric counter-connector arrangement of the bio-signal electrode arrangement in a releasable manner, and a battery that provides electric power for operation of the bio-signal data processing apparatus in response to an electric connection through the first electric connector arrangement between the electronic apparatus and the bio-signal data processing apparatus. The first electric connector arrangement comprises separate electric connectors, each of the connectors with a plurality of pins, the pins of the at least two separate electric connectors being for electric power supply and data transfer. The separate electric connectors of the first electric connector arrangement and their counter-connectors of the bio-signal data processing apparatus have structural shapes matched with each other for attaching them together based on contact friction in the releasable manner.