Biosignal Electrode with Oblique Rotating Terminals for Hair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biosignal detecting electrodes face challenges in establishing effective contact with the skin when hair is present, leading to incomplete electrical contact and potential discomfort due to tightly bundled wires.

Innovation Solution

A biosignal detecting electrode with a rotary part and obliquely projecting electrode terminals that rotate to move hair aside, ensuring even contact pressure and distribution, and are made from elastic materials impregnated with an electrolytic solution to facilitate skin contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tightly bundled silver wires are used for electrode contact, then electrical conductivity is improved, but contact comfort deteriorates and complete skin contact is prevented due to hair interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical contact reliabilityVSAvoidcontact discomfort and incomplete contact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is divided into multiple individual terminal members (first terminal member, second terminal member, third terminal member, fourth terminal member) instead of using a single bundled wire structure. Each terminal member can independently contact the skin, allowing them to navigate around hair follicles and achieve complete skin contact without the discomfort of tightly bundled wires pressing against the scalp.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal members are designed with elastic properties, enabling them to dynamically adapt their shape and position to conform to the skin surface contours. This elasticity allows the terminals to flex around hair and maintain stable electrical contact without requiring tight bundling, thereby improving both comfort and contact reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If obliquely projecting electrode terminals are used, then hair movement and skin contact are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin contact effectivenessVSAvoidelectrode terminal fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal members are designed with specific geometric parameters including oblique projection angles and elastic modulus values that optimize their ability to move hair aside and contact the skin. By carefully selecting these parameters, the design achieves effective skin contact while maintaining manufacturability through standard fabrication processes for elastic conductive materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal members are constructed from composite materials that combine conductivity and elasticity properties. This allows them to function as both electrical conductors and mechanical elements capable of oblique projection and skin conforming, achieving effective hair movement and skin contact without requiring complex separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If electrolytic solution impregnation is used, then electrical conductivity is enhanced, but material complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidelectrode material structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal members are designed with porous or absorbent material structures that can impregnate and retain electrolytic solutions. This porous structure allows the electrolyte to be distributed throughout the terminal material, enhancing electrical conductivity at the skin interface without requiring separate electrolyte reservoirs or complex delivery mechanisms, thus maintaining relative manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 electrode achieves reliable and pain-free electrical contact with the skin, allowing for accurate biosignal detection even in hair-covered areas by rotating to ensure uniform contact and using an electrolytic solution for effective conductivity.

Implementation Method 1

The electrode terminals may be formed from a liquid holding material impregnated with an electrolytic solution. With the foregoing structure, the electrode terminals achieve good electrical contact with the skin because they permit the electrolytic solution to ooze out of them when they come into mechanical contact with the skin.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The electrode terminals may be formed from any elastic material. The resulting electrode terminals deform in conformity with the shape of the skin, thereby coming into close contact with the skin.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8706182B2Biosignal detecting electrode and biosignal detecting device equipped therewith

Publication Date: 2014.04.22 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a biosignal detecting electrode which includes a rotary part which is rotatably attached on a brace mountable on a living body and has a first side that joins to the brace and a second side opposite to the first side, and a plurality of electrode terminals attached to the rotary part in such a way that they obliquely project from the second side of the rotary part.