Body composition detection device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing body composition detection methods using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) are inaccurate due to moisture on the skin surface, particularly after exercise or shower, leading to significant impedance measurement errors.

Innovation Solution

A body composition detection device with integrated dehumidification assemblies that remove moisture from the skin surface before impedance measurement, ensuring accurate body impedance readings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If BIA method is used for body composition detection, then the measurement method is simple and easy to use, but accuracy is greatly affected by humidity on skin surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidaccuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dehumidification assembly performs preliminary dehumidification of the skin surface before impedance measurement is conducted. This preliminary action removes moisture that would otherwise interfere with the measurement, ensuring accurate readings while maintaining the simplicity of the BIA method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dehumidification assembly acts as an intermediary component between the user's skin and the impedance measurement electrodes. It mediates the interaction by controlling the moisture level on the skin surface, allowing accurate impedance measurements to be taken even when the user's skin is naturally moist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If dehumidification assembly is added to the detection device, then accuracy of body impedance measurement is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dehumidification assembly is integrated with the impedance measurement electrodes into a single unified detector component. This merging of functions allows the device to perform both dehumidification and impedance measurement through one integrated assembly, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The detector is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs dehumidification, humidity sensing, and impedance measurement. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single component, avoiding the need for separate independent systems and thereby managing device complexity.

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

3Measurement precision

If dehumidification is performed continuously, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dehumidification assembly operates periodically rather than continuously. The control unit activates dehumidification only when humidity levels exceed a threshold or when measurement is required, then allows the system to rest. This periodic operation maintains measurement accuracy while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The humidity measurement assembly provides real-time feedback on skin surface humidity levels to the control unit. This feedback mechanism allows the system to intelligently control the dehumidification assembly, activating it only when moisture levels indicate a need for dehumidification, thereby optimizing energy consumption while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Improves the accuracy of body composition detection by minimizing the impact of skin moisture, providing reliable and precise measurements.

Implementation Method 1

the dehumidification assembly dehumidifies a body surface in contact with the impedance measurement assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

When different weak currents pass through a human body, fat, muscle, and other components in the human body have different electrical conductivity, and generate different body impedance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4129167B1Body composition detection device
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4129167B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4129167B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c
  • EP4129167B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

A body composition detection method and a device (100) are provided. The device (100) includes a housing (2), a support layer, and at least one detector (101, 102, 103, or 104). The detector (101, 102, 103, or 104) includes an impedance measurement assembly and a dehumidification assembly. The support layer includes a processor. Both the impedance measurement assembly and the dehumidification assembly are electrically connected to the processor. The impedance measurement assembly, the dehumidification assembly, and the processor are all disposed inside the housing (2). The impedance measurement assembly is embedded on an upper surface of the housing (2). An upper surface of the impedance measurement assembly is flush with or higher than the upper surface of the housing (2). The upper surface of the impedance measurement assembly is in contact with a human body during measurement. Because moisture on a body surface greatly affects body impedance measurement, the dehumidification assembly removes the moisture on the body surface before body impedance is measured, and measurement is performed after the body surface is dried. This can improve accuracy of the body impedance measurement, and further can improve accuracy for detecting a body composition by using the body impedance.