Conductive Coupling Pin Structure for Flexible Wearable Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices face issues with unstable electric connections due to repeated bending deformations of connecting wires between segments, leading to potential wire fractures.
Innovation Solution
A coupling pin with a tube portion, core portion, and sleeve configuration that provides electrical conductivity and insulation, allowing stable electric signal or power transmission between segments while offering flexibility and rotation, enhancing wearing convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple segments are combined to fit body curvature, then wearing convenience is improved, but wire stability deteriorates due to repeated bending deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible printed circuit boards (FPC) as the connecting structure between segments. The FPC can be bent and deformed to accommodate the curvature of body parts while maintaining electrical connectivity, thus resolving the contradiction between wearing convenience and wire stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling pin structure includes movable components that allow dynamic adjustment during segment connection. The pin can rotate and move to accommodate relative movements between segments, preventing wire fracture while maintaining stable electrical connections during wear.
2Volume of moving object
If segments are made compact, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling pin structure employs a nested design where the electrical connection components are integrated within the mechanical coupling structure. The FPC is embedded within the pin assembly, allowing compact segmentation while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling pin serves multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical connection, electrical connection, and flexibility accommodation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device size while maintaining manufacturability.
3Ease of operation
If flexibility is provided between segments, then wearing convenience is improved, but wire durability deteriorates due to repeated bending
Solution Approach 1:
The FPC is specifically designed with flexible characteristics that allow repeated bending without fracture. The thin film structure can elastically deform during segment movement while maintaining electrical connectivity, thus providing both flexibility for wearing convenience and durability for long-term use.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling pin structure includes cushioning elements that absorb and distribute the stress from repeated bending movements. This pre-designed stress distribution mechanism protects the electrical connections from damage while allowing the necessary flexibility for comfortable wear.
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 coupling pin ensures stable electric connections and improved wearing comfort by distributing circuit devices and electric elements across segments, reducing the risk of wire fractures and enhancing overall device durability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the core portion and the sleeve may be configured to transmit an electric signal or power between the wearing member and the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling pin and a wearable electronic device in which the coupling pin is configured to connect a wearable member to a housing of the wearable electronic device are provided. The coupling pin includes a tube portion which is configured to be accommodated in the wearable member, and which at least partially has electrical conductivity, a core portion which is configured to protrude from at least one of both ends of the tube portion to be bound to the housing, and which at least partially has electrical conductivity, and a sleeve which is arranged adjacent to the tube portion while surrounding at least a portion of the core portion, and which has electrical conductivity, wherein the sleeve is electrically insulated from the core portion and the tube portion.