Connector Substrate for Wearable Sensor Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable sensor systems face challenges in measuring information from multiple body positions simultaneously without causing discomfort to the wearer, due to the need for multiple sensors and transceivers, which results in a large and cumbersome system that is difficult to attach, detach, and wash, and can lead to inaccurate measurements and increased stress on the connector.
Innovation Solution
A connector substrate with a flexible base material and reduced number of output terminals, where sensors are grouped and connected through specific wiring patterns, allowing for efficient signal processing and integration of information from irregularly disposed sensors, facilitating attachment and detachment of external output means and enhancing washability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are attached at various positions to obtain information from multiple body parts simultaneously, then measurement capability is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors are integrated into a single sensor system with a common controller and shared communication interface. The sensors are arranged to follow body contours and are electrically connected through a unified wiring structure, allowing simultaneous measurement from multiple body parts without requiring separate transceivers for each sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed with universal functionality to measure various physiological parameters (acceleration, temperature, electrocardiogram, electrooculogram, electromyogram) using multiple types of sensors within a single system. The controller can process signals from different sensor types through a common communication interface, enabling the system to perform multiple measurement functions simultaneously.
2Reliability
If each sensor is connected to an external output means through separate wirings, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but the number of connection points increases
Solution Approach 1:
A controller serves as an intermediary device between multiple sensors and the external output means. The controller receives signals from all sensors through a unified communication interface and processes them centrally before transmission to external devices. This eliminates the need for separate direct connections from each sensor to external output means, reducing the number of connection points while maintaining signal transmission reliability through the intermediary controller.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of connection points are provided in the connector, then connectivity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is extracted as a separate functional unit that consolidates multiple connection functions. Instead of providing numerous connection points directly in the connector for each sensor, the controller is positioned between the sensors and external output means, handling all connection operations through a single standardized interface. This extraction of the controller from the connector structure simplifies the attachment and detachment operations while maintaining full connectivity capability.
4Measurement precision
If the sensor system is made large to accommodate multiple sensors and connectors, then measurement capability is improved, but wearability and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system employs a nested structure where multiple sensors are arranged in layers or groups that follow body contours. The sensors are positioned close to each other and to the body surface, with wiring and connectors nested within the sensor assembly structure. This nesting allows comprehensive measurement capability while minimizing the overall volume and profile of the wearable system, improving comfort and wearability.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector substrate includes a base material, n first input terminals of m groups (m and n are an integer equal to or greater than 2) which are provided on the base material, n first output terminals which are provided on the base material, first wiring patterns which are disposed on or inside the base material and connect the first input terminals and the first output terminals, m second input terminals which are provided on the base material, m second output terminals which are provided on the base material, and second wiring patterns which are disposed on or inside the base material and connect the second input terminals and the second output terminals, in which a first end of each connector wiring constituting the first wiring pattern is connected to one of the n first input terminals constituting each group, and a second end is connected to one of the first output terminals.