Elastic Wiring Structure for Waterproof Wearable Signal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rigid wiring in medical and wearable biosignal acquisition devices lacks elasticity, causing discomfort and impairing fabric elasticity, while also being prone to noise and water exposure.

Innovation Solution

An elastic wiring comprising an elastic tube with a conductor wire inside and fixing portions at both ends, where the conductor wire length exceeds the tube length when unextended, allowing for flexibility and waterproofness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid wiring is used to ensure voltage withstanding and tensile strength, then electrical reliability is improved, but comfort and fabric elasticity are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical reliabilityVSAvoidcomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using a flexible insulating tube that encases the conductor wire. The tube is made of elastic material that can stretch and bend, allowing the wiring to conform to body movements and fabric elasticity while maintaining electrical reliability. This resolves the contradiction by providing mechanical flexibility without compromising the rigid electrical connection requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining a conductor wire (for electrical conductivity and strength) with a flexible insulating tube (for elasticity and comfort). This composite structure integrates the advantages of both rigid and flexible materials, achieving both electrical reliability and wearability comfort simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If rigid wiring is used to suppress impedance fluctuations, then signal stability is improved, but vibration and discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal stabilityVSAvoidvibration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible insulating tube acts as a shock-absorbing element that reduces vibration transmission to the skin. The elastic material dampens mechanical vibrations while allowing the conductor wire inside to maintain stable electrical connections, thereby reducing both vibration discomfort and impedance fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating tube serves as an intermediary between the rigid conductor wire and the flexible fabric/skin interface. It mediates the mechanical stresses and vibrations, protecting the conductor wire from excessive movement while maintaining signal stability, thus reducing both vibration and impedance fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If wiring is directly sewn or pasted on fabric to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but fabric elasticity is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestructureVSAvoidfabric elasticity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible insulating tube is sewn onto the fabric instead of directly attaching rigid wiring. The tube's elasticity allows it to stretch with the fabric during body movements, maintaining fabric elasticity while providing a protected pathway for the conductor wire. This simplifies the overall structure compared to multiple attachment points while preserving fabric properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of operation

If wiring is made long to reduce tension during movement, then comfort is improved, but noise pickup and signal quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible insulating tube provides shielding and mechanical support that reduces wiring vibration and noise pickup. The tube's elastic properties allow the wiring to move naturally with the body without creating excessive tension or slack, thereby reducing vibration-induced noise while maintaining comfort through adequate length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 elastic wiring provides excellent waterproofness and elasticity, minimizing discomfort when worn and maintaining fabric elasticity, while reducing noise interference and allowing for easy integration into wearable devices.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic tube, a conductor wire arranged within the tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

fixing portions that fix the conductor wire and the tube at both ends of the tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS12249443B2Elastic wiring and method for producing elastic wiring

Publication Date: 2025.03.11 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

An elastic wiring includes: an elastic tube; a conductor wire arranged within the tube; and fixing portions that fix the conductor wire and the tube at both ends of the tube in the lengthwise direction, wherein the length of the conductor wire between the fixing portions when the tube is in an unextended state is longer than the length of the tube between the fixing portions.