Elastomeric Cable with Stay Cord for Wearable Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wire and cable configurations, especially in wearable electronics, are inflexible and uncomfortable due to the use of rigid materials, leading to issues like ridges that cause discomfort and potential breakage during stretching or repair.
Innovation Solution
The development of elastomeric and flexible cables with a conductive elastomeric core and insulators, along with a stay cord, which allows for stretchability and reduces crosstalk, while maintaining electrical conductivity and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid materials like stainless steel wire are used in cable construction, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility and comfort are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from rigid metals to elastomeric materials that can stretch and flex. The elastomeric core and conductor materials allow the cable to dynamically change its physical properties, providing both strength and flexibility through material parameter transformation rather than rigid structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction with an elastomeric core, elastomeric conductor, and elastomeric insulator. This composite approach combines the properties of different elastomeric materials to achieve a balance between structural integrity and flexibility, eliminating the need for rigid metal components while maintaining both strength and comfort.
2Volume of moving object
If multiple conductors are placed close together in a cable, then cable compactness is improved, but crosstalk between conductors is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric insulator acts as an intermediary material between conductors, providing electrical isolation while maintaining physical proximity. This elastomeric barrier prevents harmful electromagnetic coupling (crosstalk) between adjacent conductors, allowing the cable to remain compact without suffering from signal interference.
3Reliability
If conductors are wrapped about an elastomeric insulator, then electrical insulation is improved, but cable complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the insulator and conductor into a unified elastomeric structure where the elastomeric insulator completely surrounds the elastomeric conductor. This integration eliminates the need for separate wrapping layers and complex multi-layer constructions, achieving reliable electrical insulation through a simplified single-layer elastomeric barrier.
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 solution provides a flexible and durable cable configuration that minimizes discomfort and breakage, while maintaining electrical performance and ease of use in wearable devices.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric core and at least two insulated conductors configured about an external surface of the elastomeric core along a length of the cable
Implementation Method 2
The stay cord is operable to limit extension along the length of the cable
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods presented herein provide for elastomeric and flexible cables. One cable includes a first insulator extruded as a tube. The cable also includes an elastomeric conductor comprising conductive particles embedded in a polymer. The elastomeric conductor is extruded with the elastomeric insulator through a conduit of the tube. Other cables include flexible wires extruded with elastomeric tubes. In some embodiments, the cables are configured with stay cords that limit a length of stretching in the cable.