Extensible Textile Electrode for Biometric Wearables

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional textile products with integrated electrodes for measuring biometric data, such as heart rate and skin temperature, face issues with discomfort, limited extensibility, sensitivity to chlorine, and high manufacturing complexity, leading to restricted usability and wearing comfort.

Innovation Solution

A textile product with an extensible electrode made of conductive silicone or graphene, integrated into the fabric, allowing for direct skin contact and featuring a conductive element connected via an extensible material, which can be routed externally to enhance comfort and durability, while maintaining electrical conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional adhesive electrodes or chest straps are used for biometric measurement, then measurement capability is achieved, but wearing comfort deteriorates due to skin irritation and friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidwearing comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the electrode from conventional adhesive or metallic materials to conductive polymer material, which fundamentally alters the interaction with skin. This material substitution eliminates the need for adhesives and reduces friction, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement reliability and wearing comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structure where conductive polymer material is integrated into the textile fabric. This composite approach combines the measurement functionality of conductive materials with the comfort properties of textile, achieving both reliable biometric measurement and enhanced wearing comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If silver-coated textile material is used for electrodes, then conductivity is improved, but durability deteriorates due to sensitivity to chlorine and sweat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material composition parameter from silver coating to conductive polymer material. This substitution fundamentally improves chemical stability and resistance to chlorine and sweat, while maintaining adequate electrical conductivity for biometric measurement, thus resolving the durability-conductivity contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional non-extensible electrode material is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability deteriorates as the shirt cannot follow body movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidextensibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure where conductive polymer material is integrated into extensible textile fabric. This combination allows the electrode to inherit the extensibility and elasticity of the textile while maintaining electrical conductivity, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability to body movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If silver-coated fabric is used for electrodes, then conductivity is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases and cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from complex silver coating processes to conductive polymer material that can be directly integrated into textile manufacturing. This substitution simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs while maintaining the necessary electrical conductivity for electrode functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 extensible electrode design improves wearing comfort by allowing the electrical components to be routed externally, reducing skin irritation and enhancing durability, while maintaining effective biometric data measurement capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11918059B2Textile product with skin-contact element and/or establishing external contact with the skin-contact element, and method for producing the same

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 M3S GMBH

AI summary

A textile product, and methods of using or manufacturing the same, has an electrical skin contact element completely or partially arranged on the inside of the product and at least one extensible conductive textile element mounted on the outside of the product in electrical communication with the skin contact element. In one embodiment, the skin contact element comprises an extensible electrode having an extensible plastic material comprising conductive particles or graphene and is adhered to or printed on the textile product in a region surrounding an opening in the textile product, and is connected to the conductive element adjacent the opening. In another embodiment, the textile product has a conductive region comprising an embedded conductive polymer material, the conductive element is connected to the conductive polymer material on the outside of the conductive region, and the electrical skin contact element completely or partially penetrates the fabric of the textile product.