Flexible Circuit Board Earplug for Physiological Signal Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional physiological signal measurement devices are prone to inaccuracy due to interference from external light rays when measuring physiological data, such as heart rate and heart rate variability, as they emit and receive light from the skin of the auricle.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a flexible circuit board with light emitters and sensors clamped between elastic and secondary elastic portions, which deform to fit snugly into the external auditory canal, maintaining a constant distance from the skin and shielding external light interference, ensuring accurate data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the light sensor receives light from the skin of the auricle, then physiological data can be measured, but external light rays interfere with the measurement causing inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes external light interference from the measurement system by using an earplug structure that blocks external light from reaching the measurement site in the external auditory canal, thereby isolating the light path between the light emitter, light sensor, and skin
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (earplug with light-blocking material) between the external environment and the measurement site to prevent external light from interfering with the physiological signal measurement while allowing the device's own light to pass through
2Measurement precision
If the device is placed in the external auditory canal for accurate measurement, then external light interference is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated earplug structure that simultaneously provides light blocking, mechanical support for the flexible circuit board, and positioning for the light emitter and light sensor, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The earplug structure serves multiple functions: blocking external light, supporting the flexible circuit board, positioning the optical components, and providing a stable platform for measurement, thereby achieving high measurement precision without proportionally increasing complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the light emitter and light sensor are fixed rigidly, then the structure is simple, but the device cannot adapt to different ear canal shapes reducing measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible circuit board instead of a rigid structure, allowing the device to dynamically adapt to different ear canal shapes and sizes while maintaining the functional relationship between the light emitter, light sensor, and skin surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible circuit board with embedded light emitters and light sensors that can bend and conform to the curved surface of the external auditory canal, ensuring consistent contact and measurement accuracy across different users without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms
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
This design ensures accurate measurement of physiological data by preventing external light interference and maintaining a consistent distance between the light emitters and sensors, thereby enhancing the reliability of heart rate, variability, and other physiological data measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitter emits a light source to skin of the auricle of the user. The light sensor receives a light source emitted from the light emitter and reflected by the skin
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of the first elastic portions occur an inward slight deformation by virtue of skin of the external auditory canal pushing against the plurality of the spaced second elastic portions to make the plurality of the first elastic portions and the plurality of the spaced second elastic portions generate an outward pushing force
Data Source
AI summary
A physiological signal measurement device includes a housing, a bracket, a rigid circuit board fastened in the housing, a first flexible circuit board assembled in the housing and the in-ear portion, and a protective sleeve. The housing protrudes frontward to form an in-ear portion. The bracket has a base portion fastened to the in-ear portion. Several portions of a front surface of the base portion protrude frontward to form a plurality of first elastic portions. The first flexible circuit board has a resilient end. The resilient end of the first flexible circuit board surrounds the plurality of the first elastic portions. The protective sleeve has a fastening portion, and a plurality of spaced second elastic portions protruded from the fastening portion. The plurality of the spaced second elastic portions surround the plurality of the first elastic portions and the resilient end of the first flexible circuit board.