Flexible Substrate Conductive Traces for Biometric Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable sensing technologies face challenges in efficiently integrating sensors into garments to monitor biometric and haptic feedback parameters while minimizing the number of components and complexity, particularly in providing power and signal transmission while sensing deformation.
Innovation Solution
The use of conductive traces with varying electrical properties, such as capacitance, impedance, and resistance, that are integrated into flexible substrates within garments to provide power and signals to sensors while also sensing deformation, allowing for the detection of biometric and haptic feedback parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate deformation sensors are used to monitor physical condition, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the conductive trace: it serves as both the power/signal transmission path and the deformation sensor. The electrical property (capacitance, impedance, or resistance) of the same conductive trace that connects sensors also changes in response to deformation, eliminating the need for separate deformation sensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive trace is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing electrical connection, transmitting power and signals, and sensing deformation through changes in its electrical properties. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while maintaining measurement capability.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for power, signals, and deformation sensing, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the deformation sensing function with the existing conductive trace infrastructure that is already required for power and signal transmission. By using the same physical component for multiple purposes, the system maintains reliability through proven components while reducing integration complexity.
3Device complexity
If conductive traces are used for both power and deformation sensing, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the conductive trace's electrical property (capacitance, impedance, or resistance) sensitive to deformation in specific regions. The trace is designed so that its electrical characteristics change predictably and measurably in response to local deformation, enabling precise measurement despite the multi-functional design.
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 approach reduces the need for separate deformation sensors, simplifies the garment's design by using conductive traces as both structural and electronic components, and enables effective monitoring of biometric and haptic feedback parameters with reduced component complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The output signal indicative of the second parameter may be used to create a database of deformation of the conductive trace
Implementation Method 2
The electrical property of the conductive trace dependent upon a second parameter may comprise at least one of: capacitance, impedance, resistance
Implementation Method 3
The electrical property of the conductive trace dependent upon a second parameter may comprise at least one of: capacitance, impedance, resistance
Implementation Method 4
The apparatus may comprise a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace wherein at least a portion of the first conductive trace is positioned adjacent to the second conductive trace so as to provide capacitance between the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An apparatus comprising: a flexible substrate; at least one sensor mounted on the flexible substrate arranged to provide an electrical output signal dependent upon a first parameter; and at least one conductive trace provided on the flexible substrate arranged to provide a direct current path to the at least one sensor and having an electrical property dependent upon a second parameter and arranged to provide an electrical output signal indicative of the second parameter.