Flexible Sensor Device Waterproofing via Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor devices with hard exteriors are costly and inflexible when equipped with large-sized waterproof moisture-permeable covers, making them inefficient for attachment to curved surfaces and increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A flexible sensor device with a soft exterior body and a small-sized waterproof moisture-permeable material, where the temperature/humidity sensor is positioned closer to the surface, reducing the size of the opening and using a flexible substrate with a bent region to maintain flexibility and low costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large-sized waterproof moisture-permeable cover is used to cover the opening, then waterproofing performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the waterproofing function from a large cover and concentrates it on a small waterproof moisture-permeable material that only covers the detection surface opening. This eliminates the need for a large-sized cover, reducing material costs while maintaining waterproofing performance where actually needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies waterproofing properties locally at the detection surface opening rather than across the entire exterior body. The waterproof moisture-permeable material is positioned specifically at the opening to prevent water ingress while allowing moisture permeation, avoiding the need for a large expensive cover.
2Reliability
If a large-sized waterproof moisture-permeable cover is used, then waterproofing performance is improved, but flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the waterproofing function from a large flexible cover and concentrates it on a small waterproof moisture-permeable material. This small material does not impede the flexibility of the flexible substrate, allowing the sensor device to be attached to curved surfaces while maintaining waterproofing at the critical opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides waterproofing locally at the opening without requiring a large rigid cover. The small waterproof moisture-permeable material allows the surrounding flexible substrate to maintain its flexibility and conformability to curved surfaces.
3Area of stationary object
If the temperature/humidity sensor is positioned closer to the surface, then the opening size is reduced, but sensor protection is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides targeted protection at the detection surface by using a waterproof moisture-permeable material that covers only the opening. This localized protection allows the sensor to be positioned closer to the surface with a smaller opening while maintaining adequate protection against water ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the protection function from a large cover and concentrates it on a small waterproof moisture-permeable material at the opening. This allows the sensor to be positioned closer to the surface with minimal opening size while maintaining protection where actually needed.
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 flexible sensor device achieves reduced costs and improved flexibility by minimizing the use of expensive waterproof materials while maintaining effective temperature and humidity measurement capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature/humidity sensor has a waterproof moisture-permeable material that covers a detection surface
Implementation Method 2
The flexible substrate is bonded at at least a peripheral part of the flexible substrate to the exterior body
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor device in which flexibility is ensured over the entirety of the device and that can be manufactured at low costs is provided. The sensor device having flexibility includes a flexible substrate, a temperature/humidity sensor connected to the flexible substrate, and an exterior body formed of a soft material. The temperature/humidity sensor has a waterproof moisture-permeable material that covers a detection surface. The exterior body has an opening that exposes the waterproof moisture-permeable material. The flexible substrate is bonded at at least a peripheral part thereof to the exterior body.