Flexible Donut Sensor Protector for Impact and Adhesive Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor protection methods, such as adhesive tape, fail to prevent glancing blows and adhesive wear, leading to sensor dislodgement and premature failure.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, wedge-shaped sensor protector with a donut design that deflects impacts and covers the adhesive, providing secure attachment and early warning of loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If adhesive tape is used to cover and protect the sensor, then the sensor is protected from direct contact with objects, but the adhesive tape sticks to the sensor and pulls the sensor off when removed, and does not prevent glancing blows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a donut-shaped protector as an intermediary component between the sensor and the external environment. This protector has an inner surface that contacts the sensor case and an outer surface with adhesive tape that contacts the skin, thereby mediating the protective function without the adhesive directly sticking to the sensor. The donut shape with its ramped outer surface deflects glancing blows away from the sensor, while the adhesive tape on the outer surface provides secure attachment to the skin.
2Strength
If the sensor is made of hard plastic material with a case around electronics, then the sensor structure is rigid and protective, but it is subject to being hit, snagged, pulled upon, and abrasion from contact with skin, clothes, or bedding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a flexible donut-shaped protector that surrounds the rigid sensor case. This protector absorbs and deflects impacts, snags, and abrasion forces before they can reach the hard plastic sensor case. The ramped outer surface of the donut proactively deflects glancing blows, while the flexible material cushions against direct impacts and abrasion from skin, clothes, or bedding contact.
3Reliability
If the adhesive tape is extended beyond the sensor diameter to secure attachment, then the sensor is held more firmly in place, but the tape is subject to wear, curling, and loss of adhesion due to sweat, water, and abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the donut-shaped protector as an intermediary that carries the adhesive tape on its outer surface rather than having the adhesive tape directly attach the sensor to the skin. This intermediary approach allows the adhesive tape to be extended beyond the sensor diameter for secure attachment while protecting the tape from direct contact with sweat, water, and abrasion sources. The donut structure shields the adhesive edges, reducing curling and wear.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible material is used for the donut protector, then the protector can conform to skin surface and deflect impacts effectively, but the protector itself becomes subject to wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible shell structure in the form of a donut-shaped protector that conforms to the skin surface. This flexible material effectively deflects impacts and glancing blows through its ability to deform and redirect forces. The flexible shell design allows the protector to maintain close contact with the skin while providing durable protection through repeated use, as the flexible material can absorb and distribute stress without cracking or breaking.
Data Source
AI summary
A protector for a skin mounted sensor, the sensor being of the type that has a hard case mounted on patient and having contact with or into the patient's underlying tissue, and the protector being an adjunct device around the sensor, not attached to the sensor, but serving to hold the sensor in place, protect it against accidental glancing blows from a hard object, protect the sensor's attaching adhesive, and provide advanced warning should the attaching material become abraded throughout extended duration.