Glove Conductive Pads for Accidental Trigger Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile scanning devices mounted on gloves often trigger accidentally due to external objects, and the electronic components can be damaged by moisture, leading to inefficiencies in work environments like warehouses and retail stores.

Innovation Solution

A glove design featuring conductive pads on the anterior and posterior portions, allowing a mobile scanning device to be triggered only when intentionally contacted, with a processor to identify gestures and prevent false triggering, even when wet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a mechanical button is provided on the glove for triggering the mobile scanning device, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to accidental triggering by external objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The triggering function is segmented into multiple independent conductive pads distributed at different locations on the glove. Instead of a single button, the system uses at least two separate conductive pads that must both be activated to trigger the device, preventing accidental triggering while maintaining ease of operation through distributed contact points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the glove are assigned different functions through local placement of conductive pads. The conductive pads are strategically positioned on specific finger regions or palm areas, allowing intentional triggering through deliberate hand gestures while avoiding accidental activation from external objects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If a mechanical button with electronic circuit is integrated into the glove, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of circuit shorting or damage from moisture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional mechanical button with internal electronic circuits is replaced by a distributed conductive pad system that uses simple electrical contact between pads and corresponding electrodes on the mobile scanning device. This eliminates complex mechanical switches and their associated circuitry, reducing the risk of moisture-induced shorting while maintaining triggering functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive pads are integrated into the glove material as thin, flexible conductive elements that can be directly embedded in the fabric. This eliminates the need for separate mechanical buttons and their associated circuit boards, making the glove washable and resistant to moisture damage while preserving the triggering function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If conductive pads are knitted on the glove to enable triggering, then the reliability is improved by preventing accidental triggering, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive pads are merged with the glove fabric through knitting integration, combining the structural and conductive functions into a single manufacturing process. This eliminates separate steps for attaching mechanical buttons or conductive elements, simplifying production while maintaining the reliable triggering function through integrated conductive pathways

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enhances operational efficiency by reducing accidental triggering and protecting the device from moisture-induced damage, ensuring reliable performance in various work conditions.

Implementation Method 1

A first conductive pad (304) is knitted on the anterior portion (204) of the glove. The first conductive pad (304) is knitted on a distal end portion of a first finger region (302). A second conductive pad (402) is knitted on the posterior portion (202) of the glove. The second conductive pad (402) is knitted on a second finger region (404).

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11540568B2Apparatuses, and systems for triggering a mobile scanning device

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 HAND HELD PRODS INC

AI summary

Various embodiments described herein illustrate a glove that includes an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The anterior portion is knitted seamlessly with the posterior portion to define a metacarpal region and a plurality of finger regions extending out from the metacarpal region. A first conductive pad is knitted on the anterior portion of the glove. The first conductive pad is knitted on a distal end portion of a first finger region. A second conductive pad knitted on the posterior portion of the glove. Further, the second conductive pad is knitted on a second finger region. An electronic device is removably attached to the posterior portion and is in electrical communication with the first conductive pad and the second conductive pad. The electronic device is triggered in an instance in which the first conductive pad contacts the second conductive pad.