Heart Activity Sensor with ESD Shield on Textile Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heart activity sensors face challenges in accurately measuring heart activity during exercise due to harsh environmental conditions and the difficulty in detecting millivolt-range signals, particularly due to movement and static electricity interference.
Innovation Solution
A heart activity sensor structure featuring a flexible textile substrate with integrated electrodes and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) shield, which includes a conductive ESD layer for protecting the electrodes from static electricity and ensuring accurate signal detection, along with a wireless transmitter circuit for data transmission to a training computer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible textile substrate is used for mounting electrodes, then user comfort and electrode contact are improved, but the structure becomes less durable and more complex to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor structure is divided into distinct functional layers: flexible textile substrate layer, electrode layer, ESD shield layer, and insulation layer. Each layer performs a specific function, allowing the complex structure to be managed through modular segmentation while maintaining user comfort through the flexible substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple materials with different properties: flexible textile substrate for comfort, conductive material for electrodes, conductive ESD shield material for static protection, and insulating material for electrical isolation. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating diverse material properties into a unified structure that provides both comfort and functionality.
2Measurement precision
If electrodes are placed directly against the skin, then measurement accuracy is improved, but static electricity interference worsens
Solution Approach 1:
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) shield layer is introduced as an intermediary between the external environment and the electrodes. This conductive shield layer captures and dissipates static electricity before it can interfere with the millivolt-range ECG signals, while grounding elements provide a safe path to earth ground, protecting the sensitive measurement without isolating the electrodes from skin contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The ESD shield layer performs preliminary protection by intercepting static electricity discharge before it reaches the electrodes. By placing the conductive shield between potential static sources and the sensitive measurement elements, the system preemptively neutralizes harmful static discharge, preventing interference with the heart activity signals.
3Reliability
If multiple layers are added to protect from static electricity, then protection effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ESD shield layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a conductive barrier against static electricity, provides structural support for the overlaying elements, and works in conjunction with grounding elements to create a comprehensive protection system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate protective components, managing complexity while enhancing reliability.
4Strength
If the sensor structure is made rigid for durability, then structural strength is improved, but user comfort and body adaptation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible textile substrate as the base layer, allowing the entire sensor structure to conform to the contours of the user's body. This flexible foundation maintains durability through appropriate material selection while enabling excellent body adaptation and user comfort, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.
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 textile substrate and ESD shield enhance user comfort and measurement accuracy by maintaining electrode contact and reducing static interference, while the wireless transmission allows for real-time exercise data monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
an electrostatic discharge (ESD) shield, which includes a conductive ESD layer for protecting the electrodes from static electricity
Implementation Method 2
The electrodes may measure voltage variations on the skin wherein the variations are due to the activity of the heart muscle
Data Source
Figure 1A~3
Figure 4A~4B
Figure 5A~6B
AI summary
There is provided a heart activity sensor structure (100), comprising: a flexible textile substrate (20); at least two electrodes (24, 26) with an electric insulation between each of the at least two electrodes, wherein the at least two electrodes (24, 26) are applied on one side of the flexible textile substrate (20) and configured to be placed against a skin (32) of an exerciser (60) in order to measure biosignals related to heart activity; and an electrostatic discharge shield (40) applied on one side the flexible textile substrate (20) for protecting the at least two electrodes (24, 26) from static electricity.