Helical Resistive Elongation Sensor for Wearable Breathing Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional breathing sensors are cumbersome, fragile, and have complex assembly, leading to user discomfort and reduced sensitivity, while muscle activity sensors require specific knitting processes for integration in wearable devices.
Innovation Solution
A wearable article with a flexible support and elongation sensor comprising an elastic, insulating core and helically arranged resistive elements, which change resistance upon stretching, allowing for sensitive detection of breathing and muscle activities through resistance variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional breathing sensors are used, then breathing detection function is provided, but the sensors are cumbersome and cause user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible support structure with helically arranged resistive elements that can stretch and conform to body movements during breathing. This flexible design eliminates the bulkiness of conventional sensors while maintaining detection functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistive elements are arranged helically to dynamically respond to breathing movements. The helical structure allows the sensor to stretch and compress with breathing motions, providing accurate detection while remaining flexible and comfortable against the skin, thus resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If conventional breathing sensors are used, then breathing detection function is provided, but the sensors are fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible support with helical resistive elements creates a durable structure that can withstand repeated stretching and bending during breathing cycles. This design eliminates the fragility of conventional sensors by using a flexible, resilient construction that maintains structural integrity over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical arrangement of resistive elements provides inherent mechanical cushioning and stress distribution. When the sensor is stretched during breathing, the helical structure distributes mechanical stress evenly, preventing localized damage and enhancing overall durability while maintaining detection reliability.
3Reliability
If conventional breathing sensors are used, then breathing detection function is provided, but the assembly and electric connection are complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the support structure and resistive elements into an integrated flexible assembly. The helical resistive elements are directly arranged on the flexible support, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and complex electric connections required by conventional sensors, thus resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible support structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, enables breathing motion detection through helical element deformation, and facilitates easy integration into wearable garments. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliable breathing detection.
4Measurement precision
If sensors are made sensitive for detecting breathing, then detection precision is improved, but the sensors become more fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The helical resistive elements are designed to dynamically respond to breathing motions with high sensitivity. The helical geometry amplifies small breathing-induced deformations into measurable resistance changes while the flexible material maintains durability, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and strength.
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 solution provides a comfortable, durable, and sensitive means to monitor breathing and muscle activities by measuring resistance changes, offering precise amplitude and frequency data without complex assembly.
Implementation Method 1
at least two resistive elements arranged helically around the elastic core, wherein two of the resistive elements are helically arranged in opposite directions and in contact with each other... When the elongation sensor is stretched, the two helically arranged resistive elements slide along each other and the distance between adjacent overlapping regions increases, thus modifying electrical contacts. This, in turn, changes the resistance value of the elongation sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
An elongation sensor, which includes an elastic, electrically insulating core, and at least two resistive elements arranged helically around the elastic core in opposite directions and in contact with each other. A wearable article including a flexible support, at least one elongation sensor arranged on the flexible support so as to have a length varying when a wearer of the wearable article breathes or when muscles of the wearer are contracted or relaxed, and at least one flexible strip arranged on the flexible support. Also, detecting breathing of a subject with the wearable article.