Modular Sensor Garment with Flexible Bus Line

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clothing with integrated sensors for data acquisition is cumbersome to put on and take off due to cabling and is often expensive and elaborately constructed, leading to discomfort and high production costs.

Innovation Solution

A flexible multi-sensor clothing system featuring a base body made of flexible material with sensor arrangements connected via a flexible bus line that includes a data collection unit, allowing for easy data transmission and modular design with elastically integrated electrical lines for enhanced comfort and adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wiring methods are used to connect sensor arrays to data collection units, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but the garment becomes difficult to put on and take off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidease of putting on and taking off
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor arrays are divided into modular units that can be independently attached and detached from the garment. Each sensor array unit connects to the data collection unit through simplified interfaces, allowing the garment to be easily put on and taken off while maintaining reliable data transmission through the modular connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If complex sensor arrangements are integrated into the garment, then comprehensive data acquisition is achieved, but production costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata acquisition capabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The data collection unit is designed as a universal platform that can interface with multiple types of sensor arrays (temperature, humidity, motion, etc.). This multi-functional design allows comprehensive data acquisition across different physiological parameters while using a single standardized data collection unit, thereby reducing production costs through economies of scale and simplified manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If multiple sensor arrays are connected via electrical cables, then stable electrical connection is achieved, but the garment design becomes overly complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidgarment design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible printed circuit board (FPC) is introduced as an intermediary component between the sensor arrays and the data collection unit. The FPC provides stable electrical connections through its conductive traces while maintaining flexibility to accommodate garment movements. This intermediary solution eliminates the need for bulky traditional electrical cables, thereby reducing garment design complexity while ensuring reliable electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3369371B1Garment with multiple sensors and the use of it
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 STAR COOPERATION
  • EP3369371B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3369371B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3369371B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to clothing (10) in the form of a multisensor dress with several sensor arrangements (22a, 22b), in particular for detecting body postures and/or movements of a user of the clothing (10). Each sensor arrangement (22a, 22b) has at least one sensor, in particular in the form of an inertial movement unit. The sensor arrangements (22a, 22b) are connected, in particular in parallel to each other, to a data collection unit (28) via at least one bus line (24a, 24b). The bus line(s) (24a, 24b) can each have a carrier strip (26a) made of fabric. The electrical connection of the sensor arrangements (22a, 22b) to the respective bus line (24a, 24b) is preferably made by purely mechanically pressing the sensor arrangements (22a, 22b) onto the bus line (24a, 24b). A band and/or a pocket is preferably used for this purpose.The data collection unit (28) preferably has a storage means and/or a transmission means for the data measured by the sensor arrangements (22a, 22b), but no evaluation unit for this data.