Piezoelectric Transducers for Self-Powered Wearables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable devices face challenges in providing continuous power without the need for frequent recharging, and they lack an intuitive graphical user interface for interacting with these devices.
Innovation Solution
The development of self-powered wearables that incorporate pre-bent, multi-function, bending-strain-based bimorph transducers capable of generating electrical energy through bending and returning to their quiescent shape, along with a graphical user interface for computing devices to interact with these wearables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If rechargeable batteries are used to power wearables, then the wearable can operate for extended periods, but the battery requires frequent recharging and eventually degrades to become inoperative
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device harvests energy from the user's body movements through piezoelectric transducers embedded in the garment fabric. This self-powered mechanism eliminates the need for external recharging, allowing the device to continuously generate its own power from ambient mechanical energy sources during normal wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional electrochemical battery system with a mechanical energy harvesting system using piezoelectric materials. These materials convert mechanical stress from body movements directly into electrical energy, substituting the passive energy storage approach with an active energy generation mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more systems and sub-systems are included in wearables to augment capabilities, then the functionality is enhanced, but the power consumption increases and requires more frequent recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric transducers serve multiple functions simultaneously: they generate electrical energy from body movements, sense mechanical pressure and strain, and can provide haptic feedback through controlled deformation. This multi-functionality allows the wearable to support multiple subsystems without proportionally increasing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy harvesting transducers continuously generate power from the user's natural movements, providing sufficient energy to support multiple augmented systems including sensors, wireless communication, and display elements without requiring external recharging.
3Use of energy by moving object
If piezoelectric transducers are designed to generate energy from bending, then they can harvest energy from body movements, but the transducer structure becomes complex with pre-bent configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric transducers are pre-bent into curved configurations that match the natural contours of the human body. This curvature allows the transducers to efficiently harvest energy from body movements while maintaining a compact form factor that integrates seamlessly into wearable garments without adding bulk or discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin-film piezoelectric materials that can be flexed and bent without fracturing. These flexible films are deposited onto substrate materials that provide the necessary mechanical support while maintaining flexibility, allowing the transducers to conform to body shapes and movements.
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
This solution enables wearables to operate continuously without recharging, as the transducers generate power from applied forces and return to their quiescent state, while the graphical user interface provides an intuitive way for users to interact with their wearable devices.
Implementation Method 1
transducers that generate electrical energy in response to an applied force... transducers disclosed herein have a quiescent shape that is curved (or 'bent') about at least one bending axis. The transducers are configured to generate electrical energy when they are flattened relative to their bending axis (or axes) in response to the applied force, as well as when returning to their quiescent state upon removal of the applied force.
Implementation Method 2
some energy harvesters in accordance with the present disclosure employ a low dielectric-constant (K) or 'low-K' piezoelectric material, which enables high-voltage/power operation and/or a significantly thinner energy harvester or sensor transducer.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems and methods that enable a user of a computing device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, etc.) to interact with a wearable device worn by the user. In one embodiment, the computing device provides a touchscreen-based graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI displays a three-quarter view of a plurality of icons arranged in a ring, where each of the icons is associated with a respective health/fitness parameter (e.g., heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, etc.). The GUI enables the user to interact with the wearable device through the computing device, via swiping gestures, presses of icons, and press-and-holds of the icons.