Prosthetic Finger Assembly Using Capacitive Coupling Without Skin Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional prosthetic digits for partial hand amputees face challenges in operating capacitive panels due to increased manufacturing complexity and difficulty in maintaining a conductive pathway through articulating joints, often requiring a direct conductive connection to the user's skin, which is cumbersome and heavy.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic digit with a conductive layer surrounded by an insulating layer, featuring a series capacitive pathway that does not require a direct conductive connection to the user's skin, using a conductive tip pad to interact with capacitive panels, mimicking human fingertip functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a direct conductive pathway is used from the prosthetic fingertip to the user's skin, then capacitive panel operation is enabled, but manufacturing complexity increases and the device becomes heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the conductive pathway requirement from the traditional design by using a conductive tip pad that generates capacitive coupling directly at the point of contact with the capacitive panel. This eliminates the need for a direct conductive connection to the user's skin, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining capacitive panel operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive tip pad serves as an intermediary element between the prosthetic digit and the capacitive panel. It creates a localized capacitive coupling that mimics human fingertip interaction, enabling panel operation without requiring a direct conductive pathway through the entire prosthetic structure to the user's skin
2Ease of operation
If a direct conductive pathway is used from the prosthetic fingertip to the user's skin, then capacitive panel operation is enabled, but the prosthetic digit becomes heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy metallic structural components and direct conductive pathways from the prosthetic digit design. Instead, it uses a lightweight conductive tip pad that provides capacitive coupling only where needed at the point of contact, significantly reducing the overall weight of the moving prosthetic digit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical coupling parameter from direct conduction to capacitive coupling. This allows the prosthetic digit to operate capacitive panels using electromagnetic field interaction rather than physical conductive connection, enabling weight reduction while maintaining operational capability
3Ease of operation
If a continuous conductive pathway is used from the point of contact to the metallic structure, then capacitive panel operation is enabled, but the conductive path becomes difficult to maintain through articulating joints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional continuous conductive pathway into a localized conductive tip pad that creates capacitive coupling only at the point of contact. This segmentation eliminates the need for continuous conduction through articulating joints, making the system more reliable as joint movement no longer compromises the conductive pathway
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical conductive pathway system with an electromagnetic capacitive coupling system. The conductive tip pad generates an electromagnetic field that couples with the capacitive panel, eliminating the mechanical connection requirements and improving reliability through articulating joints
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
Enables effective operation of capacitive panels without the need for a direct conductive pathway, reducing complexity and weight, enhancing usability and independence in daily activities.
Implementation Method 1
Normal operation of a capacitive panel (e.g., the touchscreen of a smartphone) requires a finger or an object to alter the capacitance at the point of contact with the touchscreen
Implementation Method 2
including one or more series coupled capacitors to alter the capacitance at the point of contact with the panel
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic digit usable with capacitive panels is provided. The digit includes at least one conductive layer surrounding the body of the digit, and a non-conductive sealing layer around the conductive layer preventing direct external contact of the conductive layer with the capacitive panel. The digit may have a conductive tip pad to create a series capacitive pathway between the conductive layer of the body and the electrodes of the capacitive panel. Using the digit with a capacitive panel does not require a direct conductive pathway, e.g., a pathway between the capacitive panel and the structure of the device, the user's skin, or metallic sink.