Finger-Worn Ring Electronics With Flexible PCB and Optical Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable electronics are bulky and intrusive, leading to discomfort and reduced usability for extended wear.
Innovation Solution
A wearable computing device in the form of a ring with a flexible printed circuit board and transparent windows for data transmission, battery recharge, and status indication, utilizing concentrated photovoltaic cells and LEDs for power and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional wearable electronics are designed to perform multiple functions (monitoring, communication, power), then device functionality is improved, but device size and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (sensors, communication modules, power management, LEDs) onto a single flexible printed circuit board that is integrated into the ring structure. This merging of functions into a unified compact platform enables multiple capabilities while maintaining a small form factor suitable for finger wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible printed circuit board serves multiple purposes: it provides structural support for the ring, hosts various sensing components for health monitoring, includes communication antennas, provides power management circuitry, and incorporates LEDs for status indication. This multi-functional design allows a single component to fulfill multiple roles, reducing overall device volume.
2Ease of operation
If wearable electronics are made compact to reduce bulkiness, then comfort and wearability are improved, but device functionality and measurement capabilities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places specific sensing components at strategic locations on the ring structure where they can optimally contact or sense the finger. For example, sensors are positioned on the interior surface to maximize skin contact for accurate physiological monitoring, while maintaining overall ring compactness for comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds multiple sensing and electronic components within the hollow interior space of the ring structure. The flexible printed circuit board with integrated components is nested within the ring's internal volume, allowing high functionality to be packed into a compact wearable form that remains comfortable on the finger.
3Adaptability or versatility
If transparent windows are added for data transmission and charging, then device functionality is improved, but device structural integrity and protection are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible printed circuit board as the structural base that can incorporate transparent or translucent regions. These flexible thin-film structures provide the necessary mechanical support while allowing light transmission for photovoltaic charging and maintaining overall device integrity through the flexibility and continuity of the circuit board material.
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 prolonged, comfortable wear with accurate fitness and health monitoring, gesture recognition, and improved data transmission, while reducing bulkiness and intrusion.
Implementation Method 1
The base includes at least one concentrated light source that emits concentrated light onto the photovoltaic cell
Implementation Method 2
a photovoltaic cell disposed on a surface of the wearable computing device... the base assembly including at least one magnetic element disposed therein... the concentrated light source is arranged circumferentially around the wearable computing device when the wearable computing device is engaged with the base assembly
Implementation Method 3
the at least one component comprises at least one LED configured to emit at least one of visible light, infrared radiation, and ultraviolet radiation through the external potting
Implementation Method 4
The wearable computing device includes at least one ferrous element disposed within the housing, and wherein the base assembly includes at least one magnetic element disposed therein
Data Source
AI summary
A finger-worn wearable ring device may include a ring-shaped housing, a printed circuit board, and a sensor module that includes one or more light-emitting components and one or more light-receiving components. The wearable ring device may further include a communication module configured to wirelessly communicate with an application executable on a user device.