Finger-Worn Ring Electronics With Flexible PCB Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable electronics are often bulky and intrusive, making them uncomfortable to wear for extended periods and interfering with daily life.
Innovation Solution
A wearable computing device (WCD) designed as a ring, featuring a flexible printed circuit board, components such as LEDs and photovoltaic cells, and windows for data transmission, battery recharge, and status indication, allowing for prolonged wear and various functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wearable electronics are made functional with multiple components and features, then device functionality is improved, but device size and bulk increase making them intrusive and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds multiple functional components (battery, photovoltaic cell, antenna, LED, printed circuit board) within the hollow interior cavity of the ring body. This nesting approach allows multiple functional elements to coexist in a compact arrangement, providing diverse functionality while maintaining a small overall device volume that is comfortable for finger wear.
2Weight of moving object
If wearable electronics are made compact and lightweight, then comfort and wearability are improved, but device functionality and measurement capabilities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible printed circuit board that can be bent and conform to the curved interior surface of the ring. This flexible substrate allows multiple electronic components to be mounted on a thin, lightweight structure that maintains structural integrity while minimizing weight, thereby achieving both comfort and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
By nesting multiple functional components (sensors, battery, photovoltaic cell, antenna, LED) within the ring's hollow cavity and arranging them on a compact flexible circuit board, the patent achieves high functionality in a minimal weight package that does not compromise wearability.
3Ease of manufacture
If wearable electronics use traditional rigid circuit boards and components, then manufacturing is simplified, but device flexibility and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional rigid printed circuit boards with a flexible printed circuit board that can be bent and shaped to fit the curved interior of the ring. This flexible substrate maintains ease of manufacturing through standard PCB fabrication processes while enabling the device to conform to the finger's shape, significantly improving wearability and comfort.
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 ring-shaped WCD provides a comfortable and unobtrusive way to monitor activity and perform functions like data transmission and charging, enhancing user experience and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
at least one concentrated photovoltaic cell configured to receive concentrated light
Implementation Method 2
a base assembly, the base assembly including a concentrated light source directed at the photovoltaic element
Implementation Method 3
at least one LED configured to emit at least one of visible light, infrared radiation, and ultraviolet radiation
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.