Ring-Shaped Skin Sensor for Wearable Contact Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically-conductive skin sensors in wearable devices face challenges in maintaining consistent contact with the skin due to wrist movement and varying wrist shapes and sizes, affecting the accuracy of skin resistance measurements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating ring-shaped electrically-conductive skin sensors that surround other body-sensing components, such as optical heart rate sensors, and positioning them on opposing sides of the wearable device to ensure constant contact and reduce inflexible regions, enhancing flexibility and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If skin sensors are made large and knobby to improve contact with the skin, then contact reliability is improved, but device flexibility and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The skin sensor is segmented into multiple discrete contact points arranged in a pattern, rather than using a single large knobby structure. This segmentation allows each contact point to be small and flexible while collectively providing reliable skin contact through multiple points of connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact points are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern across the sensor surface, transitioning from a single-point (0D) or linear (1D) contact approach to a distributed 2D array. This dimensional change enables reliable contact across varying skin surfaces without requiring large protruding structures.
2Reliability
If skin sensors are made large to improve contact with the skin, then contact reliability is improved, but device flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple small contact elements rather than one large structure, allowing the overall sensor to remain flexible while maintaining reliable contact through distributed points.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor employs a flexible substrate with thin-film contact elements that can conform to the skin surface. This flexible construction maintains device flexibility while the distributed contact pattern ensures reliable electrical contact.
3Measurement precision
If multiple skin sensors are positioned on opposing sides to maintain constant contact, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple contact points are merged into a single integrated sensor assembly that functions as one unit. The opposing-side sensors are combined with the band structure to create a unified wearable device, reducing overall system complexity despite the multiple contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor array on each side serves multiple functions: providing redundant contact points for reliability, enabling differential measurements for precision, and working together with the opposing sensor to maintain constant contact during wrist movement.
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 configuration provides more accurate skin resistance measurements and a more comfortable wear experience by maintaining consistent contact with the skin and reducing the number of inflexible regions in the device.
Implementation Method 1
a ring-shaped, electrically-conductive skin sensor sized and shaped to contact human skin
Data Source
AI summary
A sensory-and-logic system includes a ring-shaped, electrically-conductive skin sensor sized and shaped to form an electrical connection with human skin, and an electrical component surrounded by the ring-shaped, electrically-conductive skin sensor.