Sensor Patch Curved Protrusion for Motion-Stable Electrode Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable sensors using re-usable electrodes face challenges in minimizing motion artefacts due to displacement with respect to the user's skin, particularly when the belt moves or rotates, leading to poor contact and measurement inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A sensor patch is designed with a curved protrusion on one side to allow a separate belt to press against the patch, ensuring optimal friction and contact with the skin, while the belt can slide over the protrusion, minimizing movement of the patch relative to the skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a belt is used to attach the sensor patch, then the patch can be re-used and cleaned, but the patch may move or rotate with the belt causing motion artefacts
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor patch is separated from the belt, allowing the electrode to remain stationary on the skin while the belt moves independently. This segmentation prevents the electrode from moving with the belt, reducing motion artefacts while maintaining re-usability.
Solution Approach 2:
A curved protrusion is introduced as an intermediary element between the belt and the electrode. The protrusion allows the belt to apply normal force to the electrode without direct attachment, enabling the belt to move while the electrode remains stable on the skin.
2Measurement precision
If the belt presses directly on the electrode, then good contact with skin is achieved, but the electrode moves when the belt moves
Solution Approach 1:
The curved protrusion acts as a mediator that transmits the normal force from the belt to the electrode without creating a rigid connection. This allows the belt to press the electrode against the skin for good contact while permitting relative movement between the belt and electrode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic arrangement where the belt can move independently of the electrode. The curved protrusion enables this dynamic relationship, allowing the belt to move while maintaining contact force on the electrode.
3Reliability
If adhesive is used to attach the electrode, then the electrode stays in place, but the adhesive degrades and cannot be cleaned
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is removed from the system entirely. Instead of using adhesive to attach the electrode to the skin, the invention uses a mechanical retention system with the curved protrusion and friction force, allowing the electrode to be cleaned and reused without adhesive degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural friction between the electrode and skin, combined with the normal force from the belt, to maintain contact stability without requiring adhesive. This self-service approach eliminates the need for cleaning-resistant adhesives and enables easy cleaning of the electrode.
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 design maintains consistent electrode-skin contact, reducing motion artefacts and enabling re-usability, as the patch can be easily cleaned and repositioned without adhesive degradation, suitable for various body shapes and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
the belt to slide over the curved protrusion, and to exercise a normal force on the sensor patch mainly at the part where the electrode is positioned to produce a friction force between the electrode and the user's skin
Data Source
Figure 1~3a
Figure 3b~4b
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A sensor patch (100) configured to be positioned on a user by means of a belt, wherein the sensor patch comprises a first side (10) having an electrode (15) configured to contact the user's skin (30) and a second side (20) opposed to the first side, the second side having a curved protrusion (21) located opposite to a part on the first side (10) where the electrode (15) is positioned. In order to minimize the movement of the sensor patch with respect of the skin of the user, the invention aims to decouple the sensor patch from movement of the belt in the plane lateral to the skin, while maintaining the pressing force of the belt perpendicular to the skin of the user. A system (200) comprising the sensor patch and the belt is also provided.