Sheet Conductive Member With Widened Sewn End for Garment Connectors

Solution Overview

Problem

The reliability of electrical connections between flexible conductors and wiring portions in smart garments is impaired due to small line widths of the conductors, which results in a limited contact area and potential connection failures.

Innovation Solution

A sheet type conductive member with a first end portion having a larger width than the second end portion is sewed to the wiring portion, ensuring a larger contact area and reliable electrical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the line width of flexible conductors is reduced to conform to contact arrangement pitch, then the connector can accommodate more contacts, but the contact area with wiring portions decreases and connection reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact arrangement densityVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible conductor is designed with non-uniform width, being wider at the first end portion (contacting wiring portion) and narrower at the second end portion (contacting connector contact). This local variation in geometry allows the conductor to provide large contact area for reliable wiring connection while maintaining small dimensions for proper contact fitment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible conductor transitions from a simple linear trace to a three-dimensional structure with varying cross-sectional dimensions. By introducing width variation along the conductor length, the design optimizes both contact area (width at first end) and spatial fitment (width at second end) simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the flexible conductor has small line width to fit contact pitch, then the connector structure becomes more compact, but the contact area with wiring portion becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector footprintVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible conductor is designed with non-uniform width, being wider at the first end portion (contacting wiring portion) and narrower at the second end portion (contacting connector contact). This local variation in geometry allows the conductor to provide large contact area for reliable wiring connection while maintaining small dimensions for proper contact fitment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the flexible conductor width is increased to improve contact area, then connection reliability improves, but the conductor cannot conform to the contact arrangement pitch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidcontact arrangement compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible conductor is designed with non-uniform width, being wider at the first end portion (contacting wiring portion) and narrower at the second end portion (contacting connector contact). This local variation in geometry allows the conductor to provide large contact area for reliable wiring connection while maintaining small dimensions for proper contact fitment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible conductor transitions from a simple linear trace to a three-dimensional structure with varying cross-sectional dimensions. By introducing width variation along the conductor length, the design optimizes both contact area (width at first end) and spatial fitment (width at second end) simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12537325B2Sheet type conductive member, connector, garment, and connector mounting method

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS IND LTD

AI summary

A sheet type conductive member includes a flexible conductor extending along a surface of a sheet body, the flexible conductor including a first end portion disposed to be superposed on a wiring portion of a garment, a second end portion electrically connected to a contact, and a joint portion joining the first end portion and the second end portion together, the first end portion having a width larger than a width of the second end portion and being electrically connected to the wiring portion of the garment by being sewed to the wiring portion.