Elastic Wiring Assembly With Slack Conductor for Wearable Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wiring used in medical and wearable biosignal acquisition devices is rigid, lacking elasticity and comfort, and is prone to noise and discomfort due to body movement, with poor waterproofness, impairing fabric elasticity and causing discomfort when worn.
Innovation Solution
An elastic wiring system comprising an elastic tube with a conductor wire and caulking members at both ends, where the conductor wire is longer than the tube when unextended, allowing for flexibility and secure fixation, using materials like silicone rubber for the tube and stainless steel for the conductor wire, with caulking members that include male and female components for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid wiring is used to ensure electrical performance (withstanding voltage, tensile strength, impedance stability), then electrical reliability is improved, but comfort and wearability deteriorate due to vibration and discomfort when touching skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by covering the rigid conductor wire with a flexible elastic tube. The tube has a smooth inner surface that allows the wire to move freely while providing flexibility and comfort against the skin. The elastic material of the tube enables the wiring to bend and stretch without compromising the rigid electrical connection inside, thus resolving the contradiction between electrical reliability and wearability comfort.
2Measurement precision
If wiring is fixed along the body surface to reduce noise from movement, then signal quality is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to restriction of body movement
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic tube acts as a flexible shell that allows the wiring to move with body movements rather than restricting them. The smooth inner surface and elastic properties enable the tube to accommodate body contours and movements while keeping the conductor wire positioned along the body surface, thus maintaining signal quality without compromising comfort.
3Reliability
If conventional wiring is used, then electrical connection is achieved, but waterproofness deteriorates when wiring gets wet from swimming, bathing, sweating, or rain
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic tube serves as a flexible shell that completely covers the conductor wire, creating a waterproof barrier. The tube material is selected to be resistant to water, sweat, and other liquids, preventing moisture from reaching the electrical conductor. This maintains electrical connection reliability while providing excellent waterproofness for various wet conditions.
4Reliability
If wiring is directly sewn or pasted on fabric in wearable devices, then electrical connection is achieved, but fabric elasticity is impaired at the attachment portion
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic tube acts as a flexible shell that is integrated with the fabric, allowing the wiring to move independently without being directly attached to the fabric structure. The smooth inner surface and elastic properties of the tube enable it to stretch and flex with the fabric without restricting fabric elasticity, thus maintaining both electrical connection and fabric flexibility.
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 elastic wiring provides excellent waterproofness and elasticity, minimizing discomfort and fabric impairment, allowing for flexible extension and contraction without impedance fluctuations, suitable for wearable devices and resistant to heat and chemicals.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic tube, a conductor wire arranged within the tube
Implementation Method 2
the fixing portions may each includes a caulking member, the caulking member may be provided with a male member and a female member, the male member being provided with a first flat plate portion and a fitting convex portion that is provided on the first flat plate portion, the female member being provided with a second flat plate portion and a fitting concave portion that is provided on the second flat plate portion
Data Source
AI summary
An elastic wiring includes: an elastic tube; a conductor wire arranged within the tube; and fixing portions that fix the conductor wire and the tube at both ends of the tube in the lengthwise direction, wherein the length of the conductor wire between the fixing portions when the tube is in an unextended state is longer than the length of the tube between the fixing portions.