Slide Connector for Wearables Using Segmented Plate Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional snap button connectors for wearable devices are bulky, inconvenient to use, and hinder miniaturization due to the need for multiple connections and stress on the wearer's body during connection.
Innovation Solution
A slide connector design featuring a garment-side connector with plate-shaped contact portions and a module-side connector with elastically movable contact portions, allowing for parallel sliding and locking to establish electrical connections without requiring strong pressure, thereby reducing bulk and stress on the wearer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a snap button connector is used to establish electrical connection between wearable device and garment, then the connection can be easily disconnected when wearable device is removed or garment is washed, but the connector becomes bulky and prevents miniaturization of wearable device
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into a garment-side connector portion with multiple first contact portions and a module-side connector portion with multiple second contact portions. This segmentation allows multiple electrical connections to be made through a single compact connector structure, eliminating the need for multiple separate snap button connectors and enabling miniaturization of the wearable device.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector transitions from a conventional three-dimensional protruding structure to a substantially two-dimensional plate-shaped structure. The contact portions are arranged in parallel planes, allowing the connector to lie flat against the garment surface. This dimensional change dramatically reduces the volume and thickness of the connector, enabling wearable device miniaturization while maintaining multiple electrical connection points.
2Reliability
If a snap button connector with convex and concave portions is used, then electrical connection can be established, but the connector thickness increases due to the orthogonal fitting direction
Solution Approach 1:
The connector adopts a substantially two-dimensional plate-shaped structure where the fitting direction is substantially parallel to the surface of the garment rather than orthogonal to it. The first and second contact portions are arranged in parallel planes, allowing the connector to maintain thin profile while establishing reliable electrical connections through the sliding motion along the garment surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The module-side connector portion includes elastically movable second contact portions that can dynamically adjust during the sliding connection process. As the module-side connector slides parallel to the garment surface, the elastically movable contact portions flex to establish reliable electrical contact with the first contact portions, ensuring connection reliability without increasing connector thickness.
3Reliability
If strong pressure is applied to push snap button connector against wearer's body, then electrical connection is established, but stress is imposed on the wearer's body which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The module-side connector portion incorporates elastically movable second contact portions that dynamically adapt during connection. Instead of requiring strong external pressure, the elastic components flex and deform under minimal force to establish reliable electrical contact, significantly reducing the pressure needed for connection and improving wearer comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastically movable second contact portions automatically engage with the first contact portions through the sliding motion itself. The elastic deformation of the second contact portions provides the necessary contact force without requiring external pressure from the user, making the connection process comfortable and convenient while ensuring reliable electrical connection.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple snap button connectors are used for multiple wires, then all wires can be connected, but the number of connectors increases leading to failure of miniaturization
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into multiple first contact portions on the garment-side and multiple corresponding second contact portions on the module-side, all integrated within single connector assemblies. This internal segmentation allows multiple electrical connections to be made through one garment-side connector and one module-side connector, eliminating the need for multiple separate connectors and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple electrical connection functions are merged into a single integrated connector structure. The garment-side connector combines multiple first contact portions into one component, and the module-side connector combines multiple second contact portions into another component. This merging reduces the total number of connector components from multiple separate snap buttons to just two integrated connectors, enabling wearable device miniaturization.
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 slide connector achieves miniaturization of wearable devices, reduces stress on the wearer, and facilitates easy connection and disconnection by sliding and locking mechanisms, enhancing user convenience and device design.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of second contact portions (33) each elastically movable in a direction orthogonal to the rear surface (32B) of the module-side connector body (32)
Data Source
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AI summary
A slide connector has a garment-side connector portion and a module-side connector portion to be fitted with the garment-side connector portion in a fitting plane, the garment-side connector portion including first contact portions each having a contact surface parallel to the fitting plane and at least one locking portion having a locking surface parallel to the fitting plane, the module-side connector portion including second contact portions each elastically movable and at least one portion to be locked extending in parallel to the fitting plane, as the module-side connector portion is superimposed on the garment-side connector portion and slid along the fitting plane, each second contact portion comes into contact with the contact surface of a corresponding first contact portion to establish electrical connection, and the at least one portion to be locked comes into contact with the locking surface of the at least one locking portion.