Smart Ring Layout With Flexible PCB for Accurate Wearable Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable electronics are often bulky and intrusive, making them uncomfortable for extended wear and less effective in monitoring activities accurately due to inconsistent contact with the body.
Innovation Solution
A wearable computing device in the form of a ring with a flexible printed circuit board and components, featuring windows for data transmission, battery recharge, and status indication, allowing for prolonged use with consistent contact and accurate monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional wearable electronics are made bulky to include necessary components, then device functionality is improved, but comfort and ease of wear deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple functional modules (sensors, processors, memory, communication modules) distributed across flexible circuit boards. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall device functionality, enabling the device to fit comfortably on the finger without requiring a bulky unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional three-dimensional bulky wearable forms to a two-dimensional planar structure that conforms to the finger surface. The flexible circuit boards are arranged in a layered configuration around the finger, utilizing the cylindrical surface area to accommodate all necessary components without increasing volumetric bulk, thus maintaining comfort while preserving functionality.
2Ease of operation
If wearable device size is reduced for comfort, then ease of wear is improved, but measurement precision and monitoring accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the device are assigned specialized functions with optimized component densities. High-precision sensors are positioned at specific locations on the flexible circuit boards where they can maintain optimal contact with the finger surface, while less space-critical components are placed in other areas. This local optimization ensures measurement precision is maintained despite the overall reduced device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes flexible thin-film circuit boards that can conform closely to the finger surface, maximizing the contact area for sensors without increasing bulk. The flexible substrate allows sensors to maintain consistent pressure and contact quality, ensuring accurate measurements while keeping the device thin and comfortable for extended wear.
3Ease of operation
If flexible circuit boards are used to reduce device bulk, then ease of wear is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible circuit boards are designed as multi-functional platforms that integrate sensor connections, power distribution, data transmission, and structural support in a single component. This universal design reduces the total number of separate components and interconnections needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite the advanced materials and manufacturing processes required for the flexible circuits themselves.
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
Enables comfortable, prolonged use and accurate monitoring of fitness and health metrics, including heart rate and body temperature, while providing gestural input and control functions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one concentrated photovoltaic cell configured to receive concentrated light through the transparent external potting
Implementation Method 2
a base assembly, the base assembly including a concentrated light source directed at the photovoltaic element disposed at least partially within the housing of the wearable computing device to allow charging thereof
Implementation Method 3
at least one LED configured to emit at least one of visible light, infrared radiation, and ultraviolet radiation through the external potting
Data Source
AI summary
A smart ring includes a curved housing having a U-shape interior storing components including: a curved battery approximately conforming to the curved housing, a semi-flexible PCB approximately conforming to the curved housing and having mounted thereon: a motion sensor for generating motion data from physical perturbations of the smart ring, a memory for storing executable instructions, a transceiver for sending data to a client computer, a temperature sensor, and a processor for receiving motion data and performing executable instructions in response thereto, and a potting material disposed in the interior, forming an interior wall of the smart ring, wherein the potting material encapsulates the components and is substantially transparent to visible light, infrared light, and/or ultraviolet light.