Stretchable Sheet Connector for Low-Profile Multi-Wire Wearables
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smart clothing connectors, such as snap button connectors, increase in height due to the need for a spring structure, hindering miniaturization and requiring multiple connectors for multiple wires, which complicates the integration of wearable devices.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly featuring a flexible, insulating sheet member with embedded conductive embroidery patterns that stretches to connect multiple contacts to counter contacts, allowing for a compact design by utilizing a shrinking force to establish electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring structure is used in the female snap button for electrical connection, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but the height of the connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) as a thin film structure to replace the traditional spring mechanism. The FPC achieves electrical connection through its flexible nature, allowing it to deform and make contact with the male snap button without requiring a separate spring component, thus reducing connector height while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the spring function from the traditional snap button structure and integrates it into the FPC through its inherent flexibility. By taking out the separate spring component and embedding the elastic function within the FPC itself, the design eliminates the need for additional height while preserving the electrical connection capability
2Reliability
If multiple snap button connectors are used to connect multiple wires, then all electrical connections are achieved, but the device size increases and miniaturization is hampered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple electrical connection functions into a single FPC structure. The FPC contains multiple contact pads and conductive traces that can simultaneously connect multiple wires and signals through one integrated connector, replacing the need for multiple separate snap button connectors and enabling device miniaturization
Solution Approach 2:
The FPC serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, electrical connection for multiple signals, and flexibility for deformation during connection. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace multiple specialized connectors, reducing overall device volume
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 miniaturization of wearable device connectors while maintaining comfort and reliability, allowing for efficient electrical connections without the need for multiple snap button connectors.
Implementation Method 1
the sheet member is stretchable at least in the predetermined direction, and with a portion of the sheet member situated between the plurality of contacts being elastically stretched in the predetermined direction, the connector is fitted to the counter connector, and the plurality of contacts separately make contact with and are electrically connected to the plurality of counter contacts due to a shrinking force generated in the sheet member
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The connector includes a sheet member extending in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction and having flexibility and insulating property, a plurality of contacts retained by the sheet member at positions distanced from each other in a predetermined direction along a surface of the sheet member, and a plurality of flexible conductors disposed on the sheet member and configured to electrically connect the plurality of contacts to the plurality of wiring portions of the mounting object, the sheet member being stretchable at least in the predetermined direction, with a portion of the sheet member situated between the plurality of contacts being elastically stretched in the predetermined direction, the connector being fitted to the counter connector, the plurality of contacts separately making contact with and being electrically connected to the plurality of counter contacts due to a shrinking force generated in the sheet member.