Tactical Glove Side-Mounted Conductive Element for Touchscreen Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating gloves, particularly those used by fire brigades, are not capable of allowing touchscreen functionality due to their thick material thickness, which prevents a conductive layer from making contact with the skin.
Innovation Solution
A control element made of electrically conductive and flame-resistant material is integrated into the glove, protruding on the side of the glove finger, allowing for touchscreen operation without skin contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the glove is made of thick material to provide protection, then the protective properties are improved, but the touchscreen capability deteriorates because the conductive layer cannot contact the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conductive operating element as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the thick glove material and the touchscreen. This element protrudes from the glove exterior, allowing direct contact with the touchscreen surface while maintaining the protective thickness of the glove material underneath. The conductive element acts as a mediator that transfers electrical contact to the touchscreen without requiring thin glove material.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention moves the conductive interface from an internal layer (requiring skin contact through thin material) to an external protruding element. By extending the conductive operating element outward from the glove surface, the solution transitions from a two-dimensional layer problem to a three-dimensional protrusion solution, enabling touchscreen interaction while maintaining thick protective material.
2Ease of operation
If a conductive material layer is sewn onto the fingertip to enable touchscreen operation, then the touchscreen capability is improved, but the glove material thickness must be reduced which deteriorates the protective properties
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive operating element serves as an external intermediary that eliminates the need to compromise glove thickness. Instead of sewing a conductive layer onto thin glove material, the invention uses a standalone conductive element that protrudes from the glove, maintaining both touchscreen capability and adequate protective thickness.
3Ease of operation
If the control element is placed on top of the fingertip, then the touchscreen operation is simplified, but the element becomes subject to high stress and wear which deteriorates its reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the conductive operating element asymmetrically on the side of the fingertip rather than at the top center. This asymmetric placement moves the control element away from the high-stress contact area of the fingertip tip, reducing wear and damage while maintaining effective touchscreen operation capability.
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 solution enables touchscreen capability on thicker, protective gloves, ensuring operational convenience and safety in hazardous environments without compromising the glove's protective properties.
Implementation Method 1
The operating element is made of an electrically conductive and flame-resistant material
Implementation Method 2
The operating element is made of an electrically conductive and flame-resistant material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a tactical glove (1) with a control element (4) designed for operating a touchscreen. The control element (4) extends laterally from a glove finger (3b) and protrudes beyond its outer surface. The control element (4) is made of an electrically conductive and flame-resistant material.