Wearable UV Sensor with Conformal Antenna Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable UV radiation sensing devices are bulky, inaccurate, not waterproof, expensive, and uncomfortable due to their design limitations, which fail to accurately measure UV exposure on various body parts and lack effective skin type quantification methods.
Innovation Solution
A compact, waterproof, and ergonomic UV radiation sensing device with a conformal antenna design, using a piezo-ceramic sensor for user input and a smartphone for calibration, allowing attachment to various body parts, and employing a smartphone camera for skin type analysis, with a method for secure Bluetooth connection and customized user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wearable UV radiation sensing devices use traditional design, then they can provide UV exposure measurement, but they become bulky, inaccurate, not waterproof, expensive, and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a UV sensor module for accurate measurement, a waterproof housing module for protection, a flexible strap module for wearability, and a control circuit module. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, achieving high measurement precision without overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent waterproof membrane is introduced as an intermediary layer between the UV sensor and the external environment. This membrane allows UV radiation to pass through while providing waterproof protection, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and environmental protection without adding complex sealing mechanisms
2Volume of moving object
If the device is made compact for comfort, then wearability improves, but antenna performance and wireless communication reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The conformal antenna is nested along the curvature of the device housing, following its contours. This nesting approach allows the antenna to achieve its required length and radiation pattern within the compact device form factor, maintaining wireless communication reliability without increasing device volume
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna transitions from a traditional planar layout to a three-dimensional conformal structure that wraps around the device housing. This dimensional change enables the antenna to utilize the device's vertical and curved surfaces, achieving effective radiation patterns within a compact footprint
3Ease of operation
If mechanical switches are used for user input, then device functionality is achieved, but device complexity and potential water leakage points increase
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical switches are replaced with a capacitive touch sensor system that detects user input through electrical field changes on the device surface. This substitution eliminates moving parts and physical openings, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring complete waterproof integrity with no additional leakage points
4Measurement precision
If traditional UV sensors are used, then UV detection is achieved, but measurement accuracy and spectral response match with erythema action spectrum deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system uses multiple UV-sensitive photodetectors with different spectral responses, and the system dynamically adjusts measurement parameters and weighting factors to match the erythema action spectrum. This parameter-based approach achieves high measurement accuracy without requiring complex physical sensor modifications or calibration procedures
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 device provides accurate, comfortable, and practical UV exposure measurement, reduces the need for mechanical switches, and offers improved skin type quantification, enhancing user safety and convenience while maintaining a compact size and low production costs.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet light radiation sensor with associated microprocessor on a printed circuit board
Implementation Method 2
using a piezo-ceramic sensor for user input
Implementation Method 3
with conformal antenna design, using a piezo-ceramic sensor for user input and a smartphone for calibration
Data Source
AI summary
An ultraviolet light radiation sensing device to be wearable by a human being is provided, the device including a front part and a rear part, an ultraviolet light radiation sensor with associated microprocessor on a printed circuit board, a battery, and a wireless communication unit, e.g. for Bluetooth communication. If the front and rear part are made from a metal or metal alloy, and are interconnected by a middle member made from electrically insulating polymer material, the front and rear parts constitute antenna elements of the wireless communication unit. The device is intended to enable interaction with application data of a smartphone, a method being provided to establish recommended UV-dose and related exposure time by the sun onto the skin of the human being.