Wearable Device Belt Segmentation for Fittability and Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable portable terminals face a trade-off between fittability and reliability, as increasing the number of flexible portions improves fittability but decreases reliability and increases the risk of damage from bending.

Innovation Solution

A wearable electronic device design featuring a non-flexible first and second belt connected by a flexible hinge, with a third belt having higher flexibility than the first two, allowing for an elliptical shape that enhances fittability while reducing the risk of damage and improving engagement mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of flexible portions is increased to improve fittability, then the wearable device can conform better to the body shape, but the reliability decreases and the device breaks more easily

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefittabilityVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple belt portions (first belt, second belt, third belt) with different flexibility characteristics. The first and second belts have lower flexibility to ensure reliability, while the third belt has higher flexibility to improve fittability. This segmentation allows each portion to serve its specific function without compromising overall device integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the device are assigned different flexibility properties based on their functional requirements. The first belt containing the display has lower flexibility to protect fragile components, while the third belt has higher flexibility to enhance comfort and fit. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region's properties independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If non-flexible portions are increased to improve reliability, then the device becomes more durable and less prone to damage, but the fittability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidfittability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device structure is segmented into rigid portions (first and second belts) and a flexible portion (third belt). This segmentation allows the non-flexible portions to provide structural integrity and reliability while the flexible third belt compensates for fittability, enabling the device to adapt to body contours without compromising durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different flexibility characteristics are assigned to different local regions of the device. The first belt with the display unit has lower flexibility to ensure reliability, while the third belt has higher flexibility to improve fittability. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of both reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the first belt overlaps the third belt when worn, then the engagement mechanism is improved and the device structure is stabilized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into three distinct belt portions with specific engagement relationships. The first belt overlaps the third belt when worn, creating a stable layered structure. This segmentation approach stabilizes the device composition through defined spatial relationships while keeping each individual belt portion relatively simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2889715B1Wearable electronic device
Publication Date: 2017.07.26 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP2889715B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2889715B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2889715B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A electronic device (100) according to the present disclosure includes a first belt (10), front surface of the first belt (10) being provided with a display having a curved display face; a second belt (30); a hinge (20) that connects a first end of the first belt (10) to a first end of the second belt (30). A shape of a space formed by the first belt (10) and the second belt (30) is an elliptical shape when the electronic device (100) worn around a subject is viewed from a side. The hinge (20) has higher flexibility than the first belt (10) and the second belt (30). The electronic device (100) has a first engagement unit (60) provided at a second end and a rear surface of the first belt (10), and in a region where the elliptical shape has smaller curvature than other regions. The electronic device (100) has a second engagement unit (70) provided at an outer side of the second belt (30) and engaging with the first engagement unit (60).