Wearable Biopotential Sensor with Textile Encapsulation and Cinch Band
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable electronic devices for detecting biopotential signals are often bulky and uncomfortable to wear, which limits their practicality and social acceptance for day-to-day use.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an adjustable band with a cinch structure that provides a secure and comfortable fit, along with a compute core that is encapsulated in a textile-based material, allowing for efficient processing of biopotential signals while maintaining a compact and durable form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wearable electronic devices include large number of sensors and signal-processing components to meet sensing requirements, then sensing capability is improved, but device size and weight increase making it bulky and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device is divided into modular components: a compute core module containing processing components, a sensor module with multiple biopotential sensors, and a textile band. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, reducing overall device weight while maintaining sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses a flexible textile-based band and thin-film circuit boards to carry sensors and electronics. This reduces the bulk and weight of the device compared to traditional rigid housings, making it comfortable for extended wear while preserving sensor functionality.
2Measurement precision
If wearable electronic devices include large number of sensors and signal-processing components to meet sensing requirements, then sensing capability is improved, but device volume increases making it bulky and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The compute core is nested within a compact housing that integrates with the textile band. Sensors are mounted on flexible circuits that can be folded or nested within the band structure, minimizing the overall device volume while accommodating multiple sensors and processing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a traditional three-dimensional bulky form factor to a two-dimensional flexible textile-based design. Sensors and circuits are arranged on flexible substrates that can be conformally attached to the body, reducing volumetric occupation while maintaining sensing area.
3Ease of operation
If wearable electronic devices are designed with compact form factor for comfort, then comfort and social acceptance are improved, but adequate form factor for electronic components may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a dynamic, adjustable design where the textile band can be stretched and adjusted to fit different wrist sizes. The compute core housing is designed with flexible mounting mechanisms that accommodate component placement while maintaining a compact external profile for comfort.
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 improved design enhances user comfort and social acceptance, allowing for extended wear throughout daily life, while maintaining the functionality of processing biopotential signals effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The frictional force applied by the cinch structure is configured to be maintained adjacent to the adjustment length of the second band portion while the wearable band is worn by the user such that the first circumference of the adjustable loop is also maintained
Data Source
AI summary
An example wearable electronic device includes a compute core with a skin contact surface and a cavity region that houses: a battery, an electrode located at the skin contact surface configured to sense neuromuscular signals, an analog front end (AFE) configured to partially process the sensed neuromuscular signals into partially processed neuromuscular signals, a printed circuit board (PCB), and a metallic base plate (MBP). The PCB receives the partially-processed neuromuscular signals and determines gestures based on the partially processed neuromuscular signals. The MBP provides an electrical ground for the electrode and electrically shields the electrode from electrical and magnetic noise that is generated at least partially from at least one of the PCB and the battery. The AFE is placed on a first side of the MBP and the PCB is placed on a second side that is opposite to the first side of the MBP.