Wearable Biosensor Assembly With 3D PCB and Electrode Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable electronic devices face spatial limitations due to their compact design, necessitating efficient component disposition and improved electrical connections for multiple functionalities, particularly in biometric information measurement.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a display, a processor, a light-transmitting cover, a flexible printed circuit board, a wireless charging coil, bio-signal sensing units with internal and external electrodes, and a contact unit for electrical connection, along with a signal processing unit, all assembled in a stereoscopic configuration to optimize space utilization and connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If various electronic components are disposed inside the electronic device to equip it with multiple functions, then the functionality of the device is improved, but the spatial limitation and complexity of component arrangement increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcomponent arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by placing the flexible printed circuit board inside the hollow portion of the wireless charging coil, and further nesting the contact unit within the protrusion of the cover. This nested arrangement allows multiple components to occupy overlapping or interlocking spaces, maximizing the use of limited internal volume while maintaining electrical connectivity and functional integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from planar to three-dimensional component arrangement by utilizing vertical space through the protrusion- recess structure. The contact unit extends vertically from the flexible printed circuit board through the cover's protrusion to contact the electrode on the outer surface, creating a stereoscopic configuration that resolves spatial conflicts between components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If components are arranged in a compact configuration to reduce device volume, then the portability is improved, but the electrical connection reliability between components deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs the flexible printed circuit board as a dynamic element that can bend and conform to the three-dimensional space defined by the wireless charging coil's hollow portion. This flexibility allows the circuit board to maintain reliable electrical connections between the contact unit and other components while adapting to the compact device geometry, ensuring connection stability despite spatial constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The contact unit serves as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the flexible printed circuit board and the electrode on the cover's outer surface. This intermediate structure ensures reliable electrical connection by providing a dedicated conductive path through the cover's protrusion, isolating the connection from the constraints of the compact overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a planar contact structure is used for electrical connection, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the space utilization and connection efficiency are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the contact structure into distinct functional portions: the contact unit on the flexible printed circuit board, the protrusion structure of the cover, and the electrode on the outer surface. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining relative simplicity in manufacturing, as each component can be produced separately and then assembled through the predefined geometric interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This configuration allows for efficient disposition of components within the limited space, enhancing biometric information measurement capabilities and facilitating assembly by improving electrical connections.

Implementation Method 1

a cover which faces the display and of which at least a part is formed of a light transmitting material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

a first bio-signal sensing unit including a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit mounted on the first side of the flexible printed circuit board

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection detection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a second bio-signal sensing unit including an internal electrode which is formed inside the cover and corresponds to a portion facing the flexible printed circuit board, and an external electrode which is electrically connected to the internal electrode and is formed outside the cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4398048B1Wearable electronic device and assembly method
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4398048B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4398048B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4398048B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A portable communication device, according to various embodiments disclosed in the present document may comprise: a housing including a cover (510) forming a rear surface of the portable communication device and including a transparent portion capable of passing a light therethrough; a display accommodated in the housing; a printed circuit board (PCB) (520) accommodated in the housing under the display, and including a first surface facing the cover (510) and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a first bio-signal sensing unit (540) including a light-receiving unit (543) and a light-emitting unit (541) disposed on the first surface of the PCB (520); a second bio-signal sensing unit (550) including an internal electrode (551 or 552) and an external electrode (533 or 554) formed on an interior surface and an exterior surface of the cover (510), respectively, and electrically connected with each other; a contact unit (560) disposed such that a first end and a second end of the contact unit (560) are in contact with the first surface of the PCB (520) and the internal electrode (551 or 552), respectively; and a signal processing unit (570) disposed on the second surface of the PCB (520) and configured to process a first bio-signal and a second bio-signal sensed by the first bio-signal sensing unit (540) and the second bio-signal sensing unit (550), respectively.