Wearable Device Connector System for Portability and Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturers of portable electronic devices face constraints in size and weight, often requiring the omission of components or using less powerful alternatives, limiting their functionality and usability.
Innovation Solution
A connector system that includes an affixing structure and a connector plug with spring pins or conductors, allowing electrical connection to diagnostic and other devices, enabling data transfer, diagnostics, and functionality enhancements while maintaining portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If manufacturers use smaller but less powerful versions of components to meet size and weight constraints, then the portable electronic device can be easily transported, but the functionality and performance of the device are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a main body and a separate attachment member (such as a band or case) that can be connected via the affixing structure. This segmentation allows the main device to remain compact and lightweight while the attachment member provides additional functionality and capacity, resolving the contradiction between portability and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The affixing structure serves multiple functions: it mechanically attaches the attachment member to the device, provides structural reinforcement, and enables electrical connections through integrated contacts. This multi-functionality allows a single structure to address multiple requirements without adding separate components that would increase weight.
2Volume of moving object
If manufacturers omit components to meet size and weight constraints, then the portable electronic device can be easily transported, but the device lacks useful components that would enhance its usability
Solution Approach 1:
The connector plug and electrical contacts are nested within the affixing structure, which itself attaches to the device body. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional elements (mechanical attachment, electrical connection, structural support) to be integrated in a compact configuration, providing enhanced usability without significantly increasing the device's overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The affixing structure extends in a direction perpendicular to the main device body, utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently. This dimensional approach allows additional functionality to be added without increasing the device's footprint in the primary planes, maintaining portability while enhancing usability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a connector system with affixing structure and electrical contacts is added to the portable electronic device, then electrical communication and diagnostic interactions are enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The affixing structure merges mechanical attachment functions with electrical connection functions into a single integrated component. The attachment member and connector are combined such that one operation (attaching the band) simultaneously establishes both mechanical and electrical connections, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded electrical contacts automatically engage and disengage with the attachment member during the normal attachment and detachment operations. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate manual connection operations, reducing user complexity while enabling electrical communication capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, an electronic band for a wearable device having: a first band segment including a first affixing structure configured to couple the first band segment to the wearable device when inserted into a first channel of the wearable device, a processing unit, and a first electrical connector having a plurality of contact pins at least some of which are electrically connected to the processing unit; where the first electrical connector electrically connects the processing unit of the first band segment to a second electronic component positioned within the wearable device when the first affixing structure is inserted into the first channel.