Wearable Haptic Garment With Swappable Control Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compression garments with integrated massage functions are limited to their therapeutic applications and lack versatility for different user needs.
Innovation Solution
A wearable haptic device comprising a garment with electronic elements, a control receptacle, and a removable control module that can be swapped for different functionalities, providing haptic feedback, lighting, and thermal effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compression garments are integrated with massage functions, then therapeutic applications are improved, but versatility for different user needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components: a base garment unit and interchangeable control modules. The control module can be removed and replaced to change functionality, allowing the same garment to serve multiple purposes (massage, gaming, therapeutic) by simply swapping modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different control modules for different applications. The standardized receptacle allows any compatible control module to be attached, making the garment itself universal while maintaining specialized functions through module variation.
2Reliability
If specialized compression garments are designed for specific applications, then functional performance is improved, but adaptability to different applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static, application-specific design to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The control module can be dynamically changed based on the user's needs, allowing the garment to adapt its functionality rather than being fixed for a single purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The functionality of the garment is changed by altering the control module parameters rather than the garment itself. Different control modules provide different functions (massage patterns, haptic feedback, thermal control) while the garment structure remains the same.
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable haptic device includes: a garment for wearing on a user; a set of electronic elements attached to the garment. The electronic elements include a set of haptic elements; a control receptacle attached to the garment and communicatively connected to the electronic elements; and a control module removably connectable to the control receptacle, the control module configured for controlling the haptic elements, said controlling by the control module comprising generating haptic feedback from the haptic elements to the user. The control module is removable from the control receptacle and replaceable with another control module.