Wearable Garment Power Source with Removable Circuit Board
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable garments with flexible circuits and electrical sources face issues such as permanent attachment to power sources, risk of power source disconnection, and bulkiness, making them unsuitable for daily wear and applications with limited space.
Innovation Solution
A wearable apparatus featuring a compact electrical source with a battery and spring-loaded pogo pins that securely couple to a flexible circuit board via a friction fit, allowing easy removal and cleaning, and a flexible heating circuit integrated into a garment pouch for secure and space-efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexible circuits are permanently secured to a power source with embedded wires, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of removal for replacement or cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wearable system into separable modules: a power source unit with electrical connectors and a circuit board unit with corresponding receptacles. This segmentation allows the components to be permanently connected during use (ensuring reliability) while enabling easy separation for replacement or cleaning (improving ease of operation). The mounting posts and receptacles facilitate this modular, reversible connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system transitions from a static permanent attachment to a dynamic reversible connection. The electrical connectors maintain reliable electrical contact during wear while allowing the circuit board to be removed and reattached. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between needing stable connection during use and ease of removal for maintenance.
2Reliability
If the connection between power source and flexible circuit is made rigid and integral, then connection reliability is improved, but adaptability for different applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal mounting posts and receptacles that can accommodate different circuit board configurations and power source arrangements. The standardized interface allows the same basic connection mechanism to serve multiple functions: securing flexible heating circuits, integrating sensors, or connecting different electronic components, thereby maintaining both reliability and adaptability.
3Power
If a large power source is used to ensure sufficient energy supply, then power capacity is improved, but device compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the battery within an outer shell that forms the power source unit, nesting the energy storage component within a compact housing. This nesting approach maximizes power capacity within a minimized volume, allowing sufficient energy supply while maintaining device compactness for wearable applications.
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 solution enables secure, removable, and space-efficient integration of electrical sources and circuits in wearable garments, preventing disconnection and allowing for flexible use in various applications, including heating devices for comfort and data collection.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one electrical connector includes a plurality of spring-loaded pogo pins
Implementation Method 2
the mounting post is configured to be arranged within the receptacle of the outer shell by a friction fit
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including an electrical source and a circuit board. The electrical source includes an outer shell including a receptacle, a battery arranged within the outer shell, and at least one electrical connector electrically connected to the battery and extending through the outer shell. The circuit board includes at least one circuit element and a mounting post. When the mounting post of the circuit board is received within the receptacle of the outer shell, the at least one electrical connector of the electrical source is electrically coupled to the at least one circuit element of the circuit board.