Wearable Ring Outer Cover Mechanical Locking via Side Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable ring devices face issues with loose or unintentional movement of components due to external forces, leading to reduced lifespan and inefficient manufacturing processes, particularly in securing the outer cover to the inner cover.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a manufacturing process where the outer cover is slid around an inner cover with side covers that mechanically deform to engage locking features, combined with the use of binding agents like UV glue or heat-activated film, and textured surfaces to increase friction, ensuring secure attachment and preventing unintentional movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outer cover is secured to the inner cover using traditional manufacturing methods, then the device can be assembled, but the components become loose or move unintentionally under external forces, reducing device lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is divided into multiple discrete locking features distributed around the perimeter of the outer cover, each engaging with corresponding features on the inner cover. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to distribute stress across multiple points rather than relying on a single attachment point, preventing loosening under external forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking features are pre-configured in specific positions and orientations during manufacturing, with protrusions and recesses designed to engage automatically when the outer cover is placed over the inner cover. This preliminary positioning ensures proper alignment and secure attachment before the device is subjected to external forces during use.
2Reliability
If multiple attachment methods are used to secure the outer cover, then component stability improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple attachment functions are merged into a single integrated locking feature structure. The protrusions and recesses simultaneously provide mechanical interlocking, positional alignment, and stress distribution functions, eliminating the need for separate attachment components and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high attachment security.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking features serve multiple purposes: they provide mechanical attachment, ensure proper alignment between outer and inner covers, distribute applied forces across multiple contact points, and prevent rotational movement. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity by consolidating several attachment requirements into a single design element.
3Reliability
If the outer cover is securely attached to prevent movement, then component stability improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking features utilize asymmetric protrusion and recess geometries that provide self-aligning characteristics. The asymmetric shapes guide the outer cover into the correct rotational position as it is placed over the inner cover, reducing the precision required for manual alignment while ensuring secure attachment at the correct orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking features are strategically positioned at specific locations around the perimeter where they can engage with local geometric characteristics of the inner cover. This localized engagement approach allows the majority of the cover surface to maintain simple geometry while concentrating the precision requirements at discrete attachment points, overall reducing manufacturing complexity.
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 solution effectively secures the outer cover to the inner cover, reducing the likelihood of components coming loose under external forces, thereby enhancing the durability and longevity of wearable ring devices.
Implementation Method 1
combined with the use of binding agents like UV glue or heat-activated film
Implementation Method 2
combined with the use of binding agents like UV glue or heat-activated film
Implementation Method 3
textured surfaces to increase friction
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for manufacturing a wearable ring device are described. An outer cover may be placed around a ring assembly, including a printed circuit board (PCB) coupled to an inner cover, producing a first slot between the outer cover and the inner cover on a first lateral side of the wearable ring device and a second slot between the between the outer cover and the inner cover on a second lateral side of the wearable ring device. Additionally, a first and second side cover may be inserted into the first and second slots, respectively, where the insertion causes the first and second side covers to mechanically deform. In such cases, the mechanical deformation may cause the first and second side covers to engage one or more locking mechanisms of the inner cover, the outer cover, or both, to secure the inner cover to the outer cover.