Wearable Ring Device Sensor Integration for Accuracy and Durability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable devices face challenges in accurately collecting physiological data due to their structural design, and they often suffer from durability issues due to constant wear and tear, especially in a small form factor like a ring.
Innovation Solution
The manufacturing process for wearable ring devices involves reducing the width, thickness, and overall size by moving sensors closer to the user's tissue, using a ring-shaped housing with an inner and outer shell, and positioning light-emitting and light-receiving components within apertures of the inner shell to minimize the device's thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the wearable device is made in a small form factor (ring shape), then it is more comfortable for daily wear and aesthetically appealing, but it becomes difficult to manufacture with durable structure and maintain sensor proximity to tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple functional layers: outer shell, sensor layer, circuit board, and inner shell. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - the outer shell provides durability and aesthetic appeal, while the inner shell ensures sensor-tissue proximity, resolving the contradiction between small size and functional effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the circuit board is positioned within the housing, and sensors are integrated into the housing structure. The light-emitting and light-receiving components are nested within the housing to minimize distance to tissue while maintaining overall compact form factor
2Measurement precision
If sensors are moved closer to user's tissue to improve measurement accuracy, then physiological measurement accuracy improves, but device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions sensors from a traditional planar arrangement on the circuit board to a three-dimensional integration within the housing structure, allowing sensors to extend toward the tissue interface in the thickness dimension while maintaining overall compact dimensions in other directions
3Measurement precision
If the device structure is optimized for sensor proximity and compactness, then measurement accuracy and comfort improve, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components: the housing serves both as structural support and as the mounting structure for sensors; the circuit board integrates both electronic components and structural support functions. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, improving manufacturability while maintaining compact design
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 approach enhances the accuracy of physiological measurements and improves the durability of wearable ring devices while maintaining a compact form factor, ensuring efficient and cost-effective manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
light-emitting and light-receiving components may be disposed on a first surface of the PCB and may extend through one or more apertures in the inner shell
Implementation Method 2
light-emitting and light-receiving components may be disposed on a first surface of the PCB
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for a wearable ring device are described. A wearable ring device may include a ring-shaped housing and a printed circuit (PCB) that at least partially contacts an inner shell of the ring-shaped housing. Light-emitting components and light-receiving components may be disposed on a first surface of the PCB and may extend through an aperture(s) in the inner shell such that the light-emitting and light-receiving components are substantially flush with an inner ring-shaped surface of the inner shell. Optical lenses may cover the light-emitting and light-receiving components within the aperture(s). In some cases, the optical lenses may be molded over the light-emitting and light-receiving components before the PCB is inserted into the ring-shaped housing. In other cases, the optical lenses may be molded over the light-emitting and light-receiving components (and the aperture(s)) after the PCB is inserted into the ring-shaped housing.