Wearable Ring Sensor Structure for Consistent Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable ring devices face challenges in maintaining consistent signal quality and sensitivity due to varying finger thicknesses among users, leading to increased design complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A ring-type wearable device comprising an outer and inner ring member, where the inner member is detachably coupled to adjust the position of sensors and control light emission intensity based on thickness, using a resistance measurement circuit to maintain consistent sensitivity across different finger sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ring-type wearable device is divided into several sizes according to finger thickness, then the device can accommodate various finger sizes, but the design complexity and manufacturing cost are considerably increased
Solution Approach 1:
The ring device is segmented into two functional parts: a reusable outer ring containing the sensor unit and a detachable inner ring that comes in different sizes. This segmentation allows the inner ring to be customized for different finger thicknesses while the expensive outer ring with sensors remains universal, reducing overall design complexity and manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer ring member containing the sensor unit is designed to be universal and compatible with multiple inner ring sizes. This multi-functionality allows a single outer ring design to serve users with different finger thicknesses, eliminating the need to create separate sensor assemblies for each size and thereby reducing design complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor positions are adjusted according to different ring sizes, then the signal quality can be optimized for each size, but the manufacturing process and quality control become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the sensor positioning function into the inner ring (which varies by size) from the sensor unit itself (which remains in the outer ring), the system maintains optimal sensor-to-skin distance for each size without requiring custom sensor assemblies. The inner ring acts as a positioning adapter that simplifies manufacturing while preserving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner ring serves as an intermediary component between the user's finger and the sensor unit. It mediates the distance and positioning relationship, allowing the sensor unit to maintain consistent optimal positioning across all sizes while the inner ring absorbs the variability in finger thickness, thereby simplifying manufacturing and quality control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple size variations of the ring device are manufactured, then all user groups can be served, but the inventory management and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The product line is segmented into one universal outer ring inventory and multiple inner ring size variants. This reduces the total inventory variety from N complete ring designs to just N inner ring sizes plus one outer ring design, significantly lowering manufacturing complexity and inventory management costs while maintaining coverage for all user groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer ring member is designed with universal compatibility to work with any inner ring size. This universality allows the company to maintain a single inventory of outer rings that can serve all customers, while only needing to stock multiple inner ring sizes, thereby reducing overall inventory variety and associated costs.
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
Ensures consistent biological signal detection and sensitivity regardless of finger thickness, reducing design complexity and costs by accommodating various finger sizes with adjustable sensor positioning and intensity control.
Implementation Method 1
a photo sensor including a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part configured to receive light emitted from the light-emitting part and reflected from an inside of a finger
Implementation Method 2
The inner ring member may include a lens configured to control a light radiation distance of the light-emitting part
Implementation Method 3
a resistance measurement circuit configured to detect the resistance value of the fixed resistor. The control unit may control a light-emitting intensity of the light-emitting part corresponding to the resistance value detected
Data Source
AI summary
A ring-type wearable device is disclosed. The disclosed ring-type wearable device comprises: an outer ring member; an inner ring member separably inserted into the outer ring member; a sensor unit disposed in the outer ring member; and a control unit disposed in the outer ring member so as to be electrically connected to the sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit can maintain constant sensitivity in correspondence to the thickness of the inner ring member.