Strain Mitigation in Wearable Electronic Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices face challenges due to physical strain on internal wiring, which can lead to detachment and limit their practicality and viability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a strain mitigation system that includes adaptive couplers and guide structures to provide elastic and pivotable coupling between pod structures, using flexible printed circuit boards and elastic materials to distribute stress and prevent detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wearable electronic devices use fixed rigid wiring connections between components, then electrical coupling is stable, but the device cannot accommodate user movements and body contours without strain on the wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the coupler between pod structures movable and adjustable rather than fixed. The coupler can pivot and rotate to accommodate different positions and body contours, allowing the wearable device to adapt to user movements while maintaining reliable electrical connections through the flexible printed circuit board that can bend without breaking
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) instead of rigid wiring to provide electrical coupling between pod structures. The FPC can bend, flex, and deform to accommodate the dynamic movements of the wearable device on the user's body, maintaining electrical connectivity while absorbing mechanical strain that would otherwise damage rigid connections
2Adaptability or versatility
If wearable electronic devices use elastic materials to accommodate movements, then adaptability to body contours is improved, but physical strain on internal wiring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a strain mitigation system as an intermediary component between the elastic coupler and the electrical wiring. This strain mitigation system absorbs and distributes the mechanical strain generated by elastic material deformation, preventing the strain from being transmitted directly to the internal wiring and electrical connections, thereby protecting the wiring while maintaining adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If wearable electronic devices use multiple pod structures to provide functionality, then device versatility is improved, but the complexity of electrical coupling between pods increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using identical pod structures that can be repeatedly coupled together in a modular fashion. Each pod contains the necessary electrical circuitry and interfaces to connect with adjacent pods through the same coupler and FPC mechanism, allowing versatile functionality to be achieved through simple repetition of standardized components rather than complex custom connections
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 enhances the robustness and longevity of wearable electronic devices by effectively mitigating physical strain on internal wiring, ensuring reliable electrical coupling and accommodating user movements.
Implementation Method 1
The adaptive coupler may include an elastic material that is physically coupled to both the first pod structure and the second pod structure to, in use, provide elastic physical coupling between the first pod structure and the second pod structure
Implementation Method 2
a first guide structure that is physically coupled to the first pod structure and projects at least partially over the electrical circuitry of the second pod structure, wherein a respective first portion of each electrically conductive pathway in the first set of electrically conductive pathways extends across a length of the first guide structure
Data Source
AI summary
Wearable electronic devices that provide adaptive physical coupling between electrically coupled components are described. Adaptive physical coupling advantageously accommodates different user sizes, forms, and movements and enhances the overall ergonomics of a wearable electronic device. Adaptive physical coupling also introduces stresses and strains on electrical pathways between the electrically coupled components. Accordingly, the wearable electronic devices include strain mitigation systems that mitigate physical strains on the electrical pathways between electrically coupled components. An exemplary strain mitigation system includes a guide structure that is pivotally coupled to a first substantially rigid structure of the wearable electronic device and slideably coupled to a second substantially rigid structure of the wearable electronic device. The guide structure provides a surface/channel over/through which electrical pathways extend between electrically coupled components.