Wearable Thermometer Patch with Segmented Antenna and Dual Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wearable thermometer patches face issues with inaccurate temperature measurements due to thermal resistance, conduction loss, and interference from the user's skin, as well as discomfort and aesthetic concerns, while also struggling with wireless communication range reduction when in contact with the skin.

Innovation Solution

A wearable wireless thermometer patch with a double temperature sensor system and force sensor, featuring a thermally conductive cup and insulating material to minimize thermal resistance and conduction loss, along with a perforated protective film for breathability and comfort, and an antenna placement that maximizes wireless communication range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the temperature sensor is placed in direct contact with the skin to improve measurement accuracy, then the thermal resistance is reduced, but the wireless communication range is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidwireless communication range

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional zones: a skin-contact zone for temperature sensing and a non-contact zone for wireless communication. The antenna is positioned on the non-skin-contact surface, separating the thermal conduction path from the electromagnetic radiation path, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and communication range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wearable patch structure acts as an intermediary that enables both skin contact for accurate temperature sensing and maintains wireless communication capability. The patch material and antenna positioning serve as mediators that allow thermal conduction to occur through the skin-contact surface while electromagnetic waves radiate from the non-contact surface, eliminating the trade-off between these two functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the wearable patch is made with rigid polymer substrates for structural support, then the device durability is improved, but the breathability and comfort are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidsweat and moisture build-up

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable patch incorporates porous or breathable polymer materials that allow sweat and moisture to pass through while maintaining structural support. The porous structure provides mechanical strength for device durability while simultaneously enabling breathability to prevent moisture build-up, resolving the contradiction between strength and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Ease of operation

If the patch is designed to be thin and flexible for comfort, then the wearability is improved, but the thermal insulation causing measurement error is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewearability and comfortVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patch employs local quality differentiation where specific regions have different thermal properties. The skin-contact surface is designed with high thermal conductivity for accurate sensing, while other regions maintain flexibility and thinness for comfort. This localized optimization allows the patch to be thin and flexible overall while maintaining sufficient thermal conduction at the critical measurement interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 provides accurate, fast, and comfortable temperature measurements with reduced thermal noise and enhanced wireless communication range, ensuring reliable data transmission and user comfort.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature probe unit mounted in the substrate and configured to measure temperature of a user's skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the thermal resistance between the temperature sensor and the human skin is minimized, so that the maximum amount of heat can be conducted quickly from the user skin to the temperature sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

the heat conduction loss from the temperature sensor to the ambient is also minimized by the structure design and thermal material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 4

a perforated protective film is placed between the user skin and the body of the wearable patch to reduce the heat conduction from the user skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10420473B2Wearable thermometer patch for correct measurement of human skin temperature

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 VIVALNK

AI summary

A wearable thermometer patch includes a substrate and a temperature probe unit mounted in the substrate and configured to measure temperature of a user's skin. The temperature probe unit includes a force sensor configured to measure contact force between the temperature probe unit and the user' skin, a plate, a first temperature sensor attached to a lower surface of the plate, and a second temperature sensor attached to an upper surface of the plate.