KR102402740B1 - Patch type wearable device - Google Patents

Abstract

A patch-type wearable device is disclosed. A patch-type wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a circuit layer including a light emitting element and a light receiving element, a wireless communication device mounted on the circuit layer and communicating with other devices, and an upper layer of the circuit layer and has passive radiation characteristics It includes a passive radiation layer representing

Description

Patch-type wearable device {PATCH TYPE WEARABLE DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a patch-type wearable device capable of improving a visible light reflection effect and a heat dissipation effect, and improving light efficiency.

Recently, a technology for judging a user's health using a wearable device has emerged.

For example, the wearable device may include an LED and a photodiode. In addition, when the light irradiated from the LED reaches the photodiode after passing through the skin, information such as oxygen saturation and heart rate may be obtained using data obtained from the photodiode. As another example, the wearable device may be equipped with a temperature sensor to measure the user's temperature.

Meanwhile, heat may be generated in the wearable device, and heat may be transferred from the user's skin. And heat causes inaccuracies in data obtained from wearable devices. In particular, when the wearable device is used outdoors, since more heat is generated due to absorption of sunlight, it is very difficult to obtain accurate data.

Also, when a user uses a wearable device that generates heat for a long period of time, it may cause a slight burn on the user's skin.

Therefore, there is a need for a means for effectively removing the heat of the wearable device.

Kim, Jeonghyun, et al "Battery-free, stretchable optoelectronic systems for wireless optical characterization of the skin" Science advances 28 (2016): e1600418 Xu, Yadong, et al "Multiscale porous elastomer substrates for multifunctional on-skin electronics with passive-cooling capabilities" Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 1171 (2020): 205 Mandal, Jyotirmoy, et al "Hierarchical porous polymer coatings for high-efficiency passive diurnal radiative cooling." Science 3626412 (2018): 315-319

An object of the present invention is to provide a patch-type wearable device capable of improving a visible light reflection effect and a heat dissipation effect, and improving light efficiency.

A patch-type wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a circuit layer including a light emitting element and a light receiving element, a wireless communication device mounted on the circuit layer and communicating with other devices, and an upper layer of the circuit layer and has passive radiation characteristics It includes a passive radiation layer representing

In this case, the patch-type wearable device may further include an encapsulation layer disposed between the light emitting device and the light receiving device to block internal optical noise.

In this case, the encapsulation layer may constitute a lower layer of the circuit layer, and the light emitting device and the light receiving device may be mounted on a lower surface of the circuit layer.

In this case, the light emitting element and the light receiving element may be arranged horizontally, and the encapsulation layer may be located on a side of the light emitting element and a side of the light receiving element.

Meanwhile, the patch-type wearable device may further include a controller that controls the light emitting device so that the light emitting device emits light, and transmits data obtained through the light receiving device to the other device through the wireless communication device.

In this case, the wireless communicator is an NFC communicator, and the NFC communicator may include a coil and an NFC processor, and when the other device approaches, power induced through the coil may be supplied to the controller.

Meanwhile, the data may be data used to determine at least one of oxygen saturation and heart rate.

Meanwhile, the passive radiation layer may be made of a porous polymer and exhibit passive radiation characteristics.

In this case, the porous polymer may include at least one of cellulose acetate, PMMA, SEBS, P(VdF-HFP), polystyrene, ethly-cellulose, PLA, PLCL, and PCL. For example, a passive layer in which two or more porous polymers are laminated may be used.

Meanwhile, the passive radiation layer may not include a metal heat sink.

1 is a view for explaining a patch-type wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a patch-type wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view for explaining a method of manufacturing the passive radiation layer 200 .
4 is a view showing a porous polymer.
5 is a diagram illustrating the ratio of a solvent, a non-solvent, and a polymer.
6 is a view for explaining the passive radiation characteristics of the porous polymer.
7 is a diagram illustrating a lower portion of a circuit layer.
8 is a cross-sectional view of a patch-type wearable device.
9 and 10 are experimental results comparing the patch-type wearable device according to the present invention and the wearable device covered with a black encapsulation layer to block external optical noise.
11 is a diagram illustrating an effect of improving light efficiency.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention can easily change other embodiments included within the scope of the same idea by adding, changing, deleting, and adding components. It may be suggested, but this will also be included within the scope of the present invention.

In the accompanying drawings, in describing the overall structure in order to easily understand the spirit of the invention, minute parts may not be specifically expressed, and in describing the minute parts, the overall structure may not be specifically reflected. In addition, even if specific parts such as an installation location are different, when the action is the same, the same name is assigned to improve the convenience of understanding. In addition, when there are a plurality of identical configurations, only one configuration will be described, and the same description will be applied to other configurations, and the description will be omitted.

1 is a view for explaining a patch-type wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The patch-type wearable device 100 may have a thin patch shape, and may be used by being attached to the skin as shown in FIG. 1A .

Also, as shown in FIG. 1B , in order to be attached to the skin, the patch-type wearable device 100 may have a flexible characteristic, and an adhesive component having an adhesive force may be applied to a portion of the lower surface thereof.

Also, as shown in FIG. 1C , a light emitting element and a light receiving element may be exposed on the lower surface 101 of the wearable device 100, and biometric data related to oxygen saturation and heart rate may be obtained through the light emitting module and the light receiving module.

In addition, a temperature sensing element may be exposed on the lower surface of the wearable device 100 , and data related to temperature may be acquired through the temperature sensing element.

2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a patch-type wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the patch-type wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be composed of a plurality of layers.

The patch-type wearable device 100 may include an upper layer, an intermediate layer, and a lower layer. Here, the upper layer may include the passive radiation layer 100 , the middle layer may include the circuit layer 300 , and the lower layer may include the encapsulation layer 400 .

The encapsulation layer 400 constitutes a lower portion of the circuit layer 300 and may be attached to the user's skin. Also, a hole may be formed in the encapsulation layer 400 , and a sensing element may be inserted into the hole.

Also, the encapsulation layer 400 may have a black surface. To this end, the encapsulation layer 400 may be created by mixing black dye with PDMS or applying black dye.

The circuit layer 300 may be provided above the encapsulation layer 400 and below the passive radiation layer 200 .

Also, the circuit layer 300 may include a circuit board 310 . Here, the circuit board 310 may be a printed circuit board, and in this case, a circuit configuration for the operation of the wearable device 100 may be patterned on the printed circuit board. In addition, a circuit configuration for operation of the wearable device 100 may be patterned on the lower surface of the printed circuit board.

Meanwhile, the circuit layer 300 may include a coil 320 . In addition, the coil 320 may be disposed on the circuit board 310 .

In FIG. 2 , the coil 320 is illustrated as being mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 310 , but the present invention is not limited thereto.

For example, the coil may include an upper coil and a lower coil, the upper coil may be mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 310 , and the lower coil may be mounted on the lower surface of the circuit board 310 .

Meanwhile, the circuit layer 300 may include one or more sensing elements 330 . Here, the sensing element 330 may include at least one of a light emitting element, a light receiving element, and a temperature sensing element.

Meanwhile, the sensing element 330 may be mounted on the lower surface of the circuit layer. In this case, the sensing element 330 may be inserted into a hole formed in the encapsulation layer 400 . Accordingly, the sensing element 330 may be disposed to directly contact the user's skin or directly face the user's skin.

Meanwhile, the circuit layer 300 may include a polyimide layer 340 . Here, the polyimide layer may prevent the coils from being connected to each other.

Meanwhile, the passive radiation layer 200 may be provided on the circuit layer 300 . The passive radiation layer 200 may also exhibit passive radiation properties.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a method of manufacturing the passive radiation layer 200 .

4 is a view showing a porous polymer.

When a solvent, a non-solvent, and a polymer added in a constant ratio are mixed in one container for a long time, the polymer may be dissolved.

And when time passes after applying the solution, evaporating occurs in the mixed solution. In this case, the solution may be solidified, and as the solvent evaporates, numerous pores (micro-scale pores or nano-scale pores) are generated.

And the porous polymer thus produced can exhibit passive radiation properties, and thus can be used as a passive radiation layer.

5 is a diagram illustrating the ratio of a solvent, a non-solvent, and a polymer.

At least one of cellulose acetate, PMMA, SEBS, P(VdF-HFP), Polystyrene, Ethly-cellulose, PLA, PLCL, and PCL may be used for the polymer. For example, a passive layer in which two or more porous polymers are laminated may be used.

In addition, a corresponding solvent (one of acetone, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, and ethanol) may be used for each polymer, and water and IPA may be used as non-solvents.

Also, the ratio of the polymer to the solvent and the non-solvent may be 1:10:1.

On the other hand, if there is no process of forming pores as described above, the polymer may have a transparent color. However, when a large amount of pores are formed through the above process, the pores may scatter light. Accordingly, the porous polymer may have a white color and may have a high reflectance with respect to light. Porous polymers can also exhibit high emissivity in the long infrared band.

6 is a view for explaining the passive radiation characteristics of the porous polymer.

The passive radiation structure is a mechanism for lowering the temperature without external power supply, and since it can lower the temperature by minimizing power consumption, it is attracting attention as an ultra-power-saving/eco-friendly technology.

Passive radiative cooling structure is a technology that is distinctly different from conduction and convection methods that induce thermal equilibrium. Recently, research on passive radiative cooling structures that can be used not only at night but also during daytime is being actively conducted in developed countries.

The passive radiation cooling structure for daytime use should strongly reflect sunlight and effectively radiate internal heat to the outside space in the form of electromagnetic waves. Therefore, the ideal radiation cooling structure should 1) reflect light of a wavelength within the solar spectrum as much as possible, and 2) emit electromagnetic waves in the long infrared band (about 4 to 20 μm) including the window of the atmosphere as much as possible.

And the passive radiation layer according to the present invention, has a high emissivity (Emissivity) compared to the peripheral band in the long infrared band (about 4 ~ 20 μm) (especially the atmospheric window (Atmosphere window)), the solar spectrum (Solar Spectrum) surrounding It may have a passive radiation characteristic having a high reflectance compared to the band.

In addition, the passive radiation layer according to the present invention has a reflectance close to 100% in the visible light region, and has a very high emissivity (about 80% or more) even in the long infrared band, thereby effectively dissipating heat.

In addition, the passive radiation layer according to the present invention may have cooling properties through passive radiation without device cooling by conduction of the thin metal heat sink.

Specifically, when a metal heat sink is used for device cooling, it may cause interference to a coil disposed below. Therefore, in the present invention, the cooling properties can be exhibited through passive radiation in a manner of forming a porous polymer without exhibiting the device cooling properties through conduction by forming the metal as a thin film. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the performance degradation of the NFC frequency from occurring.

7 is a diagram illustrating a lower portion of a circuit layer.

The circuit layer 300 may include a wireless communicator, one or more sensing elements, and a controller.

The wireless communicator may be mounted on the circuit layer to communicate with other devices to transmit/receive data.

The wireless communication device may communicate with other devices through a communication method such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. In this case, the patch-type wearable device may include a battery for supplying power to the wireless communication device.

Meanwhile, the wireless communication device may be an NFC (Near Field Communication) communication device, and in this case, the wireless communication device may perform short-range wireless communication with an external device.

Here, the NFC communicator may include a coil 320 and an NFC processor 321 .

Meanwhile, the NFC communicator may receive power from an external device. Specifically, when another device performing wireless power transmission approaches, the NFC communicator may supply power induced through the coil to the controller 322 .

Meanwhile, the NFC communicator may transmit data to an external device. Specifically, the controller 322 may drive the light emitting device, and data obtained from the sensing device may be transmitted to the NFC communicator. In this case, the NFC communicator may transmit data to an external device through short-range wireless communication. Here, the external device may be a mobile terminal such as a smart phone.

Meanwhile, the one or more sensing elements may include light emitting elements 331 and 332 , a light receiving element 333 , and a temperature sensing element 334 .

Here, the one or more light emitting devices 331 and 332 are devices that emit light, and may be, for example, LEDs.

In addition, the light receiving device 333 is a device that receives the light irradiated from the light emitting devices 331 and 332, and may be, for example, a photodiode.

In addition, the temperature sensing element 334 is an element capable of sensing the temperature of the skin, and may be, for example, a thermistor.

Meanwhile, when power is supplied, the controller 322 may control the light emitting device so that the light emitting device emits light, and transmit data obtained through the light receiving device to another device through a wireless communication device. The data obtained here may be data used to determine oxygen saturation and heart rate.

In addition, when power is supplied, the controller 322 may transmit data obtained from the temperature sensing element 334 to another device through a wireless communication device. The data obtained here may be data used to determine the temperature of the skin.

8 is a cross-sectional view of a patch-type wearable device.

A part or all of the encapsulation layer 400 may be disposed between the light emitting device LED and the light receiving device PD to block internal optical noise.

Specifically, in order to obtain biometric information such as oxygen saturation and heart rate, light irradiated from the light emitting device (LED) must pass through the inside of the skin to enter the light receiving device (LED).

However, when the light irradiated from the light emitting element (LED) moves to the light receiving element (LED) without passing through the skin (for example, light moves from the light emitting element (LED) to the light receiving element (LED) in a straight line, or passive radiation In the case of moving to the light receiving element (LED) after being reflected from the layer 200), the accuracy of data may be deteriorated. As described above, light that does not pass through the skin and moves to the light receiving element PD may be referred to as optical noise.

Accordingly, a part or all of the encapsulation layer 400 is disposed between the light emitting element LED and the light receiving element PD and internal optical noise (light moving in a straight line from the light emitting element LED to the light receiving element PD, The light reflected from the passive radiation layer 200 and moved to the light receiving element PD) may be absorbed. And in order to increase the efficiency of light absorption, the encapsulation layer 400 may be formed in a black color.

Meanwhile, both the light emitting device LED and the light receiving device PD may be mounted on the lower surface of the circuit board, and thus the light emitting device LED and the light receiving device PD may be horizontally disposed. Accordingly, the encapsulation layer 400 is disposed on the side of the light emitting device LED and the side of the light receiving device PD, and disposed between the light emitting device LED and the light receiving device PD, to effectively block internal optical noise. have.

Meanwhile, the encapsulation layer 400 may be formed not only between the light emitting device LED and the light receiving device PD but also under the circuit layer 300 as a whole. In this case, one or more holes may be formed in the encapsulation layer 400 , and one or more sensing elements may be respectively inserted into the one or more holes.

On the other hand, it has been previously described that the passive radiation layer has a high reflectance in the visible light band. And this characteristic may be effective in blocking noise caused by the external light 810 .

That is, the passive radiation layer 200 reflects the external light 810, thereby preventing the external light 810 from entering the light receiving element and data being distorted.

In addition, the passive radiation layer 200 may have a high reflectance with respect to visible light irradiated from the light emitting device (LED). Accordingly, the passive radiation layer 200 may serve to reduce light loss and increase light efficiency.

Specifically, a space 891 may be formed between the light emitting device LED and the encapsulation layer 400 . In addition, the light irradiated from the light emitting device (LED) may be reflected from the passive radiation layer 200 having a high reflectance, move to the skin, pass through the skin, and enter the light receiving device (PD).

That is, the encapsulation layer 400 and the passive radiation layer 200 may block internal optical noise and external optical noise and reduce optical loss. Accordingly, measurement performance of a wearable device using optoelectronics may be improved.

Meanwhile, the passive radiation layer 200 reflects external visible light 810 with a high reflectance to prevent heat generation due to external light absorption. In addition, the passive radiation layer 200 may effectively radiate heat 820 generated between the wearable device and the skin with a high emissivity to the outside.

Also, due to the nature of passive radiation, no battery is used for cooling. Therefore, the present invention has the advantage of being able to effectively perform the role of a cooler even in a wearable device that does not use a battery. Accordingly, there is an advantage that can contribute to the weight reduction and miniaturization of the patch-type wearable device.

9 and 10 are experimental results comparing the patch-type wearable device according to the present invention and the wearable device covered with a black encapsulation layer to block external optical noise.

In a wearable device covered with a black encapsulation layer to block external light noise, the temperature of the wearable device may increase because the black encapsulation layer absorbs external light. As a result, it was confirmed that the temperature rose to a maximum of 45 degrees, and it was confirmed that the skin became hot.

However, the patch-type wearable device (Radiative Cooler) according to the present invention exhibited a temperature 9 degrees Celsius lower than that of the wearable device (black encapsulation) covered with a black encapsulation layer of the same time period, and was higher than the temperature of the surrounding skin (bare skin). It was confirmed that it exhibited a low temperature.

11 is a diagram illustrating an effect of improving light efficiency.

It can be seen that a patch-type wearable device (PPRC) including a passive radiation layer and an encapsulation layer exhibits a higher light improvement effect than a wearable device (Black PDMS) in which an encapsulation layer is simply formed of black PDMS.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to implement a patch-type wearable device that is small in size and lightweight while having high data measurement accuracy. In addition, with a simple operation of bringing an external device (cell phone, etc.) close, bio-signals (oxygen saturation, heart rate, body temperature, etc.) can be easily measured, and the reliability of the measurement can also be improved.

Accordingly, there is an advantage in that portability is increased and inconvenience caused by attachment of the wearable device can be reduced.

In addition, it is possible to prevent skin damage and device deterioration problems caused by device heat generated during prolonged exposure outdoors, reduce indoor and outdoor temperature measurement errors, and increase the reliability of temperature sensor body temperature measurement.

The above detailed description should not be construed as restrictive in all respects and should be considered as illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

100: patch-type wearable device

Claims (10)

a circuit layer including a light emitting element and a light receiving element;
a wireless communicator mounted on the circuit layer and communicating with other devices;
a passive radiation layer constituting an upper layer of the circuit layer and exhibiting passive radiation characteristics; and
and an encapsulation layer that constitutes a lower layer of the circuit layer and is attached to the user's skin,
The light emitting element and the light receiving element are mounted on the lower surface of the circuit layer,
A hole for inserting the light emitting element and the light receiving element is formed in the encapsulation layer,
Between the side of the hole into which the light emitting element is inserted and the light emitting element, a space is formed in which the light irradiated from the light emitting element is reflected from the passive radiation layer and moves toward the skin of the user.
A patchable wearable device. The method of claim 1,
The encapsulation layer is disposed between the light emitting device and the light receiving device to block internal optical noise.
A patchable wearable device. delete 3. The method of claim 2,
The light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged horizontally,
The encapsulation layer is located on the side of the light emitting element and the side of the light receiving element.
A patchable wearable device. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a controller for controlling the light emitting element so that the light emitting element irradiates light, and transmitting data obtained through the light receiving element to the other device through the wireless communication device
A patchable wearable device. 6. The method of claim 5,
The wireless communication device is an NFC communication device,
The NFC communicator,
a coil and an NFC processor;
When the other device approaches, the power induced through the coil is supplied to the controller.
A patchable wearable device. 6. The method of claim 5,
The data is
data used to determine at least one of oxygen saturation and heart rate
A patchable wearable device. The method of claim 1,
The passive radiation layer,
It is composed of a porous polymer and exhibits passive radiation properties.
A patchable wearable device. 9. The method of claim 8,
The porous polymer is
Cellulose acetate, PMMA, SEBS, P(VdF-HFP), Polystyrene, Ethly-cellulose, PLA, PLCL, containing at least one of PCL
A patchable wearable device. 9. The method of claim 8,
The passive radiation layer,
Not including metal heat sink
A patchable wearable device.

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