Stretchable electronic patch having a circuit layer undulating in the thickness direction

Abstract

An electronic patch includes a first circuit layer comprising a substantially flat first substrate and a first conductive circuit, a second circuit layer comprising a substantially flat second substrate and a second conductive circuit, and an undulated ribbon that connects the first circuit layer and the second circuit layer. The undulated ribbon includes a third conductive circuit that connects the first conductive circuit and the second conductive circuit. An elastic layer encloses the first circuit layer, the second circuit layer, and the undulated ribbons.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present application relates to electronic devices, and in particular, to electronic patches that can adhere to human skin or the surface of an object, including curved surfaces.[0002]Wearable tags are a specific type of electronic patches. In general, electronic patches or stickers can be attached not only to human bodies but also to other objects such as merchandized goods such as computers, machineries, and clothes, packaging material and shipping boxes. Electronic patches can communicate with smart phones or other devices wirelessly, through NFC, Bluetooth, WiFi, or other methods.[0003]Electronic patches can be used for tracking objects, for performing functions such as producing sound, light or vibrations, and so on. As the applications and human needs become more sophisticated and complex, there are a rapidly increasing number of tasks that electronic patches are required to perform. Because of the complex curvatures of the objects, the elec...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The presently disclosure attempts to address the aforementioned limitations in conventional electronic patches. The disclosed electronic patches are highly compliant and more stretchable, while also being able to support the circuit, chips, and other electronic components in the wearable electronic patches. T

Problems solved by technology

As the applications and human needs become more sophisticated and complex, there are a rapidly increasing number of tasks that electronic patches are required to perform.

Despite initial development efforts, conventional wearable devices still face several drawbacks: they may not provide adequate comfort for users to wear them; they may not stay attached to user's body for the required length of time; they are usually not aesthetically appealing.

Human skin can move around with high percentage of deformation, whereas a conventional electronic patch cannot move with the same amount of strains as the skin, which is one reason for user's feeling of disc

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