A 3D printing device and preparation method of liquid metal elastic electronic device

Abstract

The present invention provides a 3D printing device and preparation method of a liquid metal elastic electronic device. The 3D printing device includes a three-dimensional motion table, a print nozzle, a support platform, a first, a second, and a third container for respectively holding liquid metal, a fluid electrode material, and a fluid elastomer material, and a controller; the print nozzle includes an inner cavity and an outer cavity, and the inner cavity is coaxial with the outer cavity, and the outer cavity is arranged at the periphery of the inner cavity; the first and the second containers can be connected to the inner cavity, and the third container can be connected to the outer cavity; the controller controls the movement of the three-dimensional motion table in space, the connection between the A container, the second container and the inner cavity, and the connection between the third container and the outer cavity. The 3D printing device is used to perform 3D printing along the shape trajectory of the liquid metal elastic electronic device to be printed in the to-be-printed area of ​​the elastic substrate to obtain the liquid metal elastic electronic device, which has the advantages of being simple and easy to operate and having high preparation efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of flexible electronic technology, and in particular relates to a 3D printing device and a preparation method of a liquid metal elastic electronic device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of flexible electronics, flexible electronic devices have attracted more and more attention due to their deformability and have broad application prospects in human-computer interaction, wearable, implantable and other devices.

[0003] Liquid metal has conductivity and fluidity, and has good applications in flexible electronics. Currently, there are two main types of flexible electronic device structures containing liquid metal:

[0004] (1) The conductor part of the device is liquid metal, and the elastic material is wrapped around the liquid metal to form a tubular structure. The liquid metal is located inside the tube, and the elastic material serves as the tube wall.

[0005] (2) The conductor part of the device is composed of liquid metal and elastomer. The liquid metal particles are dispersed in the elastomer and an insulating protective layer is arranged around it.

[0006] In addition, in order to connect with external conductive elements, electrodes are provided at both ends of the devices of these two structures.

[0007] The preparation method of the liquid metal elastic device having the above structure (1) and structure (2) mainly comprises: using the infusion method to infuse liquid metal into an elastic tube, and then making electrodes at both ends of the elastic tube respectively, to obtain the liquid metal elastic electronic device of structure (1);

[0008] The liquid metal and the molten elastomer are uniformly mixed and then solidified to form a conductive part, an insulating protective layer is prepared around the conductive part, and then electrodes are made at both ends to obtain a liquid metal elastic electronic device with structure (2).

[0009] However, these methods have many steps and low preparation efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0010] In view of the technical status of the above-mentioned liquid metal elastic electronic devices, the present invention adopts 3D printing technology to prepare liquid metal elastic electronic devices. By designing a 3D printing device and controlling a printing method, liquid metal elastic electronic devices can be prepared, which is simple and easy with high preparation efficiency.

[0011] The technical solution of the present invention is: a 3D printing device for a liquid metal elastic electronic device, wherein the liquid metal elastic electronic device is located on an elastic insulating substrate, and is characterized in that: the 3D printing device comprises a three-dimensional motion table, a printing nozzle mounted on the three-dimensional motion table, a supporting platform for placing an elastic substrate, a first container for containing liquid metal, a second container for containing a fluid electrode material, a third container for containing a fluid elastic material, and a controller;

[0012] The print head includes an inner cavity and an outer cavity, wherein the inner cavity is coaxial with the outer cavity, and the outer cavity is arranged outside the inner cavity;

[0013] The first container can be connected to the inner cavity, that is, the liquid metal in the first container can flow into the inner cavity;

[0014] The second container may be connected to the inner cavity, that is, the electrode material in the second container may flow into the inner cavity;

[0015] The third container may be connected to the outer cavity, that is, the elastomeric material in the third container may flow into the outer cavity;

[0016] The controller is used to control the movement of the three-dimensional motion table in space, the communication between the first container, the second container and the inner cavity, and the communication between the third container and the outer cavity.

[0017] In the present invention, the elasticity refers to the property that a material can be stretched, bent or deformed under the action of an external force, and has a certain ability to recover from the deformation after the external force is removed.

[0018] The liquid metal elastic electronic device is not limited and can be a conductor, an electrode, a capacitor, a dot matrix, a coil, a strain gauge or the like.

[0019] The fluid state refers to an object being in a flowable state, including liquid, melt, solution, turbid liquid, etc.

[0020] The electrode material is not limited, including bulk material, wire material, etc. When the electrode material is a bulk material or a wire material, the second container is preferably provided with a heating and heat preservation device for heat-melting the electrode material into a fluid state so that it can flow into the inner cavity. When the electrode material is a wire material, as an implementation method, the second container can be integrated in the inner cavity, and the inner cavity is provided with a heating and heat preservation device, and the electrode material wire material is wound on a reel, and the reel is connected to the inner cavity, that is, the electrode material wire material on the reel can be transmitted to the inner cavity. At this time, the controller controls whether the reel is connected to the inner cavity.

[0021] When the elastomeric material is solid at room temperature and is heated to melt, the third container is preferably provided with a heating and heat preservation device for melting the elastomeric material into a fluid state so that it can flow to the outer cavity, and the support platform is preferably provided with a cooling device to solidify the printed elastomeric material into shape.

[0022] When the elastomeric material is in a fluid state at room temperature and is cured by heating, the support platform is preferably provided with a heating device to cure the printed elastomeric material into shape.

[0023] Preferably, the third container includes a plurality of containers, respectively referred to as a third container A, a third container B, a third container C, ..., for containing elastomeric materials of different hardness, and each container can be connected to the outer cavity.

[0024] Preferably, the controller is also used to control the flow rate of the liquid metal, the electrode material into the inner cavity, and / or the flow rate of the elastomeric material into the outer cavity.

[0025] The elastic substrate refers to an insulating material with a certain elasticity, including but not limited to elastic fabrics that can be woven, such as cotton, linen, silk, wool, chemical fiber, wool, blended fabrics, latex, silicone, polyurethane (PU), polylactic acid (PLA), hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer (SEBS), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyethylene oxide (POE), aliphatic aromatic random copolyester (Ecoflex), natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and other elastic materials or composite materials based on them. Preferably, the elastic substrate adopts an elastic blended fabric.

[0026] The electrode material refers to a solid material with good conductivity that can be in good contact with liquid metal, including but not limited to metal materials such as gallium, indium, tin, nickel, copper, zinc, bismuth, iron, gold, silver, etc. or alloy materials based on them. Preferably, the electrode material is a gallium-indium-tin-nickel alloy material.

[0027] The liquid metal refers to a conductive material that is liquid at room temperature, including but not limited to mercury, gallium-indium alloy, gallium-indium-tin alloy, a metal conductive material such as a gallium-indium alloy doped with one or more transition metals and solid non-metallic materials, and a conductive material composited with latex, silicone, polyurethane (PU), polylactic acid (PLA), hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer (SEBS), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyethylene oxide (POE), aliphatic aromatic random copolyester (Ecoflex), natural rubber, synthetic rubber, etc. Preferably, the liquid metal is a gallium-indium-tin alloy.

[0028] The elastomeric material refers to a non-conductive material that can be deformed under the action of an external force and has a certain deformation recovery ability after the external force is removed, including but not limited to latex, silicone, polyurethane (PU), polylactic acid (PLA), hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer (SEBS), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyethylene oxide (POE), aliphatic aromatic random copolyester (Ecoflex), natural rubber, synthetic rubber and other elastic materials or one or more composite materials based on them.

[0029] The method for preparing a liquid metal elastic electronic device using the 3D printing device of the present invention is as follows:

[0030] Under the action of the controller, the three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move above the area to be printed on the elastic insulating substrate. The controller controls whether the first container is connected to the inner cavity, whether the second container is connected to the inner cavity, and whether the third container is connected to the outer cavity. 3D printing is performed in the area to be printed on the elastic substrate along the shape trajectory of the liquid metal elastic electronic device to be printed to obtain the liquid metal elastic electronic device.

[0031] As an implementation method, the structure of the liquid metal elastic electronic device is as follows:

[0032] Liquid metal elastic electronics are located on an elastic insulating substrate;

[0033] The conductor part of the liquid metal elastic electronic device is liquid metal, the first elastic material is wrapped around the liquid metal to form a first tubular structure, the liquid metal is located inside the tube, and the first elastic material serves as the tube wall;

[0034] Electrodes are respectively arranged at two ends of the first tubular structure;

[0035] The electrode includes an electrode material and a second elastic material. The second elastic material is coated on the periphery of the electrode material to form a second tubular structure coaxial with the first tubular structure. The electrode material is located inside the tube, the second elastic material serves as the tube wall, and the electrode material forms electrical contact with the liquid metal.

[0036] The pattern formed by the first tubular structure on the elastic insulating substrate is not limited, including straight lines and curves. The curves include but are not limited to sinusoidal, wavy, serpentine, elliptical, ring-shaped, coil, heart-shaped, and shapes formed by one or more of the parallel, crossed, and stacked shapes thereof.

[0037] Preferably, the hardness of the second elastic material is greater than that of the first elastic material.

[0038] The pattern formed by the second tubular structure on the elastic insulating substrate is not limited, including straight lines and curves. The curves include but are not limited to sinusoidal, wavy, serpentine, elliptical, ring-shaped, coil, heart-shaped, and shapes formed by one or more of the parallel, crossed, and stacked shapes thereof.

[0039] Preferably, in the first tubular structure, the liquid metal is doped with electrode material.

[0040] Preferably, in the pattern formed by the first tubular structure on the elastic insulating substrate, the hardness of the first elastic material at the corner is greater than that of the first elastic material at other parts, so as to enhance the tensile strength of the corner and provide better protection.

[0041] The method for preparing the liquid metal elastic electronic device using the 3D printing device of the present invention comprises the following steps:

[0042] Under the instruction of the controller, the three-dimensional motion stage drives the printing nozzle to move in the space above the area to be printed on the elastic insulating substrate;

[0043] (1) The controller controls the second container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container to be connected to the outer cavity, and the three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the second tubular structure to 3D print the second tubular structure;

[0044] (2) The controller controls the first container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container to be connected to the outer cavity, and the three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the first tubular structure to 3D print the first tubular structure;

[0045] (3) The controller controls the second container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container to be connected to the outer cavity. The three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the second tubular structure to 3D print the second tubular structure.

[0046] When the electrode material is doped into the liquid metal in the first tubular structure, in the step (2), the controller also controls the second container to communicate with the inner cavity.

[0047] Preferably, the hardness of the second elastic material is greater than that of the first elastic material, the third container includes three containers, namely, a third container A, a third container B and a third container C, the hardness of the elastic material contained in the third container A is less than that of the elastic material contained in the third container B, and both containers can be connected to the outer cavity; the steps (1) and (3) are as follows:

[0048] The controller controls the second container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container B to be connected to the outer cavity, and the three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern track of the second tubular structure to 3D print the second tubular structure;

[0049] The step (2) is as follows:

[0050] The controller controls the first container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container A to be connected to the outer cavity. The three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the first tubular structure to 3D print the first tubular structure.

[0051] As a further preferred embodiment, in the pattern formed by the first tubular structure on the elastic insulating substrate, the hardness of the first elastic material at the corner portion is greater than the hardness of the first elastic material at the remaining portion; the step (2) is as follows:

[0052] (2) The controller controls the first container to be connected to the inner cavity, and the third container A to be connected to the outer cavity. The three-dimensional motion table drives the print head to move along the pattern trajectory of the first tubular structure to be printed. When the print head is in the corner area, the controller controls the third container B to be connected to the inner cavity. When the print head is in the area outside the corner, the controller controls the third container A to be connected to the inner cavity.

[0053] As another implementation method, the structure of the liquid metal elastic electronic device is as follows:

[0054] Liquid metal elastic electronics are located on an elastic insulating substrate;

[0055] The conductor part of the liquid metal elastic electronic device is a composite material composed of liquid metal and a third elastic material. The first elastic material is wrapped around the liquid metal to form a first tubular structure. The composite material is located inside the tube, and the first elastic material serves as the tube wall.

[0056] Electrodes are respectively arranged at two ends of the first tubular structure;

[0057] The electrode comprises an electrode material and a second elastic material, the second elastic material is coated on the periphery of the electrode material to form a second tubular structure coaxial with the first tubular structure, the electrode material is located inside the tube, the second elastic material serves as the tube wall, and the electrode material forms electrical contact with the liquid metal;

[0058] The third elastomer material can be selected from the first elastomer material, the second elastomer material, or a mixed material of the first elastomer material and the second elastomer material.

[0059] The method for preparing the liquid metal elastic electronic device using the 3D printing device of the present invention comprises the following steps:

[0060] Under the instruction of the controller, the three-dimensional motion stage drives the printing nozzle to move in the space above the area to be printed on the elastic substrate;

[0061] (1) The controller controls the second container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container to be connected to the outer cavity, and the three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the second tubular structure to 3D print the second tubular structure;

[0062] (2) The controller controls the first container to be connected to the inner cavity, the third container to be connected to the inner cavity, the liquid metal and the third elastomer to be mixed in the inner cavity, and the third container to be connected to the outer cavity;

[0063] The three-dimensional motion platform drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern track of the first tubular structure to 3D print the first tubular structure;

[0064] (3) The controller controls the second container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container to be connected to the outer cavity. The three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the second tubular structure to 3D print the second tubular structure.

[0065] When the electrode material is doped into the liquid metal in the first tubular structure, in the step (2), the controller also controls the second container to communicate with the inner cavity.

[0066] Preferably, the hardness of the second elastic material is greater than that of the first elastic material, the third container comprises two, namely, a third container A, a third container B and a third container C, the third container A contains the first elastic body, the third container B contains the second elastic body, and the third container C contains the third elastic body, and the three containers can be connected to the outer cavity; the steps (1) and (3) are as follows:

[0067] The controller controls the second container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container B to be connected to the outer cavity, and the three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern track of the second tubular structure to 3D print the second tubular structure;

[0068] The step (2) is as follows:

[0069] The controller controls the first container to be connected to the inner cavity, the third container C to be connected to the inner cavity, the liquid metal and the third elastic body to be mixed in the inner cavity, and the third container A to be connected to the outer cavity;

[0070] The three-dimensional motion platform drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the first tubular structure to 3D print the first tubular structure.

[0071] As a further preference, in the pattern formed by the first tubular structure on the elastic insulating substrate, the hardness of the first elastic material at the corner portion is greater than the hardness of the first elastic material at the remaining portion, and the step (2) is as follows:

[0072] (2) The controller controls the first container to be connected to the inner cavity, the third container C to be connected to the inner cavity, the liquid metal and the third elastomer are mixed in the inner cavity, and the three-dimensional motion table drives the print head to move along the pattern trajectory of the first tubular structure to be printed. When the print head is in the corner area, the controller controls the third container B to be connected to the outer cavity. When the print head is in the area outside the corner, the controller controls the third container A to be connected to the outer cavity.

[0073] In summary, the present invention adopts 3D printing to prepare liquid metal elastic electronic devices, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0074] (1) Through structural design, the 3D printing device has a coaxial inner cavity and outer cavity, which realizes the coaxial printing of liquid metal elastic electronic devices, and the first container and the second container are arranged to communicate with the inner cavity, so that the inner cavity printing material can be switched and the conductive material can be adjusted according to actual needs;

[0075] (2) When the third container contains multiple materials, the outer cavity printing material can also be switched to adjust the hardness of the elastic protective layer according to actual needs. For example, when printing electrodes, a material with higher hardness and greater rigidity is used as the protective layer, which is relatively more difficult to stretch and has a better protective effect; when printing liquid metal, a material with lower hardness and lower rigidity is used as the protective layer, which is easier to stretch and has better ductility, so as to give full play to the elastic properties and electrical properties of the elastic device; in the transition zone or special places between these two situations, a mixed elastomer is used for transition, which is conducive to better protection of the entire device.

[0076] (3) It is simple and easy to prepare liquid metal elastic electronic devices using the 3D printing device of the present invention. The electrodes, components, protective layers and other parts in the elastic electronic devices are integrated into one, and the preparation efficiency is high. The prepared liquid metal elastic electronic devices have stable performance, strong design and high applicability, and have potential application value in flexible elastic electronic technology. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the liquid metal elastic sensor in Example 1 of the present invention.

[0078] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the 3D printing device in Examples 1 and 2 of the present invention.

[0079] Figure 3 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid metal elastic wire in Example 2 of the present invention.

[0080] Figure 1-3 The figures are marked as follows: 1-liquid metal, 2-first elastomer material, 3-second elastomer material, 4-electrode material, 5-elastic insulating substrate, A container 11, B container 22, C container 33, reel 44, support platform 55, print head 66, inner cavity 661, outer cavity 662. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be pointed out that the embodiments described below are intended to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, but do not have any limiting effect on the present invention.

[0082] Embodiment 1:

[0083] In this embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, the liquid metal elastic electronic device is located on an elastic insulating substrate 5. The conductor part of the liquid metal elastic electronic device is liquid metal 1, and the elastic material is wrapped around the outer periphery of the liquid metal 1 to form a first tubular structure. The liquid metal is located inside the tube, and the elastic material serves as the tube wall. The first tubular structure is formed on the elastic insulating substrate 5 as shown in FIG. Figure 1 In the serpentine bending pattern shown, the elastic material at the bending corners of the pattern is the second elastic material 3, and the elastic material of the remaining part is the first elastic material 2.

[0084] Electrodes are provided at both ends of the first tubular structure; the electrodes are composed of an electrode material 4 and a second elastic material 3, the second elastic material 3 is coated on the periphery of the electrode material 4, forming a second tubular structure coaxial with the first tubular structure, the electrode material 4 is located inside the tube, the second elastic material 3 serves as the tube wall, and the electrode material 4 forms an electrical contact with the liquid metal 1. The second tubular structure forms a linear pattern on the elastic insulating substrate 5.

[0085] Liquid metal 1 is made of gallium-indium-tin alloy, which is liquid at room temperature and has good conductivity and fluidity.

[0086] The first elastic material 2 is made of polyurethane with a hardness of 45A, which is relatively soft, has good elasticity and low rigidity.

[0087] The second elastic material 3 is made of polyurethane with a hardness of 65A, which is relatively hard, has high rigidity and is elastic.

[0088] The electrode material 4 is made of nickel-doped gallium-indium-tin-nickel alloy.

[0089] The elastic insulating substrate 5 is made of elastic fabric.

[0090] The liquid metal elastic electronic device was prepared by 3D printing. Figure 2 As shown, the 3D printing device includes a three-dimensional motion table ( Figure 1 ), a print head 66 mounted on a three-dimensional motion table, a support platform 55, an A container 11 for holding a liquid metal 1, a B container 22 for holding a fluid first elastic material 2, a C container 33 for holding a fluid second elastic material 3, a reel 44 for winding a linear electrode material, and a controller ( Figure 1 not shown).

[0091] The B container and the C container are provided with a heating and heat preservation device for melting the elastomeric material into a fluid state so that it can flow to the outer cavity. The support platform is provided with a cooling device so that the printed elastomeric material can be solidified and formed.

[0092] The print head 66 includes an inner cavity 661 and an outer cavity 662 , wherein the inner cavity is coaxial with the outer cavity and the outer cavity is arranged outside the inner cavity.

[0093] A connecting pipe and a control valve are arranged between the A container 11 and the inner cavity 661 . When the control valve is opened, the A container 11 is connected to the inner cavity 661 , that is, the liquid metal in the A container 11 can flow to the inner cavity 661 .

[0094] A connecting pipe and a control valve are provided between the B container 22 and the outer cavity 662 . When the control valve is opened, the B container 22 is connected to the outer cavity 662 , that is, the first elastomer material in the B container 22 can flow to the outer cavity 661 .

[0095] A connecting pipe and a control valve are provided between the C container 33 and the outer cavity 662 . When the control valve is opened, the C container 33 is connected to the outer cavity 662 , that is, the third elastomer material in the C container 662 can flow to the outer cavity 11 .

[0096] A connecting pipe and a control valve are provided between the reel and the inner cavity 661. When the control valve is opened, the reel 44 is connected to the inner cavity 661, that is, the electrode material in the reel 44 can be transferred to the inner cavity 661. The inner cavity 661 is provided with a heating and heat preservation device for heat-melting the electrode material into a fluid state.

[0097] The 3D printing device is used to prepare Figure 1 The method of the liquid metal elastic electronic device shown comprises the following steps:

[0098] Placing the elastic insulating substrate 5 on the supporting platform 55;

[0099] Under the instruction of the controller, the three-dimensional motion stage drives the printing nozzle 66 to move in the space above the area to be printed on the elastic substrate 5;

[0100] (1) The controller controls the control valve of container B to be closed and the control valve of container C to be opened, so that container C is connected to the outer cavity, and the second elastomer material flows to the outer cavity; controls the control valve of container A to be opened, so that container A is connected to the inner cavity, and the liquid metal in container A flows to the inner cavity; controls the control switch of the reel to be turned on, so that the wire electrode on the reel is connected to the inner cavity, and the electrode material wire transmitted to the inner cavity is hot-melted into a fluid state and then mixed with the liquid metal in the inner cavity; the three-dimensional motion stage drives the printing nozzle to move along the second tubular structure pattern trajectory at one end of the first tubular structure, and 3D prints the second tubular structure;

[0101] (2) The controller controls the control switch of the scroll to be closed, and the control valve of container A is opened, so that container A is connected to the inner cavity; and the controller controls container B and / or container C to be connected to the outer cavity, and the three-dimensional motion stage drives the print head to move along the pattern track of the first tubular structure to be printed, specifically:

[0102] At the transition portion between the first tubular structure and the second tubular structure, the control valve of the C container is gradually closed, and the flow rate of the second elastic body from the C container to the outer cavity is gradually reduced to zero. The control valve of the B container is gradually opened, and the flow rate of the first elastic body from the B container to the outer cavity is gradually increased to a fixed value, so that the first elastic body and the second elastic body are evenly mixed in the outer cavity, and a tube wall structure that gradually changes from the second elastic body to the first elastic body is printed;

[0103] At the corner of the first tubular structure, the control valve controlling the B container is gradually closed, and the flow rate of the first elastic body flowing from the B container to the outer cavity is gradually reduced to zero, and the control valve of the C container is gradually opened, and the flow rate of the second elastic body flowing from the C container to the outer cavity is gradually increased to a fixed value, so that the first elastic body and the second elastic body are evenly mixed in the outer cavity, and a tube wall structure that gradually changes from the first elastic body to the second elastic body is printed;

[0104] (3) The controller controls the control switch of the scroll to open, so that the electrode material wire on the scroll is connected to the inner cavity, and controls the control valve of the C container to open, so that the C container is connected to the outer cavity; the three-dimensional motion platform drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the second tubular structure at the other end of the first tubular structure, and 3D prints the second tubular structure.

[0105] The controller controls the control valve of container B to close and the control valve of container C to open, so that container C is connected to the outer cavity, and the second elastomer material flows to the outer cavity; controls the control valve of container A to open, so that container A is connected to the inner cavity, and the liquid metal in container A flows to the inner cavity; controls the control switch of the reel to open, so that the electrode material wire on the reel is connected to the inner cavity, and the electrode material wire transmitted to the inner cavity is hot-melted into a fluid state and then mixed with the liquid metal in the inner cavity; the three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the second tubular structure pattern trajectory at the other end of the first tubular structure, and 3D prints the second tubular structure.

[0106] Embodiment 2:

[0107] In this embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, the liquid metal elastic electronic device is located on an elastic insulating substrate 5. The conductor part 1 of the liquid metal elastic electronic device is a composite material composed of liquid metal and liquid silicone material with a hardness of 45A, liquid metal particles are dispersed in the liquid silicone material, and an insulating elastic material 2 is arranged on the periphery to form a first tubular structure, the composite material is located inside the tube, and the elastic material 2 serves as the tube wall.

[0108] The first tubular structure is formed on the elastic insulating substrate 5 as shown in FIG. Figure 3 Several parallel linear patterns are shown.

[0109] Electrodes are provided at both ends of each first tubular structure; the electrodes are composed of an electrode material 4 and a second elastic material 3, the second elastic material 3 is coated on the periphery of the electrode material 4, forming a second tubular structure coaxial with the first tubular structure, the electrode material 4 is located inside the tube, the second elastic material 3 serves as the tube wall, and the electrode material 4 forms an electrical contact with the liquid metal 1. The second tubular structure 90 forms a linear pattern on the elastic insulating substrate 20.

[0110] Liquid metal 1 is made of gallium-indium-tin alloy, which is liquid at room temperature and has good conductivity and fluidity.

[0111] The first elastic material 2 is a liquid silicone material with a hardness of 45A.

[0112] The first elastic material 3 is a liquid silicone material with a hardness of 65A.

[0113] The electrode material 4 is made of gallium-indium-tin-nickel alloy.

[0114] The elastic insulating substrate 5 is made of elastic fabric.

[0115] The liquid metal elastic electronic device is prepared by 3D printing. The 3D printing device is basically the same as the 3D printing device in Example 1, except that a connecting pipe and a control valve are also provided between the B container 22 and the inner cavity 661. When the control valve is opened, the B container 22 is connected to the inner cavity 661, that is, the first elastic material in the B container 22 can flow to the inner cavity 661.

[0116] The 3D printing device is used to prepare Figure 3 The method of the liquid metal elastic electronic device shown comprises the following steps:

[0117] Placing the elastic insulating substrate 5 on the supporting platform 55;

[0118] Under the instruction of the controller, the three-dimensional motion stage drives the printing nozzle 66 to move in the space above the area to be printed on the elastic substrate 5;

[0119] (1) The controller controls the control valve of container B to be closed and the control valve of container C to be opened, so that container C is connected to the outer cavity, and the second elastomer material flows to the outer cavity; controls the control valve of container A to be opened, so that container A is connected to the inner cavity, and the liquid metal in container A flows to the inner cavity; controls the control switch of the reel to be turned on, so that the electrode material wire on the reel is connected to the inner cavity, and the electrode material wire transmitted to the inner cavity is melted into a fluid state and then mixed with the liquid metal in the inner cavity; the three-dimensional motion stage drives the printing nozzle to move along the second tubular structure pattern trajectory at one end of the first tubular structure, and 3D prints the second tubular structure;

[0120] (2) the controller controls the control switch of the reel to be closed, and the control valve of container A to be opened, so that container A is connected to the inner cavity, and the liquid metal flows into the inner cavity; and the controller controls the control valve of container B to be opened, so that container B is connected to the inner cavity, and the molten first elastomer material flows into the inner cavity and is mixed with the liquid metal;

[0121] Furthermore, the controller controls the B container and / or the C container to communicate with the outer cavity, and the three-dimensional motion stage drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern track of the first tubular structure to be printed, specifically:

[0122] At the transition portion between the first tubular structure and the second tubular structure, the control valve of the C container is gradually closed, and the flow rate of the second elastic body from the C container to the outer cavity is gradually reduced to zero. The control valve of the B container is gradually opened, and the flow rate of the first elastic body from the B container to the outer cavity is gradually increased to a fixed value, so that the first elastic body and the second elastic body are evenly mixed in the outer cavity, and a tube wall structure that gradually changes from the second elastic body to the first elastic body is printed;

[0123] At the corner of the first tubular structure, the control valve controlling the B container is gradually closed, and the flow rate of the first elastic body flowing from the B container to the outer cavity is gradually reduced to zero, and the control valve of the C container is gradually opened, and the flow rate of the second elastic body flowing from the C container to the outer cavity is gradually increased to a fixed value, so that the first elastic body and the second elastic body are evenly mixed in the outer cavity, and a tube wall structure that gradually changes from the first elastic body to the second elastic body is printed;

[0124] (3) The controller controls the control switch of the scroll to open, so that the D container is connected to the inner cavity, and controls the control valve of the C container to open, so that the C container is connected to the outer cavity; the three-dimensional motion platform drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the second tubular structure at the other end of the first tubular structure, and 3D prints the second tubular structure.

[0125] The controller controls the control valve of container B to close and the control valve of container C to open, so that container C is connected to the outer cavity, and the second elastomer material flows to the outer cavity; controls the control valve of container A to open, so that container A is connected to the inner cavity, and the liquid metal in container A flows to the inner cavity; controls the control switch of the reel to open, so that the electrode material wire on the reel is connected to the inner cavity, and the electrode material wire transmitted to the inner cavity is hot-melted into a fluid state and then mixed with the liquid metal in the inner cavity; the three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the second tubular structure pattern trajectory at the other end of the first tubular structure, and 3D prints the second tubular structure.

[0126] Embodiment 3:

[0127] In this embodiment, the structure of the liquid metal elastic electronic device is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

[0128] The liquid metal elastic electronic device is prepared by 3D printing. The 3D printing device is basically the same as the 3D printing device in Example 1, except that the electrode material 4 is a block material, and a D container is used instead of the reel 44. The D container is provided with a heating and heat preservation device for hot-melting the electrode material into a fluid state, and a connecting pipe and a control valve are provided between the D container and the inner cavity 661. The controller controls whether the control valve is opened or not. When the control valve is opened, the D container is connected to the inner cavity 661, that is, the liquid metal in the D container can flow to the inner cavity 661.

[0129] The 3D printing device is used to prepare Figure 1 The method of the liquid metal elastic electronic device shown is basically the same as the method in Example 1, except that the controller controls the opening and closing of the control valve of the D container to connect or disconnect the D container from the inner cavity.

[0130] The embodiments described above provide a detailed description of the technical solutions of the present invention. It should be understood that the above are only specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, supplements or similar substitutions made within the scope of the principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a liquid metal elastic electronic device using a 3D printing device, characterized in that: The structure of the liquid metal elastic electronic device is as follows: Liquid metal elastic electronics are located on an elastic insulating substrate; The conductor part of the liquid metal elastic electronic device is liquid metal, the first elastic material is wrapped around the liquid metal to form a first tubular structure, the liquid metal is located inside the tube, and the first elastic material serves as the tube wall; Electrodes are respectively arranged at two ends of the first tubular structure; The electrode comprises an electrode material and a second elastic material, the second elastic material is coated on the periphery of the electrode material to form a second tubular structure coaxial with the first tubular structure, the electrode material is located inside the tube, the second elastic material serves as the tube wall, and the electrode material forms electrical contact with the liquid metal; The 3D printing device includes a three-dimensional motion table, a printing nozzle mounted on the three-dimensional motion table, a support platform for placing an elastic substrate, a first container for holding liquid metal, a second container for holding a fluid electrode material, a third container for holding a fluid elastomer material, and a controller; The print head includes an inner cavity and an outer cavity, wherein the inner cavity is coaxial with the outer cavity, and the outer cavity is arranged outside the inner cavity; The first container can be connected to the inner cavity, that is, the liquid metal in the first container can flow into the inner cavity; The second container may be connected to the inner cavity, that is, the electrode material in the second container may flow into the inner cavity; The third container may be connected to the outer cavity, that is, the elastomeric material in the third container may flow into the outer cavity; The controller is used to control the movement of the three-dimensional motion table in space, the communication between the first container, the second container and the inner cavity, and the communication between the third container and the outer cavity; The preparation method comprises the following steps: Under the instruction of the controller, the three-dimensional motion stage drives the printing nozzle to move in the space above the area to be printed on the elastic substrate; (1) The controller controls the second container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container to be connected to the outer cavity, and the three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the second tubular structure to 3D print the second tubular structure; (2) The controller controls the first container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container to be connected to the outer cavity, and the three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the first tubular structure to 3D print the first tubular structure; (3) The controller controls the second container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container to be connected to the outer cavity. The three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the second tubular structure to 3D print the second tubular structure.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid metal elastic electronic device is one or more of a conductor, an electrode, a capacitor, a dot matrix, a coil, and a strain gauge.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fluid state includes one or more of liquid, melt, solution, and turbid liquid.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the electrode material is a block material or a wire material, the second container is provided with a heating and heat preservation device.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second container is integrated in the inner cavity, and a heating and heat preservation device is provided in the inner cavity; the electrode material wire is wound on a reel, and the reel can be connected to the inner cavity, and the controller controls the reel to connect to the inner cavity.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the elastomeric material is solid at room temperature and is heated and melted, the third container is provided with a heating and heat preservation device; When the elastic material is in a fluid state at room temperature and is cured by heating, the support platform is provided with a heating device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the elastic material is solid at room temperature and melts when heated, the support platform is provided with a cooling device.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The third container includes more than two containers for containing elastic materials of different hardness, and each container can be connected to the outer cavity.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller is also used to control the rate at which the liquid metal, the electrode material, the elastomeric material flows into the inner cavity, and / or the rate at which the elastomeric material flows into the outer cavity.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the electrode material is doped into the liquid metal in the first tubular structure, in the step (2), the controller also controls the second container to communicate with the inner cavity.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hardness of the second elastic material is greater than the hardness of the first elastic material; The third container includes two, namely, a third container A and a third container B. The hardness of the elastic material contained in the third container A is less than the hardness of the elastic material contained in the third container B. Both containers can be connected to the outer cavity. The steps (1) and (3) are as follows: The controller controls the second container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container B to be connected to the outer cavity, and the three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern track of the second tubular structure to 3D print the second tubular structure; The step (2) is as follows: The controller controls the first container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container A to be connected to the outer cavity. The three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the first tubular structure to 3D print the first tubular structure.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that: In the pattern formed by the first tubular structure on the elastic insulating substrate, the hardness of the first elastic material at the corner portion is greater than the hardness of the first elastic material at the remaining portion; the step (2) is as follows: (2) The controller controls the first container to be connected to the inner cavity, and the third container A to be connected to the outer cavity. The three-dimensional motion table drives the print head to move along the pattern trajectory of the first tubular structure to be printed. When the print head is in the corner area, the controller controls the third container B to be connected to the inner cavity. When the print head is in the area outside the corner, the controller controls the third container A to be connected to the inner cavity.

13. A method for preparing a liquid metal elastic electronic device using a 3D printing device, characterized in that: The structure of the liquid metal elastic electronic device is as follows: The conductor part of the liquid metal elastic electronic device is a composite material composed of liquid metal and a third elastic material, the first elastic material is wrapped around the composite material to form a first tubular structure, the composite material is located inside the tube, and the first elastic material serves as the tube wall; Electrodes are respectively arranged at two ends of the first tubular structure; The electrode comprises an electrode material and a second elastic material, the second elastic material is coated on the periphery of the electrode material to form a second tubular structure coaxial with the first tubular structure, the electrode material is located inside the tube, the second elastic material serves as the tube wall, and the electrode material forms electrical contact with the liquid metal; The 3D printing device includes a three-dimensional motion table, a printing nozzle mounted on the three-dimensional motion table, a support platform for placing an elastic substrate, a first container for holding liquid metal, a second container for holding a fluid electrode material, a third container for holding a fluid elastomer material, and a controller; The print head includes an inner cavity and an outer cavity, wherein the inner cavity is coaxial with the outer cavity, and the outer cavity is arranged outside the inner cavity; The first container can be connected to the inner cavity, that is, the liquid metal in the first container can flow into the inner cavity; The second container may be connected to the inner cavity, that is, the electrode material in the second container may flow into the inner cavity; The third container can communicate with the outer cavity, that is, the elastic material in the third container can flow to the inner cavity and the outer cavity; The controller is used to control the movement of the three-dimensional motion table in space, the communication between the first container, the second container, the third container and the inner cavity, and the communication between the third container and the outer cavity; The preparation method comprises the following steps: Under the instruction of the controller, the three-dimensional motion stage drives the printing nozzle to move in the space above the area to be printed on the elastic substrate; (1) The controller controls the second container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container to be connected to the outer cavity, and the three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the second tubular structure to 3D print the second tubular structure; (2) The controller controls the first container to be connected to the inner cavity, the third container to be connected to the inner cavity, the liquid metal and the third elastomer to be mixed, and the third container to be connected to the outer cavity. The three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the first tubular structure, and 3D prints the first tubular structure; (3) The controller controls the second container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container to be connected to the outer cavity. The three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the second tubular structure to 3D print the second tubular structure.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that: The liquid metal elastic electronic device is one or more of a conductor, an electrode, a capacitor, a dot matrix, a coil, and a strain gauge.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that: The fluid state includes one or more of liquid, melt, solution, and turbid liquid.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein: When the electrode material is a block material or a wire material, the second container is provided with a heating and heat preservation device.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein: The second container is integrated in the inner cavity, and a heating and heat preservation device is provided in the inner cavity; the electrode material wire is wound on a reel, and the reel can be connected to the inner cavity, and the controller controls the reel to connect to the inner cavity.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein: When the elastomeric material is solid at room temperature and is heated and melted, the third container is provided with a heating and heat preservation device; When the elastic material is in a fluid state at room temperature and is cured by heating, the support platform is provided with a heating device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein: When the elastic material is solid at room temperature and melts when heated, the support platform is provided with a cooling device.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein: The third container includes more than two containers for containing elastic materials of different hardness, and each container can be connected to the outer cavity.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein: The controller is also used to control the rate at which the liquid metal, the electrode material, the elastomeric material flows into the inner cavity, and / or the rate at which the elastomeric material flows into the outer cavity.

22. The preparation method according to claim 13, characterized in that: When the electrode material is doped into the liquid metal in the first tubular structure, in the step (2), the controller also controls the second container to communicate with the inner cavity.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein: The hardness of the second elastic material is greater than the hardness of the first elastic material; The third container includes three containers, namely, a third container A, a third container B and a third container C. The third container A contains the first elastic material, the third container B contains the second elastic material, and the third container C contains the third elastic material. The three containers can be connected to the outer cavity. The steps (1) and (3) are as follows: The controller controls the second container to be connected to the inner cavity and the third container B to be connected to the outer cavity, and the three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern track of the second tubular structure to 3D print the second tubular structure; The step (2) is as follows: The controller controls the first container to be connected to the inner cavity, the third container C to be connected to the inner cavity, the liquid metal and the third elastic body to be mixed in the inner cavity, and the third container A to be connected to the outer cavity; The three-dimensional motion platform drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the first tubular structure to 3D print the first tubular structure.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein: In the pattern formed by the first tubular structure on the elastic insulating substrate, the hardness of the first elastic material at the corner portion is greater than the hardness of the first elastic material at the remaining portion, and the step (2) is as follows: The controller controls the first container to be connected to the inner cavity, the third container C to be connected to the inner cavity, the liquid metal and the third elastomer are mixed in the inner cavity, and the three-dimensional motion table drives the printing nozzle to move along the pattern trajectory of the first tubular structure to be printed. When the printing nozzle is in the corner area, the controller controls the third container B to be connected to the outer cavity. When the printing nozzle is in the area outside the corner, the controller controls the third container A to be connected to the outer cavity.

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