Electronic skin and electronic device

Abstract

The present specification discloses an electronic skin and an electronic device. The electronic skin provided by the present specification comprises an energy storage layer, a support layer and a protective layer arranged from inside to outside; the energy storage layer is used for storing energy and providing the stored energy for a machine to which the electronic skin belongs; the support layer is used for supporting the shape of the electronic skin and protecting the energy storage layer; and the protective layer is used for protecting the electronic skin. The electronic skin provided by the present specification additionally increases the energy storage function while ensuring the original protection of the skin on the electronic device. Through the design of the energy storage layer, the electronic skin can provide additional energy for the electronic device without occupying additional space, thereby achieving the extension of the endurance time of the electronic device and the optimization of the overall structure of the electronic device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to the field of electronic design technology, and in particular to an electronic skin and electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most common electronic skins possess one or more functions such as protection, color change, and sensing. However, given the ever-increasing demands, the existing electronic skins are still relatively simple in function and insufficient to support electronic devices in performing complex tasks that require long-term operation.

[0003] Therefore, designing an electronic skin that can support electronic devices in performing complex tasks over long periods of time is an urgent problem to be solved. Utility Model Content

[0004] This specification provides an electronic skin and an electronic device to at least partially solve the aforementioned problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] The following technical solution is adopted in this specification:

[0006] This specification provides an electronic skin, consisting of an energy storage layer, a support layer, and a protective layer arranged from the inside out.

[0007] The energy storage layer is used to store energy and to provide the stored energy to the machinery to which the electronic skin belongs;

[0008] The support layer is used to support the shape of the electronic skin and protect the energy storage layer;

[0009] The protective layer is used to protect the electronic skin.

[0010] Optionally, the electronic skin further includes a first functional layer disposed between the support layer and the protective layer;

[0011] The first functional layer is used to collect the sensing information of the electronic skin.

[0012] Optionally, the electronic skin further includes a second functional layer disposed between the support layer and the protective layer;

[0013] The second functional layer is used to control the temperature of the electronic skin.

[0014] Optionally, the electronic skin further includes an adhesive;

[0015] The various skin layers of the electronic skin are bonded and sealed together by the adhesive.

[0016] Optionally, the energy storage layer is made of a flexible energy storage material.

[0017] Optionally, the support layer is made of a structural strength material.

[0018] Optionally, the protective layer is made of a flexible insulating material.

[0019] Optionally, the first functional layer is composed of a sensor and a flexible filler material.

[0020] Optionally, the functional layer is composed of temperature control components and flexible filler.

[0021] This specification provides an electronic device, at least a portion of the surface of which is covered by the aforementioned electronic skin.

[0022] The above-mentioned technical solutions adopted in this specification can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0023] The electronic skin provided in this specification includes an energy storage layer, a support layer, and a protective layer arranged from the inside out; the energy storage layer is used to store energy and provide the stored energy to the machinery to which the electronic skin belongs; the support layer is used to support the shape of the electronic skin and protect the energy storage layer; the protective layer is used to protect the electronic skin.

[0024] The electronic skin provided in this manual, while maintaining the skin's original protective function for the machinery, adds an energy storage function. Through the design of the energy storage layer, the electronic skin can provide additional energy to the machinery without occupying extra space, thereby extending the machinery's battery life and optimizing the overall structure of the electronic device. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this specification and form part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this specification, but do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic skin described in this specification;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic skin that additionally includes a first functional layer, as described in this specification.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic skin that additionally includes a second functional layer, as described in this specification.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an electronic skin structure that simultaneously includes a first functional layer and a second functional layer, as described in this specification.

[0030] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic skin containing a composite functional layer, as described in this specification. Detailed Implementation

[0031] As software systems continue to upgrade, various hardware components of electronic devices are also constantly being updated and replaced. Among them, power supply components for energy storage have become relatively mature. Due to the versatility of power supply components in various electronic products, the power supply of electronic devices can usually directly adopt mature power supply systems from other fields, such as power modules similar to those used in drones and new energy vehicles.

[0032] Taking robots as an example, current robots use traditional centralized, independent power batteries, typically in the form of battery packs or battery compartments as separate energy storage modules to provide power to the robot. The types of battery cells are mostly prismatic / cylindrical / pouch lithium batteries, prismatic lead-acid batteries, fuel cells, etc. Regardless of the type of battery, they all occupy a considerable amount of space in the robot's overall structure. Until there are significant breakthroughs in battery material technology, improving the robot's endurance can only be achieved by increasing the battery's power output through larger batteries. This approach inevitably leads to reduced space for other internal components or an increased overall size of the robot, thus reducing its performance.

[0033] In order to improve the robot's endurance without reducing its performance, this specification proposes an electronic skin with energy storage function, based on the energy storage function of human skin.

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this specification clearer, the technical solutions of this specification will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this specification, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in this specification without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0035] The technical solutions provided in the various embodiments of this specification are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic skin described in this specification, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the electronic skin includes an energy storage layer 1, a support layer 2, and a protective layer 3 arranged from the inside out;

[0037] The energy storage layer 1 is used to store energy and provide stored energy to the machinery to which the electronic skin belongs; the support layer 2 is used to support the shape of the electronic skin and protect the energy storage layer 1; the protective layer 3 is used to protect the electronic skin.

[0038] The electronic skin provided in this application can be applied to any machine that requires electrical power. For ease of understanding, this specification mainly uses its application in robots as an example.

[0039] In the electronic skin provided in this specification, the energy storage layer 1 is used to store energy and provide the stored energy to the robot when needed. The energy storage layer 1 is located on the innermost side of the electronic skin, that is, the side closest to the inside of the robot, to prevent it from being affected by factors such as collision, wear, and erosion, which could affect its energy storage performance.

[0040] By connecting to the power control module installed on the robot, the charging and discharging functions of the energy storage layer 1 can be controlled. The power control module can be installed in any structure of the robot in any form, and this specification does not impose any specific restrictions. Furthermore, if the robot already carries a power supply, the energy storage layer 1 and the power supply can share the same power control module without requiring additional configuration.

[0041] The energy storage layer 1 can be entirely made of flexible battery materials. Specifically, the electrode portion can use carbon-based materials with high conductivity and flexibility, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes; conductive polymers whose flexibility can be enhanced through chemical modification, such as polyaniline and polypyrrole; or metal / nanomaterials that achieve bending performance through ultra-thin design, such as silver nanowires and copper foil. The electrolyte portion can use gel polymer electrolytes that simultaneously possess the ionic conductivity of liquid electrolytes and the flexibility of solid electrolytes; or solid electrolytes such as oxides or sulfides. The encapsulation substrate can use flexible polymers such as polyimide and polyethylene terephthalate; or elastic materials such as silicone.

[0042] The energy storage layer 1, made of flexible battery material, can achieve energy storage while having good deformation capability, conforming to the shape of the robot to the greatest extent, thereby avoiding hindering the robot from making movements.

[0043] In the electronic skin provided in this specification, the support layer 2 is used to support the shape of the electronic skin and protect the energy storage layer 1 located inside it. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the support layer 2 is the middle layer of the electronic skin, which is disposed between the energy storage layer 1 and the protective layer 3.

[0044] Support layer 2 can be made entirely of structural strength materials, such as lightweight, high-strength metals like aluminum alloys and magnesium alloys, or composite materials with high specific strength like carbon fiber. Structural strength materials typically possess good mechanical properties, such as high strength, high stiffness, high toughness, and fatigue resistance. These materials can withstand large loads or complex stress environments, ensuring structural integrity under stress and preventing fractures or plastic deformation.

[0045] Based on the characteristics of structural strength materials, the support layer 2 can provide additional protection for the inner energy storage layer 1 while fixing the shape of the electronic skin, thereby further enhancing the stability of the electronic skin's power supply.

[0046] In the electronic skin provided in this specification, the protective layer 3 is disposed on the outermost side of the electronic skin, that is, the side exposed to air, to protect the electronic skin. The protective layer 3 mainly provides protective functions such as insulation, abrasion resistance, aging resistance, and corrosion resistance.

[0047] The protective layer 3 can be made of flexible insulating film materials, such as various polymer-based insulating films and composite insulating films. Flexible insulating film materials can maintain stable insulation performance under bending, folding, and stretching conditions, while also possessing properties such as high temperature and high pressure resistance and chemical corrosion resistance. It can both protect the robot's skin and not restrict the robot's movement.

[0048] More preferably, in one specific embodiment, the electronic skin provided in this specification further includes a first functional layer 4, which is disposed between the support layer 2 and the protective layer 3; the first functional layer 4 is used to collect the sensing information of the electronic skin.

[0049] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an electronic skin structure that additionally includes a first functional layer, as provided in this specification. Figure 2 As shown, in this specific embodiment, the electronic skin also includes a first functional layer 4 disposed between the support layer 2 and the protective layer 3, which can be used to collect sensing information on the electronic skin.

[0050] The first functional layer 4 can be composed of sensors and flexible filler material. The flexible filler material forms the main body of the first functional layer 4, and the sensors can be placed at various locations within the first functional layer 4 according to specific requirements. The flexible filler material can be any flexible material that will not interfere with the sensor's data acquisition function, and the sensor itself can also be made of flexible materials, such as various flexible polymer materials.

[0051] In the first functional layer 4, various sensors can be installed, including but not limited to pressure sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, and light sensors. Simultaneously, each sensor can be connected to the perception and control module installed on the robot via wired or wireless connections. The perception and control module can collect and process the various sensor information acquired by the first functional layer 4. The perception and control module can be installed independently on the robot or integrated with other existing computing modules on the robot; this specification does not impose specific limitations in this regard.

[0052] More preferably, in one specific embodiment, the electronic skin provided in this specification further includes a second functional layer 5, which is disposed between the support layer 2 and the protective layer 3; the second functional layer 5 is used to control the temperature of the electronic skin.

[0053] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an electronic skin structure that additionally includes a second functional layer 5, as provided in this specification. Figure 3 As shown, in this specific embodiment, the electronic skin also includes a second functional layer 5 disposed between the support layer 2 and the protective layer 3, which can be used to control the temperature on the electronic skin.

[0054] The second functional layer 5 can be composed of temperature-controlling components and flexible filler material. Unlike the first functional layer 4, the main body of the second functional layer 5 is a temperature-controlling component made of flexible material, rather than a flexible filler material. Unlike the function of sensing information acquisition, the temperature control function requires temperature-controlling components to be evenly distributed throughout the skin to achieve uniform temperature control of the entire electronic skin. Therefore, the temperature-controlling components need to occupy most or even all of the space in the second functional layer 5, while the flexible filler material accounts for a smaller proportion. The flexible material used to make the temperature-controlling components can be a stable material that possesses both good thermal properties and flexibility, such as phase change materials, thermoelectric materials, or highly thermally conductive flexible composite materials.

[0055] The temperature control components included in the second functional layer 5 can also be connected to the temperature control module installed on the robot, so that the temperature control module can issue instructions to the second functional layer 5 to adjust the skin temperature.

[0056] More preferably, in one specific embodiment, the electronic skin provided in this specification may simultaneously include the first functional layer 4 and the second functional layer 5 described above. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an electronic skin structure that simultaneously includes a first functional layer 4 and a second functional layer 5, as provided in this specification. Figure 4 As shown, both the first functional layer 4 and the second functional layer 5 can be disposed between the support layer 2 and the protective layer 3. The relative positions of the first functional layer 4 and the second functional layer 5 can be arbitrarily set, that is, their positions can be interchanged.

[0057] Furthermore, when both the first functional layer 4 and the second functional layer 5 are used simultaneously, they can be combined into a composite functional layer 6. Figure 5 This specification provides a schematic diagram of an electronic skin comprising a composite functional layer 6, as shown below. Figure 5 As shown, the first functional layer 4 and the second functional layer 5 are combined into a composite functional layer 6, which is disposed between the support layer 2 and the protective layer 3. At this time, the composite functional layer 6 can simultaneously contain sensors and temperature control components, thereby realizing the functions of sensor information acquisition and temperature control.

[0058] It is worth mentioning that when using both the first functional layer 4 and the second functional layer 5, the sensing and control module corresponding to the first functional layer 4 and the temperature control module corresponding to the second functional layer 5 can be set up separately or combined into a single module, performing two different functions simultaneously. Furthermore, both can be combined with other existing computing modules on the robot, either separately or simultaneously, to further optimize the robot's structure.

[0059] Based on the ideas provided in this manual, without affecting the basic functions and energy storage functions of the electronic skin, functional layers that can achieve other functions, such as color changing and information transmission, can be added according to specific needs. This manual does not impose specific restrictions on this.

[0060] Additionally, in one specific embodiment, the various skin layers of the electronic skin provided in this specification can be bonded and sealed using an adhesive. The adhesive can be made of materials such as flexible silicone rubber, and can serve both as an adhesive and as a sealant at the joints between the skin layers.

[0061] The electronic skin provided in this manual adds energy storage functionality while maintaining the robot's original protective function. Through the design of the energy storage layer, the electronic skin can provide additional energy to the robot without occupying extra space, thereby extending the robot's battery life and optimizing its overall structure.

[0062] It should be noted that all the structural diagrams of the electronic skin provided in this manual are only for illustrating a segment of the electronic skin, and their shapes are not equivalent to the shapes of the complete electronic skin in actual applications. In actual applications, the structures of the complete electronic skin are identical throughout, and all can be designed according to the structural designs given in the accompanying drawings. The shape, size, and other parameters of the electronic skin can be designed according to specific requirements, and this manual does not impose specific restrictions on them.

[0063] The above describes an electronic skin with multiple specific embodiments provided in this specification. Based on the same idea, this specification also provides an electronic device, at least a portion of the surface of which is covered by the above-described electronic skin.

[0064] In this embodiment, the electronic device surface is covered by electronic skin in several ways, including by attaching it to the device surface with adhesives or the elasticity of the electronic skin. The electronic device may have some components covered by the electronic skin, or the entire electronic device may be completely covered by the electronic skin; this patent embodiment does not impose any limitations. For example, in the case of a humanoid robot, only the robotic hand or some joint connections are covered with electronic skin.

[0065] This manual has already provided a detailed introduction to the electronic skin, so it will not be repeated here. Electronic devices using the electronic skin provided in this manual can be of any type, such as wheeled robots, legged robots, or flying robots, and can be applied in any field, such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. On one hand, the electronic skin provided in this manual can be used in conjunction with the original power supply of the electronic device, extending the device's operating time without occupying additional space. On the other hand, in scenarios where only short-term operation of the electronic device is required, the electronic skin provided in this manual can be used independently, eliminating the original battery structure and allowing the saved space to be used to replace other hardware, thereby optimizing the structure and performance of the electronic device.

[0066] It should be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0067] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments.

[0068] The above description is merely an embodiment of this specification and is not intended to limit this specification. Various modifications and variations can be made to this specification by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this specification should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. An electronic skin, characterized in that, The electronic skin comprises an energy storage layer, a support layer, and a protective layer arranged from the inside out. The energy storage layer is used to store energy and to provide the stored energy to the machinery to which the electronic skin belongs; The support layer is used to support the shape of the electronic skin and protect the energy storage layer; The protective layer is used to protect the electronic skin.

2. The electronic skin as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic skin further includes a first functional layer, which is disposed between the support layer and the protective layer; The first functional layer is used to collect the sensing information of the electronic skin.

3. The electronic skin as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic skin further includes a second functional layer, which is disposed between the support layer and the protective layer; The second functional layer is used to control the temperature of the electronic skin.

4. The electronic skin as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic skin also includes an adhesive; The various skin layers of the electronic skin are bonded and sealed together by the adhesive.

5. The electronic skin as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The energy storage layer is made of flexible energy storage material.

6. The electronic skin as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The support layer is made of a structural strength material.

7. The electronic skin as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The protective layer is made of a flexible insulating material.

8. The electronic skin as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first functional layer consists of a sensor and a flexible filler material.

9. The electronic skin as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The functional layer consists of temperature control components and flexible filler.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, At least a portion of the surface of the electronic device is covered by an electronic skin as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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