Deformable article
Patent Information
- Application Number
- GB2025014576
- Authority / Receiving Office
- GB · GB
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-03-23
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing deformable objects with electronic components face challenges in preventing damage or detachment of these components when the object is deformed, as conventional materials do not adequately secure the electronic components during deformation.
A deformable object with a porous body and stretchable conductor tracks covered by an elastomer, which penetrates into the pores of the body, ensuring a strong mechanical connection and protection of the electronic components during deformation.
The solution effectively prevents damage to electronic components by providing a secure and flexible integration of circuit boards and conductor tracks within the elastomer, allowing the object to deform without compromising the functionality of the embedded electronics.
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Abstract
Description
[0001] Deformable object
[0002] The invention relates to a deformable article comprising a body made of deformable and porous material which is provided with electronic components.
[0003] The object of the invention is to provide an article which is provided with electronic components, wherein the article is to be deformable, wherein damage to the electronic components or detachment thereof is to be prevented when the article is deformed.
[0004] To solve the problem, an article according to claim 1 is proposed.
[0005] In one embodiment, an article is proposed, comprising a body, wherein at least one circuit board and conductor tracks connected to it are present on at least one surface of the body, wherein the body is deformable and at least said surface of the body is porous, wherein the conductor tracks are stretchable and wherein at least the conductor tracks are covered by an elastomer, wherein the elastomer extends into the pores of the surface of the body.
[0006] It is preferred that the elastomer also at least partially covers the circuit board or each of several circuit boards.
[0007] It is preferred that the surface of the body on which the conductor tracks and the circuit boards are present lies at the bottom of a depression in the body, the depression being completely filled with the elastomer.
[0008] In one embodiment, it is provided that the surface of the body on which the conductor tracks and at least one circuit board are located is completely covered with the elastomer.
[0009] In one embodiment, it is provided that an electronic element or a contact surface is present on at least one circuit board, wherein a surface of the electronic element or the contact surface is flush with the surface of the elastomer.
[0010] In one embodiment variant, it is provided that an electronic element is present on at least one circuit board, wherein in the area of the electronic element, instead of the elastomer, a plastic different from the elastomer is present, which extends to the surface of the elastomer.
[0011] It is preferred that the conductor tracks are in the form of cables or wires which have a winding, meandering or bent course.
[0012] It is preferred that the body is stretchable and elastic.
[0013] In one embodiment, a method for producing an object is proposed, comprising a body which is deformable and has at least one porous surface, wherein in a first step at least one circuit board and stretchable conductor tracks connected to it are placed on the porous surface of the body, wherein in a second step at least the conductor tracks are cast with a first material, which first material penetrates into the pores of the surface of the body and which completely covers at least the conductor tracks, wherein in a third step the first material is cured to form an elastomer.
[0014] It is preferred that in the first step, several circuit boards are placed on the porous surface of the body, which circuit boards are connected at least to each other by the stretchable conductor tracks, wherein at least one electronic element is present on each circuit board, and wherein in the second step, the stretchable conductor tracks are completely overmolded and the circuit boards are at least partially overmolded.
[0015] It is preferred that the surface of the body on which the conductor tracks and the at least one circuit board are present lies at the bottom of a depression in the body, wherein the body is already originally manufactured with this depression or is provided with this depression before the first step.
[0016] It is preferred that, in addition to the encapsulation with the first material, encapsulation with a second material takes place, wherein the second material takes place in the region of at least one electronic element which is present on a circuit board, wherein the second material cures to form a plastic which has different properties than the elastomer.
[0017] It is preferred that the potting with the first potting compound is carried out to such an extent that the surface of the elastomer is flush with one or more of the following surfaces: a surface of the body which is raised relative to the surface of the body on which the conductor tracks and the at least one circuit board are present; a surface of a contact surface which is raised on a circuit board; a surface of an electronic element which is raised on a circuit board; a surface of a plastic which is formed by potting with a second material in the region of an electronic element on a circuit board.
[0018] The material of the body is porous, which means that it has a surface structure into which a potting compound or coating applied in a liquid state can penetrate.
[0019] This ensures that the applied layer adheres well to the porous body.
[0020] Preferably, the material of the body has pores with an average pore size of at least 25 pm, particularly preferably at least 100 pm, in particular at least 250 pm.
[0021] The porous body is deformable.
[0022] The porous body can be stretchable.
[0023] The porous body can be elastic.
[0024] The porous body preferably has a flat shape, i.e. a length and width which are each a multiple of the thickness of the body.
[0025] The plane of the body can be regarded in particular as the surface on which the electronic components and the stretchable conductor tracks are located. The electronic components and the stretchable conductor tracks can also be located on a curved surface of the body. In this case, deformable is understood to mean a deformation of the body transverse to the plane or transverse to the surface on which the electronic components are located. For example, bending or folding the body, or indenting the material of the body. Stretchable is understood to mean deformability in the longitudinal or transverse direction of the body, which is accompanied by a dimensional change in the plane of the body, in particular with a dimensional change of the surface on which the electronic components are located. In this case, stretchable is understood to mean in particular a body whose length or width can be extended by a tensile force.Elastic means that the body returns to its original extension after the tensile force or a compressive force is removed.
[0026] The material of the body can be a textile, an open-pore foam, felt, rough leather or a 3D printed lattice structure (three-dimensional grid).
[0027] In one embodiment, the invention comprises a body made of a material that is deformable and porous (textile, open-pore foam, felt, rough leather, 3D printed lattice structure), on the surface of which there are thin circuit boards with electronic functionalities that are connected by stretchable conductor tracks, wherein the thin circuit boards and the stretchable conductor tracks are fixed to the surface of the body by being enclosed in a cured layer of an elastomer (e.g. silicone, polyurethane), wherein a precursor of the elastomer was applied in liquid form and cured on the body, wherein a part of the elastomer penetrated the pores of the material of the body and thus a mechanically strong connection is present.
[0028] Sensors, indicators, and / or actuators can be located on the thin circuit boards, with each board containing one or more of the aforementioned electronic components. In one design variant, the stretchable conductor tracks are arranged as meandering cables.
[0029] The stretchable conductor tracks can be present without insulating material. The stretchable conductor tracks can comprise several individual parallel cables, each having its own insulating sheath. Several conductor tracks can be present together in an elastic insulating material that electrically insulates the several electrical conductor tracks from one another and preferably also from the outside. However, the electrical conductor tracks can also be present uninsulated on the surface of a substrate in the form of a stretchable band. The electrical conductor tracks themselves can consist of elastic conductive material. However, the electrical conductor tracks can also be arranged such that they can be pulled apart due to a winding or folded course. The conductor tracks can be printed onto a stretchable substrate. The conductor tracks can be in the form of wires or stranded cables.The conductor tracks can be provided as elastic conductive fibers, for example, by wrapping a metallic wire around an elastic fiber. The conductor tracks can each be insulated and attached to a stretchable substrate.
[0030] The elastomer is deformable, stretchable, and elastic. The elastomer can be silicone or polyurethane, for example.
[0031] The elastomer preferably covers the thin circuit boards and the conductor tracks completely.
[0032] The material of the conductor tracks is preferably a conductive metal, especially aluminum, copper, silver, or gold, with copper being particularly preferred. Carbon black and conductive polymers can also be used.
[0033] In one design variant, sensor surfaces, contact surfaces, display surfaces, display elements or actuators protrude from the elastomer or are flush with the surface of the elastomer.
[0034] The article can be in the form of a textile rubberized by the elastomer, with conductor tracks and circuit boards embedded in the rubber coating.
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, there are depressions in the surface of the object, wherein the circuit boards and stretchable conductor tracks are inserted into these depressions, wherein the depressions are completely filled with liquid precursor of the elastomer, so that the surface is continuous again and the circuit boards and conductor tracks are enclosed.
[0036] The body can already be manufactured with the recesses, for example, if it is a 3D-printed body, or if the body is manufactured in a mold, for example, from foam. The recesses can also be created in the body through an additional processing step, for example, by cutting, milling, or laser ablation.
[0037] Preferably, the elastic moduli of the body and the elastomer are matched. The deviation between the two elastic moduli is preferably less than 10%. In one variant, the body and the elastomer have the same elastic modulus.
[0038] In one variant, at least one circuit board contains a pressure sensor, humidity sensor, strain sensor, temperature sensor or chemical sensor or a combination of several of these sensors.
[0039] In one variant, at least one circuit board contains an LED, an actuator or an electrode to send current pulses, or a combination of several of these elements.
[0040] In one variant, the object is worn on the human body, for example as a garment, insole, or headband. In another variant, the object is a cushion, pillow, seat cushion, or mattress.
[0041] In one variant, at least two different materials are used for casting the components, wherein a first material cures to form an elastomer and a second material is used for casting in the area above at least one circuit board, which second material is different from the first material so that it cures to form a plastic with different properties than the elastomer.
[0042] Preferably, a layer of the second material is applied over a sensor on a circuit board instead of the first material of the elastomer, which second material cures into a plastic that allows better transmission of the sensor's measurement signal. In one embodiment, a second material is applied over a pressure sensor and cures into a plastic with a harder finish than the elastomer. In one embodiment, an air- or water-permeable plastic made from the second material is applied over a humidity sensor, pH sensor, or chemical sensor. In the case of a light sensor or a display element such as one or more LEDs, a plastic made from the second material can be used that is more transparent than the elastomer.
[0043] The elastomer may be opaque.
[0044] The elastomer can be transparent or translucent.
[0045] The elastomer is preferably liquid-tight.
[0046] The elastomer is preferably airtight.
[0047] The boards can form a network comprising several individual boards which are present at nodes of the network and are connected to each other by the stretchable conductor tracks.
[0048] In one embodiment, the network comprises a plurality of individual circuit boards and a plurality of stretchable connecting elements, each of which comprises at least one conductor track, wherein the individual circuit boards are connected to the stretchable connecting elements to form a two-dimensional grid structure.
[0049] A body is understood to mean, in particular, a physical body or physical object.
[0050] The body preferably has a two-dimensionally curved surface. The body is preferably an object or a part of an object and not the body or a body part of a human or animal.
[0051] In one variant, the substrate material of the circuit boards can be a material that is stretchable in two dimensions. In another variant, the substrate material is not stretchable.
[0052] The body is preferably deformable (intrinsically soft or thermoplastic).
[0053] In one embodiment, the circuit board comprises a non-conductive carrier material on which at least one conductor track is located. The conductor track is formed from conductive material applied to the carrier material.
[0054] In one embodiment, the circuit boards comprise a non-conductive carrier material that can be penetrated by the elastomer precursor and / or the second material, which forms a different plastic. The carrier material is preferably in the form of a thin, flat layer, for example in the form of a sheet or strip. A penetrable carrier material is understood to be a carrier material that has openings that extend from one side of the carrier material to the other. The penetrable carrier material can be a film, a woven fabric, a nonwoven, a fiber mat, or an open-cell foam or sponge. The material can initially be produced as a dense layer and then made into a penetrable carrier material through perforations. For example, a film can be made into a penetrable carrier material through perforation.The penetrable carrier material can be made of paper, fabric, glass fibers, mineral fibers or non-conductive plastic.
[0055] Preferably, the carrier material of the circuit boards is a maximum of 2000 pm thick, particularly preferably a maximum of 500 pm, in particular a maximum of 50 pm.
[0056] The carrier material preferably has an average pore size of at least 1 pm, particularly preferably at least 10 pm, in particular at least 100 pm.
[0057] However, the circuit boards can also be non-porous.
[0058] Preferably, the boards have an area in the range of 1 to 100 mm 2 Preferably, the maximum extension (length or diameter) of the circuit board in the plane of the body's surface is 10 mm or less. Preferably, the minimum extension (width or diameter) of the circuit board in the plane of the body's surface is at least 0.5 mm.
[0059] The layer thickness of the elastomer is preferably between 0.2 and 2 mm.
[0060] Preferably, the height of the conductor tracks is between 20 and 500 pm.
[0061] Preferably, the width of a conductor track is between 20 and 500 pm.
[0062] Preferably, the width of several parallel conductor tracks on the surface of the body is between 0.2 and 2 mm.
[0063] Preferably, the thickness of the porous body is between 1 and 100 mm.
[0064] In one embodiment, the elastomer covers only a partial area of the body, wherein the elastomer is present only in an area of the surface of the body adjacent to the conductor tracks and preferably in another area of the surface of the body adjacent to the circuit boards.
[0065] This ensures that the surface of the body not covered by the elastomer retains its properties. In particular, the surface of the body not covered by the elastomer can provide better grip for attaching an additional layer than the elastomer.
[0066] In one variant, an additional layer is applied over the elastomer. This additional layer can, for example, be a solid material and glued to the body. The additional layer can be a covering layer, particularly made of fabric or leather.
[0067] In one variant, the additional layer is applied while the elastomer is still liquid.
[0068] The further layer can, for example, be a solid and glued onto the body.
[0069] The additional layer can be porous or at least have a porous surface facing the elastomer. In one embodiment, a further layer, particularly in the form of a porous additional layer, placed on top of the not yet fully cured elastomer is fixed by the fully cured elastomer. An example of this is a foam insole as a porous body, to which a further layer in the form of a fabric cover layer is usually glued.
[0070] The invention is illustrated by drawings:
[0071] Fig. 1: Schematically illustrates a first embodiment of an exemplary object.
[0072] Fig. 2: Schematically illustrates a second embodiment of an exemplary object.
[0073] Fig. 3: Schematically illustrates a third embodiment of an exemplary object.
[0074] Fig. 4: Schematically illustrates a fourth embodiment of an exemplary object.
[0075] Fig. 5: Schematically illustrates the fourth embodiment of an exemplary object in an alternative representation.
[0076] Fig. 6: Schematically illustrates a fifth embodiment of an exemplary object.
[0077] Fig. 7: Schematically illustrates a sixth embodiment of an exemplary object.
[0078] Fig. 8: Illustrates a variant in which a recess is adapted to the shape of the conductor tracks and circuit boards.
[0079] Fig. 9: Illustrates a variant in which the elastomer covers only a part of the surface.
[0080] Fig. 10: Illustrates a variant in which there is an additional layer above the elastomer.
[0081] The embodiments shown in the figures merely illustrate possible embodiments. It should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to these specifically illustrated embodiments. Combinations of the individual embodiments with one another and a combination of an embodiment with the general description above are also possible. These further possible combinations do not need to be explicitly mentioned, since these further possible combinations are within the skill of the person skilled in this technical field, based on the teachings of the technical practice provided by the present invention.
[0082] In the figures, the expandable conductor tracks 4 are depicted as winding conductors, which is a preferred but not mandatory design variant. The illustrated conductor tracks 4 run in a winding or bent configuration, so that the individual sections of the conductor tracks 4 run transversely or not parallel to their longitudinal direction. When the length of the conductor tracks 4 changes, the angle of the individual sections of the conductor tracks 4 to the longitudinal direction changes, but the cross-section and length of the conductor tracks 4 do not. As a result, the electrical resistance of the conductor tracks 4 remains constant despite the change in length.
[0083] The figures illustrate various embodiments, each comprising a porous body 1 on which at least one circuit board 3 and at least one conductor track 4 are located. The circuit board 3 and conductor track 4 are enclosed in an elastomer 2, which is cured by casting a precursor of the elastomer in the form of a first liquid material. The liquid material penetrates the pores of the body 1 to achieve good mechanical stability.
[0084] As shown, preferably several circuit boards 3 are embedded in the elastomer 2. The conductor tracks 4 connect the circuit boards 3 to each other.
[0085] Additionally, conductor tracks 4 may be present, which run from a circuit board 3 to the outside of the body 1 or the elastomer 2. The conductor tracks 4 may also lead, as shown, to an outer edge located between the body 1 and the elastomer 2. An interface may also be present in the elastomer 2, for example in the form of a socket or a plug, which is contacted by conductor tracks 4. In one embodiment, the object has a socket and a plug.
[0086] Central electronics (not shown) can be present in the body 1 or in the elastomer 2 or outside the body 1, which can communicate with ICs (integrated circuits) on all circuit boards 3 via the conductor tracks 4. The ICs on the circuit boards 3 are preferably a combination of sensors, actuators, display elements, ADCs, DACs, analog signal processing elements and microcontrollers, which together can assume measuring, control and / or display functions at the position of the circuit boards 3, which are controlled or read out by the central electronics. An interface can optionally be present on the central electronics. The interface can provide power and / or data transmission with the central electronics. The power and / or data transmission can be contactless, so that the interface can be completely enclosed in the body 1 and / or the elastomer 2.The interface can be in the form of a socket to enable wired power and / or data transmission. The central electronics can comprise a battery or other energy storage device. The central electronics can optionally be inserted into a recess in the body 1 or encased in the material of the body 1. The central electronics can be integrated into a 3D-printed body 1 during the printing process.
[0087] At least one electronic element 5 is arranged on the respective circuit board 3, in particular in the form of a sensor, actuator or display element.
[0088] For the sake of simplicity, the body 1 is depicted in the figures as a flat or plate-shaped element. The body 1 may have a different shape. The surface of the body 1, on which the circuit boards 3 and conductor tracks 4 are located, may also have a curved profile. The circuit boards 3 may also be located at different levels of the body 1 than the conductor tracks 4. Multiple circuit boards 3 may also be located at different levels relative to one another. Unevenness, curvatures, or a structure of the body 1 can be compensated for during encapsulation, so that the elastomer 2 forms a flat, smooth surface.
[0089] The elastomer 2 is shown transparent in Figs. 1-4 so that the components hidden beneath are visible in the figures. The actual elastomer 2 can be transparent, translucent, or opaque.
[0090] The differences between the different versions will be discussed below.
[0091] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the circuit boards 3 and conductor tracks 4 can be placed on a continuous surface of the body 1 and subsequently overmolded with the first material, which serves to form the elastomer 2, and thereby fixed to the body 1. The surface of the body 1, on which the circuit boards 3 and conductor tracks 4 are present, is preferably completely covered by the elastomer 2. For this purpose, the body 1 can be placed in a mold and overmolded with the elastomer.
[0092] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the circuit boards 3 and conductor tracks 4 can be present in a recess 6 in the body 1. The recess 6 is preferably designed to be larger in area than the circuit comprising circuit boards 3 and conductor tracks 4 present in the recess. The circuit boards 3 and the conductor tracks 4 are preferably spaced from the flanks of the recess 6 on all sides. In one embodiment, the flanks of the recess 6 are oriented obliquely outwards and towards the center of the recess 6. The flanks of the recess 6 can also have undercuts. The flanks of the recess 6 can be porous. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the circuit boards 3 and conductor tracks 4 can be placed on a continuous surface of the recess 6 in the body 1 and subsequently cast over by the first material, which serves to form the elastomer 2, and thereby fixed to the body 1. In Fig. 2, the elastomer 2 is limited to the area of the recess 6.The surface of the elastomer 2 is preferably flush with the surface of the body 1 surrounding the recess 6.
[0093] The embodiment variant of Fig. 3 differs in that the elastomer 2 covers the area of the recess 6 and the surface of the body 1 surrounding the recess.
[0094] In Figs. 2 and 3, the recess 6 is shown open on one side. However, the recess 6 can advantageously have a flank on all sides, i.e., be enclosed on all sides by the surface of the body 1. In this case, the recess 6 itself can serve as a casting mold.
[0095] In Figs. 4-6 the casting with different materials is illustrated, although this can of course also be carried out with variants with recess 6.
[0096] In place of at least one electronic element 5 of at least one circuit board 3, a plastic 7 is present which differs from the elastomer 2 in at least one property. This can be achieved by first potting the circuit board 3, for example by placing the circuit board 3, which has not yet been placed on the body 1, in a mold or by placing a mold that is open on both sides on the circuit board 3 (before or after it has been placed on the body 1). This mold is then filled with the second potting compound and removed after it has at least partially hardened to form the plastic 7. Potting can then take place with the first potting material to form the elastomer 2.
[0097] However, this can also be achieved by first encapsulating the elastomer 2, whereby a protective body, e.g., a mold open on both sides, is placed on the circuit board 3, which creates a space for the second encapsulation material. After the elastomer 2 has at least partially cured, the protective body can be removed, and the remaining space can be filled with the second encapsulation material.
[0098] The space for the second encapsulating material can be smaller than the surface area of the circuit board 3, equal to the surface area of the circuit board 3, or larger than the circuit board 3. The circuit board 3 can be porous or provided with at least one opening so that the second encapsulating compound can penetrate the circuit board 3 to bond with the underlying porous material of the body 1. In Fig. 4, the elastomer 2 and the plastic 7 are shown transparent. In Fig. 5, the elastomer 2 is opaque and the plastic 7 is transparent. This is preferred when the electronic elements 5 are optical components.
[0099] Fig. 6 shows this embodiment in a sectional view. As shown, the circuit boards 3 and their electronic elements 5 can be completely covered by the elastomer 2 and the plastic 7. As is also illustrated in Fig. 6, different second potting compounds can be used, so that a first plastic 7 is present on a first circuit board 3 and a second plastic 8 is present on another circuit board 3, which differ from each other in at least one property. Furthermore, it is also possible for several different plastics 7, 8 to be present on a circuit board 3, which cover different electronic elements 5. The at least one property of the plastic 7, 8 is preferably selected depending on the type of electronic element 5.
[0100] Fig. 7 illustrates another embodiment variant in which at least one electronic element 5 on at least one circuit board 3 is flush with the surface of the elastomer 2. For example, an electrode or other electrically conductive contact surface may also be present on the circuit board 3, which is flush with the surface of the elastomer 2.
[0101] Fig. 7 also illustrates a variant embodiment in which at least one electronic element 5 on at least one circuit board 3 protrudes beyond the surface of the elastomer 2. For example, an electrode or other electrically conductive contact surface may also be present on the circuit board 3, which protrudes beyond the surface of the elastomer 2.
[0102] An additional interface can also be arranged so that it is completely enclosed by the elastomer 2, with the connecting pins, connecting wires, a socket, or a plug of the interface protruding vertically from the elastomer. The interface can also be in the form of a transmission coil on the surface of the body 1 and covered by the elastomer 2.
[0103] Fig. 7 illustrates another embodiment variant in which an electronic element 5 or another component, which is present on a circuit board 3 and protrudes from the surface of the elastomer 2 or is flush with it, is designed with a widened region 9, which widened region 9 is covered by the elastomer 2. This allows the electronic element 5 or the other component (e.g., an interface) to be anchored in the elastomer 2. In one embodiment variant, the widened region 9 is porous or provided with openings and can be penetrated by the potting compound of the elastomer 2 and / or a plastic 7, 8.
[0104] In the embodiments of Figs. 8 and 9, the elastomer 2 covers only a partial area of the body 1, wherein the elastomer 2 is present only in an area of the surface of the body 1 adjacent to the conductor tracks 4 and preferably a further area of the surface of the body 1 adjacent to the circuit boards 3.
[0105] In the variant of Fig. 8, the recess 6 is shaped to correspond to the area occupied by the conductor tracks 4 and circuit boards 3. The recess 6 is preferably narrower in the area of the conductor tracks 4 than in the area of the circuit boards 3. The distance between the groove flanks of the recess 6 and the conductor tracks 4 and the circuit boards 3 is preferably between 0.5 and 5 mm.
[0106] In the variant of Fig. 9, the conductor tracks 4 and circuit boards 3 are present on a continuous surface of the body 1, with only a portion of this continuous surface covered by the elastomer 2. This can be achieved by using a casting mold that is open on both sides and has a closed peripheral wall. The surface of the elastomer 2 is preferably shaped to correspond to the area occupied by the conductor tracks 4 and circuit boards 3. The surface of the elastomer 2 is preferably narrower in the area of the conductor tracks 4 than in the area of the circuit boards 3. The distance between the edges of the elastomer 2 and the conductor tracks 4 and the circuit boards 3 is preferably between 0.5 and 5 mm.
[0107] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, a further layer 10 is applied over the elastomer 2. The further layer 10 can, for example, be a solid and be glued to the elastomer 2 and / or the body 1. The further layer 10 can be a covering layer, in particular made of fabric or leather.
[0108] In one embodiment, the additional layer 10 is applied while the elastomer is still liquid. The additional layer 10 can, for example, be a solid and be glued to the body.
[0109] The further layer 10 may be porous, or at least have a porous surface facing the elastomer 2.
[0110] The additional layer 10 can be applied in any of the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 to 9. However, this is preferably done in one of the embodiments shown in Figs. 2, 8, or 9. In this case, the additional layer 10 can be directly bonded to the exposed areas of the body 1. In the variant shown in Fig. 9, the additional layer 10 can have a recess in the shape of the area covered by the elastomer 2.
[0111] The additional layer 10 is preferably applied in the form of a solid. Less preferably, the additional layer 10 can also be applied as a curing potting compound.
[0112] The further layer 10 can have depressions or openings in areas where electronic elements 5 are present on the circuit boards 3, or can have a different material in this area than in the remaining areas of the further layer 10. A plastic 7, 8 that is different from the elastomer 2 and the material of the further layer 10 can be present in an opening in the layer 10. The plastic 7, 8 can, for example, extend through the further layer 10 and the elastomer 2, for example by pouring a curing material that forms the plastic 7, 8 into a corresponding opening in the elastomer 2 and the further layer 10.
Claims
1. An object comprising a body (1). wherein at least one circuit board (3) and conductor paths (4) connected thereto are present on at least one surface of the body (1), characterized in that the body (1) is deformable and at least said surface of the body (1) is porous, wherein the conductor paths (4) are stretchable and wherein at least the conductor paths (4) are covered by an elastomer (2), wherein the elastomer (2) extends into the pores of the surface of the body (1).
2. The object according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastomer (2) also at least partially covers the circuit board (3) or each of several circuit boards (3),3. The object according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the surface of the body (1) on 'which the conductor paths (4) and the at least one circuit board are present lies at the bottom of a recess (6) of the body (1), wherein the recess (6) is completely filled with the elastomer (2).
4. The object according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the surface of the body (1) on which the conductor paths (4) and the circuit boards (3) are present is completely covered with the elastomer (2).
5. The object according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the surface of the body (1) on which the conductor paths (4) and the circuit boards (3) are present is only partially covered with the elastomer (2).
6. The object according to claim 5, characterized in that the elastomer (2) covers the conductor paths (4) and a partial area of the surface of the body (1) adjacent to the conductor paths (4).
7. The object according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an electronic component (5) or a contact surface is present on at least one circuit board (3), wherein a surface of the electronic component (5) or the contact surface lies flush with the surface of the elastomer (2).
8. The object according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an electronic component (5) is present on at least one circuit board (3), wherein in the area of the electronic component (5), instead of the elastomer (2), a plastic material (7, 8) different from the elastomer (2) is present, which extends to the surface of the elastomer (2).
9. The object according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the conductor paths (4) are present as cables or wires which have a winding, meandering or kinked course.
10. The object according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the body (1) is stretchable and elastic.
11. A method for producing an object, comprising a body (1), which is deformable and has at least one porous surface, characterized in thatin a first step, at least one circuit board (3) and stretchable conductor paths (4) connected thereto are placed on the porous surface of the body (1),wherein in a second step, at least the conductor paths (4) are overcast with a first material, which first material penetrates into the pores of the surface of the body (1) and which completely covers at least the conductor paths (4),wherein in a third step, the first material is cured to form an elastomer (2).
12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that in the first step, several circuit boards (3) are placed on the porous surface of the body (1), which circuit boards (3) are connected to each other at least by the stretchable conductor paths (4), wherein at least one electronic component (5) is present on each circuit board (3) and wherein in the second step, the stretchable conductor paths (4) are completely and the circuit boards (3) are at least partially overcast.
13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the surface of the body (1) on which the conductor paths (4) and the at least one circuit board (3) are present lies at the bottom of a recess (6) of the body (1), wherein the body (1) is already originally produced with this recess (6) or is provided with this recess (6) before the first step.
14. The method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that in addition to overcasting with the first material, overcasting with a second material takes place, wherein the second material takes place in the area of at least one electronic component (5), which is present on a circuit board (3), wherein the second materia! cures to a plastic materia! (7, 8) which has different properties than the elastomer (2).
15. The method according to one of Claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the overcasting with the first casting compound occurs to an extent such that the surface of the elastomer (2) is flush with one or more of the following surfaces: a surface of the body (1), which is raised relative to the surface of the body (1) on which the conductor paths (4) and the at least one circuit board (3) are present; a surface of a contact area, which is raised on a circuit board (3): a surface of an electronic component (5), which is raised on a circuit board (3); a surface of a plastic material (7, 8), which is formed by overcasting with a second material in the area of an electronic component (5) on a circuit board (3).
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