Stretchable device

Abstract

Provided is a stretchable device comprising: a base material; a stretchable wiring provided on the base material; and a component surrounded by the base material inside the base material and having properties different from the base material.

Description

Stretchable device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a stretchable device.

[0002] Conventionally, stretchable devices have been known. In Patent Document 1, it is shown that a stretchable device includes a stretchable base material, a conductor portion having a wiring portion provided on the stretchable base material, a primer layer disposed between the conductor portion and the base material, a part of which is adhered to the primer layer so as to overlap a branch portion of the wiring portion, and a reinforcing member harder than the stretchable base material.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 7144163

[0004] In the mode of adhesively disposing a reinforcing member on a member different from the base material in a stretchable device, there is a risk that the reinforcing member may peel off. Also, there may be a case where it is desired to provide a property different from the property of the base material to a predetermined portion of the base material.

[0005] In view of the above points, the present disclosure aims to provide a stretchable device having a new configuration that is not in the extension line of the configuration of the conventional stretchable device, that is, a stretchable device including a different member having a property different from that of the base material and capable of preventing peeling.

[0006] To achieve the above object, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a stretchable device including a base material, stretchable wiring provided on the base material, and a different member surrounded by the base material within the base material and having a property different from that of the base material.

[0007] According to the stretchable device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a stretchable device including a different member having a property different from that of the base material and capable of preventing peeling.

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a stretchable device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a stretchable device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2B is a schematic plan view showing a stretchable device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a stretchable device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a stretchable device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment will primarily describe the differences from those described in previous embodiments. In particular, similar effects and advantages due to similar configurations will not be mentioned sequentially in each embodiment. Among the components in the following embodiments, those not described in an independent claim will be described as optional components. Also, the sizes and size ratios of the components shown in the drawings are not necessarily precise. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0010] In this specification, "above" includes a state where an element is located above another element, i.e., a state where an element is located above another element via another object, a state where an element is located above another element at a distance, and a state where an element is located directly above another element in contact with it. Therefore, in this specification, "stretchable wiring provided on a stretchable substrate" may include stretchable wiring that is in contact with the main surface of the stretchable substrate, and stretchable wiring that is separated from the main surface of the stretchable substrate via another member (e.g., a resin layer) without directly contacting it.

[0011] The configuration of the stretchable device 100 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 1.

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the stretchable device according to the present embodiment of this disclosure.

[0013] The stretchable device 100 according to the first embodiment of this disclosure comprises at least a base material 10 and stretchable wiring 20 provided on the base material 10. In addition, the stretchable device 100 of this disclosure further comprises heterogeneous members, which will be described later.

[0014] The base material 10 may be in the form of a sheet or a film. For example, a thermoplastic resin or a ceramic material can be used as the base material 10. As the thermoplastic resin, an expandable resin material can be used, such as urethane resin, olefin resin, or styrene resin.

[0015] The stretchable wiring 20 includes conductive particles and a resin. Examples of the stretchable wiring 20 include a mixture of metal powders such as Ag, Cu, and Ni as conductive particles and an elastomer resin such as a silicone resin. The average particle size of the conductive particles is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 μm or more and 10 μm or less. Furthermore, the shape of the conductive particles is preferably spherical.

[0016] As described above, the stretchable device 100 further comprises a heterogeneous member 30, which is characterized in that the heterogeneous member 30 is surrounded by the base material 10 within the base material 10 and has properties different from those of the base material 10.

[0017] In this context, "the dissimilar member 30 being surrounded by the base material 10" refers to a state in which the outer surface, which is the contour surface 31 of the dissimilar member 30, is located inside the inner surface 13 of the base material 10, or a state in which the entire outer surface, which is the contour surface 31 of the dissimilar member 30, is in contact with the inner surface of the base material 10. In other words, "the dissimilar member 30 being surrounded by the base material 10" refers to a state in which the dissimilar member 30 is embedded in the base material 10 (see Figure 1). Note that the contour surface 31 of the dissimilar member 30 refers to the outer surface of the dissimilar member 30.

[0018] With these features, the stretchable device 100 can be provided with properties different from the base material 10 by the dissimilar member 30. In addition, since the dissimilar member 30 is surrounded by the base material 10 within the base material 10, it is possible to prevent the dissimilar member 30 itself from peeling off from the base material 10 and to prevent damage to the dissimilar member 30 due to external loads. In other words, by providing the dissimilar member 30 within the base material 10, the dissimilar member 30 can be suitably protected.

[0019] Furthermore, with this configuration, the expandable wiring 20 and the dissimilar member 30 are separated from each other via the base material 10. Therefore, direct contact of the expandable wiring 20 with the dissimilar member 30 is avoided, and breakage of the expandable wiring 20 can be prevented.

[0020] As the above-mentioned heterogeneous member 30, a magnetic material, a heat dissipation material, or an oil-resistant material can be used. Examples of magnetic materials include iron, iron silicon, iron oxide, chromium oxide, cobalt, ferrite, or non-oxide metal magnetic materials. Examples of heat dissipation materials include metals such as copper and aluminum, ceramics such as alumina and aluminum nitride, or porous ceramics. Examples of oil-resistant materials include plastics such as PET, PEN, and polyimide.

[0021] When the materials described above are used as the dissimilar member 30, the properties of the dissimilar member 30 can be imparted to a part of the stretchable device 100. Specifically, when a magnetic material is used as the dissimilar member 30, magnetism can be partially imparted to the area near where the dissimilar member 30 is placed. Similarly, when a heat dissipation material is used as the dissimilar member 30, heat dissipation properties can be imparted, and when an oil-resistant material is used, oil resistance can be imparted. In this way, the stretchable device 100 can be given the required properties depending on the application in which it is used.

[0022] Furthermore, the dissimilar member 30 may be a non-stretchable member. Also, the dissimilar member 30 may have a higher Young's modulus than the base material 10. With such a configuration, the dissimilar member 30 can be made to not stretch or stretch only slightly, and the rigidity of the dissimilar member 30 can be made higher than that of the base material 10.

[0023] As a result, when the stretchable device 100 is stretched or contracted, the region where the base material 10 and the dissimilar member 30 overlap and the region where the base material 10 and the dissimilar member 30 do not overlap can be divided into a region that is relatively difficult to stretch and a region that is relatively easy to stretch.

[0024] As a result, when electronic components are connected to the stretchable wiring 20 so as to overlap with the dissimilar member 30 in the thickness direction of the base material 10 (specifically, when the dissimilar member 30, the base material 10, and the electronic components are arranged so as to overlap each other in the thickness direction of the base material), it is possible to suppress stress on electronic components that are relatively difficult or impossible to stretch. As a result, damage to the electronic components can be prevented.

[0025] In the above, the base material 10 may be a single component. In this case, for example, a base material 30 having the dissimilar component 30 inside can be obtained by using the base material in the presence of the dissimilar component 30 and performing various molding processes such as injection molding, extrusion molding, inflation molding, or solvent molding.

[0026] For example, taking solvent molding as an example, first, pellet-shaped base material is dissolved in an organic solvent, and the liquid base material is applied to the support member by spin coating or bar coating. Next, dissimilar members 30 are partially placed on the applied base material, and then liquid base material is applied over them. After that, the base material containing the dissimilar members 30 is placed in an oven to dry. Finally, the base material 10 containing the dissimilar members 30 is peeled off the support member.

[0027] Subsequently, the stretchable wiring 20 is printed and provided on the substrate 30. Specifically, a first stretchable wiring 20A and a second stretchable wiring 20B are printed and provided on the substrate 30 at predetermined intervals. By doing so, the stretchable device 100 of this disclosure can be manufactured. After the stretchable wiring 20 is formed, electronic components 40 can be mounted on the stretchable wiring 20 via solder 50 so as to overlap with the dissimilar members 30 in the thickness direction of the substrate 10 (see Figures 2A and 2B).

[0028] In one example, multiple substrates 10 are stacked in the thickness direction of the substrate 10, and the multiple substrates 10 may have a first substrate 11 and a second substrate 12. In this case, the dissimilar member 30 may be surrounded by the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 (see Figure 3).

[0029] Specifically, the first base material 11 is joined to the second base material 12 on both sides with the dissimilar member 30 in between, and also in contact with the dissimilar member 30. The second base material 12 is joined to the first base material 11 on both sides with the dissimilar member 30 in between, and also in contact with the dissimilar member 30.

[0030] In other words, the first base material 11 and the second base material 12 are partially joined on both sides of the dissimilar member 30, so that the dissimilar member 30 can be surrounded by the first base material 11 and the second base material 12.

[0031] In the above, the base material 10 may be composed of two base materials. In this case, for example, a dissimilar member can be sandwiched between the two base materials, and a base material having the dissimilar member inside can be manufactured using a dry laminator. Subsequently, the base material 10 can be a single component, and the stretchable wiring 20 is printed and provided on the base material 30 in the same manner as described above. After the stretchable wiring 20 is formed, the electronic component 40 is mounted on the stretchable wiring 20 via solder 50 so as to overlap with the dissimilar member 30 in the thickness direction of the base material 10.

[0032] Furthermore, when the dissimilar member 30 is located inside the base material 10, in the thickness direction of the base material 10, the thickness W1 of the base material 10 between the main surface of the base material 10 and the dissimilar member 30 in the region where the base material 10 and the dissimilar member 30 overlap is smaller than the thickness W2 of the base material 10 in the region where the base material 10 and the dissimilar member 30 do not overlap (see Figure 1).

[0033] With this configuration, when an electronic component is connected to the stretchable wiring 20 in the stretchable device 100 so as to overlap with the dissimilar member 30, it is possible to facilitate the function of the dissimilar member between the dissimilar member 30 and the electronic component.

[0034] Furthermore, the expandable wiring 20 is provided so as to span the region where the base material 10 and the dissimilar member 30 overlap and the region where the base material 10 and the dissimilar member do not overlap. With this configuration, the electronic components electrically connected to the expandable wiring 20 can be suitably operated via predetermined locations of the expandable wiring 20, while the functions of the dissimilar member can be provided between the dissimilar member 30 and the electronic components in the thickness direction of the base material 10.

[0035] In the thickness direction of the base material 10, the total thickness W3 in the region where the base material 10 and the dissimilar member 30 overlap is greater than the thickness W2 of the base material in the region where the base material 10 and the dissimilar member 30 do not overlap (see Figures 1, 2A, and 2B).

[0036] In other words, in the thickness direction of the base material 10, the main surface in the region of the base material 10 that overlaps with the dissimilar member 30 may be convex compared to the main surface in the region that does not overlap with the dissimilar member 30. That is, a predetermined location of the base material 10 having the dissimilar member 30 inside may have a convex portion 10a. This convex portion 10a may be formed on at least one side of two opposing main surfaces in the region of the base material 10 that overlaps with the dissimilar member 30.

[0037] Furthermore, in a plan view, the contour surface 31 of the dissimilar member 30 may be located inside the base portion 10b of the protrusion 10a (corresponding to the starting point of the protrusion 10a of the base material 10 located in the region overlapping with the dissimilar member 30). With this configuration, a dissimilar member 30 having a predetermined size can be suitably housed within the base material 10, and the dissimilar member 30 can be suitably protected from the outside.

[0038] A protective film 60 covering the stretchable wiring 20 and the base material 10 can be provided (see Figure 4). In this case, the protective film is in contact with the stretchable wiring 20 and the base material 10, except for the areas where electronic components are installed. This arrangement of the protective film effectively protects the stretchable wiring 20 and the base material 10 of the stretchable device 100, preventing damage to both. Various resin materials can be used as the protective film.

[0039] Each embodiment and variation is illustrative, and this disclosure is not limited to each embodiment and variation. Furthermore, each drawing is illustrative of the components and does not limit their shape. Also, partial substitution or combination of the configurations shown in different embodiments and variations is possible.

[0040] The embodiments of the stretchable device of this disclosure are as follows: <1> A stretchable device comprising a base material, stretchable wiring provided on the base material, and an heterogeneous member surrounded by the base material and having properties different from those of the base material. <2> The stretchable device according to <1>, wherein the contour surface of the heterogeneous member is located inside the contour surface of the base material. <3> The stretchable device according to <1> or <2>, wherein the stretchable wiring and the heterogeneous member are separated from each other via the base material. <4> The stretchable device according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein a plurality of base materials are stacked in the thickness direction of the base material, and the plurality of base materials have a first base material and a second base material, and the heterogeneous member is surrounded by the first base material and the second base material. <5> The stretchable device according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the entire outer surface of the heterogeneous member is in contact with the inner surface of the base material. <6> The stretchable device according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein, in the thickness direction of the base material, the thickness of the base material between the main surface of the base material and the dissimilar member in the region where the base material and the dissimilar member overlap is smaller than the thickness of the base material in the region where the base material and the dissimilar member do not overlap. <7> The stretchable device according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein, in the thickness direction of the base material, the total thickness in the region where the base material and the dissimilar member overlap is greater than the thickness of the base material in the region where the base material and the dissimilar member do not overlap. <8> The stretchable device according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein, in the thickness direction of the base material, the main surface of the base material in the region overlapping with the dissimilar member is more convex than the main surface in the region not overlapping with the dissimilar member. <9> The stretchable device according to <8>, wherein, in a plan view, the contour surface of the dissimilar member is located inside the bottom portion of the convex part of the base material having the convex shape. <10> The stretchable device according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein the stretchable wiring is provided so as to span a region where the base material and the dissimilar member overlap and a region where the base material and the dissimilar member do not overlap. <11> The stretchable device according to any one of <1> to <10>, wherein the base material is a thermoplastic resin material or a ceramic material.<12> The stretchable device according to any one of <1> to <11>, wherein the base material is a stretchable base material, while the dissimilar member is a non-stretchable base material. <13> The stretchable device according to any one of <1> to <12>, wherein the dissimilar member has a higher Young's modulus than the base material. <14> The stretchable device according to any one of <1> to <13>, wherein the dissimilar member is a magnetic material, a heat dissipation material, or an oil-resistant material. <15> The stretchable device according to any one of <1> to <14>, further comprising an electronic component mounted on the stretchable wiring, wherein the electronic component overlaps with the dissimilar member in the thickness direction of the base material. <16> The stretchable device according to any one of <1> to <15>, further comprising a protective film covering the stretchable wiring and the base material.

[0041] 100 Stretchable device 60 Protective film 50 Solder 40 Electronic component 30 Heterogeneous component 31 Contour surface of heterogeneous component 20 Stretchable wiring 10 Base material 10a Protrusion 10b Bottom portion of protrusion 11 First base material 12 Second base material 13 Contour surface of base material W1 Thickness of the base material between the main surface of the base material and the heterogeneous component in the region where the base material and the heterogeneous component overlap W2 Thickness of the base material in the region where the base material and the heterogeneous component do not overlap W3 Total thickness in the region where the base material and the heterogeneous component overlap

Claims

1. A stretchable device comprising a base material, stretchable wiring provided on the base material, and an isomorphic member located within the base material, surrounded by the base material, and having properties different from those of the base material.

2. The stretchable device according to claim 1, wherein the contour surface of the dissimilar member is located inward from the contour surface of the base material.

3. The stretchable device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stretchable wiring and the heterogeneous member are separated from each other via the base material.

4. The stretchable device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of the substrates are stacked in the thickness direction of the substrate, the plurality of substrates have a first substrate and a second substrate, and the dissimilar member is surrounded by the first substrate and the second substrate.

5. The stretchable device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the entire outer surface of the dissimilar member is in contact with the inner surface of the base material.

6. The stretchable device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, in the thickness direction of the substrate, the thickness of the substrate between the main surface of the substrate and the dissimilar member in the region where the substrate and the dissimilar member overlap is smaller than the thickness of the substrate in the region where the substrate and the dissimilar member do not overlap.

7. The stretchable device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, in the thickness direction of the base material, the total thickness in the region where the base material and the dissimilar member overlap is greater than the thickness of the base material in the region where the base material and the dissimilar member do not overlap.

8. The expandable device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, in the thickness direction of the base material, the main surface in the region of the base material that overlaps with the dissimilar member is more convex than the main surface in the region that does not overlap with the dissimilar member.

9. The stretchable device according to claim 8, wherein, in a plan view, the contour surface of the dissimilar member is located inward from the base portion of the convex part of the base material having a convex shape.

10. The stretchable device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the stretchable wiring is provided so as to span a region where the base material and the dissimilar member overlap and a region where the base material and the dissimilar member do not overlap.

11. The stretchable device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the base material is a thermoplastic resin material or a ceramic material.

12. The stretchable device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the base material is a stretchable base material, and the dissimilar member is a non-stretchable base material.

13. The stretchable device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the heterogeneous member has a higher Young's modulus than the base material.

14. The stretchable device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the heterogeneous member is a magnetic material, a heat dissipation material, or an oil-resistant material.

15. The stretchable device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising an electronic component mounted on the stretchable wiring, wherein the electronic component overlaps with the dissimilar member in the thickness direction of the substrate.

16. The stretchable device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a protective film covering the stretchable wiring and the substrate.

Images