Flexible Conduction Trace Pillar Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible electronic device conduction lines experience increased resistance and potential cracking under tensile strain, leading to unreliable operation of connected elements and devices.

Innovation Solution

A flexible conduction trace is formed using a flexible line with conductive particles arranged in pillar form, mixed with a curable fluid and aligned by a magnetic field, which maintains consistent resistance under strain through increased contact points and areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional flexible conduction lines are used, then the device can be bent and flexed, but the resistance value varies significantly under tensile strain

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidresistance stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining a flexible substrate with conductive particles (such as metal particles or carbon particles) dispersed within a flexible line material. This composite approach allows the conduction trace to maintain flexibility while the conductive particles provide stable electrical conduction paths that are less sensitive to strain, thereby resolving the contradiction between flexibility and resistance stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the conduction trace: the flexible line provides mechanical flexibility and strain accommodation, while the conductive particles embedded within provide stable electrical conduction. This local differentiation of functions allows the overall structure to achieve both flexibility and resistance stability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the conduction line is made more flexible, then it can withstand bending, but cracks form under tensile strain increasing resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidcracking

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible line structure that can accommodate bending and deformation without cracking. This flexible carrier provides mechanical compliance while protecting the conductive particles from damage, allowing the conduction trace to withstand repeated flexing and bending cycles without developing cracks that would increase resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible line acts as an intermediary between the rigid conductive particles and the external mechanical stresses. It absorbs and distributes tensile strain, preventing direct stress concentration on the conductive particles and their contact points, thereby preventing crack formation and maintaining electrical continuity under strain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution reduces resistance and maintains reliable operation of flexible electronic devices under both strained and unstrained conditions, improving performance and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

applying a magnetic field to the mixture, arranging the metal particles in a form of pillars

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field alignment: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS9001517B2Method of forming flexible conduction trace, flexible conduction trace and flexible electronic device using the same

Publication Date: 2015.04.07 SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R&DB FOUNDATION

AI summary

A flexible conduction trace includes a flexible line; and a plurality of conductive particles arranged in the form of pillars within the flexible line.