Flexible Sensor With Segmented Island Bridge Substrate

Solution Overview

Problem

Current sensors, such as infrared thermal sensors or light sensors, lack flexibility, limiting their applications due to their rigid nature.

Innovation Solution

A flexible sensor design featuring a stretchable substrate with island portions and bridge portions, where sensing elements are disposed on the island portions, allowing the sensor to be stretched from a first state to a second state, enhancing its flexibility by changing the length of the bridge portions during deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If current sensors are used, then sensing function is achieved, but flexibility is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidapplication scope

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is divided into multiple island portions connected by bridge portions, allowing the sensing elements to be segmented across different islands while maintaining electrical connectivity through the bridges. This segmentation enables the sensor to accommodate curved and irregular surfaces while preserving its sensing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge portions are designed with variable lengths that can dynamically adjust during stretching deformation. The first bridge portion has a different length than the second bridge portion, enabling the substrate to adapt its shape and maintain flexibility when conforming to different surface geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the substrate is made rigid for stability, then manufacturing precision is improved, but flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate stabilityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is divided into multiple island portions connected by bridge portions, allowing the sensing elements to be segmented across different islands while maintaining electrical connectivity through the bridges. This segmentation enables the sensor to accommodate curved and irregular surfaces while preserving its sensing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate is designed as a flexible thin film structure with island and bridge portions, replacing traditional rigid substrates. This flexible film structure maintains stability during operation while enabling the sensor to conform to curved and irregular surfaces, directly resolving the contradiction between stability and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sensor is stretched to fit curved surfaces, then adaptability is improved, but the length of bridge portions changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface attachment capabilityVSAvoidbridge portion length

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge portions are designed with variable lengths that can dynamically adjust during stretching deformation. The first bridge portion has a different length than the second bridge portion, enabling the substrate to adapt its shape and maintain flexibility when conforming to different surface geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameters of the bridge portions, specifically their lengths, are changed during stretching to enable the sensor to conform to curved surfaces. The first bridge portion has a first length and the second bridge portion has a second length, allowing the structure to adapt its geometry while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 flexible sensor design improves the sensor's flexibility, enabling it to be attached to various surfaces, including curved ones, thereby expanding its application scope.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one of the bridge portions has a first length in the first state and has a second length in the second state, and the first length is different from the second length

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240272005A1Flexible sensor

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 INNOLUX CORP

AI summary

A flexible sensor capable of being stretched from a first state to a second state is provided by the present disclosure. The flexible sensor includes a stretchable substrate and a plurality of sensing elements. The stretchable substrate has a plurality of island portions and a plurality of bridge portions, wherein at least one of the bridge portions connects adjacent two of the island portions. The sensing elements are disposed on the island portions of the stretchable substrate. The at least one of the bridge portions has a first length in the first state and has a second length in the second state, and the first length is different from the second length.