Flexible Substrate Load Measurement During Folding and Unfolding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flexible substrate testing systems fail to measure loads or stresses during folding or unfolding, and they often induce additional stress on the substrate due to their own mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a first and second substrate support structure, an actuator to move the second support structure, and a load cell to measure loads, with guides that minimize additional stress by controlling the bend radius and using multiple grooves and cam followers to guide motion, and control circuitry to compensate for the weight and momentum of the support structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional flexible substrate testing systems are used, then static testing and defect analysis can be performed, but load measurements during folding or unfolding cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
A load cell is introduced as an intermediary measurement device between the flexible substrate and the testing system. The load cell is integrated into the substrate support structure to indirectly measure loads on the substrate during folding/unfolding, enabling load measurement capability without requiring direct force sensors on the substrate itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate support structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the substrate, guides the folding/unfolding motion through guide plates and cam followers, and incorporates the load cell for measurement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
2Reliability
If conventional testing systems are used, then testing can be performed, but additional stress is induced on the substrate due to system design
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plates and cam followers are designed to counterbalance the weight and momentum of the substrate support structure during folding and unfolding motions. This compensation mechanism offsets the harmful additional stress that would otherwise be induced on the substrate by the testing system itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide plates and cam followers act as intermediary mechanisms between the actuator and the substrate, filtering out harmful forces and only transmitting the necessary folding/unfolding motion. This protects the substrate from additional stress while still enabling the testing function.
3Ease of operation
If substrate support structures are added to hold the substrate, then the substrate can be tested, but the weight and momentum of the support structures affect measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The load cell provides real-time feedback on the loads acting on the substrate during folding and unfolding. This feedback is used to compensate for the weight and momentum effects of the substrate support structure, allowing for accurate measurement even though the support structure is present and necessary for handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide plates and cam followers are designed to counterbalance the weight and momentum of the substrate support structure, offsetting their harmful effects on measurement accuracy while still providing necessary structural support and motion control.
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 system effectively measures dynamic and static loads on flexible substrates during deformation, minimizing additional stress and providing accurate load measurements by compensating for the weight and momentum of the support structure.
Implementation Method 1
a load cell configured to measure a load on the flexible substrate
Implementation Method 2
the first guide includes a cam groove configured to receive a cam follower attached to the second substrate support structure
Data Source
AI summary
An example flexible substrate testing system includes: a first substrate support structure configured to hold stationary a first portion of a flexible substrate under test; a second substrate support structure configured to hold a second portion of the flexible substrate; an actuator configured to move the second substrate support structure to fold the flexible substrate and to unfold the flexible substrate; and a load cell configured to measure a load on the flexible substrate.