Flexible Support Structure for 2D Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible electronic components, such as displays and sensors, face damage due to strain when bent or curved, as the brittle inorganic layers can withstand only minimal strain before buckling or cracking, and existing support structures alter the neutral plane, reducing their flexibility and usability on complex curved surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A dynamically flexible article with a flexible support structure that allows the electronic component to bend in two dimensions while minimizing strain, by using a movable coupling that maintains the neutral plane and limits bending to within the component's tolerance range, using attachment methods like Velcro or magnets, and incorporating a sleeve made of flexible material for attachment to body or objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible electronic component is bent or curved to conform to complex curved surfaces, then the device becomes more portable and accessible, but the brittle inorganic layers buckle or crack due to excess strain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to conform to curved surfacesVSAvoidstructural integrity of brittle layers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple struts arranged in a grid pattern, with each strut independently supporting the flexible electronic component. This segmentation allows the structure to flex in two dimensions while distributing strain across multiple elements, preventing any single point from experiencing excessive stress that would cause the brittle layers to crack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible support structure acts as an intermediary between the flexible electronic component and the complex curved surface. It conforms to the curved surface geometry while maintaining a controlled distance from the electronic component, thereby accommodating curvature without transmitting excessive strain to the brittle inorganic layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If a mechanical support structure is fixedly attached to the flexible display, then the component is supported and protected from damage, but the neutral plane shifts and the minimum bending radius increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport and protection of flexible componentVSAvoidbending ability and flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure employs a dynamic design where struts are connected through joints that allow relative movement. This dynamic configuration enables the support structure to adapt its geometry as the flexible electronic component bends, maintaining support while accommodating changes in curvature and preventing the neutral plane from shifting to an unfavorable position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure utilizes thin, flexible struts and connecting elements that can bend and deform elastically. These flexible components provide mechanical support while maintaining the ability to conform to curved geometries, ensuring that the minimum bending radius remains small and the flexible electronic component retains its bending ability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If the flexible electronic component is made more rigid to withstand strain, then structural integrity is improved, but the device loses its flexibility and ability to conform to curved surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrain resistanceVSAvoidflexibility and conformability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a composite structure combining a flexible support framework with a flexible electronic component. The support structure uses materials and configurations (struts, joints, connecting elements) that provide mechanical strength and strain resistance while maintaining overall flexibility, allowing the assembly to withstand strains without sacrificing the ability to conform to curved surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3087812B9Support structures for an attachable, two-dimensional flexible electronic device

Publication Date: 2021.06.09 FLEXTERRA INC

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AI summary

A dynamically flexible article or device, such as an armband, includes a flexible electronic component, such as a flexible electronic display, and a flexible support structure coupled to the flexible electronic component, wherein the flexible support and the flexible electronic component are flexible along two dimensions to thereby be able to conform to a complex curved surface. The flexible support includes bending limiting structure that constrains bending of the flexible electronic component to prevent undesirable bending.