Flexible Support Structure for Wearable Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible electronic components, such as OLED lights and displays, face damage due to strain when bent or curved, as mechanical support structures alter the neutral plane, reducing their bending ability and failing to protect against excessive bending or torsion.

Innovation Solution

A dynamically flexible article with a movably coupled support structure that limits bending and torsion within the component's tolerance, maintaining the neutral plane and bending range, using a flexible substrate with hinged segmented structures and clasping mechanisms to maximize display visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible electronic component is bent or curved, then the component can be made portable and wearable, but the brittle layers will buckle or crack due to excessive strain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportability and wearabilityVSAvoidlayer integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible support structure with a curved configuration that provides mechanical support to the flexible electronic component. The support structure includes a flexible substrate with a curved shape that maintains the component within its bending tolerance, preventing brittle layer damage while enabling portability and wearability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a mechanical support structure is attached to the flexible electronic component, then the component is protected from damage, but the neutral plane shifts and the bending ability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage protectionVSAvoidbending ability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is configured with a curved shape that substantially maintains the neutral plane of the flexible electronic component. This curved configuration provides damage protection while preserving the component's bending ability by keeping it within the specified bending tolerance without causing excessive strain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the curvature radius of the support structure to match the neutral plane requirements of the flexible electronic component. By carefully selecting the curvature parameter, the support structure provides protection while maintaining the component's ability to bend within its tolerance range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible electronic component is made more flexible to withstand bending, then the bending range increases, but the brittle layers become more susceptible to cracking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending rangeVSAvoidbrittle layer stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible support structure with optimized curvature provides mechanical support that enables the component to achieve its maximum bending range without exceeding the brittle layers' strain tolerance. The curved configuration distributes stress evenly, preventing concentration at critical points where cracking could occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3087559B1Support structures for a flexible electronic component

Publication Date: 2021.05.05 FLEXTERRA INC

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AI summary

A dynamically flexible article or device, such as a wristband, an armband, a rollable e-reader, or a belt, includes a flexible electronic component (e.g., a flexible display) and a support structure coupled to the flexible electronic component. The support structure is configured to limit bending of the flexible electronic component to a range within a bending tolerance of the flexible electronic component.