Foldable Circuit Layer for Stretchable Electronic Patches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable electronic patches face issues with comfort, durability, and breathability due to their rigid substrates, which make them uncomfortable to wear for extended periods and difficult to conform to curved surfaces, leading to discomfort and irritation from sweat buildup.
Innovation Solution
The development of highly compliant and stretchable electronic patches with a foldable circuit layer and elastic layer that can change shape to accommodate skin movements, featuring undulated ribbons and conductive circuits for wireless communication, and a breathable design to prevent moisture buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid polymer substrates are used for electronic patches, then structural stability is improved, but comfort and breathability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid polymer substrates with flexible and stretchable substrate materials that can conform to skin contours and accommodate skin movements. This flexible substrate maintains structural integrity while allowing breathability and moisture vapor transmission, eliminating skin irritation caused by rigid materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining flexible substrates with stretchable electronic components, conductive materials, and breathable layers. This composite approach achieves both structural stability for circuit functionality and breathability for comfort, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and skin compatibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid substrates are used for electronic patches, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to curved surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible substrates that can be manufactured with precise circuit patterns using standard flexible PCB techniques, then conform to curved skin surfaces through their inherent flexibility. This maintains manufacturing precision while achieving adaptability to body contours.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates stretchable electronic components and flexible circuits that can dynamically deform with skin movements and curvature changes. This dynamic flexibility allows the patch to adapt to various body surfaces while maintaining circuit functionality and assembly precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional non-stretchable materials are used for electronic patches, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability under repeated elongation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite structures combining flexible substrates with stretchable electronic components, conductive elastomers, and elastic encapsulation layers. This composite design maintains manufacturing feasibility while providing reliability under repeated elongation through the inherent stretchability of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters from rigid to flexible and stretchable, using materials with appropriate elastic moduli and elongation properties. This parameter change enables the patch to withstand repeated stretching during body movements while remaining manufacturable using adapted fabrication processes.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If flexible substrates are used to improve comfort, then breathability is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material structures where flexible substrates provide breathability and moisture vapor transmission, while integrated circuit boards and encapsulation layers provide structural stability. This composite approach achieves both comfort through breathability and structural integrity for electronic component support.
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 provides increased durability and comfort by allowing the patches to stretch with skin movements while maintaining contact, reducing irritation through breathability and improved adhesion, thus enhancing user experience and patch longevity.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic layer that encloses the foldable circuit layer
Implementation Method 2
flexible straps that connect the plurality of electronic modules, wherein the flexible straps comprise conductive circuit that are conductively connected with the plurality of electronic components
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic patch includes a foldable circuit layer that includes a foldable network that includes comprising: a plurality of electronic modules comprising a plurality of electronic components, and flexible straps that connect the plurality of electronic modules, wherein the flexible straps comprise conductive circuit that are conductively connected with the plurality of electronic components in the plurality of electronic modules. Neighboring electronic modules can undulate in opposite directions normal to the foldable circuit layer. The electronic patch also includes an elastic layer that encloses the foldable circuit layer.