Piezo-Strip Powering Printed Card Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printed electronics devices face challenges with power sources that are complex to fabricate, prone to charge loss, and have a large form factor, making them unsuitable for compact or thin devices, and adding significant cost.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric charge generator is integrated into printed electronic devices, allowing for a compact and inexpensive power source that does not suffer from charge loss, using a piezo-strip printed onto a substrate that generates voltage to drive indicators, such as displays, providing interactive effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If printed batteries are used to power printed electronic circuits, then power can be provided to the device, but the device complexity increases due to sealing and encapsulation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery component entirely from the system and replaces it with a piezoelectric charge generator. This eliminates the complex sealing and encapsulation requirements associated with batteries while maintaining the power provision function through mechanical energy conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical energy storage system (battery) with a mechanical energy conversion system (piezoelectric charge generator). The piezoelectric material converts mechanical deformation into electrical charge, substituting the chemical-to-electrical energy conversion of batteries with a mechanical-to-electrical conversion process.
2Use of energy by moving object
If printed batteries are used to power printed electronic circuits, then power can be provided to the device, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive battery component from the printed electronics system. By replacing it with a piezoelectric charge generator that can be integrated using existing printed electronics techniques, the manufacturing cost is reduced while maintaining power provision capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric charge generator serves multiple functions: it acts as both the power source and an interactive element that responds to user manipulation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate battery components and reduces overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Volume of moving object
If batteries are made compact to fit thin devices, then the form factor is reduced, but the charge capacity is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical energy storage mechanism of batteries with a mechanical energy conversion mechanism using piezoelectric materials. This substitution allows for compact form factors while maintaining adequate energy availability through repeated mechanical actuation, eliminating the trade-off between size and charge capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric charge generator is designed to be periodically actuated by user interaction (bending, pressing, or flexing the card). This periodic mechanical input continuously regenerates electrical charge, allowing the device to maintain functionality in a compact form without relying on large initial charge capacity.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional lithography and deposition techniques are used, then electronic components can be fabricated, but the process is expensive and environmentally hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs printed electronics processes where materials are deposited in the form of solutions, slurries, or powders that can be printed directly onto substrates. These processes use environmentally friendly materials and methods, eliminating the need for hazardous chemicals and complex deposition equipment required by conventional lithography.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fabrication parameters from conventional high-temperature, vacuum-based deposition processes to low-temperature, solution-based printing processes. This parameter change enables the use of flexible substrates and environmentally benign materials while maintaining the ability to fabricate functional electronic components.
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 enables interactive printed electronic devices that are more engaging, reducing waste and increasing user interaction, while eliminating the need for supplemental batteries and maintaining low production costs.
Implementation Method 1
A piezoelectric charge generator is integrated into printed electronic devices, allowing for a compact and inexpensive power source that does not suffer from charge loss, using a piezo-strip printed onto a substrate that generates voltage to drive indicators
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein involve methods of forming an interactive card with indicators on a substrate. A plurality of indicators are formed on the substrate by way of a printed electronics process. A plurality of displaceable regions of piezoelectric material are formed on the substrate by way of a printed electronics process. Electrical interconnections are formed on the substrate by way of a printed electronics process, the electrical interconnections connecting an indicator and an associated displaceable region of piezoelectric material such that displacement of the associated displaceable region of piezoelectric material generates a voltage therein that is provided to the indicator in order to actuate the indicator and thereby indicate displacement of the associated displaceable region of piezoelectric material.