Self-Powered Sheet Single-Step Electrode Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric facial masks require a time-consuming and costly manufacturing process due to the need for separate printing of first and second electrodes, which involves multiple steps and can cause base layer shrinkage issues.
Innovation Solution
A self-powered sheet with electrically conductive inks containing both first and second electrodes applied in a single printing process, eliminating the need for base layer shrinkage and prepositioning, thereby reducing manufacturing time and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate printing processes are used for first and second electrodes, then each electrode type can be applied to the sheet, but the manufacturing time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both first and second electrodes into a single electrically conductive ink formulation, allowing both electrode types to be printed simultaneously in one printing process. This merging of electrode types into one ink resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for separate printing processes, thereby reducing manufacturing time from 6.3 hours to 1 hour while maintaining ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The electrically conductive ink is designed to serve multiple functions: it contains both first electrodes and second electrodes, enabling the ink to perform the function of multiple electrode types simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows a single printing process to achieve what previously required two separate processes, resolving the time-loss contradiction
2Ease of manufacture
If separate printing processes are used for first and second electrodes, then each electrode type can be applied to the sheet, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging both electrode types into one electrically conductive ink and applying them in a single printing process, the patent eliminates the need for multiple printing operations. This reduces manufacturing steps, lowers production costs, and improves overall manufacturing efficiency, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and productivity
3Manufacturing precision
If base layer shrinkage is prevented by prepositioning, then electrode positioning accuracy is maintained, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for prepositioning and shrinkage compensation by combining both electrodes into one printing process applied to the base layer before shrinkage occurs. This single-step approach maintains electrode positioning accuracy while significantly simplifying the manufacturing process, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity
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 allows for efficient and cost-effective production of electric facial masks by applying both electrode types in one printing step, significantly reducing the time required for manufacturing and avoiding base layer shrinkage issues, from 6.3 hours to 1 hour for a 300-meter-long sheet.
Implementation Method 1
When each of the first electrodes and each of the second electrodes are soaked in the liquid, an electrical potential difference between one of the plurality of first electrodes and one of the plurality of second electrodes generate a current in the human skin
Implementation Method 2
The base layer is configured to absorb the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a self-powered sheet which is configured to absorb a liquid content and to be applied on a human skin. The self-powered sheet includes a base layer and a plurality of electrically conductive inks. The base layer is configured to absorb the liquid content and adapted to be applied on the human skin. The base layer has a contact surface. The electrically conductive inks are disposed on the contact surface of the base layer. Each of the electrically conductive inks has a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes. When each of the first electrodes and each of the second electrodes are soaked in the liquid content, an electrical potential difference between one of the plurality of first electrodes and one of the plurality of second electrodes generates a current in the human skin.