Shape-variable electronic device with photo-thermal actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current planar touch interfaces lack durability and versatility in shape and color, and do not provide effective tactile feedback beyond vibration.

Innovation Solution

A shape-variable electronic device with a flexible layer that changes shape through a photo-thermal response and electro-static force, incorporating a substrate with light source units, a photo-thermal response part, deformation part, and electrodes, allowing for various shapes and colors, and an operation method involving light emission to generate thermal energy and reduce mechanical stiffness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a planar touch interface is used, then the device structure is simple, but the durability and tactile feedback quality are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the flexible layer capable of changing its shape dynamically. The flexible layer can transition between flat and deformed states through actuation, allowing the touch interface to adapt its physical form for enhanced durability and tactile feedback while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a flexible layer as a thin film structure that can deform without breaking, providing durability through flexibility. This thin film approach maintains structural simplicity while enabling the interface to withstand mechanical stress and provide quality tactile feedback through controlled deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If the flexible layer is made thicker to improve durability, then the durability increases, but the device thickness and flexibility are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a thin flexible layer that maintains durability through its material properties and structural design rather than increased thickness. The flexible layer is configured to work with support units and actuators to provide mechanical strength while keeping the overall device thickness minimal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material structures combining the flexible layer with support units and other components. This composite approach provides enhanced durability through the combined properties of different materials while maintaining thin overall dimensions, as each layer contributes specific functional properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If continuous voltage is applied to maintain deformed shape, then the shape stability is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using intermittent or pulsed voltage application rather than continuous voltage. The flexible layer is actuated to achieve desired shapes, and the system maintains these shapes through the mechanical properties of the flexible layer and support units, applying voltage only when shape changes are needed, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining shape stability during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 device provides durable, versatile shape and color options with enhanced tactile feedback, maintaining deformed shapes without continuous voltage application and improving power consumption and durability.

Implementation Method 1

a photo-thermal response part that receives light emitted from the light source unit and generates thermal energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoto-thermal response: Photoacoustic Effect

Implementation Method 2

a bottom electrode and a top electrode that generate electro-static force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-static force: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS11275444B2Shape-variable electronic device and operation method of the same

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST

AI summary

The present invention relates to a shape-variable electronic device and an operation method of the same and, more specifically, the shape-variable electronic device includes: a substrate having a cell region; a light source unit on the cell region; and a flexible layer vertically spaced apart from the light source unit. The flexible layer includes an actuator part that changes a shape of the flexible layer, and the actuator part includes: a photo-thermal response part that receives light emitted from the light source unit and generates thermal energy; a deformation part which receives the thermal energy from the photo-thermal response part and of which mechanical stiffness is reduced; and a top electrode and a bottom electrode on both surfaces of the deformation part, respectively.