Functional Skin Patch Thermal-Antenna Layering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Functional skin patches with integrated thermo harvesters face a challenge in balancing thermal conductivity and antenna functionality due to competing surface area requirements, leading to suboptimal thermal transfer resistance.
Innovation Solution
A functional skin patch design featuring a thermo harvester with a stacked layer structure, including a metal layer, a ferrite layer, and an antenna layer, where the ferrite layer reflects electromagnetic fields while allowing for efficient heat flux to the environment, and a metal dot layer enhances the antenna's surface area for improved thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a metal layer is provided to provide low thermal transfer resistance of the outer surface, then thermal conductivity is improved, but antenna functionality deteriorates due to electromagnetic interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal management function and electromagnetic shielding function into separate layers. The metal layer (first layer) provides thermal conductivity, while the ferrite layer (second layer) provides electromagnetic shielding. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between thermal performance and antenna functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining metal and ferrite materials in a stacked configuration. The metal layer contributes high thermal conductivity, while the ferrite layer contributes electromagnetic shielding properties. This composite material approach enables simultaneous achievement of low thermal transfer resistance and protection of antenna functionality from electromagnetic interference.
2Temperature
If the radiating surface area is maximized to enhance thermal conductivity, then thermal transfer resistance is reduced, but antenna surface area is reduced due to competing space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the area conflict by transitioning to a three-dimensional stacked layer structure. Instead of competing for two-dimensional surface area, the thermal management and antenna functions are separated into different vertical layers. This dimensional change allows both the radiating surface and antenna to coexist without spatial conflict, maximizing thermal conductivity while preserving antenna surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the device into distinct functional layers: the metal layer for thermal management and the ferrite layer for electromagnetic shielding adjacent to the antenna. This segmentation allows the radiating surface area to be maximized for thermal conductivity while the antenna maintains its required surface area in a separate spatial zone, eliminating the trade-off between these two requirements.
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
This design achieves enhanced thermal conductivity and antenna functionality, enabling effective heat flux and energy harvesting while maintaining the antenna's performance, thus improving the overall efficiency of the skin patch.
Implementation Method 1
the ferrite layer reflects electromagnetic fields while allowing for efficient heat flux to the environment
Implementation Method 2
a metal layer may be provided to provide a low thermal transfer resistance of the outer surface of the functional skin patch
Implementation Method 3
a first terminal of the antenna unit is thermally connected to a second terminal of the thermo harvester
Data Source
AI summary
A functional skin patch having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface is provided. The functional skin patch includes a functional unit having a thermo harvester and an antenna unit. The thermo harvester has a first terminal thermally connected to the first surface and a second terminal. The antenna unit has a first terminal thermally connected to the second terminal of the thermo harvester and a second terminal thermally connected to the second surface. The antenna unit has a stacked layer structure including, in this sequence, a metal layer thermally connected to the second terminal of the thermo harvester, a ferrite layer thermally connected to the metal layer, and an antenna layer thermally connected to the ferrite layer.