Stretchable Circuit Interconnect With Overlap Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interconnects for stretchable electronic circuits often break or lose electrical connection when the circuit is deformed, limiting their use in wearable applications where deformation is necessary.
Innovation Solution
An interconnect system with conductive lines arranged in a plane and connectors that define an overlap with stretchable conductive lines, along with anchoring structures transverse to the plane, ensuring a reliable electrical connection and anchoring of the first electronic circuit to the stretchable circuit device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional interconnects are used to connect stretchable electronic circuits, then the connection structure is simple, but the electrical connection breaks or is lost when the circuit is deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnect is divided into multiple segments including a rigid portion, a flexible portion with meander pattern, and anchoring structures. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the rigid portion provides structural support, the flexible portion accommodates deformation through its meander pattern, and the anchoring structures secure the stretchable circuit. This resolves the contradiction by creating a complex but functional segmented structure that maintains electrical connection reliability during deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnect incorporates a flexible portion with a meander pattern that can dynamically adjust its shape during deformation. When the stretchable electronic circuit is stretched or bent, the meander pattern expands and contracts accordingly, maintaining electrical connection throughout the deformation cycle. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between connection reliability and structural complexity by introducing a dynamically responsive intermediate structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the stretchable electronic circuit device is deformed to adapt to body shape, then wearability and comfort are improved, but the electrical connection to non-stretchable circuits is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnect employs local quality by having different portions with different mechanical properties - the flexible portion with meander pattern is designed to deform locally while the anchoring structures and rigid portions remain relatively stable. This localized deformation capability allows the stretchable circuit to adapt to body contours while maintaining reliable electrical connection at the anchoring points, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnect acts as an intermediary structure between the stretchable electronic circuit and the non-stretchable circuit board. It mediates the mechanical incompatibility between the two by providing a transition zone that can accommodate deformation on one side while maintaining stable connection on the other side, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability to deformation and electrical connection reliability.
3Reliability
If a firm electrical connection is maintained during deformation, then connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to overlap and anchoring structures
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnect merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure - the flexible portion with meander pattern simultaneously provides mechanical flexibility, electrical connection path, and deformation accommodation. The anchoring structures are integrated with the rigid and flexible portions to provide both structural support and secure attachment. This merging of functions into unified structures resolves the contradiction by reducing the number of separate components while maintaining connection reliability during deformation.
Data Source
AI summary
An interconnect for connecting a first electronic circuit to a second, external stretchable electronic circuit device comprises: conductive lines of the first electronic circuit arranged in a plane; connectors configured to define an overlap in the plane between each end of the conductive lines with a corresponding end of stretchable conductive lines providing an electrical connection between the conductive lines and the stretchable conductive lines over the entire overlap; and at least one anchoring structure for providing an anchoring of the first electronic circuit with the second, external stretchable electronic circuit device, wherein the at least one anchoring structure provides anchoring transverse to the plane in anchoring positions on opposite sides of the overlap.