Stretchable Conductive Sheet Assembly for Curved Surface Conformability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conductive sheets, such as those used in heat generators, face challenges with inflexible electrodes that are difficult to bend or stretch, leading to issues with conformability to curved surfaces and requiring complex redesigns when adjustments are needed.

Innovation Solution

The method involves forming electrodes on an adherend and then stretching and sticking a conductive sheet with a quasi-sheet structure to the adherend, allowing for separate adjustments of electrodes and conductive portions, ensuring conformability and efficient installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If electrodes are formed integrally with the heat-generating element on the sheet-shaped conductive member, then the production process is simplified, but the electrodes become difficult to bend or stretch and cannot conform to curved surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction process simplicityVSAvoidconformability to curved surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the conductive sheet into separate functional layers: a flexible quasi-sheet structure layer containing the heat-generating element, and a separate electrode layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - the quasi-sheet structure provides flexibility and conformability, while the electrode layer provides electrical functionality, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability to curved surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional integral structure to a multi-layered three-dimensional structure. By stacking the quasi-sheet structure and electrode layer separately, the design enables independent optimization of each layer's properties, allowing the electrodes to conform to curved surfaces while maintaining production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sheet-shaped conductive member is stretched to conform to curved surfaces, then conformability is improved, but cracks may occur in the electrodes or conductive portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconformability to curved surfaceVSAvoidcrack resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the quasi-sheet structure from the electrode layer, the invention allows the quasi-sheet structure to be stretched and conform to curved surfaces independently, while the electrode layer remains relatively stable. This segmentation prevents cracks in the electrodes while maintaining conformability through the flexible base layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a flexible quasi-sheet structure as the base layer that can be stretched and conform to curved surfaces. This flexible film approach allows the overall structure to adapt to complex geometries without causing stress concentrations that would lead to cracking in the electrode layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Device complexity

If the entire conductive sheet is redesigned when adjustments are needed, then design flexibility is reduced, but integration is improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign integrationVSAvoidadjustment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the conductive sheet into independently adjustable components: the quasi-sheet structure layer and the electrode layer. This allows individual layers to be modified, replaced, or adjusted without requiring complete redesign of the entire assembly, thereby improving ease of repair and adjustment while maintaining design integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a dynamic, modular design where the quasi-sheet structure and electrode layer can be independently adjusted or modified. This dynamic approach allows for flexibility in design changes and repairs, enabling the system to adapt to different requirements without complete redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3846584B1Article with conductive sheet and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 LINTEC CORP
  • EP3846584B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3846584B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3846584B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A method of producing a conductive-sheet-equipped article (100) includes: forming electrodes (40) on an adherend (50) to obtain an electrode-equipped adherend (60); and stretching and sticking a sheet-shaped conductive member (10) to the electrode-equipped adherend (60).