Stretchable Device Oil-and-Fat Barrier for Breakage Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stretchable devices with stretchable substrates are prone to breakage due to the adhesion of foreign substances like sebum or machine oil, which cause local changes in molecular structure and stress concentration, leading to non-uniform stretchability and mechanical weakness.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an oil-and-fat barrier layer containing an oil-and-fat material in the main surface region of the stretchable substrate to prevent foreign substances from adhering and entering the molecular structure, thereby maintaining uniform stretchability and mechanical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a stretchable substrate is used for living body or equipment applications, then stretchability and flexibility are improved, but the substrate becomes susceptible to foreign substance adhesion which causes breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestretchabilityVSAvoidbreakage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An oil-and-fat barrier layer is introduced as an intermediary between the stretchable substrate and foreign substances. This barrier layer prevents foreign substances like sebum and machine oil from directly contacting and adhering to the substrate, thereby eliminating the breakage cause while preserving the substrate's stretchability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The oil-and-fat barrier layer is applied in advance to the stretchable substrate before use. This preliminary protective action ensures that when foreign substances encounter the substrate during normal operation, they are blocked by the pre-existing barrier layer, preventing adhesion and subsequent breakage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the stretchable substrate is made thinner to improve flexibility, then adaptability to living bodies is improved, but mechanical strength and resistance to breakage deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The stretchable substrate is combined with an oil-and-fat barrier layer to form a composite structure. This composite material approach allows the substrate to maintain its thin, flexible characteristics while the barrier layer provides the necessary protection against foreign substances, achieving both flexibility and breakage resistance simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20250230324A1Stretchable device

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A stretchable device including: a stretchable substrate that includes a main surface region extending along a direction different from a thickness direction of the stretchable substrate; and an oil-and-fat barrier layer containing an oil-and-fat material in the main surface region.