Stretchable Device Hinge Radius Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stretchable devices have a large frame region area due to the meandering shape of the hinges, which increases the overall size of the device.

Innovation Solution

A stretchable device with a resin base member and an array layer, where the resin base member includes hinges with a smaller radius of curvature in the frame region compared to the center region, reducing the area occupied by the frame region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the hinge is designed with a meandering shape to provide stretchability, then the stretchable substrate achieves excellent elasticity and flexibility, but the area occupied by the hinge in the width direction increases, leading to a larger frame region area

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestretchabilityVSAvoidframe region area

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge is designed with different radius of curvature values in different regions: the center region arc has a larger radius of curvature while the frame region arc has a smaller radius of curvature. This local differentiation allows the hinge to maintain stretchability in the center while occupying less area in the frame region, thus resolving the contradiction between stretchability and frame region area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the hinge meanders to extend in the planar direction, then the stretchable substrate achieves flexibility, but the area in the width direction occupied by the hinge increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidwidth direction area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Different radius of curvature values are assigned to different regions of the hinge: the center region uses a larger radius while the frame region uses a smaller radius. This local quality differentiation enables the hinge to maintain flexibility where needed while minimizing width direction occupation in the frame region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The radius of curvature parameter is varied along the hinge structure: larger radius in the center region for flexibility and smaller radius in the frame region for compactness. This parameter change allows the hinge to adapt its geometric properties to different functional requirements, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and width direction area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250089158A1Stretchable device

Publication Date: 2025.03.13 MAGNOLIA WHITE CORP

AI summary

According to an aspect, a stretchable device includes: a stretchable substrate extending in a planar direction; and a pair of stretchable resin layers with the stretchable substrate therebetween in a stacking direction. One of the stretchable resin layers has a surface. The surface has, when viewed in the stacking direction, a center region and a frame region surrounding the center region. The stretchable substrate includes a resin base member and an array layer disposed in the stacking direction. The resin base member includes a hinge meandering and extending in the planar direction. The hinge includes arcs formed in an arc shape when viewed in the stacking direction. The arcs have a center region arc disposed in the center region and a frame region arc disposed in the frame region. The radius of curvature of the frame region arc is smaller than that of the center region arc.