Stretchable Panel Structure With Elastic Modulus Transition Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stretchable panels experience structural and functional deformation and damage due to stress concentration during stretching, compromising their flexibility and stretchability.
Innovation Solution
A stretchable panel design incorporating a stretchable substrate with a non-stretchable pattern and an elastic structure, featuring distinct regions with varying elastic moduli, including a first elastomer for stretchability and a second elastomer for structural support, along with pixel circuits and connection electrodes to maintain flexibility and reduce stress concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the stretchable panel uses a uniform elastic material throughout, then the panel achieves high flexibility and stretchability, but stress concentrates in specific regions during stretching causing structural and functional deformation and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct regions with different elastic moduli within the same panel. The non-stretchable pattern region has a higher elastic modulus than the surrounding stretchable substrate, allowing different parts of the panel to have different mechanical properties. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the stretchable region to provide flexibility while the non-stretchable region provides structural stability and prevents stress concentration damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the first elastomer (stretchable substrate) with the particular material (non-stretchable pattern) having different elastic moduli. This composite structure allows the panel to simultaneously achieve stretchability in certain regions while maintaining structural integrity in others, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and reliability.
2Reliability
If the panel includes a non-stretchable pattern region with high elastic modulus, then stress concentration is reduced and structural stability is improved, but the overall stretchability and flexibility of the panel is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the panel into distinct functional regions: a stretchable substrate region and a non-stretchable pattern region. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function - the stretchable region provides flexibility and stretchability while the non-stretchable region provides structural stability and stress distribution, resolving the contradiction between these opposing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
By confining the high elastic modulus material to specific pattern regions rather than using it throughout the entire panel, the invention maintains stretchability in the substrate regions while providing structural support where needed. This localized application resolves the contradiction by allowing both properties to coexist in different parts of the same panel.
3Reliability
If the elastic modulus difference between regions is increased to reduce stress concentration, then structural deformation is minimized, but the transition between regions creates abrupt mechanical property changes leading to new stress points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastic structure with a third elastic modulus that is higher than the first elastomer but lower than the particular material. This intermediate elastic modulus acts as a mechanical transition zone between the stretchable substrate and the non-stretchable pattern, reducing abrupt property changes and minimizing stress concentration at the boundaries while maintaining the overall structural stability benefits.
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
The design enhances stretch stability by minimizing structural and functional deformation, ensuring high flexibility and stretchability while maintaining pixel circuit functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a stretchable substrate including a first elastomer having a first elastic modulus... including a second elastomer having a third elastic modulus higher than the first elastic modulus
Data Source
AI summary
A stretchable panel includes a stretchable substrate including a first elastomer having a first elastic modulus, a non-stretchable pattern covering a portion of the stretchable substrate and including a particular material that includes an organic, inorganic, or organic-inorganic material, the particular material having a second elastic modulus higher than the first elastic modulus, a plurality of unit elements arranged on the non-stretchable pattern, a plurality of pixel circuits configured to independently operate separate, respective unit elements, a connection electrode configured to electrically connect each of the unit elements and each of the pixel circuits, and an elastic structure overlapped with an edge portion of the non-stretchable pattern along a thickness direction of the stretchable substrate and comprising a second elastomer having a third elastic modulus higher than the first elastic modulus and lower than the second elastic modulus, and an electronic device including the same.