Stretchable Strain Sensor Color Shift via Thickness Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current strain sensors lack the ability to effectively display strain variations through color changes, making it difficult to recognize elongation rates and apply them to living bodies or objects in a practical and intuitive manner.

Innovation Solution

A stretchable strain sensor is developed that includes an optoelectronic device with a reflective and semi-transmissive electrode configuration, which changes color based on elongation rates by modifying the optical path length, allowing for wavelength selectivity and visible light spectrum emission, enabling strain variation recognition without additional light sources or complex circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If strain sensors are made to detect physical deformation, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in recognizing strain variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrain detection accuracyVSAvoidstrain variation recognition

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color change principle by using an optoelectronic device that displays different colors corresponding to different elongation rates. The device shows a first color at a first elongation rate, a second color at a second elongation rate, and a third color at a third elongation rate, enabling intuitive visual recognition of strain variations without complex circuits or additional light sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Loss of information

If optoelectronic devices display multiple colors for different elongation rates, then information transmission is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrain rate information transmissionVSAvoidoptoelectronic device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optoelectronic device operates on self-service principle by inherently displaying different colors based on elongation rates without requiring external control circuits, power management systems, or additional processing components. The color change is a direct response to mechanical deformation, eliminating the need for complex control electronics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex electrical control systems with a direct mechanical-optical response mechanism. The optoelectronic device translates mechanical elongation directly into optical color changes, substituting what would traditionally require electrical sensors, microcontrollers, and display drivers with a passive optical response system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If wavelength selectivity is achieved through thickness change, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewavelength discrimination accuracyVSAvoidthickness control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter change principle by utilizing the natural relationship between thickness and wavelength selectivity in the optoelectronic device. As the sensor elongates, the thickness changes systematically, causing corresponding changes in the displayed wavelength/color. This approach converts a manufacturing precision challenge into a functional measurement mechanism where the parameter change is the desired output rather than a defect to be controlled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 sensor effectively displays strain variations as color changes, facilitating easy recognition and application to living bodies or objects, providing real-time strain monitoring without external light dependence.

Implementation Method 1

the optoelectronic device may be configured to display a color according to the thickness change of the thickness of the stretchable strain sensor in the thickness direction due to elongation of the stretchable strain sensor in the elongation direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical path length modulation:

Data Source

PatentUS11828664B2Stretchable strain sensors and devices

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A stretchable strain sensor may exhibit wavelength selectivity according to a thickness change of a thickness of the stretchable strain sensor, in a thickness direction extending parallel to the thickness of the stretchable strain sensor, due to elongation of the stretchable strain sensor in an elongation direction extending perpendicular to the thickness direction. The stretchable strain sensor may have an emission spectrum that changes according to strain variation of a strain on the stretchable strain sensor.