Patent Description:
In recent years, it has been practiced to manage a state of a living body (for example, a human body) by acquiring and analyzing biological information using a wiring board.

When a plurality of wiring lines are arranged on a wiring board, the wiring lines may be crossed with each other. For example, Patent Document <NUM> discloses a method of forming a wiring layer having an overhead intersection portion on a substrate.

The wiring board attached to the living body is required to be a stretchable wiring board that can follow the movement of the living body. Further, even in the above stretchable wiring board, a plurality of wiring lines may be arranged so as to overlap (for example, intersect) with each other, but it is necessary to prevent a short circuit between the wiring lines. Therefore, in order to prevent the short circuit between the wiring lines, an insulating layer may be interposed between the plurality of overlapping wiring lines. Therefore, the portion where the wiring lines and the insulating layer are stacked may greatly protrude. For example, when the plurality of wiring lines intersect with each other three-dimensionally with the insulating layer interposed therebetween, the overhead intersection portion may greatly protrude.

Patent Document <NUM> does not disclose that the substrate has stretchability. Even if the substrate has stretchability, there is a problem that, when the substrate stretches, stress tends to concentrate on the overhead intersection portion of the wiring layer that greatly protrudes, and as a result, the wiring layer is easily broken.

A wiring board comprising a stretchable structure is known from <CIT>. The board comprises a first conductive path passing underneath a second conductive path in the interface region. An insulating layer is provided in interface region to isolate the conductive paths from one another. Further wiring boards are disclosed in any of <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a stretchable wiring board that can suppress breakage of a stretchable wiring line during stretching, while preventing the short circuit between two stretchable wiring lines when the two stretchable wiring lines are arranged so as to overlap with each other.

A stretchable wiring board according to the present invention comprises the features according to claim <NUM>. Preferred aspect of the invention are subject-matter of the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the stretchable wiring board that can suppress breakage of the stretchable wiring line during stretching, while preventing a short circuit between two stretchable wiring lines when the two stretchable wiring lines are arranged so as to overlap with each other.

Hereinafter, a stretchable wiring board of the present invention is described. The present invention is not limited to the following configuration.

In the present description, "thickness" means a length in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the stretchable substrate in sectional view. Further, the "thickness" and the "length" are shown as those in a state of the stretchable wiring board not being stretched.

<FIG> is a schematic plan view showing an example of the stretchable wiring board of the present invention. <FIG> is a schematic sectional view showing a portion corresponding to a line segment A-A' in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, a stretchable wiring board <NUM> has a stretchable substrate <NUM>, a first stretchable wiring line <NUM>, an insulating layer <NUM>, and a second stretchable wiring line <NUM>.

The first stretchable wiring line <NUM> is arranged on the surface of the stretchable substrate <NUM>.

The insulating layer <NUM> is arranged so as to overlap with a part of the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> in plan view.

The second stretchable wiring line <NUM> is arranged such that a part thereof overlaps with the first stretchable wiring line <NUM>, with the insulating layer <NUM> interposed therebetween in plan view.

In the stretchable wiring board <NUM>, there are a first region R1, a second region R2 adjacent to the first region R1, and a third region R3 adjacent to the second region R2 along the extending direction of the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> (the direction of the line segment A-A' in <FIG>). That is, the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> extends over the first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3.

In the first region R1, the first stretchable wiring line <NUM>, the insulating layer <NUM>, and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> are arranged so as to sequentially overlap on the surface of the stretchable substrate <NUM>.

In the second region R2, the insulating layer <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> are arranged so as to sequentially overlap on the surface of the stretchable substrate <NUM>. The first stretchable wiring line <NUM> is not arranged in the second region R2.

In the third region R3, the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> is arranged on the surface of the stretchable substrate <NUM>. The first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the insulating layer <NUM> are not arranged in the third region R3.

The insulating layer <NUM> extends over the first region R1 and the second region R2.

As a result, the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> are electrically insulated, and a short circuit between the two stretchable wiring lines is prevented.

Examples of the constituent material of the stretchable substrate <NUM> include a resin material such as thermoplastic polyurethane.

When the stretchable wiring board <NUM> is, for example, attached to a living body, the thickness of the stretchable substrate <NUM> is preferably <NUM> or less, more preferably <NUM> or less, from the viewpoint of not inhibiting the stretching of the surface of the living body. The thickness of the stretchable substrate <NUM> is preferably <NUM> or more.

As the constituent material of the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM>, a mixture of conductive particles and resin is preferable. Examples of the above mixture include a mixture of metal powder such as silver, copper and nickel as conductive particles and an elastomer resin such as a silicone resin. The average particle size of the conductive particles is preferably <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. The shape of the conductive particles is preferably spherical. The constituent material of the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> may be the same or different from each other.

The thickness of the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> is preferably <NUM> or less, more preferably <NUM> or less, respectively. The thickness of the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> is preferably <NUM> or more, respectively. The thicknesses of the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> may be the same or different from each other.

As the constituent material of the insulating layer <NUM>, resin material or a mixture of resin material and inorganic material is preferable. Examples of the resin material include an elastomer resin such as urethane-based, styrene-based, olefin-based, silicone-based, fluorine-based, nitrile rubber, latex rubber, vinyl chloride, ester-based, and amide-based resins, epoxy, phenol, acrylic, polyester, imide-based, rosin, cellulose, polyethylene terephthalate-based, polyethylene naphthalate-based, and polycarbonate-based resins.

The thickness of the insulating layer <NUM> is preferably <NUM> or less, more preferably <NUM> or less. The thickness of the insulating layer <NUM> is preferably <NUM> or more.

The thickness of the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> is defined as Z1, the thickness of the insulating layer <NUM> as Z2, and the thickness of the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> as Z3 at a position in the first region R1 where the total thickness of the first stretchable wiring line <NUM>, the insulating layer <NUM>, and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> becomes maximum, and the thickness of the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> at a boundary between the second region R2 and the third region R3 is defined as X. At this time, the stretchable wiring board <NUM> satisfies the relationship that X is larger than the larger of Z1 + Z2 and Z2 + Z3, and smaller than Z1 + Z2 + Z3. If the thickness X of the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> is not constant depending on the observed section, both the minimum value and the maximum value of the thickness may satisfy the above relationship.

From the viewpoint of suppressing the protrusion of the first region R1, it is preferable that X = Z1 + Z2 + Z3, but in this case, the stretchability of the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> is hindered because X becomes excessive. On the other hand, by making X larger than the larger of Z1 + Z2 and Z2 + Z3 and smaller than Z1 + Z2 + Z3 as in the above relationship, X does not become excessive, and also, the difference between Z1 + Z2 + Z3 and X (the size of the protrusion in the first region R1) is smaller than the smaller of Z1 and Z3. Therefore, the protrusion of the first region R1 is minimized, and the surface of the stretchable wiring board <NUM> becomes substantially flat over the first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3. Therefore, even if the stretchable wiring board <NUM> is stretched, the stress generated in the first region R1 is suppressed, and as a result, the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> are not easily broken. The above effect can be obtained even when the stretchable wiring board <NUM> is stretched and bent.

If X is smaller than the larger of Z1 + Z2 and Z2 + Z3, the first region R1 will protrude significantly. Therefore, when the stretchable wiring board <NUM> is stretched, the stress tends to concentrate on the first region R1, and as a result, the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> become easily broken.

If X is larger than Z1 + Z2 + Z3, the vicinity of the boundary between the second region R2 and the third region R3 greatly protrudes. Therefore, when the stretchable wiring board <NUM> is stretched, stress tends to concentrate in the vicinity of the boundary between the second region R2 and the third region R3, and as a result, the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> becomes easily broken.

The stretchable wiring board <NUM> is manufactured, for example, by forming the first stretchable wiring line <NUM>, the insulating layer <NUM>, and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> in this order on the surface of the stretchable substrate <NUM>. Note that in order to satisfy the relationship that X is larger than the larger of Z1 + Z2 and Z2 + Z3 and smaller than Z1 + Z2 + Z3 in the stretchable wiring board <NUM>, for example, the following methods (A) and (B) may be adopted.

When the stretchable wiring board <NUM> is stretched (or stretched and bent), the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> get close to each other particularly in the vicinity of the boundary between the first region R1 and the second region R2, and the short circuit and electric leakage between the two stretchable wiring lines may easily occur. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of widening the distance between the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> in the vicinity of the boundary between the first region R1 and the second region R2, it is preferable that the stretchable wiring board <NUM> have the following configuration.

As shown in <FIG>, in sectional view, corners C of the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> (corners on the far side from the stretchable substrate <NUM>, in other words, the corners that are not in contact with the stretchable substrate <NUM>) are preferably R-shaped. As a result, the corners C of the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> are shaped so as to recede toward the inside of the first region R1, therefore, in the vicinity of the boundary between the first region R1 and the second region R2, the distance between the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> becomes sufficiently wide. Therefore, even if the stretchable wiring board <NUM> is stretched (or stretched and bent), the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> do not come too close to each other, and as a result, the short circuit and electric leakage between the two stretchable wirings do not easily occur.

In the present specification, the "R shape" means a shape in which at least a part of the contour is constituted of a curved line and is generally rounded, and for example, a shape having a right-angled contour is excluded.

As shown in <FIG>, in plan view, the minimum value of the length of the second region R2 in the extending direction of the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> is defined as Y. At this time, it is preferable to satisfy the relationship of Y > Z2. As a result, the insulating layer <NUM> becomes thicker in the vicinity of the corners C of the first stretchable wiring line <NUM>, and therefore, the distance between the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> becomes sufficiently wide in the vicinity of the boundary of the first region R1 and the second region R2. Therefore, even if the stretchable wiring board <NUM> is stretched (or stretched and bent), the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> do not come too close to each other, and as a result, the short circuit and electric leakage between the two stretchable wirings do not easily occur.

In the stretchable wiring board <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, in plan view, the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> may intersect, but a part of the above stretchable wiring lines may overlap without intersecting with each other. If the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> and the second stretchable wiring line <NUM> intersect with each other, the intersection angle may be a right angle or may be other than a right angle.

<FIG> is a sectional photograph showing an example of the stretchable wiring board of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, in the sectional photograph of the stretchable wiring board <NUM>, the relationship of X being larger than the larger of Z1 + Z2 and Z2 + Z3 and smaller than Z1 + Z2 + Z3 is satisfied. It can also be seen that the corners C of the first stretchable wiring line <NUM> each has the R shape and the relationship of Y> Z2 is satisfied.

Electronic components may be mounted on the stretchable wiring board <NUM>. <FIG> is a schematic plan view showing an example of a mounting board in which electronic components are mounted on the stretchable wiring board of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, a mounting board <NUM> includes the stretchable wiring board <NUM> and chip components <NUM> and <NUM> as electronic components mounted on the stretchable wiring board <NUM>.

Examples of the chip components <NUM> and <NUM> include amplifiers (op amps, transistors, etc.), resistors, capacitors, inductors, and others.

The mounting board <NUM> (stretchable wiring board <NUM>) can be used as a sensor by being attached to a living body (for example, a human body).

The mounting board <NUM> (stretchable wiring board <NUM>) may further include an adhesive layer having biocompatibility on the surface on the side opposite to the first stretchable wiring line <NUM>, the insulating layer <NUM>, the second stretchable wiring line <NUM>, and the chip components <NUM> and <NUM> of the stretchable substrate <NUM>. With this configuration, the mounting board <NUM> (stretchable wiring board <NUM>) can be easily attached to the living body. The entire mounting board <NUM> (stretchable wiring board <NUM>) may be fixed to the living body by taping.

The whole of the mounting board <NUM> (stretchable wiring board <NUM>) may be coated with a biocompatible resin material. With this configuration, the contact of the first stretchable wiring line <NUM>, the second stretchable wiring line <NUM>, and the chip components <NUM> and <NUM> with the living body is prevented.

Claim 1:
A stretchable wiring board (<NUM>) comprising:
a stretchable substrate (<NUM>);
a first stretchable wiring line (<NUM>);
an insulating layer (<NUM>); and
a second stretchable wiring line (<NUM>),
wherein:
the first stretchable wiring line (<NUM>), the insulating layer (<NUM>), and the second stretchable wiring line (<NUM>) are arranged in a first region (R1) so as to sequentially overlap on a surface of the stretchable substrate (<NUM>);
the insulating layer (<NUM>) and the second stretchable wiring line (<NUM>) are arranged in a second region (R2) adjacent to the first region (R1) so as to sequentially overlap on the surface of the stretchable substrate (<NUM>);
the second stretchable wiring line (<NUM>) is arranged on the surface of the stretchable substrate (<NUM>) in a third region (R3) adjacent to the second region (R2);
the first stretchable wiring line (<NUM>) extends over the first region (R1) but not over the second region (R2) nor over the third region (R3);
the insulating layer (<NUM>) extends over the first region (R1) and the second region (R2) but not over the third region (R3);
the second stretchable wiring line (<NUM>) extends over the first region (R1), the second region (R2), and the third region (R3); and
when a thickness of the first stretchable wiring line (<NUM>) is defined as Z1, a thickness of the insulating layer (<NUM>) is defined as Z2, and a thickness of the second stretchable wiring line (<NUM>) is defined as Z3 at a position in the first region (R1) where a total thickness of the first stretchable wiring line (<NUM>), the insulating layer (<NUM>), and the second stretchable wiring line (<NUM>) becomes maximum, and when the thickness of the second stretchable wiring line (<NUM>) at a boundary between the second region (R2) and the third region (R3) is defined as X,
the stretchable wiring board (<NUM>) satisfies a relationship that X is smaller than Z1 + Z2 + Z3,
characterized in that
the stretchable wiring board (<NUM>) satisfies a relationship that X is larger than a larger of Z1 + Z2 and Z2 + Z3.