Patent Description:
The present invention relates generally to electronic systems and particularly to a flexible electronic system.

<CIT> discloses an irreversible one time switch, comprising a base substrate, an electrical connection layer disposed on the base substrate, a second substrate being spaced from the electrical connection layer by a spacer layer. The electrical connection layer comprises a gap preventing electrical current flow between contact portions of the electrical connection layer. A conductive member is disposed on the second substrate so as to face the electrical connection layer. By deforming the second substrate in the region of the conductive member, said conductive member is urged towards the connection layer and makes electrical contact between the contact portions.

<CIT> discloses a sing-a-long greeting card comprising a slide switch triggering a pre-recorded music clip when the card is opened.

The present invention provides a flexible electronic system in accordance with claim <NUM>, a flexible electronic system in accordance with claim <NUM>, and a method in accordance with claim <NUM>.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of this disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like arts throughout the drawings, wherein:.

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the described embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary flexible electronic system <NUM>. The flexible electronic system <NUM> is formed in a film shape or a sheet shape, although, the flexible electronic system <NUM> may come in different geometry, sizes, shapes, thickness, weights, colors, depending on the applications. The flexible electronic system <NUM> easily attached to at least one site is disposable, recyclable, deformable, stretchable, twistable, bendable, and squeezable, depending on the application. The site includes any human body part <NUM>, any surface of an object including animal, produce, packaging, computer and electronic machines <NUM>, or the like.

Cross sectional views of the flexible electronic system <NUM> as depicted in <FIG> are now illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> and are referenced as <NUM>. The flexible electronic system <NUM> includes a flexible electronic substrate <NUM>, a base substrate <NUM>, and a flexible protective cover <NUM> mounted on the flexible electronic substrate <NUM>. The flexible electronic substrate <NUM> is formed in a film shape or a sheet shape. As depicted, the flexible electronic substrate <NUM> is single layer and can be fabricated as a plurality of electronic layers, depending on the applications. In some embodiments, the single electronic layer <NUM> may be folded to form a plurality of electronic layers instead. Conductive traces may be patterned onto the electronic substrate to convey signals between components which are mounted on or integrated into the flexible electronic substrate <NUM>. The flexible electronic substrate <NUM> may be formed from any suitable types of materials.

Disposed on the flexible electronic substrate <NUM> includes two contact pads <NUM>, <NUM>. More or less than two contact pads may be provided on the substrate <NUM>, depending on the application. The contact pads <NUM>, <NUM> may be either disposed on, integrated into, printed onto, or laminated onto the electronic substrate <NUM>, depending on the applications. In some embodiments, the contact pads <NUM>, <NUM> formed as part of the components which then electrically coupled to one or more of the other components via traces or interconnects. The components may be sensors, processors, computer readable media, communication interfaces, ASIC, battery, capacitor, transistor, resistor, LEDs, transducers, and any electronic components. The contact pad <NUM> is electrically coupled to an energy source, such as a battery and the contact pad <NUM> is electrically coupled to at least one component. For simplicity, the components such as battery and other components are omitted from the figures. As illustrated in <FIG>, a loaded spring <NUM> couples the contact pad <NUM> to an inner wall of the flexible protective cover <NUM>. Contact pads <NUM>, <NUM> are separated or isolated by an activator <NUM> either mounted on or fixedly attached to a support structure <NUM>. The activator <NUM> and the support structure <NUM> are formed and fabricated from any types of non-conductive material. The activator <NUM> is a spring loaded film or sheet. The activator <NUM> prevents loss of battery capacity and minimizes battery depletion before the initial use of the flexible electronic system <NUM>. The activator <NUM> also prevents the contact pads <NUM>, <NUM> from corrosion reactions, moisture, and gas pressure caused by or exposed to the environment.

The base substrate <NUM> has an adhesive surface that comes into contact with the site of application of the flexible electronic system. A peeler <NUM>, formed as a film or sheet, covers the adhesive surface. The adhesive surface may be an adhesive material coated, formed, or applied to a lower surface of the base substrate <NUM> before the peeler <NUM> is applied. Once the system <NUM> is ready to be used on the application site, the peeler <NUM> is simply removed from the base substrate <NUM> to expose the adhesive surface, allowing application to the site. In some embodiments, the system <NUM> can be reused or recycled by reattaching the peeler <NUM> to the adhesive surface of the base substrate <NUM> for later use or when needed. An upper surface, opposite to the adhesive surface of the base substrate <NUM>, is attached to the flexible electronic substrate <NUM> using any suitable attachment technique. The base substrate <NUM>, in some embodiments, may be formed by a plurality of layers, depending on the application.

The flexible protective cover <NUM> disposed on the electronic substrate <NUM>, also formed in a film shape or a sheet shape. The flexible protective cover <NUM> may be formed from a material such as plastic, thin glass, fiber composites, thin metal, fabric, silicone, and the like. The flexible protective cover <NUM> may also be formed from either a single layer of material or multiple layers of material.

When the flexible electronic system <NUM> is deformed such as bent, folded, squeezed, pulled, pressed, stretched, twisted, or combination thereof in any directions (e.g. upward, downward, right, left, sideway, or combination therefore), such motion causes the activator <NUM> to unload therefore mechanically disengage or release from the contact pads <NUM>, <NUM>. Once the activator <NUM> is completely disengaged from the contact pads <NUM>, <NUM>, the contact pads make in contact thereby closing an electrical circuit and activating the flexible electronic system <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, the flexible electronic system <NUM> is deformed such as bent or folded downwardly until the activator <NUM> is completely disengaged from the contact pads <NUM>, <NUM>. The contact pads <NUM>, <NUM> make in contact thereby closing an electrical circuit and activating the flexible electronic system <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate another described embodiment of a flexible electronic system <NUM> not forming part of the current invention. The flexible electronic system <NUM> is similar in construction to the system <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. In contrast to the system <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>, an activator <NUM> includes a hook <NUM>, a spring or biasing element <NUM> extended from the hook <NUM>, and a body portion <NUM> supported by a first contact pad <NUM>. The activator <NUM> may be formed by any types of conductive material. A preformed sheet may be used to form or mold the structure or shape of the activator as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. The geometry of the activator <NUM> as shown is no way limiting the disclosure. Other geometry, shape and size may be used in the system. To attach the body portion <NUM> of the activator <NUM> to the contact pad <NUM>, various ways of attachment techniques can be used. A second contact pad <NUM> coupled to any types of component is also provided. A receiving portion <NUM> is formed on a top surface of the contact pad <NUM>. The shape of the receiving portion <NUM> conforms to the shape of the hook <NUM>. Both contact pads <NUM>, <NUM> are disposed on the flexible electronic substrate <NUM>. Unlike from the contact pads <NUM>, <NUM> illustrated <FIG> and <FIG> where the contact pads <NUM>, <NUM> are located on different surfaces of the electronic substrate <NUM>. The contact pads <NUM>, <NUM> as depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the contact pad are located on the same surface adjacent to the base substrate <NUM>. An optional layer or film may be disposed on the base substrate <NUM> before the contact pads <NUM>, <NUM> are disposed on the substrate. A pull or stretch force PL applies to both ends of the system <NUM> using both hands causes the hook <NUM> of the activator <NUM> to mechanically disengage from the receiving portion <NUM> of the contact pad <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, the system <NUM> is deactivated after the activator <NUM> is mechanically disengaged from the contact pad <NUM>.

To activate the flexible electronic system <NUM>, simply hold both ends of the system and apply a force PH, such as pressed or squeezed, inwardly towards the center of the system <NUM> causes the hook <NUM> of the activator <NUM> to mechanically engage the receiving portion <NUM> of the contact pad <NUM>. In some embodiments, the stretch force PL after released may facilitate the activator <NUM> to mechanically engage the receiving portion <NUM> of the contact pad <NUM>. Once the activator <NUM> is completely engaged with the contact pad <NUM> thereby closing an electrical circuit and activating the flexible electronic system <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate another flexible electronic system <NUM>. The flexible electronic system <NUM> is similar in construction to the system <NUM> of <FIG>. In contrast to the system <NUM> in <FIG>, the activator <NUM> is filled with conductive fluid and an isolator <NUM> is embedded within the activator <NUM> and divides the activator <NUM> into two fluidly filled chambers 422a, 422b. The conductive fluid may be mercury, aqueous salt, lye, acid solutions, solvents with dissociate particles, solutions based on Triethylenglykoldimethylether, or the like. The isolator <NUM> may be formed from glass, plastics, polymers, or the like, in various thickness. The activator <NUM> is sandwiched between the contact pads <NUM>, <NUM>. The embedded isolator <NUM> is configured to isolate the contact pads <NUM>, <NUM> thereby leaving an electrical circuit open. To activate the system <NUM>, simply apply a force F towards the base substrate <NUM> causes the system to deform. Continue to exert the force F inwardly until the isolator <NUM> is broken or cracked and the conductive material in the chamber <NUM> of the activator <NUM> fluidly engaged the activator with the contact pads <NUM>, <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>. In some embodiments, the isolator <NUM> may be formed from any types of material that dissolves in the chambers 422a, 422b during the deformation of the system <NUM>. Once the isolator <NUM> is deformed, the conductive material or fluid contained in the chambers 422a, 422b of the activator <NUM> fluidly engaged. The activator and the contact pads <NUM>, <NUM> thereby close an electrical circuit and activate the flexible electronic system <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A flexible electronic system (<NUM>), comprising:
- a flexible electronic substrate (<NUM>) having a first contact pad (<NUM>) and a second contact pad (<NUM>) opposed to the first contact pad (<NUM>), wherein the first contact pad (<NUM>) is electrically coupled to an energy source and the second contact pad (<NUM>) is electrically coupled to at least one component;
- a base substrate (<NUM>) having an adhesive layer, wherein the base substrate (<NUM>) is positioned on a lower surface of the flexible electronic substrate (<NUM>); characterised by
- an activator (<NUM>) disposed in the flexible electronic substrate (<NUM>), wherein the activator (<NUM>) comprises a spring loaded film or sheet of non-conductive material having a first end mounted on a support structure (<NUM>) and a second end positioned at a distance away from the support (<NUM>), the activator (<NUM>) being configured to electrically isolate the first contact pad (<NUM>) and the second contact pad (<NUM>) from one another;
- a flexible protective cover (<NUM>) disposed over the flexible electronic substrate (<NUM>), wherein the second contact pad (<NUM>) is coupled to an inner wall of the protective cover (<NUM>) by a loaded spring (<NUM>);
wherein, when the flexible electronic system (<NUM>) is deformed by bending or folding, the activator (<NUM>) unloads and mechanically disengages from the first contact pad (<NUM>) and the second contact pad (<NUM>), the contact pads (<NUM>, <NUM>) make contact thereby closing an electrical circuit and activating the energy source.