SYSTEMS, ARTICLES, AND METHODS FOR STRETCHABLE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A stretchable printed circuit board comprising:
- a first dielectric layer formed of a stretchable dielectric material;
a second dielectric layer formed of a stretchable dielectric material, the second dielectric layer carried by the first dielectric layer;
at least one conductive trace carried by the first dielectric layer and positioned in between the first and the second dielectric layers, wherein the at least one conductive trace forms a serpentine signal path that extends along at least a portion of a length of the stretchable printed circuit board and includes a plurality of changes in direction across a width of the stretchable printed circuit board; and
a plurality of cut-away sections in the first and the second dielectric layers, wherein each cut-away section includes a respective section of the first and the second dielectric layers that is removed and each cut-away section positioned at an edge of the stretchable printed circuit board proximate and in between a respective pair of segments of the serpentine signal path where the serpentine signal path changes direction.
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Abstract
Improved stretchable printed circuit boards, and fabrication methods thereof, are described. The improved stretchable printed circuit boards include a serpentine conductive trace enclosed by stretchable dielectric material. The stretchable dielectric material has a serpentine shape itself, realized by crenulated edges. The crenulated edges reduce torsional strain on the conductive trace and are formed, for example, by cutting away sections of the stretchable dielectric material proximate segments of the serpentine conductive trace where the serpentine conductive trace changes direction.
116 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A stretchable printed circuit board comprising:
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a first dielectric layer formed of a stretchable dielectric material; a second dielectric layer formed of a stretchable dielectric material, the second dielectric layer carried by the first dielectric layer; at least one conductive trace carried by the first dielectric layer and positioned in between the first and the second dielectric layers, wherein the at least one conductive trace forms a serpentine signal path that extends along at least a portion of a length of the stretchable printed circuit board and includes a plurality of changes in direction across a width of the stretchable printed circuit board; and a plurality of cut-away sections in the first and the second dielectric layers, wherein each cut-away section includes a respective section of the first and the second dielectric layers that is removed and each cut-away section positioned at an edge of the stretchable printed circuit board proximate and in between a respective pair of segments of the serpentine signal path where the serpentine signal path changes direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A stretchable printed circuit board comprising:
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at least one conductive trace that forms a serpentine signal path, wherein the serpentine signal path extends along at least a portion of a length of the stretchable printed circuit board and includes a plurality of changes in direction across a width of the stretchable printed circuit board; and a substantially planar segment of stretchable dielectric material that encloses the at least one conductive trace, wherein the substantially planar segment of stretchable dielectric material has a crenulated shape the includes a plurality of crenulations across the at least a portion of the length of the stretchable printed circuit board, and wherein each crenulation of the substantially planar segment of stretchable dielectric material is positioned proximate and corresponds to a respective portion of the at least one conductive trace where the serpentine signal path changes direction. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of fabricating a stretchable printed circuit board, the method comprising:
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depositing a first layer of stretchable dielectric material; depositing at least one conductive trace on the first layer of stretchable dielectric material, wherein the at least one conductive trace forms a serpentine signal path that extends along at least a portion of a length of the stretchable printed circuit board and includes a plurality of changes in direction across a width of the stretchable printed circuit board; depositing a second layer of stretchable dielectric material on the at least one conductive trace; and cutting away sections in the first and the second layers of stretchable dielectric material, each cut-away section positioned at an edge of the stretchable printed circuit board proximate at least one respective change in direction in the serpentine signal path. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method of fabricating a stretchable printed circuit board, the method comprising:
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fabricating a flexible printed circuit board, wherein fabricating a flexible printed circuit board comprises; depositing a layer of flexible dielectric material; depositing a layer of conductive metal on top of the flexible dielectric material; and etching a circuit pattern into the layer of conductive metal, wherein the circuit pattern includes at least one serpentine conductive trace that includes a plurality of changes in direction, removing at least some portions of the flexible dielectric material that are not covered by the at least one serpentine conductive trace; and enclosing at least a portion of the flexible printed circuit board in a stretchable dielectric material, wherein the stretchable dielectric material forms a crenulated shape that includes a plurality of crenulations across a length thereof, wherein each crenulation is positioned proximate and corresponds to a respective change in direction in the at least one serpentine conductive trace. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A wearable electronic device comprising:
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a first pod structure, wherein the first pod structure includes a first sensor to in use detect an input from a user and a first electric circuit; a second pod structure, wherein the second pod structure includes a second electric circuit, and wherein the first and the second pod structures are physically spaced apart from one another; and at least one stretchable printed circuit board that electrically couples the first electric circuit of the first pod structure with the second electric circuit of the second pod structure, wherein the at least one stretchable printed circuit board comprises; at least one conductive trace that forms a serpentine signal path, wherein the serpentine signal path extends along at least a portion of a length of the stretchable printed circuit board and includes a plurality of changes in direction across a width of the stretchable printed circuit board; and a substantially planar segment of stretchable dielectric material that encloses the at least one conductive trace, wherein the substantially planar segment of stretchable dielectric material has a crenulated shape that includes a plurality of crenulations across the length of the stretchable printed circuit board, and wherein each crenulation of the substantially planar segment of stretchable dielectric material is positioned proximate and corresponds to a respective portion of the at least one conductive trace where the serpentine signal path changes direction.
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Specification