TW201622194A - Transformable device, method of manufacturing the same and display including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A transformable device is provided. The transformable device includes an electro-active layer. A first electrode is disposed at a lower portion inside the electro-active layer. A second electrode is disposed at an upper portion inside the electro-active layer. In the transformable device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, performance of the electrodes is suppressed from decreasing in spite of repeated operating and a life of the transformable device can be increased as compared with a case of forming electrodes outside an electro-active layer.

Description

Deformable device, manufacturing method thereof and display device therewith

The present invention relates to a deformable device and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly to a deformable device including an electrode and a method of manufacturing the deformable device.

An electroactive polymer (EAP) is a polymer that is deformable by electrical stimulation, and means a polymer that can be repeatedly expanded, contracted, and bent by electrical stimulation. Among various types of electroactive polymers, ferroelectric polymers and dielectric elastomers are mainly used. For example, the ferroelectric polymer includes PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) and P(VDF)-TrFE (poly(vinylidene fluoride)-trifluoroethylene), and the dielectric elastomer may be based on ruthenium, polyurethane, propylene, or the like.

Ferroelectric polymers have the advantages of satisfactory flexibility and satisfactory dielectric constant, but have significant problems in optical properties such as light transmittance. Therefore, it is difficult to use a ferroelectric polymer on the entire surface of the display device. Further, the dielectric elastomer has a satisfactory transmittance, but its driving voltage is high. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to directly use a dielectric elastomer in a display device having a relatively low driving voltage such as a mobile device.

However, dielectric elastomers of electroactive polymers generally have flexibility and elasticity that allow their shapes to be deformed differently. Therefore, the field in which a dielectric elastomer can be utilized has been studied using a flexible display device which has been actively developed recently. For convenience of description, hereinafter, a dielectric elastomer is assumed to be used as the electroactive polymer.

When an electric field is applied to the electroactive layer by an electrode disposed on both the upper surface and the lower surface of the electroactive layer composed of the electroactive polymer, polarization occurs inside the electroactive layer. The positive and negative charges are respectively accumulated on the electrodes disposed at the upper and lower portions of the electroactive layer due to such polarization, and the electroactive layer (Coulomb force) is generated by the electrostatic attraction (Coulomb force) generated among the accumulated charges Apply Maxwell Stress. The formula representing the magnitude of Maxwell's stress is as follows. [Math 1]

Herein, Maxwell stress means a force of an electroactive layer to be contracted in the thickness direction by electrostatic attraction of electric charge and to be expanded in the length direction. Due to the nature of the electroactive layer deformed by Maxwell stress, the electroactive layer is attracting attention as a new material constituting the electroactive layer of the deformable device.

Referring to Mathematical Formula 1, the magnitude P of the Maxwell stress is proportional to the dielectric constant e _{r of the} electroactive layer, the electric field E, and the magnitude of the voltage V. As the magnitude of the Maxwell stress becomes larger, the electroactive layer has more displacement or further deformation. Therefore, in order to increase the displacement or deformation of the deformable device, it is necessary to increase the magnitude of the Maxwell stress. Therefore, in order to increase the Maxwell stress and lower the driving voltage of the deformable device, research is being conducted for increasing the dielectric constant of the electroactive layer or for increasing the effective electric field.

The method of arranging and forming electrodes in a deformable device by the flexibility and elasticity of the electroactive layer and the Maxwell stress becomes an important matter. An electrode formed by sputtering as a general electrode forming method may be deformed and damaged when operating a deformable device including an electroactive layer composed of an electroactive polymer, and the performance of the deformable device is repeatedly operated according to the deformable device And lower. The electroactive polymer layer can be interposed between the support substrates on which the electrodes are formed by other methods. However, since the support substrate has unsatisfactory flexibility compared to the electroactive layer, the displacement of the electroactive layer may be constrained by the support substrate. Therefore, as an electrode applied to a deformable device including an electroactive layer composed of an electroactive polymer, a soft electrode suitable for deformation is used.

As such a soft electrode, an electrode produced by mixing an elastomer with a carbon conductive paste, carbon black or a carbon nanotube (CNT) is used. Such an electrode can be formed by a printing process and has a problem that sheet resistance characteristics are not satisfactory and the process is not easy.

Therefore, a deformable device capable of maximally ensuring displacement of the electroactive layer by Maxwell stress and having an easy process, and a method of manufacturing the deformable device, are required regardless of the repeated operation.

In order to solve the problems of low performance and short life of the electrode of the deformable device as described above, the inventors of the present invention have invented a new structural deformable device and a method of manufacturing the same, in which an electrode is formed inside the electroactive layer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a deformable device capable of forming an electrode inside an electroactive layer by a simple process and a method of manufacturing the same.

Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a deformable device capable of maintaining the performance of an electrode and increasing the life thereof according to the formation of an electrode inside the electroactive layer regardless of repeated operations, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Furthermore, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a separate adhesive layer that does not require bonding of the electrodes outside the deformable device and a thinner display in accordance with a separate mask layer that forms the electrodes inside the deformable device. Device.

The object of the present invention is not limited to the above described objects, and other objects not mentioned above can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. .

In order to solve the problems described above, a deformable device according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided. The deformable device includes an electroactive layer. A first electrode is disposed inside the electroactive layer. A second electrode is disposed inside the electroactive layer and disposed on the first electrode at a distance from the first electrode. In the deformable device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the performance degradation of the electrode is suppressed and the life of the deformable device can be increased regardless of repeated operations as compared with the case where the electrode is formed outside the electroactive layer .

According to another aspect of the invention, the electroactive layer is disposed to surround all of the first electrode and the second electrode.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises a precipitate of a conductive material. In this case, the first electrode and the second electrode can be embedded in the material of the electroactive layer, including that the conductive material settles under the influence of gravity on the electroactive layer is still at least partially Natural precipitation within the material of the liquid, as well as chemical precipitation by means of an additional precipitant that chemically reacts with the electrically conductive material. According to another aspect of the invention, the electroactive layer comprises an electroactive polymer.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the electroactive layer comprises an elastomer, in particular a dielectric elastomer.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the electroactive layer further contains an impurity including at least one of a conductive material, a precipitating agent, and a compound of the conductive material and the precipitating agent, and a hardener.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the concentration of the impurity in the electroactive layer becomes higher as it is closer to the first electrode and the second electrode.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the electroactive layer is disposed to surround the first electrode and the second electrode.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed in a range in which a concentration of impurities in the electroactive layer along a thickness direction of the electroactive layer is higher than a specific concentration .

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the electroactive layer has a thickness of 50 micrometers (mm) to 400 mm. According to an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the electroactive layer is from 100 mm to 300 mm. The thickness should be selected in consideration of the power consumption and driving voltage required to operate the deformable device. If the thickness is excessive, a high driving voltage is required to generate the Maxwell stress required to operate the deformable device normally, and power consumption is increased. However, if the thickness is too small, it is impossible to apply a sufficient voltage required to operate the deformable device normally.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a thickness between a lower surface of the first electrode and a lower surface of the electroactive layer and an upper surface of the second electrode and an upper surface of the electroactive layer At least one of the thicknesses is 0.1 mm to 10 mm.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a thickness between a lower surface of the first electrode and a lower surface of the electroactive layer, and an upper surface of the second electrode and an upper surface of the electroactive layer At least one of the thicknesses between them is proportional to the thickness of the electroactive layer.

In order to solve the above described problem, a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention is provided. A display device according to the present invention includes a display panel and a deformable device as described above. The deformable device is disposed below the display panel. The deformable device includes an electroactive layer and an electrode that is inserted into the electroactive layer. When the deformable device is deformed, the display device is also deformed into various forms, and the display device is capable of providing an output that is deformed into various forms.

According to another aspect of the invention, the display panel has a flexible substrate.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the display device further includes: a lower cover disposed under the deformable device; and an upper cover disposed on the deformable device, wherein the The lower cover and the upper cover are constructed of a flexible material.

The display device of the above type may be one of the following: a smart phone; a watch; an electronic newspaper; a curtain.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the display device of the above type is one of: a smart phone; a watch; an electronic newspaper; a curtain.

The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a deformable device of the above type, the method comprising the steps of: injecting a conductive material into a first electroactive layer material and a second electroactive layer material; precipitating said conductive material to form a first electroactive layer and a second electroactive layer, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed inside the first electroactive layer and the second electroactive layer, respectively, and the first electroactive layer is And curing the second electroactive layer; and bonding the first electroactive layer and the second electroactive layer to each other.

In the method, the first electrode and the second electrode are separately formed in respective first electroactive layers and second electroactive layers. Concentration of impurities (including, for example, the conductive material, the precipitant, and the hardener) by controlling precipitation of the conductive material and hardening of materials of the first electroactive layer and the second electroactive layer The change can be varied within the respective electroactive layer and when the first electrode and the second electrode are formed. When the individual first electroactive layer and the second electroactive layer are hardened, they can be bonded to each other without any adhesive layer therebetween.

According to an embodiment, the first electroactive layer and the second electroactive layer are bonded to each other by heat.

According to another embodiment of the invention, pressure is applied to the first electroactive layer and the second electroactive layer that are heated such that they are fully bonded. The interface between the first electroactive layer and the second electroactive layer disappears in the process and is formed on the electroactive layer.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the precipitation of the electrically conductive material is a natural precipitation, wherein the electrically conductive material is precipitated by gravity in the electroactive layer material having liquid properties. This natural precipitation is the sedimentation of the precipitant deposited.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the precipitate is a chemical precipitate of the conductive material precipitated in the electroactive layer material having fluidity by a chemical reaction with a precipitating agent.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, natural hardening by the electroactive layer material at normal temperature, by chemical hardening (meaning that the electroactive layer material is hardened in a chemical reaction), by heat (ie, The hardening of the first electroactive layer material and the second electroactive layer material is performed by hardening or by light (for example, by ultraviolet (UV)) hardening at a temperature higher than a normal temperature.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method comprises a process of injecting a precipitant and/or a hardener into the first electroactive layer material and the second electroactive layer material.

According to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a process of injecting a precipitant into the first electroactive layer material and the second electroactive layer material and injecting a hardener into the first electroactive layer material and The process of describing the second electroactive layer material is performed simultaneously.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rate of hardening of the first electroactive layer material and the second electroactive layer material is controlled by setting a ratio of the corresponding electroactive layer material and the hardener . In this embodiment, the concentration of the impurities (including the conductive material, the precipitant, and the hardener) in the corresponding electroactive layer can be controlled. The dielectric constant of the corresponding electroactive layer can be changed by the change in the concentration of the impurities.

Other details of implementing the invention are included in the embodiments and drawings.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a deformable device in which the electrode for applying a voltage to the electroactive layer can be easily formed inside the electroactive layer, and wherein The operation maintains the performance of the electrode for a long time.

In addition, it is possible to provide a deformable device in which the electrode can be formed in the electroactive layer in a shorter process time without an expensive electrode forming device for forming the electrode. internal.

Moreover, since a separate adhesive layer and a mask layer are not necessary when the electrode is inserted into the deformable device to provide the electrode to the deformable device, it is possible to provide a thickness having a small thickness and The display device is advantageous in terms of a thin profile.

The advantages according to the present invention are not limited to the descriptions exemplified above, and more various advantages are included in the present specification.

The above description of the disclosure and the following description of the embodiments of the present invention are intended to illustrate and explain the spirit and principles of the invention, and to provide further explanation of the scope of the invention.

The detailed features and advantages of the present invention are set forth in the Detailed Description of the Detailed Description of the <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> </ RTI> </ RTI> <RTIgt; The objects and advantages associated with the present invention can be readily understood by those skilled in the art. The following examples are intended to describe the present invention in further detail, but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The shapes, dimensions, ratios, angles, numbers, and the like of the elements disclosed in the drawings for describing the embodiments of the present invention are exemplary, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. In addition, in the specification of the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description about related art may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. When "include", "has", "comprise", etc., as used in this specification is used, other parts may be added unless "only" is used. The constituent elements are expressed in the singular form and include the plural unless there is a specific description.

When analyzing constituent elements, they include an error range even when there is no independent description.

In the description of the positional relationship, when using, for example, "on", "at the upper", "below", "at the lower", "close", etc., the position between the two parts When describing a relationship, one or more other parts can be placed between the two parts unless "just" or "direct" is used.

The description of a device or layer on another device or layer includes all instances where another layer or another device is inserted on the other device or intervening.

Although the first, second, etc. are used to describe various constituent elements, these constituent elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one constituent element from another constituent element. Therefore, within the technical spirit of the present invention, the first constituent element mentioned hereinafter may be the second constituent element.

Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals and symbols denote the same constituent elements.

The dimensions and thicknesses of the various configurations illustrated in the drawings are shown for convenience of description, but the invention is not necessarily limited to the size and thickness of the illustrated construction.

Features of various embodiments of the present invention can be connected or combined, in part or in whole, with each other, and can be technically differently linked or operated as can be fully understood by those skilled in the art, and these embodiments can be specifically independent of each other Implemented and can be implemented in conjunction with each other.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a deformable device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the deformable device 100 includes an electroactive layer 110, a first electrode 121, and a second electrode 122.

Referring to Figure 1, electroactive layer 110 comprises an electroactive polymer. Specifically, the electroactive layer 110 is composed of a dielectric elastomer. For example, the electroactive layer 110 may be composed of a dielectric elastomer based on ruthenium, polyurethane, propylene, or the like.

The first electrode 121 is an electrode that is disposed at a lower portion of the deformable device 100. Specifically, the first electrode 121 is disposed at a lower portion of the electroactive layer 110 inside the electroactive layer 110. For example, the first electrode 121 may be disposed inside the electroactive layer 110 separately from the lower surface of the electroactive layer 110 as illustrated in FIG. In the unexemplified condition, the first electrode 121 may be disposed to be in contact with the lower surface of the electroactive layer 110 inside the electroactive layer 110.

The second electrode 122 is an electrode that is disposed at an upper portion of the deformable device 100. The second electrode 122 is disposed at an upper portion of the electroactive layer 110 inside the electroactive layer 110 at a certain vertical distance from the first electrode 121. For example, the second electrode 122 may be disposed inside the electroactive layer 110 separately from the upper surface of the electroactive layer 110 as illustrated in FIG. In the unexemplified condition, the second electrode 122 may be disposed to be in contact with the upper surface of the electroactive layer 110 inside the electroactive layer 110.

The first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 may be made of the same material. Specifically, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 include a conductive material. For example, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 may be made of various conductive materials such as metal powder, carbon nanotube (CNT), Ag-nano wire (Ag-NW), or a conductive polymer. In some embodiments, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 may further include impurities other than the conductive material. In this case, the impurities may be a precipitating agent or a compound of a conductive material and a precipitating agent.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, the electroactive layer 110 may further include impurities other than the electroactive polymer. Specifically, the impurities may be at least one of the same material as the conductive material constituting the first electrode 121 and the second electrode, a precipitating agent, and a compound of a precipitating agent and a conductive material.

When impurities are present in the electroactive layer 110, the concentration of impurities in the electroactive layer 110 increases as it is closer to the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122. In other words, the concentration of the impurity is highest around the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122, and is the lowest at the center of the intermediate portion between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 of the electroactive layer 110.

The concentration of impurities in the electroactive layer 110 has an effect on the magnitude of Maxwell Stress applied to the electroactive layer 110. The Maxwell stress is proportional to the permittivity of the electroactive layer 110, and the dielectric constant can be increased by impurities in the electroactive layer 110. Specifically, when impurities are present in the electroactive layer 110, the dielectric constant of the electroactive layer 110 is increased, and further, the Maxwell stress applied to the electroactive layer 110 can be increased.

The first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 are soft electrodes. In other words, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 may have flexibility to deform the shape of the electroactive layer 110 made of a flexible elastomer. Therefore, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 are inserted into the electroactive layer 110. Therefore, cracking does not occur even when the shape of the electroactive layer 110 is deformed and the performance of the electrode does not decrease.

The deformable device 100 is deformed by deforming the electroactive layer 110 by an electric field generated by charges supplied to the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122. Specifically, the direction and shape of the deformation of the deformable device 100 may vary according to the polarity of the charges supplied to the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122. Hereinafter, a process of deforming the electroactive layer 110 by the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 will be described in detail.

The first electrode 121 supplies a charge to a lower portion of the electroactive layer 110. The second electrode 122 supplies a charge to an upper portion of the electroactive layer 110. Therefore, an electric field is formed between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122. In this case, the electrical characteristics of the charges supplied to the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 may be opposite to each other. In other words, when a positive charge is supplied to the first electrode 121, a negative charge is supplied to the second electrode 122, and when a negative charge is supplied to the first electrode 121, a positive charge is supplied to the second electrode 122. In this case, when the electrical characteristics of the electric charge supplied to the first electrode 121 and the electric characteristics of the electric charge supplied to the second electrode 122 are changed to be opposite to each other, the direction of the electric field also changes. In other words, the voltage applied to the electroactive layer 110 between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 may be an alternating current (AC) voltage, and an electric field based on the alternating voltage is formed at the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122. between. In some embodiments, a positive or negative charge is supplied to any of the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122, and the other electrode may be grounded.

Therefore, the electric field formed between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 causes polarization of the electroactive layer 110 between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122, and is subjected to Maxwell stress by electrostatic attraction based on polarization. The electroactive layer 110 is deformed.

When an alternating voltage is applied between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122, Maxwell stress is generated in the electroactive layer 110 by an electric field between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122. The degree of deformation of the electroactive layer 110 and the deformable device 100 varies depending on the amplitude of such an alternating voltage applied between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122. Specifically, when the amplitude of the alternating voltage applied between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 is increased, the magnitude of the Maxwell stress increases in proportion to the square of the amplitude of the alternating voltage. Therefore, when the amplitude of the alternating voltage applied between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 is increased, the magnitude of the Maxwell stress is increased, and the shape of the electroactive layer 110 and the shape of the deformable device 100 are significantly deformed.

In addition, the deformation speed of the electroactive layer 110 and the deformable device 100 changes according to the frequency of the alternating voltage applied between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122. Specifically, when the frequency of the alternating voltage applied between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 is increased, the polarity of the alternating voltage applied between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 is rapidly changed. Therefore, the direction of the Maxwell stress applied to the electroactive layer 110 and the deformable device 100 changes rapidly, and the direction of deformation of the electroactive layer 110 and the deformable device 100 also changes rapidly.

In the deformable device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 capable of maintaining performance for a long period of time regardless of repeated operations are disposed inside the electroactive layer 110. Specifically, the first electrode 121 is inserted into a lower portion of the electroactive layer 110, and the second electrode 122 is inserted into an upper portion of the electroactive layer 110, thereby passing charges supplied from the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122. An electric field is formed in the electroactive layer 110. However, when the first electrode and the second electrode are formed in such a manner that the soft electrode is coated or printed on the outer surface of the electroactive layer, these soft electrodes are broken or damaged due to repeated operations of the deformable device. Therefore, these soft electrodes are not used as electrodes, and the deformable device is also inoperable. In contrast, in the deformable device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 are inserted into the electroactive layer 110, and are made of a material suitable for deformation, regardless of the deformable device 100. The repeated operations are capable of minimizing damage of the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122.

In addition, when the electroactive layer 110 of the deformable device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention contains impurities, the magnitude of the Maxwell stress is increased by the impurities in the electroactive layer 110. Specifically, impurities other than the electroactive polymer may be present in the electroactive layer 110 between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122, and the electroactive polymer includes a dielectric elastomer having a dielectric constant ratio not containing impurities. An impurity with a high dielectric constant. Therefore, since the dielectric constant of the electroactive layer 110 containing impurities is higher than the dielectric constant of the electroactive layer containing no impurities, the magnitude of the Maxwell stress proportional to the dielectric constant also increases.

Hereinafter, the driving voltage of the deformable device 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C to be lowered according to the arrangement of the first electrode and the second electrode in the electroactive layer 110.

2A, 2B, and 2C are schematic cross-sectional views of a deformable device and illustrating a concentration of a conductive material with respect to a height of an electroactive layer in a cross-sectional view, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a deformable device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view obtained by enlarging a part (X) of the deformable device of FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2C is related to 2B is a graph of the concentration of the conductive material at the height of the cross section of the deformable device. Since FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of the deformable device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, the same description will not be repeated.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the first electrode 121 is disposed away from the lower surface of the electroactive layer 110, and the second electrode 122 is disposed away from the upper surface of the electroactive layer 110. Therefore, the electroactive layer 110 is formed to surround all of the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122. In other words, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 are inserted into the electroactive layer 110. Specifically, the conductive material injected into the electroactive layer material is precipitated away from the lower surface of the electroactive layer, thereby forming an electrode. For example, a conductive material is injected into the first electroactive layer material, the implanted conductive material is precipitated away from the lower surface of the first electroactive layer, thereby forming the first electrode 121, and the conductive material is injected into the second electroactive layer The material, the injected conductive material is precipitated away from the lower surface of the second electroactive layer, thereby forming the second electrode 122. In this case, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 may be formed to have any thickness by precipitating the conductive material. Therefore, after the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 are formed, the second electrode 122 can be disposed at the first position as illustrated in FIG. 2A by combining the first electroactive layer material and the second electroactive layer material. A deformable device 100 is formed over the electrode 121. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, in the deformable device 100, the first electrode 121 may be formed away from the lower surface of the electroactive layer 110, and the second electrode 122 may be formed away from the upper surface of the electroactive layer 110. A specific method of manufacturing a deformable device including the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D.

As described above, when the electroactive layer 110 is formed under the first electrode 121 inside the electroactive layer 110 and formed on the second electrode 122 inside the electroactive layer 110, the electroactive layer 110 formed under the first electrode 121 is formed. The thickness d1 and the thickness d2 of the electroactive layer 110 formed on the second electrode 122 are smaller than the thickness d3 of the electroactive layer 110 formed between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122. In some embodiments, the thickness d1 of the electroactive layer 110 formed under the first electrode 121 and the thickness d2 of the electroactive layer 110 formed on the second electrode 122 may be different from each other.

Herein, the thickness d of the electroactive layer 110 can be freely selected by those skilled in the art in consideration of the power consumption and driving voltage required to operate the deformable device 100 and whether or not to operate normally as the deformable device 100. Preferably, the thickness d of the electroactive layer 110 may be from 50 mm to 400 mm. More preferably, the thickness d of the electroactive layer 110 may be from 100 mm to 300 mm. Herein, when the thickness d of the electroactive layer 110 is less than 50 mm, it is impossible to apply a sufficient voltage required to normally operate the deformable device 100. Therefore, the deformable device 100 cannot be operated normally. In addition, when the thickness d of the electroactive layer 110 is greater than 400 mm, a high driving voltage is required to generate the Maxwell stress required to operate the deformable device normally, and thus it is possible to excessively increase the power consumption.

A portion of the electroactive layer 110 formed under the first electrode 121 and a portion of the electroactive layer 110 formed on the second electrode 122 may function as a mask layer. In other words, a portion of the electroactive layer 110 formed under the first electrode 121 and a portion of the electroactive layer 110 formed on the second electrode 122 can protect the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 from being electrically conductive with the outside. Material contact. Therefore, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 may be connected to an external power source through a portion of the electroactive layer 110 formed under the first electrode 121 and a contact hole of a portion of the electroactive layer 110 formed on the second electrode 122. line.

The thickness d1 of the electroactive layer 110 formed under the first electrode 121 and the thickness d2 of the electroactive layer 110 formed on the second electrode 122 may be appropriately determined to perform a mask layer function. For example, at least one of the thickness d1 of the electroactive layer 110 formed under the first electrode 121 and the thickness d2 of the electroactive layer 110 formed on the second electrode 122 may be 0.1 mm to 10 mm. Herein, when the thickness d1 of the electroactive layer 110 formed under the first electrode 121 and the thickness d2 of the electroactive layer 110 formed on the second electrode 122 are less than 0.1 mm, as being formed under the first electrode 121 The function of the electrically active layer 110 and the mask layer of the electroactive layer 110 formed on the second electrode 122 can be significantly reduced. When the thickness d1 and the thickness d2 are larger than 10 mm, it may be difficult to connect the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 to the external power source line through the contact holes. In this case, the electroactive layer 110 which is related to the thickness described above can be formed by adjusting the concentration and specific gravity of the conductive material injected into the electroactive layer 110 and adjusting whether or not a precipitant is added.

In some embodiments, when the thickness d of the electroactive layer 110 is 300 mm and when the thickness d1 of the electroactive layer 110 formed under the first electrode 121 and the thickness of the electroactive layer 110 formed on the second electrode 122 When d2 is several mm to 10 mm, the thickness d3 of the electroactive layer 110 formed between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 is formed to be about 280 mm to 290 mm.

The thickness d3 of the electroactive layer 110 between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 has an effect on the magnitude of the Maxwell stress applied to the electroactive layer 110. The Maxwell stress is proportional to the magnitude of the effective electric field, and as the distance between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 becomes smaller, the magnitude of the effective electric field between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 increases. The thickness d3 of the electroactive layer 110 formed between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 is reduced by reducing the distance between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122, and applied to the first electrode 121 and the first electrode The magnitude of the effective electric field of the electroactive layer 110 between the two electrodes 122 increases. Therefore, in order to increase the magnitude of the effective electric field while minimizing the amplitude of the alternating voltage applied between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 are disposed in the electroactive layer 110 So that the distance between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 is narrowed. The case where the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 are respectively disposed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the electroactive layer 110 (that is, the case where the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 are separated according to the thickness d of the electroactive layer 110) In comparison, the Maxwell stress applied to the electroactive layer 110 can be increased, and the deformable device 100 can be operated only by an alternating voltage having a small amplitude.

Referring to FIGS. 2B and 2C, the concentration of the conductive material gradually decreases as being guided from the lower surface of the first electrode 121 toward the center of the electroactive layer 110. Specifically, it is determined that the direction from the lower surface of the electroactive layer 110 toward the upper surface of the electroactive layer 110 is the thickness direction T _d of the electroactive layer 110, and the concentration N of the conductive material follows the electric from the first electrode 121 The thickness direction T _d of the active layer 110 gradually decreases toward the center of the electroactive layer 110. In addition, there may be no conductive material in the electroactive layer 110 between the lower surface of the electroactive layer 110 and the lower surface of the first electrode 121. In other words, in order to allow the conductive material to function substantially as an electrode, the conductive material is precipitated away from the lower surface of the electroactive layer 110 at an arbitrary thickness, and is precipitated to correspond to the thickness of the first electrode 121, thereby configuring the first electrode 121. .

When the concentration of the conductive material decreases along the thickness direction Td of the electroactive layer 110 while the concentration of the conductive material is equal to or lower than the specific concentration N ₀ (percolation threshold), the conductive material cannot be used as an electrode. In other words, when the thickness T _d from the forward direction along the surface of the electroactive layer 110 is a first electrode 121 is formed by precipitation, the concentration of the conductive material is reduced to a concentration of N can be used as an electrode or a lower concentration N ₀ . Therefore, the conductive material existing between the upper surface of the first electrode 121 and the center of the electroactive layer 110 does not substantially constitute an electrode. Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, when the lower surface of the second electrode 122 formed by precipitation approaches the center of the electroactive layer 110, the concentration N of the conductive material is reduced to a concentration N ₀ that can be used as an electrode or more. Low concentration. Therefore, the conductive material existing between the lower surface of the second electrode 122 and the center of the electroactive layer 110 does not substantially constitute an electrode.

Therefore, although a conductive material is present in the electroactive layer 110 between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122, the conductive material present in the electroactive layer 110 between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 may not be used. As an electrode. However, the conductive material present in the electroactive layer 110 between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 functions as a dopant that increases the Maxwell stress by increasing the dielectric constant of the electroactive layer 110. Therefore, the Maxwell stress acting on the electroactive layer 110 is increased, and the driving voltage for generating the same Maxwell stress can be reduced.

In the deformable device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 are disposed in the electroactive layer 110, and the magnitude of the Maxwell stress is increased. Specifically, since the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 are disposed in the electroactive layer 110, compared with the case where the electrodes are disposed outside the electroactive layer 110, between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 The distance is reduced. Therefore, the magnitude of the effective electric field between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 increases, and the magnitude of the Maxwell stress which is proportional to the magnitude of the effective electric field also increases.

3 is a flow chart of a method of making a deformable device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are perspective views of a process of fabricating a method of deformable device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are perspective views of a process of the method of manufacturing the deformable device illustrated in Fig. 1, and the constituent elements described with reference to Fig. 1 are not repeatedly described.

First, a conductive material is injected into the first electroactive layer material and the second electroactive layer material (S31).

Referring to FIG. 4A, a conductive material is implanted into the first electroactive layer material 491 and the second electroactive layer material 492. In this case, the first electroactive layer material 491 and the second electroactive layer material 492 comprise an electroactive polymer and are in a liquid or semi-liquid state. In other words, the first electroactive layer material 491 and the second electroactive layer material 492 are materials having fluidity and are in a state capable of injecting a conductive material. In addition, a precipitant may also be injected into the first electroactive layer material 491 and the second electroactive layer material 492, and a hardener may also be injected into the first electroactive layer material 491 and the second electroactive layer material 492.

Herein, the electrically conductive material includes a material that independently has electrical conductivity in the first electroactive layer material 491 and the second electroactive layer material 492. In addition, the electrically conductive material may include a material that is electrically conductive by a chemical reaction with a precipitating agent. In other words, the electrically conductive material includes both a material that is inherently electrically conductive and a material that is not electrically conductive but that is electrically conductive by reacting with the precipitating agent. For example, the electrically conductive material may be a metal powder, a carbon nanotube (CNT), a silver-nanowire (Ag-NW) or a conductive polymer.

As used herein, a precipitant is a material that chemically reacts with a conductive material to precipitate a conductive material. Therefore, the precipitant can be converted into a conductive precipitate by causing a precipitation reaction with the conductive material. For example, the precipitant can be a precipitant used in a sewage treatment plant.

Herein, the hardener is a material that hardens the first electroactive layer material 491 and the second electroactive layer material 492 in a liquid or semi-liquid state having fluidity into a solid state. The function of the hardener will be described later with reference to FIG. 4B.

Thereafter, the conductive material is precipitated to form a first electroactive layer and a second electroactive layer (S32). Herein, the electrode is formed while the conductive material is deposited downward in the electroactive layer and hardens the first electroactive layer material 491 and the second electroactive layer material 492. In other words, in the process of forming the electroactive layer, the process of depositing the conductive material down into the electroactive layer and the process of hardening the electroactive layer can be performed simultaneously. However, when the electroactive layer is hardened at a high speed, the ratio of the precipitated conductive material in the injected conductive material in the electroactive layer can be lowered. Therefore, when the hardening speed of the electroactive layer is high, the impurity concentration in the electroactive layer can be increased.

A conductive material is precipitated in the first electroactive layer material 491 to form the first electrode 121. Specifically, the conductive material may be naturally precipitated in the first electroactive layer material 491 by sedimentation. In this case, natural precipitation means that the conductive material settles by gravity in the first electroactive layer material 491 having fluidity. For example, when the first electroactive layer material 491 including a conductive material is left for 24 hours or longer, the conductive material is naturally precipitated by gravity.

Additionally, the electrically conductive material may be chemically precipitated in the first electroactive layer material 491 by a precipitating agent. In this case, chemical precipitation means that the conductive material is precipitated in the first electroactive layer material 491 having fluidity by chemical reaction with the precipitating agent. For example, the electrically conductive material can be changed to a new chemical precipitate having electrical conductivity by chemically bonding with a precipitant, and the new chemical precipitate is disposed under the first electroactive layer material 491.

While the first electroactive layer material 491 is hardened, its fluidity can be reduced. Specifically, the first electroactive layer 411 can be naturally hardened. In this case, natural hardening means that the first electroactive layer material 491 is hardened at a normal temperature.

In addition, the first electroactive layer material 491 can be chemically cured by a hardener. In this case, chemical hardening means that the first electroactive layer material 491 is hardened by a chemical reaction, and the hardening speed may vary depending on the hardener. Specifically, the speed at which the first electroactive layer material 491 is hardened may vary depending on the ratio of the first electroactive layer material 491 and the hardener. For example, when the ratio of the first electroactive layer material 491 and the hardener is increased from 10:1 to 10:3, the hardening speed is increased.

In addition, the first electroactive layer material 491 can be hardened by heat. Specifically, the first electroactive layer material 491 can be hardened at a temperature higher than a normal temperature (for example, 90 ° C). Therefore, when the first electroactive layer material 491 is hardened by heat, the first electroactive layer material 491 can be hardened at a speed higher than the rate of natural hardening.

In addition, the first electroactive layer material 491 can be hardened by light. Specifically, the first electroactive layer material 491 can be hardened by, for example, ultraviolet rays (UV). Therefore, when the first electroactive layer material 491 is hardened by light, the first electroactive layer material 491 can be hardened at a speed higher than the rate of natural hardening.

In such thermosetting and photohardening, a hardener different from the chemically hardener may be used, and the ratio of the first electroactive layer material 491 to the hardener may be different from the ratio of chemical hardening.

Therefore, the fluidity of the first electroactive layer material 491 is rapidly reduced by natural hardening, chemical hardening, thermal hardening, and photohardening, the conductive material is rapidly precipitated by natural precipitation and chemical precipitation, and the first electrode 121 is thus formed In the first electroactive layer 411. In this case, when the hardening speed is increased, the first electroactive layer material 491 is rapidly hardened, and the first electrode 121 is formed at the first electric activity before all of the conductive material, the precipitant, and the hardener are precipitated. In layer 411. Therefore, the concentration of impurities including the conductive material, the precipitant, and the hardener in the first electroactive layer 411 is increased. As the concentration of the impurities increases, the dielectric constant of the first electroactive layer 411 can also be slightly increased. When the first electroactive layer 411 is hardened, the first electroactive layer 411 is in a state capable of being bonded to another electroactive layer.

The second electrode 122 is formed at a lower portion of the second electroactive layer 412 by the same process as the process of forming the first electrode 121 at the lower portion of the first electroactive layer 411. However, the process of forming the second electrode 122 at the lower portion of the second electroactive layer 412 and the process of forming the first electrode 121 at the lower portion of the first electroactive layer 411 may be a specific natural precipitation of the new chemical precipitate. It differs from natural hardening time or structure and ratio. In other words, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 may be formed in the same process, but the detailed process conditions in the process of forming the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 may be different.

Thereafter, the first electroactive layer and the second electroactive layer are bonded to each other (S33).

Referring to FIG. 4C, the first electroactive layer 411 and the second electroactive layer 412 are bonded to each other. Specifically, after the second electroactive layer 412 is inverted and disposed on the first electroactive layer 411 such that the upper surface of the second electroactive layer 412 in FIG. 4B is in contact with the upper surface of the first electroactive layer 411, Perform a combined process. In this case, the first electroactive layer 411 and the second electroactive layer 412 may be bonded to each other by heat. Specifically, after the upper surface of the first electroactive layer 411 and the upper surface of the second electroactive layer 412 are disposed in contact with each other, from the lower portion of the heated first electroactive layer 411 and the second electroactive layer 412 Apply pressure to the upper part. For example, a pressure of about 40 MPa is applied to the first electroactive layer 411 and the second electroactive layer 412, and the first electroactive layer 411 and the second electroactive layer 412 are heated at 150 ° C to 200 ° C, So that they are fully integrated.

Specifically, the interface disappears between the upper surface of the first electroactive layer 411 and the upper surface of the second electroactive layer 412 by heat and pressure applied to the first electroactive layer 411 and the second electroactive layer 412, thereby further An electroactive layer 110 can be formed. Thus, the deformable device 100 in which the first electrode 121 is disposed at the lower portion and the second electrode 122 is disposed at the upper portion in one electroactive layer 110 is formed.

Further, a portion of the electroactive layer 110 may be removed to connect the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 to an external power source. Specifically, a portion of the electroactive layer formed under the first electrode 121 or on the side thereof or a portion of the electroactive layer 110 formed on the side of the second electrode 122 or on the side thereof may be removed. In this case, the portion of the electroactive layer 110 can be removed by a ruthenium etchant. The electric wire may be connected to be in contact with the first electrode 121 or the second electrode 122 through the removed portion of the electroactive layer 110, and supply electric power to the deformable device 100 through a wire connected to the first electrode 121 or the second electrode 122.

In the method of manufacturing the deformable device according to the embodiment of the present invention, a conductive material is precipitated in the electroactive layer to easily form an electrode. Specifically, a conductive material is precipitated in the electroactive layer to form a soft electrode. In other words, an expensive stand-alone device such as a sputtering device for forming an electrode at the upper or lower portion of the electroactive layer is not necessary, and can be simple only by gravity-based natural precipitation and precipitant-based chemical precipitation and A large number of electroactive layers including electrodes are easily formed.

Further, in the method of manufacturing a deformable device according to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of electroactive layers in which electrodes are provided are heated and pressurized to easily form a deformable without any adhesive Device 100. Specifically, since the electrodes are disposed in the electroactive layer, the electrodes are not disposed outside the plurality of electroactive layers. Therefore, an adhesive for bonding between the electroactive layer and the electrodes and between the electrodes is not necessary, and the deformable device 100 can be easily formed by applying heat and pressure to the electroactive layer.

Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a deformable device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In the deformable device 500 illustrated in FIG. 5, only the position of the second electrode 522 is changed as compared with the deformable device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, the other configurations are substantially the same, and the overlapping description is not repeated.

Referring to FIG. 5, a first electrode 521 and a second electrode 522 are disposed in the electroactive layer 110. Specifically, the first electrode 521 is disposed at a lower portion of the electroactive layer, and the second electrode 522 is disposed near a center of the electroactive layer 110. For example, the second electrode 522 may be disposed at a portion higher than the center of the electroactive layer 110. In other words, the lower surface of the second electroactive layer 412 is disposed such that the second electroactive layer 412 need not be reversed such that the upper surface of the second electroactive layer 412 in FIG. 4B is on the upper surface of the first electroactive layer 411. In the case of surface contact, it is in contact with the upper surface of the first electroactive layer 411. Therefore, the distance d4 between the first electrode 521 and the second electrode 522 is smaller than the distance d3 between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 in the deformable device 100 illustrated in FIG. 2A. Therefore, the distance between the first electrode 521 and the second electrode 522 is reduced as compared with the case where the second electrode 522 is disposed at the upper portion of the electroactive layer 110. As the distance between the first electrode 521 and the second electrode 522 decreases, the magnitude of the Maxwell stress applied to the electroactive layer 110 increases.

In the deformable device 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the magnitude of the Maxwell stress increases between the first electrode 521 and the second electrode 522. Specifically, the first electrode 521 is disposed at a lower portion of the electroactive layer 110 in the electroactive layer 110, and the second electrode 522 is disposed at an intermediate portion than a half of the thickness d of the deformable device 100 illustrated as FIG. 2A Part of the high. In this case, the distance d4 between the first electrode 521 and the second electrode 522 is smaller than the distance d3 between the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 in the deformable device 100 illustrated in FIG. 2A. Therefore, the thickness d4 of the electroactive layer formed between the first electrode 521 and the second electrode 522 is decreased, and the magnitude of the effective electric field of the electroactive layer formed between the first electrode 521 and the second electrode 522 is increased, and It is also possible to increase the magnitude of Maxwell's stress.

FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a display device including a deformable device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, the display device 600 includes an upper cover 610, a touch panel 620, a display panel 630, a deformable device 640, and a lower cover 650. Terms such as "upward", "downward", "on", "upper", "lower" and the like refer to the upper side (ie, when the lower cover 610 covers the display device from the opposite side while in use) (ie, The general orientation of the display device 600 of the display panel is viewed from the side of the upper cover 610). Note that this term should not limit the invention to any orientation of the display device 600, but rather to clarify the arrangement of the different elements of the display device 600 relative to one another.

The upper cover 610 is disposed on the touch panel 620 to cover the upper portions of the touch panel 620, the display panel 630, and the deformable device 640. The upper cover 610 protects the internal structure in the display device 600 from external impact, foreign matter, and moisture. For example, the upper cover 610 may be made of a material such as plastic that can be formed by heat and has satisfactory formability, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the upper cover 610 may be made of a material that is deformable as the shape of the deformable device 640 is changed. For example, the upper cover 610 may be made of a material such as plastic having flexibility, but is not limited thereto.

The touch panel 620 is disposed on the deformable device 100. The touch panel 620 means a panel that senses a user's touch input to the display device 600. For example, a capacitive method, a resistive film method, an ultrasonic method, an infrared method, or the like can be used as the touch panel 620, but preferably, the capacitive touch panel 620 can be used as the touch panel 620.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 6, the adhesive layer may be used to bond the display panel 630, the deformable device 640, the touch panel 620, and the upper cover 610 to each other. For example, the adhesive layer may be OCA (Optical Clear Adhesive) or OCR (Optical Transparent Resin), but is not limited thereto.

The display panel 630 means a panel provided with display elements for displaying an image in the display device 600. For example, the display panel 630 may be various display panels such as an organic light emitting display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, and an electrophoretic display panel. In this case, the display panel 630 may be an organic light emitting display device. Since the deformable device 640 disposed under the display panel 630 can be deformed using flexibility, the organic light emitting display device can be configured to also be deformed using flexibility. In other words, the organic light emitting display device is a flexible organic light emitting display device and includes a flexible substrate. The flexible organic light-emitting display device can be deformed in various directions and at various angles by a force applied from the outside. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it is assumed that the display panel 630 is constructed of a flexible organic light emitting display device.

The deformable device 640 is disposed below the display panel 630. Specifically, the deformable device 640 is disposed below the display panel 630. The deformable device 640 may be disposed in direct contact with the lower surface of the display panel 630, and an adhesive layer may also be disposed between the lower surface of the display panel 630 and the upper surface of the deformable device 640. In this case, the deformable device 640 may be one of the deformable device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2A and the deformable device 500 illustrated in FIG. 5.

Additionally, the deformable device 640 can be electrically coupled to the display panel 630. For example, the FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board) and the electrodes of the deformable device 640 disposed in the display panel 630 may be electrically connected to each other by wiring. The lower cover 650 is disposed under the deformable device 640 to cover the lower portions of the touch panel 620, the display panel 630, and the deformable device 640. The lower cover 650 may be made of the same material as that of the upper cover 610. Specifically, the lower cover 650 may also be made of a flexible material that is to be deformable together with the touch panel 620 and the display panel 630 that are deformable in various shapes by the deformable device 640. For example, the lower cover 650 may be made of a material such as plastic having flexibility, but is not limited thereto.

When a voltage is applied to the deformable device 640, the deformable device 640 is deformed. Therefore, the touch panel 620 and the display panel 630 coupled to the deformable device 640 are also deformed according to the deformation of the deformable device 640, and the display device 600 is also deformed.

In the display device 600 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the touch panel 620, the display panel 630, and the deformable device 640 are integrated, and the display device 640 can be deformed in various shapes by the deformable device 640. Specifically, when a voltage is applied to the deformable device 640, the deformable device 640 is deformed. Therefore, the touch panel 620 and the display panel 630 are also deformed together according to the deformed shape of the deformable device 640. In other words, the entire display device 600 can be deformed, and a deformed shape of the display device 600 based on the deformation of the deformable device 640 will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary state diagram illustrating various modified shapes of a display device including a deformable device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, for convenience of description, it is assumed that the display device 700 is a smart phone.

Referring to Figure 7, a portion of the display device 700 can be bent up or down. Specifically, in the display device 700, the deformable device is fixed under the display screen 710, and the entire deformable device and the display device 700 are deformed by operating the deformable device. In other words, a portion of the display device 700 can be bent upward or downward depending on the upward or downward bending of a portion of the deformable device. Herein, when a portion of the deformable device is bent upward or downward at a predetermined period, a portion of the display device 700 may also be bent upward or downward. In addition, when a state in which a part of the deformable device is bent upward or downward is maintained, a state in which a part of the display device 700 is bent upward or downward may be maintained.

For example, a portion of the display device 700 may be bent up or down by an output corresponding to a touch input that the user inputs to the display device 700. In other words, when the display device 700 receives a message or a voice call is being transmitted to the display device 700, a portion of the display device 700 can be bent up or down as an output corresponding thereto.

In the display device 700, the curved portion, the bending direction, the bending time, the period of the change in the bending direction, and the like can be set differently by the display device 700. In other words, the shape of the display device 700 can be set differently by the user through variations of the deformable device, and is not limited to the exemplary variations of the shapes described above.

In the display device 700 including the deformable device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the deformable device is deformed differently according to various inputs. Specifically, the deformed portion, the deformation direction, the duration of the deformation, the period of the change in the deformation direction, and the like can be differently set for the respective inputs applied to the display device 700. Therefore, the display device 700 is deformed in various shapes by the deformable device, and various types of outputs can be provided to the user.

8 is an exemplary diagram of an electronic newspaper including a deformable device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the electronic newspaper 800 includes a display panel 810 and a deformable device coupled to a lower portion of the display panel 810.

In an electronic newspaper 800 including a deformable device according to an embodiment of the present invention, a feeling similar to reading an actual newspaper made of paper can be provided by a deformable device. When a page turning signal is input through the display panel 810 of the electronic newspaper 800, the deformable device at a portion where the signal is input can be deformed. Therefore, a part of the electronic newspaper 800 is temporarily bent while the deformable device is deformed, and the feeling of turning the page can be provided like a newspaper made of paper.

In addition, when a new article is uploaded and displayed on the electronic newspaper 800 including the deformable device according to the embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the electronic newspaper 800 is deformed to provide the fact that the article is uploaded. For example, when an article with a new title is uploaded, the deformable device at the portion of the article upload is deformed to immediately display the fact that the article was uploaded.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a wristwatch including a deformable device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, the watch 900 includes a display panel 910 and a deformable device coupled to a lower portion of the display panel 910. For convenience of description, it is assumed that the watch 900 is a smart watch.

In the wristwatch 900 including the deformable device according to an embodiment of the present invention, various functions of the watch 900 can be embodied by a deformable device. The usual time information is displayed through the display panel 910 of the watch 900. In addition, weather, news, and the like can be displayed through the display panel 910 of the watch 900. Moreover, the watch 900 can include a simple call function and can determine the heart rate of the user wearing the watch 900. In this context, the deformable device in the watch 900 can be retracted in order for the user to know or know the specified alarm time at all times. Therefore, time information can be provided by tightening the user's wrist. In addition, the deformable device in the watch 900 can be contracted even when new weather information or news is displayed, and when a telephone call is received, a protrusion can be formed at a portion of the display panel 910 of the watch 900, thereby providing News. Additionally, when the user's heart rate measured by a portion of the watch 900 is at a risk level, the deformable device in the watch 900 can be contracted or changed in shape to provide a warning to the user.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a window covering including a deformable device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, the window covering 1000 includes a display panel 1010 and a deformable device coupled to a lower portion of the display panel 1010.

In the window covering 1000 including the deformable device according to the embodiment of the present invention, information about the external environment can be expressed in various ways by the deformable device. Specifically, the external weather may be displayed on the predetermined screen through the display panel 1010, and the form of the window covering 1000 may be changed to indicate the state of the specific weather. For example, in the case of cloudy and windy weather, the cloud may be displayed through the display panel 1010 of the window covering 1000, a portion of the window covering 1000 may be curved, and the area of the curved portion may be varied by the deformable device according to the direction of the wind and the speed of the wind. . In other words, the direction in which the actual curtain is bent or shaken according to the direction of the wind can be expressed by the bending direction of the curtain 1000, and the area of the curved portion of the window covering 1000 can be increased as the wind becomes stronger. Further, when the intensity of light input through the glass window is lower than a predetermined intensity, the window covering 1000 may be automatically rolled up or folded left and right.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto, and may be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the technical spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of the present invention should be understood by the following claims, and all technical spirits within the equivalent scope are included in the scope of the invention.

100, 500, 640‧‧‧ deformable devices
110‧‧‧Electrical active layer
121, 521‧‧‧ first electrode
122, 522‧‧‧ second electrode
411‧‧‧First electroactive layer
412‧‧‧Second electroactive layer
491‧‧‧First electroactive layer material
492‧‧‧Second electroactive layer material
600, 700‧‧‧ display devices
610‧‧‧上盖
620‧‧‧ touch panel
630, 810, 910, 1010‧‧‧ display panels
650‧‧‧Under the cover
710‧‧‧ display screen
800‧‧‧Electronic newspaper
900‧‧‧ watches
1000‧‧‧ curtains

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a deformable device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A, 2B, and 2C are schematic cross-sectional views of a deformable device and a concentration of conductive material relative to the height of the electroactive layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flow chart of a method of making a deformable device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are perspective views of a process of fabricating a method of deformable device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a deformable device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a display device including a deformable device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 7 is an exemplary state diagram of various variations of a display device including a deformable device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 8 is an exemplary diagram of an electronic newspaper including a deformable device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 9 is an exemplary view of a wristwatch including a deformable device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an exemplary view of a window covering including a deformable device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

100‧‧‧deformable device

110‧‧‧Electrical active layer

121‧‧‧First electrode

122‧‧‧second electrode

Claims (15)

A deformable device comprising: an electroactive layer; a first electrode, the first electrode being located inside the electroactive layer; and a second electrode, the second electrode being located inside the electroactive layer, Above the first electrode and at a distance from the first electrode. The deformable device of claim 1, wherein the electroactive layer is disposed to surround all of the first electrode and the second electrode. The deformable device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises a precipitate of a conductive material. The deformable device of claim 3, wherein the electroactive layer further comprises an impurity comprising at least one of a conductive material, a precipitating agent, a compound of a conductive material and a precipitating agent, and a hardener. The deformable device of claim 4, wherein a concentration of the impurity in the electroactive layer becomes higher as it is closer to the first electrode and the second electrode. The deformable device according to claim 3, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed at a concentration of the impurity in the electroactive layer along a thickness direction _Td of the electroactive layer. N ₀ is in the range of high. The deformable device of claim 2, wherein the electroactive layer has a thickness of 50 micrometers (μm) to 400 μm. The deformable device of claim 1, wherein a thickness between a lower surface of the first electrode and a lower surface of the electroactive layer and an upper surface of the second electrode and an upper surface of the electroactive layer At least one of the thicknesses is 0.1 μm to 10 μm. A display device comprising: a display panel; and a deformable device located below the display panel, wherein the deformable device comprises an electroactive layer, a first part inside the electroactive layer An electrode and a second electrode located inside the electroactive layer and above the first electrode and at a distance from the first electrode. The display device of claim 9, further comprising a touch panel on the display panel. The display device of claim 9, the display device further comprising: a lower cover located below the deformable device; and an upper cover on the deformable device, wherein the lower cover and the upper cover It is made of a flexible material. A method for manufacturing a deformable device, the method comprising the steps of: injecting a conductive material into a first electroactive layer material and a second electroactive layer material; depositing the conductive material to set a first electrical activity a layer and a second electroactive layer, wherein a first electrode and a second electrode are respectively inside the first electroactive layer and the second electroactive layer, and the first electroactive layer and the second electroactive layer are Layer hardening; and bonding the first electroactive layer and the second electroactive layer to each other. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of injecting a precipitant and/or a hardener into the first electroactive layer material and the second electroactive layer material. The method of claim 13, wherein the precipitating agent is injected into the first electroactive layer material and the second electroactive layer material, and the hardener is injected into the first electroactive layer material and The steps of the second electroactive layer material are performed simultaneously. The method of claim 12, wherein the rate of hardening of the first electroactive layer material and the second electroactive layer material is controlled by setting a ratio of the corresponding electroactive layer material to the hardener.