Modeling and Analysis of the Bendable Transformer

This paper presents a study of a bendable transformer for wearable electronics. Printed on a thin and bendable film, this transformer is bendable to wrap around body limbs such as the forearm. A model using a partial equivalent circuit theory has been developed to analyze the characteristic of an inductor and a bendable transformer. The mutual inductance and self-inductance for the bendable transformer over a range of bent curvatures have been calculated based on the model and compared favorably with measurements. Simulation and experimental results of applying the bendable inductor and transformer in dc-dc converters as a 5-V 500-mA power supply are included to confirm the usefulness of the transformer and the validity of the model.