Devices, systems, and methods for equalizing the thermal density of a heater constructed from a flexible circuit

A system, comprising:

• a power source;
• an article comprising a flexible circuit configured to be electrically coupled to the power source, wherein the flexible circuit comprises a trace comprising a deformable conductor, and wherein the trace is configured to generate thermal energy when a voltage from the power source is applied to the trace;
• a processor communicably coupled to the power source and the flexible circuit;
• and
• a memory configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
• receive a signal from the flexible circuit corresponding to a characteristic of the flexible circuit;
• determine that the characteristic exceeds a predetermined threshold based on the received signal;
• and
• cause the power source to lower the voltage and/or a current applied to the trace based on the determination that the characteristic exceeds the predetermined threshold.

A method of controlling a generated amount of thermal energy by a flexible circuit of an article, wherein the flexible circuit comprises a trace comprising a deformable conductor, wherein the trace is configured to generate a first amount of thermal energy when a voltage is applied to the trace via a power source, the method comprising:

• causing, via a processor, a power source to apply the voltage to the flexible circuit;
• receiving, via the processor, a first signal from the flexible circuit corresponding to the first amount of thermal energy;
• determining, via the processor, that the first amount of thermal energy is below a predetermined threshold based on the first signal;
• generating a second amount of thermal energy when the voltage is applied to the trace in response to a motion of the article;
• receiving, via the processor, a second signal from the flexible circuit corresponding to the second amount of thermal energy;
• determining, via the processor, that the second amount of thermal energy exceeds the predetermined threshold based on the second signal;
• and
• causing, via the processor, the power source to lower the voltage and/or current applied to the trace based on the determination that the second amount of thermal energy exceeds the predetermined threshold.