Bent Window Edge Touch Sensor for Mobile Terminal Side Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile terminals face challenges in implementing side touch functionality while minimizing the size of the bezel portion, which affects user convenience and structural design.
Innovation Solution
A mobile terminal design featuring a window with bent edges forming part of the side surfaces, a touch sensor with inclined and curved portions, and a flexible printed circuit board for signal transmission, allowing for side touch input without increasing the bezel thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional flat touch sensor structure is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but side touch functionality cannot be implemented without increasing bezel thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor transitions from a two-dimensional flat structure to a three-dimensional structure by folding portions of the touch sensor in the thickness direction. This allows the touch sensor to extend onto the side surface of the display, enabling side touch functionality without increasing the horizontal bezel dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor is designed with flexible regions that can be folded or bent along predetermined lines. This flexibility allows the touch sensor to conform to the side surface of the display, implementing side touch capability while maintaining a thin overall profile.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the touch sensor is extended to the side surface to enable side touch, then user interaction is enhanced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor is divided into distinct functional regions: a flat front portion for conventional touch input, and folded side portions extending onto the side surface for side touch input. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall design compared to a completely new side touch structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor incorporates folded portions that can be manufactured with predetermined bend lines, allowing the rigid touch sensor material to adapt to the three-dimensional form required for side touch functionality. The folding creates dynamic adaptability from a flat material to a 3D structure.
3Area of stationary object
If the window edge is bent to form side surfaces, then the bezel size is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The window is pre-formed with bent edge portions during the manufacturing process to create the three-dimensional shape required for the reduced bezel design. This preliminary forming of the bent shape simplifies subsequent assembly steps and ensures consistent geometric precision.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A mobile terminal comprises: a body having a front surface, a rear surface and side surfaces; a window disposed on the front surface, and having its edge portion bent so as to form at least part of the side surfaces; a display disposed to face the window, and configured to output visual information; and a touch sensor disposed between the window and the display, configured to sense a touch input applied to the window, and covering a rear surface of the display as at least part thereof is folded.