Button Composite Structure Without Rigid Substrate Through-Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing button structures require through-holes in rigid substrates for attachment, leading to damage, reduced design freedom, potential display panel defects, and difficult circuit replacement.

Innovation Solution

A button composite structure with a button directly stacked on a rigid substrate, using coupling members and lock pins/grooves for attachment, eliminating the need for through-holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a through-hole is drilled in the rigid substrate to fasten the button structure to the deck, then the button structure can be securely attached, but the rigid substrate may be damaged and design freedom is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoiddesign freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the attachment system into separate components: the rigid substrate remains intact while the button structure is attached to the deck through a separate path. The through-hole is formed only in the deck, not penetrating the rigid substrate, thereby segmenting the attachment path to preserve substrate integrity while maintaining attachment strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If a through-hole is drilled in the rigid substrate, then the button structure can be fastened to the deck, but the display panel may become defective due to leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoiddisplay panel reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment path is segmented to exclude the rigid substrate and display panel from the through-hole formation process. The hole is created only in the deck material, creating a separate attachment channel that does not compromise the sealed environment of the display panel while still providing secure button attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If the button structure is fastened to the deck through the rigid substrate, then it is securely attached, but it becomes difficult to separate when circuit malfunction occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidcircuit replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into two independent attachment zones: the button structure attaches to the deck through a through-hole in the deck only, while the rigid substrate remains separate and intact. This segmentation allows the button assembly to be removed from the deck without disturbing the rigid substrate, enabling easy circuit replacement while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4086932B1Button composite structure
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 TOVIS CO LTD
  • EP4086932B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4086932B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4086932B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A button composite structure according to an embodiment includes a display panel including a first substrate, a second substrate on the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate, a member on the second substrate, a first coupling member that couples the display panel and one surface of the member, a button structure disposed on the other surface opposite to the one surface of the member, and a second coupling member that couples the other surface of the member and the button structure. The member includes a third substrate, and the button structure is directly coupled to the third substrate by the second coupling member.