Curved Capacitive Touch Panel via Compression Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for manufacturing curved capacitive touch panels face challenges such as material wastage, fracture risks, and incompatibility with glass substrates due to high temperature requirements, which hinder the simultaneous curvature of flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs) and glass substrates, limiting design flexibility and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving compression molding or vacuum-assisted cold pressing to form a curved FPCB, which is then bonded to a curved glass substrate, allowing for a three-dimensional capacitive touch panel with enhanced design versatility and reduced material wastage, using thermoplastic materials that can be thermally extended for curvature without cracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If high temperature (650-750°C) is used to bend glass substrate to form curved shape, then glass substrate can be made curved, but FPCB will crack at 300°C and cannot be made curved simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the curvature formation process into two separate stages: first forming the curved glass substrate at high temperature, then forming the curved FPCB at low temperature. This segmentation allows each component to be processed under its optimal temperature conditions without compromising the other component's integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass substrate is pre-formed into a curved shape before the FPCB is attached. This preliminary action allows the FPCB to be mounted on an already curved surface, eliminating the need to heat the FPCB to high temperatures and preventing crack formation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If compression molding is used to form curved shape, then design flexibility is improved, but material wastage increases due to discarded polarization plate and touch panel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-forms the glass substrate into a curved shape before assembling the touch panel components, eliminating the need for post-assembly compression molding. This allows the polarization plate and touch panel to be directly mounted on the curved substrate without being discarded, significantly reducing material wastage.
3Shape
If conventional compression molding is used to form curved touch panel, then curved shape is achieved, but fracture occurs in low stress intensity portions or interference fringes appear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the curvature formation for the glass substrate from the touch panel assembly. The glass substrate is independently formed into a curved shape using appropriate techniques, then the touch panel components are mounted on this pre-formed curved surface, avoiding the stress concentration and fracture issues that occur when attempting to mold the entire assembly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables the creation of reliable, curved capacitive touch panels with increased touch sensing capability and design flexibility, avoiding material wastage and fracture issues, while accommodating glass substrates without compromising the FPCB's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
A method involving compression molding or vacuum-assisted cold pressing to form a curved FPCB, which is then bonded to a curved glass substrate, allowing for a three-dimensional capacitive touch panel with enhanced design versatility and reduced material wastage, using thermoplastic materials that can be thermally extended for curvature without cracking.
Implementation Method 2
the curved FPCB, thereby forming the curved capacitive touch panel
Data Source
AI summary
A manufacture method and structure of a curved capacitive touch panel is disclosed. A flat flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) with capacitive touch sensing/detecting capability is provided, followed by subjecting the flat FPCB to compressing molding to form a curved FPCB. Subsequently, a curved substrate is provided, wherein an outer curved surface of the curved FPCB is bonded to an inner curved surface of the substrate, thereby forming the curved capacitive touch panel.