Deformable Heat Dissipation Layer for Thin Pressure Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile terminals face challenges in sensing pressure touch inputs without increasing the thickness of the touch screen, as they require a structure that deforms with pressure, leading to thickness issues and potential separation of components in narrow spaces.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal design incorporating a first heat dissipation layer made of a deformable material and a second heat dissipation layer with holes, where the size of holes decreases towards the center, allowing for sensitive pressure sensing at the edges, and an adhesive member with pores to prevent separation of components, enabling pressure touch input detection while maintaining a minimal thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a pressure sensor structure is added to sense pressure touch inputs, then pressure sensing capability is improved, but the thickness of the display unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure sensing capabilityVSAvoidthickness of display unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heat dissipation function and pressure sensing function into a single integrated structure. The heat dissipation layer is configured to deform under pressure, and this deformation is detected by capacitance sensors, allowing one component to serve dual purposes: dissipating heat from the OLED and enabling pressure touch input detection without requiring separate pressure sensor layers that would increase thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat dissipation layer is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a thermal management component for the OLED display and as a pressure-sensitive element for touch input detection. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional dedicated pressure sensing layers, thereby maintaining thin display unit thickness while achieving pressure sensing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If the window and case are fixed in a narrow space, then the structural compactness is improved, but separation occurs when pressure touch input is applied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidcomponent separation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive member is designed with a porous structure that allows it to be easily elastically deformed. This porosity enables the adhesive to compress and deform under pressure without breaking or causing separation between the window and case, while still maintaining structural compactness in the narrow space. The porous structure provides both flexibility for deformation and sufficient bonding strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Ease of manufacture

If the holes in the second heat dissipation layer are uniformly distributed, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the pressure sensing sensitivity at edges is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpressure sensing sensitivity at edges
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the hole distribution in the second heat dissipation layer based on position. The size of holes is reduced toward the center and the number of holes is reduced toward the center, creating higher density of holes at the edges. This non-uniform distribution optimizes pressure sensing sensitivity at the edges where displacement against external force is small, while still maintaining manufacturability through a systematic gradient pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This design effectively senses pressure touch inputs with minimal thickness increase and reduces the risk of component separation, enhancing the sensitivity and reliability of pressure detection even in narrow spaces.

Implementation Method 1

a first heat dissipation layer which is formed of a material deformable by an external force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a second heat dissipation layer which is formed of a metal material and includes holes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

a second heat dissipation layer which is formed of a metal material and includes holes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

a first heat dissipation layer which is formed of a material deformable by an external force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 5

a change in capacitance may be sensed to sense a pressure of a touch input

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 6

since the adhesive member between the window and the case includes pores so as to be easily elastically deformed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 7

the adhesive member between the window and the case includes pores

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Data Source

PatentEP3506062B1Mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3506062B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3506062B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3506062B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention provides a mobile terminal comprising: a window; and a touch screen for sensing a touch input applied to the window and outputting visual information, wherein the touch screen comprises a display module for outputting the visual information, at least one heat radiation layer disposed under the display module in order to radiate heat, and a pressure sensing unit disposed adjacent to the heat radiation layer to sense pressure of the touch input by means of a change of capacitance according to deformation of the heat radiation layer while the touch input is being applied thereto.