Flexible Touch Panel Integrating 2D Position and 3D Pressure Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current touch panel technologies require separate components and complex fabrication processes to integrate 2D touch position sensing and 3D touch pressure sensing, leading to increased costs and complexity in portable electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

A touch panel design featuring a flexible substrate with distinct regions for 2D and 3D touch sensing layers, connected by a signal line, allowing both functions to be integrated on a single flexible substrate, which is bent to align with a display module, eliminating the need for additional connectors and circuit boards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate components are used for 2D touch position sensing and 3D touch pressure sensing, then both touch functions can be achieved, but the device complexity and fabrication process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensing functionalityVSAvoidcomponent quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines both 2D touch position sensing and 3D touch pressure sensing functions into a single integrated touch panel structure. The first and second touch sensing layers are formed on the same flexible substrate and share common electrode structures (first electrode layer, second electrode layer, auxiliary electrode layer), eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full sensing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch panel design enables the sensing layers to perform multiple functions simultaneously. The first touch sensing layer and second touch sensing layer can independently detect touch positions and pressures, and the same electrode structures serve both 2D position sensing and 3D pressure sensing purposes, achieving multi-functionality within a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate components and circuit boards are used for 2D and 3D touch sensing, then both functions are achieved, but the fabrication process becomes more complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensing functionalityVSAvoidfabrication process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fabrication processes for 2D and 3D touch sensing into a single integrated process. Both touch sensing layers are formed on the same flexible substrate using sequential layer formation steps, sharing common insulation layers and electrode structures, which simplifies the fabrication process and reduces manufacturing complexity and costs compared to producing separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible substrate is divided into distinct regions (first region for first touch sensing layer, second region for second touch sensing layer, and bendable region in between), allowing independent optimization and fabrication of each sensing layer while maintaining overall integration. This regional segmentation enables manageable fabrication steps for complex multi-functional sensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate touch sensing components are integrated, then both 2D and 3D touch functions are achieved, but the overall device size and area increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensing functionalityVSAvoidtouch panel area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges both 2D and 3D touch sensing functions into a single compact touch panel structure, where the first and second touch sensing layers share the same flexible substrate and adjacent spatial arrangement. This integration significantly reduces the overall area compared to using separate components, as both sensing functions coexist within the same physical footprint without requiring additional space for separate circuit boards or connectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10831324B2Touch panel and fabrication method thereof, touch display screen and fabrication method thereof

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a touch panel, including: a flexible substrate including a first region, a second region and a bendable region between the first region and the second region; a first touch sensing layer provided in the first region of the flexible substrate, configured to sense a touch position and connected to a flexible circuit board; a second touch sensing layer provided in the second region of the flexible substrate and configured to sense a touch pressure; and a signal line provided in the bendable region of the flexible substrate and having a first end extending to the first region to be connected to the flexible circuit board and a second end extending to the second region to be connected to the second touch sensing layer.