Single Flexible Cover for Touch Screen Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process for touch screen displays is complex and expensive, and there is a need for a simplified method to equip any display with touch screen capabilities while maintaining durability.
Innovation Solution
A single flexible cover is created with three layers: a crystalline aluminum oxide layer, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film sensor stacking layer, and an adhesive layer, produced by coating a substrate with aluminum oxide nanoparticles, curing them, bonding the PET film sensor stacking layer with optically clear adhesive, and applying anti-etching ink, then removing the foil and ink to form a transparent and durable touch screen cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional touch screen manufacturing processes are used, then touch screen functionality is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple traditional touch screen components (cover lens, touch sensor, adhesive layers) into a single integrated flexible cover structure. The cover lens and touch sensor are manufactured as one unified component, eliminating the need for separate assembly processes and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining touch screen functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cover serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a protective cover lens, a touch sensor array, and an adhesive bonding layer. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components and simplifies the manufacturing process while achieving reliable touch screen operation.
2Ease of operation
If traditional multi-component touch screen assembly is used, then touch sensitivity is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the touch sensor array and cover lens into a single manufactured component, reducing the number of parts that need to be produced and assembled. This merging of components directly reduces manufacturing costs while preserving touch sensitivity through the integrated sensor design.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of a flexible transparent polymer substrate allows for a thinner, more integrated structure that reduces material costs and simplifies manufacturing. The flexible film enables touch sensitivity while being cost-effective to produce compared to traditional rigid glass and separate component assemblies.
3Strength
If rigid cover lens is used, then durability is achieved, but adaptability to different display types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible transparent polymer instead of rigid glass for the cover lens. This flexible material can conform to different display shapes including curved surfaces, making the touch screen adaptable to various display types while maintaining protective durability through the flexible structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cover can dynamically adapt its shape to match different display configurations, whether flat or curved. This dynamic adaptability allows a single cover design to work across multiple display types and sizes, enhancing versatility while maintaining protective strength.
4Reliability
If multiple separate layers are assembled, then functional performance is achieved, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manufactures the cover lens and touch sensor as a single integrated component rather than assembling separate layers. This merging of manufacturing processes eliminates multiple assembly steps, reduces production time, and improves manufacturing efficiency while maintaining the functional performance of both components.
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 solution simplifies the process of converting regular displays into touch screens, making them easier and more cost-effective to manufacture, while ensuring the touch screen cover remains durable and can be applied to various display types, including curved surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
curing the set of materials with heat to cause the set of materials to be crystallized to form the crystalline aluminum oxide layer
Implementation Method 2
bonding the PET film sensor stacking layer to the crystalline aluminum oxide layer with optically clear adhesive (OCA)
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for manufacturing a single flexible cover to equip a display with touch screen capabilities are disclosed. The single flexible cover is easy to be applied to nearly all displays and maintains its durability on the displays. According to one aspect of the present invention, the single flexible cover includes at least three layers, a crystalline aluminum oxide layer, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film sensor stacking layer and an adhesive layer to bond the PET film sensor stacking layer to the crystalline aluminum oxide layer. The single flexible cover is produced by a manufacturing process including processes comprises: providing a foil as a substrate; coating the substrate with a set of materials including primarily aluminum oxide; curing the set of materials with heat to cause the set of materials to be crystallized to form the crystalline aluminum oxide layer; bonding the PET film sensor stacking layer to the crystalline aluminum oxide layer with optically clear adhesive (OCA); and applying anti-etching ink to top of the PET film sensor stacking layer. Then the foil and anti-etching ink are removed.