Flush Touch Screen Integration for Mobile Device Thickness Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication devices with touch screens have a height difference between the touch screen surface and the device body, resulting in an unsightly exterior and increased thickness, which contradicts the trend of making devices thinner and more streamlined.
Innovation Solution
The touch screen is mounted flush with the device body by using a transparent support plate with a touch sensing layer and electrodes, connected via a flexible circuitry supporting substrate, and an electrode covering layer that blends with the display, eliminating the need for a raised edge and allowing the touch screen to cover the entire surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the touch screen is mounted underneath the edges of the device case, then the touch screen can be protected and structurally supported, but a height difference (step) is created between the touch screen surface and the case surface, degrading the exterior appearance and increasing the overall thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch screen assembly with the device case by integrating the touch screen, display, and case edges into a unified structure where the touch screen surface is flush with the case surface, eliminating the step and creating a smooth exterior appearance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the mounting height issue by transitioning from a vertical stacking approach to a planar integration approach, where the touch screen is positioned in the same plane as the case surface rather than being mounted underneath, thus eliminating the height difference while maintaining structural support
2Length of moving object
If the touch screen is mounted underneath the edges of the device case, then the touch screen can be structurally supported, but the overall thickness of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the touch screen assembly with the device case into a integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures that would increase thickness, thereby achieving a thinner overall device profile while maintaining structural support
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 provides a smooth exterior appearance and minimizes the device's thickness by integrating the touch screen seamlessly with the body, enhancing the aesthetic and form factor of mobile communication devices.
Implementation Method 1
The other method is based on resistance (i.e., a resistive film method) wherein a contact portion is recognized by detecting changes in resistance corresponding to the contacted portion in reaction to user applied pressure on the surface of the screen
Implementation Method 2
One method is based on static electricity (i.e., a static electricity method) wherein electric charges are charged on the surface of the screen, and sensors are installed around the screen. When the surface of the screen is contacted by the user, such is recognized by detecting the electric charge loss at the touched portion
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A mobile communication device for receiving and transmitting wireless communication signals including a body having a border portion, a display supported by the body, a touch screen adjacent the display and defining an exterior surface of the mobile communication device such that the display is visible through the touch screen, the touch screen transferring an input signal through electrodes disposed at an edge portion of the touch screen, and an electrode covering layer located above the electrodes of the touch screen. The border portion of the body and the outermost portion of the touch screen are substantially coplanar.