Folded Carrier Sheet Touch Panel for Simpler Capacitive Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capacitive touch panels in the automotive industry are costly and complex to manufacture and assemble, requiring multiple parts and error-prone connectors for electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive touch panel unit featuring an elastomeric carrier sheet with a conductive pattern and folding design, where the capacitive area is connected directly to the support's electric interface via connecting pads, eliminating the need for additional connectors and simplifying assembly, with integrated LEDs for backlighting through openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional capacitive touch panels use multiple separate components (cover, flexible foil with capacitive area, printed circuit board support, additional connectors), then the electrical connection and assembly process becomes complex and error-prone, but the manufacturing cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flexible foil with capacitive areas, the connecting pads, and the carrier sheet into a single integrated elastomeric component. This merging eliminates the need for separate flexible foils and additional connectors, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through single-component production
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric carrier sheet serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, contains the capacitive areas for touch sensing, includes connecting pads for electrical connection, and features folding lines for compact assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
2Reliability
If multiple separate components and connectors are used for electrical connection, then the touch panel can be assembled, but the number of distinct parts increases and assembly becomes more error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting pads are directly integrated into the elastomeric carrier sheet itself, eliminating the need for separate connectors. This direct integration reduces the number of parts and eliminates assembly errors associated with connecting separate components, while the folding lines enable reliable mechanical connection between the carrier sheet and support
3Productivity
If conventional assembly methods are used with multiple components, then the touch panel can be manufactured, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive areas, connecting pads, and folding lines are pre-integrated into the elastomeric carrier sheet during manufacturing. This preliminary integration of all necessary elements into a single component allows for rapid assembly by simply folding and connecting the pre-prepared carrier sheet to the support, eliminating time-consuming steps of assembling multiple separate 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 design reduces the number of distinct parts, lowers manufacturing costs, and simplifies assembly by using a single, cost-efficient elastomeric sheet with a conductive pattern, enabling linear assembly and providing effective water and dust protection while maintaining capacitive functionality.
Implementation Method 1
said rigid support is provided with at least one light source, preferably in the form of a light emitting diode (LED), disposed in said backlit through opening of said folded carrier sheet
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~3d
Figure 4a~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a capacitive touch panel unit (1) of a control system, comprising a cover (2) marked with at least one external activating area (21), a rigid support (4) disposed at a predetermined distance beneath the cover (2) and provided with an electric interface to connect said unit with other components of the control system, at least one conductive, capacitive area (383) adjoining said cover at the internal side thereof, beneath said activating area (21) and electrically connected with said electric interface of said support (4). In order to provide a touch panel unit, which would be cost efficient and simple to manufacture and assembly it comprises a carrier sheet (3) coated with a conductive pattern (38) and having at least one folding line (A) defining a front section (31) disposed at one side of said folding line (A) and a rear section (32) disposed at the other side of said folding line (A), wherein at said front section (31) said pattern (38) comprises the capacitive area (383), and at said rear section (32) the pattern (38) comprises at least one connecting pad (381) connected with said capacitive area (383), and wherein said connecting pad (381) is apt to be connected with a connecting pad (41) of said electric interface of said support (4), while said carrier sheet (3) is folded along said at least one folding line (A) and the capacitive touch panel unit (1) is assembled.