Hybrid Touch Panel Layout for Thin Slight-Touch Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panels that combine capacitive and resistive technologies are thick and costly due to the stacking of two types of panels, and they require specific materials for pressure-based position detection, limiting their usability for slight touches without material constraints.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design incorporating a first conductive film with strip-shaped areas on one substrate, a second conductive film with strip-shaped areas on another substrate, and a third conductive film on a third substrate, allowing for capacitive and resistive method-based position detection without the need for specific materials and reducing thickness and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a capacitive-type touch panel and a resistive-type touch panel are stacked one over another, then the touch panel can utilize respective advantages of both types, but the thickness and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges capacitive and resistive detection functionalities into a single integrated touch panel structure. The touch panel includes a first transparent conductive film for capacitive detection, a second transparent conductive film for resistive detection, and a third transparent conductive film, all arranged in a single stacked configuration rather than separate panels. This integration maintains the versatility of detecting both capacitive touches (without pressure) and resistive touches (with pressure) while reducing the overall thickness compared to stacking separate panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel is designed to perform multiple detection functions using a unified structure. The first transparent conductive film enables capacitive coupling-based detection for objects without pressure, the second transparent conductive film enables resistive detection for pressed points, and the third transparent conductive film provides additional detection capability. This multi-functional design allows a single touch panel to replace what would traditionally require stacked specialized panels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a capacitive-type touch panel and a resistive-type touch panel are stacked one over another, then the touch panel can utilize respective advantages of both types, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges capacitive and resistive detection functionalities into a single integrated touch panel structure. The touch panel includes a first transparent conductive film for capacitive detection, a second transparent conductive film for resistive detection, and a third transparent conductive film, all arranged in a single stacked configuration rather than separate panels. This integration maintains the versatility of detecting both capacitive touches (without pressure) and resistive touches (with pressure) while reducing the overall thickness compared to stacking separate panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel is designed to perform multiple detection functions using a unified structure. The first transparent conductive film enables capacitive coupling-based detection for objects without pressure, the second transparent conductive film enables resistive detection for pressed points, and the third transparent conductive film provides additional detection capability. This multi-functional design allows a single touch panel to replace what would traditionally require stacked specialized panels.
3Ease of operation
If a resistive-type touch panel is used, then position detection is performed based on physical contact between transparent conductive films, but certain pressure needs to be applied
Solution Approach 1:
The touch panel dynamically switches between different detection modes based on the touch input characteristics. When a light touch is applied, the capacitive coupling between the first and second transparent conductive films detects the position. When pressure is applied causing physical contact, the resistive detection mechanism between the second and third transparent conductive films activates. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to handle both light touches and pressed touches effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The second transparent conductive film serves as an intermediary element that participates in both capacitive coupling detection (with the first transparent conductive film) and resistive detection (with the third transparent conductive film). This intermediary structure enables the touch panel to detect both capacitive touches without requiring pressure and resistive touches with pressure, eliminating the need to choose between one detection method or the other.
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
Enables thin, low-cost position detection on slight touches without material specificity, utilizing both capacitive and resistive methods alternately for effective and efficient touch recognition.
Implementation Method 1
The capacitive-type touch panel employs a capacitive-coupling-based detection mechanism, and, thus, can detect the position of a point that is touched, even in the absence of pressure being applied
Implementation Method 2
The resistive-type touch panel includes an upper electrode substrate and a lower electrode substrate having respective transparent conductive films. When pressure is applied to a point on the upper electrode substrate, the transparent conductive films are brought into contact with each other, thereby allowing the position of the pressed point to be detected
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel includes a first conductive film having separate areas, each of which has a strip shape with a length direction thereof extending in a first direction, a second conductive film having separate areas, each of which has a strip shape with a length direction thereof extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a third conductive film, wherein the separate areas of the first conductive film are arranged side by side in the second direction, and the separate areas of the second conductive film are arranged side by side in the first direction, wherein position detection based on a capacitive method is performed by using the first conductive film and the second conductive film, and wherein a potential of a position of contact between the second conductive film and the third conductive film is detected to detect the position of the contact.