Integrated Multi-Function Layer for Flexible Touch Sensing Film

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible touch display devices face issues with bending stress, water/oxygen penetration, and sensitivity deterioration due to their susceptibility to bending and high water/oxygen penetration rates, leading to abnormal touch detection and reduced lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A touch sensing film structure comprising a touch-sensitive device layer, a barrier layer, and a flexible substrate, where the barrier layer and/or circular polarizing/color filter layers are integrated with the touch-sensitive device layer to form a multi-function layer, reducing overall thickness and enhancing durability and sensitivity while preventing water/oxygen ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate layers (barrier layer, circular polarizing layer, color filter layer) are used in the touch sensing film structure, then each layer can perform its specific function independently, but the overall structure becomes complex, thickness increases, and bonding yield rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the barrier layer, circular polarizing layer, and color filter layer into a single integrated multi-function layer. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate layers and their associated bonding processes, thereby reducing structural complexity, decreasing overall thickness, and improving bonding yield rate while maintaining all necessary functions (water/oxygen barrier, circular polarization, color filtering, and touch sensitivity).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated multi-function layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing water and oxygen barrier protection, enabling circular polarization for flexible display compatibility, filtering colors for display quality, and maintaining touch sensitivity. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by achieving comprehensive functional performance through a single unified structure rather than multiple separate layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple separate layers are used, then each function is well-defined, but the overall thickness increases and flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidfilm thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the barrier layer, circular polarizing layer, and color filter layer into a single integrated multi-function layer, the patent significantly reduces the overall thickness of the touch sensing film structure. This eliminates the cumulative thickness of multiple separate layers while maintaining all necessary functional properties, thereby improving flexibility and bendability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple separate layers are stacked, then comprehensive protection is provided, but the number of bonding processes increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection performanceVSAvoidbonding process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of multiple functional layers into a single multi-function layer eliminates the need for multiple bonding processes. Instead of separately bonding the barrier layer, circular polarizing layer, and color filter layer to the touch-sensitive device layer, the integrated structure requires only one bonding process, significantly simplifying manufacturing and improving ease of production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If the flexible substrate has high water/oxygen penetration rate, then flexibility is maintained, but water/oxygen penetrate to the flexible substrate and reduce lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidlifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated multi-function layer acts as an intermediary barrier between the flexible substrate and the external environment. It provides water and oxygen barrier protection to the flexible substrate, preventing penetration and degradation, while simultaneously maintaining the flexibility and bendability of the overall structure. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by protecting the substrate without compromising flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9244554B2Touch sensing film structure

Publication Date: 2016.01.26 HANNSTAR DISPLAY CORP

AI summary

A touch sensing film structure including a touch-sensitive device layer, a water/oxygen barrier layer and a flexible substrate is provided. The touch-sensitive device layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The water/oxygen barrier layer is formed on the first surface or the second surface or integrated with the touch-sensitive device layer to form a multi-function layer. The flexible substrate can stack with the water/oxygen barrier layer and the touch-sensitive device layer, or stack with the multi-function layer.