Multifunctional Layer Integrating Lightguide and Touch Sensor

Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic display devices have increasing design complexity and manufacturing costs due to multiple functional layers that require numerous adhesive layers and lamination steps, which complicates the manufacturing process and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional device layer integrates lightguide and touch-sensing functionality into a single structure, using a lightguide substrate with optical patterns and low refractive index coatings, along with touch-sensing components like metal mesh or graphene, to reduce the number of adhesive layers and lamination steps, and enhance optical transparency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple functional layers are used to provide lightguide and touch-sensing functionality, then the device achieves required functionality, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to numerous adhesive layers and lamination steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines lightguide and touch-sensing functionality into a single integrated multifunctional device layer. The lightguide substrate serves dual purposes: guiding light through optical patterns and providing a substrate for touch-sensing components (electrodes, dielectric layers). This merging eliminates the need for separate touch sensor layers and reduces the number of adhesive layers and lamination steps required in manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lightguide substrate is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions simultaneously. It acts as both a lightguide structure with optical patterns for light extraction and a substrate for capacitive touch-sensing components. This multi-functionality reduces the overall layer count and simplifies the device structure while maintaining both lightguide and touch-sensing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple functional layers with adhesive layers and lamination steps are used, then the device achieves required functionality, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines lightguide and touch-sensing functionality into a single integrated multifunctional device layer. The lightguide substrate serves dual purposes: guiding light through optical patterns and providing a substrate for touch-sensing components (electrodes, dielectric layers). This merging eliminates the need for separate touch sensor layers and reduces the number of adhesive layers and lamination steps required in manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple functional layers are used, then the device achieves required functionality, but the device weight and thickness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional functionalityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines lightguide and touch-sensing functionality into a single integrated multifunctional device layer. The lightguide substrate serves dual purposes: guiding light through optical patterns and providing a substrate for touch-sensing components (electrodes, dielectric layers). This merging eliminates the need for separate touch sensor layers and reduces the number of adhesive layers and lamination steps required in manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The multifunctional device layer reduces manufacturing complexity, costs, and weight while improving optical characteristics by combining multiple functions into a single integrated layer, requiring fewer adhesive layers and lamination steps, thus enhancing transparency and reducing thickness.

Implementation Method 1

The coating material may have a refractive index that is less than a refractive index of the material from which the lightguide substrate is formed... the material chosen for the coating may have a refractive index that reduces Fresnel reflection of light at an interface between the lightguide substrate and the material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS9684338B1Multifunctional layer for a display device

Publication Date: 2017.06.20 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

A multifunctional device layer may include a lightguide substrate having an optically patterned surface and an opposing non-patterned surface. The non-patterned surface of the lightguide substrate is coated with a first material having a first refractive index and the patterned surface is coated with a second material having a second refractive index. The first refractive index may be lower than the second refractive index and each may be lower than a refractive index of the lightguide substrate. A touch sensor may be formed on the coated non-patterned surface of the lightguide substrate, the coated patterned surface, or on an interstitial layer deposited on the coated non-patterned surface or the coated patterned surface. An anti-glare/anti-reflective coating potentially having ultraviolet (UV) absorption properties may be applied to the touch sensor.