Plastic Film Matrix for Multi-Modal Input Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-modal input devices with touch modules and operating elements require separate connectors and electronics, leading to increased costs due to their two-part construction.
Innovation Solution
A plastic film with electrically insulated conductors that are capacitively coupled at crossover points forms a matrix, allowing for a single connector to connect both touch modules and operating elements, reducing the need for individual connectors and electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a two-part construction with separate touch module and operating element is used, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to individual connectors and electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch module and operating element into a single integrated plastic film carrier. The conductors are arranged to form both the touch-sensitive matrix and the operating element connections on one continuous film, eliminating the need for separate connectors and reducing structural complexity while maintaining functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic film serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the flexible carrier structure, contains the transparent conductive matrix for touch sensing, integrates the operating element conductors, and provides a common connector interface. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a two-part construction with separate touch module and operating element is used, then functional versatility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to individual connectors and electronics
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the touch module and operating element conductors into a single plastic film, the patent eliminates the need for separate connectors and individual electronics. This integration reduces material costs, assembly steps, and manufacturing complexity, making the device more cost-effective to produce.
Solution Approach 2:
The single plastic film performs multiple functions including providing the carrier structure, enabling touch sensing through transparent conductors, supporting operating elements, and providing a common electrical interface. This reduces the total component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining all necessary functions.
3Illumination intensity
If transparent conductive ITO substrates are used for the touch module, then transparency is improved, but flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible plastic film carrier instead of rigid ITO substrates. The transparent conductive layers are applied directly to this flexible base, allowing the entire assembly to bend and flex while maintaining transparency and electrical conductivity. This solves the contradiction by replacing the rigid substrate with a flexible film structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining flexible plastic film with transparent conductive materials. This composite approach allows the system to achieve both transparency (from the conductive layers) and flexibility (from the plastic film base), overcoming the limitation of using rigid ITO substrates alone.
4Reliability
If conductors are arranged to form a matrix with crossover points, then electrical connection is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses capacitively coupled conductors that do not require direct physical contact at crossover points. By changing the electrical connection method from direct contact to capacitive coupling through the plastic film, the system achieves reliable electrical connections while reducing the precision requirements for conductor positioning and alignment during manufacturing.
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 solution reduces the cost of input devices by enabling a single connector for both touch modules and operating elements, while maintaining transparency and flexibility, and allows for a geometrically distorted matrix structure that secures electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
conductors, arranged on it, that are electrically insulated from each other, but are capacitively coupled to crossover points
Data Source
AI summary
A plastic film for a multi-modal input device has conductors that link a touch module and an operating element. Such input devices, for example, are in consoles of motor vehicles, dishwashers, washing machines, telephones, or the like. Touch modules and operating element modules are interconnected by the layout of conductors in the form of a geometrically distorted electrical matrix on a single plastic film which forms a carrier for a combined input device. The conductors are electrically insulated from each other, but capacitively coupled to crossover points in the electrical matrix, the crossover points dividing the matrix into at least two areas. Strip conductors extend from the matrix at an edge area of the matrix of the touch module and connected to the operating elements forming a geometrically distorted matrix of conductors on the plastic film.