Polymer Lens Touch Sensor Nanomaterial Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current capacitive touch screens face challenges such as high manufacturing costs, weight due to multiple glass layers, noise interference from LCDs, and processing difficulties during scale-up, particularly in on-cell and in-cell type touch screens, and glass lens/film type touch sensors with non-uniform ITO layers and frame disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A touch sensor system integrated onto a polymer lens with a nanomaterial-based touch sensor and a polymer lens structure that includes a frame with a void volume filled by a base coat, using nanowires, nanoribbons, or nanotubes, and a matrix polymer for enhanced conductivity and durability, along with a hard coat and optical coating for protection and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If glass substrates with ITO film are used for capacitive touch screens, then touch sensitivity and visibility are improved, but manufacturing cost and device weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensitivityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from glass substrate to polymer substrate, fundamentally altering the weight characteristic while maintaining the capacitive touch functionality through ITO film deposition on the polymer surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure combining polymer substrate with ITO film layer, achieving both the lightweight property of polymer and the conductive properties of ITO, thereby resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and touch sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If multiple glass layers are used in touch screen structure, then touch sensor functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensor functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the touch sensor functionality with the display substrate by using a single glass substrate that serves both as the display medium and as the touch sensor background, eliminating the need for separate glass layers and reducing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The glass substrate performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the display substrate, the touch sensor background, and the structural support, thereby reducing the total number of components and manufacturing steps while maintaining full touch functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Shape

If ITO film is deposited on strengthened glass with silk screen frame, then decorative frame is formed, but manufacturing precision decreases due to non-uniform ITO layers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecorative frameVSAvoidITO layer uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a silk screen printed frame pattern on the polymer substrate before ITO deposition, where the frame areas have different properties (patterned vs. transparent) allowing uniform ITO deposition on flat surfaces while maintaining decorative functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive strengthened glass with inexpensive polymer substrate that can be easily processed, eliminating the need for complex strengthening processes and allowing for uniform ITO deposition without the constraints of glass handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If process scale up involves sputtering of ITO layer on large strengthened glass, then touch sensor is formed, but productivity decreases due to cutting losses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensor formationVSAvoidproduction yield

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by depositing ITO film on polymer substrates before the substrates are cut to final size, rather than depositing on large glass sheets and then cutting. This allows for efficient use of material and eliminates cutting losses while maintaining ITO layer quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the substrate material from glass to polymer, which fundamentally alters the manufacturing process parameters: polymer substrates can be cut after ITO deposition without compromising the thin conductive layer, whereas glass requires careful handling and special equipment for both deposition and cutting operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9823796B2Systems and methods for touch sensors on polymer lenses

Publication Date: 2017.11.21 WANG HAILIANG

AI summary

This disclosure generally relates to a system comprising a touch sensor on polymer lens and methods for manufacturing such system. The system comprises at least one polymer lens and at least one touch sensor. The system further comprises at least one frame and a base coat. This disclosure also relates to an optoelectronic system comprising the touch sensor on polymer lens.