Removable Transparent Conductive Film for Display Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for transparent electrically conductive thin films, such as those used in flat-panel displays and windshields, face challenges in easy replacement and maintenance, as the films are often directly fixed to the pane, making removal and replacement time-consuming and potentially damaging.

Innovation Solution

A system where the transparent electrically conductive thin film is fixed to a transparent protective panel, which is then adhesively coupled to the pane using an adhesive that fails at the interface, allowing for easy removal and replacement of the film and panel as a composite unit without damaging the underlying pane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the transparent electrically conductive thin film is directly fixed to the transparent pane, then the film maintains stable electrical conductivity and optical transparency, but the film becomes difficult to remove and replace, potentially causing damage during maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidease of replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the bonding interface into two separate adhesive layers: a first adhesive bonding the conductive film to the protective panel, and a second adhesive bonding the protective panel to the transparent pane. This segmentation allows the conductive film to be firmly attached for reliable electrical conductivity while enabling easy removal through adhesive failure at the second interface, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the transparent electrically conductive thin film is directly fixed to the transparent pane, then the bonding strength is maximized, but the maintenance time increases and film damage occurs during removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent protective panel serves as an intermediary element between the conductive film and the transparent pane. It provides a sacrificial bonding interface through the second adhesive, allowing the first adhesive bond (conductive film to protective panel) to remain intact during removal. This intermediary structure maintains strong bonding during normal use while enabling quick, damage-free removal for maintenance, reducing maintenance time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the transparent electrically conductive thin film is directly fixed to the transparent pane, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the complexity of replacement procedures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidreplacement procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the assembly into distinct functional modules: the conductive film bonded to the protective panel as one unit, and the protective panel bonded to the transparent pane through a separate adhesive interface. This modular segmentation maintains structural integrity during normal operation while simplifying replacement procedures, as the conductive film and protective panel can be removed together as a single unit without complex disassembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Facilitates simplified and damage-free replacement of the transparent electrically conductive thin film and protective panel, reducing maintenance time and preventing film damage during removal, while maintaining electrical conductivity and optical transparency.

Implementation Method 1

The adhesive adhesively couples the composite transparent panel to the transparent pane, the adhesive failing adhesively at an interface between the adhesive and the transparent pane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

ITO is a transparent conducting oxide that is electrically conductive and optically transparent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

ITO is a transparent conducting oxide that is electrically conductive and optically transparent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical transparency:

Implementation Method 4

ITO is deposited as a thin film on surfaces by physical vapor deposition, electron beam evaporation, sputter deposition techniques

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical vapor deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 5

ITO is deposited as a thin film on surfaces by physical vapor deposition, electron beam evaporation, sputter deposition techniques

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSputter deposition: Sputtering

Data Source

PatentUS10609769B1Removable transparent electrically conductive thin film

Publication Date: 2020.03.31 NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

One example includes a system that is comprised of a transparent protective panel, a transparent electrically conductive thin film, a transparent pane, and an adhesive. The transparent electrically conductive thin film is fixed to the transparent protective panel, the transparent protective panel and the transparent electrically conductive film together forming a composite transparent panel. The adhesive adhesively couples the composite transparent panel to the transparent pane, the adhesive failing adhesively at an interface between the adhesive and the transparent pane.