Rollable Touch Sensor Assembly for Flexible Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional touch screens are rigid, limiting user interaction to a small area and increasing the risk of device damage, while also restricting storage and portability due to their inflexible design.

Innovation Solution

A flexible, rollable touch sensor assembly with a capacitive or resistive touch sensor area that maintains electrical conductivity even when rolled or deformed, coupled with a rigid support assembly for securing electronic devices and allowing the touch sensor to rotate, enabling multi-touch input on a larger, foldable surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid touch screen is used, then the touch interface provides structural stability, but the device portability and storage flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidportability and storage flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies flexible substrates and thin film structures to create a touch sensor assembly that can be rolled and folded. The flexible substrate supports conductive lines and dielectric layers while maintaining electrical connectivity through bending, enabling portable and space-efficient storage without compromising touch functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The touch screen transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can change shape. The flexible assembly can be rolled up or folded during storage and deployed for use, adapting its form factor to meet different operational and storage requirements while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a rigid touch screen is used, then the touch interface maintains structural integrity, but the risk of device damage upon impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddevice damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible substrate and thin film construction allow the touch screen to absorb impact forces through deformation rather than fracture. The flexible assembly can bend and flex upon impact, dissipating energy and reducing the risk of catastrophic failure compared to rigid glass screens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible structure inherently provides cushioning against impact forces before damage can occur. The ability to deform elastically under stress acts as a built-in protective mechanism, reducing peak forces transmitted to underlying components during accidental drops or impacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If a rigid touch screen is used, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the working area for user interaction is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidworking area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible substrate enables the creation of large-area touch surfaces that can be manufactured using roll-to-roll processing techniques. This approach maintains manufacturing efficiency while allowing the touch interface to extend over larger areas, providing more space for user interaction and potentially wrapping around device surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible touch screen can be configured in three-dimensional arrangements, wrapping around device edges or conforming to non-planar surfaces. This dimensional flexibility increases the effective working area beyond what is possible with traditional flat rigid screens, while manufacturing processes adapt to the flexible nature of the substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the touch sensor is made flexible and rollable, then portability and storage flexibility are improved, but maintaining electrical conductivity during deformation becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportability and storage flexibilityVSAvoidelectrical conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible substrate with integrated conductive lines and dielectric layers maintains electrical connectivity through bending and rolling. The conductive traces are designed with appropriate geometry and material properties to preserve electrical pathways during deformation, enabling portable storage configurations without signal loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The touch sensor assembly uses composite structures combining flexible substrates, conductive materials, and dielectric layers. This composite construction provides both mechanical flexibility for portability and electrical conductivity for functionality, with each layer contributing specific properties that work together during deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2895942B1Foldable touch sensor assembly

Publication Date: 2021.07.14 FUTURE TECH CAPITAL LLC

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AI summary

An embodiment of a touch sensor assembly including a rollable touch sensor further including an active touch sensor area that is configured to sense the location of a touch event by a user thereon. The rollable touch sensor is configured to be rolled and deformed without losing electrical conductivity. The touch sensor assembly further includes a support assembly coupled to the rollable touch sensor, the support assembly including a receptacle that is configured to receive and hold an electronic device.