Single-Sided Capacitive Touch Layout for Simpler Printed Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for creating capacitive touch devices in printed articles are complex and costly, requiring conductive ink or foil on both sides of a substrate and electrical contacts between them, which complicates the manufacturing process and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive touch device is fabricated using a flexible sheet with co-planar capacitive touch switches and conductive tracks on one side, allowing for a single-pass process without the need for conductive ink or foil on both sides, and a method of assembly that involves folding a flexible sheet with adhesive to integrate a circuit board, enabling easy and cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conductive ink or foil is applied to both faces of a substrate with electrical contacts between them, then capacitive touch functionality is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conductive track and the second capacitive touch switch into a single continuous conductive pattern on one face of the substrate. The conductive track extends from the first capacitive touch switch through the channel and forms the second capacitive touch switch, eliminating the need for separate conductive layers on both faces and complex inter-face electrical contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a three-dimensional multi-layer structure (conductive layers on both faces with vertical connections) to a two-dimensional single-face structure. All capacitive touch switches and conductive tracks are formed coplanarly on one face of the substrate, removing the need for depth-wise layer stacking and inter-face connections.
2Reliability
If conductive ink or foil is applied to both faces of a substrate with electrical contacts between them, then capacitive touch functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conductive track and the second capacitive touch switch into a single continuous conductive pattern on one face of the substrate. The conductive track extends from the first capacitive touch switch through the channel and forms the second capacitive touch switch, eliminating the need for separate conductive layers on both faces and complex inter-face electrical contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the unnecessary components from the traditional two-face structure. Specifically, it eliminates the second conductive layer on the opposite face and the electrical contacts between faces, retaining only the essential single-face coplanar conductive patterns needed for capacitive touch functionality.
3Reliability
If complex patterns of conductive touch switches and tracks are formed using traditional methods, then capacitive touch functionality is achieved, but the process requires multiple steps and specialist equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conductive track and the second capacitive touch switch into a single continuous conductive pattern on one face of the substrate. The conductive track extends from the first capacitive touch switch through the channel and forms the second capacitive touch switch, eliminating the need for separate conductive layers on both faces and complex inter-face electrical contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The single coplanar conductive pattern serves multiple functions simultaneously: it forms the first capacitive touch switch, provides the conductive track through the channel, and creates the second capacitive touch switch. This multi-functional design simplifies the manufacturing process to a single printing or deposition step.
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 approach simplifies the assembly and production of capacitive touch devices, allowing for low-cost, flexible, and customizable interactive printed articles without the need for specialist equipment, while also enabling easy replacement of coin cells, thus extending the device's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
capacitive touch switches which are adjacent, separated by a channel, and which are electrically isolated from each other and third and fourth capacitive touch switches
Data Source
AI summary
A capacitive touch device is described. The device comprises a substrate and a plurality of co-planar capacitive touch switches and conductive tracks connected to the capacitive touch switches disposed directly on a face of the substrate. The capacitive touch switches include first and second capacitive touch switches which are adjacent, separated by a channel and which are electrically isolated from each other. The capacitive touch switches include third and fourth capacitive touch switches which are electrically isolated from the first and second capacitive touch switches, but which are electrically connected to each other by a conductive track which runs through the channel.