Topological Insulator Touch Screen for Damage Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touch screens face damage and reduced accuracy due to the transfer of undesirable substances like moisture, dirt, and oils, which existing protective coatings partially address but also reduce performance by decreasing optical transparency and sensitivity.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a touch screen device using a 3D topological insulator layer with electrically conductive outer surfaces and a dielectric interior, where electrodes maintain a differential electric charge across the surfaces to detect touch inputs, eliminating the need for additional conductive coatings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If protective coatings are applied to the touch screen surface, then damage resistance is improved, but optical transparency and sensitivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage resistanceVSAvoidoptical transparency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by using topological insulators with specific band gap properties that allow high optical transparency while maintaining protective functions. The material's electronic structure parameters are optimized to achieve both protection and transparency simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures combining topological insulator layers with other functional materials to achieve both mechanical protection and optical transparency. The composite structure allows each layer to contribute its superior properties without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If protective coatings are applied to the touch screen surface, then damage resistance is improved, but sensitivity to inputs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage resistanceVSAvoidsensitivity to inputs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the electrical and mechanical parameters of the topological insulator material to maintain high sensitivity for touch detection while providing protective functionality. The material's charge carrier mobility and surface conductivity are tuned to preserve touch sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical protective coatings with a topological insulator-based capacitive sensing system that provides protection while maintaining or enhancing sensitivity through electrical field detection rather than mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If additional conductive coatings are added to maintain sensitivity, then sensitivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidnumber of layers

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the topological insulator layer multi-functional by enabling it to simultaneously provide mechanical protection, maintain optical transparency, and serve as the active sensing element for touch detection. This eliminates the need for separate conductive coating layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the protective coating function and the conductive sensing function into a single topological insulator layer, reducing the overall device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate layers while maintaining all required functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 maintains high optical transmittance and sensitivity while providing mechanical and chemical protection, enhancing the accuracy and durability of touch screens without compromising performance.

Implementation Method 1

a touch sensor layer including a three-dimensional ('3D') topological insulator that maintains an electric charge over opposing outer surfaces of the 3D topological insulator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTopological insulator property:

Implementation Method 2

electrodes electrically connected to the opposing outer surfaces of the 3D topological insulator. The controller determines a position at which an object touches the touch screen device based on a change in the electric charge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10444883B2Touch screen display including topological insulators

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Various methods and devices for touch screens using topological insulators are provided. One of the touch screen devices includes a touch sensor layer including a three-dimensional “3D” topological insulator that maintains an electric charge over opposing outer surfaces of the 3D topological insulator. The touch screen device also includes electrodes electrically connecting the opposing outer surfaces of the 3D topological insulator. The touch screen device also includes a controller that determines a position at which an object touches the touch screen device based on a change in the electric charge over the opposing outer surfaces.