Touch-Integrated Decoration Plate With Grooved Light Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle-mounted decoration plates with touch functions require complex structures and processes, including a surface pattern layer, substrate, optical adhesive layer, touch sensing layer, LED light guide layer, light isolation chamber, diffuser, and printed circuit board, which increase production costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A decoration plate design featuring a light guide substrate with a groove for the light-emitting element and a touch sensing layer positioned under the substrate, eliminating the need for a separate optical adhesive layer and simplifying the production process by integrating the touch sensing layer directly with the circuit board assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex multi-layer structure including optical adhesive layer, touch sensing layer, LED light guide layer, and printed circuit board is used to achieve touch function, then the touch functionality is realized, but the production cost and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch functionalityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the light guide substrate and touch sensing layer into a single integrated structure. The touch sensing layer is formed directly on the light guide substrate, eliminating the need for separate optical adhesive layers and reducing the number of components. This merging of functions reduces structural complexity while maintaining both lighting and touch sensing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide substrate serves multiple functions: it guides light from LED sources and simultaneously serves as the substrate for the touch sensing layer. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated layers for light guiding and touch sensing, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving both functionalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple separate layers and components are used in the decoration plate structure, then functional requirements are met, but the production process becomes more complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light guide substrate and touch sensing layer into a single integrated component, reducing the number of assembly steps. Instead of separately assembling multiple layers with adhesive materials, the touch sensing layer is formed directly on the light guide substrate in fewer manufacturing steps, simplifying the production process while maintaining functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Illumination intensity

If transmittance considerations and attachment processes between touch sensing layer and light guide substrate are required, then proper optical coupling is achieved, but the production process is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical couplingVSAvoidproduction process
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for separate optical adhesive layers by forming the touch sensing layer directly on the light guide substrate. This direct integration ensures optimal optical coupling without requiring additional adhesive materials or complex alignment processes, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining illumination quality.

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 design reduces production costs and simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for complex transmittance considerations and attachment issues between the touch sensing layer and light guide substrate, while maintaining functional touch and lighting capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide substrate having a first surface and a second surface disposed on opposite sides to each other and having a first groove on the first surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guide: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 2

The decorative film defines an operating region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP4357668A1Decoration plate
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 PEGATRON
  • EP4357668A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4357668A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4357668A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A decoration plate (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) including a light guide substrate (100), a decorative film (200), and a circuit board assembly (20, 20A) is provided. The light guide substrate (100) has a first surface (100S1) and a second surface (100S2) disposed on opposite sides, and has a first groove (Gl) on the first surface (100S1). The decorative film (200) is disposed on the second surface (100S2) of the light guide substrate (100). The decorative film (200) defines an operating region (DR). The circuit board assembly (20, 20A) is disposed on the first surface (100S1). The circuit board assembly (20, 20A) includes a light-emitting element (300) and a touch sensing layer (400). The light-emitting element (300) is accommodated in the first groove (Gl). A position of the touch sensing layer (400) corresponds to a position of an orthogonal projection of the operating region (DR) on the first surface (100S1).