Touch Input Device Laser Groove Electrode Elastic Connection

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional touch input devices face challenges in manufacturing curved surfaces with varying curvatures due to height differences, leading to increased costs and reduced performance from the soldering process, and lower production yields due to poor soldering quality.

Innovation Solution

A touch input device with a base featuring laser-formed electrode grooves and sensor electrodes connected to a printed circuit board via an elastically deformable connection member that contacts the sensor electrode without soldering, simplifying the manufacturing process and eliminating the need for soldering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a soldering process is used to connect the printed circuit board with electrodes formed by laser processing, then electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and production yield decreases due to poor soldering quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidproduction yield

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the soldering process from the manufacturing flow by using a mechanical pressing connection method instead. The connection member directly presses the sensor electrode onto the printed circuit board contact pad without requiring solder, thereby removing the source of soldering defects and improving production yield while maintaining electrical connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal-chemical soldering system with a mechanical pressing system. The connection member applies mechanical pressure to establish electrical contact between the sensor electrode and the printed circuit board, substituting the complex soldering process with a simpler mechanical operation that improves productivity and reduces defects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a soldering process is used to connect the printed circuit board with electrodes formed by laser processing, then electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the soldering process from the manufacturing flow by using a mechanical pressing connection method instead. The connection member directly presses the sensor electrode onto the printed circuit board contact pad without requiring solder, thereby removing the source of soldering defects and improving production yield while maintaining electrical connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal-chemical soldering system with a mechanical pressing system. The connection member applies mechanical pressure to establish electrical contact between the sensor electrode and the printed circuit board, substituting the complex soldering process with a simpler mechanical operation that improves productivity and reduces defects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Shape

If conventional film type touch input devices are used, then simple curved surfaces can be implemented, but curved surfaces with different curvatures cannot be implemented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurved surface capabilityVSAvoidcomplex curvature adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a base material with metal complex that can be dynamically shaped using laser processing. The laser directly structures the metal complex on the injection molded base, allowing the creation of complex curved surfaces with varying curvatures that would be impossible with conventional rigid film materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the base material by using a metal complex that can be selectively transformed by laser irradiation. This allows the material to be shaped into complex curved surfaces with different curvatures, expanding the design possibilities beyond simple curves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Shape

If an overlay with curved surface is attached to printed circuit board, then touch input device is assembled, but height difference between center and external portions causes manufacturing issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurved surface shapeVSAvoidheight difference control

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the overlay and the printed circuit board into a single integrated base structure. The metal complex is formed directly on the injection molded base, eliminating the need for separate attachment and reducing height differences between different portions of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a multi-layer stacked structure (overlay + PCB) to a monolithic three-dimensional base structure. The laser direct structuring of metal complex on the injection molded base creates a unified structure that eliminates height differential issues inherent in layered assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 reduces manufacturing costs, improves production yield, and enhances touch sensitivity by eliminating the defects associated with soldering, while allowing for the creation of touch input devices with complex curved surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

an electrode groove which is formed by irradiating a laser on the base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

a sensor electrode which is formed on the electrode groove through plating or a deposition process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlating: Electroplating

Implementation Method 3

a sensor electrode which is formed on the electrode groove through plating or a deposition process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Implementation Method 4

The connection member may elastically come into contact with the sensor electrode to connect the sensor electrode and the printed circuit board

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10732780B2Touch input device having connection member electrically connecting sensor electrode and printed circuit board by contact and method for manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2020.08.04 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A touch input device including a connection member electrically connecting a sensor electrode and a printed circuit board by contact without soldering may include a base including a metal complex, an electrode groove formed by irradiating a laser on the base, a sensor electrode formed on the electrode groove through a plating or deposition process and including a conductive material, a sensor IC to sense a change in capacitance of the sensor electrode, a printed circuit board on which the sensor IC is mounted and is disposed to be coupled with the base, and the connection member provided on the printed circuit board and configured to electrically connect the sensor electrode and the printed circuit board, wherein the connection member may elastically come into contact with the sensor electrode to connect the sensor electrode and the printed circuit board.