Single-Substrate Touch Module Hiding Border Traces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional portable electronic devices face challenges in hiding border traces and reducing thickness due to the use of double substrates and cover lenses in touch panels, which affects their appearance and portability.

Innovation Solution

A touch control module with a substrate, transparent conductive layer, conductive decoration pad, decoration layer, and non-transparent conductive layer, where the conductive decoration pad covers the opening to hide border traces, eliminating the need for a frame and allowing a single substrate design, thereby achieving a full-flat touch panel and reducing thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a frame is added to cover border traces, then the appearance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveappearanceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the frame component from the device structure. Instead of adding a frame to cover border traces, the invention eliminates the frame entirely by integrating the border trace coverage function into the decoration layer that is already part of the touch panel structure, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining appearance quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the border trace coverage function with the existing decoration layer. The non-transparent conductive layer is integrated into the decoration layer structure, combining the aesthetic function of the decoration layer with the functional role of covering border traces, thus avoiding additional components and reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If double substrates and cover lens are used, then the touch panel functionality is improved, but the device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch panel functionalityVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the cover lens component from the touch panel structure. The invention achieves the protective and functional roles previously requiring a separate cover lens through the integrated substrate and decoration layer design, thereby reducing the overall device thickness while maintaining touch panel functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single substrate structure. The substrate simultaneously serves as the structural base, the protective cover (replacing the separate cover lens), and the mounting platform for all conductive and decorative layers, eliminating the need for double substrates and reducing device thickness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Shape

If additional frame is added to hide insulation layer and FPC patterns, then the appearance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveappearanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the additional frame component that was previously needed to hide insulation layer and FPC patterns. The invention achieves border trace coverage through the decoration layer's non-transparent conductive layer, eliminating the frame addition step and associated manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent gives the decoration layer multiple functions: it provides aesthetic decoration, covers border traces, and hides the insulation layer and FPC patterns. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate framing structures, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining appearance quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution effectively conceals border traces and reduces device thickness by using a single substrate, enhancing the appearance and portability of portable electronic devices without the need for additional frames or cover lenses.

Implementation Method 1

The transparent conductive layer is disposed on the substrate... The non-transparent conductive layer is disposed on the decoration layer and is electrically connected with the transparent conductive layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9182863B2Portable electronic device and touch control module thereof

Publication Date: 2015.11.10 WISTRON CORP

AI summary

A portable electronic device includes a touch control module and a processing module. The touch control module has a substrate, a transparent conductive layer, a conductive decoration pad, a decoration layer and a non-transparent conductive layer. The transparent conductive layer is disposed on the substrate. The conductive decoration pad is disposed on the transparent conductive layer. The decoration layer is disposed on the conductive decoration pad and the transparent conductive layer, and has an opening. The non-transparent conductive layer is disposed on the decoration layer and electrically connected with the transparent conductive layer via the opening. The processing module is electrically connected with the touch control module.