Touch Panel Edge Groove Nesting for Moisture Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch panels are prone to corrosion from salt spray and moisture due to the air gap between the substrate and the case, which leads to functional failure of the flexible printed circuit board, electrical contact, and electric wire.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design featuring a driving layer and a sensing layer with strategically positioned connecting regions and edges, where the edges surround the connecting regions, and a flexible printed circuit board is securely connected to prevent moisture ingress, using thin-film structures and an adhesive layer to ensure air-tightness and water-proofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flexible printed circuit board is connected to the electrical contact at the edge of the substrate, then the signal transmission function is achieved, but the electrical contact and electric wire are easily corroded by salt spray and moisture in the air gap
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact is nested within the groove of the substrate edge, and the flexible printed circuit board is nested within the groove as well. This nested structure allows the electrical contact to be positioned inside the groove rather than at the exposed edge, eliminating the air gap exposure to salt spray and moisture while maintaining the signal transmission function. The nesting approach resolves the contradiction by protecting the electrical contact without adding external protective structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove acts as an intermediary structure between the electrical contact and the external environment. By introducing this groove, the electrical contact is indirectly protected from salt spray and moisture while still maintaining electrical connection. The groove serves as a mediating element that separates the electrical contact from direct exposure to harmful environmental factors, thus improving corrosion resistance without compromising the basic connection function.
2Ease of manufacture
If the electrical contact is located at the edge of the substrate, then the connection to the flexible printed circuit board is simplified, but the air gap allows salt spray and moisture to corrode the electrical contact and electric wire
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact is nested within the groove of the substrate edge, positioning it inside rather than at the exposed edge. This nested configuration maintains manufacturing simplicity by keeping the electrical contact accessible within the groove while eliminating direct exposure to salt spray and moisture. The nesting structure achieves both ease of connection and corrosion protection simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure creates a protective enclosure for the electrical contact, similar to how a shell protects internal components. This groove enclosure provides a physical barrier against salt spray and moisture while maintaining the flexibility of the overall substrate structure, thus protecting the electrical contact without rigidifying the design.
3Strength
If the flexible printed circuit board has a thickness, then the structural integrity is maintained, but an air gap is formed between the edge of the substrate and the case, allowing moisture ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board is nested within the groove of the substrate, positioning it inside the protective enclosure formed by the groove. This nested arrangement maintains the structural integrity provided by the board's thickness while eliminating the exposed air gap between the substrate edge and case. The nesting structure allows the thick board to be protected without reducing its structural function.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure acts as a flexible protective shell that encloses the flexible printed circuit board. This shell-like groove provides protection against moisture ingress while accommodating the thickness of the circuit board, maintaining structural integrity without creating an exposed air gap. The groove's enclosure protects the internal components from environmental factors.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel includes a driving layer and a sensing layer. The driving layer has a first top surface and a driving layer edge. The first top surface has at least one first connecting region. The driving layer edge surrounds the first connecting region and there is a first distance between the first connecting region and the driving layer edge. The sensing layer is disposed on the first top surface of the driving layer. The second top surface of sensing layer away from the driving layer has at least one second connecting region. The sensing layer edge of the sensing layer surrounds the second connecting region, and there is a second distance between the sensing layer edge and the at least one second connecting region.