Touch Panel FPC Layout for Lower Manufacturing Cost
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high production cost of touch panels is attributed to the large area of the flexible printed circuit (FPC), which is due to its length being greater than or equal to the perpendicular distance between rows, resulting in increased material and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The touch panel design includes a substrate with a first and second conductive layer, where each row and column of conductive patterns are connected to separate metal wires, reducing the length of the FPC by shortening the distance between connections, and ensuring the FPC's length is less than the perpendicular distance between rows, thereby minimizing the panel's area and production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the FPC is directly connected to the conductive layers with length greater than or equal to the perpendicular distance between rows, then the connection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the FPC into multiple segments (first FPC and second FPC) that are connected to different conductive layers separately. Each FPC segment has a optimized length that is less than the perpendicular distance between rows, reducing material usage while maintaining connection reliability through distributed connection points across the substrate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane connection architecture to a three-dimensional multi-layer connection structure. By connecting FPCs to both upper and lower surfaces of the substrate, the design reduces the required FPC length in any single direction while maintaining overall connection reliability through spatial distribution
2Ease of manufacture
If the FPC length is reduced to decrease manufacturing cost, then the production cost is reduced, but the connection effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different connection strategies to different regions of the touch panel. FPCs are selectively connected to specific conductive layers (first FPC to first conductive layer, second FPC to second conductive layer) based on local requirements, allowing optimized FPC lengths in different areas while maintaining overall connection effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple connection functions into a unified multi-layer architecture. Both first and second FPCs are integrated with their respective conductive layers on opposite surfaces, creating a combined connection system that achieves cost reduction through shortened individual FPCs while maintaining overall connection effectiveness
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 the production cost of the touch panel by minimizing the FPC's length and area, while maintaining effective coupling capacitance for touch operations, improving response time and sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are used to generate a coupling capacitance
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 2D~2E(2)
AI summary
The present invention discloses a touch panel and a production method thereof, and relates to the field of touchscreens. The touch panel includes: a substrate, a first conductive layer formed on an upper surface of the substrate, a second conductive layer formed on a lower surface of the substrate, and FPCs, where the FPCs include a first FPC and a second FPC, the first FPC is connected to the first conductive layer, and the second FPC is connected to the second conductive layer; the first conductive layer includes n rows of first conductive patterns that are arranged in a first direction, one end of each row is connected to one end of a first metal wire, and the other end of the first metal wire is connected to the first FPC; the second conductive layer includes m columns of second conductive patterns that are arranged in a second direction, one end of each column is connected to one end of a second metal wire, and the other end of the second metal wire is connected to the second FPC; and a ray in the first direction is perpendicular to a ray in the second direction, and a length of the first FPC in the second direction is less than a perpendicular distance between a 1st row and an nth row. According to the present invention, a production cost of the touch panel is reduced.