Touch Panel Light Scattering Substrate Thickness Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch panels in electronic devices require additional components to provide touch-control input functions outside the display module, increasing the overall thickness of the device, which is a design bottleneck due to the need for a light source and transparent substrate combination.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel with a transparent substrate and a first sensing layer, where the substrate has a light exporting pattern that scatters light from a light source module, eliminating the need for an additional substrate under the touch panel and reducing device thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an additional icon is disposed using a light source and transparent substrate combination to provide touch-control input function outside the display module range, then the touch-control input function is provided, but the overall thickness of the electronic apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display module and touch panel into a single integrated structure. The touch panel is disposed on the display module such that the backlight unit serves both the display and touch-control functions simultaneously. This eliminates the need for a separate light source and transparent substrate combination, thereby providing touch-control input functionality while avoiding increased thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The backlight unit is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides illumination for the display module and simultaneously acts as the light source for the touch-control input function. The touch panel integrates both display and touch-sensing capabilities in one structure, allowing a single component to perform multiple functions and thus avoiding additional thickness.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional touch panel structure with separate light source and transparent substrate is used, then the touch-control function is achieved, but the device thickness increases becoming a design bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the touch panel and display module into an integrated structure where the backlight unit serves dual purposes. The touch panel includes a touch-sensitive layer disposed on the display module, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity and thickness.
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
Enables a compact structure with multiple functions, including touch-sensing and display, while maintaining the touch-control input function without increasing the device's thickness, thereby reducing production costs and enhancing design flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
Light provided by a light source module enters the transparent substrate and is scattered from a position corresponding to the light exporting pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel including a transparent substrate and a first sensing layer is provided. The transparent substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second surface has a light exporting pattern. The first sensing layer is disposed on the first surface. An electronic apparatus with the touch panel is also provided.