Touch Panel Light-Shielding Films for Flexible Substrate Visibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In display devices with touch panels, the flexible substrate connected to the touch panel is visible to users due to light emission from the backlight, which affects the aesthetic and functional integrity of the device.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating first and second light-shielding films at specific portions of the touch panel facing the flexible substrate, which shields light and reduces visibility of the substrate, thereby minimizing its visibility to the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the flexible substrate is connected to the touch panel and bent toward the backlight, then the touch panel can be connected to the display panel, but the flexible substrate becomes visible to users through the touch panel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection of touch panel to display panelVSAvoidvisibility of flexible substrate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A light-shielding film is introduced as an intermediary element between the flexible substrate and the touch panel. This film blocks light from the backlight from reaching and illuminating the flexible substrate, thereby preventing it from becoming visible to users while maintaining the electrical connection and structural integrity of the assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch panel is segmented into multiple functional layers, including the light-shielding film layer positioned between the flexible substrate and the front surface. This segmentation allows the light-shielding function to be separated from other functions, enabling the flexible substrate to remain connected for manufacturing purposes while its visibility is independently controlled by the light-shielding layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If light-shielding films are added to block visibility of the flexible substrate, then the substrate becomes less visible, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of flexible substrateVSAvoidnumber of light-shielding films

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying light-shielding properties uniformly across the entire touch panel, the light-shielding film is applied locally only in regions where the flexible substrate is visible or where light from the backlight could illuminate the substrate. This localized approach reduces the overall complexity and material usage while effectively addressing the visibility problem in critical areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 use of light-shielding films effectively reduces the visibility of the flexible substrate, enhancing the user experience by maintaining a clean aesthetic and improving the device's functionality by minimizing distractions and improving visibility of the display.

Implementation Method 1

the touch panel includes a first light-shielding film and a second light-shielding film at portions facing a part of the flexible substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS9151978B2Touch panel, display device having input function, and electronic device

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

A display device having an input function includes: a display panel; a touch panel disposed on a front side of the display panel; and a flexible substrate connected to the touch panel and bent toward a back side of the display panel, wherein the touch panel includes a first light-shielding film and a second light-shielding film at portions facing a part of the flexible substrate.