Thin-Film Touch Panel Structure for Lower Stress and Thickness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch panels face challenges in achieving a thinner, lighter, and cost-effective structure while maintaining desirable appearance and performance, particularly in meeting the demands of modern consumer electronics.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing method for touch panels involving a film layer, buffer layer, and sensing layer, with a cover and binding layer, where a first plate provides mechanical support and is later removed, and a second plate facilitates the transfer of the film and sensing layers to the cover, incorporating a buffer layer to mitigate stress and optical differences between layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a conventional touch panel structure is used, then the structural strength is sufficient, but the thickness and weight are too large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional thick glass substrates with thin film layers (including flexible substrates, color filter layers, and other functional layers) to reduce thickness while maintaining structural integrity. The flexible substrate serves as a thin yet durable foundation that enables the overall reduction in panel thickness without sacrificing strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structures combining multiple thin layers (flexible substrate, color filter layer, buffer layer, sealant layers, and adhesive layers) to achieve the required structural strength. Each layer contributes specific properties, and their combination creates a strong yet thin composite structure that meets both thickness reduction and strength maintenance requirements.
2Illumination intensity
If more layers are added to improve performance, then the optical properties and appearance are improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional layers (color filter, buffer layer, sealant, and adhesive layers) into a integrated manufacturing process where layers are formed and bonded together in sequence. This merging approach maintains excellent optical properties through proper layer integration while controlling production costs by streamlining the manufacturing process and reducing the need for separate processing steps.
3Illumination intensity
If different materials are used for various layers, then the optical properties are improved, but the stress between layers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces buffer layers and adhesive layers as intermediary elements between different functional layers. These intermediary layers have material properties that are compatible with adjacent layers, serving as stress-absorbing interfaces that reduce thermal expansion mismatches and mechanical stress. The buffer layer specifically acts as a mediator between the color filter layer and other layers, preventing stress concentration while maintaining optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent carefully selects and adjusts material parameters (such as thickness, elastic modulus, and thermal expansion coefficient) of each layer to optimize the balance between optical properties and stress reduction. By controlling these parameters, the patent achieves excellent optical transmission while minimizing inter-layer stress through proper material parameter matching.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel is formed by firstly forming a film layer on a first plate, and next, sequentially forming a buffer layer on the film layer, forming a sensing layer on the buffer layer, forming a second plate on the sensing layer. After the foregoing formation procedures, the first plate is removed from the film layer. Next, a cover is attached to the film layer. In this way, the film layer is located between the cover and the buffer layer. Finally, the second plate is removed from the sensing layer, so as to form a touch panel with the features of light weight, thin thickness and low costs.