Touch Panel Warping Prevention via Nonparallel Resin Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touch panels used in high-temperature environments, such as car navigation systems, experience warping and nonuniform sensitivity due to parallel resin flowing directions of the plastic cover and film sensor, leading to appearance and functional issues.

Innovation Solution

Laminating the plastic cover and film sensor with resin flowing directions that are nonparallel, preferably at right angles, to prevent warping under high-temperature conditions, ensuring the touch panel and casing remain joined.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the resin flowing direction of the film sensor and the resin flowing direction of the plastic cover are parallel to each other, then the manufacturing process is simplified and alignment is easier, but the input device warps greatly under high-temperature environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment easeVSAvoidwarping resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately setting the resin flowing directions of the plastic cover and film sensor at nonparallel angles (specifically 45-135 degrees relative to each other). This asymmetric arrangement prevents the synchronized thermal expansion that occurs with parallel alignment, thereby suppressing warping under high-temperature conditions while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the critical parameter of resin flowing direction angle from the conventional parallel (0 degrees) configuration to a nonparallel configuration (45-135 degrees). This parameter change fundamentally alters the thermal response characteristics of the laminated structure, preventing warping without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the resin flowing direction of the film sensor and the resin flowing direction of the plastic cover are nonparallel to each other, then warping under high-temperature environment is suppressed, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewarping resistanceVSAvoidalignment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately setting the resin flowing directions of the plastic cover and film sensor at nonparallel angles (specifically 45-135 degrees relative to each other). This asymmetric arrangement prevents the synchronized thermal expansion that occurs with parallel alignment, thereby suppressing warping under high-temperature conditions while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the critical parameter of resin flowing direction angle from the conventional parallel (0 degrees) configuration to a nonparallel configuration (45-135 degrees). This parameter change fundamentally alters the thermal response characteristics of the laminated structure, preventing warping without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If film base materials are laminated with crossing film forming directions, then anisotropy of the film base materials is reduced, but the relationship with other members is not optimized for high-temperature stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanisotropy reductionVSAvoidhigh-temperature performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the critical parameter of resin flowing direction angle from the conventional parallel (0 degrees) configuration to a nonparallel configuration (45-135 degrees). This parameter change fundamentally alters the thermal response characteristics of the laminated structure, preventing warping without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by optimizing the resin flowing direction relationship specifically at the interface between the film sensor and plastic cover. This localized optimization of directional alignment prevents warping at this critical junction, thereby ensuring overall high-temperature reliability of the input device.

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

This configuration effectively suppresses warping and maintains the appearance and function of the touch panel, preventing peeling and nonuniform sensitivity distribution, even in high-temperature environments.

Implementation Method 1

The touch panels described in PTLs 1 and 2 have a configuration in which the film base material forming directions (lengthwise directions) cross at right angles to reduce the anisotropy of the film base materials. However, in these touch panels, the relationship between the film forming directions of the plurality of film base materials composed of the same material and having the same thickness is specified, but the directions of arrangement of the film base materials in relation to other members are not studied. Furthermore, PTLs 1 and 2 do not describe problems in the case where the touch panels are used under a high-temperature environment.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

PTLs 1 and 2 describe a touch panel made of a film base material, which is less prone to thermal deformation during manufacturing. The touch panel has a configuration in which two film base materials with a transparent conductive layer composed of the same material and having the same thickness are laminated so that the film forming directions form 90 degrees.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnisotropy: Anisotropy

Data Source

PatentEP3667466B1Input device and manufacturing method for input device in which plastic cover and film sensor are stacked
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • EP3667466B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3667466B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3667466B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A touch panel 1 is configured such that a plastic cover 11 and a film sensor 12 are laminated so that the resin flowing direction MD1 of the plastic cover 11 and the resin flowing direction MD2 of the film sensor 12 are not parallel to each other in plan view in the laminating direction (Z1-Z2). The touch panel 1 is prevented from being degraded in design and becoming nonuniform in sensitivity because of the occurrence of warping, thereby maintaining its appearance and function well under a high-temperature environment.