Touch Sensor Bending Portion Design Without Base Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional touch sensors with bending portions face difficulties in easy bending and are prone to cracking due to thick base layers with high elastic modulus, and the process of forming a separate lower support base for FPCB bonding is complex, time-consuming, and costly.

Innovation Solution

A touch sensor design featuring a bending portion without a base layer, utilizing a thin bending portion touch sensor layer and a curable resin protective layer with an elastic modulus of 0.1 to 1000 Mpa, and integrating the lower support base formation into the base layer process, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a thick base layer with high elastic modulus is used to satisfy the supporting role, then the structural strength is improved, but the bending portion becomes difficult to bend and cracks may occur in the touch sensor layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidbending ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base layer is segmented into two distinct regions: a first base layer in the display portion providing structural support, and a second base layer (omitted) in the bending portion to enable flexible bending. This segmentation allows each region to have optimized properties for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different structural configurations are applied to different regions: the display portion maintains a complete base layer structure for support, while the bending portion uses a modified structure without the base layer to achieve flexibility and prevent cracking during bending operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a separate lower support base is formed for FPCB bonding, then the bonding reliability is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding reliabilityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The formation of the second base layer is merged with the formation of the first base layer in a single manufacturing process step. This integration eliminates the need for a separate lower support base formation process, reducing manufacturing complexity and time while maintaining bonding reliability through the continuous base layer structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design allows for easy bending of the touch sensor while minimizing damage to the bending portion and eliminates the need for a separate lower support base, resulting in process simplification, time reduction, and cost savings.

Implementation Method 1

a curable resin protective layer with an elastic modulus of 0.1 to 1000 Mpa

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic modulus: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11256353B2Touch sensor, and window laminate and image display device including the same

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 DONGWOO FINE CHEM CO LTD

AI summary

A touch sensor includes: a display portion including a base layer and a touch sensor layer on the base layer; a bending portion extending from the display portion and including a first part of a trace electrically connected to the touch sensor layer but not including the base layer; and a bonding portion extending from the bending portion and including a second part of the trace, wherein an end portion of the second part of the trace is connected to a flexible circuit board.