Touchscreen Cover Plate With UV Photocatalytic Self-Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for cleaning fingerprints and dirt from touch screens, such as using hydrophobic films and cleaning agents, are inconvenient and require additional preparation and effort.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a display panel and a cover plate that includes a substrate with a photocatalyst layer and a light adjustment layer, which uses UV light to spontaneously clean dirt and grease through photocatalytic reactions, and a controllable UV light source to prevent UV exposure to users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hydrophobic film is coated on the touch screen surface and cleaning agents are used, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to requiring additional preparation and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The touch screen surface is equipped with a UV light source that automatically activates to decompose fingerprints and dirt through photocatalytic reactions when dirt is detected, enabling the surface to clean itself without requiring user preparation or manual cleaning actions
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical cleaning process (wiping with cloth or paper) is replaced by a photochemical cleaning mechanism where UV light triggers photocatalytic decomposition of organic matter on the surface, transforming the cleaning method from mechanical to chemical/optical
2Extent of automation
If UV light is used for photocatalytic cleaning, then cleaning automation is improved, but harmful UV exposure to users worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light source is positioned and directed to emit UV rays only at the touch screen surface where cleaning is needed, with the light adjustment layer ensuring UV energy is concentrated locally at the surface rather than dispersing to expose surrounding areas or users
Solution Approach 2:
A light adjustment layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the UV light source and the external environment, this layer adjusts UV light transmission to allow sufficient UV reach for photocatalytic cleaning while blocking excess UV from reaching users
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a light adjustment layer is added to control UV light, then UV exposure control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light adjustment layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it adjusts UV light transmission to protect users, maintains visible light transmission for display visibility, and may provide additional protective functions, thereby controlling complexity through multi-functionality rather than adding separate components
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 device effectively cleans fingerprints and dirt without manual intervention and prevents harmful UV exposure by adjusting UV light properties and using photocatalytic reactions.
Implementation Method 1
uses UV light to spontaneously clean dirt and grease through photocatalytic reactions
Implementation Method 2
The light adjustment layer adjusts the optical properties of ultraviolet (UV) light incident onto the cover plate
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
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AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display panel and a cover plate disposed relative to the display panel. The cover plate includes a substrate, a photocatalyst layer disposed on the substrate, and a light adjustment layer disposed on the substrate. The light adjustment layer adjusts the optical properties of ultraviolet light incident onto the cover plate.