Touchscreen Panel Flush Surface Electrostatic Discharge Cutout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touchscreen panels with flush-surface designs struggle to incorporate static-removing features without creating stepped parts or surface level differences between the casing and operation screen, as existing solutions either electrically connect conductive films to the frame or use static-removing FPCs that obstruct a flush surface.

Innovation Solution

A touchscreen panel design featuring a lower substrate with a transparent conductive film, an upper sheet with a transparent conductive film, a static-removing film with a conductive film, and a lead connected to the conductive film, where the lead is arranged in a cutout within the main body to maintain a flush surface while allowing electrostatic discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conductive film is electrically connected to the frame at an outer peripheral side, then electrostatic removal function is achieved, but a stepped part or difference in surface levels is created between the frame and operation screen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrostatic removal functionVSAvoidflush surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a planar surface arrangement to a three-dimensional solution by creating a cutout (void space) within the main body. The lead is positioned within this cutout, allowing electrical connection functionality to be achieved without occupying surface space, thus preserving the flush surface design while enabling electrostatic removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The lead is nested within the cutout of the main body, with the insulating film filling the space around the lead. This nesting arrangement allows the lead to be housed within the existing structure without protruding to the surface, eliminating the need for stepped parts while maintaining both electrical connectivity and surface flushness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a static-removing FPC is arranged on the upper surface of the static-removing film, then electrostatic removal function is achieved, but a stepped part or difference in surface levels is created between the frame and operation screen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrostatic removal functionVSAvoidflush surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the lead from the surface arrangement and relocates it to the interior space created by the cutout. This extraction removes the conflicting element (the lead/FPC) from the surface plane, allowing the flush surface design to be maintained while the electrostatic removal function is preserved through the interior positioning of the lead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the lead is arranged on the upper surface to enable electrical connection, then electrostatic removal function is achieved, but surface level difference is created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidsurface level
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the surface level conflict by moving the lead from the two-dimensional surface plane into the third dimension (interior space) via the cutout. The insulating film surrounds the lead within this vertical space, enabling electrical connection functionality without any surface protrusion, thus achieving both reliable electrical connection and flush surface geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables effective electrostatic removal without creating surface level differences between the operation screen and the casing, ensuring a flush surface while maintaining functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a conductive film forming a static-removing film is electrically connected to the frame at an outer peripheral side on an upper surface of the static-removing film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3528100B1Touchscreen panel
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 FCL COMPONENTS LTD
  • EP3528100B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3528100B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3528100B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A touchscreen panel includes a main body including a lower substrate that includes a first transparent conductive film, and an upper sheet that includes a second transparent conductive film, a static-removing film, arranged on the main body, and including a conductive film, and a lead including a conductive part electrically connected to the conductive film. The main body includes a cutout in which the lead is arranged.