Touchscreen Pattern Forming on Flexible Base

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for producing touchscreens with three-dimensional shapes are costly and lack flexibility, requiring modifications to the touchscreen pattern design to achieve different shapes, which limits the variety and complexity of designs possible.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a pattern forming process, cutting process, and three-dimensional shape forming process is used, where a single base with a touchscreen pattern is cut into various shapes to create position input devices with predefined three-dimensional forms, allowing for multiple designs from a single pattern and increased flexibility in shaping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the touchscreen pattern design is modified to alter the three-dimensional shape of the touchscreen forming body, then the three-dimensional shape can be changed, but the production cost increases and flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional shape of touchscreen forming bodyVSAvoidproduction cost and flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the pattern forming process from the three-dimensional shape forming process. The touchscreen pattern is formed on a flat base first, then the base is cut into different shapes and formed into various three-dimensional shapes. This segmentation allows the same pattern to be used across different shapes, reducing production costs and increasing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The touchscreen pattern is formed on the base in advance before the three-dimensional shaping process. This preliminary action allows the same patterned base to be cut and formed into different three-dimensional shapes without reworking the pattern, thereby reducing costs and increasing design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single base with touchscreen pattern is cut into various shapes, then flexibility in designing three-dimensional shapes increases, but the cutting process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in designing three-dimensional shapesVSAvoidcutting process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting process is segmented into standardizable steps where the base is cut along predetermined lines to create different shapes. This segmentation makes the cutting process more manageable and less complex, while still allowing for various three-dimensional shape configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single base design with the touchscreen pattern formed can serve multiple functions by being cut into different shapes and formed into various three-dimensional configurations. This universality increases design flexibility without proportionally increasing cutting process complexity, as the same base can be adapted for different applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10042498B2Method of producing position input device

Publication Date: 2018.08.07 SHARP KK

AI summary

A method of producing a touchscreen 12 includes a pattern forming process, a cutting process, and a three-dimensional forming process. The pattern forming process is for forming a touchscreen pattern 12P including at least electrode portions 17 and line portions on a plate surface of a base that has a sheet shape with flexibility. The cutting process is for cutting a use portion 16U out of the base 16 on which the touchscreen pattern 12 is formed. The three-dimensional shape forming process is for forming the use portion 16U out of the base 16 into a three-dimensional shape.