Vehicle Touch Input Device With Laser-Formed Grooves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current touch input devices for vehicles face challenges in durability due to the use of adhesion methods and high manufacturing costs, particularly with methods involving Indium Thin Oxide, which are vulnerable to external vibrations and high temperatures, leading to reduced product lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A touch input device with a metal composite base featuring laser-formed pattern grooves and conductive sensing patterns, eliminating the need for adhesion and integrating with an integrated circuit via wires, and coated on resin, glass, or leather for enhanced durability and reduced manufacturing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If adhesion method is used to connect sensing patterns to substrate, then manufacturing process is simplified, but durability deteriorates due to vulnerability to external vibrations and high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidproduct durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the adhesive layer from the structure, extracting the source of reliability problems. The sensing patterns are directly formed on the substrate through laser processing, eliminating the adhesion interface that is vulnerable to vibrations and high temperatures while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical adhesion system with a direct laser-formed bonding structure. Instead of using adhesive materials and adhesion processes, the sensing patterns are directly created on the substrate surface through laser processing, substituting mechanical bonding with a more robust direct formation method that resists environmental stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If Indium Thin Oxide (ITO) is used for transparent electrodes, then touch sensitivity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to high material price

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensitivityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive ITO materials with cost-effective alternative transparent conductive materials. While ITO provides good touch sensitivity, the patent uses cheaper materials that can achieve comparable performance, reducing manufacturing costs significantly without sacrificing essential touch detection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters by substituting ITO with alternative transparent conductive materials such as metal oxides or conductive polymers. This parameter change in material composition maintains the electrical conductivity and transparency required for touch sensitivity while dramatically reducing material costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple processing stages are used for manufacturing touch panel, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern formation accuracyVSAvoidnumber of processing stages

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple processing stages into a single laser processing step. The laser directly forms the sensing patterns, conductive traces, and structural features in one integrated process, eliminating the need for separate photolithography, etching, and deposition steps while maintaining high manufacturing precision through laser control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex multi-step mechanical and chemical processing systems with a laser-based direct formation system. The laser processing substitutes traditional multi-stage manufacturing with a single versatile process that achieves comparable or superior precision with reduced complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution provides a slim, durable touch input device with improved resistance to vibrations and high temperatures, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing user interface reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a first pattern groove formed concavely in one surface of the base; a second pattern groove formed concavely in the other surface of the base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS10146386B2Touch input device, vehicle including the same, and manufacturing method thereof

Publication Date: 2018.12.04 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

The touch input device comprises a base including a metal composite; a first pattern groove formed concavely in one surface of the base, a second pattern groove formed concavely in the other surface of the base; a first sensing pattern disposed in the first pattern groove and including a conductive material; a second sensing pattern disposed in the second pattern groove and including a conductive material; and a wire connecting the first sensing pattern and the second sensing pattern to an integrated circuit.