Resistive touch sensor with improved force uniformity

A resistive touch sensor for an aircraft display application, comprising:

• a base layer;
• a sensor top sheet positioned in spaced apart relation above the base layer;
• a peripheral edge seal provided between the sensor top sheet and the base layer;
• a first adhesive layer bonded along a peripheral edge portion of the sensor top sheet;
• a second adhesive layer, inset relative to the peripheral edge seal, positioned between the first adhesive layer and the sensor top sheet, the second adhesive layer bonded on a first side to the first adhesive layer and bonded on a second side to a portion of the sensor top sheet corresponding to a touch active area, wherein the second adhesive layer alters the planarity of the sensor top sheet proximate the peripheral edge seal such that the touch active area is positioned closer to the base layer as compared to the peripheral edge portion of the sensor top sheet;
• and
• a cover layer bonded on the first adhesive layer.

A method of manufacturing a resistive, touch sensor, comprising:

• providing a first adhesive layer;
• providing a second adhesive layer, the second adhesive layered dimensioned smaller than the first adhesive layer;
• dry bonding the first and second adhesive layers such that the peripheral edges of the second adhesive layer are positioned inward relative to the peripheral edges of the first adhesive layer;
• dry bonding the bonded first and second adhesive layers on a sensor top sheet further bonded in spaced apart relation, via a peripheral edge seal, to a base layer, wherein the first adhesive layer bonds to a peripheral edge portion of the sensor top sheet and the second adhesive layer bonds to a touch active area of the sensor top sheet such that the sensor top sheet is caused to deform proximate the peripheral edge seal to position the touch active area of the sensor top sheet closer to the base layer as compared to the peripheral edge portion of the sensor top sheet;
• and
• bonding a cover layer on the first adhesive layer.