Annular Touch Electrode Structure for Non-Rectangular Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-rectangular touch screens face issues with incomplete or uneven coverage of touch electrodes, leading to inaccurate reporting points and poor linearity due to the original rectangular touch electrode structure being unsuitable for non-standard shapes.

Innovation Solution

A touch electrode structure comprising annular first touch electrodes and insulated second touch electrodes arranged in a concentric ring configuration, allowing for complete coverage of non-rectangular touch panels and enabling accurate touch detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a transparent conductive film is used as a touch control electrode, then transparency is improved, but fingerprint residues and oil stains accumulate on the surface

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetransparencyVSAvoidfingerprint residues and oil stains
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent conductive film is divided into multiple segments (first, second, third transparent conductive films) arranged in an interleaved pattern. This segmentation reduces the continuous surface area where fingerprints and oil stains can accumulate, making cleaning more effective and reducing the visibility of residues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the touch control electrode have different properties. The transparent conductive films are positioned at specific locations (first, second, third films with different orientations) to create varying surface characteristics that reduce fingerprint adhesion while maintaining overall transparency and touch sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If transparent conductive films are arranged in an interleaved pattern, then fingerprint resistance is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint resistanceVSAvoidalignment precision of transparent conductive films
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent conductive films are arranged with asymmetric orientations (first film in first direction, second film in second direction, third film in third direction). This asymmetric interleaved pattern creates effective fingerprint resistance while the specific geometric relationships provide natural alignment references that simplify manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Device complexity

If the touch control electrode structure is simplified, then device complexity is reduced, but touch sensitivity and detection accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode structure complexityVSAvoidtouch detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent conductive films serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide electrical conductivity for touch detection, maintain screen transparency, reduce fingerprint adhesion through their interleaved pattern, and create capacitive sensing nodes. This multi-functionality allows simplified structure compared to traditional ITO films while maintaining or improving touch detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively covers non-rectangular touch panels, preventing defects like inaccurate reporting points and poor linearity, while enhancing touch precision and aesthetics, and can be applied to various shapes including circular, sector, and polygonal panels.

Implementation Method 1

the first transparent conductive film, the second transparent conductive film, and the third transparent conductive film are arranged in an interleaved manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3343334B1Touch control electrode structure, touch control panel and display apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3343334B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3343334B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~2a
  • EP3343334B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3

AI summary

A touch electrode structure, a touch panel and a display device are provided. The touch electrode structure includes at least one first touch electrode (101) and a plurality of second touch electrodes (102), the at least one first touch electrode is of annular shape; the plurality of second touch electrodes (102) are insulated from the at least one first touch electrode (101), the plurality of second touch electrodes (102) are arranged along a circumferential direction of the annular first touch electrode (101) and extend along a radial direction of the annular first touch electrode (101), so as to overlap the at least one first touch electrode (101). The touch electrode structure may be used in a non-rectangular touch panel, which can solve a problem that an edge of the touch panel or the touch electrode at the corner is not completely or evenly covered.