Array Substrate Data Line Reuse for Narrow Border Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display panels with integrated touch sensing functions face challenges in minimizing the border frame area due to the extensive space occupied by signal lines for touch electrodes, which hinder the achievement of a narrow border frame.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves reusing data lines as signal lines for touch electrodes during the touch phase, allowing driving signals to be transmitted to or sense signals to be received from the touch electrodes via these data lines, thereby reducing the number of signal lines needed in the non-display region and minimizing the border frame area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate signal lines are provided for touch electrodes and led out through the non-display region, then touch sensing function is achieved, but the border frame area is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The data line is designed to serve dual purposes: during the display phase, it transmits data signals to sub-pixel units; during the touch phase, it is electrically connected to touch electrodes to transmit driving signals or receive sense signals. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate signal lines for touch electrodes, thereby reducing the border frame area while maintaining touch sensing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the signal transmission function for touch electrodes with the existing data line infrastructure. By electrically connecting data lines to touch electrodes during the touch phase, the patent combines the data line and touch electrode signal paths into a single transmission pathway, reducing the total number of signal lines required and minimizing the non-display region area
2Area of stationary object
If data lines are reused as signal lines for touch electrodes, then the border frame area is reduced, but the complexity of signal line switching is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic electrical connection between data lines and touch electrodes based on operational mode. During the display phase, data lines are connected to sub-pixel units; during the touch phase, the same data lines are switched to connect to touch electrodes. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single data line to serve multiple functions without requiring permanent separate wiring, reducing border frame area while managing complexity through time-division multiplexing
Data Source
AI summary
An array substrate and a display panel. The array substrate includes: a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines; at least one sub-pixel unit defined by the data lines and the scan lines; and a plurality of touch electrodes, comprising drive electrodes and touch sensing electrodes intersecting the drive electrodes; wherein, in a touch phase, at least one of the touch electrodes is electrically connected with the corresponding data line, so that a driving signal is transmitted to or a sense signal is received from the at least one of the touch electrodes via the corresponding data line electrically connected with the at least one of the touch electrodes.