Array Substrate Shading Metal Layer Touch Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional In-cell touch technology requires complex manufacturing processes and thick insulation layers to prevent coupling capacitance between touch electrodes and signal lines, leading to increased manufacturing complexity and capacitance.
Innovation Solution
The array substrate design simplifies the manufacturing process by using a shading metal layer as the Rx signal line, eliminating the need for additional masking processes and reducing coupling capacitance through a passivation layer and organic transparent layer configuration, allowing for a larger gap between the touch electrode and signal line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a metal process and through-hole process are configured to form the Rx signal line and connect it to the touch electrode, then the array substrate can achieve touch functionality, but the manufacturing process complexity increases to 14 masks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the Rx signal line function with the existing shading metal layer that is already present in the display structure. By making the shading metal layer extend outside the pixel area to serve as the Rx signal line, the invention merges two functions into a single structure, eliminating the need for separate metal processes and through-hole formation for the signal line, thus reducing manufacturing complexity from 14 masks to fewer processes
Solution Approach 2:
The shading metal layer is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the shading structure for the pixel and the Rx signal line for touch sensing. This multi-functional design allows the same structural element to fulfill both display and touch control roles, simplifying the overall device architecture and manufacturing process
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the thickness of the insulation layer between the Rx signal line and the touch electrode is increased to prevent coupling capacitance, then coupling capacitance is reduced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and other capacitances are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces coupling capacitance not by increasing insulation layer thickness in the vertical dimension, but by increasing the horizontal distance between the touch electrode and the Rx signal line. By allowing the shading metal layer (Rx signal line) to extend outside the pixel area, the invention creates larger lateral separation, effectively reducing capacitance through spatial arrangement rather than through additional insulating material layers
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an array substrate and the manufacturing method thereof. The array substrate includes a glass substrate. The shading metal layer and the buffering layer are formed on the glass substrate in sequence. The TFT layer is formed on the buffering layer, and the TFT is arranged above the shading metal layer. The insulation layer and the organic layer are formed on the TFT layer in sequence. In addition, the pixel electrode layer connects to the source/drain of the TFT via the first through hole. The touch electrode layer connects to the shading metal layer via the second through hole. The passivation layer is configured between the pixel electrode layer and the touch electrode layer. In this way, the manufacturing process is simplified, and the coupling capacitance between the touch electrode and the signal line may be effectively reduced.