Array Substrate Touch Signal Line Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process of array substrates with integrated touch screens requires a high number of mask processes, increasing complexity and costs due to the addition of touch signal lines and sensing electrodes.
Innovation Solution
The array substrate design incorporates a touch signal line within the same metal layer as the data line, eliminating the need for additional metal layers and reducing the number of mask processes by intersecting and disconnecting these lines, with a bridging connection line ensuring electrical connectivity, and using low-temperature polysilicon for the semiconductor active layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If touch signal line and data line are disposed in separate metal layers, then electrical connectivity is ensured, but the number of mask processes increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch signal line and data line into the same metal layer (second metal layer), allowing both lines to be formed in a single mask process. This reduces the total number of mask processes while maintaining electrical connectivity through proper routing and intersection design where lines are disconnected at intersection locations to prevent short circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the planar dimension (2D layout) to resolve the connectivity issue by designing specific routing patterns and intersection geometries within the same metal layer. Lines are arranged to intersect at disconnected locations, utilizing spatial arrangement rather than vertical layering to prevent electrical contact while maintaining signal integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional metal layer is added for touch signal line, then touch function is integrated, but material cost increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second metal layer serves multiple functions: it carries both the data line for display signal transmission and the touch signal line for touch sensing. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated touch signal metal layers, reducing material usage and manufacturing steps while integrating touch functionality into the existing display structure.
3Device complexity
If touch signal line and data line are in same metal layer, then number of mask processes is reduced, but electrical disconnection at intersection must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conductive paths at intersection locations within the same metal layer, creating electrically isolated sections. By breaking the continuous conductive path at intersection points, the design ensures that touch signal lines and data lines remain electrically disconnected despite being in the same metal layer, preventing signal interference and short circuits.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an array substrate, including: a first metal layer, a second metal layer and a common electrode layer which are insulated from each other and sequentially formed on a base substrate; the first metal layer includes a gate line, the second metal layer includes a data line, and the common electrode layer includes a touch sensing electrode; the second metal layer includes a touch signal line, the touch signal line is electrically connected to the touch sensing electrode, and the touch signal line and the data line are intersected each other and are disconnected at an intersection location; and the first metal layer includes a bridging connection line, two ends of the bridging connection line are connected to the touch signal line such that the touch signal line disconnected at the intersection location are electrically connected. A manufacturing method and an in-cell touch panel are also disclosed.