Borderless Projected Capacitive Touch Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional projected capacitive touch sensors require borders to conceal edges and control circuitry, limiting the creation of seamless video walls with touch-sensitive LCD screens.
Innovation Solution
A borderless projected capacitive touch sensor design featuring a sensor grid with electrically conductive rows and columns, where the border region includes a wired bus that folds over the edges of the display, eliminating the need for physical borders and allowing seamless integration of touch-sensitive LCDs into video walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional borders are used to conceal edges of sensor grid and control circuitry, then the sensor grid can be properly concealed, but the video wall cannot be seamless and aesthetic appeal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control circuitry and bus structures from the visible display area and relocates them to the border region. The sensor grid is designed so that its edges and control components are positioned in the border area, which is then folded over to conceal these elements, achieving a seamless visible surface without compromising the functional integrity of the touch sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the third dimension by folding the border region over the edge of the display screen. This dimensional transformation allows the border to serve dual purposes: maintaining the structural integrity and electrical connectivity while concealing the sensor grid edges and control circuitry from the front view, thereby achieving a borderless appearance.
2Area of stationary object
If sensor grid is attached directly to LCD screen with borders, then control circuitry can be properly positioned, but the display area is reduced and seamless integration is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display structure into distinct functional regions: the active display area and the border region. The sensor grid is designed with separate zones for sensing elements and control circuitry, with the control components positioned in the border region. This segmentation allows the display area to be maximized while maintaining proper positioning of control elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the border region contains the control circuitry and bus structures, which are then folded over and attached to the rear of the display assembly. This nesting approach allows compact integration of control components without increasing the overall display area or complicating the manufacturing process.
3Shape
If border region is folded over edges to eliminate borders, then aesthetic appeal and seamless appearance are improved, but the bus region configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic border region design that can be folded over the edges of the display screen. The bus structures within the border region are configured to accommodate this folding action, with conductive traces and connectors designed to maintain electrical connectivity throughout the movement. This dynamic configuration enables the transition from a flat to a folded state, achieving a borderless appearance while managing the complexity of the bus region.
4Ease of operation
If removed sections of non-bus portion are created to allow folding, then the border can fold over edges seamlessly, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates removed sections in the non-bus portion of the border region during the manufacturing process, before final assembly. These removed sections are strategically positioned to allow the border to fold over the display edges without interference. By pre-configuring these openings in the manufacturing stage, the patent reduces the precision requirements during final assembly while ensuring proper folding capability.
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
Enables the assembly of borderless video walls with uninterrupted displays while maintaining touch sensitivity, enhancing user interaction and aesthetic appeal by eliminating visible borders.
Implementation Method 1
Projected Capacitive Technology (PCT) is becoming one of the most significant touch technologies... PCT refers to two main sensing methods called 'self-capacitance' and 'mutual capacitance'
Data Source
AI summary
A projected capacitive touch sensor includes a sensor grid. The sensor grid includes one or more electrically conductive rows arranged in an at least partially transparent row layer. The sensor grid includes one or more electrically conductive columns arranged in an at least partially transparent column layer that is spaced apart from the row layer. The projected capacitive touch sensor includes a border region that surrounds at least a portion of the sensor grid. The border region includes a wired bus region that includes a row bus that extends from the one or more electrically conductive rows and a column bus that extends from the one or more electrically conductive columns. The projected capacitive touch sensor includes one or more connectors that are electrically connected to the row bus and the column bus. The wired bus region is configured to fold over an edge of a borderless display.