Capacitive Touch Sensor with Segmented Conductive Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch panels face challenges in achieving high detection sensitivity and visibility while maintaining a thin, lightweight, and reliable design, especially when integrated with display panels, as the addition of touch sensors can compromise display quality and increase thickness.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive touch sensor design featuring a stacked-layer structure with a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and an insulating layer, where the second conductive layer has openings to overlap with the display element, allowing for improved detection sensitivity and visibility without obstructing light emission, and using flexible substrates to achieve a thin and lightweight touch panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a touch sensor is provided on the viewer side of a display panel, then detection sensitivity is improved, but visibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The second conductive layer is divided into multiple regions: a first region that overlaps with the display element (allowing light transmission) and a second region that does not overlap (providing capacitance for touch detection). This segmentation allows different parts of the same layer to serve different functions, resolving the contradiction between visibility and detection sensitivity.
2Measurement precision
If a touch sensor is provided on the viewer side of a display panel, then detection sensitivity is improved, but thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor structure is nested within the existing display panel architecture. The first and second conductive layers are integrated into the display panel's existing layers, with the capacitor structure (first conductive layer, insulating layer, second conductive layer) nested between the substrate and the display element. This nesting approach adds touch sensing functionality without significantly increasing overall thickness.
3Measurement precision
If a touch sensor is provided on the viewer side of a display panel, then detection sensitivity is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor utilizes thin film structures for the conductive layers and insulating layer, which are deposited as thin films on the substrate. This approach minimizes the added weight while maintaining the capacitive sensing function. The thin film architecture provides sufficient mechanical support and electrical functionality without significant weight penalty.
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 enhances detection sensitivity and visibility of touch panels, reduces thickness, and maintains reliability by optimizing the capacitive touch sensor design and using flexible materials, resulting in a more effective and user-friendly input device.
Implementation Method 1
The first conductive layer, the second conductive layer, and the insulating layer form a capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
To increase the detection sensitivity of a touch panel, increase the visibility of a touch panel, provide a bendable touch panel, provide a thin touch panel, or provide a lightweight touch panel. The touch sensor has a first substrate, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and an insulating layer. The first conductive layer includes a region between the first substrate and the second conductive layer. The insulating layer includes a region between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first conductive layer, the second conductive layer, and the insulating layer form a capacitor. The second conductive layer has an opening. The opening in the second conductive layer and the first conductive layer overlap with each other in a region.