Digitizer Conductive Patterns for Slim Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to reduce the thickness of conductive patterns in digitizers for electronic devices while maintaining detection performance, as thinner patterns increase channel resistance and current consumption, affecting the slimming and visibility of the devices.
Innovation Solution
The digitizer design includes a dielectric sheet with first and second conductive patterns in different layers, where the second conductive patterns, used as Tx channels, have a greater thickness than the first, reducing channel resistance and allowing for a slimmer device without compromising detection performance, and the pattern arrangement ensures they are not visible from the outside.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the thickness of the conductive patterns is reduced to make the electronic device slimmer, then the device thickness is reduced, but the channel resistance increases and current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different thicknesses to different conductive patterns based on their functional requirements. Specifically, the second conductive patterns (Tx channels) are made thicker than the first conductive patterns (Rx channels) to reduce channel resistance and current consumption in the transmission direction, while maintaining overall device slimness. This local differentiation of thickness resolves the contradiction between device thinness and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-layer conductive pattern design to a multi-layer stacked structure with different thicknesses in different layers. By utilizing the vertical dimension (z-axis) to stack conductive patterns with varying thicknesses, the patent achieves both reduced device thickness and optimized electrical performance, resolving the contradiction between slimness and current consumption.
2Length of moving object
If the thickness of the conductive patterns is reduced to make the electronic device slimmer, then the device thickness is reduced, but the detection performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent differentiates the thickness of conductive patterns based on their specific functional roles. The second conductive patterns (Tx channels) are made thicker to maintain strong magnetic field generation for accurate electronic pen detection, while the first conductive patterns (Rx channels) can be thinner. This local quality differentiation maintains detection performance while achieving overall device slimness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure with multiple conductive patterns of different thicknesses stacked in different layers. This composite approach allows optimization of each layer's thickness for its specific function - thicker layers for transmission (maintaining detection performance) and thinner layers for reception (reducing overall thickness), thereby resolving the contradiction between slimness and detection performance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If thicker conductive patterns are used to reduce channel resistance, then current consumption decreases, but the device cannot be made slimmer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical stacking dimension to place thicker conductive patterns (for reduced current consumption) in specific layers, rather than requiring all patterns to be uniformly thick. By distributing thickness variations across multiple layers, the patent achieves low current consumption in critical paths while maintaining overall device slimness through the compact stacked architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the conductive pattern system into multiple independent layers with different thickness characteristics. This segmentation allows optimization of current consumption in transmission channels (thicker patterns) without proportionally increasing the thickness of the entire device, as each layer can be independently designed with appropriate thickness for its function.
4Use of energy by moving object
If thicker conductive patterns are placed closer to the display panel to reduce channel resistance, then current consumption decreases, but the traces become visible from the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the visibility issue by utilizing the vertical dimension - placing thicker conductive patterns in deeper layers away from the display panel surface. This vertical positioning ensures that even though the patterns are thick (reducing current consumption), they remain hidden beneath multiple dielectric layers, preventing visual traces while maintaining electrical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different positioning strategies to different conductive patterns based on their function. Thicker Tx patterns are placed deeper in the stack to reduce visibility and current consumption, while maintaining their electrical performance. This local differentiation of positioning and thickness resolves the contradiction between current consumption and visual appearance.
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
This configuration reduces channel resistance, enhances detection performance, and allows for a slimmer electronic device design while maintaining visibility by positioning thicker conductive patterns farther from the display panel, thus improving the device's slimming and visibility.
Implementation Method 1
The digitizer may generate a magnetic field through a current inputted to the plurality of conductive patterns, and when an electronic pen having a coil member approaches the display panel, the coil member of the electronic pen may also generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field of the electronic pen may induce the plurality of conductive patterns of the digitizer to generate an induced electromotive force
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes at least one housing, a display panel disposed to be visible at least in part from an outside in an inner space of the at least one housing, and a digitizer disposed under the display panel. The digitizer includes a dielectric sheet including a plurality of layers, a plurality of first conductive patterns disposed in a first layer of the dielectric sheet and arranged at a predetermined interval to have a length in a first direction, and a plurality of second conductive patterns disposed in a second layer of the dielectric sheet different from the first layer and arranged at a predetermined interval to have a length in a second direction different from the first direction. A thickness of the plurality of second conductive patterns may be thicker than that of the plurality of first conductive patterns.