Display Device Touch Electrode Routing for Static Discharge Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Static electricity can cause damage to the insulating layer covering touch electrodes in touch sensing units, leading to potential short-circuits and reduced touch sensitivity in display devices.
Innovation Solution
The design includes first and second sensing electrodes with a connection electrode that connects the ends without overlapping regions, preventing short-circuits even if the insulating layer is damaged due to static electricity, and features a dummy pattern to improve touch sensitivity and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connection electrode overlaps the regions between the first and second ends of the first sensing electrodes and the second sensing electrode, then the insulating layer may be damaged by static electricity causing short-circuits, but avoiding overlap requires complex electrode routing
Solution Approach 1:
The connection electrode is divided into multiple segments: first connection portions extending from each first end of the first sensing electrodes, and a second connection portion connecting these first connection portions. This segmentation allows the connection electrode to avoid overlapping with the second sensing electrode while maintaining electrical connection, thus preventing short-circuits without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The first connection portions act as intermediary elements between the first ends of the first sensing electrodes and the second connection portion. This intermediary structure enables the connection electrode to bridge the gap between electrode ends without directly overlapping the second sensing electrode, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity
2Reliability
If the insulating layer is damaged due to static electricity, then short-circuits occur between electrodes, but adding protective structures increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding protective structures over the damaged insulating layer, the patent inverts the approach by designing the connection electrode to never overlap with the second sensing electrode in the first place. This preventive design eliminates the need for additional protective structures, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode configuration is designed in advance to prevent short-circuit conditions before they can occur. By positioning the connection electrode to avoid overlapping with the second sensing electrode, the patent creates a fault-tolerant design that remains reliable even if the insulating layer is damaged, without requiring complex protective measures
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes: a base member; first sensing electrodes disposed on the base member and electrically connected to a first sensing line, wherein the first sensing electrodes include first and second ends facing and spaced apart from each other; a second sensing electrode disposed between the first and second ends of the first sensing electrodes on a same layer as the first sensing electrodes and electrically connected to a second sensing line; and a connection electrode to electrically connect the first and second ends of the first sensing electrodes to each other without overlapping regions between each of the first and second ends of the first sensing electrodes and the second sensing electrode.