Edge-Extending Touch Panel Wiring for Borderless Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch panels often have borders along their edges where touch signals cannot be received, limiting the active touch-sensitive area and user interaction.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design featuring a first layer with a wiring pattern for receiving touch signals, coupled with a flexible second layer using an optically transparent adhesive, where the second layer extends beyond the edges with additional wiring patterns to connect with an electronic circuit, ensuring touch sensitivity up to the edges of the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the wiring pattern is confined within the display edges, then the electronic circuit can be simplified, but the touch-sensitive area is reduced with dead zones appearing at the edges
Solution Approach 1:
The wiring pattern transitions from a two-dimensional planar configuration confined to the display edges into a three-dimensional folded structure that extends along the side edges of the display. This dimensional change allows the wiring to reach electronic circuits positioned at the corners or edges without expanding the active touch area, thereby eliminating dead zones while managing wiring complexity through spatial routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiring pattern is divided into multiple segments: a first portion that receives touch signals within the display area, and a second portion that folds along the side edges to couple with electronic circuits. This segmentation allows different portions of the wiring to serve distinct functions, maximizing touch sensitivity coverage while routing connections efficiently along the display perimeter.
2Reliability
If the layer extends beyond the display edges with additional wiring, then touch sensitivity up to the edges is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The second layer is designed as a flexible substrate that can be bent and folded along the side edges of the display. This flexibility enables the wiring pattern to extend beyond the display edges to provide complete edge-to-edge touch sensitivity, while the thin-film construction allows for easier integration and assembly compared to rigid wiring structures.
3Shape
If a flexible second layer is used to extend wiring beyond edges, then borderless touch screen is achieved, but the adhesive bonding process becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
An optically transparent adhesive serves as an intermediary material that bonds the flexible second layer to the first layer. This adhesive mediator allows the flexible layer to be securely attached while maintaining optical transparency for display visibility, and accommodates the flexible nature of the substrate during the bonding process.
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 design creates a substantially borderless touch screen where touch signals can be received up to each edge of the display, enhancing user interaction and eliminating dead zones.
Implementation Method 1
coupling the first layer to a flexible second layer using an optically transparent adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention an apparatus comprises a display having an edge and side and a first layer coupled with the display having a first portion opposing the display comprising a wiring pattern for receiving a touch signal, the first layer having a second portion extending beyond the edge and along at least a portion of the side, the second portion comprising a wiring pattern for coupling the wiring pattern for receiving a touch signal with an electronic circuit.