Flexible Touch Substrate with Segmented Electrodes for Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch electrodes in flexible and bendable display apparatuses are prone to stress-induced damage due to their brittle material composition, which affects the reliability and durability of touch control functions.
Innovation Solution
A touch substrate design featuring a first and second touch electrode layer with interconnected conductive structures, including conductive connecting rings and island bridges, that form a highly branched and flexible pattern to distribute stress and maintain touch signal conductivity even when individual channels are damaged, along with parallel connections to reduce resistance and enhance sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If touch electrodes are made from conventional conductive materials to achieve good electrical conductivity, then electrical performance is improved, but the electrodes become brittle and prone to stress-induced damage
Solution Approach 1:
The touch electrode is divided into multiple electrode blocks connected by connecting structures. Each electrode block can independently deform under stress, preventing crack propagation throughout the entire electrode. The connecting structures (rings and islands) act as stress distribution points that maintain electrical continuity even when individual blocks are damaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible substrate and designs the electrode structure to accommodate bending and rolling. The electrode pattern including connecting rings and islands creates a flexible network that maintains electrical conductivity during deformation, enabling the touch display to be bent or rolled without damaging the conductive pathways.
2Measurement precision
If the distance between adjacent conductive channels is reduced to improve touch resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but the electrodes become more susceptible to stress damage
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the electrode into blocks with connecting structures, the patent enables closer spacing of conductive channels while maintaining reliability. The connecting structures provide mechanical support and stress distribution at critical points, allowing the electrode blocks to be positioned closer together for higher resolution without proportionally increasing vulnerability to stress damage.
3Reliability
If a simple linear electrode structure is used to reduce device complexity, then manufacturing is simplified, but the electrode lacks redundancy and continuous conductivity under stress
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode design incorporates connecting rings and islands as preliminary redundancy structures before stress is applied. These features are pre-built into the electrode pattern to provide alternative current pathways in advance, ensuring that if any linear pathway is interrupted by stress or damage, electrical continuity is maintained through the redundant connecting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a simple linear one-dimensional electrode structure to a two-dimensional network incorporating connecting rings and islands. This dimensional expansion creates multiple pathways for electrical current, providing redundancy and ensuring continuous conductivity even when parts of the electrode are damaged, while the pattern remains manufacturable through standard photolithography processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch substrate includes a first touch electrode layer including a plurality of first touch electrodes; a second touch electrode layer including a plurality of second touch electrodes; and a plurality of first connecting structures. Each of the plurality of second touch electrodes includes a plurality of second touch electrode blocks electrically connected substantially along a first direction. Each of the plurality of first touch electrodes includes a plurality of first touch electrode blocks electrically connected substantially along a second direction. Each individual one of the plurality of first connecting structures is between two adjacent first touch electrode blocks. The two adjacent first touch electrode blocks along the second direction are electrically connected to each other through one of the plurality of first connecting structures. Each of the plurality of first connecting structures includes a first conductive connecting ring.