Foldable Touch Panel Electrode Layout for Insulation Stress Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch panels with folding capabilities face issues of stress concentration in the insulation layer during bending, leading to potential cracking and reduced performance due to excessive stress concentration.

Innovation Solution

The touch panel design includes a bridge electrode layer with specific orthographic projections relative to the touch electrode layer, where the bridge electrode layer's projection is within the touch electrode layer's projection, allowing the touch electrode layer to wrap the insulation layer during bending, thereby alleviating stress concentration and preventing cracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the touch panel is designed with folding capability, then adaptability is improved, but stress concentration in the insulation layer occurs during bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidstress concentration in insulation layer

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spatial arrangement of electrode layers from a conventional stacked configuration to an overlapping configuration where the first and second electrode layers are positioned at different vertical levels. This dimensional reorganization allows the electrodes to wrap around the insulation layer during bending, distributing stress across multiple dimensions rather than concentrating it in a single plane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode layers are designed to wrap around and enclose portions of the insulation layer, creating a nested structural relationship. The first electrode layer wraps around a first portion of the insulation layer, while the second electrode layer wraps around a second portion, with the bridge electrode connecting these wrapped portions. This nesting arrangement provides structural support to the insulation layer during bending operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the insulation layer is subjected to bending stress, then folding function is achieved, but cracking occurs in the insulation layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending functionVSAvoidintegrity of insulation layer

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a protective structure where electrode layers are positioned to wrap around and cushion the insulation layer before bending occurs. The bridge electrode layer connects the first and second electrode layers through the insulation layer, creating a reinforced structure that prevents cracking during subsequent bending operations. This beforehand cushioning approach addresses the cracking issue proactively rather than reactively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure combining multiple electrode layers (first electrode layer, bridge electrode layer, second electrode layer) with the insulation layer. This composite arrangement distributes mechanical stress across different materials with complementary properties, preventing stress concentration that would lead to cracking in the insulation layer during bending.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If the bridge electrode layer is exposed to the environment, then manufacturing is simplified, but corrosion of the bridge electrode layer occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexposure of bridge electrode layerVSAvoidcorrosion resistance of bridge electrode layer

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an encapsulation layer as an intermediary between the bridge electrode layer and the external environment. This encapsulation layer serves as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between the bridge electrode layer and corrosive environmental factors such as moisture and oxygen, while still allowing the structure to be manufactured using standard processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge electrode layer is nested within the encapsulation layer, creating a protective enclosure. This nested arrangement ensures that the bridge electrode layer remains shielded from environmental corrosion while maintaining the overall compact structure of the touch panel, effectively resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and corrosion resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20260029885A1Touch panel and touch device

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 CHENGDU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECH CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a touch panel. The touch panel includes: base substrate, and a touch electrode layer, an insulation layer, and a bridge electrode layer that are arranged on the base substrate in sequence; wherein the touch electrode layer includes a first electrode region, and two second electrode regions on two sides of the first electrode region and spaced apart from the first electrode region, wherein the two second electrode regions are electrically connected to each other through a via in the insulation layer and through the bridge electrode layer; and in at least part of a region of the touch panel, a first orthographic projection of the bridge electrode layer on the base substrate is within a second orthographic projection of the touch electrode layer on the base substrate, wherein an area of the first orthographic projection is less than an area of the second orthographic projection.