Guard Ring Pattern for Static Electricity Protection in Touch Screen Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touch screen panels are prone to malfunctioning or circuit damage due to external static electricity, which can be introduced through the window substrate during manufacturing, transportation, or use.

Innovation Solution

A guard ring pattern is formed at the edge of the window substrate with a connection part that directly contacts a conductive bezel, allowing external static electricity to flow to a ground power source, thereby preventing its introduction into the touch screen panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a window substrate is provided on the touch screen panel to improve strength, then the strength of the device is improved, but the touch screen panel becomes more susceptible to external static electricity damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of the deviceVSAvoidexternal static electricity damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A guard ring pattern is introduced as an intermediary component between the window substrate and the touch screen panel circuitry. This guard ring, formed at the edge of the window substrate and electrically connected to the bezel, acts as a mediator that intercepts external static electricity before it can penetrate into the panel's inner circuits, thus protecting the sensitive components while maintaining the window substrate's structural strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of the window substrate (providing a pathway for static electricity) into a beneficial protective mechanism. By forming the guard ring pattern at the edge of the window substrate and connecting it to the conductive bezel, the structure that was previously vulnerable to static electricity damage is transformed into an active protection system that channels external static electricity safely to ground

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of manufacture

If the touch screen panel is manufactured and transported without additional protective structures, then the manufacturing and transportation process is simplified, but the panel is vulnerable to static electricity during these processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing and transportation processVSAvoidpanel reliability during manufacturing and transportation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guard ring pattern and its electrical connection to the bezel are incorporated into the panel structure during the manufacturing process itself, rather than being added as a separate protective measure later. This preliminary integration ensures that the protective functionality is built-in from the start, providing reliability during manufacturing and transportation without requiring additional separate protective structures or steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If no guard ring pattern is formed at the edge of the window substrate, then the device structure remains simple, but external static electricity can easily enter the panel through the window substrate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidstatic electricity penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the entire window substrate complex or adding protective structures across the whole panel, the guard ring pattern is applied locally only at the edge of the window substrate where static electricity penetration is most likely to occur. This localized approach provides effective protection against static electricity while maintaining overall device structure simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively minimizes the influence of external static electricity on the touch screen panel, ensuring reliable operation and preventing damage to the inner circuit.

Implementation Method 1

a connection part electrically connected to the guard ring pattern so as to directly contact a bezel supporting the touch screen panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9116564B2Touch screen panel and display device with the same

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A touch screen panel, which may be included in a display device, is capable of removing influence due to static electricity applied from the outside by forming a guard ring pattern at an edge of one surface of a window substrate and by implementing a connection part electrically connected to the guard ring pattern so as to directly contact a bezel supporting the touch screen panel. The touch screen panel includes: a transparent substrate divided into an active area and a non-active area positioned at an outside portion of the active area; sensing patterns formed in the active area of a first surface of the transparent substrate; sensing lines formed in the non-active area of the first surface of the transparent substrate and connected to the sensing patterns; and a window substrate provided with a guard ring pattern attached to a second surface of the transparent substrate and formed at an edge of a surface thereof attached to the transparent substrate, and at least one connection part extended from one side of the guard ring pattern.