Input Sensor Trace Layout to Reduce Dead Space and Capacitance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing input sensors in electronic devices have dead spaces where trace lines are visible and contribute to parasitic capacitance, leading to reduced sensing performance.

Innovation Solution

The input sensor design incorporates a two-layer structure with sensing electrodes and trace lines that overlap the active area, using mesh patterns and dummy electrodes to minimize visible trace lines and reduce parasitic capacitance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If trace lines are disposed in the peripheral area of the input sensor, then the trace lines can be positioned away from the active sensing area, but this creates dead space and reduces the overall sensing performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing performanceVSAvoiddead space area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by moving trace lines from the peripheral area to the active area, allowing them to overlap with the active area in a planar view while maintaining proper electrical connections. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating dead space in the peripheral area while ensuring trace lines do not degrade sensing performance through their strategic positioning and mesh pattern design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by using different trace line configurations in different regions: mesh patterns in areas where trace lines overlap with the active area to minimize visibility and parasitic capacitance effects, and conventional patterns in the peripheral area where connectivity is prioritized. This localized approach optimizes both sensing performance and electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If trace lines are disposed in the active area of the input sensor, then dead space is reduced and sensing performance is improved, but the trace lines become visible and parasitic capacitance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedead space areaVSAvoidparasitic capacitance

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the porous materials principle by using mesh patterns for trace lines in the active area. The mesh structure creates a porous-like configuration that reduces the effective area of the trace lines, thereby minimizing visibility and reducing parasitic capacitance while still maintaining adequate electrical connectivity across the active area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes dimensionality change by positioning trace lines in the active area with overlapping configurations, where the trace lines extend in directions that minimize their visual impact and parasitic capacitance effects while maintaining electrical functionality. This spatial arrangement resolves the contradiction between utilizing active area space and minimizing harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If trace lines are disposed in the active area of the input sensor, then dead space is reduced, but the trace lines become visible to the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedead space areaVSAvoidtrace line visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the porous materials principle by implementing mesh patterns for trace lines in the active area. The mesh structure reduces the continuous solid trace line area, making the trace lines less visible to users while maintaining electrical connectivity. This resolves the contradiction by minimizing the visual impact of trace lines in the active area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dimensionality change by positioning trace lines to overlap with the active area in specific orientations and patterns that minimize visual detectability. The trace lines are arranged to extend in directions and with dimensions that reduce their visibility while still fulfilling their electrical connection function, thereby reducing dead space without significantly impacting appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250355517A1Input sensor and electronic device including the same

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An input sensor includes a first sensor insulating layer including an active area and a peripheral area disposed adjacent to the active area, a second sensor insulating layer disposed on the first sensor insulating layer, a first sensing electrode disposed on the first sensor insulating layer, overlapping the active area, and including first sensing patterns extending in a first direction, a second sensing electrode disposed on the first sensor insulating layer, overlapping the active area, and including second sensing patterns extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and a first trace line connected to one of the first sensing patterns. At least a portion of the first trace line overlaps the active area and is disposed on the first sensor insulating layer.