Integrated Touch Force Sensor Reducing Display Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch sensing display devices with integrated touch force sensors suffer from increased thickness and manufacturing costs due to the separate attachment of touch force sensors on the bottom surface, which also require additional cushion layers.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the touch force sensor between or on the substrates of the display device, eliminating or reducing the need for cushion layers, and using electrodes made of materials like silver, copper, and indium tin oxide to reduce thickness and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the touch force sensor is attached separately on the bottom surface of the display device, then the touch force can be measured, but the thickness of the display device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch force sensor is integrated into the display device structure by forming the first electrode as part of the common electrode layer in the display unit, and the second electrode as part of the set bracket structure. This merging eliminates the need for a separate touch force sensor attachment, thereby maintaining thin profile while enabling touch force measurement through capacitance change detection between the integrated electrodes.
2Measurement precision
If the touch force sensor is attached separately on the bottom surface of the display device, then the touch force can be measured, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch force sensor functionality is merged with existing display device components - the first electrode is formed as part of the common electrode layer during display device manufacturing, and the second electrode is integrated into the set bracket structure. This eliminates the need for separate touch force sensor procurement and assembly, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining touch force detection capability through capacitance measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The common electrode layer serves dual functions: as part of the display unit for image display and as the first electrode of the touch force sensor for touch force detection. Similarly, the set bracket serves both structural support and houses the second electrode. This multi-functionality reduces component count and manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If cushion layers are provided on both sides of the touch force sensor, then the sensor is protected, but additional thickness and assembly time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function previously requiring separate cushion layers is integrated into the display device structure itself - the first substrate and second substrate serve as protective barriers for the touch force sensor electrodes. The set bracket structure provides mechanical support and protection for the second electrode, eliminating the need for additional cushion layers while maintaining sensor protection.
4Reliability
If cushion layers are provided on both sides of the touch force sensor, then the sensor is protected, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structures are merged into the main display device components that are already assembled during normal manufacturing - the first substrate, second substrate, and set bracket are integrated into the display device assembly process. This eliminates separate cushion layer installation steps, reducing assembly time while maintaining sensor protection through the structural integrity of the integrated components.
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 approach results in thinner and more cost-effective touch sensing display devices with improved durability and sensitivity, allowing for accurate touch force detection without the need for additional thickness or assembly time.
Implementation Method 1
The touch force sensor may detect a touch force by sensing the magnitude of change in capacitance when the object (or the user's hand) comes in contact with the touch sensing unit
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensing display device including a first substrate with a display unit, a second substrate disposed on the first substrate, a window cover disposed on the second substrate, and a touch force sensor. The touch force sensor includes a first electrode disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate or on a bottom surface of the first substrate, and a second electrode disposed under the first substrate.