Interlaced Touch Electrodes with Dummy Branches for Field Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-size touch apparatuses face performance issues due to insufficient distribution density of the fringe-induced electric field between touch electrodes, affecting detection accuracy and sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates interlaced touch electrodes with additional dummy electrodes and branches, which increase the density of grids and reduce distances between electrode segments, enhancing the distribution of the fringe-induced electric field towards the touch surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mesh-shaped touch electrodes made of low-resistance materials are used, then electrical properties are improved, but visual effects deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures by combining transparent conductive materials (such as ITO, IZO, or TCO) with metal mesh patterns. This creates a hybrid electrode design that maintains transparency for visual clarity while incorporating metal elements for improved electrical conductivity, thus resolving the contradiction between visual effects and electrical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions of the electrode structure. The transparent conductive material provides baseline transparency and conductivity, while the metal mesh portions are strategically placed to enhance electrical properties in specific areas without compromising overall visual clarity. This localized optimization allows simultaneous achievement of good electrical properties and visual effects.
2Illumination intensity
If transparent sensing patterns are used, then visual effects are improved, but electrical properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material structures combining transparent conductive materials with metal mesh patterns. The transparent conductive material maintains visual clarity while the metal mesh components enhance electrical conductivity, achieving both visual effects and electrical properties simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent strategically places metal mesh portions within the transparent electrode structure to enhance electrical properties in specific regions. This localized enhancement allows the majority of the electrode area to maintain transparency for visual effects while critical areas gain improved electrical conductivity.
3Device complexity
If distance between touch surface and electrodes is increased, then device complexity is reduced, but fringe-induced electric field distribution density deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode structure into multiple components including transparent conductive layers, metal mesh patterns, and dummy electrodes. This segmentation creates multiple charge accumulation regions that collectively enhance the fringe-induced electric field distribution density at the touch surface, improving detection accuracy without increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dummy electrodes as replicated structures alongside the main touch electrodes. These dummy electrodes create additional electric field sources that complement the main electrodes, enhancing the overall electric field distribution density at the touch surface and improving detection performance.
4Measurement precision
If grid density is increased, then fringe-induced electric field distribution density is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode pattern into distinct components: transparent conductive material regions and metal mesh portions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's geometry and positioning, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements while still achieving high grid density for improved detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material deposition techniques that allow different materials to be deposited in separate layers with controlled precision. The transparent conductive material and metal mesh portions can be fabricated using established semiconductor manufacturing processes, maintaining manufacturability even at high grid densities.
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 improves touch sensitivity and detection performance by increasing the sensing capacitance and reducing overall capacitance, while maintaining visual clarity without moiré effects.
Implementation Method 1
A fringe-induced electric field may be formed between the first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes to detect whether there is a conductive object (such as but not limited to: a finger, a stylus, etc.) in contact with or approaching the touch surface.
Implementation Method 2
The resistance of the transparent sensing patterns is high, which is not conducive to the electrical properties of the touch apparatus.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch apparatus includes first touch electrodes and second touch electrodes. The first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes are interlaced, so as to define first interlaced regions. Each of the first touch electrodes includes first main portions extended in a first direction and second main portions extended in a second direction. The first main portions and the second main portions are crossed, so as to form first grids. Each of the first touch electrodes further includes first branches crossed with two segments of two adjacent first main portions of at least one of the first grids.