Mesh Touch Electrodes on Curved Display Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid crystal display devices with touch sensing functions face challenges in maintaining display quality when the display area has a non-rectangular shape, particularly due to opaque metal reception electrodes that can obscure the image on curved or oval peripheries.
Innovation Solution
The display device incorporates metal lines for touch sensing that extend in multiple directions and form a mesh shape, with specific arrangements to avoid overlapping with subpixels, particularly in areas with a curve, ensuring that no metal lines are formed on stepwise arranged subpixels, thus minimizing interference with the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal reception electrodes are used to lower electrical resistance, then electrical resistance is reduced, but display quality deteriorates due to opacity obscuring the image
Solution Approach 1:
The display area is divided into a regular area and a curve area, with different electrode configurations applied to each. In the curve area where display quality is critical, transparent electrodes are used instead of metal electrodes, while the regular area can utilize metal electrodes for lower resistance
Solution Approach 2:
Different electrode materials are selectively applied to different regions of the display. The curve area with stringent display requirements uses transparent electrodes to maintain image quality, while other areas may use metal electrodes for optimal electrical performance
2Adaptability or versatility
If the display area is modified to a non-rectangular shape with curve parts, then design flexibility is improved, but display quality deteriorates due to opaque metal electrodes on curve parts
Solution Approach 1:
The display area is segmented into a regular area and a curve area based on the non-rectangular shape. The curve area is specifically configured with transparent electrodes to maintain display quality while allowing the overall display to adopt flexible non-rectangular designs
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode configuration is adapted locally to match the display area shape. Curve areas with higher display quality requirements use transparent electrodes, while straight edges and peripheral areas can use metal electrodes, enabling non-rectangular display designs without compromising overall display quality
3Reliability
If metal lines are placed on all subpixels for comprehensive touch sensing, then touch sensing coverage is improved, but display quality deteriorates due to metal lines obscuring subpixels
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensing function is segmented into two parts: metal lines for the regular area providing low-resistance touch sensing, and transparent electrodes for the curve area providing both touch sensing and maintaining display quality. This segmentation ensures comprehensive touch coverage without compromising display appearance
Solution Approach 2:
Different electrode configurations are applied to different subpixel regions based on their function and display requirements. Subpixels in the curve area use transparent electrodes to maintain visibility, while subpixels in the regular area can use metal lines for effective touch sensing
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 solution allows for effective touch sensing without deteriorating the display quality in non-rectangular shapes, as the metal lines do not obscure the image, maintaining a smooth and natural appearance of the curved outline.
Implementation Method 1
The mutual capacitance type may include transmission electrodes Tx and reception electrodes Rx, detecting electric field change between these electrodes to locate a touching position
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a display panel having a display area where subpixels for emitting light in different colors are arranged in a matrix shape, the display panel having a peripheral area where terminals and a drive circuit are formed; and metal lines for touch sensing on the display panel. The display panel has a non-rectangular shape with a curve part of a contour in a plan view. The metal lines extend in at least two directions and cross at portions to form a mesh shape. The subpixels include some subpixels arranged stepwise in an outline area of the display area next to the curve part of the contour. None of the metal lines is formed on the subpixels arranged stepwise.