Modular Touch Sensor with Wireless Coupling for Large Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch screens with capacitive touch sensors are limited in size due to cut-off frequency and noise, requiring division into multiple touch units, which restricts the overall size and functionality of the touch panel.
Innovation Solution
A modular touch sensor design featuring first and second touch sensing units with coils and sensing nodes arranged in specific patterns on different layers, allowing for wireless coupling and grouping of nodes to enhance sensing and driving capabilities, thereby overcoming size limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single touch unit is used for the touch sensor, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the size of the touch panel is limited due to cut-off frequency and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor is divided into multiple touch sensing units (first touch sensing unit with coils and second touch sensing unit with sensing nodes) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for smaller size while the overall system achieves larger touch panel dimensions, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and large size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar single-layer touch sensor design to a three-dimensional multi-layer architecture where the first touch sensing unit and second touch sensing unit are disposed on different layers. This vertical stacking enables larger effective sensing area without proportionally increasing the footprint, thus achieving larger touch panel size while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If the touch panel is divided into multiple touch units to overcome size limitations, then the touch panel size can be increased, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the touch sensor into standardized first and second touch sensing units that can be manufactured separately and assembled, the patent enables scaling to larger sizes without proportionally increasing overall system complexity. Each module can be produced using the same manufacturing process, simplifying production planning and quality control.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second touch sensing units are designed with universal interfaces and standardized configurations that allow them to be used in various touch panel sizes and applications. This universality means that once the modular units are developed, they can be replicated and assembled for different product requirements without redesigning the entire system, thus managing complexity while enabling size scalability.
3Reliability
If IC or FPCB bonding is provided on the touched surface for touch sensor functionality, then the touch sensor can be wired and functional, but it interferes with touch input and creates visual non-uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the wiring and electronic components to a lower layer or separate substrate, allowing the touched surface to remain clear and visually uniform. The first touch sensing unit with coils and second touch sensing unit with sensing nodes are connected through vertical vias or conductive structures that do not interfere with the touch-sensitive surface, thus maintaining both functionality and touch quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer or structure that carries the wiring connections between touch sensing units without exposing them on the touched surface. This intermediary routing allows electrical connectivity while keeping the user interface clean and responsive, resolving the conflict between functional wiring and quality touch input.
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
The modular design increases manufacturing yield and reduces costs by enabling larger touch panel sizes while maintaining effective sensing and driving capabilities, improving user interaction and device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a first touch sensing unit 100 including a plurality of coils 110 arranged in first and second directions
Implementation Method 2
a second touch sensing unit 200 including a plurality of sensing nodes 210 arranged in the first and second directions such that each of the plurality of sensing nodes 210 couples each of the plurality of coils 110 in a coupling manner
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a first touch panel on which a first touch sensing unit including a plurality of coils is disposed, a second touch panel on which a second touch sensing unit including a plurality of sensing nodes coupled to the plurality of coils in a coupling manner with a one-to-one correspondence, and a display panel disposed between the first and second touch panels and displays an image, and the plurality of sensing nodes is formed in a divided structure grouped into first and second node groups based on a touch event detected by the first touch sensing unit.