Multilayer Display Trace Routing for Narrow-Bezel Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face challenges in reducing bezel width while maintaining sensing accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates a mesh-shaped reception and transmission sensing electrodes with varying trace line lengths and configurations to minimize bezel width without compromising sensing accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the bezel width is reduced to increase display area, then the display area is improved, but the sensing accuracy deteriorates due to insufficient space for trace lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidsensing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a single-layer trace line structure to a multi-layer structure, utilizing the vertical dimension (z-axis) to route trace lines. This allows trace lines to be arranged in multiple layers with different patterns, effectively increasing the available routing space without expanding the horizontal bezel area, thereby maintaining sensing accuracy while reducing bezel width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested arrangement where trace lines in different layers are positioned to overlap or interleave with each other in the plan view. The first trace lines in the first layer and second trace lines in the second layer are arranged such that they nest within the same horizontal footprint, maximizing space utilization and enabling reduced bezel width while maintaining adequate trace line length for sensing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If the trace line length is increased to improve sensing accuracy, then the sensing accuracy is improved, but the bezel area expands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing accuracyVSAvoidbezel area
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By utilizing multiple layers vertically stacked, the patent allows trace lines to achieve greater effective length through the z-dimension. The trace lines can extend across multiple layers, providing sufficient length for accurate sensing without requiring increased horizontal bezel area, as the additional length is achieved through vertical stacking rather than horizontal expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The nested arrangement of trace lines across multiple layers enables the trace lines to be compactly packed within a smaller horizontal area. The first and second trace lines are positioned to interleave or overlap in plan view, allowing sufficient trace line length to be achieved while minimizing the horizontal footprint and thus reducing the required bezel area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If the single layer structure is used for trace lines, then the manufacturing is simple, but the sensing accuracy is insufficient due to limited trace line routing options

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsensing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the trace line structure into multiple independent layers, with first trace lines in a first layer and second trace lines in a second layer. Each layer can be manufactured and processed separately, allowing for optimized routing patterns in each layer. This segmentation provides flexible routing options to achieve adequate trace line length and spacing for sensing accuracy, while each individual layer remains manufacturable using standard processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3916528B1Display device
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3916528B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3916528B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3916528B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C

AI summary

A display device including a display panel including a light emitting element configured to generate light, and an input detection layer disposed on the display panel and including a plurality of sensing electrodes disposed on the display panel and arranged in one direction, and a plurality of trace lines electrically connected to the plurality of sensing electrodes, respectively, in which at least one of the trace lines includes a single layer part including one conductive layer, and a multilayer part including at least two conductive layers disposed on different layers.