Electronic Panel Planarization Recess for Sensing Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic apparatuses face challenges in maintaining uniform sensitivity across their active areas for sensing external inputs, which can lead to inconsistent performance and reliability issues.

Innovation Solution

The electronic apparatus incorporates a sensing unit with a specific arrangement of sensing electrodes and a planarization portion between the display unit and the sensing unit, featuring a recessed area to enhance electrical connections and prevent disconnections, thereby improving sensitivity and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensing electrodes are arranged in the active area to sense external inputs, then the sensing function is provided, but the sensitivity uniformity across the active area deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing sensitivity uniformityVSAvoidexternal input sensing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a planarization layer with a recessed area between the display unit and sensing unit, creating a vertical dimension solution to the horizontal sensitivity uniformity problem. The recessed area in the planarization layer compensates for the non-uniform distance between sensing electrodes and external inputs across the active area, ensuring uniform sensitivity without altering the sensing electrode arrangement.

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

2Reliability

If signal lines are arranged in various ways to connect electronic components, then the electrical connection is achieved, but the connection reliability deteriorates due to potential disconnections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidsignal line arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a planarization layer with a recessed area as an intermediary structure between the display unit and sensing unit. This recessed area serves as a protective mediator that prevents signal lines from disconnection by providing a structured pathway and mechanical support, reducing connection reliability issues without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the sensing unit is designed with uniform sensitivity across the active area, then the sensing performance is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing sensitivity uniformityVSAvoidsensing electrode arrangement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent solves the manufacturing precision dilemma by shifting the sensitivity uniformity solution from the horizontal plane (sensing electrode arrangement) to the vertical dimension (planarization layer recessed area). This allows uniform sensitivity to be achieved through a simpler structural modification that is easier to manufacture with standard precision requirements.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3754740B1Electronic panel and electronic apparatus having the same
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3754740B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3754740B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3754740B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An electronic panel including a base substrate, a display unit including pixels and an encapsulation layer, a sensing unit including first and second conductive patterns disposed on different layers with a sensing insulating layer therebetween, a planarization portion disposed between the display unit and the sensing unit and including a flat surface, an inclined surface, and a recess portion, and a crack sensing portion spaced apart from the first and second conductive patterns and including a crack sensing pattern overlapping with the planarization portion, a first connection line connected to one end of the crack sensing pattern and extending in a first direction, and a second connection line connected to the other end of the crack sensing pattern, spaced apart from the first connection line, and extending in the first direction, in which at least one of the first and second connection lines overlaps with the recess portion.