Piezoelectric Force Sensing Array in Display Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pressure sensing technologies in display technology, such as in mobile phones and tablets, face challenges in achieving high accuracy without significant modifications to the hardware and are limited by large assembly tolerances.

Innovation Solution

A display panel design incorporating a force sensing array with a substrate, pixel units, lower and upper sensing electrodes, a piezoelectric layer, and leads laminated sequentially, allowing for precise pressure detection and integration into flexible or non-flexible display panels, enabling three-dimensional touch and bending sensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an additional mechanism is incorporated into the backlight portion or intermediate frame to achieve pressure sensing, then pressure sensing capability is added, but device complexity and hardware modification increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure sensing capabilityVSAvoidhardware modification
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pressure sensing function with the display panel structure by integrating the piezoelectric layer between the lower and upper electrode layers that are already part of the display panel. This merging approach adds pressure sensing capability without requiring separate additional mechanisms in the backlight portion or intermediate frame, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode layers in the display panel are designed to serve dual functions: as display electrodes for visual output and as sensing electrodes for pressure detection. The piezoelectric layer enables these existing structural elements to perform the additional function of pressure sensing, achieving multi-functionality without increasing hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If assembly tolerance is large in the additional mechanism, then manufacturing is easier, but detection accuracy is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly toleranceVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pressure sensing mechanism with an electric field-based detection system. The piezoelectric layer converts mechanical pressure directly into electrical signals that can be precisely measured by the electrode layers, substituting a tolerance-prone mechanical assembly with an electronic detection system that achieves high detection accuracy while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If a piezoelectric layer is integrated between electrode layers in the display panel, then detection accuracy improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The piezoelectric layer is integrated into the display panel structure during the existing manufacturing process, before the display panel is assembled into the final device. By performing the piezoelectric layer integration as a preliminary action during panel fabrication rather than as a post-assembly modification, the patent achieves high detection accuracy while minimizing the increase in manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enhances pressure sensing accuracy and allows for precise detection of touch location and force levels, enabling advanced control commands, such as zooming and screen navigation, while minimizing hardware modifications and maintaining compatibility with various display types.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric layer (303) disposed between the plurality of lower sensing electrodes (302) and the plurality of upper sensing electrodes (304)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3296847B1Display panel, manufacturing method thereof, and display device utilizing same
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3296847B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3296847B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3296847B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a display panel, a method for manufacturing the same and a display device. The display panel includes: a substrate; pixel units; and a force sensing array, the force sensing array comprises lower leads, lower sensing electrodes, a piezoelectric layer, upper sensing electrodes and upper leads; wherein lower sensing electrodes and upper sensing electrodes are aligned with each other one by one, and arranged in an array, and each of lower sensing electrodes and each of upper sensing electrodes form a force sensing unit with the piezoelectric layer therebetween; and wherein each of the plurality of lower leads and each column of the force sensing units are aligned with each other one by one, and each of the plurality of upper leads and each row of the force sensing units are also aligned with each other one by one. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to realize a pressure sensing with high detection accuracy in the case where the hardware of the display panel is not substantially changed.