Segmented Touch Electrodes on Flexible Substrate for Bendable Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of foldable touch screens is hindered by the brittleness of transparent conductive materials, which are easily damaged when deformed, making it difficult to create bendable touch sensors that can withstand folding without damage.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor design featuring touch electrode regions arranged side by side on a flexible film substrate with gap regions between them, allowing the sensor to bend without damaging the electrodes, and incorporating flexible circuit boards and electrical wires for signal connection, using materials like copper, aluminum, or silver for durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transparent conductive materials are used for touch electrodes, then electrical conductivity and transparency are improved, but brittleness increases and resistance to deformation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch electrode is divided into multiple electrode segments arranged in an array, with each segment being electrically isolated from others. This segmentation allows the flexible substrate to bend without creating stress concentration points that would damage continuous rigid electrodes, while still maintaining electrical functionality through the flexible circuit board connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible substrate (such as flexible printed circuit board) to support the electrode segments. This flexible substrate can withstand deformation and bending, providing mechanical compliance while the electrode segments maintain their electrical function. The flexible substrate replaces rigid traditional substrates, enabling foldable applications.
2Reliability
If continuous touch electrodes are used, then electrical conductivity is improved, but flexibility and bendability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous electrode is segmented into multiple discrete electrode segments arranged in rows and columns. These segments are electrically isolated from each other on the flexible substrate, allowing the overall structure to bend and flex while each segment maintains its electrical integrity. The segmentation enables compatibility with flexible substrates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges electrode segments in a two-dimensional array pattern rather than as continuous linear traces. This dimensional arrangement allows bending in multiple directions while maintaining electrical pathways through the flexible circuit board connections, adding flexibility to the electrode design.
3Measurement precision
If touch electrodes are arranged closely together, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to bending constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is segmented with controlled spacing, allowing sufficient gap between segments to accommodate bending deformation while maintaining high spatial resolution for touch detection. The segmented structure with flexible substrate accommodates tighter effective spacing than rigid continuous electrodes would allow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the spacing and dimensions of electrode segments as design parameters, balancing detection precision requirements with bending deformation constraints. By adjusting segment size, spacing, and arrangement pattern, the design achieves both high measurement precision and manufacturability for flexible applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensor and an electronic device are provided, and the touch sensor includes a film substrate and a plurality of touch electrode regions on the film substrate. The plurality of touch electrode regions are spaced apart from each other by at least one gap region, and the touch sensor is bendable along the gap region. The touch sensor is bendable and is not easily damaged, which helps to achieve foldable touch control.