Segmented Touch Electrodes and Spacers for Slim Display Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display devices with integrated touch screens face challenges in achieving a slim form factor while maintaining effective touch sensitivity and protecting the display elements from external pressure.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates a first substrate with display elements, a second substrate facing the first, and touch sensing electrodes, with spacers maintaining a constant space and conductive fine lines arranged in a specific pattern to prevent parasitic capacitance, allowing for a slim design and enhanced touch sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the display device is made slimmer by embedding the touch screen, then the overall thickness is reduced, but the touch sensitivity and protection of display elements from external pressure deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethicknessVSAvoidtouch sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The touch sensing electrode is divided into two electrically separated areas: a first area positioned closer to the display elements and a second area positioned farther away. This segmentation allows the first area to maintain touch sensitivity while the second area provides protection, resolving the contradiction between slim design and touch sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A spacer is introduced as an intermediary element between the first substrate (display elements) and the second substrate (touch sensing electrodes). The spacer maintains a constant space that prevents direct contact while enabling effective capacitance coupling for touch sensing, thus protecting display elements from external pressure while maintaining touch sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the touch sensing electrode is positioned closer to display elements for better sensitivity, then touch sensitivity improves, but the risk of external pressure damaging display elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensitivityVSAvoidexternal pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The touch sensing electrode is segmented into a first area (closer to display elements for sensitivity) and a second area (farther away for protection). The electrically separated dual-area structure enables the sensor to detect touch signals effectively while the spacer provides mechanical protection against external pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer is positioned between the touch sensing electrode and the display elements to provide beforehand cushioning. This spacer maintains a constant space that cushions the display elements from external pressure while still allowing capacitive coupling for touch sensing, preventing damage before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional touch screen integration is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but parasitic capacitance increases reducing touch precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtouch detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The touch sensing electrode is segmented into multiple electrically separated areas (first area and second area) at different distances from the display elements. This segmentation reduces parasitic capacitance by separating the sensing function from the protective function, improving touch detection precision while maintaining manufacturability through standard multi-layer fabrication processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration enables a slimmer display device with improved touch sensitivity and protection of display elements from external pressure, reducing parasitic capacitance and enhancing overall performance.

Implementation Method 1

conductive fine lines arranged in a specific pattern to prevent parasitic capacitance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectParasitic Capacitance: Parasitic Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

A user may input information by pressing or touching a touch sensor on the touch screen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11563062B2Display device

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

The display device may include a first substrate including a plurality of pixel areas; a plurality of display elements arranged in the plurality of pixel areas on the first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a plurality of spacers arranged between the plurality of pixel areas and maintaining a constant space between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a plurality of touch sensing electrodes arranged on a surface of the second substrate which faces the first substrate. Here, each touch sensing electrode may include at least one first area and at least one second area that is electrically separated from the first area. The plurality of spacers may be arranged to correspond to the first area.