Sensor-Equipped Display Device with Internal Pixel Area Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch panels have design limitations due to concentrated electrode lines in the frame area, making it difficult to narrow the frame and reducing the degree of freedom in designing sensor layouts.
Innovation Solution
A sensor-equipped display device with a pixel area that includes first and second lines extending in different directions, pixel switching elements, sensor electrodes, and sensor lead-out lines arranged in parallel to these lines within the pixel area, allowing for increased design flexibility and reduced electric resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If sensor lead-out lines are arranged outside the pixel area, then the pixel area can be maximized, but the frame area becomes wider and design freedom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions sensor lead-out line arrangement from a conventional external placement to an internal placement within the pixel area, utilizing the two-dimensional space of the pixel region. This dimensional repositioning allows lines to be integrated into the existing pixel structure rather than occupying external frame space, thereby maximizing pixel area while maintaining compact frame dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pixel area is designed to serve dual functions: displaying images through pixels and routing sensor lead-out lines. By making the pixel area universally functional for both display and sensor signal transmission, the patent eliminates the need for separate frame area allocation for line routing, thus narrowing the frame while preserving pixel integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If sensor lead-out lines are arranged in parallel within the pixel area, then design freedom and manufacturing ease are improved, but line congestion may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel area is segmented into multiple regions with different line orientation patterns. First lines extend in a first direction while second lines extend in a second direction, creating distinct zones for different signal routing needs. This segmentation distributes line congestion across different spatial segments and directional layers, reducing localized density while maintaining overall manufacturing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric line arrangement where first lines and second lines extend in different directions rather than uniform parallel alignment. This asymmetric configuration optimizes space utilization by directing lines along least-resistance paths, reducing congestion in critical areas while maintaining ease of manufacture through systematic directional routing.
3Ease of operation
If lines are concentrated in the frame area, then sensor electrodes can be connected externally, but the frame becomes wider and display quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts sensor lead-out line routing from the frame area and relocates it into the pixel area. This extraction removes the constraint that forces line concentration in the frame, allowing the frame to be narrowed while sensor electrodes remain connected through the repositioned lead-out lines within the pixel region.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sensor-equipped display device (1) that includes: a first substrate (20a); a second substrate (20b) opposed to the first substrate (20a); a liquid crystal layer (LC); a plurality of first lines (15) extending in a first direction in a pixel area (AA); second lines extending in a second direction that is different from the first direction; pixel switching elements that are provided for pixels, respectively, and are connected to the first lines and the second lines; a plurality of sensor electrodes (SE, DL) provided at positions that overlap the pixel area on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate, for detecting the contact or approach of the object; and a plurality of sensor lead-out lines that are provided in parallel to the first lines or the second lines in the pixel area on the first substrate, and are connected to the sensor electrodes, respectively.