Stretchable Display Touch Sensing Layout for Stress Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stretchable display devices face challenges in maintaining touch sensitivity and accuracy due to stress on sensing line patterns when their shape is modified, leading to potential disconnection or cracking of these patterns.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an input sensing layer directly on the display panel with a laminated structure of conductive layers and a predetermined distance between sensing line patterns and the cathode, along with a compensation layer to reduce stress and enhance reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the display device is made flexible and stretchable to enable shape modification, then adaptability and portability are improved, but the sensing line patterns experience stress leading to reduced reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape modification capabilityVSAvoidsensing line pattern integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing line pattern is divided into multiple segments with insulating layers between them, allowing each segment to move independently during stretching without causing continuous stress across the entire pattern. This segmentation prevents cracking while maintaining touch sensing functionality across the flexible display surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Insulating layers are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent sensing line pattern segments. These insulating layers act as mediators that electrically isolate the segments while allowing them to physically move relative to each other during deformation, preventing direct stress transmission and potential short circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the sensing line pattern is placed closer to the cathode to improve touch sensitivity, then measurement precision is improved, but the pattern becomes more susceptible to stress and disconnection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensitivityVSAvoidpattern connection integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing line pattern is segmented into multiple sections with insulating layers between adjacent segments. This allows the pattern to maintain close proximity to the cathode for high touch sensitivity while the segments can move independently during stretching, preventing stress concentration and disconnection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Insulating layers are positioned between sensing line pattern segments to provide beforehand cushioning against stress. These layers prevent direct stress transmission between segments during deformation, cushioning against potential disconnection while maintaining the pattern's close proximity to the cathode for accurate touch detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11797117B2Display device

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes a display panel and an input sensing layer. The display panel includes a base layer including a first island part, a second island part, and a connection part. Sensing patterns of the input sensing layer include a first sensing line pattern disposed on both the first island part and the second island part, and a second sensing line pattern disposed on the connection part. The connection part is an area to which stress is applied as the display device is modified in shape. The second sensing line pattern is disposed on an area of the connection part to which relatively less stress is applied.