In-Cell Touch Display Panel Connection via Merged Photolithography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-cell touch display panels require multiple processes to manufacture, leading to increased costs and potential defects due to ineffective electrical connections between touch sensing lines and common electrodes, particularly when under cutting occurs.
Innovation Solution
A display panel design and manufacturing method that reduces the number of photolithography processes by forming the first and third openings simultaneously, ensuring a good electrical connection between the common electrode and touch sensing line, even in situations of under cutting, thereby reducing material costs and improving yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple photolithography processes are used to form separate openings for touch sensing line and common electrode connections, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but manufacturing cost increases and production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the formation of first opening (exposing touch sensing line) and third opening (exposing common electrode) into a single photolithography process. The photoresist pattern is designed to simultaneously define both openings, allowing concurrent etching through multiple insulation layers. This merging reduces the number of photolithography steps from multiple separate processes to one integrated process, improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining connection precision through carefully designed opening positions and sizes.
2Reliability
If multiple photolithography processes are used to ensure effective electrical connections, then connection reliability can be maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple connection formation processes into a single photolithography step that simultaneously creates access openings for both the touch sensing line and common electrode. This reduces material costs associated with multiple photoresist applications and etching processes, while maintaining reliable electrical connections through the proper design of opening positions, sizes, and the connection electrode layout that ensures effective electrical contact.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate processes are used to form connections for touch sensing line and common electrode, then manufacturing precision can be controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the overall manufacturing process by combining the formation of multiple connection openings into a single photolithography and etching sequence. While the opening positions must be precisely controlled, the simultaneous formation approach reduces process complexity by eliminating intermediate steps between separate opening formations, reducing the number of photoresist application cycles, and streamlining the etching process into one coordinated operation rather than multiple sequential operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel includes the following components. A metal layer includes a touch sensing line and a data line. An insulation layer is disposed on the metal layer and has a first opening used to expose at least a portion of the touch sensing line as a first connection part. A common electrode is disposed on the insulation layer. The common electrode is part of a touch electrode, and the common electrode has a second opening above the first opening. Another insulation layer is disposed on the common electrode, and has a third opening above the second opening to expose at least a portion of the common electrode as a second connection part. The connection electrode electrically connects the first connection part to the second connection part through the third opening, the second opening and the first opening.