Touch Electrode Layout for High-Transmittance Sensor Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch screens face challenges in maintaining high transmittance for optical devices and integrating input/output devices without degrading performance, particularly due to the presence of metal mesh in electrode regions.
Innovation Solution
The integration of touch electrode-free regions with high transmittance is achieved by reducing or eliminating metal mesh and using transparent or semi-transparent materials, along with techniques that enable touch sensing in these regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal mesh is used in touch electrode regions, then touch sensing capability is improved, but optical transmittance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the metal mesh from the high transmittance region to create a touch electrode-free region. This removal eliminates the obstruction to light while maintaining touch sensing capability through alternative electrode configurations in adjacent regions, directly resolving the contradiction between touch sensing and optical transmittance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different electrode configurations to different regions: metal mesh is used in standard regions for touch sensing, while high transmittance regions are kept electrode-free or use transparent conductive materials. This localized differentiation allows each region to optimize for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between uniform touch sensing and localized optical performance.
2Reliability
If metal mesh is used in touch electrode regions, then electrical conductivity is improved, but light transmittance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by using metal mesh in regions where electrical conductivity is prioritized and eliminating or replacing it with transparent conductive materials in regions where light transmittance is prioritized. This spatial differentiation resolves the contradiction between electrical conductivity and light transmittance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategies by combining metal mesh with transparent conductive materials or using transparent conductive materials alone in high transmittance regions. This material selection resolves the contradiction by providing both electrical conductivity and optical transparency where needed.
3Device complexity
If touch electrodes are integrated into display pixel stack-up, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch electrode layer with the display pixel stack-up, integrating multiple functions into a unified structure. This consolidation reduces overall device complexity while the integration process inherently establishes precise alignment relationships between touch and display elements, addressing the manufacturing precision challenge through design rather than solely through manufacturing control.
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 approach maintains optical device performance and allows for the integration of input/output devices by ensuring high transmittance and effective touch sensing in electrode-free regions.
Implementation Method 1
one or more optical devices can be integrated with a touch screen such that light associated with the one or more optical devices passes through one or more layers of the touch screen
Implementation Method 2
in some capacitive-type touch sensing systems, fringing electrical fields used to detect touch can extend beyond the surface of the display, and objects approaching near the surface may be detected near the surface without actually touching the surface
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a touch screen includes a first region corresponding to a region of the touch screen without touch electrodes; a second region corresponding to a region of the touch screen with a first conductive material (e.g., solid metal) with a first density in a first conductive layer; and a third region corresponding to a region of the touch screen with a second conductive material (e.g., metal mesh) with a second density, lower than the first density, in the first conductive layer. In some examples, the second region circumscribes the first region, and the third region circumscribes the second region. Some touch electrodes include a portion of the first conductive material in the second region and a portion of the second conductive material in the third region. Such touch electrodes can be routed using the first conductive material in the first conductive layer around the first region.