Touch Electrode Hollow Region and Dummy Electrodes for Sensitivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current touch electrode structures face challenges in improving touch sensitivity due to high load on the electrodes, which affects signal transmission speed and accuracy, and existing designs often result in touch blind spots or false signals.

Innovation Solution

A touch electrode structure featuring a first touch electrode with a larger hollow region than a second touch electrode, along with dummy electrodes within the hollow regions, to reduce self-capacitance and enhance sensitivity, while maintaining a uniform film layer and improving product yield.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the touch electrode uses a larger size to improve touch detection area, then the coverage area increases, but the self-capacitance increases and touch sensitivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch detection areaVSAvoidtouch sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The touch electrode is designed with a hollow structure containing dummy electrodes inside, creating a porous-like configuration. This reduces the self-capacitance of the touch electrode while maintaining its detection area, thereby improving touch sensitivity without sacrificing coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

Dummy electrodes are nested inside the hollow region of the touch electrode. This nested configuration allows the outer touch electrode to maintain its detection area while the inner dummy electrodes help reduce self-capacitance, resolving the contradiction between area and sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If the touch electrode structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the device complexity decreases, but touch blind spots and false signals increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode structure complexityVSAvoidtouch detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The touch electrode is segmented into an outer conductive layer and inner dummy electrodes separated by insulating layers. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the outer layer for detection and the inner dummy electrodes for capacitance management - improving reliability without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the electrode structure have different properties: the outer touch electrode provides detection capability while the inner dummy electrodes provide capacitance reduction. This local differentiation of function improves touch detection accuracy without requiring complex overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If the hollow area of the first touch electrode is increased to reduce self-capacitance, then touch sensitivity improves, but the electrode area decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensitivityVSAvoidelectrode area

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Dummy electrodes are nested within the hollow region of the touch electrode, allowing the hollow area to be utilized productively. This maintains the outer electrode area for detection while using the inner space to reduce self-capacitance, resolving the area-sensitivity trade-off

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode structure incorporates hollow regions with dummy electrodes, creating a porous-like configuration that reduces self-capacitance. The outer boundary maintains sufficient detection area while the internal hollow structure improves sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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

The proposed structure effectively reduces self-capacitance and improves touch sensitivity by optimizing the hollow regions and dummy electrodes, minimizing touch blind spots and enhancing signal accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode are insulated from and intersect with each other to form a mutual capacitance for touch detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMutual capacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-capacitance reduction: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11921960B2Touch electrode structure and manufacture method thereof, touch panel, and electronic device

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 CHENGDU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A touch electrode structure and a manufacture method thereof, a touch panel, and an electronic device are provided. The touch electrode structure includes a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode, the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode intersect with each other to form a mutual capacitance for touch detection; the first touch electrode is longer than the second touch electrode; the first touch electrode includes a first hollow region, the second touch electrode includes a second hollow region, and a hollow area of the first touch electrode is greater than a hollow area of the second touch electrode; and the touch electrode structure further includes at least one first dummy electrode, the at least one first dummy electrode is within the first hollow region and is arranged in a same layer as at least part of the first touch electrode, and the at least one first dummy electrode and the at least part of the first touch electrode are insulated from each other. By means of the touch electrode structure, the touch sensitivity can be effectively improved.