Touch Sensor Electrode Layout for Faster In-Cell Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-cell-type touch-sensor-equipped display devices face challenges in ensuring adequate time for both display and touch detection periods due to high loads in paths including capacitors formed by intersections of drive and detection electrodes, particularly with size expansion, resolution increase, or density increase of detection units, making it difficult to maintain sensitivity and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The display device employs a configuration where drive and common electrodes are arranged in specific partial regions, with controlled electric potentials, reducing loads in paths by altering electrode shapes and controlling electrode states during touch detection periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the detection units are increased in size or density to improve touch detection coverage, then the touch detection area and resolution are improved, but the load in the capacitive paths increases making it difficult to ensure adequate touch drive time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch detection resolutionVSAvoidtouch drive time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the continuous drive electrode into multiple separate protruding electrode portions that are distributed across the detection area. Each protruding electrode portion forms independent capacitive units with detection electrodes, segmenting the overall capacitive load into smaller manageable units that can be driven within the required time period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from planar electrodes to three-dimensional protruding electrode structures that extend toward the detection surface. This vertical dimensionality increase enhances the capacitive coupling strength between drive and detection electrodes, improving detection sensitivity without requiring increased electrode area or density that would increase load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If the electrode arrangement is densified to improve touch detection sensitivity, then the detection precision is improved, but the load in the signal paths increases affecting detection period duration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoiddetection period

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The protruding electrode portions are pre-configured with optimal dimensions and spacing to provide sufficient capacitive coupling before touch detection occurs. This pre-established strong capacitive coupling ensures that even with dense arrangements, the signal strength remains adequate, allowing for shorter detection periods without sacrificing sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Area of stationary object

If the display panel size is expanded to improve display area, then the display area is increased, but the path length and load in touch detection paths increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidpath load

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using uniform continuous electrodes across the entire large display area, the patent implements localized protruding electrode portions only in regions where touch detection is required. This creates areas of high capacitive coupling density exactly where needed, maintaining effective detection capability across large areas without proportionally increasing overall path load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration effectively shortens touch drive time and detection periods while maintaining or improving sensitivity by reducing loads in capacitive paths, enhancing overall performance.

Implementation Method 1

The intersections of the pairs of the drive electrodes and the detection electrodes form capacitors corresponding to units of touch detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS20250362766A1Display device with touch sensor having protruding electrode portions

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 MAGNOLIA WHITE CORP

AI summary

A display device is provided and includes a touch sensor with electrodes configured to operate in a touch detection period and in a display period; and pixels with pixel electrodes, wherein at least one of the electrodes has thin line portions and protruding electrode portions, the thin line and protruding electrode portions are arranged alternately in a first direction, the thin line portions have a first width in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the protruding electrode portions have a second width in the second direction, and the first width is smaller than the second width.