Touch Electrode Structure Planarity Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch electrode structures suffer from poor planarity and non-uniform thickness, leading to optical non-uniformity due to the height of metal bridges and insulating layers, which affects the quality of touch sensing and display performance.
Innovation Solution
A touch electrode structure with first and second touch electrodes alternately arranged, connected by overlapping insulating mediums and connecting sections, where the thickness of these sections is less than the electrodes, ensuring planarity and uniformity by reducing the thickness of overlapping areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal bridges and insulating layers are arranged above touch driving electrodes to electrically connect touch sensing electrodes, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but the height of the bridge area increases resulting in poor planarity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the insulating layer thickness non-uniform: in the bridge area where metal bridges are located, the insulating layer thickness is designed to be less than the touch electrode thickness, while in non-bridge areas it maintains normal insulation thickness. This localized variation ensures electrical connectivity in bridge areas while maintaining overall surface planarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thickness parameter of the insulating layer in different regions. Specifically, the insulating layer thickness in bridge areas is reduced to be less than the touch electrode thickness, creating a stepped structure that improves planarity while maintaining electrical connectivity through the metal bridges.
2Reliability
If insulating layers and metal bridges are added to connect electrodes, then electrical connection is established, but the thickness uniformity of the touch electrode layer deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating layer is designed with different thicknesses in different regions: thinner in bridge areas and normal thickness in other areas. This local quality variation allows the bridge area thickness to be controlled within a specific range, improving overall thickness uniformity while maintaining electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension variation by creating a stepped structure where the insulating layer has different heights in different areas. This dimensional change allows the thinner insulating layer in bridge areas to compensate for the added metal bridge height, improving overall thickness uniformity.
3Reliability
If metal bridges and insulating layers are arranged above touch electrodes, then electrode connectivity is achieved, but optical uniformity of the touch electrode layer deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating layer thickness is locally optimized in bridge areas to be less than the touch electrode thickness. This local quality improvement reduces light reflection and refraction variations in bridge areas, thereby improving overall optical uniformity while maintaining electrode connectivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch electrode structure including first and second touch electrodes alternately arranged at same layer is provided. The touch electrode further includes first and second connecting sections electrically connecting adjacent first or second touch electrodes arranged in a first direction or a second direction, respectively. The first connecting sections and the second connecting sections overlap in some areas. A first insulating medium is arranged between the first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes for insulation of the two. A second insulating medium is arranged between the first connecting sections and the second connecting sections in the overlapping areas for insulation of the two. The thickness of the second insulating medium, of the first connecting sections in the overlapping areas and of the second connecting sections in the overlapping areas is each less than a thickness of the first touch electrodes, and of the second touch electrodes.