Touch Electrode Layout Without Vias for Lower-Mask Display Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high manufacturing cost of display panels due to the need for multiple masks in patterning the common electrode for touch functionality.
Innovation Solution
A display panel design where touch electrodes are directly connected to touch lines without via holes, reducing the number of masks required by eliminating the drilling process through insulating layers, and allowing direct contact and electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple masks are used to pattern the common electrode as touch electrodes, then the touch function can be realized, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the common electrode and touch electrode functions into a single electrode structure. The common electrode serves dual purposes: as the common electrode for liquid crystal control and as the touch electrode for sensing touch input, eliminating the need for separate touch electrode patterns and reducing mask requirements from multiple to just one.
Solution Approach 2:
The common electrode is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. It acts as both the common electrode for display operation and the touch electrode for touch sensing, making it a multi-functional component that reduces device complexity and manufacturing steps.
2Ease of manufacture
If the common electrode is multiplexed as the touch electrode, then the number of masks can be reduced, but the electrode structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The touch electrode is divided into multiple isolated regions corresponding to different touch sensing zones. Each region is electrically connected to the common electrode through conductive layers, allowing independent touch detection while maintaining the common electrode's display function. This segmentation enables multi-touch capability without requiring separate electrodes for each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch electrode regions are nested within the common electrode structure. The common electrode serves as the base layer, and touch electrode patterns are formed within the same conductive material layer through selective patterning, creating a nested configuration where touch functionality is embedded within the common electrode framework.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a display panel, including a substrate, and touch lines and touch electrodes located at one side of the substrate. One touch electrode is electrically connected to at least one touch line; each touch electrode includes at least one hollow extending along a first direction; each touch electrode is isolated by the at least one hollow in a second direction; the second direction intersects with the first direction; each touch electrode includes electrode portions respectively located at two sides of the hollow; in a region of the touch electrode, at least a part of a first touch line is in contact and electrical connection with the touch electrode; along a direction perpendicular to a plane of the substrate, a second touch line overlaps with one hollow; and electrode portions at least located at two sides of the second touch line are electrically connected through a bridging portion.