Touch Electrodes in Peripheral Area for Narrow Bezel Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile display devices with physical keys, such as VOLUME and ON/OFF, hinder the reduction of bezel width due to their larger size, which obstructs the pursuit of narrower bezels and improved screen-to-body ratios.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating touch electrodes in the peripheral area of the array substrate, arranged along the edge of the base substrate, allowing for the replacement of physical keys and enabling a reduction in bezel width by integrating touch controls within the display device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical keys are used for control, then ease of operation is improved, but bezel width increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol operationVSAvoidbezel width

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical mechanical keys with touch-sensitive electrodes that detect finger contact through capacitive sensing. This substitution eliminates the need for protruding mechanical components, allowing control functions to be integrated into the flat display surface and enabling narrower bezels while maintaining operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from three-dimensional physical keys that extend outward to two-dimensional touch electrodes embedded in the display plane. By moving control functionality to another dimension (the surface plane rather than vertical protrusion), the design achieves compact integration without sacrificing user interaction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If physical keys are used for control, then ease of operation is improved, but screen-to-body ratio decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol operationVSAvoidscreen-to-body ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing mechanical keys with capacitive touch electrodes, the patent eliminates the need for additional physical space around the display. The touch-sensitive control elements are integrated directly into the screen surface, maximizing the usable display area and improving the screen-to-body ratio while preserving full control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the control interface with the display surface itself, combining the visual output function with the input control function in a single integrated layer. This consolidation eliminates separate physical control elements and allows the entire front surface to be utilized for display purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Length of stationary object

If touch electrodes are used instead of physical keys, then bezel width is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebezel widthVSAvoidcontrol structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements touch electrodes that can serve multiple control functions (volume adjustment, power on/off, navigation) through a single unified structure. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for multiple separate components and simplifies the overall device architecture despite the advanced sensing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in electrical parameters (capacitance, impedance) caused by finger contact to detect touch events. By monitoring these electrical parameter variations, the system achieves sophisticated control functionality without requiring complex mechanical structures, maintaining simplicity in the physical domain while leveraging electrical sensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution allows for a thinner and more sensitive control mechanism, enhancing user experience by reducing bezel width and improving touch sensitivity, thereby increasing the screen-to-body ratio.

Implementation Method 1

a touch electrode or touch electrodes are disposed in a peripheral area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10591764B2Display device having a touch electrode in the peripheral area

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

An array substrate, a display panel and a display device are disclosed. An array substrate includes a base substrate; the base substrate includes a display area and a peripheral area encircling the display area; a pixel array structure is disposed in the display area; arid at least one touch electrode is disposed in the peripheral area and arranged along an edge of the base substrate. In the array substrate, a touch electrode is disposed in a peripheral area, so that the objective of replacing physical keys can be achieved, and hence the bezel width of the display device employing the array substrate can be reduced.