Touch Panel Auxiliary Electrode Pin Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size and resolution of touch panels lead to a higher number of electrodes and output pins, resulting in increased manufacturing costs due to the rising number of connection pins and conductive wires required in the control circuit.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design incorporating an auxiliary electrode unit, where first and second auxiliary electrodes are used to detect signals on first and second sensing electrodes, reducing the number of connection pins and conductive wires needed by allowing for half the number of connection pins required in conventional designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of electrodes is increased to improve touch panel resolution, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to more connection pins and conductive wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple second electrodes into a single second electrode by electrically connecting multiple first sensing electrodes (from different first electrode units) to the same second electrode. This allows the touch panel to detect touch positions across multiple first electrode units with fewer second electrodes, thereby reducing the number of connection pins and conductive wires while maintaining high resolution through the coordinated operation of multiple first sensing electrodes
Solution Approach 2:
The second electrode is designed to serve multiple functions: it detects signals from multiple different first sensing electrodes simultaneously and works across multiple first electrode units. This multi-functionality allows a single second electrode to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate second electrodes, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to detect touch positions with high precision
2Measurement precision
If the number of first sensing electrodes is increased to improve touch detection accuracy, then the measurement precision is improved, but the quantity of substance increases due to more conductive wires and connection pins
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple first sensing electrodes are electrically connected to a single second electrode, merging their signal paths. This allows the system to utilize signals from multiple first sensing electrodes (improving detection accuracy) while reducing the number of separate conductive wires and connection pins that would be needed if each first sensing electrode had its own dedicated second electrode
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 design reduces the number of connection pins and conductive wires by half, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to accurately determine the location of a touch point on the touch panel.
Implementation Method 1
The first auxiliary electrode is disposed proximate to and without contacting the first sensing electrodes such that each of the first sensing electrodes is able to detect a signal passing through the first auxiliary electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel includes a substrate, first and second electrode units, and an auxiliary electrode unit. The substrate has first and second touch areas. The first electrode unit includes a plurality of first electrodes arranged spacedly in one of rows and columns, and disposed on the substrate to span the first and second touch areas. The second electrode unit includes a plurality of second electrodes arranged spacedly in the other of rows and columns to intersect without contacting the first electrodes. The auxiliary electrode unit is disposed proximate to and without contacting the second electrode unit such that the second electrode unit is able to detect a signal passing through the auxiliary electrode unit.