Touch Panel Dummy Pattern Integration for Thinner Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch panels have a relatively large thickness due to the separate layers of driving and sensing electrodes with an insulating layer in between, which affects display quality and visibility.
Innovation Solution
The touch panel design integrates dummy patterns and sensor electrodes on the same layer with routing wirings, where the dummy pattern is spaced apart from the sensor and routing electrodes, allowing for a thinner structure and improved visibility by adjusting the area ratios of these components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If driving electrode and sensing electrode are disposed on different layers with an insulating layer in between, then the touch panel can function properly for touch input, but the thickness of the touch panel becomes relatively large which affects display quality and visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the driving electrode and sensing electrode onto the same substrate layer, eliminating the need for separate layers and insulating layers between them. This integration reduces the overall thickness of the touch panel while maintaining the functional distinction between driving and sensing electrodes through pattern design and spacing arrangements.
2Length of stationary object
If sensor electrodes are formed on a single layer into a mesh shape with thin line width, then the thickness is reduced, but the visual recognition of the electrodes may increase affecting display quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different regions of the electrode structure. The sensor electrodes are designed with specific line widths and mesh patterns in the sensing area, while the dummy electrodes are configured with different characteristics in non-sensing areas. This local differentiation allows the electrodes to be visually imperceptible in the display area while maintaining functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dummy electrodes that replicate the appearance and structure of the functional sensor electrodes but are positioned in non-sensing areas. These dummy electrodes serve as visual distractors that mask the visibility of the actual sensor electrodes, thereby improving display quality while allowing the use of thin-line mesh structures.
3Reliability
If dummy pattern is disposed among sensor electrodes and routing wirings, then short-circuit defects are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy electrodes serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as electrical isolation barriers to prevent short-circuit defects between adjacent sensor electrodes and routing wirings, while also serving as visual distractors to mask the visibility of the electrode structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A touch panel includes: a substrate; a plurality of sensor electrodes disposed on the substrate; and a dummy pattern disposed on the substrate among the plurality of sensor electrodes. Each of the sensor electrodes includes a plurality of first mesh patterns extending in a first direction and a plurality of second mesh patterns connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of first mesh patterns in a second direction, and the dummy pattern includes a plurality of third mesh patterns extending in the first direction and one or more disconnected portions on an extension path of the plurality of third mesh patterns.