Touch Panel Light-Shielding Layer for Display Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible display devices with touch layers made of metal suffer from increased light reflection, reducing contrast and color saturation, and compromising privacy due to wide viewing angles.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design incorporating a light-shielding layer corresponding to the touch electrode, made from materials like black organic photoresist or resin, to minimize ambient light reflection while maintaining touch functionality and privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a metal touch layer is manufactured directly on the display panel, then the touch function is realized and the product thickness is reduced, but light reflection from the touch layer increases, reducing contrast and color saturation
Solution Approach 1:
A light-shielding layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the touch electrode and the external environment. This layer selectively blocks ambient light from reaching the metal touch electrode, preventing unwanted reflections while allowing the touch electrode to maintain its electrical functionality. The light-shielding layer acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between touch sensitivity and visual quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-shielding layer is applied locally only where needed - specifically on the backside of the display panel corresponding to the metal touch electrode regions. This localized treatment allows the metal touch layer to retain its electrical properties for touch sensing while preventing light reflection only in the necessary areas, thus maintaining both touch functionality and display quality.
2Ease of operation
If a metal touch layer is manufactured directly on the display panel, then the touch function is realized, but contrast and color saturation are reduced due to increased light reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The light-shielding layer serves as a protective intermediary that preserves the optical quality of the display. By blocking ambient light from interacting with the metal touch electrode, it prevents the degradation of contrast and color saturation, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision and display quality while enabling the touch function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible display device utilizes wide viewing angles, then display flexibility is improved, but information confidentiality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of wide viewing angles (which compromise privacy) into a beneficial configuration by placing the light-shielding layer on the backside of the panel. This layer blocks light from escaping at wide angles, thereby maintaining information confidentiality while preserving the front-side viewing experience. The structural arrangement transforms the privacy issue into a solvable geometric problem.
4Illumination intensity
If a light-shielding layer is added to reduce light reflection, then contrast and color saturation are preserved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light-shielding layer is merged with existing structural elements of the display panel, particularly integrating it with the backside structure and the touch electrode assembly. By combining the light-shielding function with existing structural components rather than adding completely separate elements, the design minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired optical performance.
5Loss of information
If a light-shielding layer is added to ensure privacy, then information confidentiality is protected, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light-shielding layer is incorporated during the preliminary stages of panel manufacturing, specifically during the assembly process before final panel integration. By applying the light-shielding layer early in the manufacturing sequence - while the touch electrode and other layers are being assembled - the process leverages existing manufacturing workflows and equipment, thereby minimizing the increase in manufacturing complexity.
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
The solution effectively reduces ambient light reflection, preserving contrast and color saturation while ensuring confidentiality under wide viewing angles, thus enhancing the display device's performance and user privacy.
Implementation Method 1
the light-shielding layer is configured to shield the light reflected by the touch electrode
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a touch panel and a display device. The touch panel includes: a substrate, a touch electrode, and a light-shielding layer provided corresponding to the touch electrode. The light-shielding layer is used to shield light reflected by the touch electrode. The display device using the touch panel can reduce ambient light reflected by the touch electrode. While ensuring that the display device realizes a touch control function, contrast and color saturation of the display device are not affected, and confidentiality of private information under wide viewing angles is ensured.