Touch Panel With Nested Sensor Zones For Uniform Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch panels are bulky, reduce light transparency, and have non-uniform sensitivity, limiting their application due to increased thickness and requiring higher active force for sensing signals near the periphery, which affects user experience and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design with multiple sensing zones and sensor structures having different sensor gaps, allowing for uniform active force requirements across the panel and reducing substrate deformation, thereby enhancing sensitivity and reducing overall device thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional touch panel is attached on the display panel, then touch control function is achieved, but the total thickness of the display device increases and light transparency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch control function with the display panel by integrating sensor structures directly into the display panel's glass substrates. The first and second sensor structures are formed on the first and second glass substrates respectively, which are part of the display panel assembly, eliminating the need for a separate attached touch panel. This integration achieves touch control functionality while maintaining a thin overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor structures are nested within the display panel assembly. The first sensor structure is disposed on the first glass substrate and the second sensor structure is disposed on the second glass substrate, with the liquid crystal layer positioned between them. This nested arrangement allows the touch sensing function to be embedded within the display panel's internal structure rather than added as an external layer.
2Ease of operation
If the glass substrate near the sealant is pressed to produce sensing signals, then touch input is detected, but higher active force is required compared to the central portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different sensor gap distances at different locations of the display panel. The first sensor structure has a first sensor gap distance and the second sensor structure has a second sensor gap distance, where the gap distances are different. This allows the sensor structures near the sealant (second sensor structure) to have optimized gap distances that reduce the active force required for touch input in those specific regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the sensor gap distance dynamic by allowing it to vary across different regions of the display panel. Instead of a uniform fixed gap, the sensor gap distance is designed to be different for the first sensor structure (central region) and the second sensor structure (peripheral region near sealant), enabling adaptive response to touch forces throughout the panel.
3Ease of manufacture
If a uniform sensor gap is used across the entire panel, then manufacturing is simplified, but non-uniform sensitivity occurs at different locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by designing different sensor gap distances for different regions. The first sensor structure in the central region has a first sensor gap distance while the second sensor structure in the peripheral region has a second sensor gap distance. This differentiated design compensates for the varying mechanical properties of the glass substrate at different locations, achieving uniform touch sensitivity across the entire panel.
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 design achieves reduced fabrication costs and volume, improved sensitivity, and uniform touch force requirements, addressing the limitations of conventional touch panels by integrating multi-touch control with a flat display panel.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and enclosed by the sealant
Implementation Method 2
when the user presses or touch the conductive film on the surface of the panel with his finger, the pressed point will have a voltage variation such that the location of the pressed point can be calculated
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel includes two substrates, a sealant positioned between the substrates, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the substrates and enclosed by the sealant, and a first and a second sensing zones disposed on the substrate, wherein the first sensing zone is enclosed by the second sensing zone, and the second sensing zone is enclosed by the sealant. The first and second sensing zones have at least a first sensor and at least a second sensor respectively. The first sensor has a first sensor gap, and the second sensor has a second sensor gap smaller than the first sensor gap.