Touch Panel Redundant Pad Sets for Trace Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch panels typically have a single pad set, making it difficult to rework defective panels and often resulting in scrapping, as a discontinuation in the trace set renders the entire panel unusable.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design featuring multiple pad sets, with first and second pad sets and traces arranged symmetrically around a touch sensing array, allowing for normal operation even if one set of traces is broken, enabling the panel to continue functioning without needing to be scrapped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single pad set is used in the touch panel, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because the entire panel must be scrapped when traces are broken
Solution Approach 1:
The touch panel is segmented into multiple independent pad sets (first pad set and second pad set), each capable of independently connecting to the touch sensing array through separate trace sets. This segmentation allows the panel to remain operational even when one trace set is broken, as the other pad set can still establish electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration parameter of the pad set is changed from a single set to multiple sets. By increasing the number of pad sets from one to two or more, the system gains redundancy, ensuring that if one connection path fails, alternative paths remain available to maintain panel functionality.
2Reliability
If multiple pad sets are added to the touch panel, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first pad set and second pad set are positioned at asymmetric locations relative to the touch sensing array, with each pad set having asymmetric trace routing paths. This asymmetric design ensures that trace breaks in one location do not affect the other connection path, providing geometric redundancy that enhances reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates redundant pad sets and trace paths as a preventive measure before trace breaks occur. This prior cushioning ensures that if one trace set is damaged during manufacturing or use, the panel already has alternative connection paths ready, preventing total failure and reducing scrap rates.
3Productivity
If a single pad set is used, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the productivity deteriorates due to higher scrap rates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pad sets and trace sets are incorporated into the panel design during the manufacturing process itself, before any defects occur. This preliminary action of building in redundancy during manufacturing ensures that defective panels can be identified and reworked by switching to alternative pad sets, thereby improving production yield without requiring complex post-manufacturing interventions.
4Ease of repair
If multiple pad sets are implemented, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic reconfiguration capability through multiple pad sets. When a trace break is detected in one path, the system can dynamically switch to use the alternative pad set and its corresponding trace set, enabling adaptive operation and simplifying repair processes by allowing in-situ rework rather than complete panel replacement.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel is disclosed. The touch panel includes a substrate, a touch sensing array, a first pad set, a second pad set, several first traces, and several second traces. The touch sensing array, the first pad set, the second pad set, the first traces, and the second traces are disposed on the substrate. The first pad set includes several first pads, and the second pad set includes several second pads. The touch sensing array locates between the first pad set and the second pad set, and the first pads and the second pads are in point symmetric arrangement with respective to the touch sensing array. The first traces are electrically connected between the first pads and the touch sensing array, and the second traces are electrically connected between the second pads and the touch sensing array.