Integrated Touch Panel Sensor with Light-Shielding Conductive Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panels with integrated touch and display devices face challenges in reducing the display area and frame size due to separate placement of touch and photosensitive elements, and are susceptible to environmental noise, leading to poor signal quality.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design incorporating self-capacitive touch and light sensing functions with a light-shielding conductive layer, a transparent conductive layer, and a photosensitive layer, where the light-shielding conductive layer absorbs ambient light, allowing the touch panel to integrate sensor elements and reduce size, and improve signal accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If touch elements and photosensitive elements are disposed separately in the display area and non-display area, then the functional integration is achieved, but the area required for component placement is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines touch sensing elements and photosensitive elements into a single integrated sensor element structure. The touch electrode and photosensitive layer are positioned at different depths within the same sensor element, allowing both touch detection and light sensing functions to coexist in the same spatial location, thereby reducing the overall area required for component placement while achieving functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the depth dimension by positioning the touch electrode and photosensitive layer at different depths within the sensor element. The touch electrode is located at a first depth and the photosensitive layer at a second depth, creating a three-dimensional arrangement that allows both functions to operate simultaneously without occupying the same planar space, thus reducing the area required for component placement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If photosensitive element is disposed on the touch display device, then light sensing function is achieved, but environmental influences generate noise resulting in poor signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light-shielding conductive layer that blocks ambient light from reaching the photosensitive layer. This layer converts the harmful effect of environmental light (which causes noise) into a beneficial shielding effect, allowing the photosensitive element to detect only the intended light signals while rejecting environmental interference, thereby improving signal quality and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-shielding conductive layer acts as an intermediary between the ambient environment and the photosensitive layer. It selectively blocks harmful ambient light while allowing the desired light signals to reach the photosensitive element, thus mediating the interaction between the photosensitive element and environmental influences to improve signal quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for touch and light sensing, then functional independence is maintained, but the frame size cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges touch sensing and light sensing functions into a single integrated sensor element, eliminating the need for separate components. This integration maintains functional independence through depth-based separation of the touch electrode and photosensitive layer while significantly reducing the overall frame size by consolidating multiple functions into one compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor element serves multiple functions simultaneously - it detects both touch input and light signals. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing the frame size while maintaining the independence and effectiveness of each sensing function through its specialized structure.
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 integrated design reduces the size of the touch panel, enhances signal sensitivity and accuracy by using the light-shielding conductive layer as a reference point, and simplifies manufacturing by sharing common film layers for sensor elements.
Implementation Method 1
the light-shielding conductive layer included in the first sensor element has low light transmittance and can absorb ambient light
Implementation Method 2
a first photosensitive layer, and the first electrode electrically connected to the first photosensitive layer
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel includes a substrate and a first sensor element disposed on the substrate. The first sensor element includes a light-shielding conductive layer, a first transparent conductive layer, a first photosensitive layer, and a first electrode electrically connected to the first photosensitive layer. The light-shielding conductive layer and the first transparent conductive layer are interposed between the first substrate and the first photosensitive layer. A transmittance of the light-shielding conductive layer is smaller than a transmittance of the first transparent conductive layer.