Touch Screen Panel Static Electricity Discharge via Dummy Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touch screen panels, particularly capacitive types, are prone to malfunction due to static electricity, which can cause defects or shorts in the sensing cells and connecting patterns.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating conductive dummy patterns with prominences positioned between sensing cells at different height levels, these patterns are designed to overlap and be closer to the sensing cells than adjacent sensing cells, using transparent electrode materials and insulators to manage static electricity, preventing intersections between connecting patterns and thus minimizing static electricity concentration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connecting patterns are arranged to intersect with each other to form a grid structure for sensing cells, then the sensing coverage and connectivity are improved, but static electricity concentration increases causing malfunctions and shorts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing reliabilityVSAvoidstatic electricity concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dummy patterns as intermediary elements between the connecting patterns and sensing cells. These dummy patterns act as mediators that intercept and discharge static electricity before it can concentrate at the intersection points of connecting patterns, thereby protecting the sensing cells from malfunctions while maintaining the grid structure's sensing coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of static electricity concentration into a beneficial discharge mechanism. By positioning dummy patterns with prominences closer to sensing cells than adjacent sensing cells, static electricity is intentionally guided to accumulate and discharge through the dummy patterns rather than causing shorts in the connecting patterns or sensing cells

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If connecting patterns are spaced apart in the same horizontal layer to reduce static electricity concentration, then static electricity discharge is improved, but the connectivity and sensing efficiency between adjacent sensing cells deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatic electricity dischargeVSAvoidsensing connectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the spatial conflict by introducing a vertical dimension through prominences. The dummy patterns are positioned in the same horizontal layer as sensing cells but extend vertically with prominences that project toward and partially overlap the sensing cells. This three-dimensional arrangement allows connecting patterns to be spaced apart horizontally for static electricity discharge while maintaining electrical connectivity through vertical overlap regions with contact holes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If dummy patterns are positioned closer to sensing cells than adjacent sensing cells, then static electricity discharge efficiency is improved, but the risk of interference with sensing cell operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatic electricity discharge efficiencyVSAvoidsensing operation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the functional zones by positioning dummy patterns between adjacent sensing cells rather than allowing them to directly overlap with sensing cell regions. The dummy patterns are strategically placed in the gaps between sensing cells, creating distinct functional zones where dummy patterns handle static electricity discharge while sensing cells maintain their sensing operation without interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design effectively disperses and discharges static electricity, preventing malfunctions and damage to the touch screen panel by directing static electricity to the conductive dummy patterns, thereby enhancing sensing sensitivity and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

touch screen panel that is prevented from malfunction by static electricity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStatic electricity: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

conductive dummy patterns including prominences projected toward the sensing cells and partially overlapping the sensing cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS8558805B2Touch screen panel

Publication Date: 2013.10.15 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A touch screen panel includes a transparent substrate, connecting patterns on the transparent substrate, the connecting patterns including a plurality of first connecting patterns arranged in a first direction and a plurality of second connecting patterns arranged in a second direction, sensing cells including a plurality of first sensing cells connected in the first direction by the first connecting patterns and a plurality of second sensing cells connected in the second direction by the second connecting patterns, and conductive dummy patterns between adjacent sensing cells, the conductive dummy patterns and sensing cells being positioned at different height levels relative to the transparent substrate, and the conductive dummy patterns including prominences projected toward the sensing cells and partially overlapping the sensing cells.