Bezel-less Touch Screen Side Attachment Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing touchscreen apparatuses have a large bezel size due to the connection portion for electrodes, which limits the image display area and field of vision, as the number of electrodes increases with the size of the display panel, resulting in a larger bezel that contradicts the trend of reducing bezel size for enhanced viewing experience.
Innovation Solution
A bezel-less touchscreen apparatus is designed with a touch sheet that includes a touch area portion for generating touch signals and a side attachment portion for connecting signal electrodes to a controller, where the side attachment portion is bent and attached to the side surface of the display panel without protruding, using bendable materials like metal mesh, silver nanowire, or graphene, and a bending line with notches to reduce unbending force, and a bent-state retention process to maintain the bent shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of electrodes is increased to cover the entire surface of the display panel, then the touch signal generation capability is improved, but the size of the connection portion is increased, resulting in a larger bezel
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portion is moved from the planar dimension (extending outside the touch area) to the vertical dimension (attached to the side surface of the display panel). This spatial reconfiguration allows the connection portion to be positioned in three-dimensional space rather than constrained to two-dimensional expansion, thereby reducing the bezel size while maintaining electrode connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel utilizes a flexible structure that can be bent to position the connection portion on the side surface of the display panel. This flexibility enables the connection portion to conform to the side surface geometry, achieving a compact configuration that eliminates the need for a large bezel while preserving the integrity of the electrode network.
2Reliability
If the size of the connection portion is increased to accommodate more electrodes, then the electrode connectivity is improved, but the image display area is reduced due to the larger bezel
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the connection portion to the side surface of the display panel in the vertical dimension, the patent eliminates the need for the connection portion to occupy planar space around the display area. This dimensional transition preserves the full image display area while maintaining adequate space for electrode connectivity through the side-mounted configuration.
3Length of stationary object
If the side attachment portion is bent to attach to the side surface of the display panel, then the bezel size is reduced, but the signal electrodes may be cut due to bending stress
Solution Approach 1:
The touch panel employs a flexible structure with inherent bendability that can accommodate the curvature required to attach to the side surface of the display panel. This flexibility allows the connection portion to follow the contour of the side surface without subjecting the signal electrodes to excessive bending stress, thereby preventing electrode damage while achieving the compact side-mounted configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the touch panel structure, specifically its flexibility and bend radius, to match the geometric requirements of the side surface attachment. By adjusting these parameters, the connection portion can be bent to the required degree without exceeding the material's elastic limit, thus preventing electrode fracture while maintaining the reduced bezel design.
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 minimizes the bezel size by integrating the signal electrodes into the touch sheet, allowing for a larger image display area and increased field of vision without the need for a protruding connection portion, while maintaining the integrity of the touch signal generation.
Implementation Method 1
the side attachment portion being bent so as not to protrude from the edge of the display panel
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive member configured to attach the side attachment portion to the side surface of the display panel
Implementation Method 3
heating a portion of the touch sheet at which the side attachment portion is bent to a glass transition temperature or higher and cooling the portion of the touch sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A bezel-less touch screen apparatus includes: a display panel for displaying an image; and a touch sheet superposed on the display panel, for generating an input signal by a touch by an operator, wherein the touch sheet includes: a touch area for generating a touch signal, the touch area being located on an image display area of the display panel, in which an image is displayed; and a side surface attachment part on which signal electrodes are gathered from the edge of the touch area and connected to a controller and that is bent and attached to the side surfaces of the display panel so as to not protrude over the edge of the display panel. Therefore, the bezel width can be minimized.