Touch Sensing Unit With Merged Connection Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of signal lines in touch sensing units for display devices leads to an expansion of the non-active area, thereby increasing manufacturing costs and time.
Innovation Solution
The touch sensing unit is designed with first and second sensing electrodes arranged in intersecting directions, connected by first and second signal lines, and connection lines, where the first sensing electrodes are grouped into blocks with varying sizes and connected through a reduced number of connection lines, reducing the non-active area and the number of pads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of signal lines is increased to connect more sensing electrodes, then the touch sensing capability is improved, but the non-active area increases and manufacturing cost/time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple first signal lines connected to different first sensing electrodes are merged into a single connection line by connecting them at different positions along the connection line. This reduces the number of separate signal lines needed, thereby reducing the non-active area and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to sense touches at multiple locations through the grouped electrodes
Solution Approach 2:
The connection line serves multiple functions by receiving signals from multiple different first sensing electrodes through its various connection positions. A single connection line effectively replaces multiple separate signal lines, achieving multi-functionality that reduces both the non-active area and the number of pads required
2Measurement precision
If the number of signal lines is increased to connect more sensing electrodes, then the touch sensing capability is improved, but the number of pads increases and manufacturing cost/time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple signal lines are merged into fewer connection lines that connect to multiple sensing electrodes at different positions. This consolidation reduces the number of pads required at the boundary, simplifying the device structure and reducing manufacturing complexity while preserving touch sensing functionality across multiple electrode groups
3Area of stationary object
If sensing electrodes are grouped into blocks with connection lines, then the non-active area is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing electrodes are segmented into distinct blocks, with each block containing multiple first sensing electrodes connected to different positions on a shared connection line. This segmentation organizes the complex structure into manageable units, making the overall design more systematic and easier to manufacture despite the reduced non-active area
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging connection lines in a simple linear fashion, the invention utilizes a two-dimensional arrangement where connection lines extend in a first direction and connect to sensing electrodes at multiple positions along their length. This dimensional approach allows for more efficient space utilization and reduced non-active area while maintaining structural organization
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 configuration reduces the manufacturing cost and time by minimizing the non-active area and the number of pads, while maintaining accurate touch position sensing through distinct capacitances formed by the sensing electrodes.
Implementation Method 1
The first sensing electrodes connected to the k-th connection line form capacitances with at least some of the second sensing electrodes. The capacitances of the blocks are different from each other.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensing unit includes first sensing electrodes (FSEs), second sensing electrodes SSEs, first signal lines (FSLs), second signal lines (SSLs), and connection lines (CLs). The FSEs extend in a first direction (D1) and are arranged in a second direction (D2) intersecting the D1. The SSEs extend in the D2 and are arranged in the D1. The FSLs are connected to the FSEs, respectively. The SSLs are connected to the SSEs, respectively. The CLs are connected to the FSEs via the FSLs. The FSEs are grouped into blocks. Each of the blocks includes p FSEs of the FSEs, and p FSLs connected to the p FSEs, respectively, “p” being a natural number greater than one. A k-th CL of the CLs is connected to one of the FSEs of each of the blocks, “k” being a natural number. The FSEs connected to the k-th connection line have different sizes.