Touch Sensor Electrode Layout for Short-Circuit Defect Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in accurately detecting short circuit defects, particularly in sensor layers that integrate touch and pen input methods, leading to potential performance issues and reliability concerns.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a specific electrode and wiring line arrangement, including first and second type pads and wiring lines, with alternating and overlapping configurations, to enhance detection capabilities for both touch and pen inputs, while minimizing short circuit risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional electrode arrangements are used in sensor layers, then manufacturing is simpler, but detection power for short circuit defects is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection power for short circuit defectsVSAvoidelectrode and wiring line arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor layer is divided into multiple sensing regions with different electrode arrangements. First type pads are connected to first and second electrodes, while second type pads are connected to third electrodes. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different detection purposes, improving short circuit defect detection capability without requiring complete redesign of the entire sensor layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different areas of the sensor layer are equipped with different electrode configurations optimized for their specific detection needs. The alternating arrangement of first and second type pads creates local detection zones with enhanced sensitivity for identifying short circuit defects, while maintaining overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If alternating arrangement of first and second type pads is implemented, then short circuit detection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshort circuit defect detection reliabilityVSAvoidease of pad and wiring line fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode and pad arrangements extend across multiple layers and dimensions. First and second type pads are arranged in alternating patterns, with wiring lines connecting them through different layers. This multi-dimensional arrangement improves detection capability while distributing manufacturing complexity across multiple fabrication steps rather than requiring a single complex process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4679240A1Electronic device

Publication Date: 2026.01.14 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

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AI summary

An electronic device includes a plurality of first electrodes arranged along a first direction and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a plurality of second electrodes arranged along the second direction and extending in the first direction, a plurality of third electrodes arranged along the first direction and extending in the second direction, a plurality of first type pads electrically connected to the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, and a plurality of second type pads electrically connected to the plurality of third electrodes, wherein at least one of the plurality of first type pads is located between two adjacent second type pads from among the plurality of second type pads.