Multi-Directional Touch Sensor Electrode Matrix Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible touch screen displays face challenges with reduced sensitivity due to shorter distances between the touch screen and human hands, leading to weakened detection signals and poor touch effects, as the thinner cover plate and display layer enhance parasitic capacitance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a sensor design with interconnected driving and sensing electrodes in multiple directions, arranged alternately and in parallel, to strengthen coupling effects and improve touch sensitivity, while maintaining a smaller electrode width and varying coupling distances to minimize parasitic capacitance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If the cover plate and display layer are made thinner to achieve a thinner flexible touch screen, then the overall thickness is reduced, but the parasitic capacitance between the human hand and sensing electrode/driving electrode is strengthened, causing the detection signal to be weakened and touch sensitivity to deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethickness of cover plate and display layerVSAvoidtouch detection sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is divided into multiple touch units, each containing multiple driving electrodes and multiple sensing electrodes arranged in a matrix pattern. This segmentation allows for more electrodes to be packed into the same area, strengthening the coupling effect and improving touch sensitivity despite the thinner structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple driving electrodes are electrically interconnected to form a large driving electrode, and multiple sensing electrodes are electrically interconnected to form a large sensing electrode. This merging approach enhances the overall coupling effect and strengthens the detection signal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If more electrodes are arranged in the same area to strengthen coupling effect and improve touch sensitivity, then the electrode density increases, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch sensitivityVSAvoidelectrode arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is divided into multiple touch units, each containing multiple driving electrodes and multiple sensing electrodes arranged in a matrix pattern. This segmentation allows for more electrodes to be packed into the same area, strengthening the coupling effect and improving touch sensitivity despite the thinner structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Electrodes are arranged in at least two different directions (first direction and second direction), forming a multi-directional electrode matrix. This multi-dimensional arrangement increases electrode density and coupling effect while maintaining a systematic and manufacturable structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enhances touch sensitivity and reduces parasitic capacitance, improving the overall performance of touch screen displays by allowing more electrodes in the same area and lowering the requirements for driving capability, thus providing a more effective touch experience.

Implementation Method 1

each touch unit including a mutual capacitance detection channel consisting of a driving channel 1 and a sensing channel 2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a parasitic capacitance between the human hand and a sensing electrode/driving electrode of a sensor is strengthened

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParasitic capacitance: Parasitic Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3561648B1Sensor and touch display screen
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 SHENZHEN GOODIX TECH CO LTD
  • EP3561648B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3561648B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a
  • EP3561648B1 patent drawingFigure 4b

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to the field of circuit technology, and particularly provides a sensor and a touch screen display. The sensor includes: a plurality of touch units, each of which including: a plurality of driving electrodes and a plurality of sensing electrodes. The driving electrodes in each touch unit are arranged in at least two different directions, and some of the driving electrodes in each touch unit are arranged in a first direction, while some of the driving electrodes in each touch unit are arranged in a second direction. The sensing electrodes in each touch unit are arranged in at least two different directions, and some of the sensing electrodes in each touch unit are arranged in the first direction, while some of the sensing electrodes in each touch unit are arranged in the second direction. The driving electrodes in each touch unit are electrically connected, and the sensing electrodes in each touch unit are electrically connected. By applying embodiments of the present disclosure, touch sensitivity of the sensor and the touch screen display may be enhanced.