Touch Sensor Electrodes with Slits for Flexible Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch sensors face challenges in achieving high optical, electrical, and mechanical properties, particularly in high-resolution display devices, where optical interference from sensing electrodes needs to be minimized, and durability is required for flexible display applications.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor design featuring first and second sensing electrodes with slits, bridge electrodes, and connecting portions, where the electrodes have a solid conductive pattern structure and are arranged in a specific pattern to reduce channel resistance and enhance mechanical reliability, with slits and line patterns that extend in saw-tooth or wavy shapes to prevent moire phenomena and improve aperture ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensing electrodes are made with continuous solid patterns to improve electrical conductivity, then channel resistance decreases, but optical interference increases and aperture ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing electrodes are divided into multiple segments with slits inserted between them. This segmentation allows the electrode to maintain electrical conductivity through the segmented structure while reducing optical interference by creating gaps that allow light transmission. The slits effectively divide the continuous electrode pattern into discrete segments that can be optically transparent.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the electrode structure are given different properties - the electrode material itself maintains high conductivity, while the slit regions provide optical transparency. The line patterns are designed with specific widths and spacing to optimize both electrical and optical properties locally, creating a structure that simultaneously achieves low resistance and high aperture ratio.
2Measurement precision
If sensing electrodes are made with thinner and more densely arranged patterns to increase resolution, then measurement precision improves, but mechanical strength decreases and durability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode structure is segmented into multiple line patterns with slits, which allows for higher resolution while maintaining mechanical strength. The segmented design distributes stress across multiple smaller elements rather than concentrating it in a single continuous thin line, thereby improving durability without sacrificing resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure combines multiple materials with different properties - transparent conductive oxides for conductivity and mechanical flexibility, combined with metal layers for enhanced strength. This composite structure allows the electrode to achieve both high resolution and mechanical durability by leveraging the complementary properties of different materials.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible display devices are made thinner to improve portability, then adaptability improves, but mechanical reliability decreases and crack formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor employs thin-film structures for electrodes and insulating layers that maintain flexibility while providing mechanical protection. The slits and line patterns are designed to accommodate bending stresses, allowing the device to be flexible without compromising the integrity of the conductive pathways or creating cracks in the electrode structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure is designed with slits and patterns that anticipate and accommodate bending stresses before they occur. The segmented structure with gaps allows the material to flex without concentrating stress at any single point, preventing crack formation during repeated bending cycles and maintaining mechanical reliability in flexible applications.
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
The design improves optical transmittance, reduces channel resistance, and enhances mechanical durability, making it suitable for high-resolution and flexible display devices by minimizing light scattering and diffraction, while preventing electrode visibility and moire effects.
Implementation Method 1
A light scattering or diffraction may occur through the slits to prevent the sensing electrode from being viewed
Implementation Method 2
A light scattering or diffraction may occur through the slits to prevent the sensing electrode from being viewed
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the bridge electrode or the connecting portion has a solid conductive pattern structure
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensor includes a substrate layer, first sensing electrodes arranged on the substrate layer along a first direction parallel to a top surface of the substrate layer, the first sensing electrodes including first slits therein, second sensing electrodes arranged on the substrate layer along a second direction parallel to a top surface of the substrate layer and crossing the first direction, the second sensing electrodes including second slits therein, bridge electrodes electrically connecting neighboring ones of the first sensing electrodes, and connecting portions which connect neighboring ones of the second sensing electrodes.