Touch Sensor Gate Line Integration for Display Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of manufacturing processes for capacitance-type touch panels, which require multiple layers including transparent conductive layers, insulating layers, and metal layers, complicates the production of display devices with integrated touch sensors.
Innovation Solution
A simplified touch panel structure is achieved by using a transparent conductive layer and a gate line on a substrate, where the transparent conductive layer extends across the gate line, generating capacitance for touch sensing, thereby reducing the number of necessary layers and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple layers including transparent conductive layers, insulating layers, and metal layers are used for capacitance-type touch panels, then touch sensing capability is achieved, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gate line structure with the touch sensor electrode structure. The gate line serves dual purposes: as a control electrode for the liquid crystal display and as one electrode of the capacitive touch sensor. This merging eliminates the need for separate transparent conductive layers and insulating layers that would otherwise be required for touch sensing, thereby reducing manufacturing process complexity while maintaining touch sensing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The gate line is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the control electrode for liquid crystal switching and as one of the two electrodes for capacitive touch detection. This multi-functionality approach allows the display device to integrate touch sensing without adding extra layers or components, thus reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable touch sensing
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional metal layers and insulating layers are added for touch sensing, then touch panel functionality is enhanced, but the number of manufacturing steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch sensor electrode functions into the existing gate line structure. By using the gate line as one electrode and adding a transparent conductive layer as the other electrode, the patent achieves capacitive touch sensing without requiring additional metal layers or insulating layers, thereby maintaining manufacturing efficiency while enhancing touch panel functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The gate line structure serves itself by performing both its original function as a control electrode and the additional function of being one electrode for touch sensing. This self-service approach allows the existing structure to contribute to multiple functions without requiring additional dedicated components, thus maintaining productivity while achieving enhanced functionality
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 approach enhances the sensitivity of the touch panel by increasing capacitance and simplifying the panel structure, leading to improved touch sensitivity and reduced manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitance may be generated between the transparent conductive layer and the gate line such that a touch sensor is collectively defined by the transparent conductive layer and the gate line
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes: a first insulation substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; a transparent conductive layer disposed on the upper surface of the first insulation substrate; a gate line disposed on the lower surface of the first insulation substrate; a gate insulating layer disposed on the gate line; a semiconductor layer disposed on the gate insulating layer; a data line disposed on the semiconductor layer and connected to a source electrode and a drain electrode facing the source electrode; and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode, where the gate line, the gate insulating layer, the semiconductor layer and the data line are sequentially disposed on the lower surface of the first insulation substrate.