Touch Sensor Insulating Zones for Static Damage Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch screens are prone to damage due to static electricity accumulation at slope angles during signal transmission, which can impair the vertical metal layer and disrupt signal transmission.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating at least one insulating zone in the vertical conducting area of the touch sensor, allowing the overlapped portion with the conductive bridge to be divided into separate zones, ensuring that if one zone is damaged, others can still function properly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the insulating layer is etched to form through holes for connecting metal layers, then electrical connection is achieved, but slope angles are created that accumulate static electricity and cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidstatic electricity accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vertical conducting area is divided into multiple independent zones separated by insulating zones. Each zone can function independently, so if one zone accumulates static electricity and fails, other zones continue to transmit signals, maintaining overall system reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Insulating zones are introduced as intermediary elements between conductive areas. These insulating zones prevent static electricity from spreading across the entire vertical conducting area, localizing the harmful effect to specific segments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the vertical conducting area is made continuous for signal transmission, then electrical conductivity is improved, but vulnerability to static electricity damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission continuityVSAvoidresistance to static electricity damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The vertical conducting area is segmented into multiple zones separated by insulating zones. This segmentation maintains electrical conductivity within each zone while preventing static electricity from compromising the entire structure, as failures are localized to individual zones

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the vertical conducting area are given different functions: conductive zones for signal transmission and insulating zones for static electricity isolation. This local differentiation allows the structure to simultaneously achieve conductivity and damage resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 reduces the likelihood of touch screen damage by enabling continued signal transmission even if one zone is compromised, thereby enhancing the reliability and durability of the touch screen.

Implementation Method 1

an insulating layer 122 is provided between the metal bridge 111 and the horizontal and vertical metal layers 114 and 115

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

a large amount of charges can accumulate at the slope angles 121 of the horizontal metal layer 114 and the vertical metal layer 115 during signal transmitting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStatic electricity accumulation: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentEP2857940B1Touch sensor, touchscreen and display
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONCIS TECH CO LTD
  • EP2857940B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2857940B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C
  • EP2857940B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6B

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a sensor, a touch screen and a display for decreasing damage possibility of the touch screen. The touch sensor comprises a horizontal conducting layer, a conductive bridge having two ends respectively connected with one horizontal conducting layer, and a vertical conducting layer, the conductive bridge overlapping with the vertical conducting layer and being spaced from the vertical conductive layer by an insulating layer; the vertical conducting layer comprises at least one insulating zone provided at a first designated position; a distance of two corresponding end points in a width direction of the conductive bridge of the projection zone, which projection zone is a normal projection zone of the at least one insulating zone on the conductive bridge, is not less than a width of the conductive bridge.