Touch Sensor Integrated Display Device Thickness Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch sensor integrated type display devices face challenges with increased thickness and manufacturing complexity, particularly with add-on type sensors that affect display brightness and on-cell type sensors that require additional layers and processes.

Innovation Solution

A touch sensor integrated type display device that shares a touch sensing element with the display device, using metal and transparent conductive materials for electrodes and connecting wires, and a simplified manufacturing process to reduce thickness and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If add-on type touch sensor is mounted on display device, then touch sensing functionality is achieved, but device thickness increases and display brightness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch sensing functionalityVSAvoiddevice thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the touch sensing electrode with the common electrode of the display device. The touch sensing electrode is formed on the same substrate as the common electrode, eliminating the need for separate add-on touch sensor components. This integration reduces overall device thickness while maintaining touch sensing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common electrode serves dual functions: as the common electrode for display operation and as the touch sensing electrode for touch input detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated touch sensor layers, reducing thickness while providing touch capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Length of stationary object

If on-cell type touch sensor is formed on glass substrate, then device thickness is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and process number increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the formation of the common electrode and touch sensing electrode into a single manufacturing process step. Both electrodes are formed simultaneously on the same substrate using the same process sequence, reducing the total number of manufacturing steps while achieving thin-device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The same electrode structure serves both display and touch functions, allowing a single manufacturing process to create both the common electrode for display operation and the touch sensing electrode for input detection, thereby reducing process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If on-cell type touch sensor uses additional electrode layers, then touch sensing capability is integrated, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch sensing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the common electrode and touch sensing electrode into a single structural element formed in the same manufacturing process. This eliminates the need for separate electrode layers and reduces material costs while maintaining full touch sensing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common electrode performs dual functions as both display common electrode and touch sensing electrode, reducing material requirements and manufacturing steps, thereby lowering production costs while providing integrated touch sensing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2645211B1Touch sensor integrated type display device and method of manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP2645211B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2645211B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2645211B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A touch sensor integrated type display device includes a plurality of first electrodes arranged on a substrate in parallel in a first direction; a plurality of second electrodes arranged in parallel in the first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction without contacting with the plurality of first electrodes; a plurality of first connecting wires, each first connecting wire being connected with at least one of the plurality of the first electrodes; and a plurality of second connecting wires, each second connecting wire connecting the second electrodes to each other in the second direction, wherein a touch driving voltage is supplied to the plurality of first connecting wires and a common voltage is supplied to the plurality of second connecting wires so that mutual capacitance is generated between the a plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes.