Touch Sensor Light Shielding Layer Overlap Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

On-cell touch sensors in display devices suffer from reduced visibility due to unintended patterns caused by light leakage through gaps between electrodes, which affects the user experience.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a display device structure that includes a light shielding layer positioned in a different layer than the sensor electrodes, overlapping the gaps between the electrodes, thereby preventing light leakage and enhancing visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a light shielding layer is added to prevent light leakage through gaps between electrodes, then visibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the light shielding function with the connection wiring layer by positioning the light shielding layer to overlap with the connection wiring in the plan view. This integration allows the connection wiring to serve dual purposes: electrical connection and light shielding, thereby reducing the need for separate light shielding structures and simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining improved visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating layer serves as an intermediary between the first layer (containing sensor electrodes) and the second layer (containing connection wiring and light shielding layer). This intermediary structure enables the light shielding function to be implemented in a different layer without interfering with the sensor electrode operations, thus improving visibility while managing device complexity through structured layering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If wiring is arranged between light emitting elements to form touch sensor, then touch sensor functionality is achieved, but visibility of display region is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensor functionalityVSAvoidvisibility of display region

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the visibility issue by transitioning the light shielding function to a different dimensional layer (the second layer containing connection wiring). By positioning the light shielding layer to overlap with connection wiring in the plan view but in a different vertical layer, the solution prevents light leakage without blocking the display region from the user's perspective, thus maintaining touch sensor functionality while improving visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If connection wiring is positioned to overlap gaps between electrodes, then light leakage is prevented, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight leakageVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connection wiring in the second layer is designed to serve multiple functions: providing electrical connections between electrodes and simultaneously acting as a light shielding structure when positioned to overlap the gaps between electrodes in the first layer. This multi-functionality approach prevents light leakage while avoiding the need for additional dedicated light shielding components, thereby managing manufacturing precision requirements more effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-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 solution effectively addresses the issue of light leakage and unintended patterns, resulting in improved visibility and a better user experience for touch sensors in display devices.

Implementation Method 1

a light shielding layer located at a different position to the connection wiring and overlapping a space between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes in the first layer, in a plan view

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250048867A1Display device with touch sensor having overlapping end parts of first and second light shielding layers

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 MAGNOLIA WHITE CORP

AI summary

A display device includes a display region including a plurality of pixels, a plurality of first electrodes formed by wiring included in a first layer, and aligned in a first direction above the display region, a plurality of second electrodes formed by wiring included in the first layer, and aligned in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a connection wiring formed by wiring included in a second layer, and electrically connecting each of the plurality of first electrodes respectively, an insulating layer separating wiring included in the first layer and wiring included in the second layer, and a light shielding layer located at a different position to the connection wiring and overlapping a space between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes in the first layer, in a plan view.