Touch Sensor Connection Line Structure for Low Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch sensors face challenges in achieving low resistance in connection lines, which affects their performance and suitability for large-area display devices.
Innovation Solution
The touch sensor design includes a connection line structure with a first connection line and a second connection line surrounding its upper and side surfaces, overlapped by a connection electrode through an insulating layer, and a connection electrode protruding from the touch electrode to the non-sensing area for enhanced electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple connection line structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection line is divided into multiple segments: a first connection line extending from the touch electrode, and a second connection line surrounding the first connection line. This segmentation allows each part to contribute differently to electrical connection, reducing overall resistance while maintaining structural manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The second connection line is configured to surround the upper and side surfaces of the first connection line, creating a nested structure. This nested arrangement increases the effective conduction path area without significantly increasing lateral footprint, thereby reducing resistance while controlling complexity.
2Reliability
If a multi-layer connection structure is used, then resistance is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second connection line extends in the vertical dimension by surrounding the upper and side surfaces of the first connection line. This three-dimensional arrangement increases the conduction cross-section without proportionally increasing planar area, reducing resistance while managing structural complexity through vertical utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure combines different conductive materials or configurations in the first and second connection lines. This composite approach optimizes electrical properties by leveraging the strengths of different material arrangements, reducing overall resistance while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
3Reliability
If the connection line area is increased, then resistance is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second connection line is positioned to surround specific portions of the first connection line (upper and side surfaces) rather than requiring uniform coverage throughout. This localized approach increases effective conduction area where most beneficial, reducing resistance while simplifying manufacturing precision requirements compared to full-surface coverage.
4Area of stationary object
If a compact connection structure is used, then device area is reduced, but resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure utilizes the vertical dimension by having the second connection line surround the upper and side surfaces of the first connection line. This three-dimensional configuration increases the effective conduction cross-section without proportionally increasing the planar footprint, thereby reducing resistance while maintaining compact device area.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensor including: a substrate including a sensing area and a non-sensing area; a touch electrode disposed on the sensing area of the substrate; a pad part disposed on the non-sensing area of the substrate; a connection line electrically connecting the touch electrode and the pad part, the connection line including a first connection line and a second connection line surrounding upper and side surfaces of the first connection line; a first insulating layer disposed on the connection line, the first insulating layer exposing at least a portion of the second connection line; and a connection electrode formed on the first insulating layer to protrude to the non-sensing area from one end of the touch electrode, the connection electrode being physically connected to the exposed second connection line through the first insulating layer.