Touch Signal Lines for Reduced Bezel Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
As display panel sizes increase, the number of touch sensor channels and signal lines in touch-sensitive display devices also grows, leading to a wider peripheral area, which is undesirable due to the increasing demand for reduced bezel width.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates touch signal lines that overlap a sealant in the peripheral area, with thinner second signal lines (<5 μm wide) and auxiliary lines made of transparent conductive materials, allowing for reduced bezel width by optimizing the layout and materials used in the touch sensor architecture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of touch sensor channels and signal lines is increased to support larger display panels, then touch sensing functionality is improved, but the width of the peripheral area (bezel width) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning signal lines from a planar layout to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. Multiple signal lines are arranged in different layers (first signal lines in a lower layer, second signal lines in an upper layer), allowing them to overlap vertically rather than horizontally. This vertical stacking enables more signal lines to be packed within the same footprint, reducing bezel width while maintaining the required number of touch sensor channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing second signal lines (in the upper layer) directly over first signal lines (in the lower layer) in overlapping regions. This nested arrangement allows signal lines to be embedded within the vertical space occupied by other signal lines, effectively multiplying the signal line capacity without increasing the horizontal perimeter, thus reducing the peripheral area width.
2Length of stationary object
If touch signal lines are made thinner to reduce peripheral area width, then bezel width is reduced, but signal transmission quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical dimensions of signal lines - specifically making the second signal lines in the upper layer thinner (less than 5 μm wide) compared to conventional uniform width lines. This parameter optimization allows tighter packing and reduced peripheral width while the three-dimensional stacked configuration compensates for the reduced cross-sectional area by providing multiple parallel conduction paths through different layers, maintaining overall signal transmission quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures by using different materials for different signal line layers. First signal lines are formed with one material composition while second signal lines use a different material composition, allowing optimization of electrical properties for each layer's specific function. This material differentiation enables thinner lines with better conductivity characteristics, maintaining signal quality despite reduced dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device is disclosed. In one aspect, the display device comprises first and second substrates including a display area and a non-display area, a sealant material interposed between the first and second substrates and formed in the non-display area, and a plurality of touch electrodes formed in the display area of the second substrate. The display device further comprises a plurality of touch signal lines formed in the non-display area of the second substrate and respectively electrically connected to the touch electrodes, wherein the touch signal lines are configured to transmit/receive touch signals to/from the touch electrodes. The touch signal lines include one or more first signal lines not overlapping the sealant and one or more second signal lines at least partially overlapping the sealant.