Touch Substrate Electrode Configuration for Coupling Capacitance Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mutual capacitive touch technologies face challenges in achieving optimal coupling capacitance between touch electrodes, leading to suboptimal touch signals, increased vulnerability to non-ideal touch surfaces, and reduced precision due to large or small coupling capacitance values.
Innovation Solution
The touch substrate design features a touch control unit with first and second touch electrodes arranged in a specific configuration, including inner electrode groups with portions extending towards each other, and a dummy conductive portion to optimize coupling capacitance, reduce the area of overlap, and adjust the distance between electrodes, thereby improving touch signal accuracy and precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the overlap area between touch electrodes is increased to enhance coupling capacitance, then the touch signal strength is improved, but the touch precision deteriorates due to increased vulnerability to non-ideal touch surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The touch electrodes are divided into multiple inner electrode groups with alternating first and second inner electrodes. Each inner electrode extends toward its adjacent inner electrode to form controlled coupling regions. This segmentation allows the coupling capacitance to be distributed across multiple smaller interaction zones rather than one large overlapping area, maintaining signal strength while improving precision by reducing sensitivity to surface irregularities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements non-uniform electrode configuration where inner electrodes extend toward each other to create localized regions of enhanced coupling capacitance. The extension distance and orientation vary in different regions to optimize the coupling characteristics locally. This allows different areas of the touch sensor to have tailored coupling properties, achieving overall optimal balance between signal strength and precision.
2Reliability
If the coupling capacitance is increased to improve touch signal, then the touch signal strength is enhanced, but the precision is reduced due to increased vulnerability to non-ideal touch surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling capacitance is segmented into multiple contributions from alternating inner electrode pairs. Each pair contributes to the overall coupling capacitance through controlled extension, distributing the capacitance enhancement across multiple discrete locations rather than relying on a single large-capacitance region, thereby maintaining precision while improving signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner electrodes extend in specific directions (along a first direction and a second direction that is oblique to the first direction) to create three-dimensional electrode configurations. This dimensional approach allows optimization of coupling capacitance through spatial arrangement rather than simply increasing overlap area in a single plane, achieving enhanced signal while maintaining precision.
3Reliability
If the distance between adjacent inner electrodes is decreased to increase coupling capacitance, then the touch signal is improved, but the touch precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The distance between adjacent inner electrodes is optimized locally in different regions. Inner electrodes extend toward each other by controlled distances to create localized coupling enhancement zones. The extension distance varies depending on the specific region and electrode pair, allowing optimal balance between coupling capacitance and precision to be achieved in different areas of the touch sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode configuration provides dynamic coupling characteristics through the alternating extension pattern. The effective coupling distance varies across different electrode pairs and regions, creating a dynamic coupling profile that adapts to different touch scenarios. This dynamic characteristic allows the system to maintain precision while achieving sufficient signal strength.
4Reliability
If more wire connections are added to increase coupling capacitance, then the touch signal is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity and yield are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrode functions are merged into the alternating inner electrode structure. The first and second inner electrodes serve both as signal carriers and as means to create coupling capacitance through their mutual extension. This merging eliminates the need for separate wire connections to achieve coupling enhancement, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining signal strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner electrodes perform multiple functions: they serve as signal transmission paths, create coupling capacitance through mutual extension, and define the active touch regions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated structures like extra wire connections, simplifying the overall device architecture while achieving the desired coupling capacitance for improved touch signal.
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 configuration reduces coupling capacitance to a reasonable value, eliminates touch ghost points, enhances touch precision, increases the touch threshold range, and improves the yield by reducing wire connections and ADC value fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the first inner electrode extends toward the second inner electrode, and at least a portion of the second inner electrode extends toward the first inner electrode
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a touch substrate with a touch control unit including a first touch electrode having a first bus bar extending along a first direction and a first inner electrode extending from the first bus bar, and a second touch electrode having a second bus bar extending along the first direction and a second inner electrode extending from the second bus bar. The first and second bus bars are disposed opposite to each other, the first and second inner electrodes are between the first and second bus bars, alternately and spaced apart from each other in the first direction. Each pair of adjacent first and second inner electrodes constitutes an inner electrode group, within which, at least a portion of the first inner electrode extends toward the second inner electrode, and at least a portion of the second inner electrode extends toward the first inner electrode.