TWI902016B - Display module - Google Patents

Abstract

A display module includes a circuit substrate, a plurality of first shielding layers, a first insulating layer, a plurality of first touch sensor electrodes, and a plurality of light-emitting components. The plurality of first shielding layers is disposed over the circuit substrate. The plurality of first shielding layers is mutually electrically connected. The first insulating layer covers the plurality of first shielding layers. The plurality of first touch sensor electrodes is disposed on the first insulating layer and corresponds to the plurality of first shielding layers. Each of the plurality of first touch sensor electrodes is disposed over its corresponding one of the plurality of first shielding layers. The plurality of light-emitting components has a first pin and a second pin. The first pin extends through the first insulating layer and is electrically connected to its corresponding one of the plurality of first shielding layers.

Description

Display Module

This disclosure relates to a display module, and more particularly to a display module that improves touch sensitivity.

With the development of technology, many information products use touch panels as input devices and combine them with display devices to form touch displays. Generally speaking, touch displays can be divided into resistive, capacitive, optical, and surface acoustic wave types according to their operating principles.

Common capacitive touch displays often use transparent conductive materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), and aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) as touch electrode materials. Meanwhile, to maintain electrical stability, the driving circuit layer of the display panel's light-emitting elements uses a full-surface overlapping metal mesh design.

However, due to the high manufacturing cost of transparent conductive materials and the complex process of reducing their impedance, using transparent conductive materials as touch electrodes makes them susceptible to circuit noise interference, leading to decreased touch sensitivity. Furthermore, the higher impedance and larger RC delay of transparent conductive materials may also cause a decrease in the touch sensitivity of capacitive touch displays.

Therefore, how to propose a display module that can solve the above problems is one of the issues that the industry is currently eager to invest research and development resources to address.

In view of this, one of the purposes of this disclosure is to propose a display module that can solve the above problems.

One aspect of this disclosure relates to a display module including a circuit substrate, a plurality of first shielding layers, a first insulating layer, a plurality of first touch electrodes, and a plurality of light-emitting elements. The first shielding layers are located above the circuit substrate. These first shielding layers are electrically connected to each other. The first insulating layer covers the first shielding layers. The first touch electrodes are located on the first insulating layers, and the plurality of first touch electrodes correspond to the plurality of first shielding layers. Each first touch electrode is located above its corresponding first shielding layer. The light-emitting elements are located on the first insulating layers, and the plurality of light-emitting elements correspond to the plurality of first shielding layers. The light-emitting elements have first pins and second pins. The first pin passes through the first insulation layer and is electrically connected to the first shielding layer corresponding to the light-emitting element.

In some embodiments, the first projection area of each first touch electrode on the circuit board is located within the second projection area of its corresponding first shielding layer on the circuit board.

In some embodiments, the first shielding layer corresponding to the first touch electrode has an opening. The third orthographic projection area on the circuit board with the opening is located within the first orthographic projection area.

In some embodiments, the display module further includes multiple pads. A first pin of each light-emitting element is electrically connected to a corresponding first shielding layer via one of the pads. A first touch electrode contacts the upper surface of a first insulating layer with the pad. A gap exists between the pad and the first touch electrode.

In some embodiments, the display module further includes multiple electrode layers and a second insulating layer. The electrode layers are located above the circuit substrate and below the first shielding layer. The second insulating layer is located between the electrode layers and the first shielding layer and covers the electrode layers.

In some embodiments, the second pin of each light-emitting element passes through the first and second insulation layers and is electrically connected to one of the electrode layers.

In some embodiments, the display module further includes a second shielding layer and a second touch electrode. The second shielding layer is located between two adjacent first shielding layers. The second touch electrode is located between two adjacent first touch electrodes and above the second shielding layer. The first touch electrodes are configured to receive a first drive signal. The second touch electrode is configured to receive a second drive signal. The two adjacent first touch electrodes pass through a first insulation layer and are electrically connected to each other through the second shielding layer.

In some embodiments, the second touch electrode and two adjacent first touch electrodes are arranged along a first direction. In a cross-sectional view along the first direction, the length of the second touch electrode along the first direction is less than or equal to the length of the second shielding layer along the first direction.

In some embodiments, the display module also includes a packaging layer. The packaging layer is located above the first insulating layer and covers the first touch electrode and the light-emitting element.

In some embodiments, the packaging layer contacts the first touch electrode and the light-emitting element.

In some embodiments, the upper surface of at least one light-emitting element is higher than the first touch electrode.

In some implementations, the first shielding layer is connected to the grounding potential.

In some embodiments, the circuit substrate includes a light-transmitting area. The first touch electrode and the first shielding layer are located in the light-transmitting area.

In summary, in the display modules of some embodiments disclosed herein, in self-capacitive and mutual-capacitive touch circuits, the touch electrode is disposed on one side of the light-emitting element, and a shielding layer is disposed between the touch electrode and the circuit substrate to shield circuit noise from below or to the side of the touch electrode. Furthermore, the area of the shielding layer is larger than the area of the touch electrode, and the projection area of the touch electrode on the circuit substrate is located within the projection area of the shielding layer on the circuit substrate; or the feature length of the shielding layer in the cross-sectional view is larger than the feature length of the touch electrode in the cross-sectional view to maximize the shielding effect. Furthermore, using metal as the material for the touch electrodes can reduce the surface impedance of the touch electrodes, thereby mitigating the resistive-capacitive delay effect. Compared to common display modules, this can reduce noise and mitigate the resistive-capacitive delay effect, thus improving touch sensitivity.

The preferred embodiments of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description of these and other aspects in conjunction with the diagrams, but variations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of this disclosure.

The following disclosure will be described more fully with the aid of diagrams and references, some of which are exemplary embodiments. This disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments mentioned below. However, these embodiments are provided to aid in a more complete understanding of the contents of this disclosure and to fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art.

In the figures, the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, areas, etc., are enlarged for clarity. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to similar elements. It should be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, area, or substrate is referred to as being "on" or "connected to" another element, it may be directly on or connected to the other element, or an intermediate element may also be present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly connected to" another element, no intermediate element is present. As used in this disclosure, "connection" can refer to a physical and/or electrical connection. Furthermore, "electrical connection" or "coupling" may refer to the presence of other elements between two elements.

It should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., may be used in this disclosure to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or parts, these elements, components, regions, and/or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or part from another. Therefore, the "first element," "component," "region," "layer," or "part" discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or part without departing from the teachings of this disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not restrictive. As used in this disclosure, unless the content clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms, including “at least one.” “Or” means “and/or.” As used in this disclosure, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It should also be understood that, when used in this specification, the terms “comprising” and/or “including” specify the presence of the stated features, regions, integrals, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations thereof.

Furthermore, relative terms such as "below" or "bottom" and "above" or "top" are used in this disclosure to describe the relationship between one element and another, as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device beyond those shown in the figures. For example, if a device in a figure is flipped, an element described as being "below" of other elements will be oriented "above" of other elements. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can include both "below" and "above" orientations, depending on the specific orientation of the figure. Similarly, if a device in a figure is flipped, an element described as being "below" or "below" of other elements will be oriented "above" of other elements. Thus, the exemplary term "below" or "below" can include both "above" and "below" orientations.

As used in this disclosure, "about," "approximately," or "substantially" includes the value and the average of the values within an acceptable range of deviation from a particular value determined by a person skilled in the art, taking into account the measurement under discussion and a specific number of errors associated with the measurement (i.e., limitations of the measurement system). For example, "about" may mean within one or more standard deviations of the value, or within ±30%, ±20%, ±10%, ±5%. Furthermore, as used in this disclosure, "about," "approximately," or "substantially" may be used to select a more acceptable range of deviations or standard deviations depending on the optical, etchable, or other properties, rather than applying a single standard deviation to all properties.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in this disclosure (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. It will be further understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and this disclosure, and will not be interpreted as having an idealized or overly formal meaning unless expressly defined in this disclosure.

This disclosure describes exemplary embodiments with reference to cross-sectional views as schematic examples. Therefore, variations in shape in the illustrations can be expected as a result of, for example, manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances. Consequently, the embodiments described in this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the specific shapes of the areas shown in this disclosure, but rather include, for example, shape deviations caused by manufacturing processes. For example, areas shown or described as flat may generally have rough and/or nonlinear characteristics. Furthermore, the sharp angles shown may be rounded. Therefore, the areas shown in the figures are essentially schematic, and their shapes are not intended to show precise shapes of the areas, nor are they intended to limit the scope of the claims.

To overcome the problems of high impedance and large RC delay of transparent conductive materials, some embodiments of this disclosure use metallic materials as the touch electrode material of the display module. This reduces the surface impedance of the touch electrodes, thereby mitigating the RC delay effect and improving touch sensitivity. Furthermore, to reduce circuit noise interference to the touch electrodes, some embodiments of this disclosure include a shielding layer to block some of the circuit noise. The shielding layer will be described in detail in the following paragraphs in conjunction with each embodiment.

Please refer to Figure 1, which is a partial top view of the self-capacitive touch circuit of a display module 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, the self-capacitive touch circuit of the display module 10 includes a first touch electrode 120, a first shielding layer 116, light-emitting elements 140-1, 140-2, and 140-3. The first touch electrode 120 and the first shielding layer 116 are arranged in a cross shape to form a mesh. In some embodiments, the first touch electrode 120 and the first shielding layer 116 are made of a metallic material, forming a perforated metallic mesh. For example, the material of the metallic mesh includes silver (Ag), copper (Cu), or aluminum (Al). As shown in the top view of Figure 1, the first touch electrode 120 is located above the first shielding layer 116. In some embodiments, the width of the first touch electrode 120 is less than or equal to the width of the first shielding layer 116.

As shown in Figure 1, light-emitting elements 140-1, 140-2, and 140-3 are distributed near the cross intersection of the first shielding layer 116. In some embodiments, a portion of the first shielding layer 116 (not shown) extends below light-emitting elements 140-1, 140-2, and 140-3. In some embodiments, light-emitting element 140-1 emits a first color of light, for example, red; light-emitting element 140-2 emits a second color of light, for example, green; and light-emitting element 140-3 emits a third color of light, for example, blue. As shown by the dashed grid in Figure 1, the self-contained touch circuitry of the display module 10 can be divided into multiple touch pixel units PX.

Next, please refer to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the self-capacitive touch circuit of the display module 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, drawn along line segment 2 in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the self-capacitive touch circuit of the display module 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, drawn along line segment 3 in Figure 1. It should be understood that although the first shielding layer 116 and the first touch electrode 120 are shown in multiple different blocks in the partial cross-sectional view, and the connection relationships between the first shielding layer 116, the first touch electrode 120 and other components in each block of the figure are described in subsequent paragraphs, these blocks may be connected to each other or have a continuous structure in the touch circuit, such as the cross-shaped first shielding layer 116 and the first touch electrode 120 shown in Figure 1.

Please refer to Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the display module 10 includes a circuit substrate, a first shielding layer 116, a first insulating layer 118, light-emitting elements 140-2 and 140-3. The first shielding layer 116 is located above the circuit substrate. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 2, the circuit substrate includes a substrate 110 and a circuit layer 111. It is worth noting that the circuit layer 111 may include various circuit components and insulating layers. The number and arrangement of components in the display module may differ in different embodiments, but all are within the scope of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the circuit layer 111 is located above the substrate 110, and the first shielding layer 116 is located above the circuit layer 111. The first insulation layer 118 covers the first shielding layer 116.

As shown in Figure 2, the first touch electrode 120 is located on and in contact with the upper surface 118a of the first insulating layer 118. The first touch electrode 120 corresponds to one of the first shielding layers 116 (e.g., the first shielding layer 116 on the left in Figure 2). The first touch electrode 120 is located above its corresponding first shielding layer 116, as shown in Figure 2. In other words, the first touch electrode 120 and the first shielding layer 116 are aligned along direction Z.

To shield against circuit noise interference from below or to the sides (such as circuit layer 111 in Figure 2 and data line 124 in Figure 3), a first shielding layer 116 is disposed below the first touch electrode 120, and the area of the first shielding layer 116 is greater than or equal to the area of the first touch electrode 120. In other words, the orthographic projection area of each first touch electrode 120 on the substrate 110 is located within the orthographic projection area of its corresponding first shielding layer 116 on the substrate 110.

In some embodiments, the display module 10 further includes multiple electrode layers 112 and a second insulating layer 114. As shown in Figure 2, the electrode layers 112 are located above the substrate 110 and below the first shielding layer 116. The second insulating layer 114 is located between the electrode layers 112 and the first shielding layer 116 and covers the electrode layers 112.

In some embodiments, the two first shielding layers 116 shown in Figure 2 are electrically connected to each other. For example, the two first shielding layers 116 are connected to a ground potential or a low potential to provide a common potential (VSS) to the light-emitting elements (e.g., light-emitting elements 140-1, 140-2, and 140-3 in Figure 1). Similarly, in some embodiments, the two electrode layers 112 shown in Figure 2 are electrically connected to each other. For example, the two electrode layers 112 are connected to a high potential to provide an operating potential (VDD) to the light-emitting elements (e.g., light-emitting elements 140-1, 140-2, and 140-3 in Figure 1).

As shown in Figure 2, light-emitting elements 140-2 and 140-3 are disposed on one side of the first touch electrode 120. Further, light-emitting element 140-2 is located on the first insulating layer 118 and corresponds to a first shielding layer 116 and an electrode layer 112 (e.g., the first shielding layer 116 and electrode layer 112 on the left side in Figure 2). Light-emitting element 140-3 is located on the first insulating layer 118 and corresponds to a first shielding layer 116 and an electrode layer 112 (e.g., the first shielding layer 116 and electrode layer 112 on the right side in Figure 2). The cross-sectional configuration of the light-emitting element 140-1 in Figure 1 is similar to that of the light-emitting elements 140-2 and 140-3, so it will not be described in detail.

In some embodiments, the upper surface of at least one light-emitting element is higher than the first touch electrode 120. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the upper surface 140-2a of the light-emitting element 140-2 is higher than the upper surface 120a of the first touch electrode 120.

As shown in Figure 2, the light-emitting element 140-2 has a first pin 141-2 and a second pin 142-2, and the light-emitting element 140-3 has a first pin 141-3 and a second pin 142-3. The first pins 141-2 and 141-3 pass through the first insulation layer 118 and are electrically connected to the corresponding first shielding layers 116 of the light-emitting elements 140-2 and 140-3, respectively. The second pins 142-2 and 142-3 pass through the first insulation layer 118 and the second insulation layer 114 and are electrically connected to the corresponding electrode layers 112 of the light-emitting elements 140-2 and 140-3, respectively.

As shown in Figure 2, the display module 10 also includes multiple pads such as first pad 143-2, second pad 144-2, first pad 143-3, and second pad 144-3. Furthermore, the first pin 141-2 of the light-emitting element 140-2 is electrically connected to its corresponding first shielding layer 116 via the first pad 143-2, and the second pin 142-2 is electrically connected to its corresponding electrode layer 112 via the second pad 144-2. Similarly, the first pin 141-3 of the light-emitting element 140-3 is electrically connected to its corresponding first shielding layer 116 through the first pad 143-3, and the second pin 142-3 is electrically connected to its corresponding electrode layer 112 through the second pad 144-3.

As shown in Figure 2, the first touch electrode 120, the first pad 143-2, the second pad 144-2, the first pad 143-3, and the second pad 144-3 at least partially contact the upper surface 118a of the first insulation layer 118. Simultaneously, the first pad 143-2, the second pad 144-2, the first pad 143-3, and the second pad 144-3 are all separated from the first touch electrode 120. For example, as shown in Figure 2, there is a gap G between one side of the first pad 143-2 and one side of the first touch electrode 120.

The display module 10 may also include an encapsulation layer 150. As shown in Figure 2, the encapsulation layer 150 is located above the first insulating layer 118 and contacts the upper surface 118a of the first insulating layer 118. Also, as shown in Figure 2, the encapsulation layer 150 covers and contacts the first touch electrode 120, the light-emitting element 140-2, and the light-emitting element 140-3.

Please refer to Figure 3. The circuit layer 111 of the display module 10 may include an insulation layer 122, an insulation layer 126, and a data line 124 sandwiched therein, as shown in Figure 3.

Please refer to Figure 4, which is a top view of a self-capacitive touch circuit of a display module 10 according to some embodiments of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the self-capacitive touch circuit can be divided into multiple touch blocks TA. Each touch block TA contains periodically arranged touch electrodes, such as the first touch electrodes 120 arranged in a cross pattern as shown in Figure 4. In other words, each touch block TA contains periodically arranged touch pixel units (e.g., touch pixel units PX shown in Figure 1). In some embodiments, the feature length of a touch pixel unit is 300 micrometers, and the feature length L of a touch block TA is between 4 millimeters and 7 millimeters. In some implementations, the touch block TA includes 15 to 20 touch pixels along the feature length L.

Please refer to Figures 5 through 8. Figure 5 is a partial top view of the inter-capacitive touch circuit of the display module 20 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 6 is a partial enlarged top view of the inter-capacitive touch circuit of the display module 20 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the inter-capacitive touch circuit of the display module 20 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, drawn along line segment 7 in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a partial enlarged top view of the inter-capacitive touch circuit of the display module 20 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For clarity, several layers (e.g., the first insulating layer 118, the second insulating layer 114, etc.) are omitted in Figure 8.

As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the mutual capacitance touch circuit of the display module 20 includes a substrate 110, a circuit layer 111, a first touch electrode 120, a second touch electrode 121, a first shielding layer 116, a second shielding layer 117, a light-emitting element 140-1, a light-emitting element 140-2, and a light-emitting element 140-3.

As shown in Figure 5, the first touch electrode 120 and the second touch electrode 121 are each arranged in a cross shape and together form a grid. The boundary between the first touch electrode 120 and the second touch electrode 121 includes a bridging area TB. The first shielding layer 116 is also arranged in a cross shape and together with the second shielding layer 117 (as shown in Figure 6) forms a grid below the first touch electrode 120 and the second touch electrode 121. Similar to the display module 10, the width of the first touch electrode 120 and the second touch electrode 121 of the display module 20 is smaller than the width of the first shielding layer 116.

As shown in Figure 5, light-emitting elements 140-1, 140-2, and 140-3 are distributed near the cross intersection of the first shielding layer 116. As shown by the dashed grid in Figure 5, the mutual capacitance touch circuit of the display module 20 can also be divided into multiple touch pixel units PX. Furthermore, as shown by the dashed boxes in Figure 5, the mutual capacitance touch circuit of the display module 20 can be further divided into multiple touch blocks. For example, touch blocks TA_X are arranged along direction X, and touch blocks TA_Y are arranged along direction Y. Direction X is substantially perpendicular to direction Y. Each touch block TA_X and each touch block TA_Y includes at least one touch pixel unit PX.

One difference between display module 20 and display module 10 is that display module 20 further includes a second touch electrode 121. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the second touch electrode 121 is located between two adjacent first touch electrodes 120. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 7, the second touch electrode 121 is located on and in contact with the upper surface of the first insulating layer 118. In some embodiments, the second touch electrode 121 is made of a metallic material.

Another difference between display module 20 and display module 10 is that display module 20 also includes a second shielding layer 117. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the second shielding layer 117 is located between two adjacent first shielding layers 116 and below the second touch electrode 121.

Similar to display module 10, in order to shield against circuit noise interference from below or to the sides (e.g., circuit layer 111 in Figure 7 and data line 124 in Figure 9), the second touch electrode 121 of display module 20 is disposed above the first shielding layer 116 and the second shielding layer 117, as shown in the top view of Figure 6. Meanwhile, referring to the cross-sectional view of Figure 7, the second shielding layer 117 and two adjacent first shielding layers 116 are arranged along direction X, and the second touch electrode 121 and two adjacent first touch electrodes 120 are arranged along direction X. In some embodiments, the length of the second touch electrode 121 along direction X is less than or equal to the length of the second shielding layer 117 along direction X. For example, as shown in Figure 7, length X2 is less than length X1.

Please refer to Figures 7 and 8 simultaneously. In the bridging region TB of the inter-capacitive touch circuit of the display module 20, the second shielding layer 117 is separated from the first shielding layer 116. For example, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, there is a gap W between the second shielding layer 117 and the first shielding layer 116. In some embodiments, the gap W is between 3 micrometers and 10 micrometers.

As shown in Figure 7, the first insulating layer 118 fills the gap W. The first insulating layer 118 at least partially covers the second shielding layer 117.

In the display module 20, a first touch electrode 120 is configured to receive a first drive signal. A second touch electrode 121 is configured to receive a second drive signal. For example, the first drive signal can be an output signal (Tx), and the second drive signal can be a receive signal (Rx), or vice versa.

Since the first touch electrode 120 receiving the first driving signal and the second touch electrode 121 receiving the second driving signal are substantially coplanar in the display module 20, a bridging region TB is included in order to connect two adjacent first touch electrodes 120 separated by the second touch electrode 121 in series, as shown in the dashed box in Figures 6 and 7. Specifically, the first insulation layer 118 in the bridging region TB includes a slot S. Two adjacent first touch electrodes 120 extend through the first insulation layer 118 via the slot S and are electrically connected to each other via the second shielding layer 117.

In the display module 20, since the first touch electrode 120 passes through the slot S of the bridging region TB through the first insulation layer 118 and contacts the second shielding layer 117, the orthographic projection area of the first touch electrode 120 on the substrate 110 is not necessarily located within the orthographic projection area of its corresponding first shielding layer 116 on the substrate 110. Similarly, in some embodiments, due to the presence of the slot S, the second touch electrode 121 extending along the Y direction is partially located above the first shielding layer 116 and partially located above the second shielding layer 117. Therefore, the orthographic projection area of the second touch electrode 121 on the substrate 110 is not necessarily located within the orthographic projection area of either the first shielding layer 116 or the second shielding layer 117 on the substrate 110.

In this case, in order to avoid affecting the receive signal (Rx) which is more sensitive to interference sources, the second touch electrode 121 is configured to receive the receive signal (Rx) so that the first shielding layer 116, the second shielding layer 117 and the first touch electrode 120 together shield the signal that may interfere with the second touch electrode 121.

The configuration of light-emitting elements 140-1, 140-2, and 140-3 in display module 20 is similar to that in display module 10, and therefore will not be described in detail. In display modules 10 and 20, since light-emitting elements 140-1, 140-2, and 140-3 are located near the cross intersection of the first shielding layer 116, the touch display including display module 10 or display module 20 can have better light transmittance.

Please refer to Figure 9, which is a partial cross-sectional view of the intercapacitive touch circuit of a display module 20 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, drawn along line segment 9 in Figure 6. Similar to the display module 10, as shown in Figure 9, the circuit layer 111 of the display module 20 may include an insulating layer 122, an insulating layer 126, and data lines 124 sandwiched therein. In some embodiments, the circuit layer 111 of the display module 20 may further include a gate line and another insulating layer (not shown).

Please refer to Figure 10, which is a top view of the inter-capacitive touch circuit of a display module 20 according to some embodiments of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 10, multiple touch blocks TA_X and touch blocks TA_Y are arranged in an array. Touch blocks TA_X are connected to wiring connection area 160 via traces. Touch blocks TA_Y are connected to wiring connection area 170 via traces. In some embodiments, wiring connection area 160 and wiring connection area 170 are disposed on the same integrated circuit.

In terms of manufacturing process, in some embodiments disclosed herein, a first shielding layer 116, a second shielding layer 117 (if applicable), and a first insulating layer 118 are first formed on the circuit substrate. Next, a first touch electrode 120 and a second touch electrode 121 (if applicable) are formed on the upper surface 118a of the first insulating layer 118. Then, pads (e.g., first pad 143-2, second pad 144-2, first pad 143-3, and second pad 144-3) are formed. Therefore, in some embodiments of the display modules disclosed herein (e.g., display module 10 and display module 20), the pads are substantially located on one side of the touch electrodes, and the touch electrodes and pads are separate from each other and do not overlap. Finally, mass transfer and packaging of light-emitting elements such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are performed.

Please refer to Figures 11 through 14. Figure 11 is a partial top view of the self-capacitive touch circuit of the display module 30 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the self-capacitive touch circuit of the display module 30 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure, drawn along line segment 12 in Figure 11. Figure 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the self-capacitive touch circuit of the display module 30 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure, drawn along line segment 13 in Figure 11. Figure 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the self-capacitive touch circuit of the display module 30 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure, drawn along line segment 14 in Figure 11.

In some embodiments of display modules used in non-transparent displays, light-emitting elements are disposed above the circuit area, and touch electrodes are disposed directly above the light-transmitting area between the circuits. For example, light-emitting elements 140-1, 140-2, and 140-3 of display module 30 are disposed above the circuit area CA of circuit layer 111 of circuit substrate, as shown in Figure 11. In these embodiments, circuit layer 111 of circuit substrate includes a light-transmitting area PA. The first touch electrode 120 of display module 30 and the first shielding layer 116 are disposed in the light-transmitting area PA. In some embodiments, a portion of the first shielding layer 116 extends into the line area CA and is electrically connected to the light-emitting elements 140-1, 140-2, and 140-3.

Please refer to Figure 12. Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional configuration of light-emitting elements 140-1 and 140-2 in module 30 that is similar to the cross-sectional configuration of light-emitting elements 140-2 and 140-3 in module 10 shown in Figure 2. For example, as shown in Figure 12, display module 30 includes multiple pads such as first pad 143-1, second pad 144-1, first pad 143-2, and second pad 144-2, and light-emitting element 140-1 has a first pin 141-1 and a second pin 142-1. The cross-sectional configuration of light-emitting element 140-3 in display module 30 is analogous to this.

Please refer to Figure 13. The display module 30 can also have multiple insulation layers such as insulation layer 122, insulation layer 126, insulation layer 128, and data line 124 and gate line 130 sandwiched therein in the circuit layer 111.

Please refer to Figures 11 and 14 simultaneously. Similar to display modules 10 and 20, in order to shield the circuit noise interference of the lower or side lines (e.g., data line 124 in Figure 13 and peripheral circuit area 132 in Figure 14), the area of the first shielding layer 116 of display module 30 is greater than or equal to the area of the first touch electrode 120, and the first shielding layer 116 is located below the first touch electrode 120. In other words, the orthographic projection area of each first touch electrode 120 on the substrate 110 is located within the orthographic projection area of its corresponding first shielding layer 116 on the substrate 110. In some embodiments, the first shielding layer 116 includes a transparent conductive material such as a metal oxide or metal material like indium tin oxide.

Similar to display module 10, the self-capacitive touch circuit of display module 30 can be further divided into multiple touch blocks arranged periodically, forming a touch circuit similar to that shown in Figure 4.

Please refer to Figures 15A and 15B, which are partially enlarged top views of the inter-capacitive touch circuitry of a display module 40 according to other embodiments of this disclosure. The display module 40 differs from the display module 30 in that it further includes a second shielding layer 117 and a second touch electrode 121. The second touch electrode 121 is located between two adjacent first touch electrodes 120, as shown in Figure 15A. Similarly, to connect two adjacent first touch electrodes 120 separated by the second touch electrode 121 in series, the display module 40 includes a bridging region TB, as indicated by the dashed boxes in Figures 15A and 15B. The structure of these bridging areas TB is similar to that of the bridging areas TB of the display module 20, so it will not be described in detail.

Similar to display module 20, in order to shield circuit noise interference from the lower or side lines (similar to the peripheral circuit area 132 in Figure 14), the second touch electrode 121 of display module 40 is disposed above the first shielding layer 116 and the second shielding layer 117, as shown in the top view of Figure 15A.

As shown by the dashed box in Figure 15B, the inter-capacitive touch circuit of display module 40 can be further divided into multiple touch blocks. For example, touch blocks TA_X are arranged along direction X and touch blocks TA_Y are arranged along direction Y. Direction X is actually perpendicular to direction Y. Periodically arranged touch blocks TA_X and TA_Y can form a touch circuit similar to that shown in Figure 10.

Please refer to Figures 16 and 17. Figure 16 is a partial top view of the self-capacitive touch circuit of the display module 50 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mutual capacitive touch circuit of the display module 50 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure, drawn along line segment 17 in Figure 16.

The difference between display module 50 and display module 30 is that, in some embodiments, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, the electrode layer of display module 50 is not disposed below the first shielding layer 116. Therefore, the first shielding layer 116 of display module 50 can be provided with an opening OP, which helps to reduce the circuit noise interference of the peripheral circuit area 132 to the first touch electrode 120. In the cross-sectional view along direction X, the characteristic length of the opening OP along direction X is length D1, the characteristic length of the first shielding layer 116 along direction X is length D2, and the characteristic length of the first touch electrode 120 along direction X is length D3. In some embodiments, length D3 is less than or equal to length D2 and length D3 is greater than or equal to length D1. In other words, the orthographic projection area of the first touch electrode 120 on the substrate 110 is located within the orthographic projection area of the first shielding layer 116 on the substrate 110, and the orthographic projection area of the opening OP on the substrate 110 is located within the orthographic projection area of the first touch electrode 120 on the substrate 110.

The detailed description of the specific embodiments disclosed above clearly shows that in some embodiments of the display module, in the self-capacitive and mutual-capacitive touch circuits, the touch electrode is disposed on one side of the light-emitting element, and a shielding layer is disposed between the touch electrode and the circuit substrate to shield circuit noise from below or to the side of the touch electrode. Furthermore, the area of the shielding layer is larger than the area of the touch electrode, and the projection area of the touch electrode on the circuit substrate is located within the projection area of the shielding layer on the circuit substrate; or the feature length of the shielding layer in the cross-sectional view is larger than the feature length of the touch electrode in the cross-sectional view to maximize the shielding effect. Furthermore, using metal as the material for the touch electrodes can reduce the surface impedance of the touch electrodes, thereby mitigating the resistive-capacitive delay effect. Compared to common display modules, this can reduce noise and mitigate the resistive-capacitive delay effect, thus improving touch sensitivity.

The foregoing description is merely illustrative and descriptive of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure and is not intended to exhaustively illustrate or limit the precise form of the invention disclosed herein. The teachings above may be modified or varied.

The selected and illustrated embodiments are intended to explain the content of this disclosure and their practical applications, thereby inspiring those skilled in the art to utilize this disclosure and the various embodiments, and to make various modifications to suit a particular intended use. Alternative embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is determined by the scope of the appended invention claims, and not by the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments described therein.

2,3,7,9,12,13,14,17: Line segments 10,20,30,40,50: Display modules 110: Substrate 111: Circuit layer 112: Electrode layer 114: Second insulation layer 116: First shielding layer 117: Second shielding layer 118: First insulation layer 118a,120a,140-2a: Top surface 120: First touch electrode 121: Second touch electrode 122,126,128: Insulation layers 124: Data lines 130: Gate wires 132: Peripheral circuit area 140-1, 140-2, 140-3: Light-emitting element 141-1, 141-2, 141-3: First pin 142-1, 142-2, 142-3: Second pin 143-1, 143-2, 143-3: First spacer 144-1, 144-2, 144-3: Second spacer 150: Package layer 160, 170: Circuit connection area CA: Circuit area G: Gap L, X1, X2, D1, D2, D3: Length S: Slot TA, TA_X, TA_Y: Touch area block TB: Bridge area OP: Opening PA: Transmitting area PX: Touch pixel unit W: Spacing X, Y, Z: Direction (X, Y, Z: Direction)

The figures illustrate one or more embodiments of this disclosure and, together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure. Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals are used as much as possible to refer to similar or identical elements of the embodiments, wherein: Figure 1 is a partial top view of a self-capacitive touch circuit of a display module according to some embodiments of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a self-capacitive touch circuit of a display module according to some embodiments of this disclosure, drawn along line segment 2 in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a self-capacitive touch circuit of a display module according to some embodiments of this disclosure, drawn along line segment 3 in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a top view of a self-capacitive touch circuit of a display module according to some embodiments of this disclosure. Figure 5 is a partial top view of the mutual capacitance touch circuit of the display module according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 6 is a partial enlarged top view of the mutual capacitance touch circuit of the display module according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mutual capacitance touch circuit of the display module according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, drawn along line segment 7 in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a partial enlarged top view of the mutual capacitance touch circuit of the display module according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mutual capacitance touch circuit of the display module according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, drawn along line segment 9 in Figure 6. Figure 10 is a top view of the mutual capacitance touch circuit of the display module according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 11 is a partial top view of the self-capacitive touch circuit of a display module according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the self-capacitive touch circuit of a display module according to other embodiments of the present disclosure, drawn along line segment 12 in Figure 11. Figure 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the self-capacitive touch circuit of a display module according to other embodiments of the present disclosure, drawn along line segment 13 in Figure 11. Figure 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the self-capacitive touch circuit of a display module according to other embodiments of the present disclosure, drawn along line segment 14 in Figure 11. Figures 15A and 15B are partial enlarged top views of the mutual capacitive touch circuit of a display module according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 16 is a partial top view of a self-capacitive touch circuit of a display module according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of a mutual-capacitive touch circuit of a display module according to other embodiments of the present disclosure, drawn along line segment 17 in Figure 16.

Domestic Storage Information (Please record in order of storage institution, date, and number) None International Storage Information (Please record in order of storage country, institution, date, and number) None

10: Display Module

110:Substrate

111: Circuit Layer

112: Electrode Layer

114: Second Insulation Layer

116: First Shielding Layer

118: The First Desperate Layer

118a, 120a, 140-2a: Upper surface

120: First touch electrode

140-2, 140-3: Light-emitting element

141-2, 141-3: First footwork

142-2, 142-3: Second footwork

143-2, 143-3: First joint

144-2, 144-3: Second joint

150: Encapsulation layer

G: Gap

X, Z: Direction X, Z: Direction ...

Claims (13)

A display module includes: a circuit substrate; a plurality of first shielding layers disposed above the circuit substrate, the first shielding layers being electrically connected to each other and each comprising a conductive material; a first insulating layer covering the first shielding layers; a plurality of first touch electrodes disposed on the first insulating layer and corresponding to a plurality of the first shielding layers, each of the first touch electrodes being disposed above one of the corresponding first shielding layers; and A plurality of light-emitting elements are located on the first insulating layer and corresponding to the first shielding layers. Each light-emitting element has a first pin and a second pin, wherein the first pin passes through the first insulating layer and is electrically connected to its corresponding element in the first shielding layers. The display module as described in claim 1, wherein a first orthographic projection area of each of the first touch electrodes on the circuit board is located within a second orthographic projection area of the corresponding one of the first shielding layers on the circuit board. The display module as described in claim 2, wherein the counterpart of the first shielding layer has an opening, the opening being located within the first orthographic projection area on the circuit board. The display module as described in claim 1 further includes a plurality of pads, wherein the first pin of each of the light-emitting elements is electrically connected to the corresponding pin in the first shielding layer via one of the pads, the first touch electrodes contacting an upper surface of the first insulating layer with the pads, wherein there is a gap between the pads and the first touch electrodes. The display module as described in claim 1 further comprises: a plurality of electrode layers located above the circuit substrate and below the first shielding layers; and a second insulating layer located between the electrode layers and the first shielding layers and covering the electrode layers. The display module as described in claim 5, wherein the second pin of each of the light-emitting elements passes through the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer and is electrically connected to one of the electrode layers. The display module as described in claim 1 further comprises: a second shielding layer located between two adjacent first shielding layers; and a second touch electrode located between two adjacent first touch electrodes and above the second shielding layer, wherein the first touch electrodes are each configured to receive a first driving signal, and the second touch electrode is configured to receive a second driving signal, wherein the adjacent first touch electrodes pass through the first insulation layer and are electrically connected to each other through the second shielding layer. The display module as described in claim 7, wherein the second touch electrode and the adjacent two of the first touch electrodes are arranged along a first direction, wherein in a cross-sectional view along the first direction, the length of the second touch electrode along the first direction is less than or equal to the length of the second shielding layer along the first direction. The display module as described in claim 1 further includes an encapsulation layer located above the first insulating layer and covering the first touch electrodes and the light-emitting elements. The display module as described in claim 1, wherein each of the first touch electrodes at least partially overlaps with its counterpart in the first shielding layers in a direction perpendicular to the circuit substrate. The display module as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the light-emitting elements has an upper surface that is higher than the first touch electrodes. The display module as described in claim 1, wherein the first shielding layers are connected to a ground potential. The display module as described in claim 1, wherein the circuit substrate includes a light-transmitting area, and the first touch electrodes and the first shielding layers are located in the light-transmitting area.