Anisotropically Conductive Micro-Wire Electrode Pattern
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transparent conductive electrodes in touch screens face limitations in achieving high conductivity and transparency, often compromising on one attribute to maintain the other, and are prone to mechanical stress and optical interference.
Innovation Solution
The development of anisotropically conductive electrodes with a micro-pattern of substantially parallel and angled micro-wires, which provide greater electrical conductivity in one direction while maintaining transparency, by forming a shorter conductive path and robust electrical interconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transparent conductive electrodes use conventional materials and patterns, then transparency is maintained, but electrical conductivity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into multiple micro-wires arranged in a micro-pattern rather than using a continuous transparent conductive layer. This segmentation allows optimization of each micro-wire's conductivity while maintaining overall transparency through the spaces between wires.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite structures combining metal micro-wires with transparent substrates, creating a hybrid electrode system that leverages the high conductivity of metals while maintaining transparency through the composite architecture.
2Reliability
If micro-wire density is increased to improve conductivity, then electrical conductivity improves, but transparency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-wire density and orientation are optimized locally to achieve anisotropic conductivity - higher wire density in directions requiring greater conductivity while maintaining lower overall density to preserve transparency. The angled micro-wires are strategically positioned to provide localized conductive paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces angular orientation of micro-wires in addition to linear arrangements, adding a dimensional aspect to the micro-pattern design. This allows conductivity enhancement through multiple pathways without proportionally increasing wire density, thereby maintaining transparency.
3Reliability
If micro-wire pattern is optimized for conductivity, then electrical performance improves, but optical interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-wire pattern uses asymmetric angular orientations rather than symmetric grid patterns. This asymmetry disrupts regular optical interference patterns (Moiré effects) while maintaining effective conductive pathways, thereby reducing optical interference without sacrificing electrical performance.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional transparent conductive materials are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but mechanical stress resistance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous transparent conductive layer is segmented into discrete micro-wires, which can be more resilient to mechanical stress. The distributed wire structure prevents crack propagation that would occur in continuous thin-film materials, improving mechanical durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-wire structure behaves more like flexible discrete elements rather than a rigid continuous film, allowing better accommodation of mechanical stress and deformation without failure.
Data Source
AI summary
A micro-wire electrode includes a substrate and an anisotropically conductive electrode extending in a length direction formed over the substrate. The electrode includes a plurality of electrically connected micro-wires formed in a micro-pattern over the substrate. The micro-pattern includes a plurality of substantially parallel and straight micro-wires extending substantially in the length direction and a plurality of angled micro-wires formed at a non-orthogonal angle to the straight micro-wires electrically connecting the straight micro-wires so that the anisotropically conductive electrode has a greater electrical conductivity in the length direction than in another conductive electrode direction.