Array Substrate Touch Line Connection Structure for Resistance Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing capacitive touch panels face issues with increased contact resistance due to titanium oxide formation when transitioning from high to low temperature environments, leading to defects in display and touch control, as titanium oxide is difficult to remove and insoluble in water.

Innovation Solution

The array substrate design includes a connection structure with a first and second connection electrode, where the touch line is connected to the touch connection terminal and the common electrode layer is connected to the touch connection terminal through these electrodes, reducing contact resistance by indirect connection and using a tri-layer metal structure for the touch line and source/drain electrodes, and molybdenum for the touch connection terminal to minimize oxidation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If titanium is used for the touch line and source/drain electrodes, then conductivity is improved, but titanium oxide formation increases contact resistance when transitioning from high to low temperature environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact resistance stabilityVSAvoidtitanium oxide formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a tri-layer metal structure (titanium/aluminum/titanium) for the touch line and source/drain electrodes. The aluminum layer prevents titanium oxide formation by forming an alloy with titanium, while the outer titanium layers provide good conductivity and oxidation resistance. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between conductivity and oxidation resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The aluminum layer acts as an intermediary between the titanium layers, preventing direct oxidation of titanium while maintaining electrical conductivity. The aluminum titanium alloy layer formed during processing serves as a mediator that eliminates the harmful titanium oxide formation while preserving the conductive properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the touch connection terminal is arranged in the same layer as the touch line, then the number of patterning processes is reduced, but contact resistance increases due to direct connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of patterning processesVSAvoidcontact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent arranges the touch connection terminal in a different layer (gate electrode layer) from the touch line (source/drain electrode layer), using the vertical dimension to separate the components. This layer separation reduces contact resistance while the connection electrodes bridge the layers, maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If molybdenum is used for the touch connection terminal and gate electrode, then oxidation resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxidation resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies molybdenum selectively to specific components (touch connection terminal and gate electrode) that require high oxidation resistance, while using the tri-layer titanium/aluminum/titanium structure only where conductivity is critical (touch line and source/drain electrodes). This localized material assignment optimizes both performance and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design significantly reduces contact resistance between the common electrode layer and the touch line, preventing defects in display and touch control while maintaining a stable and cost-effective production process without increasing the number of patterning processes.

Implementation Method 1

The touch line is connected with the touch connection terminal through the first connection electrode, and the common electrode layer is connected with the touch connection terminal through the second connection electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

using a tri-layer metal structure for the touch line and source/drain electrodes, and molybdenum for the touch connection terminal to minimize oxidation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation resistance: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS10133409B2Array substrate method for fabricating the same, touch panel

Publication Date: 2018.11.20 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

An array substrate, a fabricating method thereof and a touch panel are disclosed. The array substrate comprises a TFT, a common electrode layer, a touch line, a touch connection terminal and a connection electrode. The touch connection terminal and the touch line are arranged in different layers. The connection electrode comprises a first connection electrode arranged in a same layer as the touch line and a second connection electrode arranged in a same layer as the common electrode layer. The touch line is connected with the touch connection terminal through the first connection electrode, and the common electrode layer is connected with the touch connection terminal through the second connection electrode. The common electrode layer is connected indirectly with the touch line through the touch connection terminal. This reduces resistance between the common electrode layer and the touch line, and avoids defects in display and touch control.