Black Bridge Electrode for Touch Panel Thickness Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional capacitive touch panels are thick due to two separate sensing layers and have complex manufacturing processes, with bridge electrodes being visibly exposed, which complicates the integration with LCDs and limits the design of transparent electrodes.

Innovation Solution

The electrode pattern is formed on a single film with a bridge electrode made of black conductive material, such as metal oxides or nano materials, which connects the electrode cells and is adjusted for color, luminosity, and reflection rate to match the LCD, ensuring electric conductivity without visible exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two capacitive sensing layers are used to detect touch position, then sensing capability is improved, but touch panel thickness increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separate capacitive sensing layers into a single integrated layer. The single layer contains both first and second electrode patterns that function together to detect touch position, eliminating the need for separate sensing layers while maintaining dual-axis detection capability. This reduces manufacturing steps and simplifies the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single electrode pattern layer performs multiple functions: it detects touches in both first and second axial directions, provides sensing capability equivalent to two separate layers, and integrates bridge electrode connections within the same layer. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate sensing layers and reduces device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If two capacitive sensing layers are used to detect touch position, then sensing capability is improved, but touch panel thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing capabilityVSAvoidtouch panel thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If bridge electrode is made of metal to ensure electric conductivity, then conductivity is improved, but visibility of bridge electrode increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric conductivityVSAvoidbridge electrode visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the bridge electrode. The lower layer uses metal for high conductivity, while the upper layer uses transparent conductive material with matched optical properties to the LCD. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between conductivity and visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge electrode is constructed as a composite structure with a lower metal layer for conductivity and an upper transparent conductive material layer for optical matching. This composite design allows the electrode to simultaneously achieve high electrical conductivity and visual invisibility by combining materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution reduces the thickness of the touch panel, simplifies manufacturing, and allows for seamless integration with LCDs by ensuring electric conductivity while hiding the bridge electrode, thus improving the design and functionality of capacitive touch panels.

Implementation Method 1

forming a bridge electrode which is formed on the dielectric layer by using conductive material of black color and connects the electrode pattern cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

conductive material of black color... adjusted for color, luminosity, and reflection rate to match the LCD, ensuring electric conductivity without visible exposure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS9703424B2Electrode pattern of touch panel and forming method for the same

Publication Date: 2017.07.11 LG INNOTEK CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrode pattern of a touch panel and a forming method of the electrode pattern of a touch panel. The electrode pattern of a touch panel according to the present invention includes a plurality of electrode pattern cells which are arranged on a substrate in a space, a dielectric layer formed on the electrode pattern cell, and a bridge electrode which is formed on the dielectric layer by using conductive material of black color and connects the electrode pattern cells.