Black Electrode Substrate Lamination for Touch Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display devices with integrated touch panels face challenges such as increased thickness and weight, difficulty in achieving high-definition touch sensing, and visibility issues due to light reflection from metal films, especially when using high-definition color filter substrates with organic film bases that are prone to thermal expansion and alignment problems.

Innovation Solution

A black electrode substrate with a laminated structure comprising a transparent substrate, indium-containing layers, copper-containing layers, and carbon-based black layers, which provides high adhesion and low resistance for touch sensing electrodes, improving visibility and alignment of high-definition pixel patterns without the need for a separate touch panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate touch panel is added to the display device, then touch sensing functionality is achieved, but the entire thickness and weight of the display device increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch sensing functionalityVSAvoidweight of display device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the touch sensing electrode with the black electrode in the liquid crystal cell, creating an integrated in-cell touch display structure. The black electrode serves dual functions as both the common electrode for liquid crystal control and the touch sensing electrode, eliminating the need for a separate touch panel layer and reducing overall device thickness and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If high definition pixels with small pitch are used, then display resolution is improved, but alignment between patterns becomes difficult due to thermal expansion of organic film

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from organic film to glass substrate, which has superior dimensional stability and resistance to thermal expansion. This allows for precise alignment of high-definition pixel patterns (400 ppi or 500 ppi) without the alignment issues that plague organic film-based displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a light-shielding metal film is used in the black electrode, then electrical conductivity is improved, but visibility decreases due to light reflection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidvisibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite material structure for the black electrode, combining a metal film (such as aluminum or copper) with a black resin material. The metal layer provides the necessary electrical conductivity for touch sensing, while the black resin coating suppresses light reflection and improves visibility, creating a multi-functional electrode that addresses both electrical and optical requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Weight of stationary object

If organic film is used as base material for touch panel, then weight is reduced, but adhesion to metal wiring becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidadhesion strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (adhesion promoter or barrier layer) between the metal wiring and the resin material. This intermediary layer improves adhesion strength and prevents peeling of the metal wiring, while still maintaining the lightweight advantage of using resin-based materials in the display structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution enables a thin, lightweight display device with improved touch sensing capabilities and visibility by using a black electrode substrate with a laminated structure that enhances adhesion and electrical connectivity, allowing for precise alignment of high-definition pixel patterns and reduced light reflection.

Implementation Method 1

a copper-containing layer disposed on the first indium-containing layer, and containing copper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a first indium-containing layer disposed on the first black layer, and containing indium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

a first black layer disposed in the display region and the outer region of the second surface, and containing carbon as a major color material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

a black wiring having a laminated structure composed of the first black layer, the first indium-containing layer, the copper-containing layer, the second indium-containing layer and the second black layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLamination: Lamination

Data Source

PatentEP3168719B1Black electrode substrate, production method for black electrode substrate, and display device
Publication Date: 2019.03.20 TOPPAN HOLDINGS INC
  • EP3168719B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP3168719B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3168719B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A black electrode substrate (100) of the present invention includes a transparent substrate provided with a first surface (15a) serving as a touch-sensing input surface, a second surface (15b) disposed on an opposite side of the first surface (15a), a display region (15c) defined on the second surface (15b), and having a rectangular shape in plan view, and an outer region (15d) defined on the second surface (15b) and located at an outer side of the display region (15c); a first black layer (1) disposed in the display region (15c) and the outer region (15d) of the second surface (15b), and containing carbon as a major color material; a first indium-containing layer (2) disposed on the first black layer (1), and containing indium; a copper-containing layer (3) disposed on the first indium-containing layer (2), and containing copper; a second indium-containing layer (4) disposed on the copper-containing layer (3), and containing indium; a second black layer (5) disposed on the second indium-containing layer (4), and containing carbon as a major color material; a black electrode pattern (60) defined by a black wiring (6), forming a plurality of pixel opening portions (8) in the display region (15c) and having a terminal portion, the black wiring (6) having a laminated structure composed of the first black layer (1), the first indium-containing layer (2), the copper-containing layer (3), the second indium-containing layer (4) and the second black layer (5), the terminal portion being formed such that the second indium-containing layer (4) in the laminated structure of the black wiring (6) disposed in the outer region (15d) is exposed therefrom; and a transparent resin layer (9) formed on the display region (15c) to overlap the black electrode pattern (60), and having a rectangular shape of which the size is the same as that of the display region (15c) in plan view.