Conductive Film Oxidized Metal Layer Surface Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductive films with large widths exhibit variations in surface resistance due to natural oxidation, leading to decreased film characteristics when stored for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A conductive film configuration featuring an elongated film base with an indium-based oxide layer, a metal layer, and an oxidized metal layer formed by sputter deposition, where the oxidized metal layer has a thickness of 1 nm to 15 nm, ensuring consistent surface resistance across the width direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the conductive film is stored for a long time in a rolled state, then the copper layer is oxidized naturally forming an oxidized copper layer, but the surface resistance value varies in the width direction due to difference in degree of oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming a protective oxide layer on the copper layer through controlled oxidation before storage. This pre-formed oxide layer prevents further natural oxidation during storage, thereby maintaining uniform surface resistance values even after long-term storage in rolled state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful natural oxidation process into a beneficial controlled oxidation process. By intentionally oxidizing the copper layer to form a protective oxide coating, the patent transforms the oxidation that causes non-uniform surface resistance into a protective mechanism that prevents further degradation and maintains electrical characteristics.
2Area of stationary object
If the film width is increased to manufacture touch sensors with narrow bezel, then the coverage area is improved, but the variation in surface resistance value increases due to natural oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming a protective oxide layer on the copper layer through controlled oxidation before storage. This pre-formed oxide layer prevents further natural oxidation during storage, thereby maintaining uniform surface resistance values even after long-term storage in rolled state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful natural oxidation process into a beneficial controlled oxidation process. By intentionally oxidizing the copper layer to form a protective oxide coating, the patent transforms the oxidation that causes non-uniform surface resistance into a protective mechanism that prevents further degradation and maintains electrical characteristics.
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 configuration reduces surface resistance variation and improves film characteristics by preventing natural oxidation, maintaining consistent performance even after long-term storage.
Implementation Method 1
the third conductive layer being an oxidized metal layer having a thickness of 1 nm to 15 nm formed by sputter deposition
Data Source
AI summary
A conductive film includes an elongated film base, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer and a third conductive layer in this order. The elongated film base has a longitudinal direction and a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The width direction dimension of the elongated film base is greater than or equal to 1 m. The first conductive layer is an indium-based oxide layer. The second conductive layer is a metal layer. The third conductive layer is an oxidized metal layer having a thickness of 1 nm to 15 nm formed by sputter deposition.