Conductive Sheet with Segmented Lattice for Touch Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch panels with ITO electrodes have high resistance, leading to low current transfer rates and slow response speeds, especially in large devices, and the use of thin metal wire electrodes results in low transparency and visibility due to their opaque nature.
Innovation Solution
A conductive sheet with a pattern of thin metal wires arranged in a specific configuration, where first and second conductive parts overlap, featuring first and second lattices composed of thin metal wires, with the second lattices being larger and used in overlapping portions to improve visibility and transparency, and a substrate interposed between the conductive parts to enhance detection sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thin metal wire electrodes are used to lower surface resistance, then current transfer rate improves, but transparency and visibility deteriorate due to opaque material
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into multiple transparent conductive oxide (TCO) patterns arranged in a grid structure, with each pattern being transparent and individually conductive. This segmentation allows light to pass through the gaps between patterns while maintaining overall electrode functionality and transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite electrode structures combining multiple TCO layers and patterns, where each layer contributes to both electrical conductivity and optical transparency. The composite structure achieves lower surface resistance through multiple conductive paths while maintaining transparency through the use of transparent materials throughout.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional ITO electrode is used, then transparency is maintained, but resistance is high leading to slow response speed
Solution Approach 1:
The single ITO layer is segmented into multiple TCO patterns arranged in a grid, creating multiple parallel conductive paths. This segmentation reduces the effective resistance by providing multiple current flow paths while maintaining the transparent optical properties of individual TCO patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple TCO patterns are merged to form a composite electrode structure where the collective conductive paths provide lower resistance than a single ITO layer. The merging of multiple transparent conductive layers achieves enhanced electrical performance while preserving optical transparency.
3Reliability
If thin metal wire lattice is used to form electrode, then surface resistance is lowered, but visibility deteriorates due to opaque wire material
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameter is changed from opaque metal to transparent conductive oxide, fundamentally altering the optical properties while maintaining electrical conductivity. This parameter change enables the electrode to provide both low surface resistance and high visibility by using materials that are inherently transparent in the visible spectrum.
Data Source
AI summary
In this conductive sheet and touch panel, a first conductive pattern has a band-shaped section extending in the y-direction; a second conductive pattern has a plurality of electrode sections that are each connected in the x-direction by a connection section; the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern are both configured combining a first lattice and a second lattice (having a size larger than that of the first lattice); the facing portions of each of the band-shaped section of the first conductive pattern and the connection section of the second conductive pattern are configured from a plurality of second lattices; and when seen from the upper surface, the facing portions of the band-shaped section and the connection section have a form combining a plurality of first lattices.