Conductive Substrate with Optimized Metal Mesh for Touch Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panels with high electric conductivity metal patterns obstruct the view, and increasing the size or aperture ratio of transparent conductive films is costly and inefficient, especially as screen sizes grow.
Innovation Solution
An electric conducting substrate with a transparent substrate and a pattern of electric conducting lines where the line width and characteristic lengths of cells are optimized to minimize visibility obstruction, using specific formulas to determine the line width and characteristic lengths that balance conductivity and visibility, such as W = 1 / (AR^0.5 - Lc av) and 0.03Y3 ≥ W, where W is the line width, AR is the aperture ratio, and Lc av is the average characteristic length of cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal pattern with high electric conductivity is used to increase screen size, then electric conductivity is improved, but view obstruction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the continuous metal pattern into a mesh structure with multiple segments. The metal layer is patterned into intersecting horizontal and vertical lines forming a grid, where each segment is electrically connected through the mesh nodes. This segmentation reduces the visual impact of individual metal lines while maintaining overall conductivity through the interconnected structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying the line width and spacing of the metal mesh pattern across different regions of the display. The mesh density and line dimensions are locally optimized based on the specific conductivity requirements and viewing characteristics of different screen areas, allowing tailored performance without uniform compromise across the entire display.
2Area of stationary object
If transparent conductive film size is increased to maintain conductivity, then coverage area is improved, but cost increases rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from transparent conductive films to metal patterns with fundamentally different electrical parameters. Metal materials offer significantly lower resistivity compared to transparent conductive films, enabling the use of thinner and less extensive conductive structures. This parameter change allows large screen areas to be covered with reduced material quantity while maintaining or improving conductivity performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining metal patterns with transparent substrates and encapsulation layers. The metal mesh structure is integrated with the display stack, creating a composite system where the metal provides conductivity while the transparent surrounding materials maintain optical performance. This composite approach replaces expensive transparent conductive films with a more cost-effective metal-based solution.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If line width of electric conducting line is decreased to improve visibility, then view obstruction is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from conventional planar patterning to a mesh structure that utilizes both horizontal and vertical dimensions. The intersecting lines create a two-dimensional grid pattern where the electrical pathway exists across multiple dimensions. This dimensional approach allows relatively wider individual lines to be used while the overall mesh structure maintains fine effective pitch through the intersecting geometry.
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 provides an electric conducting substrate with excellent conductivity that does not obstruct the view, effectively improving the viewing characteristics of touch panels and OLED illuminations by controlling the relationship between line width, pitch, and pixel pitch, ensuring optimal visibility and performance.
Implementation Method 1
an electric conducting pattern comprising an electric conducting line provided on the transparent substrate... excellent electric conductivity
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are an electric conducting substrate, comprising a transparent substrate and an electric conducting pattern comprising an electric conducting line provided on the transparent substrate, and an electronic device comprising the same.