Conductor Micropattern Layout to Suppress Display Mesh Glare
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metal-based conductor meshes integrated into displays can produce undesirable visual effects such as starburst, sparkle, and rainbow patterns when viewed under reflected, collimated light, such as direct sunlight, due to light interference.
Innovation Solution
The use of modified substrates combined with conductive optical interference layers and specific micropattern designs featuring a tri-layer material comprising a semi-reflective metal, transparent layer, and reflective layer, along with non-linear trace patterns and uniform trace orientations, reduces the visibility of these effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mesh containing linear traces and a repeating cell geometry is disposed on an unmodified substrate, then electrical conductance is achieved, but undesirable visual effects such as starburst, sparkle, and rainbow patterns appear under reflected, collimated light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using non-linear traces (curved, wavy, or irregular patterns) instead of linear traces, and employing asymmetric cell geometries (such as irregular polygons or varying cell sizes) to disrupt the periodicity that causes constructive interference of reflected light, thereby eliminating starburst and sparkle effects while maintaining electrical conductance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curvature by replacing straight linear traces with curved or wavy traces in the mesh pattern. This curvature disrupts the regular reflection patterns of collimated light that produce visual artifacts, while the curved traces continue to provide effective electrical conductance paths across the substrate
2Ease of manufacture
If a mesh with repeating cell geometry is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but light interference patterns such as bands of colored reflected light appear under collimated light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing local variations in the mesh structure, such as varying trace widths, changing cell sizes, or creating irregular patterns in specific regions. These local deviations from uniformity disrupt the global periodicity that causes light interference, while maintaining overall manufacturability through controlled randomization or gradient patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by systematically varying key parameters of the mesh structure, including trace width, cell size, spacing, and curvature radius. By introducing controlled variations in these parameters across the mesh, the patent eliminates the uniform periodicity that causes constructive interference of light, thereby reducing rainbow and banding effects while keeping the structure manufacturable
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the open area fraction of the conductor micropattern is increased to reduce visibility, then light transmission is improved, but electrical conductance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using non-linear, curved, or wavy traces that dynamically adapt the conductance path length and distribution. These dynamic trace patterns can achieve effective conductance with less material and lower density compared to linear grids, allowing for higher open area fractions that improve light transmission and reduce visibility while maintaining electrical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dimensionality change by transitioning from simple linear 2D grid patterns to curved or three-dimensional shaped traces. This dimensional complexity allows the conductor to cover more effective area and provide better conductance paths within the same footprint, enabling higher open area fractions that improve optical properties without sacrificing electrical conductance
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 proposed solution effectively minimizes the visibility of undesirable visual effects like starburst, sparkle, and rainbow, while maintaining high electrical conductance and light transmission, improving the aesthetic and functional performance of displays under various lighting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an optical interference member including a semi-absorbing member layer for reflecting a portion of incident ambient light, a substantially transparent layer for phase shifting another portion of ambient light and a reflective layer for reflecting the phase shifted ambient light such that the two reflected portions of light are out-of-phase and thereby destructively interfere
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an article having a conductor micropattern disposed on a major surface of a substrate. The conductor micropattern includes a plurality of curved traces defining a plurality of cells not lying on a repeating array. The conductor micropattern may have a uniform distribution of trace orientation. The conductor micropattern may be a tri-layer material including in sequence a semi-reflective metal, a transparent layer, and a reflective layer disposed on the transparent layer. The articles are useful in devices such as displays, in particular, touch screen displays useful for mobile hand held devices, tablets and computers. They also find use in antennas and for EMI shields.