Crystallized ITO Touch Electrodes for LCD Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The durability of touch electrodes in liquid crystal display panels is compromised due to manufacturing processes, particularly during the rework of polarizing plates, leading to potential damage and reduced product yield.
Innovation Solution
The use of high temperature processes to crystallize indium tin oxide for touch electrodes and connecting lines, combined with inorganic insulation patterns to protect these components, enhances their strength and resistance while minimizing damage from repeated polarizing plate attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If touch electrodes are made thinner to reduce weight and improve flexibility, then device performance is improved, but strength and durability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by altering the crystalline structure of the ITO material through high-temperature annealing processes. This changes the physical and mechanical properties of the touch electrode material, enabling thinner films to achieve both lightweight characteristics and sufficient strength. The crystalline structure modification allows the thin ITO layer to maintain high strength despite reduced thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining ITO with other materials having complementary properties. The touch electrode structure integrates ITO layers with additional materials that provide mechanical support and durability, creating a composite structure that achieves both lightweight and high-strength characteristics simultaneously.
2Device complexity
If touch electrodes are made thinner to improve display quality, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but reliability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes through high-temperature annealing processes to modify the crystalline structure of ITO. This structural modification enhances the reliability and durability of thin touch electrodes, allowing them to withstand repeated handling and polarizing plate attachment without damage, thus achieving both simplified manufacturing and high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing high-temperature annealing treatment on the ITO layer before subsequent manufacturing steps. This preliminary structural preparation strengthens the touch electrode material in advance, enabling it to withstand later processing steps such as polarizing plate attachment without degradation.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard manufacturing processes are used for touch electrodes, then ease of manufacture is improved, but durability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by introducing high-temperature annealing processes to the manufacturing sequence. This modifies the crystalline structure of the ITO layer, significantly improving durability and resistance to damage from polarizing plate attachment, while still maintaining compatibility with standard manufacturing workflows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing high-temperature annealing treatment on the ITO layer before subsequent manufacturing steps. This preliminary structural preparation strengthens the touch electrode material in advance, enabling it to withstand later processing steps such as polarizing plate attachment without degradation.
4Loss of substance
If touch electrodes are made thinner to reduce material cost, then loss of substance is reduced, but strength is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by altering the crystalline structure of ITO through high-temperature annealing. This structural modification enables the use of thinner ITO layers that consume less material while maintaining sufficient strength, thus reducing material loss and cost without sacrificing structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining ITO with other materials having complementary properties. The touch electrode structure integrates ITO layers with additional materials that provide mechanical support and durability, creating a composite structure that reduces overall material consumption while maintaining high strength.
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 approach results in touch electrodes and connecting lines with lower surface resistance and higher strength, reducing damage and improving product yield by maintaining their integrity despite thin thicknesses.
Implementation Method 1
The use of high temperature processes to crystallize indium tin oxide for touch electrodes and connecting lines
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
An active-matrix liquid crystal display panel integrated with a touch panel comprises a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the substrates. The first substrate comprises thin film transistors (TFT) and a colour filter (CF) arranged on a first base substrate (110). The second substrate includes a second base substrate (120) having a first main surface facing the first substrate. Touch electrodes (210, 220), bridge electrodes (205), connecting lines (230) and connecting electrodes (240) are disposed on the second main surface of the second base substrate (120), opposite to the first main face. The material of the touch electrodes (210, 220) comprises crystallized ITO formed in an high-temperature annealing process above 150°C. The crystallized ITO electrodes exhibit improved durability and conductivity. A process for manufacturing the device having an improved yield is also disclosed.