CuO Darkened Conductive Pattern for Touch Screen Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch screen panels face issues with visibility due to high reflectance and diffraction of conductive metal fine patterns, particularly in large-area applications, and require expensive and complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A conductive structure body comprising a substrate with a conductive pattern and a darkened pattern of CuO, where the conductive pattern has a line width of 10 µm or less and the darkened pattern has a thickness of 20 nm to 60 nm, providing an average refractive index of 2 to 3 and an average extinction coefficient of 0.2 to 1.5 in the visible light region, which reduces reflectance and improves absorbance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conductive metal fine pattern is used in touch screen panels, then conductivity is improved, but visibility deteriorates due to high reflectance and diffraction
Solution Approach 1:
A darkened pattern layer is introduced as an intermediary between the conductive metal fine pattern and the external environment. This darkened layer absorbs light and reduces reflectance, thereby improving visibility while allowing the underlying conductive pattern to maintain its electrical function. The darkened pattern acts as a mediator that addresses the visibility issue without compromising conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a darkened pattern layer that changes the optical appearance of the conductive structure. By introducing a layer with different optical properties (darker color, higher absorbance), the visible reflectance and diffraction effects are reduced, improving visibility while the conductive pattern beneath remains functional.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the line width of conductive pattern is reduced to 10 μm or less, then visibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conductive structure into two separate functional layers: a conductive metal fine pattern layer and a darkened pattern layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - the conductive layer for electrical performance and the darkened layer for optical performance - thereby simplifying the manufacturing process compared to attempting to create ultra-fine single-layer patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining a metal conductive pattern with a darkened pattern layer. This composite approach allows the use of relatively thicker, easier-to-manufacture conductive patterns while the darkened layer compensates for visibility issues, reducing the need for ultra-fine patterning and associated manufacturing complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a darkened pattern layer is added to reduce reflectance, then visibility is improved, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The darkened pattern layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it reduces reflectance to improve visibility, it can serve as part of the conductive path, and it can be integrated with existing touch screen layer structures. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate layers, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the darkened pattern layer with the conductive pattern structure, where the darkened layer is positioned to overlap with or follow the conductive pattern geometry. This merging allows both the conductive function and the light-absorbing function to be achieved within a unified structural framework, minimizing additional complexity.
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 effectively reduces reflectance and enhances visibility by minimizing light reflection and diffraction, improving the concealment of the conductive pattern while maintaining conductivity, thus enhancing the performance of touch screen panels and related devices.
Implementation Method 1
a darkened pattern provided on at least one surface of the conductive pattern and consisting of CuO... the conductive structure body has an average refractive index from 2 to 3 and an average extinction coefficient (k) from 0.2 to 1.5 in a visible light region... improve the concealment of the conductive pattern by improving the absorbance
Implementation Method 2
the conductive structure body has an average refractive index from 2 to 3... prevent reflection due to a conductive pattern
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a conductive structure body comprising: a substrate; a conductive pattern; and a darkened pattern comprising CuOx (0 < x ≤ 1), and a method for manufacturing the same. The conductive structure body may prevent reflection due to a conductive pattern without affecting the conductivity of the conductive pattern, and may improve the concealment of the conductive pattern by improving the absorbance of the conductive structure body. Therefore, a display panel with improved visibility may be developed using the conductive structure body.