Curved Interlayer Insulating Film for Touch Panel Light Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive touch panels experience reduced visibility due to light reflection at the intersecting portions of electrodes when used in outdoor or high-irradiation environments, causing discomfort in image viewing.
Innovation Solution
The touch panel design features first and second electrodes intersecting on a transparent substrate, with continuous and discontinuous formations respectively, and a connecting electrode under the interlayer insulating film, where the contour line of the interlayer film is curved, forming an elliptical shape to minimize linear reflection regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transparent conductive films are formed to extend electrodes in intersecting directions for capacitive touch detection, then touch panel functionality is achieved, but light reflection occurs at intersecting portions reducing image visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the transparent electrode in a curved shape at the intersecting portion rather than a straight line. Specifically, the electrode follows a curved path that avoids creating a flat reflective surface, thereby reducing light reflection while maintaining electrical connectivity and touch detection functionality at the intersection of X and Y electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry by making the transparent electrode discontinuous at the intersecting portion rather than continuous. The electrode is formed to extend in one direction while being interrupted at the intersection, creating an asymmetric structure that prevents the formation of a uniform reflective surface while preserving the capacitive touch detection function.
2Reliability
If connecting electrodes are added to electrically connect discontinuous electrode parts, then electrode continuity is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the transparent electrode and the connecting electrode into a single integrated structure. The transparent conductive film is formed to both detect touch input and provide electrical connection simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate connecting electrodes and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining electrical continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent electrode is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the capacitive touch detection element and the electrical connection pathway. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated connecting electrodes, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable electrical connectivity at electrode intersections.
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 configuration effectively suppresses light reflection at electrode intersections, maintaining image visibility even under strong outdoor lighting conditions by reducing the size of reflection areas and optimizing the angle of the display screen.
Implementation Method 1
an input position is detected in a manner which detects a change in capacitance between the electrodes when a finger or the like touches the capacitive touch panel
Implementation Method 2
part of the intersecting portions of the electrodes will reflect light and shine because of the structure of the intersecting portion of the electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Providing a touch panel that suppresses reflection of light and prevents a reduction in the visibility of an image even when strong outside light is incident thereon in an outdoor environment. The touch panel has a plurality of first electrodes juxtaposed in parallel to each other in a first direction and a plurality of second electrodes juxtaposed in parallel to each other in a second direction. The first electrodes are continuously formed, the second electrodes are discontinuously formed, and a connecting electrode that electrically connects each parts of each of the second electrodes at a discontinuous portion is arranged under each of the first electrodes through an interlayer insulating film. A contour line provided to the interlayer insulating film arranged on the connecting electrode is formed to be curved under each of the first electrodes or the second electrodes.