Flexible Touch Sensor Panel Using Metal Mesh and STC Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch/proximity sensor panels made with solid transparent conductive (STC) materials lack mechanical flexibility and compromise touch/proximity sensitivity due to shielding of fringing electric fields.
Innovation Solution
The use of a single layer of STC material for noise shielding combined with metal mesh materials for touch/proximity sensing electrodes and traces, enhancing mechanical flexibility and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If solid transparent conductive (STC) materials are used for touch sensing electrodes, then noise shielding is improved, but mechanical flexibility and touch sensitivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the touch sensing electrode into two separate components: a metal mesh electrode and a solid transparent conductive (STC) electrode. The metal mesh provides mechanical flexibility and touch sensitivity, while the STC layer provides noise shielding. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two different conductive materials with distinct properties: metal mesh (providing flexibility and sensitivity) and STC material (providing shielding). This composite structure integrates the advantages of both materials to simultaneously achieve mechanical flexibility, touch sensitivity, and noise shielding.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If solid transparent conductive (STC) materials are used for touch sensing electrodes, then noise shielding is improved, but touch sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the touch sensing function from the shielding function by using distinct electrode structures. The metal mesh electrode serves as the primary touch sensing element with high sensitivity, while the STC layer serves exclusively as a shielding layer, preventing interference with the touch detection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite electrode structure combines metal mesh and STC material, where the metal mesh provides superior touch sensitivity due to its conductive properties and geometric structure, while the STC material provides electromagnetic shielding without significantly interfering with the touch sensing capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If two layers of STC material are used for touch sensing, then noise shielding is improved, but fabrication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive and complex multi-layer STC fabrication with a simpler alternative: a single STC layer combined with a metal mesh layer. This reduces material costs and simplifies the fabrication process while maintaining adequate shielding performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure of metal mesh and single-layer STC material, which achieves effective noise shielding with fewer layers and simpler fabrication compared to using two layers of STC material. The metal mesh provides structural support and additional conductivity, reducing the need for multiple STC layers.
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 results in touch/proximity sensor panels that are both flexible and sensitive, while also providing effective noise shielding, thus simplifying the fabrication process and reducing material costs.
Implementation Method 1
the first touch electrode is formed by a solid and transparent conductive material in the touch sensor panel, the solid and transparent conductive material configured to provide shielding with respect to circuitry external to the touch sensor panel
Implementation Method 2
touch/proximity sensor panels that include touch/proximity sensing electrodes and/or traces that are composed of a single layer of an STC material, which can provide for noise shielding, and also include touch/proximity sensing electrodes and/or traces that are composed of metal mesh materials, which can provide for increased mechanical flexibility and touch/proximity sensitivity
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensor panel can include a first touch electrode of a first type associated with a first touch node on the touch sensor panel, the first touch electrode electrically connected to a first trace configured to couple the first touch electrode to first touch circuitry, and a second touch electrode of a second type associated with the first touch node on the touch sensor panel, the second touch electrode electrically connected to a second trace configured to couple the second touch electrode to second touch circuitry. The first touch electrode can be formed by a solid and transparent conductive material in the touch sensor panel, the solid and transparent conductive material configured to provide shielding with respect to circuitry external to the touch sensor panel. The second touch electrode can be formed by a first metal mesh material in the touch sensor panel.