Hybrid Electrode Touch Screen Panel for High Transmittance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch screen technologies face challenges in achieving high transmittance, multi-touch functionality, and resistance to contamination, particularly in large-area displays and outdoor applications.

Innovation Solution

A touch screen panel design featuring a single electrode layer with a hybrid electrode structure, comprising a lower oxide layer, an intermediate metal layer, and an upper oxide layer, arranged in specific patterns to maximize parasitic capacitance and include bonding pads divided into multiple rows for efficient signal transmission and large-area coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single electrode layer with hybrid electrode structure is used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but achieving high transmittance and multi-touch functionality becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode layer structureVSAvoidtouch screen functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a hybrid electrode structure combining ITO (indium tin oxide) and Ag (silver) in a single electrode layer. This composite material approach allows the electrode to simultaneously achieve high transmittance (from ITO) and low resistance for multi-touch support (from Ag), resolving the contradiction between simplified structure and functional reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode layer is designed with spatially varying properties: the ITO/Ag ratio and layer thickness are optimized differently in various regions to simultaneously satisfy transmittance requirements (in display areas) and conductivity requirements (in touch sensing areas), enabling both high transmittance and multi-touch functionality within a single layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If bonding pads are divided into multiple rows, then large-area coverage is achieved, but signal transmission efficiency may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch screen areaVSAvoidsignal transmission accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bonding pads are segmented into multiple rows distributed across the touch screen substrate. This segmentation allows large-area coverage while maintaining signal integrity through optimized pad placement and sizing in each row, with each segment independently contributing to overall signal transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of concentrating bonding pads in a single location, the patent distributes them across multiple rows in the vertical dimension. This dimensional distribution reduces the burden on individual pads, maintains signal transmission accuracy, and enables large-area coverage by accommodating more connection points without compromising precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Illumination intensity

If ultrasonic wave sensors are used, then high transmittance and accuracy are achieved, but contamination resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidliquid contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the ultrasonic mechanical wave-based sensing system with an electrical field-based capacitive sensing system. This substitution eliminates the mechanical ultrasonic components that are susceptible to liquid contamination, while maintaining high visibility through the transparent electrode structure and achieving accurate touch detection through electrical capacitance changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 design enhances transmittance, supports multi-touch functionality, and reduces contamination risks while maintaining high accuracy and visibility, making it suitable for various applications including large-area displays and outdoor use.

Implementation Method 1

a touch screen panel having a touch cell structure capable of maximizing a parasitic capacitance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectParasitic capacitance: Parasitic Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

The resistance type touch screen is inexpensive and has a high transmittance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS11003270B2Touch screen panel

Publication Date: 2021.05.11 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST

AI summary

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, a touch screen panel includes a substrate, touch cells disposed on the substrate and including a driving electrode pattern and a sensing electrode pattern, driving lines and sensing lines connected to the touch cells, and bonding pads connected to the driving lines and the sensing lines. Here, the driving electrode pattern and the sensing electrode pattern are provided by stacking a lower oxide layer, an intermediate metal layer, and an upper oxide layer.