Hybrid Single-Side Touch Screen Electrode Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transparent conductive metal oxides used in touch screens and displays face limitations in conductivity, transparency, and manufacturability, with high costs and susceptibility to mechanical stress, and existing micro-wire electrodes have restricted power supply and visibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A single-side touch-screen device is developed with a substrate featuring embossed micro-channels containing cured electrically conductive micro-wires, patterned dielectric insulators, and conformally coated transparent conductors, forming arrays of electrically connected horizontal and vertical electrodes that are isolated, enhancing conductivity and transparency while improving manufacturability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If transparent conductive metal oxides (such as ITO) are used to form electrodes, then transparency is improved, but electrical conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines transparent conductive metal oxide layers with metal wire patterns to create a composite electrode structure. The transparent conductor provides transparency while the metal wires provide high conductivity, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode is segmented into a hybrid structure consisting of transparent conductive regions and metal wire regions. This segmentation allows different parts of the electrode to perform different functions - transparency from the oxide and conductivity from the metal wires.
2Reliability
If thicker layers of metal oxides or metals are used to increase conductivity, then electrical conductivity is improved, but transparency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the thickness of a single material layer, the patent uses a composite structure where thin transparent conductive oxide layers are combined with metal wire patterns. This achieves high conductivity without compromising transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive function is segmented from the transparent function, allowing the transparent oxide layer to remain thin for transparency while metal wires provide the necessary conductivity separately.
3Illumination intensity
If fine patterns of conductive elements (micro-wires) are used, then transparency is improved, but electrical conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite electrode where transparent conductive oxide provides the transparent matrix and metal micro-wires embedded within or alongside provide enhanced conductivity, combining the advantages of both materials.
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 provides improved conductivity, transparency, and manufacturability for touch screens and display devices, enabling more efficient power supply and reduced visibility of micro-wires, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of patterned transparent conductors conformally coated in an array over at least a part of the patterned dielectric insulator, at least a part of the insulated micro-wire portions, and at least a part of the exposed micro-wire portions
Data Source
AI summary
A single-side touch-screen device includes a substrate having a cured layer with a patterned arrangement of micro-channels embossed therein and a cured electrically conductive micro-wire formed in each micro-channel. A patterned dielectric insulator is located over one or more middle portions of at least some of the micro-wires forming insulated micro-wire portions and exposed micro-wire portions. A plurality of patterned transparent conductors are conformally coated in an array over at least a part of the patterned dielectric insulator, at least a part of the insulated micro-wire portions, and at least a part of the exposed micro-wire portions, the at least a part of the exposed micro-wire portions electrically connected to at least a portion of the patterned transparent conductors. The transparent conductors and the micro-wires form an array of electrically connected horizontal electrodes and an array of electrically connected vertical electrodes electrically isolated from the horizontal electrodes.