Invisible Metal Mesh via Segmented Plating and Concave Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal meshes used in electronic components, such as touch panels, face issues with invisibility due to high reflectance and poor adhesive properties between the base material and plating film.
Innovation Solution
A sheet material comprising a resin layer with polypyrrole particles and electroless plating films, where the first electroless plating films surround the polypyrrole particles' exposure surfaces and the second electroless plating film forms concave portions over the first films, enhancing adhesive properties and reducing reflectance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a blackening metal layer is provided on the metal mesh to improve invisibility, then the reflectance is reduced to some extent, but the adhesive property between the base material and plating film remains poor
Solution Approach 1:
The plating film is divided into multiple layers (first plating film and second plating film) with different functions. The first plating film provides adhesion to the base material, while the second plating film provides the blackening effect. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the plating film have different properties. The first plating film has high adhesive quality for bonding to the base material, while the second plating film has optical absorption quality for reducing reflectance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between adhesion and invisibility.
2Illumination intensity
If a conventional transparent conductive film such as ITO is used, then the metal mesh is invisible, but the cost is higher and resistance is higher compared to metal mesh
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a blackening metal layer that changes the optical properties of the metal mesh by absorbing light. This allows the metal mesh to achieve invisibility through color/optical property modification rather than using expensive transparent conductive materials like ITO.
3Illumination intensity
If a stacked film with noble metal and plating metal is formed as described in PTL 3, then the reflectance is reduced (black appearance), but the adhesive property between the glass plate and stacked film is difficult to enhance
Solution Approach 1:
The plating film is segmented into multiple functional layers. The first plating film layer is specifically designed to provide strong adhesion to the base material, while subsequent layers provide the optical absorption function. This layered segmentation resolves the adhesion problem while maintaining the black appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite plating film structure combining different metal materials with complementary properties. The first plating film uses materials with high adhesive properties, while the second plating film uses materials that provide superior optical absorption. This composite approach achieves both good adhesion and low reflectance.
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 suppresses reflectance while improving the adhesive property between the base material and the plating film, resulting in a more invisible and durable metal mesh suitable for electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
an electroless plating film provided on the side of one main surface of the resin layer and including first electroless plating films and a second electroless plating film
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet material includes a resin layer containing a binder and polypyrrole particles, an electroless plating film provided on the side of one main surface of the resin layer and including first electroless plating films and a second electroless plating film, and a transparent base material provided on the side of the other main surface of the resin layer.