Irregular Metal Mesh Touch Panel for High Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch panels made of indium tin oxide (ITO) suffer from high surface resistance, which reduces signal sensitivity and detection accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design featuring a substrate with irregularly arranged fine metal lines in a mesh pattern for the sensing and wiring areas, along with a photosensitive layer pattern residue, made from materials like molybdenum, silver, or copper, to improve detection sensitivity and transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ITO is used as sensing electrode material, then transmittance is maintained, but surface resistance is high which reduces detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining transparent conductive material (ITO) with fine metal lines (Mo, Ag, Ti, Al, Cu, Au, Pt, or Ni). The sensing pattern includes both ITO layer and embedded fine metal lines, creating a composite conductive system that leverages the transparency of ITO and the low resistance of metals to simultaneously achieve high transmittance and low surface resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing electrode is segmented into multiple components: ITO matrix and discrete fine metal lines arranged in mesh patterns. This segmentation allows each material to perform its optimal function - ITO provides base transparency and conductivity, while the metal lines provide additional conductive pathways to reduce overall surface resistance without significantly blocking light.
2Reliability
If fine metal lines are arranged in mesh pattern, then resistance is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the formation of sensing patterns and wiring lines into a single photosensitive layer pattern structure. The fine metal lines are integrated during the same deposition process, and the lifting-off step simultaneously defines both sensing electrode geometry and wiring line routing, reducing the number of separate fabrication steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The photosensitive layer acts as an intermediary structure that defines both the sensing pattern and wiring line locations. By using the photosensitive layer as a sacrificial mask and structural template, the patent simplifies the process of creating complex mesh patterns and interconnections, as removal of this layer automatically creates the desired fine metal line configurations.
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 detection sensitivity and transmittance by reducing resistance between sensing patterns and wiring lines, improving the overall performance of the touch panel.
Implementation Method 1
forming a photosensitive layer pattern on a surface of the substrate, wherein the photosensitive layer pattern comprises a first pattern located in the sensor area and a second pattern located in the non-sensor area
Implementation Method 2
forming gaps in the first pattern may include drying the photosensitive layer pattern. drying the photosensitive layer pattern may include applying heat to the photosensitive layer pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel and a method of manufacturing the touch panel are provided. The touch panel includes a substrate comprising a wiring area and a sensor area, a sensing pattern located on a surface of the substrate in the sensor area, and a wiring line located on the surface of the substrate in the wiring area and electrically connected to the sensing pattern. The sensing pattern includes a plurality of first fine metal lines arranged irregularly in a mesh, and a first photosensitive layer pattern residue located between at least two of the first fine metal lines.