ITO Electrode Pattern for Touch Sensor Antenna Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode patterns for touch sensors made of silver or copper interfere with antenna performance in portable devices, causing noise and limiting antenna design due to their need for separate printing processes.
Innovation Solution
The use of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) sputtering to form electrode patterns, which are then cut with a laser to create a main electrode pattern and separate outer and inner patterns, replacing the need for metal printing and minimizing interference with antenna radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If silver or copper is used to form electrode patterns for touch sensors, then the electrode pattern can be formed through printing process, but the antenna performance is degraded due to noise interference from the metal pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metallic (silver or copper) to transparent conductive oxide (ITO). This material substitution eliminates the noise interference problem while maintaining the electrode pattern formation capability through sputtering process, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and noise interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dummy pattern that is a simplified version of the main electrode pattern. This dummy pattern is positioned away from the antenna region to provide electromagnetic shielding without causing noise interference, thus protecting the antenna performance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If silver or copper printing process is used to form electrode pattern, then the electrode pattern can be created, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrode pattern formation and the dummy pattern formation into a single sputtering process. By depositing ITO material in one step and using laser cutting to define both patterns simultaneously, the process complexity is reduced compared to separate metal printing steps for electrode patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical printing process with a sputtering deposition process followed by laser cutting. This substitution eliminates the need for screen printing or other mechanical metal deposition methods, simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving the same functional result.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ITO pattern is used instead of metal pattern, then antenna performance is improved by reducing noise, but additional laser cutting process is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ITO pattern into distinct functional regions: the main electrode pattern for touch sensing and the dummy pattern for electromagnetic shielding. The laser cutting process creates precise separations between these segments, allowing each to perform its specific function while minimizing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ITO material serves multiple functions: it provides the conductive electrode pattern for touch sensing and simultaneously creates the dummy pattern for electromagnetic shielding. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and processes, offsetting the added laser cutting step.
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 approach maintains touch sensitivity while enhancing antenna performance by eliminating noise sources and allowing for more flexible antenna design without additional processing steps, and omits the metal printing process for economic manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
forming an ITO pattern through ITO sputtering
Implementation Method 2
cutting the electrode pattern with a laser to divide the ITO pattern
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device having an electrode pattern for a touch sensor is provided. The electronic device include a touch sensor; and a touch key that is formed at a position corresponding to the electrode pattern for the touch sensor and corresponds to a touch region. The electrode pattern is an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) pattern.