Transparent Touch Panel Mesh Electrode Index Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panels face challenges in improving reliability and optical characteristics, particularly in recognizing connection electrode patterns and maintaining transparency, which affects the visibility and manufacturing cost.
Innovation Solution
The touch panel features a mesh-shaped connection electrode design with an intermediate index-matching layer between the substrate and transparent electrode, allowing for improved transmittance, reflectance, and chrominance, while the transparent electrode is directly formed on the intermediate layer, reducing visibility issues and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connection electrodes are formed with larger size to improve electrical connection, then electrical conductivity is improved, but the pattern of connection electrodes becomes recognizable in the effective region
Solution Approach 1:
The connection electrodes are segmented into mesh-shaped patterns instead of continuous large electrodes. This segmentation allows the electrodes to maintain sufficient electrical conductivity through the network of interconnected elements while reducing the visibility of individual electrode elements, thereby preventing pattern recognition in the effective region.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection electrodes are designed with a mesh structure that extends in multiple dimensions rather than simple linear or planar configurations. This multi-dimensional arrangement optimizes electrical conductivity pathways while distributing the visual impact across a broader area, making the pattern less recognizable at any single location.
2Ease of manufacture
If transparent electrode is directly formed on substrate to reduce manufacturing steps, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but optical characteristics such as transmittance and reflectance are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate layer is introduced between the substrate and the transparent electrode. This intermediate layer serves as a mediator that optimizes the optical interface, improving light transmittance and reflectance characteristics. While it adds one manufacturing step, it significantly enhances optical performance and can be integrated into existing manufacturing processes.
3Reliability
If transparent electrode is formed with higher thickness to improve electrical conductivity, then electrical conductivity is improved, but transmittance is reduced and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent electrode is constructed using composite material structures, combining materials with different properties to achieve optimal balance between electrical conductivity and optical transmittance. This allows thinner electrode structures to maintain sufficient conductivity while preserving light transmission, thereby improving overall optical characteristics and reducing manufacturing costs.
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 enhances the reliability and optical characteristics of the touch panel by preventing pattern recognition of connection electrodes in the effective region, improving transmittance, and reducing manufacturing costs, thereby enhancing display visibility.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate layer having a contact hole and enabling index matching is formed on the substrate
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a touch panel. The touch panel according to one embodiment includes the touch panel including a substrate, a first transparent electrode including a first sensor part formed on the substrate in a first direction and a first electrode connection part for electric connection of the first sensor part, and a second transparent electrode electrically insulated from the first transparent electrode, and including a second sensor part formed in a second direction crossing the first direction and a second electrode connection part for electric connection of the second sensor part. The second electrode connection part has a mesh shape. The touch panel according to another embodiment includes a substrate, a transparent electrode base spaced apart from the substrate, and a transparent electrode on the transparent electrode base. The transparent electrode comprises a first electrode including a first sensor part formed in one direction and a first electrode connection part for electrical connection of the first sensor part; and a second electrode, which is electrically insulated from the first electrode, and includes a second sensor part formed in a second direction crossing the first direction and a second electrode connection part for electrical connection of the second sensor part. The second electrode connection part has a mesh shape.