Mesh Touch Window Electrode with Dummy Segments for Flexible Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indium tin oxide (ITO) used in touch panels is expensive and prone to damage when substrates are curved or bent, leading to deteriorated electrode properties and high resistance issues, especially in flexible and large-size devices, necessitating a novel touch window structure.
Innovation Solution
A touch window design featuring a substrate with a sensing electrode and a dummy electrode, where the sensing electrode is formed in a mesh pattern using metallic materials like copper, and the dummy electrode is strategically placed between sensing electrodes to prevent short circuits and enhance visibility, using materials like chromium, nickel, and copper, and substrates such as sapphire for improved touch response and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Indium tin oxide (ITO) is used as the transparent electrode material, then the touch panel achieves good transparency and conductivity, but the material becomes expensive and physically damaged when the substrate is curved or bent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from ITO to metallic materials (silver, copper, aluminum) and adjusts the structural parameter from solid continuous electrode to mesh pattern, enabling the electrode to withstand curvature and bending while maintaining electrical conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite structure combining metallic materials with mesh pattern design, creating an electrode that integrates the flexibility of mesh structure with the conductivity of metallic materials, solving the contradiction between durability and flexibility
2Area of stationary object
If ITO is applied to large-size touch panels, then the panel covers larger area, but high resistance problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous ITO electrode into mesh pattern with multiple conductive lines arranged in grid, increasing the total conductive path length and reducing resistance while maintaining large panel area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions by using metallic materials with lower resistance than ITO, and optimizes the mesh density locally to ensure adequate conductivity across the entire large panel surface
3Adaptability or versatility
If mesh pattern is used as substitute for ITO, then the electrode becomes flexible and resistant to damage, but visibility and conduction are affected due to short between channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the mesh pattern by controlling the width, spacing, and density of conductive lines in different regions, ensuring adequate electrical conduction while minimizing short circuits between adjacent channels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts mesh parameters such as line width, gap distance, and mesh density to achieve the optimal balance between flexibility and conduction efficiency, preventing short circuits while maintaining electrical performance
4Adaptability or versatility
If mesh pattern is used as substitute for ITO, then the electrode becomes flexible, but visibility is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the mesh pattern by controlling the width, spacing, and density of conductive lines to minimize light blocking while maintaining electrical conductivity, thereby preserving visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts mesh parameters such as line width, gap distance, and mesh density to achieve the optimal balance between flexibility and visibility, ensuring minimal obstruction of light transmission
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 a flexible and reliable touch window with improved visibility and reduced resistance, capable of withstanding curvature and large-size applications while maintaining efficient touch detection and durability.
Implementation Method 1
The capacitive touch panel detects the position of the touch by detecting capacitance variation between the electrodes when the finger is touched on the touch panel.
Implementation Method 2
The mesh-pattern may cause the problems related to the visibility or the conduction due to the short between the channels.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch window includes a substrate, a sensing electrode on the substrate, and a dummy electrode in the sensing electrode. The dummy electrode includes first to third dummy electrodes spaced apart from each other.