Micro-Wire Electrode Pattern for Display Conductivity and Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transparent conductive electrodes in touch screens face limitations in achieving high conductivity and transparency, often resulting in reduced power supply to pixel elements and visibility issues due to material limitations and optical interference.
Innovation Solution
The development of a display device with micro-wire electrodes formed in a specific micro-pattern, where gap micro-wires are located between pixels, extending continuously along the electrode length, enhancing conductivity while maintaining transparency by avoiding visible interaction with light emitted or reflected from display pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional transparent conductive electrodes are used, then transparency is maintained, but conductivity and power supply to pixel elements are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is segmented into multiple parallel micro-wires instead of a continuous transparent conductive layer. This segmentation allows each micro-wire to be optimized for conductivity while the collective arrangement maintains transparency. The micro-wires are positioned to extend continuously across pixel gaps, ensuring reliable electrical connection and power supply to pixel elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the electrode structure serve different functions: the micro-wires provide high conductivity pathways, while the spaces between micro-wires maintain transparency. The micro-wires are strategically positioned in specific locations (extending across pixel gaps) to optimize both electrical performance and optical properties locally.
2Reliability
If micro-wire electrodes are used to improve conductivity, then transparency may be compromised due to visibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-wires are positioned in a specific spatial arrangement where they extend continuously across pixel gaps in the vertical dimension, while maintaining sufficient spacing in the horizontal dimension to preserve transparency. This dimensional positioning allows the micro-wires to be electrically effective without being visually prominent.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-wires are strategically positioned in specific locations where they are least visible (extending across pixel gaps rather than over pixel centers) while still providing effective conductivity pathways. This localized positioning optimizes the balance between electrical performance and optical transparency.
3Reliability
If continuous micro-wires are positioned across pixel gaps, then conductivity is enhanced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-wires are designed to extend continuously across pixel gaps from the outset, rather than requiring post-manufacturing alignment. This preliminary positioning approach ensures that conductivity pathways are established during the manufacturing process itself, reducing the need for high-precision post-processing alignment while maintaining effective electrical connection across pixel boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making a display device includes providing a first substrate having an array of pixels located in correspondence thereto, the pixels separated by inter-pixel gaps in at least one dimension. A first electrode having a length and width is formed and located over the first substrate and extends across at least a portion of the array of pixels, the first electrode including a plurality of electrically connected micro-wires formed in a first micro-pattern. The method further includes locating the gap micro-wires of the first micro-pattern between the pixels in the inter-pixel gaps so that the gap micro-wires substantially extend continuously along the first electrode length.