ITO Electrode Plate with Sloped Metal Mesh for Flexible Displays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) transparent electrodes lack flexibility and have high electrical resistance, making them unsuitable for large-area applications and flexible products, which limits their use in devices like electrochromic mirrors and display devices, and increases production complexity and costs due to the need for numerous terminals.
Innovation Solution
An electrode plate design featuring a transparent ITO layer with a metal mesh pattern, an insulating layer, and a base substrate, where the cross region of the metal mesh pattern has a slope or bent portion instead of a corner, enhancing flexibility and reducing electrical resistance, and including an electrode terminal connected to the metal mesh pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional ITO transparent electrode is used, then transparency and basic electrical conductivity are achieved, but flexibility is poor and bending characteristics are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous metal mesh pattern into discrete segments connected by slope portions and bent portions. This segmentation allows the structure to flex and bend without creating stress concentration points, thereby improving flexibility while maintaining electrical conductivity across the segmented sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces curved slope portions and bent portions instead of sharp corners in the metal mesh pattern. These curved transitions distribute mechanical stress more evenly during bending, preventing crack formation and improving the bending characteristics of the ITO transparent electrode.
2Loss of energy
If conventional ITO transparent electrode is used, then basic electrical conductivity is achieved, but electrical resistance is relatively high for large area applications
Solution Approach 1:
The metal mesh pattern is segmented into interconnected conductive elements that provide multiple parallel current pathways. This segmentation reduces electrical resistance by distributing current flow across multiple paths, enabling large area applications with lower overall resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the local geometry of the metal mesh pattern, particularly at intersection regions with slope portions, to enhance local conductivity. The curved transitions reduce contact resistance at junction points while maintaining the overall mesh structure for large area coverage.
3Speed
If conventional ITO transparent electrode is used, then basic electrode function is achieved, but reaction speed for electrochromic control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented metal mesh pattern creates multiple current distribution points across the electrode surface, enabling faster and more uniform voltage distribution to the electrochromic material. This segmentation accelerates the electrochromic reaction speed by reducing the time required for charge propagation across large areas.
4Area of stationary object
If conventional ITO transparent electrode is used, then basic electrode function is achieved, but number of terminals increases for large area devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple electrode functions into a single continuous metal mesh pattern that spans the entire large area. This unified mesh structure provides both electrical conductivity and mechanical support across the full installation area, eliminating the need for multiple separate electrodes and their associated terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal mesh pattern serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical conductivity, mechanical support, and structural integrity across the entire large area. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional terminal connections that would be required if separate electrode components were used.
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 improves the flexibility and durability of the ITO transparent electrode, reduces the number of terminals required, and simplifies the manufacturing process, enabling the use of ITO in large-area flexible applications while maintaining conductivity and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a cross region of the first pattern component and the second pattern component comprises a slope portion or a bent portion instead of a corner region of the cross region
Implementation Method 2
a transparent electrode layer comprising Indium Tin Oxide particles
Implementation Method 3
an insulating layer provided in a space defined by an upper surface of the transparent electrode layer and the metal mesh pattern and between pattern components of the metal mesh pattern
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4(a)~4(b)
AI summary
Provided are an electrode plate using an ITO, and an electrochromic plate, an electrochromic mirror and a display device using the electrode plate, the electrode plate including a transparent electrode layer (11), a metal mesh pattern (12, 120) on the transparent electrode layer (11), an insulating layer (13) provided in a space defined by an upper surface of the transparent electrode layer (11) and the metal mesh pattern (12, 120) and between metal components of the metal mesh pattern (12, 120), and a base substrate (14) on the metal mesh pattern (12, 120) and the insulating layer (13).