Thin Glass Touch Sensor Fabrication via Photolithography
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to develop improved techniques for fabricating thin sheet glass touch panels that are less than half a millimeter thick, as thicker glass is stronger but more susceptible to damage during processing, particularly in the production of portable electronic devices where thinner designs are desired.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a thin mother glass sheet with a thickness of less than half a millimeter, coupling a patterned thin film to its surface, and employing photolithographic patterning while avoiding breakage through edge manipulation and support member placement to singulate the glass into touch sensor panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If glass thickness is reduced to make devices thinner, then device portability and design flexibility are improved, but glass strength and resistance to damage during processing deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The glass sheet is divided into smaller individual panels through singulation after patterning. This segmentation allows the thin glass to be handled in smaller, more manageable units that are less prone to breakage during processing, while maintaining the overall thinness of each individual panel.
Solution Approach 2:
Support members are positioned beneath the thin glass sheet before photolithographic patterning to provide structural support and prevent breakage. This beforehand cushioning allows the glass to be processed while maintaining its thinness without compromising strength during the vulnerable patterning process.
2Length of moving object
If glass thickness is reduced to meet consumer demand for thinner devices, then device portability is improved, but susceptibility to damage during fabrication increases
Solution Approach 1:
Support members are positioned beneath the thin glass sheet before photolithographic patterning to provide structural support and prevent breakage. This beforehand cushioning allows the glass to be processed while maintaining its thinness without compromising strength during the vulnerable patterning process.
Solution Approach 2:
Support members act as intermediaries between the processing equipment and the thin glass sheet, distributing mechanical stresses and preventing direct contact that could cause damage. These intermediaries protect the fragile thin glass during fabrication while allowing processing to proceed.
3Strength
If numerous support members are used to prevent breakage during photolithographic patterning, then glass strength is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Support members are strategically positioned at specific locations beneath the glass sheet where structural support is most needed during photolithographic patterning. This localized approach provides necessary strength while minimizing the overall complexity compared to uniform support across the entire surface.
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 enables the production of thin touch sensor panels that are optically transparent, reducing the risk of breakage and non-uniformity, thus facilitating the creation of thinner, more durable portable electronic devices with visible displays.
Implementation Method 1
photo lithographically patterning the thin film
Data Source
AI summary
Improved techniques are disclosed for fabrication of touch panels using thin sheet glass. Thin touch sensor panels each having a thickness of substantially less than approximately one-half millimeter can be produced. A thin mother glass sheet having a thickness of substantially less then approximately one half millimeter can be used. A thin film can be coupled to a surface of the thin mother glass sheet, and the thin film can be photolithographically patterned, while avoiding breakage of the thin mother glass sheet. The thin mother glass sheet can be singulated into the thin touch sensor panels.