Touch Display Device with High Refractive Index Adhesive

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Solution Overview

Problem

The visibility of the electrode pattern in touch display devices degrades the appearance due to differences in refractive indexes between patterned and non-patterned regions, leading to a technical challenge in aesthetics and manufacturing complexity.

Innovation Solution

A touch display device design incorporating a patterned electrode layer between a polarizer and a display module, with a high refractive index transparent adhesive layer to equalize reflectivity and reduce visibility, along with a refractive-index matching layer to further minimize visibility differences, allowing for integration of the electrode layer without an additional glass substrate and simplifying manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a patterned electrode layer is formed by etching a whole conductive layer, then the touch sensing function is achieved, but the electrode pattern becomes visible and the appearance is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensing functionVSAvoidappearance quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the refractive index parameter of the adhesive layer to match that of the electrode pattern, making the pattern invisible. By selecting an adhesive layer with refractive index between 1.65 and 1.72, the optical contrast between patterned and non-patterned regions is eliminated, resolving the appearance issue while maintaining touch sensing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an adhesive layer as an intermediary between the electrode layer and the display module. This adhesive layer serves dual functions: providing mechanical adhesion and optically masking the electrode pattern through refractive index matching, thus resolving the contradiction between functional visibility and appearance quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If additional glass substrate and optical films are used to carry the patterned electrode layer, then the electrode pattern visibility is reduced, but the device becomes heavier and thicker

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode pattern visibilityVSAvoiddevice weight and thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the adhesive function and optical masking function into a single adhesive layer. This eliminates the need for separate glass substrates and optical films that were traditionally used to mask electrode patterns, thereby reducing device weight and thickness while maintaining appearance quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical adhesion between layers and optical masking of the electrode pattern. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated masking components, reducing overall device complexity, weight, and thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple optical films and substrates are used to mask the electrode pattern, then the appearance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappearance qualityVSAvoidnumber of layers and manufacturing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (adhesion and optical masking) into a single adhesive layer, eliminating the need for multiple separate optical films and substrates. This integration significantly reduces the number of layers and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining appearance quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive layer is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical bonding and optical masking. This universality reduces device complexity by eliminating dedicated masking layers and simplifying the overall stack structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively reduces the visibility of the electrode pattern, enhancing the appearance of the touch display device, making it lighter, thinner, and easier to manufacture by eliminating the need for additional optical films and substrates.

Implementation Method 1

The refractive index of the first transparent adhesive layer is greater than or equal to 1.65 and less than or equal to 1.72, wherein reflectivity of the patterned portion is substantially the same as reflectivity of the non-patterned portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS9665225B2Touch display device

Publication Date: 2017.05.30 TPK TOUCH SOLUTIONS (XIAMEN) INC

AI summary

A touch display device comprises a display module, a polarizer, a first patterned electrode layer and a first transparent adhesive layer. The first patterned electrode layer is disposed between the polarizer and the display module and includes a patterned portion and a non-patterned portion. The first transparent adhesive layer is disposed on the first patterned electrode layer. The refractive index of the first transparent adhesive layer is greater than or equal to 1.65 and less than or equal to 1.72, wherein reflectivity of the patterned portion is substantially the same as reflectivity of the non-patterned portion.