Touch Electrode Laser Etching for Short Circuit Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex and time-consuming photolithographic process used in manufacturing touch panels requires long production times and is costly, making it inefficient for producing touch panels with uniaxial or biaxial sensing lines.
Innovation Solution
A touch electrode structure is created using a simplified laser etching process, where conducting layers are etched with a laser beam of 200-300 nm wavelength to form sensing lines and output pins, with additional laser etching lines around the pins to ensure electrical insulation and prevent short circuits, reducing production time and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If photolithographic process is used to manufacture touch panels, then manufacturing precision can be achieved, but production time is excessively long and process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex photolithographic mechanical-chemical process with a laser-based direct writing system. The laser beam directly ablates the conductive film to form sensing lines and output pins, eliminating the need for photoresist coating, exposure, developing, and etching steps. This substitution dramatically reduces production time while maintaining manufacturing precision through computer-controlled laser positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary intermediate steps from the traditional photolithographic process. By using laser direct writing, the patent eliminates photoresist materials, exposure systems, and chemical developing/etching steps, keeping only the essential function of removing material to create the sensing line pattern. This extraction of unnecessary steps directly addresses the time loss problem.
2Manufacturing precision
If photolithographic process is used, then sensing lines can be formed, but process complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the multi-step photolithographic manufacturing system with a simplified laser direct writing system. The complex sequence of photoresist application, exposure, developing, and etching is replaced by a single laser ablation process controlled by computer software. This substitution maintains the ability to form precise sensing lines while dramatically reducing process complexity and associated equipment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser writing system serves multiple functions that were previously required by separate processes: it patterns the sensing lines, forms output pins, creates isolation structures, and defines geometric features all in one system. This multi-functionality reduces the overall manufacturing process complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision across all these different structural elements.
3Productivity
If laser etching is used to form sensing lines, then production time is reduced, but electrical insulation between output pins must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by forming separate laser etching lines around each output pin. These isolation lines physically segment the conductive regions around adjacent pins, preventing electrical leakage between them. The segmentation is achieved through precise laser writing that creates narrow etched channels filled with insulation material or air gaps, ensuring electrical isolation while maintaining the overall compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating localized etching lines specifically around output pin regions where electrical insulation is critical. The laser process selectively modifies only the necessary areas with different properties (etched regions for insulation) while leaving the sensing line patterns intact. This localized treatment ensures reliability at critical interfaces without affecting the overall production efficiency.
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 laser etching process significantly reduces production time, improves efficiency, and lowers costs by simplifying the manufacturing process, preventing short circuits, and minimizing material wastage, while maintaining the integrity of the substrate surface.
Implementation Method 1
laser etching a first conducting layer to form a plurality of first-axis sensing lines
Implementation Method 2
etched with a laser beam of 200-300 nm wavelength to form sensing lines and output pins
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a touch panel, a touch electrode structure, and a manufacturing method thereof. The touch electrode structure comprises a plurality of first-axis sensing lines and at least one first laser etching line. The plurality of first-axis sensing lines are formed by laser etching a first conducting layer, wherein each first-axis sensing line at least has a first output pin. The first laser etching line is formed around the corresponding first output pin by laser etching the first conducting layer. Thus, the present disclosure can reduce overall production time by using a simplified manufacturing process in a laser etching process to form an improved touch electrode structure.