Touch Panel Concave Electrode Design for Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process of touch panels is complex and costly due to the requirement for intricate electrode patterning using ITO, which results in high resistance and increased production expenses.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design featuring a substrate with concave parts where a transparent electrode is formed, using materials like carbon nano-tubes or conductive polymers instead of ITO, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs by omitting additional layers and vacuum deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If ITO is used as electrode material and vacuum deposition is employed for electrode patterning, then the electrode can be formed with good transparency, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and costly with high resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from ITO to carbon nanotubes, and changes the deposition method parameter from vacuum deposition to solution processing. This allows the electrode to be formed by simple coating or printing processes without complex vacuum deposition equipment, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining electrode functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive ITO materials with cheaper carbon nanotube-based electrode materials. Although carbon nanotubes have shorter operational lifespan compared to ITO, they provide sufficient performance for touch panel applications at significantly lower cost, eliminating the need for expensive vacuum deposition processes
2Reliability
If additional films or substrates are added to form the transparent electrode in 2-layer touch panels, then the electrode structure can be completed, but the stack structure becomes complex, transmittance decreases, and thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate films and additional substrates from the touch panel stack structure. By forming the transparent electrode directly on the substrate using carbon nanotube solution processing, it removes redundant layers that block light, thereby improving transmittance while maintaining electrode functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from forming electrodes in the planar dimension (requiring multiple stacked layers) to using vertically oriented carbon nanotube structures that provide conductivity through their three-dimensional network. This dimensional change allows electrode formation without additional horizontal layers, improving light transmittance
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 simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, enhances transmittance, and allows for thinner, more sensitive touch panels capable of multi-touch functionality while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the electrode is formed in the concave part, using materials like carbon nano-tubes or conductive polymers instead of ITO
Data Source
Figure 1~7
Figure 8~10
AI summary
A touch panel includes a substrate including at least one concave part, and a transparent electrode formed in the concave part to detect a position.