Conductive Film for Touch Panel with Merged Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touch panels with separate first and second conductive films require complex stack structures, leading to increased thickness, weight, and manufacturing costs, which deteriorate price competitiveness.

Innovation Solution

A conductive film for touch panels is designed with a base film having first and second electrodes on opposite surfaces, featuring a network structure of nano-material conductors and distinct hard coating layers, along with a transparent adhesive layer for simplified bonding and reduced material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate first and second conductive films are used, then the touch panel achieves proper electrode functionality, but the structure becomes complex and thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode functionalityVSAvoidstack structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate conductive films into a single integrated conductive film that contains both first and second electrodes. This merging eliminates the need for separate films and their associated adhesive layers, thereby simplifying the stack structure while maintaining the functionality of both electrodes for touch sensing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single conductive film serves multiple functions by incorporating both first electrodes (for one direction of touch detection) and second electrodes (for the other direction) within the same film structure. This multi-functional design replaces what previously required separate specialized films, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate first and second conductive films are used, then the touch panel achieves proper electrode functionality, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the functionality of two separate conductive films into one integrated film, the patent reduces material costs (fewer films and adhesive layers needed) and manufacturing costs (simplified production process, fewer assembly steps), while still achieving proper electrode functionality for touch sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If multiple conductive films and adhesive layers are used, then the touch panel achieves proper structural integrity, but thickness and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidthickness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates multiple separate films and adhesive layers by integrating everything into a single conductive film structure, thereby reducing the overall thickness of the touch panel while maintaining structural integrity through the unified design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Strength

If multiple conductive films and adhesive layers are used, then the touch panel achieves proper structural integrity, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple separate components (first conductive film, second conductive film, and adhesive layers) into a single integrated conductive film, the patent reduces the total weight of the touch panel while preserving the structural integrity needed for proper operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3106972B1Conductive film for touch panel, and touch panel and display apparatus including the same
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3106972B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3106972B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3106972B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Discussed is a touch panel (100) including a base film (10), a first electrode (14) formed on one surface of the base film (10), the first electrode (14) being provided with a first sensor part (142) including a first conductor (14a), and a second electrode (24) formed on the other surface of the base film (10), the second electrode (24) being provided with a second sensor part (242) including a second conductor (24a) different from the first conductor (14a). The first sensor part (142) has a higher resistance than a resistance of the second sensor part (242). A first area ratio, which is a ratio of an area, in which the first sensor part (142) is formed, to an area inside an outer edge of the first sensor part (142) is greater than a second area ratio, which is a ratio of an area, in which the second sensor part (242) is formed, to an area inside an outer edge of the second sensor part (242).