Touch Panel Dummy Pattern for Electrode Concealment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch panels with existing electrode designs are not easily concealed, affecting the optical performance and visual display of electronic devices, as they are often closer to the user than the display device, leading to visibility issues and potential interference with the display effect.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design featuring a dummy pattern with first and second metal nanowire layers, where the dummy patterns are electrically insulated and positioned between electrode wires and axial wires, reducing visibility by merging etching areas and overlapping subpatterns to minimize optical visibility, while maintaining structural integrity and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional electrode patterns are used in touch panels, then the touch sensing function is achieved, but the electrode pattern becomes visible and affects the display visual effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dummy pattern layer as an intermediary between the electrode pattern and the display surface. This dummy pattern layer, positioned between the two transparent electrode layers, acts as a visual mask that blocks the visibility of the electrode pattern while allowing touch signals to pass through to the sensing electrodes below.
Solution Approach 2:
The dummy pattern is designed with specific optical properties including transparency and refractive index matching. By controlling the optical characteristics of the dummy pattern material, it becomes visually blendable with the surrounding areas, effectively camouflaging the electrode pattern from view while maintaining touch sensitivity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If dummy patterns are added to reduce electrode visibility, then the optical effect is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy pattern layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a visual mask to hide electrode patterns, provides structural support between electrode layers, and maintains electrical insulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dummy pattern is nested within the existing sandwich structure of the touch panel, positioned between the two transparent electrode layers. This nesting approach integrates the visibility-reducing function into the existing structural framework rather than adding it as a separate external component, thus minimizing structural complexity increase.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If dummy patterns with etching areas are used to reduce visibility, then the optical transparency is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies particular parameter ranges for the dummy pattern including etching area size (15-25 μm), spacing between etching areas, and thickness. By optimizing these parameters within specific ranges, the design achieves effective electrode pattern masking while maintaining manufacturability and reducing the stringency of precision requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel having dummy pattern is provided, including a first metal nanowire layer and a second metal nanowire layer. The first metal nanowire layer includes first electrode wires, first axial wires connected to the first electrode wires, and first dummy patterns. The second metal nanowire layer includes a plurality of second electrode wires and a plurality of second axial wires connected to the second electrode wires. The first dummy patterns are electrically insulated and deposited outside the first electrode wires and the first axial wires, and each of the first dummy patterns comprises a plurality of first etching areas extending along the first and second directions. The first dummy patterns do not expose the first etching areas along the first direction at a vertical projection area of a part where each of the second axial wires alone exists, so that the electrode pattern is difficult to observe.