Touch Panel Light Shielding Layer Color and Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of touch panels is hindered by defects in the light shielding layer, leading to increased line resistance, open-circuiting, and difficulties in forming fine wiring electrodes, which affect touch sensitivity and operation speed, and limit color options to black with the Black Matrix method, while the printing method struggles with surface uniformity and boss defects.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a light shielding layer formed on a non-visible area of the touch panel window, with etching masks and conductive layers, and a photoresistive mask process to create wiring electrodes, allowing for various colors and improved design quality, reducing the number of manufacturing steps and enhancing yield rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the printing method is used to manufacture the light shielding part, then various colors can be realized, but the surface is rough and many boss defects exist making uniform wiring difficult to form
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light shielding layer formation into two separate steps: first forming the light shielding layer through printing to achieve various colors, then forming a separate flatting layer on top to provide a flat surface. This segmentation allows each layer to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of the light shielding layer (for color) and the flatting layer (for surface flatness). This composite approach combines materials with different functions, allowing the light shielding layer to provide color variety while the flatting layer provides the uniform surface needed for precise wiring formation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the Black Matrix method is used to manufacture the light shielding part, then a very flat and uniform surface is provided with no open circuit errors, but the color is limited to black
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the color-providing function (light shielding layer) from the flatness-providing function (flatting layer). This allows the light shielding layer to use printing methods for color variety while the flatting layer ensures surface flatness for precise wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The flatting layer acts as an intermediary between the printed light shielding layer and the wiring electrode. It mediates the surface irregularities of the printed layer, providing a flat working surface for precise wiring formation while allowing the underlying layer to maintain color variety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wiring electrodes are formed directly on a printed light shielding layer, then various colors can be achieved, but line resistance increases and open circuits occur due to surface defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flatting layer as an intermediate layer between the printed light shielding layer and the wiring electrodes. This segmentation prevents direct contact between wiring and surface defects, ensuring wiring continuity while maintaining color variety in the light shielding layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The flatting layer serves as a mediator that protects wiring electrodes from surface defects in the printed light shielding layer. It provides a uniform surface for wiring formation, preventing open circuits and reducing line resistance while allowing the underlying layer to provide color variety.
4Manufacturing precision
If fine wiring electrodes are formed on a printed light shielding layer, then design quality improves, but the process becomes difficult due to surface roughness and boss defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the color function (light shielding layer) from the flatness function (flatting layer), creating a smooth surface that enables fine wiring formation. This segmentation makes the manufacturing process easier by providing a uniform substrate for precise wiring patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The flatting layer acts as an intermediary that provides a smooth, defect-free surface for forming fine wiring electrodes. It eliminates the surface roughness and boss defects that would otherwise make fine wiring formation difficult, while allowing the underlying light shielding layer to maintain color variety.
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 enables the production of touch panels with improved surface uniformity, reduced defects, and the ability to achieve various colors, enhancing design quality and competitiveness in market pricing while stabilizing yield rates.
Implementation Method 1
forming photoresistive masks on the conductive layer to have patterns corresponding to gap patterns of wiring electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel is provided. The touch panel includes a window, a sensor layer formed on a visible area of the window and comprising sensor patterns for detecting an input, a light shielding layer formed on a non-visible area of the window located around the sensor layer, wiring electrodes formed on the light shielding layer and connected to the sensor patterns such that the sensor layer is connected to an external connector, and etching masks formed on the wiring electrodes, respectively.