Touch Panel Relay Electrode Width for Insulating Film Swelling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive touch panels face electrode disconnections due to swelling of the insulating film during the manufacturing process, particularly when exposed to alkaline solutions and water, which affects the reliability of the relay electrodes and wiring lines.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel configuration featuring island-shaped electrodes and a relay electrode with a width less than the insulating film in overlapping areas, ensuring the edges of the insulating film are covered by the electrodes, reducing exposure to alkaline solutions and preventing swelling and disconnections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the insulating film is formed to cover the connecting member, then the insulating film provides electrical isolation, but the insulating film is exposed to alkaline solutions and water during manufacturing processes, causing swelling and electrode disconnections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay electrode as an intermediary element that bridges the disconnected electrode patterns. The relay electrode is formed on the insulating film at the intersection area, allowing electrical connection to be maintained even when the insulating film swells and causes disconnections in the original electrode patterns. This mediator absorbs the harm of swelling while maintaining functional connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by forming the relay electrode before the insulating film swelling occurs during subsequent manufacturing processes. The relay electrode is created in advance on the insulating film, establishing a robust connection path that can withstand the eventual swelling and prevent electrode disconnections.
2Reliability
If the relay electrode is formed on the insulating film, then the relay electrode connects disconnected electrode patterns, but the manufacturing process exposes the insulating film to alkaline solutions and water, causing swelling and disconnections
Solution Approach 1:
The relay electrode serves as a mediator that compensates for the dimensional instability of the insulating film. By forming the relay electrode on the insulating film surface, the connection reliability is maintained even when the insulating film undergoes swelling during manufacturing, as the relay electrode accommodates the dimensional changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by forming the relay electrode in advance, creating a buffer against the eventual swelling of the insulating film. The relay electrode structure is designed to accommodate dimensional changes, cushioning the impact of swelling on connection reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the insulating film is exposed to alkaline solutions during washing and developing processes, then the manufacturing process can be completed, but the insulating film swells, causing disconnections in the relay electrode
Solution Approach 1:
The relay electrode acts as an intermediary that maintains electrical connectivity despite the insulating film's exposure to alkaline solutions. The relay electrode structure is designed to withstand or compensate for the swelling caused by alkaline exposure, ensuring connection integrity is maintained throughout the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by forming the relay electrode before the insulating film is exposed to alkaline solutions. This preliminary structure provides resistance against the harmful effects of alkaline exposure, preventing disconnections that would otherwise occur due to swelling during washing and developing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a touch panel configured to minimize electrode disconnection caused by swelling of the insulating layer during the production process. The touch panel is equipped with: an insulating substrate; first island-shaped electrodes (111) disposed along a first direction; second island-shaped electrodes (121) disposed along a second direction intersecting the first direction; a connecting member (112) for connecting together the first island-shaped electrodes (111); an insulating film (15) formed covering a portion of the connecting member (112); and a relay electrode (122) for connecting together the second island-shaped electrodes (121) over the insulating film (15). The relay electrode (122), in a section thereof that overlaps the connecting member (112) in a plan view, is narrower in width, in a direction perpendicular to the second direction, than the width of the insulating film (15). A pair of edges (15a) and (15b) of the insulating film (15) is covered by the first island-shaped electrode (111), the second island-shaped electrode (121), or the relay electrode (122).