Touch Panel Manufacturing Using Spacer Layer for Narrow Frame Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method for manufacturing touchscreens faces challenges in precisely controlling the formation of the second matrix layer, leading to a wider frame width due to the spread of gel, which covers the conductive layer serving as a terminal, necessitating it to be positioned outside the assumed maximum range of the second matrix layer.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the formation of a first imprint layer, followed by a spacer layer that overlaps the first wire, with a second imprint layer sandwiched between, and subsequent delamination to expose the first wire as a terminal, allowing for a narrower frame width by preventing coverage from the second matrix layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the second matrix layer is formed by applying gel onto the first matrix layer, then the second matrix layer can be formed, but the gel spreads and it becomes difficult to precisely control the formation range, causing the frame width to increase
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer layer is formed in advance between the first and second matrix layers to define the formation range of the second matrix layer. This preliminary structure prevents the gel from spreading beyond the desired area, enabling precise control of the second matrix layer's formation range while maintaining a narrow frame width.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer layer acts as an intermediary element between the first matrix layer and the second matrix layer. It serves as a physical barrier that controls the spread of gel during the formation of the second matrix layer, allowing precise control of formation range without increasing the frame width.
2Manufacturing precision
If the first conductive layer is positioned outside the assumed maximum range of the second matrix layer, then the terminal can be exposed, but the frame width becomes excessively wide
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer layer is formed in advance to precisely define the boundary of the second matrix layer's formation range. This allows the first conductive layer (terminal) to be positioned at the optimal location for exposure while the spacer layer prevents the second matrix layer from spreading further, thereby achieving terminal exposure without excessively increasing the frame width.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer layer changes the physical parameter of the formation range by providing a physical barrier. This allows the terminal position to be optimized for exposure while controlling the second matrix layer's spread, achieving a balance between terminal accessibility and frame width.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a touch panel includes the steps of: forming a first imprint layer; forming a first wire forming groove portion; forming a first wire; forming a spacer layer so that the spacer layer is placed over a surface of the first imprint layer in which the first wire forming groove portion has been formed and overlaps a part of the first wire; forming a second imprint layer so that the spacer layer is sandwiched between the first imprint layer and the second imprint layer; forming a second wire forming groove portion; forming a second wire; and delaminating the spacer layer from the first imprint layer and removing, together with the delaminated portion, a portion of the second imprint layer that overlaps the delaminated portion.