Touch Screen Panel Electrode Segmentation for Polishing Damage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch screen panels using soluble insulators are prone to electrode damage from polishing belts during cleaning, leading to scratches and disconnection of touch electrode layers.
Innovation Solution
A touch screen panel design featuring a substrate with divided first and second touch electrode layers, where a soluble insulator layer is formed to expose specific portions of the electrodes, reducing the contact area with polishing belts and using an inkjet method to simplify the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a soluble insulator is employed instead of an inorganic protective layer, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the touch electrode layers are damaged due to scratches from polishing belts
Solution Approach 1:
The first touch electrode layer is segmented into distinct functional regions (pad part, routing part, channel bridge part) with different heights. The channel bridge part is positioned at a lower height than the pad and routing parts, creating a stepped structure that prevents the polishing belt from contacting and damaging the electrode layers during the cleaning process, while still allowing the soluble insulator to simplify manufacturing
2Ease of manufacture
If the touch electrode layers are fully covered by soluble insulator, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the electrode layers cannot be properly connected and function
Solution Approach 1:
The soluble insulator layer is applied with varying local properties: it completely covers the pad part and routing part to simplify manufacturing and provide insulation, while leaving the channel bridge part exposed to enable electrode connection. This localized differentiation of insulator coverage resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and electrode functionality
3Productivity
If the polishing belt contacts the electrode layers for cleaning, then the cleaning process is effective, but the electrode layers are scratched and disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated cleaning structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the polishing belt and the electrode layers. This cleaning structure receives the cleaning action from the polishing belt while protecting the electrode layers from direct contact and damage. The structure allows effective cleaning to occur without transferring the harmful mechanical stress to the sensitive electrode layers
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
Prevents electrode disconnection during cleaning by minimizing the contact area with polishing belts and reduces manufacturing costs through simplified processes and fewer masks, while maintaining effective touch functionality.
Implementation Method 1
forming a soluble insulator layer including soluble insulators which expose a portion of the channel bridge part by ejecting ink on the channel bridge part using an inkjet method
Data Source
AI summary
A touch screen panel includes a substrate, a first touch electrode layer including first touch electrodes formed to be divided on regions defined as a pad part, a routing part, and a channel bridge part on the substrate, a soluble insulator layer including soluble insulators formed so as to expose portions of the first touch electrodes, and a second touch electrode layer formed on the soluble insulator layer.