Touch Screen Panel With Insulating Electrode Caps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch screen panel manufacturing methods face challenges in preventing damage to sensing electrodes during the etching process, which can lead to increased surface resistance and loss of conductive characteristics, particularly when using silver nanowire materials.
Innovation Solution
The method involves forming first and second sensing electrodes on a substrate with insulating patterns that cap and protect the electrodes, preventing exposure and interference during the etching of additional patterns, allowing for stable and efficient manufacturing while maintaining electrical characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensing electrodes are formed using silver nanowire materials, then electrical conductivity is improved, but the electrodes become vulnerable to damage during etching process
Solution Approach 1:
A protective insulating pattern is introduced as an intermediary layer between the etching process and the silver nanowire sensing electrodes. This insulating pattern caps the electrodes during etching, preventing direct exposure to harmful etchants while allowing the electrodes to maintain their high conductivity properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating pattern is formed in advance before the etching process to pre-protect the sensing electrodes. By capping the electrodes with the insulating material before etching occurs, the vulnerable silver nanowire structure is shielded from potential damage, ensuring its electrical integrity is maintained throughout subsequent manufacturing steps.
2Reliability
If insulating patterns are added to protect sensing electrodes, then electrode integrity is improved, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating pattern formation is merged with existing manufacturing steps by using the same conductive layer and patterning processes already employed for creating the sensing electrodes and connection patterns. This integration approach adds minimal complexity while providing essential protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating pattern serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a protective cap during etching, provides electrical insulation between overlapping electrode layers, and maintains structural integrity of the overall device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate protective layers or processes.
3Reliability
If first sensing electrodes are capped with insulating pattern, then protection from damage is improved, but exposure for connection becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating pattern is selectively applied only to specific regions where protection is needed, while leaving other areas exposed for necessary electrical connections. This segmented approach allows the electrodes to be protected during etching in critical areas while remaining accessible for forming connection patterns in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating pattern provides localized protection where the sensing electrodes are most vulnerable during etching, while maintaining ease of operation in connection regions by not applying insulation where it would interfere with subsequent connection formation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of forming a touch screen panel including first sensing electrodes in an active region of a substrate and arranged along a first direction and second sensing electrodes arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction, the method including forming the first sensing electrodes and first connection patterns, the first connection patterns connecting the first sensing electrodes along the first direction; forming an insulating pattern capping the first sensing electrodes and the first connection patterns so that the first sensing electrodes and the first connection patterns are not exposed; and forming the second sensing electrodes between the first sensing electrodes, and second connection patterns on the insulating pattern, the second connection patterns connecting the second sensing electrodes along the second direction.