Capacitive Touch Screen Panel Mask Process Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional capacitive touch screen panels face challenges in reducing the number of mask processes, visibility issues due to color differences in insulation layers, and low surface hardness leading to scratches during subsequent processing steps.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive touch screen panel design featuring a substrate with first and second electrode serials intersecting each other, formed on the same layer with connection patterns and routing wires, and an insulation layer with strategically placed contact holes to expose these patterns, reducing the number of mask processes and enhancing surface hardness with silicon nitride insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple mask processes are used to form insulation layers and electrode patterns separately, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity is reduced due to increased manufacturing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the formation of the insulation layer and electrode patterns into a single mask process. The insulating layer and electrode patterns are formed simultaneously in one coating and firing step, eliminating the need for separate mask processes for each layer, thus reducing manufacturing time while maintaining precision through integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The single mask pattern serves multiple functions: it defines both the insulation layer boundaries and the electrode patterns simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows one mask process to accomplish what traditionally required multiple separate processes, improving productivity without sacrificing manufacturing precision
2Reliability
If a wide-area insulation layer is used to cover electrode intersections, then electrical insulation is improved, but visibility is reduced due to color differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different regions: the insulation layer is formulated with different material composition or thickness compared to the electrode patterns, allowing the insulation layer to provide adequate electrical insulation while having minimal visual impact. The key is making the insulation layer's optical properties match the surrounding areas rather than creating a uniform wide-area coverage that causes visible color differences
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses visibility by controlling the optical properties of the insulation layer materials. By selecting materials or formulations that minimize color differences between the insulation layer and adjacent areas, the screen maintains good visibility while still providing the necessary electrical insulation function
3Ease of manufacture
If a soft insulation layer material is used for ease of deposition, then ease of manufacture is improved, but surface hardness is reduced leading to scratches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material structures where the insulation layer is formed with materials that balance deposition ease and surface hardness. The insulating layer may incorporate hard ceramic materials or cross-linked polymers that provide scratch resistance while maintaining processability through standard deposition techniques. This composite approach allows the insulation layer to serve both as a protective barrier and a mechanically robust surface layer
Data Source
AI summary
A touch screen panel includes a plurality of first connection patterns formed on a substrate; an insulation layer having a plurality of contact holes that exposes portions of the plurality of first connection patterns; and a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes formed on the insulating layer, wherein at least one of the plurality of first connection patterns connects at least one adjacent pair of the plurality of first electrodes through at least two of the plurality of contact holes that expose respective portions of the at least one of the plurality of first connection patterns, and at least one hollow is formed by portions of the at least one adjacent pair of the plurality of first electrodes being formed in the at least two of the plurality of contact holes.