Touch Sensor Transparent Electrode Annealing Thickness Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch sensors face challenges in simultaneously enhancing durability and optical characteristics, as methods to increase flexibility often degrade optical performance, while increasing thickness for durability compromises flexibility and optical quality.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor manufacturing method that optimizes the thickness of the transparent electrode unit to range from 35 nm to 150 nm and performs an annealing process in a temperature range of 70° C to 170° C for 5 to 60 minutes, with protective films to enhance durability and maintain optical characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the thickness of the transparent electrode is reduced to enhance flexibility and optical characteristics, then flexibility and light transmittance are improved, but durability is degraded causing cracks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameter of the transparent electrode to a specific range (35-150 nm) and applies annealing treatment at controlled temperatures (70-170°C) for specific durations (5-60 minutes). These parameter changes transform the transparent electrode's physical properties, achieving elongation of 1.6-7.0% that simultaneously satisfies flexibility, durability, and optical characteristics requirements
2Reliability
If the thickness of the transparent electrode is increased to enhance durability, then durability is improved, but flexibility and optical characteristics are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of simply increasing thickness, the patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the transparent electrode through annealing treatment. This transforms the material's internal structure, achieving high durability with optimized thickness (35-150 nm) rather than relying on increased thickness alone
3Illumination intensity
If the thickness of the transparent electrode is reduced to enhance optical characteristics, then light transmittance is improved, but durability and flexibility are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses annealing treatment to change the physical properties of the transparent electrode, achieving high elongation (1.6-7.0%) that compensates for the reduced thickness. This allows thin electrodes (35-150 nm) to maintain both excellent light transmittance and sufficient durability through improved mechanical flexibility
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
The method achieves enhanced durability and optical characteristics by increasing the elongation of the transparent electrode unit to 1.6% to 7.0%, maintaining flexibility and minimizing optical degradation, thereby improving the structural stability and performance of the touch sensor.
Implementation Method 1
performing an annealing process on the touch sensor in the annealing chamber
Implementation Method 2
after the performing of the annealing process, an elongation of the transparent electrode unit constituting the touch sensor layer may range from about 1.6% to about 7.0%
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a touch sensor having enhanced durability and optical characteristics and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes: supplying a touch sensor to an annealing chamber, the touch sensor including a base film and a touch sensor layer formed on the base film; and performing an annealing process on the touch sensor in the annealing chamber, wherein a thickness of a transparent electrode unit constituting the touch sensor layer ranges from about 35 nm to about 150 nm. According to the present invention, by optimizing the thickness and annealing conditions of the transparent electrode unit that affect the durability and optical characteristics of the touch sensor, flexibility and durability of the touch sensor can be simultaneously enhanced while minimizing degradation of the optical characteristics of the touch sensor.