Touch Sensor Electrode Structure for Optical and Electrical Trade-offs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch sensors for display devices face challenges in achieving both high optical and electrical properties, particularly in terms of thinness, flexibility, and sensitivity, which are essential for integration with thin, flexible display devices without degrading image quality.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor design featuring a base film with distinct regions for first and second sensing electrode patterns, where the first region has a single-layered transparent metal oxide for high transmittance and the second region has a multi-layered structure of transparent metal oxide and metal for high sensitivity, along with bridge patterns and passivation layers to enhance signal transfer and optical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single-layered transparent metal oxide structure is used for the sensing electrode pattern, then light transmittance is improved, but sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the electrode structure between two regions: the first region uses a single-layered transparent metal oxide for high transmittance, while the second region uses a multi-layered structure (transparent metal oxide + metal) for high sensitivity. This regional differentiation allows each area to optimize for its specific functional requirement without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing electrode pattern is segmented into two distinct regions with different structural configurations. The first region contains only transparent metal oxide patterns, while the second region contains multi-layered patterns with metal. This segmentation enables independent optimization of optical and electrical properties in different areas of the touch sensor.
2Reliability
If a multi-layered structure including metal pattern is used for the sensing electrode pattern, then sensitivity is improved, but light transmittance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The metal pattern is selectively applied only in the second region where high sensitivity is prioritized, while the first region maintains a simple transparent metal oxide structure for optimal light transmittance. This localized application of metal layers resolves the contradiction by matching material composition to functional requirements in different regions.
3Length of moving object
If the touch panel thickness is reduced to achieve thinner dimension, then flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film structures for the sensing electrode patterns, using transparent metal oxide and metal layers deposited in controlled thin configurations. This approach enables the touch panel to achieve reduced thickness and improved flexibility while maintaining manufacturing precision through established thin film deposition techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensor includes a base film including a first region and a second region. First sensing electrode patterns are formed on the first region of the base film. The first sensing electrode pattern may consist of a transparent metal oxide. Second sensing electrode patterns are formed on the second region of the base film. The second sensing electrode pattern may include a multi-layered structure that includes a transparent metal oxide pattern and a metal pattern.