Touch Sensor Conductive Pattern Color Difference Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch sensors integrated with image display devices often suffer from degraded image quality due to the external visibility of sensing electrodes, particularly the conductive patterns which can be visually recognized by users.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor design featuring a transparent substrate with a conductive pattern comprising a stacked structure of a metal layer and a blackened layer, where the color difference between the active and inactive regions is minimized to reduce visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conductive pattern is formed on the active region of the touch sensor, then the touch sensing function is enabled, but the conductive pattern becomes visually recognizable and degrades image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by forming a blackened layer on the metal layer of the conductive pattern. This blackened layer modifies the optical properties of the conductive pattern, making it appear black or dark-colored instead of metallic, thereby reducing visual recognition and improving image quality while maintaining the touch sensing function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by creating a stacked structure consisting of a metal layer and a blackened layer. The metal layer provides electrical conductivity for touch sensing, while the blackened layer provides optical masking. This composite structure combines the functional properties of different materials to simultaneously achieve touch sensitivity and visual imperceptibility
2Manufacturing precision
If the conductive pattern is made more visible for manufacturing verification, then the manufacturing process can be monitored, but the image quality of the display device is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the blackened layer during the manufacturing process itself, rather than as a post-processing step. This allows the conductive pattern to be verified for manufacturing precision while simultaneously achieving the desired visual imperceptibility in the final product
Solution Approach 2:
The blackened layer is formed with specific optical properties that make the conductive pattern visually imperceptible in the final display device, while still allowing for adequate verification during manufacturing through appropriate inspection methods
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensor according to an embodiment includes a transparent substrate layer having an active region and an inactive region, and a conductive pattern formed on the active region and including a stacked structure of a metal layer and a blackened layer. A color difference defined by Equation 1 is 10 or less.