Touch Substrate Diffusive Reflector Reduces Specular Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional capacitive touch devices experience display quality issues due to specular reflection from metal touch electrodes, which affects the detection of touch points on display panels.
Innovation Solution
A touch substrate is designed with a diffusive reflector, made of materials like Molybdenum or its alloys, disposed on the touch electrode, reducing specular reflectance by diffusely reflecting light. The touch electrode consists of intersecting parallel first and second electrodes, with the diffusive reflector positioned on the bridge portions, and a manufacturing method involving photoresist patterning and etching processes to create the reflective layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal touch electrode is used to detect touch points, then the touch detection function is achieved, but specular reflection occurs which affects display quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different reflective properties on the touch electrode surface. Specifically, it forms a diffusive reflector layer (with high diffuse reflection) and reflective pattern regions (with controlled specular reflection) in different locations. This allows the touch electrode to maintain its metal material properties for reliable touch detection while locally modifying the surface to reduce harmful specular reflection and improve display quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining the metal touch electrode layer with a diffusive reflector layer (such as aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, or titanium oxide). This composite structure enables the system to simultaneously achieve the electrical conductivity and touch detection capability of metal while incorporating the light-diffusing properties of the oxide layer to minimize specular reflection and enhance display performance.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a diffusive reflector is added to reduce specular reflection, then display quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the optical properties of the touch electrode system through the introduction of a diffusive reflector layer. By changing the material composition (adding oxide layers), thickness parameters, and surface morphology of the reflective structure, the system achieves reduced specular reflection and improved display quality without fundamentally redesigning the entire touch device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diffusive reflector layer as an intermediary between the metal touch electrode and the display panel. This intermediate layer acts as a mediator that modifies the interaction between light and the metal electrode, converting harmful specular reflection into beneficial diffuse reflection while maintaining the electrical functionality of the touch electrode. This approach simplifies the overall solution compared to completely redesigning the touch detection mechanism.
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 solution effectively reduces specular reflectance to less than 40%, enhancing display quality by diffusely reflecting light and improving touch detection accuracy without compromising the reflective properties of the electrodes.
Implementation Method 1
A touch substrate is designed with a diffusive reflector, made of materials like Molybdenum or its alloys, disposed on the touch electrode, reducing specular reflectance by diffusely reflecting light.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a touch substrate, a display device having the same, and a manufacturing method thereof. The touch substrate comprises a touch electrode and a diffusive reflector disposed on the touch electrode.