Transparent Circuit Substrate for Touch Screen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional capacitive overlay type touch screens have a large thickness and low light transmission due to multiple films, which degrades visibility and makes it difficult to reduce the overall thickness of the product.

Innovation Solution

A transparent circuit substrate is manufactured by directly forming an electrode layer on a glass substrate, using a method that includes forming a first conductive layer, an electrode layer, a light shielding layer, a mask, a second conductive layer, connecting lines, and connecting terminals, which allows for high light transmission and reduced thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple films are used in conventional capacitive overlay type touch screens, then the electrode layers can be formed and connected, but the thickness increases and light transmission decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode layer formation and connectionVSAvoidtouch screen thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electrode layer formation process with the glass substrate itself by directly forming conductive patterns on the glass substrate surface. This eliminates the need for separate film layers that were traditionally used to carry electrode patterns, thereby reducing overall thickness while maintaining electrode functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The glass substrate serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, optical transparency, and directly hosts the electrode patterns. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate film layers that would otherwise be required to carry the electrode patterns, resolving the contradiction between reliability and thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple films are used in conventional capacitive overlay type touch screens, then the electrode layers can be formed and connected, but the light transmission decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode layer formation and connectionVSAvoidlight transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the electrode layer function with the glass substrate by directly forming conductive patterns on the glass surface. This eliminates intermediate film layers that would otherwise block light, thereby maintaining high light transmission while ensuring reliable electrode formation and connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The glass substrate performs multiple roles including structural support, optical transmission, and electrode pattern hosting. By making the glass substrate multi-functional, the patent eliminates unnecessary film layers that would reduce light transmission, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and illumination intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Length of stationary object

If a single-glass layer is used, then the thickness is reduced and light transmission is improved, but the electrode layer formation becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch screen thicknessVSAvoidelectrode layer formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical process of bonding separate electrode films to glass substrates with a direct deposition process where conductive materials are deposited directly onto the glass substrate surface. This substitution simplifies the manufacturing process while achieving the same functional result, thereby resolving the contradiction between reduced thickness and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enhances visibility and reduces the thickness of the touch screen by preventing degradation of the electrode layer quality and light transmission, while maintaining high visibility and slimness of the product.

Implementation Method 1

forming a first conductive layer on a transparent substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical Vapour Deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 2

forming an electrode layer on the transparent substrate with the first conductive layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSputtering: Sputtering

Implementation Method 3

stacking a light shielding layer on an upper surface of the transparent substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2495643B1Method of manufacturing transparent circuit substrate for touch screen

Publication Date: 2020.10.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

Provided is a method of manufacturing a transparent circuit substrate for a touch screen. The method may involve forming an electrode layer on a transparent substrate, stacking a light shielding layer on the transparent substrate such that the light shielding layer is located on an outside of the electrode layer, stacking a mask on the light shielding layer and the electrode layer, forming a conductive layer on the mask, forming connecting lines for connecting the electrode layer and connecting terminals by removing the mask and a portion of the conductive layer, and forming the connecting terminals on the light shielding layer such that the connecting terminals contact the connecting lines.