Transparent Conductive Bezel Structure for Slim Touch Screens
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch screen technologies with metal wires as edge-routing wires cannot achieve a bezel-free design due to the opaque nature of metallic materials, limiting the minimum bezel width to around 2 mm, despite market demand for slimmer bezel solutions.
Innovation Solution
A bezel structure utilizing transparent conductive materials, including transparent conductive edge-routing wires, solder pads, and insulating photoresist layers, is implemented on a touch screen substrate, allowing for the creation of a bezel-free design by electrically connecting metal leads through jumper holes and arranging transparent conductive bridges for improved conductivity and appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal wires are used as edge-routing wires, then conductivity and narrow line width are improved, but transparency is lost and bezel-free design cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from opaque metal to transparent conductive material (such as ITO - indium tin oxide), maintaining electrical conductivity while achieving transparency. This allows the edge-routing wires to be visible as transparent rather than opaque, enabling bezel-free or ultra-slim bezel designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite transparent conductive materials that combine the properties of both transparency and electrical conductivity in a single layer structure. This composite material approach replaces traditional metal wires while maintaining the necessary electrical function and adding optical transparency.
2Reliability
If metal wires are used as edge-routing wires, then electrical resistance is reduced, but appearance quality deteriorates due to opaque metallic material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameter of the conductive material from opaque to transparent, fundamentally altering the appearance while maintaining electrical performance. The transparent conductive material allows light transmission, creating a visually appealing bezel-free appearance while preserving low electrical resistance.
3Shape
If transparent conductive materials are used as edge-routing wires, then bezel-free design is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to additional insulating layers and jumper holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bonding area into multiple functional layers including insulating photoresist layers with jumper holes. This segmentation allows for precise control of electrical connections, enabling the transparent conductive wires to be properly isolated and connected where needed while maintaining the overall bezel-free appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces insulating photoresist layers as intermediary elements between the transparent conductive wires and metal leads. These intermediary layers with jumper holes provide the necessary electrical isolation and connection control, facilitating the integration of transparent conductive materials into the existing metal lead framework.
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
This solution enables the production of bezel-free touch screens with reduced thickness, enhancing user experience by providing a slim and aesthetically pleasing design, particularly suitable for small-sized products.
Implementation Method 1
a first insulating photoresist layer arranged between the plurality of transparent conductive solder pads and the plurality of metal leads in a thickness direction of the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A bezel structure of a touch screen is disclosed by the invention. A touch screen having the bezel structure, a display device having the touch screen, and a method for manufacturing the bezel structure of the touch screen are also disclosed by the invention.