Transparent Conductive Element with Random Pattern for Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional transparent conductive films used in capacitive touch panels suffer from reduced visibility due to exaggerated patterning, which affects the optical characteristics and visibility when used on display devices like liquid crystal displays, and existing solutions with stacked dielectric layers have limitations in enhancing visibility effectively.

Innovation Solution

A transparent conductive element with a base having alternately laid transparent electrode and insulating pattern parts, where the electrode pattern consists of pore portions and conductive portions, and the insulating pattern consists of island portions and voids, with random sizes and shapes, and a boundary with a random shape, minimizing the difference in reflection L values between the two patterns to reduce visibility and moire generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a transparent conductive film with a patterned transparent conductive layer is used, then conductivity is achieved, but visibility is reduced due to exaggerated patterning

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconductivityVSAvoidvisibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating two distinct pattern types: transparent electrode pattern parts with pore portions (for conductivity) and transparent insulating pattern parts with island portions (for optical uniformity). Each local region has optimized properties - the electrode parts provide conductivity while the insulating parts compensate for optical differences, resolving the visibility issue without sacrificing overall conductivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining transparent conductive layers and transparent insulating layers in a single film structure. The transparent conductive layer provides conductivity while the transparent insulating layer compensates for optical characteristics, creating a composite material that simultaneously achieves both conductivity and visibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If stacked dielectric layers with different indexes of refraction are provided, then visibility is improved by optical interference, but wavelength dependence limits effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidwavelength independence
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes parameters by controlling the thickness and refractive index of the transparent insulating layer to match the optical characteristics of the transparent conductive layer. By adjusting these parameters, the film achieves uniform optical appearance across different wavelengths, eliminating the wavelength dependence problem of stacked dielectric layers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If the transparent conductive layer is made thinner to reduce patterning effect, then visibility improves, but conductivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidconductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of the transparent conductive layer and transparent insulating layer into a single integrated film structure. The transparent insulating layer is designed to optically compensate for the transparent conductive layer, allowing the conductive layer to maintain sufficient thickness for good conductivity while the overall film achieves uniform optical appearance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2615528B1Transparent conductive element, input device, electronic device, and master for fabrication of transparent conductive element
Publication Date: 2016.04.06 DEXERIALS CORP
  • EP2615528B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2615528B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2615528B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A transparent conductive element includes a base having a first surface and a second surface, and a transparent electrode pattern part and a transparent insulating pattern part formed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface. The transparent electrode pattern part and the transparent insulating pattern part are laid alternately on a base surface. Plural pore portions are randomly formed apart in the transparent electrode pattern part and plural island portions are randomly formed apart in the transparent insulating pattern part.