Transparent Conductive Film With Water-Resistant Interlayer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional transparent conductive films using ITO electrodes are fragile and require high deposition and anneal temperatures, leading to increased manufacturing costs and potential issues with surface smoothness and uniform electrical conductivity due to mixing and damage of resin layers.

Innovation Solution

A transparent conductive film with a first resin layer containing thin metallic wires, a second resin layer with a conductive polymer, and a third water-resistant resin layer, where the third layer acts as a porous binder to prevent mixing and damage, ensuring a smooth surface and uniform conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ITO is used as the electrode material to achieve electrical conductivity and translucency, then the electrode can function properly, but the electrode becomes fragile and easy to break under bending or physical stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode durabilityVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a flexible substrate, a transparent resin layer, and a metal wire mesh layer. This composite design combines the flexibility and transparency of the resin-substrate combination with the electrical conductivity of the metal wires, while the flexible substrate provides mechanical strength and bendability that ITO lacks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a high deposition temperature and/or high anneal temperature are used to improve the electrical conductivity of the ITO electrode, then the electrical conductivity is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a metal wire mesh structure that can be manufactured at lower temperatures compared to ITO deposition and annealing processes. The wire mesh can be produced using cost-effective methods and assembled into the final structure, avoiding the expensive high-temperature vacuum deposition and annealing equipment required for ITO.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Manufacturing precision

If the second transparent resin layer is applied onto the first transparent resin layer in an overlapping manner to improve surface smoothness, then the surface smoothness is improved, but the two resin layers may mix and the second layer may be damaged by the rugged first layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface smoothnessVSAvoidlayer integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a release paper as an intermediary between the first and second transparent resin layers. The release paper provides a smooth, non-stick surface that allows the second resin layer to be applied uniformly without mixing with the first layer, while also protecting the first layer from damage during the application process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides a transparent conductive film with improved electrical conductivity and surface smoothness, reducing the risk of resin layer mixing and damage, resulting in a reliable and efficient organic electroluminescence element with uniform brightness.

Implementation Method 1

the third transparent resin layer comprises a resin which is insoluble in water or has water resistance... the third transparent resin layer is formed as a porous layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

a first transparent resin layer including a thin metallic wire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

The plurality of thin metallic wires 104 are adhered on the substrate 102 by the first transparent resin layer 105

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9017807B2Transparent conductive film, substrate with transparent conductive film, and organic electroluminescence element using the same

Publication Date: 2015.04.28 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A transparent conductive film includes a first transparent resin layer including a plurality of thin metallic wires, a second transparent resin layer containing a conductive polymer, and a third transparent resin layer provided between the first transparent resin layer and the second transparent resin layer. The second transparent resin layer contains a resin which is soluble in water, and the third transparent resin layer contains a resin which is insoluble in water or has water resistance. The third transparent resin layer can suppress mixing of the second transparent resin layer with the first transparent resin layer and can make the second transparent resin layer less likely to be damaged by the first transparent resin layer. Therefore, a surface of the second transparent resin layer is made smooth and electrical conductivity is made uniform.