Transparent Electrode Pattern Structure for Touch Screen Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transparent electrode pattern structures in touch screen panels suffer from visibility issues due to significant differences in reflectance between patterned and non-patterned portions, which degrade the appearance of display elements, and often require a transparent dielectric layer that complicates thin film structures.
Innovation Solution
A transparent electrode pattern structure is developed with a first and second transparent electrode layer stacked on a substrate, an insulation layer between them, and contact holes for electrical connection, where each layer's thickness is controlled within specific ranges to minimize reflectance differences, and no transparent dielectric layer is used between the substrate and electrode layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patterned transparent electrode is formed on the entire surface of the display unit, then touch sensitivity is improved, but the difference in reflectance between patterned and non-patterned portions becomes visually distinct, degrading appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by forming the transparent electrode layer with different local structures: patterned regions with protrusions for touch sensitivity and recessed regions without protrusions for appearance quality. This allows different portions of the same layer to have different functional characteristics, resolving the contradiction between touch sensitivity and appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent electrode layer is segmented into multiple functional regions (protrusion regions and recessed regions) with distinct characteristics. The protrusion regions provide touch sensitivity while the recessed regions minimize visual appearance, achieving both requirements through spatial segmentation of the electrode structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a transparent dielectric layer is added to reduce pattern visibility, then appearance is improved, but the thin film structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the transparent dielectric layer from the structure, relying instead on the optimized transparent electrode layer design with protrusion and recessed regions. This removes the need for additional layers while maintaining appearance quality, thus reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent electrode layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing touch sensitivity through protrusions, minimizing appearance through recessed regions, and eliminating the need for separate dielectric layers. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while achieving the desired appearance quality.
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 configuration enhances transparency and reduces pattern visibility, achieving high transmittance and low reflectance in touch screen panels while maintaining touch sensitivity and optical uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
a patterned portion and a non-patterned portion (pattern opening) of the transparent electrode may be visually distinct from each other. Accordingly, bigger a difference in reflectance between the patterned portion and the non-patterned portion the reflectance difference clearly appears
Implementation Method 2
the insulation layer has a thickness of 1,000 to 2,000 nm
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a transparent electrode pattern structure including: a first transparent electrode layer and a second transparent electrode layer which are stacked on a transparent substrate in a predetermined pattern, respectively; an insulation layer disposed between the first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer; and contact holes formed in the insulation layer to electrically connect the first transparent electrode layer with the second transparent electrode layer; wherein the first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer have a thickness of 100 to 200 nm, respectively, and the insulation layer has a thickness of 1,000 to 2,000 nm, thereby considerably decreasing a difference in reflectance on separate positions, as well as a touch screen panel including the transparent electrode pattern structure.