Transparent Electrode Substrate with Dielectric Layers for Crease Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Substrates with patterned transparent electrodes often exhibit visible creases and pattern visibility issues due to differences in transmittance and reflectance between electrode-formed and non-formed parts, which affect the visibility and performance of touch panels.
Innovation Solution
A substrate with a transparent electrode configuration that includes a specific arrangement of dielectric material layers and a conductive metal oxide layer, where the dielectric material layers have controlled thickness and refractive indices, and the transparent electrode layer has a low resistance and specific refractive index, reducing creases and pattern visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transparent electrode layer is patterned on a transparent substrate, then position detection function is achieved, but creases are generated along the pattern and pattern visibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent dielectric material layer is introduced as an intermediary between the transparent substrate and the transparent electrode layer. This intermediate layer has a refractive index higher than both the substrate and the electrode layer, creating a gradient that reduces light reflection and eliminates crease visibility while maintaining the electrode's functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive index parameter of the dielectric material layer is specifically optimized to be higher than both the substrate and electrode layer. By controlling this optical parameter, the invention achieves suppression of light reflection and elimination of pattern visibility without affecting the electrical functionality of the transparent electrode.
2Illumination intensity
If the thickness and refractive index of dielectric material layers are optimized, then transmittance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies optimal ranges for the thickness (5-50 nm) and refractive index (higher than substrate and electrode layer) of the dielectric material layer. By defining these parameters within specific ranges, the patent achieves high transmittance while providing clear manufacturing guidelines that balance performance optimization with production feasibility.
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 effectively inhibits the generation of creases along the pattern, enhancing the visibility and response speed of capacitance touch panels by minimizing pattern visibility and maintaining high transmittance.
Implementation Method 1
by setting the thickness and refractive index of each transparent dielectric material layer to specific values, a difference in transmittance and a Ab* between an electrode layer-formed part and an electrode layer-non-formed part are reduced
Implementation Method 2
a transparent dielectric material layer having a specific refractive index and a specific thickness is provided between a transparent film and a transparent electrode layer
Data Source
AI summary
A substrate is provided with a transparent electrode in which the pattern is hardly visible even when the transparent electrode layer has been patterned, and a method for manufacturing thereof is provided. On at least one of the surfaces of a transparent film, a first, second, and third dielectric material layer, and a patterned transparent electrode layer are included, in this order, each preferably having a film thickness and refractive index within a specific range. The first and third dielectric material layers are silicon oxide layers containing SiOx and SiOv as main components, respectively. The second dielectric material layer is a metal oxide layer containing a metal oxide. The transparent electrode layer is a conductive metal oxide layer containing an indium-tin composite oxide as a main component. The refractive indexes of the first (n1), second (n2), and third (n3) dielectric material layers satisfy the relationship n3<n1<n2.