Transparent Laminate for Capacitance Input Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitance type input devices face issues with visibility due to conspicuous transparent electrode patterns, which are not fully mitigated by existing solutions that use optical interference effects with layers of ITO and dielectric materials.
Innovation Solution
A transparent laminate configuration with specific film thicknesses and refractive indices, incorporating metal oxide particles, is used to interpose the transparent electrode pattern, ensuring it is not visually recognized by employing a first transparent film with a refractive index of 1.6 to 1.78 and a second transparent film containing 5 mass % to 80 mass % metal oxide particles, both with film thicknesses of 55 nm to 110 nm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transparent electrode pattern is formed on a substrate, then the capacitance type input device can detect contact positions, but the transparent electrode pattern becomes visually conspicuous when separated from the regular reflection position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (transparent resin layer containing metal oxide fine particles) between the transparent electrode pattern and the external environment. This intermediary layer has a refractive index different from both the electrode pattern and the surrounding medium, creating optical interference that reduces the visual conspicuousness of the electrode pattern while maintaining its detection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters (refractive index) of the layers surrounding the transparent electrode pattern. By controlling the refractive index of the transparent resin layer and its relationship with the substrate and electrode pattern, the patent optimizes optical interference to minimize visual detection of the electrode pattern while preserving its electrical functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing solutions use optical interference effects with layers of ITO and dielectric materials, then the transparent electrode pattern visibility is reduced, but the problem is not completely solved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material approach by incorporating metal oxide fine particles (such as TiO2, ZnO, or ZrO2) into the transparent resin layer. This composite structure provides both the desired refractive index for optical interference and maintains transparency, achieving better suppression of electrode pattern visibility compared to simple dielectric layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material compositions and refractive indices to different regions and layers. The transparent resin layer containing metal oxide particles is specifically designed with local optical properties that differ from the substrate and electrode pattern, creating targeted optical interference at the electrode pattern location to reduce its visual conspicuousness.
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 renders the transparent electrode pattern inconspicuous, improving the appearance of the device by ensuring both the pattern and non-pattern regions are continuously covered, making it difficult to visually recognize the electrode pattern.
Implementation Method 1
employing a configuration in which the transparent electrode pattern is interposed using two transparent films of a specific film thickness containing a metal oxide having a specific composition, or two transparent films having a specific refractive index and a specific film thickness
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a transparent laminate which does not have a problem in which a transparent electrode pattern is visually recognized, a capacitance type input device having the transparent laminate, and an image display device provided with the capacitance type input device as a constituent element. The transparent laminate of the invention includes a region where a transparent substrate, a first transparent film which contains a metal oxide and has a film thickness of 55 nm to 110 nm, a transparent electrode pattern, and a second transparent film which contains 5 mass % to 80 mass % of metal oxide particles and has a film thickness of 55 nm to 110 nm are laminated in this order in a plane.