Mesh patterns for touch sensor electrodes

• US 10,430,001 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2017
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Barton, Roger W., Weaver, Billy L., Geaghan, Bernard O., Hable, Brock A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bibbins, LaTanya
• Application Number:
  US15/460,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20170185189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04101 2.5D-digitiser, i.e. digitiser detecting the X/Y position of the input means, finger or stylus, also when it does not touch, but is proximate to the digitiser's interaction surface and also measures the distance of the input means within a short range in the Z direction, possibly with a separate measurement setup
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04103 Manufacturing, i.e. details related to manufacturing processes specially suited for touch sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04111 Cross over in capacitive digitiser, i.e. details of structures for connecting electrodes of the sensing pattern where the connections cross each other, e.g. bridge structures comprising an insulating layer, or vias through substrate
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04112 Electrode mesh in capacitive digitiser: electrode for touch sensing is formed of a mesh of very fine, normally metallic, interconnected lines that are almost invisible to see. This provides a quite large but transparent electrode surface, without need for ITO or similar transparent conductive material
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 5/00 Non-insulated conductors or conductive bodies characterised by their form
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 5/14 comprising conductive layers or films on insulating-supports
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches

Abstract

An electrode for a touch sensitive device includes micro-wire conductors arranged to define an electrically continuous area and to include interior regions that are electrically discontinuous. The electrically continuous area may be patterned according to a one pattern, and the interior pattern may be patterned according to another pattern.

Claims

1. An electrode comprising a continuous first pattern and a discontinuous second mesh pattern bounded by and electrically isolated from the continuous first pattern, wherein the continuous first pattern of the electrode and the discontinuous second mesh pattern of the electrode comprise metallic traces, wherein the discontinuous second mesh pattern of the electrode is disposed in interior regions of the continuous first pattern of the electrode.

2. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the first pattern comprises a first mesh pattern.

3. The electrode of claim 2, wherein the first mesh pattern has a first characteristic average cell spacing, the second mesh pattern has a second characteristic average cell spacing, and each of the interior regions extend over an area having lateral dimensions larger than the second characteristic average cell spacing.

4. The electrode of claim 3, wherein the first characteristic average cell spacing is variable as a function of location from a center of the electrode.

5. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the metallic traces have a trace width of about X+0.5 in units of micrometers;

and the electrode has an open area fraction between about [95−

X] % and 99.5%, wherein 0≤

X≤

4.5.

6. The electrode of claim 5, wherein the open area fraction is between about [98.5−

(2.5X÷

3.5)]% and [99.5−

(X÷

3.5)]% wherein 0≤

X≤

3.5.

7. An electrode layer comprising a plurality of electrodes, each electrode in the plurality of electrodes being an electrode according to claim 1.

8. A touch screen sensor comprising the electrode layer of claim 7.

9. An electrode comprising a continuous first metallic micro-wire pattern and a discontinuous second metallic micro-wire mesh pattern bounded by and electrically isolated from the continuous first metallic micro-wire pattern, the discontinuous second metallic micro-wire mesh pattern of the electrode being disposed in interior regions of the continuous first metallic micro-wire pattern of the electrode.

10. The electrode of claim 9, wherein the first metallic micro-wire pattern comprises a first mesh pattern.

11. The electrode of claim 9, wherein the continuous first metallic micro-wire pattern and the discontinuous second metallic micro-wire mesh pattern comprise metallic traces having a trace width of about X+0.5 in units of micrometers;

and the electrode has an open area fraction between about [95−

X] % and 99.5%, wherein 0≤

X≤

4.5.

12. The electrode of claim 11, wherein the open area fraction is between about [98.5−

(2.5X÷

3.5)]% and [99.5−

(X÷

3.5)]% wherein 0≤

X≤

3.5.

13. An electrode layer comprising a plurality of electrodes, each electrode in the plurality of electrodes being an electrode according to claim 9.

14. A touch screen sensor comprising the electrode layer of claim 13.

15. An electrode layer comprising a plurality of electrodes, each electrode in the plurality of electrodes comprising a continuous first metallic micro-wire pattern and a discontinuous second metallic micro-wire mesh pattern bounded by and electrically isolated from the continuous first metallic micro-wire pattern, the discontinuous second metallic micro-wire mesh pattern being disposed in interior regions of the continuous first metallic micro-wire pattern.

16. The electrode layer of claim 15, wherein the first metallic micro-wire pattern comprises a first mesh pattern.

17. The electrode layer of claim 15, wherein the continuous first metallic micro-wire pattern and the discontinuous second metallic micro-wire mesh pattern comprise metallic micro-wire conductors having a trace width of about X+0.5 in units of micrometers;

and each electrode has an open area fraction between about [95−

X] % and 99.5%, wherein 0≤

X≤

4.5.

18. The electrode of claim 17, wherein the open area fraction is between about [98.5−

(2.5X÷

3.5)]% and [99.5−

(X÷

3.5)]% wherein 0≤

X≤

3.5.

19. A touch screen sensor comprising the electrode layer of claim 15.