JP2013250836A - Touch panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel used for various electronic devices providing reliable operation and satisfactory visibility of a display of display elements on the rear surface.SOLUTION: The touch panel has a fluidized bed 7 which is formed of liquid paraffin or low-polarity ether between the lower face of an upper substrate 1 and the upper face of an elastic layer 5 formed over the upper face of a lower substrate 2. With this, a space between the lower face of the upper substrate 1 and the upper face of the elastic layer 5 is filled with the fluidized bed 7 and generation of air bubble is prevented. Thus, the display of the display element on the rear surface of the touch panel is visible, and since the fluidized bed 7 ensures the insulation between the upper face of the elastic layer 5 and the lower face of an upper conductive layer 3, a touch panel ensures reliable electrical connection and disconnection and operability.

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel used mainly for operating various electronic devices.

  In recent years, as various types of electronic devices such as mobile phones and electronic cameras have become highly functional and diversified, a light-transmissive touch panel is mounted on the front surface of a display element such as a liquid crystal display element, and the display element on the back side is attached through this touch panel. There are an increasing number of devices that switch various functions of a device by pressing a touch panel with a finger, a pen, or the like while viewing a display, and there is a demand for a device that can be used easily and reliably.

  Such a conventional touch panel will be described with reference to FIG.

  In addition, in this drawing, in order to make the configuration easy to understand, the dimensions are partially enlarged.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional touch panel. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a film-like upper substrate having a film shape such as polyethylene terephthalate. A light transmissive upper conductive layer 3 such as indium tin is formed on the lower substrate 2 and a lower conductive layer 4 is formed on the upper surface.

  Further, a pair of upper electrodes (not shown) such as silver and carbon are provided at both ends of the upper conductive layer 3, and a pair of lower electrodes (not shown) are provided at both ends in the direction orthogonal to the upper conductive layer 3 of the lower conductive layer 4. (Not shown) are formed.

  Further, a light-transmitting elastic layer 5 in which a plurality of conductive particles 5B such as nickel are dispersed in a resin 5A such as silicone is provided on the upper surface of the lower substrate 2, and the upper substrate 1 is provided on the upper surface of the elastic layer 5. The touch panel is configured such that the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween.

  The touch panel thus configured is disposed on the front surface of a display element such as a liquid crystal display element and attached to an electronic device, and a pair of upper and lower electrodes are connected to a wiring board, a connector (not shown), or the like. Is electrically connected to the electronic circuit (not shown) of the device.

  In the above configuration, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 1 on the desired display is pressed with a finger or a pen while viewing the display on the display element on the back of the touch panel, the upper substrate 1 is bent and the elastic layer 5 below is Due to elastic deformation, the plurality of conductive particles 5B in the resin 5A come into contact with each other, and the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 in the pressed portion are electrically connected via these conductive particles 5B.

  Then, a voltage is sequentially applied from the electronic circuit to the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and the electronic circuit detects the pressed portion by the voltage ratio between both ends of the upper conductive layer 3 and both ends of the lower conductive layer 4 in the direction orthogonal thereto. Various functions are switched.

  That is, when, for example, a plurality of menus are displayed on the display element on the back surface of the touch panel, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 1 on the desired menu is pressed, the operated position is determined by the voltage ratio between the upper electrode and the lower electrode. Is detected by the electronic circuit, and a desired menu can be selected from a plurality of menus.

  As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.

JP 2006-233698 A

  However, in the conventional touch panel, when the upper substrate 1 is attached to the upper surface of the elastic layer 5, the upper surface of the elastic layer 5 has fine irregularities, and therefore the lower surface of the upper substrate 1 and the upper conductive layer 3 and the elastic layer 5. There is a problem that fine bubbles are generated between the upper surfaces, and the bubbles may make it difficult to view the display on the display element on the back surface of the touch panel.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel in which the display on the back display element is easy to see and can be reliably operated.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a touch panel by providing a fluidized layer formed from liquid paraffin or low-polar ether between the upper surface of the elastic layer formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate and the lower surface of the upper substrate. A fluidized layer is filled between the upper surface of the elastic layer and the lower surface of the upper substrate, and bubbles can be prevented from being generated. Thus, the display on the display element on the back of the touch panel is easy to see, and the upper surface of the elastic layer and the upper conductive layer are formed by the fluidized layer Since the insulation of the lower surface is maintained, there is an effect that a touch panel capable of reliable electrical contact / separation and operation can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that it is possible to realize a touch panel in which the display of the display element on the back surface is easy to see and can be reliably operated.

Sectional drawing of the touchscreen by one embodiment of this invention Partial sectional view of the same Cross-sectional view of a conventional touch panel

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  These drawings are partially enlarged in size for easy understanding of the configuration.

  Further, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those described in the background art section, and the detailed description will be simplified.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a film of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethersulfone, polycarbonate, etc., and is a light transmissive upper substrate, and 2 is a film. Alternatively, a light-transmitting lower substrate made of glass or the like, a light-transmitting upper conductive layer 3 such as indium tin oxide or tin oxide on the lower surface of the upper substrate 1, and a lower conductive layer 4 also on the upper surface of the lower substrate 2. Are formed by sputtering or the like.

  A pair of upper electrodes (not shown) such as silver and carbon are provided at both ends of the upper conductive layer 3, and a pair of lower electrodes (not shown) are provided at both ends in the direction orthogonal to the upper conductive layer 3 of the lower conductive layer 4. (Not shown) are formed.

  A light-transmitting elastic layer 5 in which a plurality of conductive particles 5B such as nickel are dispersed in a resin 5A such as silicone or acrylic is provided on the upper surface of the lower substrate 2, and the upper substrate is provided on the upper surface of the elastic layer 5. 1 is attached, and the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 are opposed to each other with a predetermined gap.

  Further, 7 is a liquid fluidized bed, which is formed from liquid paraffin or low-polar ether having a surface tension of 27 to 40 mN / m, and this fluidized layer 7 comprises the upper surface of the elastic layer 5 and the lower surface of the upper substrate 1 and the upper conductive layer 3. The touch panel is provided between the two.

  In order to manufacture such a touch panel, first, as shown in the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A, a plurality of resins 5A are formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 2 on which the lower conductive layer 4 is formed. The elastic layer 5 in which the conductive particles 5B are dispersed is formed by coating or printing.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), a liquid fluidized layer 7 of liquid paraffin or low polar ether was applied to the upper surface of the elastic layer 5, and then the upper conductive layer 3 was formed on the lower surface thereof. When the upper substrate 1 is placed, as shown in FIG. 2C, the fluidized layer 7 flows outward and spreads over almost the entire area between the upper surface of the elastic layer 5 and the lower surface of the upper substrate 1 or the upper conductive layer 3. .

  Finally, by applying pressure while heating the outer peripheral edge portions of the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2, the fluidized layer 7 flows from the upper surface of the outer peripheral edge portion of the elastic layer 5, and the outer peripheral edge portion of the upper substrate 1 is the elastic layer. 1 and the fluidized layer 7 is filled between the upper surface of the elastic layer 5 and the lower surface of the upper substrate 1 or the upper conductive layer 3 to complete the touch panel as shown in FIG.

  In addition, the touch panel configured in this manner is disposed on the front surface of a display element such as a liquid crystal display element and attached to an electronic device, and a pair of upper and lower electrodes are connected to a wiring board, a connector (not shown), or the like. Is electrically connected to the electronic circuit (not shown) of the device.

  In the above configuration, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 1 on the desired display is pressed with a finger or a pen while observing the display on the display element on the back of the touch panel, the upper substrate 1 is bent and the lower surface presses the elastic layer 5. Therefore, the elastic layer 5 is elastically deformed, the plurality of conductive particles 5B in the resin 5A come into contact with each other, and the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 that are pressed are electrically connected via these conductive particles 5B. Connected.

  Then, a voltage is sequentially applied from the electronic circuit to the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and the electronic circuit detects the pressed portion by the voltage ratio between both ends of the upper conductive layer 3 and both ends of the lower conductive layer 4 in the direction orthogonal thereto. Various functions are switched.

  That is, when, for example, a plurality of menus are displayed on the display element on the back surface of the touch panel, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 1 on the desired menu is pressed, the operated position is determined by the voltage ratio between the upper electrode and the lower electrode. Is detected by the electronic circuit, and a desired menu can be selected from a plurality of menus.

  At this time, in the present invention, the fluidized layer 7 made of liquid paraffin or low-polar ether is provided between the upper surface of the elastic layer 5 formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 2 and the lower surface of the upper substrate 1. The operation can be reliably performed without impairing the visibility of the display element on the back of the touch panel.

  That is, the fluidized layer 7 is filled between the upper surface of the elastic layer 5 having a fine irregular shape and the lower surface of the upper substrate 1 or the upper conductive layer 3, and when the upper substrate 1 is attached to the upper surface of the elastic layer 5, Since there is no bubble or the like that impairs visibility between them, the display on the back surface of the touch panel is easy to see and can be operated easily.

  Further, in a state where the upper surface of the upper substrate 1 is not pressed, it is filled between the upper surface of the elastic layer 5 in which a plurality of conductive particles 5B are dispersed in the resin 5A and the upper conductive layer 3 of the lower surface of the upper substrate 1. A predetermined gap is maintained between the upper surface of the elastic layer 5 and the lower surface of the upper conductive layer 3 by the fluidized layer 7, so that insulation between them is ensured and reliable electrical contact and separation can be performed. .

  Furthermore, since the fluidized bed 7 provided between the upper surface of the elastic layer 5 and the lower surface of the upper substrate 1 is made of liquid paraffin or low polar ether having a surface tension of 27 to 40 mN / m, When affixing the outer peripheral edge of the substrate 1, it is configured so that the affixing can be surely performed without weakening the adhesive force.

  That is, when a fluid such as a fluorine-based liquid having a surface tension of 16 to 20 mN / m or a silicone oil having a surface tension of 17 to 26 mN / m is used on the upper surface of the elastic layer 5 to which the fluidized layer 7 is applied. When the upper substrate 1 is placed and the outer peripheral edge of the upper substrate 1 is heated and pressed to perform bonding, the fluidized layer 7 having a small surface tension remains on the bonding surface, and sufficient adhesive strength is obtained. It may not be possible.

  On the other hand, when using liquid paraffin or low polarity ether having a large surface tension and good fluidity as in the present invention, the fluidized bed 7 is bonded to the bonding surface by pressurization to the outer peripheral edge of the upper substrate 1. The fluidized bed 7 remaining on the bonding surface by heating is evaporated or dispersed in the elastic layer 5 by heating, and the fluidized layer 7 hardly remains on the bonding surface, and even if it remains, the surface tension Is so large that the adhesive strength is not weakened.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, by providing the fluidized layer 7 formed of liquid paraffin or low-polar ether between the upper surface of the elastic layer 5 formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 2 and the lower surface of the upper substrate 1, Since the fluidized layer 7 is filled between the upper surface of the elastic layer 5 and the lower surface of the upper substrate 1 to prevent the generation of bubbles and the like, the display on the display element on the back surface of the touch panel is easy to see. Since the insulation of the lower surface of the upper conductive layer 3 is maintained, a touch panel capable of reliable electrical contact / separation and operation can be obtained.

  Further, the fluidized bed 7 is formed of liquid paraffin or low polarity ether having a surface tension of 27 to 40 mN / m, a large surface tension and good fluidity, so that the outer peripheral edge of the upper substrate 1 is attached to the upper surface of the elastic layer 5. Adhesion can be reliably performed without weakening the adhesive force.

  The touch panel according to the present invention has an advantageous effect that the display on the display element on the back surface is easy to see and can be reliably operated, and is mainly useful for operation of various electronic devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Upper substrate 2 Lower substrate 3 Upper conductive layer 4 Lower conductive layer 5 Elastic layer 5A Resin 5B Conductive particle 7 Fluidized layer

Claims (1)

An upper substrate having an upper conductive layer formed on the lower surface and a lower substrate having an upper conductive layer formed on the upper surface and facing the upper conductive layer with a predetermined gap therebetween. A touch panel in which an elastic layer in which conductive particles are dispersed is provided, and a fluidized layer formed from liquid paraffin or low-polar ether is provided between the upper surface of the elastic layer and the lower surface of the upper substrate.

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