JPH0465038A - Touch panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively prevent a conductive film from being broken by putting a protective film in pushing-operation side of a flexible film while having an elastic layer between them. CONSTITUTION:A protective film 24 is put in the pushing operation side of a flexible film 21 while putting an adhesive layer 2 between them. Consequently, the film which receives strain and stress at the time of input is only the protective film 24 and the stain and stress work only indirectly on the flexible film 21 and conductive films 6, 6, 6 are thus prevented from being broken effectively. Also, the adhesive layer 2 works as a kind of cushion between the flexible film 21 and the protective film 24 and the flexible film 21, that is conductive films 6, 6, 6, is effectively prevented from being damaged and input durability of a touch panel is thus improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a type of touch panel in which two transparent flexible films such as ITO films are bonded together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventionally, a film having a conductive film in a touch panel is composed of a base material formed as a plate.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Therefore, when the surface of the base material on the pressing operation side is pressed with a fingernail, a hard pen, etc. during an input operation, the distortion and damage to the base material may cause damage to the ITO etc. forming the electrode. There was a possibility that the thin conductive film would be directly affected, and the conductive film would be destroyed and would no longer function as a switch.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel that can effectively prevent destruction of the conductive film in order to solve the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured such that a protective film is placed on the pressing operation side of the film having the conductive film via an elastic layer. That is, a pair of transparent flexible films in which a conductive film and an output part are respectively formed on opposing surfaces and each conductive film and each output part are connected by a routing circuit, and a gap at a predetermined interval between the conductive films. and a spacer that is disposed via an elastic layer in the operating area of the surface on the pressing operation side of one of the pair of flexible films that is disposed on the pressing operation side, and and a transparent protective film that is thicker than the transparent film.

In the above configuration, the flexible film has a 12 to 50
The protective film is thicker than the flexible film, and can be configured to have a thickness of 50 to 200 μm.

In the above configuration, one of the pair of flexible films has an auxiliary output section that is electrically connected to the output section of the other flexible film using a conductive adhesive. It can also be configured to be formed.

Further, in the above structure, the elastic layer may be formed of an adhesive layer.

In addition, in the above configuration, the flexible film of the fixed example different from the pressing operation side of the pair of flexible films is electrically connected to the output part of the other flexible film with the conductive adhesive. It is also possible to form an auxiliary output section connected to the auxiliary output section and to include a transparent protective film that is thicker than the flexible film.

Functions and Effects of the Invention In the above configuration, since the protective film is placed on the pressing operation side of the flexible film via the elastic layer, the protective film is the only film that is directly subjected to distortion and stress during input. By applying strain and stress only indirectly to the flexible film, destruction of the conductive film can be effectively prevented.

Further, the elastic layer can serve as a kind of cushioning material between the flexible film and the protective film, and damage to the flexible film, that is, the conductive film can be more effectively prevented. Therefore, the input durability of the touch panel can be improved.

Furthermore, in the past, most of the films used in the above-mentioned base materials were made of films such as PET with a thickness of 100 to 200 μm, and if an attempt was made to provide the output section in one piece, the thickness would be too large, and the assembly would have to be bent. There were many problems with the attachment. However, according to the configuration of the present invention, since the output section can be formed of a flexible film having a conductive film, the output section itself has high flexibility, and the output section can be used in devices that use a touch panel. It becomes easier to connect to the connection terminal.

In addition, if the output section is formed in a concentrated manner on one of the flexible films, it becomes easier to connect the output section to the connection terminal of the device.

EXAMPLES Below, examples according to the present invention will be explained in detail based on FIGS. 1 to 9.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the touch panel according to this embodiment is roughly composed of a movable side electrode member 11 and a fixed side electrode member 12, and each electrode member has a conductive film 6 and an output section on opposing surfaces. 8.78 are respectively formed and each conductive film 6 and each output part 8, 7a are connected by a routing circuit 7.9, and the conductive film forming side of the flexible film 21. An elastic layer is provided in the pressing operation area on the opposite side of 1. The transparent protective film 24 is arranged through the adhesive layer 22 of the electrode member 1 and is thicker than the flexible film 21.
Spacers 14° . . . 114 are provided to form a gap at a predetermined distance between the opposing conductive films 6 and 6 between conductive films 1 and 12.

Each of the flexible films 21 has a thickness of 12 to 50 μm,
Transparent films such as transparent PET film (polyethylene terephthalate film) or polycarbonate or polyethersulfone are preferred. The flexible film 21 of the double movable side electrode member 11 and the flexible film 21 of the fixed side electrode member 12 are formed with small rectangular protrusions 11a and 12a at one end edge thereof, respectively. The protruding portion 12a is smaller than the protruding portion 11a so that the two are not bonded together by the adhesive layer 2.

The protective film 24 is preferably transparent and durable, and preferably has a thickness of 50 to 200 μm and is preferably a transparent film made of polyethylene terephthalate film, polycarbonate, polyether sulfone, or the like. When selecting the same material as the flexible film 21, a material thicker than the flexible film 21 and one
．． This makes the film more durable than the flexible film 21. This protective film 24 is closely attached to the flexible film 21 via a transparent adhesive layer 22 such as an acrylic adhesive. As a result, air, dust, etc. do not enter between the flexible film 21 and the protective film 24, and both the appearance and durability can be improved. Note that the protective film 24 is formed on each of the protrusions 11a and 12a of the flexible film 21. It is preferable that the flexibility of each protruding portion 11a, 12a is not impaired by 1. stomach.

Furthermore, if necessary, a transparent hard coat layer 13 may be formed on the surface of the protective film 24 located on the pressing operation side, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, on the pressing operation side. This bar code
1. The layer 13 is preferably formed by coating the surface of the protective film 24 with acrylic resin or silicone resin in a thickness of several microns.

Each of the conductive films 6 is preferably formed by vacuum deposition of ITO (indium tin oxide) on the flexible film 21. In the embodiment, a rectangular conductive film 6 is formed on the flexible film 21. Film 21 to 1. I try to form three pieces.

1. The conductive films 6, 6 facing each other in the double electrode members 11 and 12 are 90 degrees out of phase with each other. ing. Each conductive film 6 is connected to an output section 7a or 9a by a routing circuit 7 or 9. A conductive film 6 is provided on the protrusion 11a of the flexible film 21 of the movable electrode member 11.
, 6.6 are formed with output portions 7 a, 7 a, 7 a connected via wiring 1 and circuit 7.7.7, and auxiliary output portions 8, 8 . form 8. The auxiliary output section 8° 8.8 includes the output section 9a of the fixed side electrode member 12.

9a, 9a are electrically connected by an anisotropic conductive adhesive 15, or by thermocompression bonding using an anisotropic conductive adhesive sheet. The anisotropic conductive adhesive 15 may be made of a conductive powder such as carbon, tin oxide, or indium oxide, such as vinyl acetate, vinyl, acrylic, wax, polyolefin, polyamide, or synthetic rubber. It can be added (dispersed) in a single or mixed type of general hot-melt adhesive at a concentration of 1°. Therefore,
Output portions 7a, 7a, 7 of movable electrode member 11
a and the output part 9 a of the fixed side electrode member 12, 9 a,
The auxiliary output section 8.8.8 connected to 9a is concentrated on the movable electrode member 11 side, and is connected to a connection terminal of a device using a touch panel.

The touch panel having the above configuration is manufactured as follows.

That is, first, as shown in FIG. 1, three rectangular shadow-shaped ITO films are formed on one surface of a long strip-shaped flexible film 1 by vacuum deposition, and a conductive film 6.6. form 6. Then, on the surface of the flexible film 1 opposite to the surface on which the conductive film is formed, an acrylic adhesive is coated as an adhesive layer 2 at predetermined locations to a thickness of 20 to 30 .mu.m. At this time, a portion 3 without the adhesive layer 2 is formed between the adhesive layers 2, and the above-mentioned output portions are respectively formed in this portion 3 in a later step.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, a PET film with a thickness of 100 μm is laminated as a protective film 4 to the surface of the flexible film 1 on which the adhesive layer 2 is formed, and a base material 5 is formed.
Create. This base material 5 is a material for manufacturing a large number of movable side and fixed side electrodes. In addition, in the base material 5a of FIG. 3 which becomes the movable side electrode member, the hard coat layer 13 is formed on the surface of the protective film 4 on the pressing operation side.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3.4, the surface of each flexible film 1 of each base material 5a5b on which the conductive films 6, 6.6 are formed faces the part on which the adhesive layer 2 is formed. After forming a resist by printing or photo method in the area to be etched, the resist is removed by etching to form an ITO circuit pattern for forming a switch, and then silver paste is printed to form the conductive films 6, 6.6. The routing circuit 7, 7,
7.9° and 9.9 are formed respectively. This routing circuit 7,
The ends of 7°7.9, 9.9 extend to the portion 3 where the adhesive layer 2 is not formed, and the output portions 7a, 7a,
7 a9 a, 9 a, 9 a. The difference between the base material 5a in FIG. 3 and the base material 5b in FIG.
, 6, 6 and accompanying routing circuits 7, 7, 7.9,
9.9 and output section 7 a, 7 a, 7 a; 9 a
, 9a, and 9a are different. Third
In the base material 5a shown in the figure, an auxiliary output part 8 is arranged adjacent to the output parts 7a7a, 7a at a constant distance and connectable to the output parts 9a, 9a, 9a of the base material 5b in FIG. 4, respectively.
, 8.8 are formed.

Next, a large number of spacers 14, .
. . , 14 by printing, etc., and then, as shown in FIG. 5, conductive films 6, 6.
are arranged so that they face each other, and the periphery of the conductive film 6°6.6 is bonded with an adhesive. At this time, the auxiliary output parts 8, 8.8 of one base material 5a and the output part 9 of the other base material 5b
a, 9 a, and 9 a are connected using anisotropic conductive adhesive 1
5 or by thermocompression bonding using an anisotropic conductive adhesive sheet. After that, in FIG. 34, both base materials 5a, 5b
are punched out into a predetermined shape along the dashed line 16.10 so as to pass through the boundary line between the part with the adhesive layer 2 and the part 3 without it. At this time, both the protrusions 11a, 1
The output portions 7, 7.7 consisting only of the flexible film 1 are cut out from the corresponding portions of the pair of protective films 4.4 facing 2a, and attached to one end edge of the roughly square electrode member main body.
and 7 a, 7 a, 7 a and 9 a, 9 a,
9a, small rectangular protrusions 11a, 1, respectively.
Form 2a. The protrusions 11a and 12a of the electrode members 11.12 may be formed by making slits in advance, bonding them together, and then punching them out. In this way, a touch panel is manufactured.

The spacer 14.6 is provided between the opposing conductive films 6, 6.6 of this touch panel. . . , 14 are always separated, and when pressed from the movable electrode member 11 side with a nail or the like, the hard coat layer 13, the protective film 4, the adhesive layer 2, and the flexible film 1 are removed. The conductive film 6 contacts the conductive film 6 of the opposing fixed side electrode member 12 .

(Experiment example) After applying a vacuum film of an ITO film as a conductive film to a PET film as a flexible film with a thickness of 12 μm, as shown in Fig. 1, a strip-shaped adhesive layer was applied to the opposite surface. Coat with an acrylic adhesive to a thickness of 20 to 30 μm. Then, a PET film as a protective film having a thickness of 100 μm is bonded to the above PET film to create a base material.

Next, an ITO circuit pattern forming a switch was formed by etching using the above-described method, and then silver paste was printed to form a routing circuit and an output section, and then a touch panel was manufactured by the above-described method. This touch panel and a 100 to 200μ film formed with a conventional ITO film
In contrast to a touch panel made of a base material made of m-thick transparent film, a 200g piece made of iron in the shape of a human fingernail was used.
I hit a point with a heavy load. In the conventional touch panel, the ITO film on the movable contact side (press operation side) was damaged after 10,000 times, and the resistance value increased tenfold. On the other hand, in the touch panel according to the above example, the increase in resistance value was less than double even after 500,000 hits. Therefore, in the evaluation of the dot life of the touch panel, the touch panel according to the above example had five times or more durability compared to the touch panel made of conventional materials.

According to the above embodiment, since the protective film 24 is disposed on the pressing operation side of the flexible film 21 via the adhesive layer 2, the protective film 24 is the one that directly receives distortion and stress when entering the corner. As a result, strain and stress only indirectly act on the flexible film 21, and the conductive films 6, 6.6
can effectively prevent destruction. Further, the adhesive layer 2 serves as a kind of cushioning material between the flexible film 21 and the protective film 24, and the flexible film 21
That is, damage to the conductive films 6, 6.6 can be more effectively prevented. Therefore, the input durability of the touch panel can be improved.

Furthermore, in the past, most of the films used in the above-mentioned base materials were made of films such as PET with a thickness of 100 to 200 μm, and if an attempt was made to provide the output section in one piece, the thickness would be too large, and the assembly would have to be bent. There were many problems with the attachment. However, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, the output sections 7a7a, 7a; 8, 8, 8; 9a. 9a,
9a can be formed on a flexible film 21 having conductive films 6, 6°6, so that the output section itself has high flexibility, and the output section can be connected to a connection terminal of a device using a touch panel. It becomes easier to do.

In addition, the old output section can be connected to either one of the flexible films 21
Since the formation is concentrated on the above-mentioned devices, it is easier to connect them to the connection terminals of the above-mentioned devices.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments,
It can be implemented in various other ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 8.9, no protrusion is formed on the fixed side electrode member 12, and the output part 9a formed at the end of each routing circuit 9 is connected to the movable side electrode using conductive adhesive 15. Projection portion 11a of member 11
In this way, the protrusions protruding from the movable side electrode member 11 and the fixed side@pole member 12 are connected to the protrusions 1 of the movable side electrode NX material 11.
1a only, and since the fixed side electrode member 12 has no protrusion, it can be bent more freely without being hindered by the protrusion, making connection easier.

The protective film 21 is formed only on the movable side electrode member 11, that is, the flexible film 19 on the pressing operation side, and is not formed on the fixed side electrode member 12 located on the opposite side from the pressing operation side. You can also do this.

Further, the output portions 7a, 7 of the picture electrode members 11.12
a.

1.7a and 8.8.8 are placed together on the side of the movable electrode member ll. However, an output section may be arranged on each electrode member. Furthermore, the output portions of each electrode member may not protrude from the same end edge as in j7 above, but may protrude separately from the other end edges. Further, the arrangement of the conductive films 6 is not limited to the above three rectangular shapes, but may be any number and any shape. good.

Further, although the elastic layer is composed of the adhesive layer 2, it is not limited to this, and a soft synthetic resin layer or the like may be arranged between the flexible film 21 and the protective film 24, and 17 may be used so as to be brought into close contact with an adhesive, heat, or pressure.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a state in which an adhesive layer is formed on a flexible film for forming a base material for manufacturing a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the adhesive layer shown in FIG. 1. 3 is an enlarged plan view of one base material, FIG. 4 is an enlarged surface view of the other base material,
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the touch panel with one base material seen through, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line W-VI in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ■-■ in Fig. 5, FIG. 8 is a plan view similar to FIG. 5 of a touch panel according to another embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ■ to ■ in FIG. 8. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Flexible film, 2.Adhesive layer, 3.Part without adhesive layer, 4.Protective film, 5, 5a, 5b.Base material, 6.Conductive film, 7.9.・Leaving circuit, 7a
, 8゜9a... Output part, l 0.16... Punching line, 11... Movable side electrode member, 12... Fixed side electrode member, 13... C Figure 1 coated layer, 14... - Spacer, 15... conductive liquid adhesive.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A conductive film (6) and an output part (7a, 8,
9a) are respectively formed, and a circuit (7, 9) is formed to route each conductive film (6) and each output part (7a, 8, 9a).
a pair of transparent flexible films (21) connected to each other; a spacer (14) forming a gap at a predetermined interval between the conductive film (6); and a pressing operation of the pair of flexible films (21). A transparent protective film that is arranged via an elastic layer (2) in the operation area of the pressing operation side of one of the flexible films (21) arranged on the side and is thicker than the flexible film (21). (24) A touch panel characterized by comprising: (2) The flexible film (21) has a thickness of 12 to 50 μm, and the protective film (24) is thicker than the flexible film (21) and has a thickness of 50 to 200 μm. The touch panel according to claim 1. (3) The output part (9a) of the other flexible film (21) and the conductive adhesive ( 15
3. The touch panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an auxiliary output section (8) is formed which is electrically connected to the auxiliary output section (8). (4) The touch panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elastic layer (2) is composed of an adhesive layer. (5) Of the pair of flexible films (21), the flexible film (21) on the fixed side, which is different from the pressing operation side,
An auxiliary output part (8) is electrically connected to the output part (9a) of the other flexible film (21) with a conductive adhesive (15).
) is formed, and the flexible film (21)
Claim 1 comprising a thicker transparent protective film.
, 2, 4. The touch panel according to any one of .