WO2014073896A1

WO2014073896A1 - Touch panel comprising pad electrode having protective layer

Info

Publication number: WO2014073896A1
Application number: PCT/KR2013/010100
Authority: WO
Inventors: 김근호; 김현수; 고용남; 김진서; 이재영
Original assignee: (주)인터플렉스
Priority date: 2012-11-08
Filing date: 2013-11-08
Publication date: 2014-05-15

Abstract

Provided is a touch panel comprising: a substrate; a plurality of sensor electrodes formed on the substrate; and a plurality of pad electrodes connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes, wherein the plurality of pad electrodes comprises a conductive layer formed on the substrate and a protective layer formed on the conductive layer.

Description

Touch Panel With Pad Electrode With Protective Layer

The present invention relates to a touch panel, and more particularly, to a touch panel including a pad electrode having a protective layer which increases the reliability of the pad electrode and increases the productivity of the touch panel using the pad electrode having the protective layer. will be.

The touch panel is a device for inputting coordinate data by touching a surface of a display panel included in electronic devices such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a game machine, a learning aid device, and a camera with a hand or a pen. Such touch panels are widely used in that they can be easily operated and widely applied to various display devices.

In general, the touch panel includes a sensor electrode provided on a substrate made of a light transmissive material, and a pad electrode to which the sensor electrode is connected.

The pad electrode is connected to the sensor electrode and is a part for connecting the touch panel with other driving means. The pad electrode is formed of a conductive material such as metal, and due to the characteristics of the metal, corrosion and the like occur during storage, causing the pad electrode to be defective. Therefore, in order to protect the pad electrode, a protective layer may be formed on the pad electrode. In this case, since the protective layer is mostly an insulating material, there is a problem that the electrical conductivity of the pad electrode is lowered.

Meanwhile, an adhesive film is used to connect the pad electrode and other driving means. An anisotropic conductive film (ACF) is generally used. The anisotropic conductive film is a typical material that is widely used in semiconductor mounting as an adhesive and a conductive material. After connecting the pad electrode and the other driving means using the anisotropic conductive film, there was a problem in that the productivity was lowered by adding a separate insulating coating process to prevent corrosion of a part of the pad electrode which is not adhered to the outside without adhesion. .

In the first embodiment of the present invention to prevent the corrosion of the pad electrode and to improve the electrical conductivity of the pad electrode to propose a touch panel.

Accordingly, in Example 2 of the present invention, after the pressure-sensitive adhesive film is pressed, a touch panel having improved pad electrode reliability and increased productivity without an additional process is proposed.

In one embodiment of the present invention; A plurality of sensor electrodes formed on the substrate; And a plurality of pad electrodes connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes, wherein the plurality of pad electrodes include: a conductor layer formed on the substrate; And a protective layer formed on the conductor layer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the protective layer may include a gold (Au) layer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of sensor electrodes may include: a plurality of first sensor electrodes arranged along a first direction on the substrate; And a plurality of second sensor electrodes spaced apart from the plurality of first sensor electrodes on the substrate.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first sensor electrodes and the plurality of second sensor electrodes may cross each other in an electrically insulated state.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the conductor layer may include at least one of a transparent conductive oxide layer and a metal layer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transparent conductive oxide layer may include any one of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), al-doped znO (AZO), and transparent conductive oxide (TCO).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the metal layer may include any one of Al, Mo, Cu, Cr, Nd, and alloys thereof.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a sensor unit including a plurality of sensor electrodes and a pad electrode formed on a substrate; And a driving unit electrically connected to the sensor unit, wherein the pad electrode comprises: a conductor layer formed on the substrate; And a protective layer formed on the conductor layer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the protective layer may include an insulating layer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit and the driving unit may be connected via an adhesive film.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive film may include an adhesive matrix; And conductive particles dispersed in the adhesive matrix.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure sensitive adhesive matrix may include any one of an acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive, a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive, a urethane pressure sensitive adhesive and a rubber pressure sensitive adhesive.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the conductive particles may include any one of Cu, Ni, Co, Au, Ag, Cr, Pd, and alloys thereof.

According to one embodiment of the invention the conductive particles may have an average diameter of 5 ~ 500㎛.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the driving unit may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

In one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of preparing a sensor unit including a plurality of sensor electrodes formed on a substrate;

Forming a pad electrode including an insulating layer on the substrate; Preparing a driving unit electrically connected to the sensor unit; Disposing an adhesive film between the sensor unit and the driving unit; Attaching the sensor unit, the adhesive film, and the driving unit; And compressing the attached sensor unit, the adhesive film, and the driving unit.

The touch panel according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention may prevent corrosion of the pad electrode and improve electrical conductivity of the pad electrode. In addition, the pad electrode can be driven without coating the insulating film.

The touch panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention may prevent corrosion of the pad electrode and improve electrical conductivity of the pad electrode. In addition, the pad electrode can be driven without coating the insulating film.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a pad electrode including a protective layer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a plan view of a touch panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 2.

4 is a cross-sectional view of a pad electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a cross-sectional view of a pad electrode according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a cross-sectional view of a pad electrode according to another embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a view showing a process of coupling the sensor unit and the driving unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a cross-sectional view of a pad electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a cross-sectional view of the pad electrode, the pressure-sensitive adhesive film and the driving unit before pressing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a cross-sectional view of the pad electrode, the pressure-sensitive adhesive film and the driving unit after the compression according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion A shown in FIG. 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to specific drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments or drawings described below. There may be various equivalents and modifications from the embodiments described below and the embodiments shown in the drawings.

Terminology used herein is a term used to express an embodiment of the present invention, which may vary according to a user, an operator's intention, or a custom in the field to which the present invention belongs. Therefore, the definition of the terms should be made based on the contents throughout the specification.

For reference, in the drawing, each component and its shape, etc. are simply drawn or exaggerated for clarity. Elements denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings means the same element.

In addition, where a layer or component is described as being on another layer or 'on' of a component, not only when the layer or component is disposed in direct contact with the other layer or component, It means including all until the case where a 3rd layer is interposed.

Referring to FIG. 1, a protective layer 440 is disposed on the pad electrode 400. The protective layer includes a gold layer or an insulating layer. In Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the protective layer 440 includes a gold layer, and in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the protective layer 440 includes an insulating layer. Detailed description of each embodiment is described in detail below.

Example 1

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, for the sake of simplicity, the first direction is determined in a direction from left to right in the drawing, and the second direction is determined in a direction from top to bottom in the drawing. The direction illustrated in FIG. 2 is an example of the first direction and the second direction, and the first direction and the second direction may be determined to be different from those of the example of FIG. 2.

2 is a plan view of a touch panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 2, the touch panel 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a substrate 100; A plurality of sensor electrodes 200 formed on the substrate 100; And a plurality of pad electrodes 400 connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes 200, wherein the plurality of pad electrodes 400 are formed on the conductor layer 430 and the conductor layer on the substrate 100. Gold (Au) layer 440 formed on the (430).

The substrate 100 may be formed of any one of a polymer film, plastic, or glass. In this embodiment, the substrate 100 is described using an example of using a polymer film. The polymer film used in this example is PET.

The plurality of sensor electrodes 200 are arranged on the substrate 100 in a first direction, and a plurality of first sensor electrodes 210 and the plurality of first sensor electrodes 210 on the substrate 100. And a plurality of second sensor electrodes 220 arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and the first bridge 230 may connect the plurality of first sensor electrodes 210, and the second bridge 240 may include the plurality of second sensors. The sensor electrode 220 may be connected.

Although the shapes of the first sensor electrode 210 and the second sensor electrode 220 are illustrated in a rhombus shape in FIG. 2, the shapes of the first sensor electrode 210 and the second sensor electrode 220 are not necessarily limited to the rhombus shape, but may be formed in various shapes such as triangle, square, rectangle, and circle. The number and size of the first sensor electrode 210 and the second sensor electrode 220 may vary depending on the resolution of the touch panel 100 and the type and size of the display to which the touch panel is applied.

The first sensor electrode 210, the second sensor electrode 221, the first bridge 230, and the second bridge 240 may be formed of a metal or a transparent material having conductivity. Transparent conductive oxide (TCO) can be used as the transparent material having such conductivity. As the transparent conductive oxide (TCO), indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO: indium zinc oxide), AZO, and zinc oxide (ZnO) may be used.

The first sensor electrode 210, the second sensor electrode 221, the first bridge 230, and the second bridge 240 may be formed of the same material or may be formed of different materials. In consideration of manufacturing convenience, the first sensor electrode 210, the second sensor electrode 221, the first bridge 230, and the second bridge 240 may be formed of the same material.

The first sensor electrode 210, the second sensor electrode 221, the first bridge 230, and the second bridge 240 are formed by sputtering or depositing a transparent conductive oxide on the substrate 100. Can be. It may also be formed using a photo lithograpy method using a mask.

Meanwhile, the touch panel 300 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a wiring 300. The wiring 300 includes a first wiring 310 and a second wiring 320.

The wire 300 may connect the plurality of sensor electrodes 200 and the plurality of pad electrodes 400. The plurality of pad electrodes 400 may be divided into a first pad electrode 420 and a second pad electrode 430. The first wire 310 connects the plurality of first sensor electrodes 210 and the first pad electrode 410, and the second wires 320 connect the plurality of second sensor electrodes 220 and the second pad electrode ( 420 may be connected. For example, the

first wires

311, 312, 313, 314, and 315 are connected to one end of the first sensor electrode 210 and electrically connected to the

first pad electrodes

411, 412, 413, 414, and 415. The

second wires

321, 322, 323, 324 and 325 are connected to one end of the second sensor electrode 220 and electrically connected to the

second pad electrodes

421, 422, 423, 424 and 425.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 3, the plurality of first sensor electrodes 210 and the plurality of second sensor electrodes 220 may be arranged on the substrate 100 while crossing each other while being electrically insulated from each other.

Since the first bridge 230 is positioned on the second bridge, the first bridge 230 and the second bridge 240 may be formed on the same plane.

The plurality of second sensor electrodes 220 and the second bridge 240 may be formed on the same plane, and are simultaneously formed so that the second sensor electrode 220 and the second bridge 240 may be integrally manufactured. have.

4 is a cross-sectional view of a pad electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, a plurality of pad electrodes 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a conductor layer 430 formed on the substrate 100 and a gold (AU) layer formed on the conductor layer 430. 444. The conductor layer 430 includes a transparent conductive oxide layer 431 and a metal layer 432.

The transparent conductive oxide layer 431 may be formed on a substrate using any one of a spin coating process, a printing process, a sputtering process, a chemical vapor deposition process, an atomic layer deposition process, and a vacuum deposition process.

The transparent conductive oxide layer 431 may include any one of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), al-doped znO (AZO), and transparent conductive oxide (TCO).

The metal layer 432 may be formed on the transparent conductive oxide layer 431 using any one of a spin coating process, a printing process, a sputtering process, a chemical vapor deposition process, an atomic layer deposition process, and a vacuum deposition process. . The metal layer 432 may facilitate adhesion of the transparent conductive oxide layer 431 to the gold layer 441.

The metal layer 432 may include any one of Al, Mo, Cu, Cr, Nd, and alloys thereof.

A gold layer 441 may be formed on the metal layer 432 using any one of a sputtering process, a deposition process, and a photolithography process. The gold layer 441 protects the pad electrode 400 to prevent corrosion and extend life. In addition, the gold layer 441 improves electrical conductivity of the pad electrode 400.

5 is a cross-sectional view of a pad electrode according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, a transparent conductive oxide layer 431 may be formed on the substrate 100, and a gold layer 441 may be formed on the transparent conductive oxide layer 431.

6 is a cross-sectional view of a pad electrode according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, a metal layer 432 may be formed on a substrate 100, and a gold layer 441 may be formed on the metal layer 432.

Meanwhile, the pad electrode 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention may use a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) when connected to the driving means. When the pad electrode 400 and the FPCB are connected, the gold (Au) layer included in the pad electrode 400 facilitates the electrical connection between the pad electrode 400 and the FPCB.

Example 2

7 is a view showing a process of coupling the sensor unit and the driving unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The touch panel 10 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit 20 and a driver 30.

The sensor unit 20 includes a substrate 100, a sensor electrode 200, and a pad electrode 400, and the sensor electrode 200 and the pad electrode 400 are formed on the substrate 100.

The driving unit 30 includes a driving substrate 31, a driving circuit 32, and a driving electrode 33, and is electrically connected to the sensor unit 20.

The driving unit 30 may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

Referring to FIG. 7, the sensor unit 20 and the driving unit 30 are connected via the pad electrode 400 and the driving electrode 33. After the driving unit 30 is positioned near the sensor unit 20 and the driving unit 30 is rotated 180 degrees to compress the pad electrode 400 and the driving electrode 300, the sensor electrode 200 is the pad electrode 400. And the driving electrode 33 are electrically connected to the driving circuit 330.

In FIG. 7, the shape of the sensor electrode 200, the pad electrode 400, and the driving electrode 33 is illustrated in a rectangular shape, but the shape of the sensor electrode 200, the pad electrode 400, and the driving electrode 33 is not necessarily limited to the rectangular shape and may be formed in various shapes such as a triangle, a square, and a circle. The number and size of the sensor electrode 200, the pad electrode 400, and the driving electrode 33 may vary depending on the resolution of the touch panel 10 and the type and size of the display to which the touch panel is applied.

8 is a cross-sectional view of a pad electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the pad electrode 400 includes a conductor layer 430 and an insulating layer 442. The pad electrode 400 is formed on the substrate 100.

The conductor layer 430 is formed on the substrate 100, and may be formed of a transparent conductive oxide layer, a metal layer, and a combination thereof.

The transparent conductive oxide layer may be formed on the substrate 100 using any one of a spin coating process, a printing process, a sputtering process, a chemical vapor deposition process, an atomic layer deposition process, and a vacuum deposition process.

The transparent conductive oxide layer may include any one of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), al-doped znO (AZO), and transparent conductive oxide (TCO).

The metal layer may be formed on the substrate 100 or on the transparent conductive oxide layer using any one of a spin coating process, a printing process, a sputtering process, a chemical vapor deposition process, an atomic layer deposition process, and a vacuum deposition process. .

The insulating layer 442 is formed on the conductor layer 430 and prevents corrosion of the pad electrode 400. In addition, through the insulating layer 442, the pad electrode 400 well withstands temperature changes and improves reliability. Since the pad electrode 400 including the insulating layer 442 is formed before the sensor unit 20 and the driving unit 30 are compressed, no additional process is required after the pressing and the productivity of the touch panel 10 is reduced. This is improved.

9 is a cross-sectional view of the pad electrode, the pressure-sensitive adhesive film and the driving unit before pressing according to an embodiment of the present invention. The adhesive film 500 includes an adhesive matrix 510 and conductive particles 520, and the sensor unit 20 and the driving unit 30 are connected through the adhesive film 500.

The adhesive matrix 510 may include any one of an acrylic adhesive, a silicone adhesive, a urethane adhesive, and a rubber adhesive.

The conductive particles 520 are dispersed in the adhesive matrix 510 and serve as a medium for electrically connecting the pad electrode 400 and the driving electrode 33.

The conductive particles 520 may include any one of Cu, Ni, Co, Au, Ag, Cr, Pd, and alloys thereof, and may have an average diameter of about 5 μm to about 500 μm.

10 is a cross-sectional view of the pad electrode, the pressure-sensitive adhesive film and the driving unit after the compression according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, the pad electrode 400 and the driving electrode 33 are adhered to each other through an adhesive film 500 and are electrically connected to each other.

The adhesive matrix 510 abuts on and adheres to the substrate 100, the pad electrode 400, the driving substrate 31, and the driving electrode 33.

A portion of the conductive particles 520 is in direct contact with the pad electrode 400 and the driving electrode 33 in a compressed state, and electrically connects the pad electrode 400 and the driving electrode 33 to each other. The conductive particles 520 may be partially embedded in the insulating layer 442 of the pad electrode 400. The remaining conductive particles 520 are still dispersed in the adhesive matrix 510.

11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion A shown in FIG. 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, the conductive particles 520 are compressed between the insulating layer 442 and the driving electrode 33. Unlike FIG. 10, the conductive particles 520 may have various sizes, and the conductive particles 520 of various sizes may be compressed between the pad electrode 400 and the driving electrode 33. Since the insulating layer 442 is formed at about 0.05 to 0.3 μm, the conductive particles 520 have no obstacle in contact with the conductor layer 430, and electrically connect the conductor layer 430 and the driving electrode 33 to each other. Connect it.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a touch panel according to an example of the present invention will be described. The manufacturing method of the touch panel will be described step by step with reference to the drawings.

First, a plurality of sensor electrodes 200 are formed on the substrate 100, and the sensor unit 20 is prepared.

Subsequently, a pad electrode 400 including an insulating layer 231 is formed on the substrate 100. For example, the conductor layer 430 is formed on the substrate 100, and the insulating layer 231 is formed on the conductor layer 430.

The driver 30 is electrically connected to the sensor unit 20. For example, a driving circuit 32 is formed on the driving substrate 31, and a driving electrode 33 connected to the driving circuit 32 is formed on the driving substrate 31.

The adhesive film 500 is disposed between the sensor unit 20 and the driving unit 30.

Subsequently, the sensor unit 20, the adhesive film 500, and the driving unit 30 are attached.

Subsequently, the attached sensor unit 20, the adhesive film 500, and the driving unit 30 are compressed.

Through the above process, the sensor unit 20 and the driving unit 30 are electrically connected, and due to the pad electrode 400 including the insulating layer 442, the touch panel 10 may be produced without an additional insulation coating process. Can be.

Embodiments of the touch panel described above are merely exemplary, and the protection scope of the present invention may include various modifications and equivalents from those skilled in the art.

Claims

Board;

A plurality of sensor electrodes formed on the substrate;

And a plurality of pad electrodes connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes.

The plurality of pad electrodes,

A conductor layer formed on the substrate; And

A protective layer formed on the conductor layer;

Touch panel comprising a.
The method of claim 1,

The protective layer includes a gold (Au) layer.
The method of claim 1,

The plurality of sensor electrodes,

A plurality of first sensor electrodes arranged on the substrate in a first direction; And

A plurality of second sensor electrodes arranged on the substrate and spaced apart from the plurality of first sensor electrodes;

Touch panel comprising a.
The method of claim 3, wherein

And the plurality of first sensor electrodes and the plurality of second sensor electrodes cross each other in an electrically insulated state.
The method of claim 1,

The conductor layer includes at least one of a transparent conductive oxide layer and a metal layer.
The method of claim 5,

The transparent conductive oxide layer may include any one of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), al-doped znO (AZO), and transparent conductive oxide (TCO).
The method of claim 5,

The metal layer is any one of Al, Mo, Cu, Cr, Nd and alloys thereof.
A sensor unit including a plurality of sensor electrodes and a pad electrode formed on the substrate; And

It includes a drive unit electrically connected to the sensor unit,

The pad electrode,

A conductor layer formed on the substrate; And

A protective layer formed on the conductor layer;

Touch panel comprising a.
The method of claim 8,

The protective layer includes an insulating layer.
The method of claim 8,

The sensor unit and the driving unit is a touch panel connected via an adhesive film.
The method of claim 10,

The adhesive film,

Adhesive matrix; And

Conductive particles dispersed in the adhesive matrix;

Touch panel comprising a.
The method of claim 11,

The adhesive mattress is a touch panel comprising any one of an acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive, a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive, a urethane pressure sensitive adhesive and a rubber pressure sensitive adhesive.
The method of claim 11,

The conductive particles are any one of Cu, Ni, Co, Au, Ag, Cr, Pd, and alloys thereof.
The method of claim 11,

The conductive particles have an average diameter of 5 ~ 500㎛ touch panel.
The method of claim 8,

The driving unit includes a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).
Preparing a sensor unit including a plurality of sensor electrodes formed on a substrate;

Forming a pad electrode including an insulating layer on the substrate;

Preparing a driving unit electrically connected to the sensor unit;

Disposing an adhesive film between the sensor unit and the driving unit;

Attaching the sensor unit, the adhesive film, and the driving unit; And

And a step of pressing the sensor unit, the adhesive film, and the driving unit attached thereto.