CN112162650A

CN112162650A - Touch panel and display device

Info

Publication number: CN112162650A
Application number: CN202010809177.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张银伶; 王垚林
Original assignee: Shanghai Tianma AM OLED Co Ltd
Current assignee: Wuhan Tianma Microelectronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-08-12
Filing date: 2020-08-12
Publication date: 2021-01-01
Anticipated expiration: 2040-08-12
Also published as: CN112162650B

Abstract

The application provides a touch panel, including: the first touch electrode extends along a first direction and comprises a plurality of first touch electrode blocks, and the first touch electrode blocks are electrically connected through the body connecting part; the second touch electrode extends along the second direction and comprises a plurality of second touch electrode blocks, the adjacent second touch electrode blocks are electrically connected through a functional bridge, the body connecting part is positioned between the adjacent second touch electrode blocks, and the functional bridge spans the body connecting part; a second direction crossing the first direction; the virtual electrode pole is positioned between the first touch electrode block and the second touch electrode block, and a virtual bridge is arranged on the virtual electrode. Through touch panel and display device that this application provided, can't protect function bridging not wounded by the static to current structure, the structure of this application can share the static that comes from the face to alleviate and avoid the static to damage function bridging even, thereby avoid the risk that touch panel became invalid.

Description

Touch panel and display device

Technical Field

The application belongs to the technical field of touch panels, and particularly relates to a touch panel with an electrostatic protection function and a display device.

Background

With the continuous development of display technologies, the requirements of consumers on display panels are continuously improved, various display panel layers are not grouped, and rapid development is achieved, such as liquid crystal display panels, organic light emitting display panels and the like. The display screen with touch function is basically one of the essential functions, and the touch function has various realization forms and structures, such as self-contained type, mutual-contained type and other touch modes, and built-in type, external type or external type and other touch structures. The Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED) screen has technical advantages in a wide color gamut, high contrast, ultra-thin design, outdoor readability, energy consumption and other aspects, and the touch screen formed by the AMOLED screen comprises an active matrix organic light emitting diode screen, a touch panel (TouchPanel) and outer protective glass.

In the manufacturing process of the touch panel, due to the existence of static electricity, the conductors are easy to discharge mutually, and damage is caused to the touch panel, fig. 1 shows a conventional functional bridge erected between touch electrodes, and the conventional functional bridge is easy to be damaged by static electricity to cause the failure of the touch panel, or after various tests, the bridge is damaged to cause the failure of the touch panel, and great influence is caused to the yield of the touch panel.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, embodiments of the present application provide a touch panel for solving at least one of the problems of the prior art.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a touch panel, including: the touch control device comprises a first touch control electrode extending along a first direction, a second touch control electrode extending along a second direction, a body connecting part and a plurality of first touch control electrode blocks, wherein the first touch control electrode blocks are electrically connected through the body connecting part; the second touch electrode extends along a second direction and comprises a plurality of second touch electrode blocks, the adjacent second touch electrode blocks are electrically connected through a functional bridge, the body connecting part is positioned between the adjacent second touch electrode blocks, and the functional bridge spans the body connecting part; the second direction intersects the first direction; and the virtual electrode is positioned between the first touch electrode block and the second touch electrode block, and a virtual bridge is arranged on the virtual electrode.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a display device, including the touch panel provided in the present application.

Compared with the prior art, the touch panel and the display device provided by the application at least realize the following beneficial effects: aiming at the problem that the existing structure can not protect the functional bridge from being damaged by static shock, the structure of the application can bear static in the plane, so that the functional bridge is lightened or even avoided from being damaged by the static shock, and the risk of failure of the touch panel is avoided.

Of course, it is not necessary for any product to achieve all of the above-described technical effects simultaneously.

Drawings

Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the application. Also, like reference numerals are used to refer to like parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a functional bridging diagram for electrostatic discharge in the prior art;

fig. 2A is a schematic structural diagram of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2B is a schematic front view structure along the Z direction of the touch panel of fig. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a touch panel with locations of functional bridges and virtual bridges according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a virtual bridge according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional bridge according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6A is a schematic structural view of a cross-section taken along the direction "A-A" in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6B is a schematic structural diagram of a cross-section taken along the direction "B-B" in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6C is another schematic structural diagram of a cross-section taken along the direction "B-B" in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7A is a schematic structural view taken in cross-section along the direction "A-A" in FIG. 3 according to another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7B is a schematic structural view taken in cross-section along the direction "B-B" in FIG. 3 according to another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7C is another schematic illustration of the structure of FIG. 3 taken along the "B-B" direction in accordance with another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a touch panel with locations of functional bridges and virtual bridges according to another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel with functional bridges and virtual bridges according to another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel with functional bridges and virtual bridges according to another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a touch panel with locations of functional bridges and virtual bridges according to yet another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a virtual bridge according to another embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a schematic view of another front view structure along the Z direction of the touch panel of fig. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a schematic structural view of a cross-section taken along the direction "C-C" in FIG. 13 according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

Various exemplary embodiments of the present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that: the relative arrangement of the components and steps, the numerical expressions, and numerical values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present application unless specifically stated otherwise.

The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the application, its application, or uses.

Techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail but are intended to be part of the specification where appropriate.

The present application provides a touch panel 100, the touch panel 100 includes a first substrate 20, a second substrate 30, a gate line G, a data line D, a pixel unit P, a first touch electrode 42, a second touch electrode 44, and a plurality of functional bridges 46. The second base substrate 30 is disposed opposite to the first base substrate 20, and the data line D intersects the gate line G in an insulated manner. The pixel units P are arranged in an array, and the gate lines G, the data lines D and the pixel units P are located between the first substrate 20 and the second substrate 30. The gate lines G, the data lines D, and the pixel units P may be formed on a side of the first substrate 20 adjacent to the second substrate 30.

Referring to fig. 2A and 2B, the display panel includes a first touch electrode 42 extending along the X direction, the first touch electrode 42 includes a plurality of first touch electrode blocks in the X direction, each of the first touch electrode blocks is electrically connected by a body connection portion 43, and the first touch electrodes 42 extending along the X direction are arranged along the Y direction. The touch panel 100 further includes a second touch electrode 44 extending along the Y direction, the second touch electrode 44 includes a plurality of second touch electrode blocks in the Y direction, the functional bridge 46 crosses the body connection portion 43 to connect two adjacent second touch electrode blocks, and the second touch electrodes 44 extending along the Y direction are arranged along the X direction. The functional bridge is used for electrically connecting the adjacent second touch electrode blocks to form strip electrodes, and the two groups of crossed strip electrodes form mutual capacitance type touch.

In an optional embodiment, the arrangement of the pixel units is not limited to the RGB standard arrangement, and the arrangement of the pixel units may also adopt a way that red and blue sub-pixel points are obliquely arranged in a straight line at an angle of 45 °, and meanwhile, the green pixel points adopt a horizontal, horizontal and vertical arrangement. Therefore, the number of the sub-pixels can be reduced, the effect of simulating high resolution by low resolution is achieved, the visual brightness is higher under the same brightness, and the cost is lower.

In the reliability test or the actual use process, static electricity exists in the touch panel, and because the resistance ratio of the functional bridge is low and the width is narrow, under the condition that the functional bridge is damaged by static electricity, the resistance of the functional bridge is increased, so that the touch precision is reduced or the touch fails, and under the condition that the functional bridge is broken by static electricity, the touch electrode is disconnected, the touch is disconnected, and the touch fails. Therefore, referring to fig. 2B, in the present application, in order to prevent the functional bridge from being damaged or broken, a dummy electrode 47 is further disposed between the first touch electrode 42 and the second touch electrode 44, and a dummy bridge 56 (not shown) is disposed on the dummy electrode 47, and is used for providing a discharge function simultaneously with the functional bridge 46, or for providing a discharge function preferentially to the functional bridge 46 so as to prevent the functional bridge 46 from being damaged by electrostatic shock, or for providing a discharge function after the functional bridge 46 is disabled by electrostatic shock, so as to prevent the functional bridge from being damaged after various tests, which results in the failure of the touch panel.

Referring to fig. 2B, the display panel includes a touch chip 130, the touch chip 130 is connected to the first touch electrode 42 through the first touch lead 110, the touch chip 130 is connected to the second touch electrode 44 through the second touch lead 120, the first touch electrode 42 can be a touch detection electrode for receiving a touch detection signal, and the second touch electrode 44 can be a touch driving electrode for providing a touch driving signal; the display panel may further include a display driving chip 140, and the display driving chip 140 is configured to provide a display signal for the display panel, in other embodiments of this embodiment, the touch chip 130 and the display driving chip 140 may also be integrated into a same chip, so as to further save a frame area of the display panel. The bezel 210 is disposed around the display area 220.

The dashed box area in fig. 2B is enlarged as shown in fig. 3. The first touch electrode 42 extends along the X direction, and includes a plurality of first touch electrode blocks in the X direction, each of which is electrically connected by the body connection portion 43. The second touch electrode 44 extends along the Y direction, and includes a plurality of second touch electrode blocks in the Y direction, the functional bridge 46 crosses the body connection portion 43 to connect two adjacent second touch electrode blocks, a virtual electrode 47 is provided between the first touch electrode block and the second touch electrode block, and a virtual bridge 56 is provided on the virtual electrode 47. In fig. 3, only one dummy electrode 47 is shown, however, the number of dummy electrodes 47 is not limited. According to the requirement of electrostatic protection, in fig. 3, four positions forming central symmetry with the centers of the functional bridges 46 and the body connecting portion 43 may have one, two, three or four virtual electrodes, and the larger the number of the virtual electrodes is, the closer the positions of the virtual electrodes are to the functional bridges 46, the easier it is to share static electricity for the functional bridges 46, and the easier it is to release static electricity preferentially for the functional bridges 46, so as to achieve a better electrostatic protection effect and prevent the functional bridges 46 from being damaged.

The dummy electrode 47 in fig. 3 is partially enlarged, see fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows a specific structure of the dummy electrodes, and the dummy electrode 47 includes a first dummy electrode 471, a third dummy electrode 473 and a second dummy electrode 472 separated by two cuts having widths D3 and D4, respectively, and a dummy bridge 56 spans the third dummy electrode and is electrically connected to the first dummy electrode and the second dummy electrode, whereby the dummy bridge 56 has a structure similar to that of the functional bridge 46, and three electrode portions are separated by two cuts, and the dummy bridge 56 or the functional bridge 46 spans the electrode portions in the middle and is bridged over the electrodes on both sides. Therefore, when static electricity in the touch display panel is accumulated between the electrodes, the virtual bridging 56 is preferentially adopted for discharging, and the touch panel is prevented from being damaged. In the present application, the dummy bridges 56 have different positions and detailed structures from the functional bridges 46, so that when static electricity is accumulated, the dummy bridges 56 are preferentially used for performing static electricity discharge, thereby not only protecting the touch panel from static electricity damage, but also protecting the functional bridges 46 from static electricity damage. For example, the dummy bridges are made of a material with a lower resistivity, for example, the dummy bridges are disposed at a position where static electricity is more concentrated, for example, the dummy bridges are narrower than the functional bridges in width and/or longer than the functional bridges in length, and/or the tips are disposed with a larger curvature, so that static electricity dispersed around the touch panel is absorbed onto the dummy bridges to share the static electricity with the functional bridges. The details are as follows.

The dashed box near the functional bridge 46 in the center of fig. 3 is enlarged, see fig. 5. Two notches with widths D1 and D2 are disposed between the adjacent second touch electrode blocks of the second touch electrodes 44 and the body connecting part 43, wherein D1 and D2 are equal or different according to process requirements. For the slit widths D3 and D4 in fig. 4, optionally, the width of D3 is equal to that of D2, the width of D4 is equal to that of D1, optionally, the widths of D3 and D4 are different from those of D1 and D2, but the ratio of the widths of D3 and D4 to the width W2 of the virtual bridge 56 is equal to that of the widths of D1 and D2 to that of the width W1 of the functional bridge 46, so that the virtual bridge is smaller than the functional bridge as a whole, and the effect of absorbing static electricity discharged by the virtual bridge 56 in preference to the functional bridge 46 is achieved. Optionally, the widths of D3 and D4 are different from those of D1 and D2, but the widths of D3 and D4 are smaller than those of D1 and D2, so that the effect of releasing static electricity by the virtual bridges 56 in preference to the functional bridges 46 can be achieved when less charges are accumulated.

Fig. 4 and 5 are top views of the virtual bridge and the functional bridge in the Z direction. Optionally, the virtual bridge 56 and the functional bridge 46 are both rectangular, and in terms of length and width, the length L2 of the virtual bridge 56 is greater than the length L1 of the functional bridge 46, and the width W2 of the virtual bridge 56 is smaller than the width W1 of the functional bridge 46, so that with such a structure, under the condition of electrostatic accumulation, the virtual bridge 56 is preferentially used for electrostatic discharge, thereby not only protecting the touch panel, but also protecting the functional bridge 46 from electrostatic damage. Optionally, the virtual bridge may be a spindle structure with two thin ends and a thick middle part, according to the principle of point discharge, the sharper the tip of the conductor is, the larger the curvature is, the higher the surface charge density is, the stronger the field intensity near the conductor is, and compared with the part with small curvature, the part with large curvature is the tip.

In an alternative embodiment, the dummy bridge 56 is a metal bridge, and the resistivity of the metal bridge is lower than that of the touch signal lines of the touch panel, for example, a metal with high resistivity such as gold or silver is used, so that static electricity is preferentially absorbed and discharged, and the touch signal lines and the connection terminals are protected from being damaged by static electricity.

In an alternative embodiment, Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) is used for the first dummy electrode 471, the third dummy electrode 473 and the second dummy electrode 472, wherein the ITO is nano-oxide particles with semiconductor characteristics and has higher conductive characteristics than conventional oxide at room temperature, and because the ITO has high resistivity, the ITO is used as the dummy electrode and does not shield the touch signal, thereby solving the problem of shielding the touch signal by the dummy electrode. In addition, first dummy electrode 471, third dummy electrode 473, and second dummy electrode 472 may also use Antimony Tin Oxide (ATO), which has a higher resistivity than indium tin oxide, thereby achieving a better electrostatic discharge effect.

In fig. 3, a cross-sectional view in a-a direction is shown in fig. 6A, and a cross-sectional view in B-B direction is shown in fig. 6B, wherein the touch panel further includes a substrate 31 and an insulating layer 32.

In fig. 6A, the functional bridge 46 is disposed on one surface of the insulating layer 32, and the second touch electrode 44 and the body connecting portion 43 are disposed on the other surface of the insulating layer 32. The insulating layer 32 includes first and second via

holes

61 and 62 corresponding to two adjacent second touch electrode blocks of the second touch electrode 42, respectively.

The functional bridge 46 is electrically connected to the two second touch electrode blocks through the first via 61 and the second via 62. The insulating layer 32 can prevent the functional bridge 46 from conducting with other metal layers in the touch panel. The functional bridge 46 has a first protrusion 71 and a second protrusion 72, and the shape and size of the first protrusion 71 are adapted to the first via 61, and the first protrusion passes through the first via 61 and is electrically connected to a second touch electrode block. Similarly, the second protrusion 72 is shaped and sized to fit the second via hole 62, and passes through the second via hole 62 to be electrically connected to another second touch electrode pad. And then, bridging between the adjacent second touch electrode blocks is realized. In this embodiment, the first protruding portion 71 and the second protruding portion 72 may be integrally formed with the functional bridge 46, so as to electrically connect the adjacent second touch electrode blocks.

In fig. 6B, dummy bridge 56 is disposed on one surface of insulating layer 32, and first dummy electrode 471, third dummy electrode 473, and second dummy electrode 472 are disposed on the other surface of insulating layer 32. Insulating layer 32 includes first and

second vias

63 and 64 corresponding to second and

first dummy electrodes

472 and 471, respectively.

The dummy bridge 56 is electrically connected to the first dummy electrode 471 and the second dummy electrode 472 through the third via 63 and the fourth via 64, respectively. The insulating layer 32 can prevent the dummy bridge 56 from conducting with other metal layers in the touch panel. The dummy bridge 56 has a third protrusion 73 and a fourth protrusion 74, and the third protrusion 73 is shaped and sized to fit into the third via 63 and electrically connects to the first dummy electrode 471 through the third via 63. Similarly, the fourth protrusion 74 is shaped and sized to fit into the fourth via 64, and it is electrically connected to the second dummy electrode 472 through the fourth via 64. Further, bridging between the dummy electrodes is realized. In this embodiment, the third protruding portion 73 and the fourth protruding portion 74 may be integrally formed with the dummy bridge 56, so as to realize the electrical connection of the dummy bridge for electrostatic discharge.

In an alternative embodiment, the dummy bridges 56 and the functional bridges 46 are located in the same layer, and the existing film layer of the display panel is not added, which is beneficial to implementing the thin design of the display panel and simplifying the process.

In fig. 3, a cross-sectional view in the a-a direction is shown in fig. 6A, and a cross-sectional view in the B-B direction is shown in fig. 6C, wherein the touch panel further includes a substrate 31 and an insulating layer 32. In fig. 6C, dummy bridge 56 is disposed on one surface of insulating layer 32, and first dummy electrode 471, third dummy electrode 473, and second dummy electrode 472 are disposed on the other surface of insulating layer 32. Dummy bridge 56 is spaced apart from first dummy electrode 471 and second dummy electrode 472 by insulating layer 32. When static electricity exists in the touch panel, the insulating layer 32 is broken down, and the static electricity is discharged through the dummy bridge 56.

In an alternative embodiment, without the third protruding portion 73 and the fourth protruding portion 74, the dummy bridge 56 has a certain distance from both the first dummy electrode 471 and the second dummy electrode 472, and no electrical connection is achieved.

In the above-described embodiment in which the dummy bridges and the dummy electrodes are not substantially electrically connected, since electrostatic discharge refers to charge transfer caused by objects having different electrostatic potentials coming close to each other or coming into direct contact with each other, electrostatic discharge can be generated even when there is no electrical connection, as long as the distance is sufficiently close. Therefore, the static electricity discharge with larger instantaneous current can be realized at one time when the static electricity accumulation is more, and the damage to the functional bridge or the touch panel caused by the overlarge instantaneous current is avoided.

In an optional embodiment, the diameters of the first via 61 and the second via 62 are R1 and R2, R1 and R2 are the same, the diameters of the third via 63 and the fourth via 64 are R3 and R4, and optionally, the sizes of R3 and R4 are both larger than those of R1 and R2, so that the virtual bridge 56 implements an electrostatic discharge function through the larger via in preference to the functional bridge 46, thereby not only protecting the touch panel, but also protecting the functional bridge 46 from electrostatic damage.

In another embodiment of fig. 3, a cross-sectional view along a-a direction is shown in fig. 7A, and a cross-sectional view along B-B direction is shown in fig. 7B, wherein the touch panel further includes a substrate 31 and an insulating layer 32.

In fig. 7A, the functional bridge 46 is disposed on one surface of the insulating layer 32, and the second touch electrode 44 and the body connecting portion 43 are disposed on the other surface of the insulating layer 32. The insulating layer 32 includes first and second via

holes

The functional bridge 46 is electrically connected to the two second touch electrode blocks through the first via 61 and the second via 62. The insulating layer 32 can prevent the functional bridge 46 from conducting with other metal layers in the touch panel. The second touch electrode block has a first protrusion 71 and a second protrusion 72, and the shape and size of the first protrusion 71 are adapted to the first via 61, and the first protrusion passes through the first via 61 and is electrically connected to the functional bridge 46. Similarly, the second bump 72 is shaped and sized to conform to the second via 62, and it is electrically connected to the functional bridge through the second via 62. And then, bridging between the adjacent second touch electrode blocks is realized. In this embodiment, the first protrusion portion 71 and the second protrusion portion 72 and the second touch electrode block may be integrally formed, so as to simplify the process steps.

In fig. 7B, dummy bridge 56 is disposed on one surface of insulating layer 32, and first dummy electrode 471, third dummy electrode 473, and second dummy electrode 472 are disposed on the other surface of insulating layer 32. Insulating layer 32 includes first and

second vias

63 and 64 corresponding to first and

second dummy electrodes

471 and 472, respectively.

The first dummy electrode 471 and the second dummy electrode 472 are electrically connected to the dummy bridge 56 through the third via 63 and the fourth via 64. The insulating layer 32 can prevent the dummy bridge 56 from conducting with other metal layers in the touch panel. The first dummy electrode 471 and the second dummy electrode 472 respectively have a third protrusion 73 and a fourth protrusion 74, the third protrusion 73 is shaped and sized to fit the third via 63, and passes through the third via 63 to be electrically connected to the dummy bridge 56. Similarly, the fourth bump 74 is shaped and sized to fit within the fourth via 64, and electrically connects to the dummy bridge 56 through the fourth via 64. Further, the first dummy electrode 471 and the second dummy electrode 472 are bridged. In this embodiment, the third protrusion 73 and the fourth protrusion 74 may be integrally formed with the first dummy electrode 471 and the second dummy electrode 472, respectively, so as to simplify the process steps.

In an alternative embodiment, the virtual bridges 56 and the functional bridges 46 are located in the same layer, and an existing film layer of the display panel is not required to be added, which is beneficial to realizing a thin design of the display panel and simplifying the manufacturing process.

In another embodiment of fig. 3, a cross-sectional view along a-a direction is shown in fig. 7A, and a cross-sectional view along B-B direction is shown in fig. 7C, wherein the touch panel further includes a substrate 31 and an insulating layer 32. In fig. 7C, dummy bridge 56 is disposed on one surface of insulating layer 32, and first dummy electrode 471, third dummy electrode 473, and second dummy electrode 472 are disposed on the other surface of insulating layer 32. Dummy bridge 56 is spaced apart from first dummy electrode 471 and second dummy electrode 472 by insulating layer 32. When static electricity exists in the touch panel, the insulating layer 32 is broken down, and the static electricity is discharged through the dummy bridge 56. In an alternative embodiment, without the third protruding portion 73 and the fourth protruding portion 74, the dummy bridge 56 has a certain distance from both the first dummy electrode 471 and the second dummy electrode 472, and no electrical connection is achieved.

In alternative embodiments, the number of the functional bridges 46 may be one, two or more, and each of the functional bridges has a strip-shaped structure, and a plurality of functional bridges are parallel in the strip-shaped direction or have an intersection point. Referring to fig. 8, the plurality of functional bridges may be arranged perpendicular to the body connecting portion 43 and parallel to each other. Referring to fig. 9, the single functional bridges may have an angle of between 0-90 degrees, preferably 45 degrees or 60 degrees, with the body connecting portion 43 while being parallel to any of the virtual bridges. Referring to fig. 10, the plurality of functional bridges may be arranged in an angle of 0 to 90 degrees, preferably 45 degrees or 60 degrees or 120 degrees or 135 degrees, with respect to the body connecting portion 43, and the angles formed between the plurality of functional bridges are complementary.

In an alternative embodiment, there are a plurality of virtual bridges, and the larger the number of the virtual bridges 56 and the closer the virtual bridges are to the functional bridges 46, the easier it is to share static electricity for the functional bridges 46, so as to achieve a better static electricity protection effect and prevent the functional bridges 46 from being damaged. Since the layout positions of the touch electrodes in the touch panel are limited, the layout positions of the virtual bridges are also limited, and since the static electricity of the touch panel is released probabilistically, the more virtual bridges are, the more probability of sharing the static electricity is, and according to the layout of the touch panel and the probabilistically sharing principle, four virtual bridges shown in fig. 8-11 are arranged around each functional bridge. Optionally, the distances between the virtual bridges and the functional bridges are equal to D5, the distances between each virtual bridge are equal to D6, and D5 and D6 are not equal, so that equidistant distribution between the virtual bridges and the functional bridges and equidistant distribution between the virtual bridges are realized, and thus uniform distribution of the virtual bridges on the whole touch panel is realized, the touch surface is kept uniform, and the overall optical display performance of the touch panel is not affected. Referring to fig. 8, 9 and 10, the X direction is taken as a first symmetry axis, and the plurality of virtual bridges 56 are mirror-symmetric with respect to the first symmetry axis; the plurality of virtual bridges 56 are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the second axis of symmetry, which is the Y direction.

In alternative embodiments, the number of the dummy bridges 56 may be one, two or more, and the shape structure thereof may be different. For convenience of manufacturing process, most of the dummy bridges have the same structure, however, in the past test, the dummy bridges configured at the positions where the electrostatic discharge occurs more frequently or the electrostatic charge is accumulated more frequently are thinner in the width W2 of the stripe structure and longer in the length L2 of the stripe structure, so that the electrostatic discharge is performed when less electrostatic charge occurs by the tip effect, and damage to the functional bridges or damage to the touch panel caused by the accumulation of more charges is avoided.

In alternative embodiments, the number of the dummy bridges 56 may be one, two or more, and each dummy bridge 56 has a stripe structure, and the dummy bridges 56 are parallel to or have an intersection point with the functional bridges 46 in the stripe direction of the stripe. Different electrode structures reserve areas of different sizes and shapes for the virtual electrodes. Referring to fig. 11, each of the first touch electrode blocks of the first touch electrodes 42 has two sides parallel to the X-axis, and each of the second touch electrode blocks of the second touch electrodes 44 has two sides parallel to the Y-axis. A dummy electrode 47 having a rectangular area with opposite sides parallel to the X and Y axes, respectively, is provided between the first and second touch electrode blocks. A dummy bridge 56 is provided on the dummy electrode 47. The functional bridges 46 are shown in two, at an angle of between 0-90 degrees to the body-coupling portion 43, and a single functional bridge 46 at an angle of between 0-90 degrees to the body-coupling portion 43 may be used. Optionally, the X direction is taken as a first symmetry axis, and the plurality of virtual bridges 56 are not mirror-symmetrical with respect to the first symmetry axis; the plurality of virtual bridges 56 are not mirror-symmetrical with respect to the second axis of symmetry, which is the Y direction. Optionally, the virtual bridge 56 and the functional bridge 46 are at the same angle with respect to the first axis of symmetry. Optionally, included angles formed by the plurality of virtual bridges and the first symmetric axis are different. Optionally, the length and width of each dummy bridge 56 are different. Therefore, virtual bridges with different angles, different lengths and different widths can be set according to the pre-judged static electricity gathering position, and thinner and longer bridges are adopted at positions with more static electricity gathering, so that the better effect of releasing static electricity in real time is realized.

In an alternative embodiment, referring to fig. 12, dummy electrode 47 includes first dummy electrode 471, third dummy electrode 473, and second dummy electrode 472 separated by two cuts, and dummy bridge 56 spans third dummy electrode 473 and is electrically connected to first dummy electrode 471 and second dummy electrode 472. Referring to fig. 12, the two cuts are not perpendicular to the stripe direction of the dummy bridge 56, and form an angle of 0 to 90 degrees, preferably 45 degrees or 60 degrees. Therefore, the virtual bridge 56 has a structure similar to the structure of the functional bridge 46 in the extending direction of the slit, preferably, the slit direction of the virtual bridge 56 is parallel to the slit direction of the functional bridge 46, and the same structure makes the virtual bridge 56 preferentially adopt for discharging when static electricity inside the touch panel is accumulated between the electrodes, thereby avoiding damage to the functional bridge 46 or the touch panel.

In an alternative embodiment, referring to fig. 12, the virtual bridge has a pointed configuration with the point having an angle of less than 90 degrees, preferably 45 degrees or 30 degrees. According to the principle of point discharge, the sharper the tip of the conductor, the larger the curvature, the higher the surface charge density, and the stronger the field intensity nearby the conductor.

In an alternative embodiment, referring to fig. 13, the touch panel further includes a dummy electrode layer 230 disposed around the touch area 220, and a ground layer (GU layer/GND layer) 240 disposed around the touch area 220. In the touch area, the dummy electrode 47B (shown in black in fig. 13) located at the outermost periphery of the touch area 220 and the other dummy electrodes 47W (shown in white in fig. 13) located on the touch panel except for the outermost dummy electrodes are configured differently. The dummy electrode 47B has the structure shown in fig. 6B or 7B (as described above), and the dummy electrode 47W has the structure shown in fig. 6C or 7C (as described above). Therefore, when static electricity exists in the touch panel, the insulating layer 32 is broken down at the virtual electrode 47W, and static electricity is released through the virtual bridge 56, and at the virtual electrode 47B, the first virtual electrode 471, the third virtual electrode 473 and the second virtual electrode 472 included in the virtual electrode 47B conduct static electricity to the ground layer 240 through the virtual electrode layer 230, so that static electricity energy is further conducted to the ground while the static electricity on the functional bridge is shared, and static electricity is released more easily than static electricity released through breakdown of the insulating layer, so that the risk that the functional bridge is damaged is further reduced, and damage to the touch panel is avoided.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of a structure according to a cross section taken along the direction "C-C" in fig. 13, showing the dummy electrode layer 230, the insulating layer 231 and the ground layer 240, wherein the virtual electrode layer 230 is connected to the ground layer 240 by one or more vias 82, by electrically connecting the first dummy electrode 471, the third dummy electrode 473 and the second dummy electrode 472 included in the dummy electrode 47B located at the outermost periphery of the touch area 220 with the dummy electrode layer 230 surrounding the touch area 220, and further connected to the ground layer 240 through the via 82, so that when static electricity occurs on the outermost periphery of the touch panel, the static electricity is conducted to the ground layer 240 through the via 82 by using the dummy electrode 47B, and compared with the case that the dummy electrode 47B is broken down through the insulating layer 32 to discharge the static electricity, the static electricity is discharged more easily, and the risk that the functional bridge is damaged is further reduced.

In an optional embodiment, the touch panel further includes a polarizer, and the polarizer is assembled and covered above the functional bridge and the virtual bridge.

Referring to fig. 15, which is a schematic diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the display device 1000 includes a touch panel 100, the touch panel 100 is a touch panel in any of the above embodiments, and the display device 1000 may be a mobile phone or a foldable display screen, a notebook computer, a television, a watch, an intelligent wearable display device, and the like, which is not limited in this embodiment.

As can be seen from the above description, in the touch panel provided in the embodiment, the touch panel 100 includes the first touch electrode 42, the second touch electrode 44, the functional bridge 46 and the virtual bridge 56, and the virtual bridge 56 protects the touch electrodes and the functional bridge from static electricity and ensures normal operation of the touch layer and the package device, thereby ensuring normal display function of the display panel. And, through realizing virtual bridging and function bridging at the same layer, simple structure easily realizes, when promoting the electrostatic protection ability, guarantees that display panel's other functions are not influenced.

Although some specific embodiments of the present application have been described in detail by way of example, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present application. The scope of the application is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A touch panel, comprising:

the touch control device comprises a first touch control electrode extending along a first direction, a second touch control electrode extending along a second direction, a body connecting part and a plurality of first touch control electrode blocks, wherein the first touch control electrode blocks are electrically connected through the body connecting part;

the second touch electrode extends along a second direction and comprises a plurality of second touch electrode blocks, the adjacent second touch electrode blocks are electrically connected through a functional bridge, the body connecting part is positioned between the adjacent second touch electrode blocks, and the functional bridge spans the body connecting part; the second direction intersects the first direction;

and the virtual electrode is positioned between the first touch electrode block and the second touch electrode block, and a virtual bridge is arranged on the virtual electrode.

2. The touch panel of claim 1,

the dummy electrodes include a first dummy electrode, a third dummy electrode and a second dummy electrode separated by a first slit;

the virtual bridge spans the third virtual electrode and is electrically connected with the first virtual electrode and the second virtual electrode.

3. The touch panel of claim 2,

and a second notch is arranged between the second touch electrode block and the first touch electrode block, wherein the width of the second notch is equal to that of the first notch.

4. The touch panel of claim 2,

the touch panel further comprises an insulating layer, the insulating layer is formed on the upper surface of the first touch electrode and the upper surface of the virtual electrode, and a plurality of through holes are formed in the insulating layer;

the virtual bridge is electrically connected with the first virtual electrode and the second virtual electrode through a plurality of first via holes, and the functional bridge is electrically connected with a plurality of second touch electrodes through a plurality of second via holes.

5. The touch panel of claim 4,

the diameter of the first via is larger than the diameter of the second via.

6. The touch panel of claim 1,

the virtual bridge is of a strip structure, the length of the virtual bridge is larger than that of the functional bridge, and/or the width of the virtual bridge is smaller than that of the functional bridge.

7. The touch panel of claim 1,

the virtual bridge comprises a metal bridge, and the resistivity of the metal bridge is lower than that of a touch signal line of the touch panel.

8. The touch panel of claim 1,

the plurality of virtual bridges are in mirror symmetry relative to the first symmetry axis by taking the first direction as the first symmetry axis;

and taking the second direction as a second symmetry axis, and the plurality of virtual bridges are in mirror symmetry relative to the second symmetry axis.

9. The touch panel of claim 1,

the virtual bridge is provided with a plurality of virtual bridges, and the virtual bridges are the same in shape or partially the same or different.

10. The touch panel of claim 1,

the functional bridges are all in strip structures, and are parallel in the strip direction or have cross points.

11. The touch panel of claim 1,

the virtual bridge is in a strip-shaped structure, and the virtual bridge and the functional bridge are parallel in the strip-shaped direction or have cross points.

12. The touch panel according to claim 1, further comprising:

the frame area is arranged outside the touch area;

the ground wire is positioned in the frame area;

the virtual bridge is electrically connected with the ground wire.

13. The touch panel according to claim 1, further comprising:

and the polaroid is assembled at the back and covers the functional bridge and the virtual bridge.

14. A display device comprising the touch panel according to any one of claims 1 to 13.