JP2012073669A - Touch panel and image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel and an image display device capable of suppressing the breaking of wiring located above an intersection of first wiring and second wiring.SOLUTION: A touch panel comprises a first substrate having an input area R1, plural first wiring and plural second wiring disposed on the input area of the first substrate, plural insulator films 18, a frame part 9, a second substrate, and a bonding material. The plural insulator films 18 are respectively disposed at plural intersections of the plural first wiring and the plural second wiring on the first substrate and are interposed between the plural first wiring and the plural second wiring. The frame part 9 is disposed on the first substrate, formed along the circumference of the input area R1, and has a thickness greater than the plural insulator films 18.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a touch panel and an image display device.

  In recent years, the need for an input interface in a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone has been expanding because of the optical characteristics such as a small touch and a high transmittance of the touch panel and the range of applications such as multi-touch support. The touch panel position detection method is a capacitance method.

  In the touch panel, when an operator's finger or the like is brought into contact with the surface of the touch panel for input, the capacitance near the input position changes. For this reason, the touch panel can detect the input position by detecting the change state of the capacitance as a voltage change.

  The touch panel includes a plurality of first wirings along the X axis and a plurality of second wirings along the Y axis. Since the X and Y coordinates of the input position can be detected, the input position can be accurately detected.

  When manufacturing the first wiring and the second wiring, they are formed by patterning on one main surface of the mother glass. The first wiring and the second wiring are opposed to each other with the insulating film interposed therebetween.

  When an insulating film is formed using an organic photosensitive material using a photolithography method, the thickness of the insulating film is generally 1 to 3 μm.

JP 2010-39537 A

By the way, when an insulating film is formed using an organic material, in the cutting process for cutting out the substrate on which the first wiring and the second wiring are formed from the mother glass and the flexible wiring crimping process for electrical conduction, Due to the weak surface hardness, the insulating film and the wiring formed in the upper layer are scratched, and as a result, the wiring may be disconnected. The disconnection of the wiring causes a malfunction of the touch panel.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a touch panel and an image display device that can suppress disconnection of a wiring located above the intersection of the first wiring and the second wiring. is there.

The touch panel according to one embodiment
A first substrate having an input area;
A plurality of first wires arranged on an input region of the first substrate, extending in a first direction, and arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
A plurality of second wirings arranged on the input region of the first substrate, extending in the second direction, and arranged in the first direction;
A plurality of insulating films disposed at a plurality of intersections of the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings on the first substrate, respectively, and interposed between the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings; ,
An insulating frame disposed on the first substrate, formed along an outer periphery of the input region, and having a thickness larger than the plurality of insulating films;
A second substrate having the input region and disposed opposite to the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings;
A bonding material interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and bonding the first substrate and the second substrate.

An image display device according to an embodiment
An image display unit having a display surface;
A touch panel provided above the display surface,
The touch panel
A first substrate having an input area;
A plurality of first wires arranged on an input region of the first substrate, extending in a first direction, and arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
A plurality of second wirings arranged on the input region of the first substrate, extending in the second direction, and arranged in the first direction;
A plurality of insulating films disposed at a plurality of intersections of the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings on the first substrate, respectively, and interposed between the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings; ,
An insulating frame disposed on the first substrate, formed along an outer periphery of the input region, and having a thickness larger than the plurality of insulating films;
A second substrate having the input region and disposed opposite to the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings;
A bonding material interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and bonding the first substrate and the second substrate.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the liquid crystal display panel shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display panel taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the peripheral edge of the touch panel shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing an input area of the touch panel. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the touch panel shown along line BB in FIG.

Hereinafter, a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel 1 as an image display unit, a backlight unit 2, and a touch panel 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the liquid crystal display panel 1 includes an array substrate 20, a counter substrate 30, a liquid crystal layer 40, a first polarizing unit 60, and a second polarizing unit 70 having a display surface S. It has. The array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30 are each formed in a rectangular shape. The array substrate 20 is formed with a size larger than that of the counter substrate 30.

  The array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30 are arranged so that three sides almost overlap each other. On the remaining side of the array substrate 20, the array substrate 20 extends outward from the counter substrate 30. More specifically, in the first direction X, the array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30 are disposed so as to substantially overlap. In the second direction Y orthogonal to the first direction X, the array substrate 20 extends outward from the counter substrate 30. The liquid crystal display panel 1 has a rectangular display region R 2 that overlaps the array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30.

  The array substrate 20 has a rectangular glass substrate 21 as a transparent insulating substrate. A drive circuit 80 is mounted on the glass substrate 21 that is removed from the counter substrate 30. A plurality of pixels are provided on the glass substrate 21 in the display region R2. The pixels are arranged in a matrix along the first direction X and the second direction Y. In the display region R2, a plurality of signal lines and a plurality of scanning lines (not shown) are provided on the glass substrate 21 in a lattice pattern.

  For example, a TFT (thin film transistor) 22 is provided as a switching element near the intersection of the signal line and the scanning line.

  A plurality of pixel electrodes 23 are formed in a matrix on the glass substrate 21. The pixel electrode 23 is made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). Each pixel has a TFT 22 and a pixel electrode 23 electrically connected to the TFT.

  A plurality of columnar spacers 25 are formed on the glass substrate 21 on which the TFTs 22 and the pixel electrodes 23 are formed. An alignment film 26 is formed on the glass substrate 21 and the pixel electrode 23.

  The counter substrate 30 has a rectangular glass substrate 31 as a transparent insulating substrate. A color filter 50 is provided on the glass substrate 31 in the display region R2. The color filter 50 includes a light shielding part 51, a peripheral light shielding part 52, and a plurality of colored layers 53, 54, and 55 of red, green, and blue.

  The light shielding portion 51 is formed in a lattice shape and is formed so as to overlap the signal line and the scanning line. The peripheral light-shielding portion 52 is formed in a rectangular frame shape and is formed over the entire periphery of the display region R2. The peripheral light shielding part 52 contributes to the shielding of light leaking from the outside of the display region R2.

The colored layers 53, 54, and 55 are formed on the glass substrate 31, the light shielding part 51, and the peripheral light shielding part 52. The colored layers 53, 54, and 55 are adjacent to each other in the first direction X and are arranged alternately. The colored layers 53, 54, and 55 are each formed in a stripe shape, extend in the second direction Y, and overlap the pixels arranged in the second direction Y. The peripheral portions of the colored layers 53, 54, and 55 overlap the light shielding portion 51 and the peripheral light shielding portion 52.
On the color filter 50, the counter electrode 32 is formed of a transparent conductive material such as ITO. An alignment film 33 is formed on the counter electrode 32.

  The array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30 are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap by a columnar spacer 25. The array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30 are bonded to each other by a sealing material 41 disposed on the peripheral portions of both substrates outside the display region R2.

  The liquid crystal layer 40 is sandwiched between the array substrate 20 and the counter substrate 30 and surrounded by a sealing material 41. The liquid crystal inlet 42 formed in a part of the sealing material 41 is sealed with a sealing material 43.

  The first polarizing unit 60 is disposed on the outer surface of the glass substrate 21. The second polarizing unit 70 is disposed on the outer surface of the glass substrate 31. As described above, the display surface S is formed on the outer surface of the second polarizing unit 70.

  The backlight unit 2 is disposed on the outer surface side of the array substrate 20. The backlight unit 2 includes a light guide plate 2a disposed to face the first polarizing unit 60, and a light source 2b and a reflection plate 2c disposed to face one side edge of the light guide plate 2a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel 3 is provided above the display surface S. Here, the touch panel 3 is affixed to the display surface S via an adhesive (not shown). As a position detection method of the touch panel 3, a capacitance method is used.

  The touch panel 3 includes a rectangular glass substrate 5 as a first substrate which is a transparent insulating substrate, a transparent electrode pattern 6 formed on the glass substrate 5, and a rectangular as a second substrate which is a transparent insulating substrate. A cover glass 7 having a shape and an adhesive 8 as a transparent bonding material are provided. The touch panel 3 (glass substrate 5 and cover glass 7) has an input region R1. Here, the input area R1 overlaps the display area R2.

  The cover glass 7 is disposed to face the electrode pattern 6. The cover glass 7 protects the electrode pattern 6. The cover glass 7 is attached to the glass substrate 5 and the electrode pattern 6 with an adhesive 8. The adhesive 8 is interposed between the glass substrate 5 and the cover glass 7 and joins the glass substrate 5 and the cover glass 7.

The film thickness of the adhesive 8 is 200 to 300 μm. In this embodiment, the film thickness of the adhesive 8 is 200 μm.
A liquid crystal display device is formed as described above.

Next, the touch panel 3 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 6, the electrode pattern 6 includes a plurality of first electrodes 11, a plurality of second electrodes 12, a plurality of connection wires 16, and a plurality of connection wires 17. ing. The first electrode 11, the second electrode 12, the connection wiring 16 and the connection wiring 17 are disposed on the input region R1 of the glass substrate 5, and are formed of, for example, ITO (indium tin oxide) as a transparent conductive material. Yes.

  The plurality of first electrodes 11 are arranged in the first direction X and the second direction Y. The first electrode 11 is a square having diagonal lines along the first direction X and the second direction Y, respectively. The first electrode 11 has first corners 13 that face each other along the first direction X. In the first direction X, adjacent first corner portions 13 are connected to each other.

  In this embodiment, the first corner 13 is crushed. For this reason, the 1st electrode 11 is a square which the 1st corner | angular part 13 was crushed. Adjacent first corners 13 are connected to each other through a connection wiring 16. The plurality of first electrodes 11 and the plurality of connection wirings 16 connected to each other form a first wiring W1 extending in the first direction X. The plurality of first wirings W1 are arranged in the second direction Y.

  The plurality of second electrodes 12 are arranged in the first direction X and the second direction Y with a gap between the plurality of first electrodes 11. The second electrode 12 is a square having diagonal lines along the first direction X and the second direction Y, respectively. The second electrode 12 has a second corner portion 14 that is opposed along the second direction Y. In the second direction Y, the adjacent second corner portions 14 are connected to each other.

In this embodiment, the second corner 14 is crushed. Therefore, the second electrode 12 is a square in which the second corner portion 14 is crushed. The adjacent second corner portions 14 are connected to each other through a connection wiring 17. The plurality of second electrodes 12 and the plurality of connection wirings 17 connected to each other form a second wiring W2 extending in the second direction Y. The plurality of second wirings W2 are arranged in the first direction X.
A lattice-shaped slit 19 is formed between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12.

  A plurality of insulating films 18 are arranged in an island shape on the glass substrate 5. The plurality of insulating films 18 are arranged at a plurality of intersections of the plurality of first wirings W1 and the plurality of second wirings W2 on the glass substrate 5, and are interposed between the plurality of first wirings W1 and the plurality of second wirings W2. Has been. The insulating film 18 prevents a short circuit between the first wiring W1 and the second wiring W2. In this embodiment, the thickness t1 of the insulating film 18 is 2 μm. The insulating film 18 is made of an organic insulating material.

  The connection wiring 16 and the connection wiring 17 are opposed to each other through the insulating film 18. Here, the first wiring W1 (connection wiring 16) is located above the intersection of the first wiring W1 and the second wiring W2. From the above, it can be said that the connection wiring 16 is a bridge wiring.

A plurality of first detection electrodes 11a and a plurality of second detection electrodes 12a are arranged on the glass substrate 5 outside the input region R1.
Each first detection electrode 11a extends to the inside of the input region R1 and is connected to the first wiring W1, which is connected to the first electrode 11 here. For this reason, the X coordinate of the input position can be detected by detecting the change state of the capacitance from the first detection electrode 11a as a voltage change.

  Each second detection electrode 12a extends to the inside of the input region R1 and is connected to the second wiring W2, which is connected to the second electrode 12 here. For this reason, the Y coordinate of the input position can be detected by detecting the change state of the capacitance as a voltage change from the second detection electrode 12a.

  An insulating frame 9 is disposed on the glass substrate 5 outside the input region R1. The frame portion 9 is formed in a frame shape along the outer periphery of the input region R1. The frame part 9 is formed continuously without being divided. The frame portion 9 has a thickness t <b> 2 that is larger than the insulating film 18. In this embodiment, the thickness t2 of the frame portion 9 is 10 μm. The frame portion 9 is made of an organic insulating material.

Next, a method for manufacturing the touch panel 3 will be described.
First, a mother glass (large plate) larger than the glass substrate 5 is prepared. The mother glass has at least one input region R1 in order to form the glass substrate 5. Subsequently, ITO is deposited on the prepared mother glass by, for example, a sputtering method to form a conductive film. Thereafter, the plurality of first electrodes 11, the plurality of second electrodes 12, and the plurality of connection wirings 17 are formed in the input region R1 by patterning the conductive film.

  Next, using a spinner, for example, a photosensitive organic insulating material is applied on the entire surface of the mother glass. Subsequently, the organic insulating material is dried. Next, patterning is exposed to the organic insulating material using a predetermined photomask. The photomask used here has a pattern for forming the insulating film 18. Next, the exposed organic insulating material is developed and then baked and cured. Thereby, a plurality of insulating films 18 are formed. The insulating film 18 covers the connection wiring 17.

  Thereafter, ITO is deposited on the entire mother glass by, for example, a sputtering method to form a conductive film. Thereafter, by patterning the conductive film, a plurality of connection wirings 16 are formed in the input region R1, and a plurality of first detection electrodes 11a and a plurality of second detection electrodes 12a are formed in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the input region R1.

  Subsequently, using a spinner, for example, a photosensitive organic insulating material is applied on the entire surface of the mother glass. Subsequently, the organic insulating material is dried. Next, patterning is exposed to the organic insulating material using a predetermined photomask. The photomask used here has a pattern for forming the frame portion 9. Next, the exposed organic insulating material is developed and then baked and cured. Thereby, the frame part 9 is formed.

Thereafter, the mother glass is divided and at least one glass substrate 5 is cut out.
Next, after applying a photosensitive adhesive (resin) on the electrode pattern 6 of the glass substrate 5, the prepared cover glass 7 is bonded to the glass substrate 5. Subsequently, the adhesive interposed between the glass substrate 5 and the cover glass 7 is exposed. As a result, the adhesive is cured to form the adhesive 8, and the glass substrate 5 and the cover glass 7 are joined by the adhesive 8.

  According to the liquid crystal display device configured as described above, the liquid crystal display device includes the liquid crystal display panel 1 having the display surface S and the touch panel 3 provided above the display surface S. The touch panel 3 includes a glass substrate 5, a plurality of first wires W1, a plurality of second wires W2, a plurality of insulating films 18, a frame portion 9, a cover glass 7, and an adhesive material 8. The frame portion 9 has a thickness t <b> 2 that is larger than the insulating film 18.

  Since most of the pressure and impact applied to the touch panel 3 can be absorbed by the frame portion 9, the pressure and impact applied to the electrode pattern 6 can be reduced. Since it can suppress that the connection wiring 16 formed in the upper layer of the insulating film 18 or the insulating film 18 is damaged, disconnection of the connection wiring 16 (first wiring W1) can be suppressed.

  Further, as a result of investigation by the inventor of the present application, it has been found that the cause of scratches on the insulating film 18 and the connection wiring 16 is highly likely to depend on glass chips of about several μm. For this reason, by setting the thickness t2 of the frame portion 9 to 10 μm, it is possible to further prevent the insulating film 18 and the connection wiring 16 from being damaged. In addition, said effect is effective when thickness t2 of the frame part 9 is 10 micrometers or more.

The adhesive 8 is formed using a coating type adhesive (resin). Even if an adhesive is applied on the glass substrate 5, since the frame portion 9 formed on the peripheral edge of the glass substrate 5 can suppress the spread of the adhesive, the adhesive largely protrudes outside the glass substrate 5. Can reduce the risk.
From the above, it is possible to obtain the touch panel 3 and the liquid crystal display device that can suppress the disconnection of the wiring (connection wiring 16) located above the intersection of the first wiring W1 and the second wiring W2.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  For example, the wiring located above the intersection of the first wiring W1 and the second wiring W2 is not limited to the first wiring W1 (connection wiring 16), but may be the second wiring W2 (connection wiring 17). The wiring patterns of the first wiring W1 and the second wiring W2 are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified and may be formed so as to intersect with each other on the same glass substrate 5.

The bonding material for bonding the glass substrate 5 and the cover glass 7 is not limited to the adhesive material 8 and can be variously modified. For example, a double-sided tape can be used.
The first substrate and the second substrate of the touch panel 3 are not limited to glass, but may be formed of a transparent insulating material, for example, acrylic resin.
Although the frame portion 9 is formed continuously, a part of the frame portion 9 may be divided, and in this case, the above-described effects can be obtained.

  The image display device of the present invention is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, and can be variously modified. If it is an image display device (for example, an organic EL display device) provided with an image display unit for displaying an image, The present invention can be applied.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid crystal display panel, 2 ... Backlight unit, 3 ... Touch panel, 5 ... Glass substrate, 6 ... Electrode pattern, 7 ... Cover glass, 8 ... Adhesive material, 9 ... Frame part, 11 ... 1st electrode, 12 ... 1st 2 electrodes, 16 ... connection wiring, 17 ... connection wiring, 18 ... insulating film, 20 ... array substrate, 30 ... counter substrate, 40 ... liquid crystal layer, W1 ... wiring, W2 ... wiring, R1 ... input region, S ... display surface , X: first direction, Y: second direction.

Claims (4)

A first substrate having an input area;
A plurality of first wires arranged on an input region of the first substrate, extending in a first direction, and arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
A plurality of second wirings arranged on the input region of the first substrate, extending in the second direction, and arranged in the first direction;
A plurality of insulating films disposed at a plurality of intersections of the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings on the first substrate, respectively, and interposed between the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings; ,
An insulating frame disposed on the first substrate, formed along an outer periphery of the input region, and having a thickness larger than the plurality of insulating films;
A second substrate having the input region and disposed opposite to the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings;
A touch panel comprising: a bonding material interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and bonded to the first substrate and the second substrate.   The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the frame portion is 10 μm or more.   The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the frame portion is formed of an organic insulating material. An image display unit having a display surface;
A touch panel provided above the display surface,
The touch panel
A first substrate having an input area;
A plurality of first wires arranged on an input region of the first substrate, extending in a first direction, and arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
A plurality of second wirings arranged on the input region of the first substrate, extending in the second direction, and arranged in the first direction;
A plurality of insulating films disposed at a plurality of intersections of the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings on the first substrate, respectively, and interposed between the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings; ,
An insulating frame disposed on the first substrate, formed along an outer periphery of the input region, and having a thickness larger than the plurality of insulating films;
A second substrate having the input region and disposed opposite to the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings;
An image display device comprising: a bonding material interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and bonded to the first substrate and the second substrate.

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