JP2013105275A - Touch panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel using a resin substrate and having excellent sensitivity in detecting a touch position.SOLUTION: A touch panel 10 uses a resin substrate 1, and is composed of a detection area 11 having X detection electrodes 2 and Y detection electrodes 3, a routing area 12, and a lead-out area 13. Lead-out wiring 4 of the X detection electrodes 2 and lead-out wiring 5 of the Y detection electrodes 3 are formed so as to be routed to a connection part 14 and to extend from the connection part 14 toward an end of the lead-out area 13 in the lead-out area 13. Overlapping portions of the lead-out wiring 4 and 5 are formed in the routing area 12 in an isolated manner. The lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 are formed so as to alternately align with predetermined gaps therebetween in the lead-out area 13. One of the lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 forming the overlapping portions has a partial missing portion in such a shape that does not disconnect conductivity, which reduces an overlapping area of the lead-out wiring 4 and 5 at the overlapping portions.

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel.

  In electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, and PDAs (personal digital assistants), there is a great demand for larger screens, and there are fewer areas where input devices such as switches and numeric keys can be placed. In addition, there is a need for an input method that can input information in an easy-to-understand manner by touching a display image while referring to an image displayed on a display element such as a liquid crystal display panel. Therefore, in recent years, a demand for a display device with a touch panel is increasing.

  The touch panel is a general term for input devices that are arranged on a display panel such as the above-described liquid crystal display panel and detect the touch position when an operator touches the touch panel with a conductor such as a finger or a pen.

As the touch panel, a resistance film method, a capacitance method, or the like is known according to a difference in touch position detection method.
In the resistive film system, two substrates having transparent detection electrodes arranged on the surface are arranged apart from each other so that the detection electrodes face each other. The detection electrodes are brought into contact with each other by depressing one of the substrates with an operator's finger or pen, and a touch operation is detected. Since this method requires two substrates, it is difficult to reduce the thickness. Also, the conventional resistive film type touch panel has a problem in terms of durability because it tends to cause wear and the like because of the structure in which the opposing electrodes are short-circuited by pressing the substrate.

  On the other hand, the electrostatic capacity method utilizes the fact that a human is a conductor and an operator's finger functions as a ground. That is, when a finger approaches the detection electrode for touch position detection arranged on the substrate of the touch panel, a capacitance is formed between the finger and the detection electrode. In a capacitive touch panel, capacitance formation associated with the touch operation is detected as a change and detected by a control circuit or the like. At this time, since the capacitance change is detected, the approach of the finger can be detected even when the operator's finger does not directly touch the detection electrode.

  In the capacitance method, for example, a plurality of X detection electrodes extending in the X direction, which is the horizontal direction, are provided on one surface of the transparent substrate. A plurality of Y detection electrodes extending in the Y direction perpendicular to the X direction are provided on the other surface of the transparent substrate. Alternatively, an insulating film is disposed on the X detection electrode, and a plurality of Y detection electrodes are provided thereon. In this way, the capacitive touch panel has two detection electrodes that intersect each other with an insulating layer such as a substrate or an insulating film arranged in a lattice pattern to form a detection area where an operator touches the touch position. It is used to detect the coordinates. The electrostatic capacity method is not only excellent in durability but also has an advantage that the substrate to be used can be made into a thin film, and is particularly suitable for a portable small electronic device.

  Recently, transparent resin films such as polyethylene terephthalate resin and polycarbonate resin have been used as capacitive touch panel substrates instead of glass substrates (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The resin film substrate is not only excellent in terms of moldability, workability, and impact resistance, but can be made thinner and lighter.

  By the way, an FPC (Flexible printed circuit) is usually attached to an end of the touch panel. The FPC connects wiring drawn from the detection electrode arranged in the detection region to, for example, a control circuit for input / output control formed on an external printed board. The touch panel is connected to a control circuit configured to monitor the capacitance via the FPC. The FPC is made of a flexible resin material or the like, and in the case of a touch panel using a glass substrate, the FPC is joined and connected by thermocompression bonding or the like. Since the FPC has flexibility, even when a glass substrate is used for the touch panel, the control circuit can be stored in a limited space by bending the FPC.

  When the touch panel is formed using a resin substrate instead of a glass substrate, it is possible to integrally form the detection region portion and the wiring lead-out region portion. In the wiring lead-out region, a wiring for connecting the detection electrode and the control circuit is disposed, and functions similarly to a conventional FPC. For example, Patent Document 3 discloses a touch panel in which a detection region and a wiring lead-out region are integrally formed.

JP 2010-177194 A JP 2009-170155 A JP 2011-76514 A

  As in Patent Document 3, by integrally forming the detection region and the wiring lead-out region, it is not necessary to attach an FPC, and the number of steps for manufacturing the touch panel can be reduced. Connection reliability can be improved.

  FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically illustrating the structure of a conventional touch panel in which a detection region and a wiring lead-out region are integrally formed.

  A conventional touch panel 500 shown in FIG. 9 is a capacitive type, and a plurality of X detection electrodes 502 extending in the X direction are arranged on one surface of a transparent resin substrate 501, and the other surface is Y A plurality of Y detection electrodes 503 extending in the direction are arranged. In the conventional touch panel 500, the X detection electrodes 502 and the Y detection electrodes 503 arranged in a lattice shape with the resin substrate 501 interposed therebetween constitute a detection area where the operator performs a touch operation.

  The X detection electrode 502 of the touch panel 500 is a transparent electrode formed of, for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or the like, and is connected to the wiring 504 at one end. The Y detection electrode 503 is also a transparent electrode formed from, for example, ITO or the like, and is connected to the wiring 505 at one end.

  The wiring 504 and the wiring 505 are connected at the ends of the X detection electrode 502 and the Y detection electrode 503, respectively. Then, the wire is drawn around the X detection electrode 502 and the Y detection electrode 503 and collected in the wiring drawing region 506 of the resin substrate 501. The plurality of wirings 504 are arranged on one surface of the wiring lead-out area 506 so as to extend toward the end of the wiring lead-out area 506. Further, the plurality of wirings 505 are arranged on the other surface (the back surface in FIG. 9) of the wiring drawing region 506 so as to extend toward the end of the wiring drawing region 506. In the touch panel 500, the wirings 504 and 505 are electrically connected to a control circuit (not shown) using a connector, for example, at the end of the wiring lead-out area 506.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line D-D ′ of FIG. 9.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the wiring lead-out region 506, the wirings 504 and 505 are arranged so as not to cross each other and form a cross capacitance. For example, three wirings 504 are arranged side by side on one surface of the wiring lead-out area 506, and two wirings are provided on both sides of the three wirings 504 on the other surface, for a total of four wirings 505. Is placed.

  In the touch panel 500, when such wirings 504 and 505 are arranged in the wiring lead-out region 506, an interaction occurs between the wirings 504 and the wirings 505 arranged with the resin substrate 501 interposed therebetween, and a capacitance is formed. There is. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, in a region 507 surrounded by a broken line, a wiring 504 a close to the wiring 505 in the wiring 504 connected to the X detection electrode 502 and a wiring 505 connected to the Y detection electrode 503 are included. An interaction may occur with the wiring 505 a close to the wiring 504. When the capacitance formation due to such interaction occurs only in a part of the plurality of wirings 504 and 505, the detection sensitivity of the touch position in the detection region may be lowered.

The touch panel 500 having the above-described configuration needs to have a configuration in which the FPC is not necessary using the resin substrate 501 and a decrease in touch position detection sensitivity can be avoided.
Therefore, in the conventional touch panel, the wiring connected to the X detection electrode and the wiring connected to the Y detection electrode are sometimes drawn away from each other. For example, a plurality of wiring lead areas are provided on the resin substrate. In some cases, the wiring connected to the X detection electrode and the wiring connected to the Y detection electrode are separately drawn out so as to reduce the interaction between the wirings as described above.

  However, when the touch panel is provided with a plurality of wiring lead areas, a plurality of connectors are required for connection with the control circuit. Arrangement of the plurality of connectors hinders thinning and space saving of the touch panel. In addition, complicated cutting of the resin substrate is required, leading to a decrease in touch panel productivity. In view of this, there is a need for a touch panel that uses a resin substrate, eliminates the need for an FPC and the arrangement of a plurality of wiring lead areas, and that can avoid a decrease in detection sensitivity of the touch position.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel that uses a resin substrate and is excellent in touch position detection sensitivity.

  Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

The present invention relates to a detection region having a plurality of first detection electrodes and second detection electrodes arranged in stripes, a routing region provided around the detection region, and a connection to the routing region. A provided drawing area on the resin substrate;
The first wiring connected to the first detection electrode and the second wiring connected to the second detection electrode are routed toward the connection portion with the extraction region in the routing region, and from the connection portion in the extraction region. A touch panel formed to extend toward an end facing the connecting portion,
In the routing region, the overlapping portion of the first wiring and the second wiring is formed in an insulating manner,
Since at least one of the first wiring and the second wiring constituting the overlapping portion lacks at least a part in a shape that does not cut off conduction, the first wiring and the second wiring overlap in the overlapping portion. The present invention relates to a touch panel having a reduced area.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the first wiring and the second wiring are alternately arranged at a predetermined interval in the extraction region. In addition, at least one of the first wiring and the second wiring is preferably formed by one or a plurality of fine wirings in which the overlapping portion is thinner than the other parts.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the fine wiring has a mesh shape at the overlapping portion of the first wiring and the second wiring.

In the present invention, the first detection electrode and the first wiring are formed on the first surface of the resin substrate, and each of the first wirings is arranged at a predetermined interval in the lead-out region on the first surface. ,
The second detection electrode and the second wiring are formed on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the resin substrate, and each of the second wirings has a predetermined interval in a lead-out region on the second surface. Arranged in
In the lead-out region, the first wiring and the second wiring are preferably configured to be alternately arranged at a predetermined interval with the resin substrate interposed therebetween.

In the present invention, the first detection electrode and the first wiring are formed on the first surface of the resin substrate, and the first wirings are arranged at predetermined intervals on the first surface of the extraction region. ,
The second detection electrode and the second wiring are formed on the first surface of the resin substrate, and the second detection electrode is configured to overlap with the first detection electrode via the insulating layer. Each of the second wirings is arranged at a predetermined interval on the first surface of the lead-out region,
It is preferable that the first wiring and the second wiring are alternately arranged at a predetermined interval on the first surface of the extraction region.

  In the present invention, a dummy wiring formed so as to be parallel to at least one of the first wiring and the second wiring is formed on the surface of the extraction region where at least one of the first wiring and the second wiring is formed. It is preferable to have.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the touch panel excellent in the detection sensitivity of the touch position using a resin substrate can be provided.

It is a typical top view explaining the structure of the touch panel of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ′ of FIG. 1. It is an enlarged view of the part which comprises the overlap part of the drawing-out wiring of the touchscreen of 1st Embodiment. It is an enlarged view of another example of the portion constituting the overlapping portion of the lead wiring of the touch panel of the first embodiment, (a) is an enlarged plan view of another example of the portion constituting the overlapping portion of the lead wiring, (B) is an enlarged plan view of still another example of the portion constituting the overlapping portion of the lead wiring. It is a typical top view explaining the structure of another example of the touch panel of a 1st embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ′ of FIG. 5. It is a typical top view explaining the structure of the touch panel of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line C-C ′ of FIG. 7. It is a top view explaining the structure of the conventional touch panel typically. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line D-D ′ of FIG. 9.

  The present invention relates to a touch panel that is arranged on a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel and detects a touch position when an operator touches with a conductor such as a finger or a pen. The touch panel of the present invention is, for example, a capacitive type. In the touch panel of the present invention, two types of detection electrodes that extend in different directions and intersect with each other with an insulating layer interposed therebetween can be arranged in a matrix in a detection region that detects an operator's touch operation. Can be detected.

  And the touch panel of this invention is comprised using the resin substrate, and can form integrally the detection area | region where the detection electrode was distribute | arranged, and the area | region for drawing out the wiring connected to the detection electrode. Therefore, the touch panel of the present invention does not require an FPC and has high productivity.

  The touch panel of the present invention using a resin substrate is provided with at least one region for drawing out wiring. In the region for drawing out the wiring, wirings connected to the two types of detection electrodes are arranged. At this time, there is a concern that the above-described interaction between the wirings occurs. However, the present inventor has found that such a problem can be avoided by improving the wiring arrangement method in the region for drawing out the wiring. Specifically, it is preferable to alternately arrange the wirings connected to the two types of detection electrodes in the region for drawing out the wirings. By adopting such a wiring arrangement method, it is possible to avoid the problem that the capacitance is formed only between specific wirings and the detection sensitivity of the touch panel is lowered.

Further, the touch panel of the present invention has a characteristic structure in which the lead-out wiring connected to one detection electrode and the lead-out wiring connected to the other detection electrode intersect each other in the routing area. Intersection of wiring outside the detection area forms an intersection capacitance at that portion, which may reduce the detection sensitivity of the touch position in the detection area. Therefore, it is important to reduce the overlapping area of the intersection.
Hereinafter, the touch panel of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view for explaining the structure of the touch panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The touch panel 10 which is 1st Embodiment of this invention is a capacitive system.

  The touch panel 10 has, on the resin substrate 1, a detection area 11 schematically shown using a broken line in FIG. 1, a routing area 12 schematically shown using a dotted line, and a drawer area 13. doing. As will be described later, the lead-out area 12 and the lead-out area 13 are areas for routing the lead-out wirings 4 and 5 connected to the detection electrodes in the detection area 11 and drawing them to predetermined positions. The touch panel 10 has these regions integrally formed on one resin substrate 1.

  The resin substrate 1 of the touch panel 10 is preferably a light-transmitting substrate that can transmit visible light. Examples of the resin material constituting the resin substrate 1 include polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, acrylic resins such as polycarbonate and polymethyl methacrylate, polyolefin resins such as polyethylene, and resin compositions and resin laminates containing them. Can be mentioned. Among these, polyethylene terephthalate and polycarbonate are preferably used from the viewpoint of optical characteristics and the like. The thickness varies depending on applications such as for portable small electronic devices, and is not particularly limited. Usually, a thickness of about several μm to several hundred μm is used. By using the resin substrate 1, it is possible to form a lightweight touch panel 10 that is easy to process in manufacturing or the like and hardly breaks.

  In the detection region 11 of the touch panel 10 shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of stripe-shaped X detection electrodes extending in the X direction, which is the horizontal direction, are formed as first detection electrodes on the front surface, which is the first surface of the resin substrate 1. 2 are arranged at predetermined intervals. On the other hand, a plurality of stripe-shaped Y detection electrodes 3 extending in the Y direction, which is a perpendicular direction orthogonal to the X direction, are arranged on the back surface, which is the second surface of the resin substrate 1, at predetermined intervals. In the detection region 11 of the touch panel 10, the X detection electrode 2 and the Y detection electrode 3 are arranged in a lattice shape with the resin substrate 1 interposed therebetween. In the detection area 11 of the touch panel 10, the X detection electrode 2 and the Y detection electrode 3 are arranged via the resin substrate 1, so that the capacitance detection sensitivity is increased and the accuracy of touch position detection is improved. Further, since the X detection electrode 2 or the Y detection electrode 3 is disposed on the side close to the conductor such as the operator's finger, the detection sensitivity is increased.

  When the touch panel 10 is disposed on a display panel (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display panel, the detection area 11 of the touch panel 10 becomes an operation surface that the operator touches and operates with a conductor such as a finger or a pen. It functions to detect a touch operation and detect a touch position.

  In FIG. 1, in the detection region 11 of the touch panel 10, three stripe X detection electrodes 2 and four stripe Y detection electrodes 3 are arranged at predetermined intervals. However, the number of them is not limited to such a number, and can be larger or smaller. Further, the width and the arrangement interval in the short direction of the X detection electrode 2 and the Y detection electrode 3 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1 and can be made smaller.

Around the detection area 11 of the touch panel 10, a routing area 12 for wiring routing, schematically shown by using a dotted line in FIG. 1, is continuously provided so as to surround the detection area 11. ing.
At the end of the routing area 12, lead-out wirings 4 and 5, which will be described later, are drawn out in a predetermined direction, and for example, a lead-out area 13 for connecting a connector (not shown) is connected via the connecting part 14. Are connected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the extraction region 13 can be, for example, a strip shape extending in a predetermined direction around the detection region 11 from the end of one side of the routing region 12. The width of the pull-out region 13 in the short direction (the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the pull-out region 13 extends) is a width suitable for the connector so that the connector can be connected. The width is preferably smaller than the width of the side where the routing region 12 is formed.

  In the touch panel 10, a plurality of X detection electrodes 2 are arranged in the detection region 11 so as to extend in the X direction on the front surface, and are connected to the lead wiring 4 that is the first wiring at each end. On the other hand, a plurality of Y detection electrodes 3 are arranged on the back surface so as to extend in the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction, and are connected to lead wires 5 as second wires at the ends.

  Each of the lead wiring 4 and the lead wiring 5 can be formed using a metal material. Examples of the metal that can be used to form the lead wiring 4 and the lead wiring 5 include gold, silver, copper, aluminum, metal chromium, nickel, and titanium. Preferably, it is metal chromium with high versatility.

  The lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 are led out from the X detection electrode 2 and the Y detection electrode 3 in the routing area 12, respectively, and are routed toward the connecting portion 14, which is a part where the routing area 12 and the leading area 13 are connected. The

  At this time, in the touch panel 10, as described above, the X detection electrode 2 is formed on the front surface of the detection region 11, and the Y detection electrode 3 is formed on the opposite back surface of the detection region 11. Accordingly, the lead-out wiring 4 connected to the end of the X detection electrode 2 is formed on the front surface of the resin substrate 1 and is routed toward the connecting portion 14 on the front surface of the routing region 12. The lead-out wiring 4 routed is formed so as to extend from the connecting portion 14 toward the end facing the connecting portion 14 in the lead-out region 13. The lead wires 4 are arranged on the front surface of the lead region 13 so as to be parallel to each other and at a predetermined interval.

  On the other hand, the lead-out wiring 5 connected to the end of the Y detection electrode 3 is formed on the back surface of the resin substrate 1 and is routed toward the connecting portion 14 on the back surface of the routing region 12. The lead-out wiring 5 routed is formed so as to extend from the connecting portion 14 toward the end facing the connecting portion 14 in the lead-out region 13. The lead wires 5 are arranged on the back surface of the lead region 13 so as to be parallel to each other and at a predetermined interval.

  When the lead-out wirings 5 are arranged on the back surface of the lead-out area 13, the lead-out wirings 5 are arranged in a region facing the front surface area where the lead-out wiring 4 is not formed. Are arranged at predetermined intervals. As a result, the lead-out area 13 of the touch panel 10 has the lead-out wiring 4 connected to the X detection electrode 2 and the lead-out wiring 5 connected to the Y detection electrode 3 alternately arranged at a predetermined interval across the resin substrate 1. Is configured to do. Each of the lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 constitutes a connection terminal for connecting to, for example, a connector or the like at the end portion of the lead-out region 13.

  In the touch panel 10 having the above structure, the X detection electrode 2 and the Y detection electrode 3 that form a lattice shape in the detection region 11 are arranged to be insulated from each other via the resin substrate 1. Therefore, a capacitance is formed at the intersection where the X detection electrode 2 and the Y detection electrode 3 overlap with the resin substrate 1 interposed therebetween.

  As described above, the lead-out wiring 4 connected to the X detection electrode 2 and the lead-out wiring 5 connected to the Y detection electrode 3 are, for example, via the lead-out region 13 formed integrally with the detection region 11 and the lead-out region 12. The connector is connected to a control circuit (not shown). The control circuit is configured to monitor the capacitance using the X detection electrode 2 and the Y detection electrode 3.

  Therefore, in the touch panel 10, when a capacitance is formed in accordance with a touch operation with an operator's finger or the like, this can be detected as a change in potential, and the contact position can be detected.

  For example, in the mutual capacitance type, one of the X detection electrode 2 and the Y detection electrode 3 is set to a constant voltage via the lead wires 4 and 5, and a pulse voltage is applied to the other in a line sequential manner. And the differential waveform by the capacitive coupling produced in each cross | intersection part of the X detection electrode 2 and the Y detection electrode 3 can be read, the presence or absence of the touch operation by an operator can be detected, and a touch position can be detected.

  In the touch panel 10 having the above-described configuration, an interaction occurs between the lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 that are arranged with the resin substrate 1 in between in the lead-out region 13 like a touch panel using a conventional resin substrate. Sometimes.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A ′ of FIG. 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the lead area 13, the lead lines 4 are arranged on the front surface at a predetermined interval, the lead lines 5 are arranged on the back side, and the area where the front side lead lines 4 are not formed. They are arranged so as to be arranged in the opposing regions. As a result, the lead-out region 13 is configured such that the lead-out wiring 4 connected to the X detection electrode 2 and the lead-out wiring 5 connected to the Y detection electrode 3 are alternately arranged at a predetermined interval.

  In the touch panel 10 having such a structure, an interaction as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2 occurs between the lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 arranged with the resin substrate 1 in between in the lead-out region 13. is there. When such an interaction occurs in a part of the lead-out wirings 4 and 5, there is a possibility that a problem of a decrease in detection sensitivity similar to the conventional touch panel described above may occur.

  However, in the touch panel 10, unlike the touch panel having the conventional structure described above, such an interaction occurs almost equally in all the lead wires 4 and 5. For this reason, it is avoided that the influence of the interaction generated between the lead-out wirings 4 and 5 is biased to a part of all the lead-out wirings 4 and 5.

  Therefore, the touch panel 10 can avoid lowering the detection sensitivity of the touch position even if an interaction occurs between the extraction wiring 4 and the extraction wiring 5 in the extraction region 13. There is no need to provide a plurality of extraction regions 13, and only one can be provided to form the extraction wirings 4 and 5, and the connection can be made to the control circuit using one connector. Therefore, the touch panel 10 can save space.

  Further, the touch panel 10 according to the present embodiment has a characteristic structure in which the lead-out wirings 4 and the lead-out wirings 5 are alternately arranged in the lead-out region 13 as shown in FIG. In order to form such a structure, a portion where the lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 intersect with each other is formed in the lead-out area 12 as in the region 15 which is a superposition area of the lead-out wiring surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. There is. In the touch panel 10, an overlapping portion of the lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 is formed in an insulating manner through the resin substrate 1 at the intersecting portion.

  The formation of the overlapping portion of the lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 in the region 15 forms a cross capacitance in a region other than the detection region 11 and may reduce the detection sensitivity of the touch position in the detection region 11. .

  In view of this, in the touch panel 10 according to the present embodiment, at least one of the lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 constituting the overlapping portion lacks at least a part in a shape that does not cut off conduction, so that the lead-out in the overlapping portion is performed. The overlapping area of the wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 can be reduced. In addition, although the shape which cuts at least a part in the shape which does not cut | disconnect conduction | electrical_connection is mentioned later in detail, you may cut out one side part of a solid-like wiring shape, and cut out the center part of wiring. Also good. The cutout shape may be rectangular, circular, or elliptical. In other words, the meshing of the wiring, which will be described later, can be expressed as a shape obtained by cutting out a plurality of quadrangular shapes.

  For example, at least one of the lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 can be formed by forming one or a plurality of fine wirings that are part of the overlapping portion in the above-described region 15 thinner than the other parts.

In the touch panel 10 of the present embodiment, at least one of the lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 has such a structure, the capacitance generated in the overlapping portion can be reduced, and as a result, the touch position detection sensitivity of the touch panel 10 is maintained. be able to.
Hereinafter, a specific structure of the lead wiring 4 and the like of the touch panel 10 will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion constituting the overlapping portion of the lead wiring of the touch panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the touch panel 10, the portion 16 constituting the overlapping portion of the lead-out wiring 4 can have a mesh structure composed of a plurality of fine wirings that are thinner than other portions of the lead-out wiring 4 as shown in FIG. 3. . As shown in FIG. 3, the mesh structure of the portion 16 constituting the overlapping portion of the lead-out wiring 4 is arranged by arranging a plurality of fine wirings parallel to the direction in which the lead-out wiring 4 is formed, and further arranging the fine wiring crossing these fine wirings. A plurality of mesh structures are formed.

  When the lead-out wiring 4 of the touch panel 10 has a portion 16 shown in FIG. 3, the overlapping area with the lead-out wiring 5 is limited to the area of the mesh-like fine wiring. The overlapping area is greatly reduced. As a result, even when the lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 intersect and overlap each other through the resin substrate 1, the influence on the detection sensitivity of the touch position of the touch panel 10 is effectively suppressed. . On the other hand, since both ends in the conduction direction of the mesh structure of the lead-out wiring 4 are connected to other parts of the lead-out wiring 4 by a plurality of fine wirings, current conduction through the portion 16 constituting the overlapping portion is not conducted. It is secured.

  In the touch panel 10 of the present embodiment, the portion constituting the overlapping portion of the lead-out wirings only needs to be formed by one or a plurality of fine wires thinner than the other portions, and the mesh structure shown in FIG. It is not limited to only.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of another example of the portion constituting the overlapping portion of the lead wiring of the touch panel of the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is an enlarged plan view of another example of the portion constituting the overlapping portion of the lead wiring, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of still another example of the portion constituting the overlapping portion of the leading wiring. It is a top view.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in the part 16a of the lead wiring 4 which is another example of the part 16 constituting the overlapping part of the lead wiring 4, one or a plurality of parts parallel to the formation direction of the lead wiring 4 are provided. It is possible to form and arrange fine wiring. In this example, four fine wirings are provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, in the portion 16b of the lead-out wiring 4, which is still another example of the portion 16 constituting the overlapping portion of the lead-out wiring 4, the formation direction of the fine wiring forming the mesh structure is illustrated. Instead of the structure shown in FIG. 3, the fine wiring can have a mesh structure having a different formation angle from the example shown in FIG.

  Further, in the touch panel 10 of the present embodiment, the portion of the lead-out wiring 5 that constitutes the overlapping portion with the lead-out wiring 4 has the shape shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, etc. It is possible to have a structure formed by one or a plurality of fine wirings that are thinner than this part. On the other hand, the portion of the lead wire 5 constituting the overlapping portion with the lead wire 4 does not have a structure formed by one or a plurality of fine wires thinner than the other portions. It is also possible to form. In consideration of minimizing the overlapping area and improving the detection sensitivity, it is preferable that each of the lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 forming the overlap portion is a plurality of fine wirings.

  Further, the portion constituting the overlapping portion of the lead-out wiring 4 has a solid shape, and only the portion constituting the overlapping portion of the lead-out wiring 5 is shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4A, FIG. It is also possible to have a structure formed by one or a plurality of fine wirings that are thinner than this part.

  As described above, the touch panel 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a characteristic wiring structure and a wiring arrangement structure in the lead-out region 13 in which the lead-out wirings 4 and 5 are arranged, and detects touch operations. Avoid the problem of reduced sensitivity.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, in the touch panel 10, the lead-out wiring 4 is arranged on the front surface and the lead-out wiring 5 is arranged on the back surface in the lead-out area 13. The lead-out wiring 5 in the lead-out area 13 is provided in the area of the back surface facing the area where the lead-out wiring 4 is not formed on the front surface. As a result, the lead-out region 13 is configured so that the lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 are alternately arranged, but the arrays of the lead-out wiring 4 and the lead-out wiring 5 are formed with a shift of ½ pitch. It will be.

  That is, in the extraction region 13, the arrangement interval of the extraction wiring 4 and the arrangement interval of the extraction wiring 5 are equal to each other, but the arrangement of the extraction wiring 4 and the extraction wiring 5 in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the extraction wirings 4 and 5 are formed. The positions are shifted from each other, for example, by 1/2 pitch.

  In the touch panel 10 according to the first embodiment having such a structure, a dummy wiring parallel to the lead-out wiring is provided between the lead-out wirings 4 on the front surface and between the lead-out wirings 5 on the back surface in the lead-out region 13. Can be formed. The arrangement position of the extraction wiring 4 including the dummy wiring and the arrangement position of the extraction wiring 5 including the dummy wiring are the same on the front surface and the back surface of the extraction area 13. Can be.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view illustrating the structure of another example of the touch panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As with the touch panel 10, the touch panel 110 shown in FIG. 5 includes a detection region 11 having a plurality of X detection electrodes 2 and Y detection electrodes 3 arranged in a stripe shape, a routing region 12 provided continuously to the detection region 11, The resin substrate 1 is configured to have a pull-out region 113 connected to the lead-out region. The touch panel 110 has the same structure as that of the touch panel 10 of the first embodiment except that the dummy wiring 120 is provided in the lead-out region 113 with respect to other structures. Therefore, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  In the touch panel 110 shown in FIG. 5, on the front surface of the extraction region 113, the extraction wiring 4 is formed so as to extend from the connecting portion 114 toward the end facing the connecting portion 114 and arranged at a predetermined interval. ing. The dummy wiring 120 is formed in parallel with the lead-out wiring 4 on the surface on which the lead-out wiring 4 is formed. Similarly, a dummy wiring 120 is provided on the back surface of the extraction region 113 so as to be parallel to the extraction wiring 5. The dummy wiring 120 is preferably in a floating state or grounded by connection with a connector (not shown).

  6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ′ of FIG. 5.

  As for the arrangement method of the dummy wirings 120, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, it is preferable that the formation pitch of the wirings including the extraction wirings 4 and the dummy wirings 120 is constant on the front surface of the extraction region 113. Similarly, it is preferable that the formation pitch of the wiring including the extraction wiring 5 and the dummy wiring 120 is constant on the back surface of the extraction region 113.

  In the touch panel 110, the extraction wiring 4 and the extraction wiring 5 are arranged at a constant arrangement pitch in the extraction area 113. As a result, on the front surface of the lead area 113, the dummy wiring 120 is arranged at the same position as the formation position of the lead wiring 5 on the back surface. Similarly, on the back surface of the lead area 113, the dummy wiring 120 is disposed at the same position as the formation position of the lead wiring 4 on the front surface.

  By providing the dummy wiring 120 with the structure as described above, the touch panel 110 can adjust the arrangement pitch of the extraction wirings 4 and 5 between the front surface and the back surface of the extraction region 113, Connection with a connector or the like using the end portion of 113 as a connection terminal can be facilitated, and as a result, connection with a control circuit can be easily performed.

<Embodiment 2>
The touch panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be of a capacitive type similarly to the touch panel 10 according to the first embodiment described above. The touch panel according to the present embodiment is configured using a resin substrate, and integrally includes a detection region in which the detection electrode is arranged and a region for drawing out a wiring connected to the detection electrode. The region for drawing out the wiring has a characteristic wiring structure and a wiring arrangement structure.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view for explaining the structure of the touch panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the touch panel 210 of the present embodiment, like the touch panel 10, includes a detection region 211 having a plurality of X detection electrodes 202 and Y detection electrodes 203 arranged in a stripe pattern, and a detection region 211. The lead-out region 212 provided and the lead-out region 213 connected to the lead-out region 212 are provided on the resin substrate 1.

  In the touch panel 210 of the present embodiment, the X detection electrode 202 is formed on the front surface side that is the first surface of the detection region 211. The Y detection electrode 203 is also formed on the front surface side, and the Y detection electrode 203 is configured to overlap with the X detection electrode 202 through an insulating layer (not shown) at the intersection. Accordingly, the lead-out wiring 204 connected to the X detection electrode 202 and the lead-out wiring 205 connected to the Y detection electrode 203 are both formed on the front surface side of the lead-out area 212 and the lead-out area 213.

  As in the case of the touch panel 210, the insulating layer can be provided over the entire detection region 211 so as to ensure insulation between the X detection electrode 202 and the Y detection electrode 203 in the detection region 211. . As another example, an insulating layer can be provided only at the intersection of the X detection electrode 202 and the Y detection electrode 203 in the detection region 211.

  In the touch panel 210 of this embodiment, both the X detection electrode 202 and the Y detection electrode 203 are formed on the front surface side of the detection region 211 via an insulating layer, and accordingly, the lead-out wirings 204 and 205 are on the front surface. Except for being formed on the surface side, it has the same structure as the touch panel 10 of the first embodiment. Therefore, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  As described above, the touch panel 210 includes, on the resin substrate 1, a detection area 211 schematically illustrated using a broken line in FIG. 7, a routing area 212 schematically illustrated using a dotted line, and a drawer. And a region 213.

  In the detection area 211 of the touch panel 210 shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of X detection electrodes 212 extending in the X direction, which is the horizontal direction, are provided as predetermined first detection electrodes on the front surface that is the first surface of the resin substrate 1. Are arranged at intervals of. A plurality of Y detection electrodes 213 extending in the Y direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the X direction, are arranged on the front surface side of the resin substrate 1 at predetermined intervals. An insulating layer (not shown) is provided between the X detection electrode 202 and the Y detection electrode 203, and the Y detection electrode 203 is configured to overlap with the X detection electrode 202 through the insulating layer. ing. Therefore, in the detection region 211 of the touch panel 210, the X detection electrode 202 and the Y detection electrode 203 are arranged in a grid pattern with the insulating layer interposed therebetween.

When the touch panel 210 is placed on a display panel (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display panel, the detection area 211 of the touch panel 210 is an operation surface on which an operator touches and operates with a conductor such as a finger or a pen. Detect touch position.
In the touch panel 210 shown in FIG. 7, the number of X detection electrodes 202 and the detection electrodes 203 arranged in the detection region 211, the width in the short direction, and the arrangement interval can be changed as appropriate.

  Around the detection area 211 of the touch panel 210, a routing area 212 is schematically provided so as to surround the detection area 211, which is schematically shown using dotted lines in FIG. 7. ing.

A lead area 213 is provided at the end of the routing area 212 so as to lead out the wiring and connect to, for example, a connector (not shown) via the connecting portion 214.
The shape of the drawer region 213 can be the same as that of the drawer region 13 of the touch panel 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the touch panel 210, a plurality of X detection electrodes 202 are arranged on the front surface of the detection region 211 so as to extend in the X direction, and are connected to the lead wiring 204 which is the first wiring at each end. On the other hand, the plurality of Y detection electrodes 203 are similarly arranged on the front surface side of the detection region 211 so as to extend in the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction, and are connected to the lead wiring 205 which is the second wiring at each end. ing.

  The lead wires 204 and 205 can be formed using a metal material. Examples of metals that can be used to form the lead wirings 204 and 205 include gold, silver, copper, aluminum, metal chromium, nickel, and titanium. Preferably, it is metal chromium with high versatility.

  The lead-out wiring 204 and the lead-out wiring 205 are led out from the X detection electrode 202 and the Y detection electrode 203 on the front surface side of the routing area 212, respectively. Then, the drawn-out lead wires 204 and 205 are drawn toward the connecting portion 214 between the lead-out region 212 and the lead-out region 213.

  Each of the lead-out wiring 204 and the lead-out wiring 205 routed is on the front surface side of the lead-out area 213 of the touch panel 210, and from the connection part 214 to the lead-out area 212, the end of the lead-out area 213 facing the connection part 214. It is formed to extend toward The lead-out wiring 204 and the lead-out wiring 205 are alternately arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval on the front surface side of the lead-out area 213. Each of the lead-out wirings 204 and the lead-out wirings 205 arranged alternately constitutes a connection terminal for connecting to, for example, a connector at the end of the lead-out region 213.

  In the touch panel 210 having such a structure, a grid-like X detection electrode 202 and a Y detection electrode 203 are arranged to be insulated from each other via an insulating layer. Therefore, a capacitance is formed at the intersection where the X detection electrode 202 and the Y detection electrode 203 overlap with the insulating layer interposed therebetween.

  As described above, the lead-out wiring 204 connected to the X detection electrode 202 and the lead-out wiring 205 connected to the Y detection electrode 203 are, for example, via the lead-out area 213 formed integrally with the detection area 211 and the lead-out area 212. The connector is connected to a control circuit (not shown). As in the case of the touch panel 10 of the first embodiment, the control circuit is configured to monitor the capacitance using the X detection electrode 202 and the Y detection electrode 203.

  Therefore, in the touch panel 210, when a capacitance is formed in accordance with a touch operation with an operator's finger or the like, this can be detected as a change in potential, and the contact position can be detected.

  In the touch panel 210 having the above configuration, an interaction may occur between the lead wiring 204 and the lead wiring 205 arranged adjacent to each other in the lead region 213 via the resin substrate 1.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C ′ of FIG. 7.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the lead area 213, the lead wiring 204 and the lead wiring 205 are arranged adjacent to each other on the front side.

  Therefore, in the touch panel 210, an interaction as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 8 may occur between the extraction wiring 204 and the extraction wiring 205 in the extraction area 213. When such a non-uniform portion of interaction occurs in a part of the lead-out wirings 204 and 205, there is a possibility that the same detection sensitivity decrease problem as in the conventional touch panel described above may occur.

  However, in the touch panel 210, the lead-out wirings 204 and the lead-out wirings 205 are alternately arranged on the front surface side of the lead-out region 213, and such an interaction appears to occur almost equally in all the lead-out wirings 204 and 205. become. Therefore, it is avoided that the influence of the interaction generated between the lead wirings 204 and 205 is biased to a part of all the lead wirings 204 and 205.

  Therefore, in the touch panel 210, the interaction generated between the lead wirings 204 and 205 in the lead area 213 is uniform, so that it is possible to avoid lowering the touch position detection sensitivity in the detection area 211. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of lead regions 213, and only one lead region 204, 205 can be provided, and a single connector can be used to connect to the control circuit. Therefore, the touch panel 210 can save space.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the touch panel 210 according to the present embodiment has a characteristic structure in which the extraction wirings 204 and the extraction wirings 205 are alternately arranged in the extraction region 213. In order to form such a structure, a portion where the lead-out wiring 204 and the lead-out wiring 205 intersect with each other is formed in the lead-out area 212, such as a region 215 that is an overlapping area of the lead-out wiring surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. In the touch panel 210, the overlapping portion of the lead-out wiring 204 and the lead-out wiring 205 is formed in an insulating manner through an insulating layer (not shown) at the intersecting portion.

  This insulating layer is larger than the intersection area at a position corresponding to a portion where the extraction wiring 204 and the extraction wiring 205 intersect in the region 215 in FIG. They are formed so as to ensure their insulating properties. Note that this insulating layer can be formed between the lead-out wiring 204 and the lead-out wiring 205 by enlarging the insulating layer provided in the entire detection region 211 to reach the region 215. is there. In this case, the insulating layer is disposed over the entire detection region and the routing region, but it is preferable that no insulating film be provided in the extraction region.

  The formation of the overlapping portion of the lead-out wiring 204 and the lead-out wiring 205 formed in an insulating manner with the insulating layer interposed therebetween forms a cross capacitance in addition to the detection region 211, and the touch position in the detection region 211 is formed. The detection sensitivity may be reduced.

  In view of this, the touch panel 210 according to the present embodiment is such that at least one of the lead-out wiring 204 and the lead-out wiring 205 constituting the overlapping portion lacks at least a part of the shape that does not cut off the conduction, so The overlapping area of the wiring 204 and the lead-out wiring 205 is reduced.

  For example, at least one of the extraction wiring 204 and the extraction wiring 205 constituting the overlapping portion has a structure in which the portion constituting the overlapping portion is formed by one or a plurality of fine wirings thinner than the other portions. It is possible to do so. More specifically, in the same manner as the touch panel 10 of the first embodiment, the portion constituting at least one of the lead-out wiring 204 and the lead-out wiring 205 constituting the overlap portion is similar to that of the touch panel 10 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. ) And the shape shown in FIG.

  The touch panel 210 according to the present embodiment has a structure in which at least one of the lead-out wiring 204 and the lead-out wiring 205 has such a structure, so that the capacitance generated in the overlapping portion can be reduced, and thus the touch position detection sensitivity of the touch panel 210 can be maintained. be able to.

  In addition, the touch panel 210 of the present embodiment can have dummy wirings formed on the front surface side where the extraction wirings 204 and 205 are arranged in the extraction region 213 so as to be parallel to them. . For example, two dummy wirings can be formed at both ends of the lead wirings 204 and 205 to be arranged so as to sandwich them. The dummy wiring is preferably connected to the ground via a connector or the like (not shown).

  When the lead-out wirings 204 and the lead-out wirings 205 are alternately arranged on the front surface side of the lead-out area 213, an interaction represented by an arrow in FIG. May occur. In that case, the lead-out wiring 205 positioned at both ends does not have the lead-out wiring 204 positioned further outside. Therefore, the degree of interaction received from the lead-out wirings 204 and 205 differs between the lead-out wirings 205 located at both ends, compared to the other lead-out wirings 204 and 205 inside the lead-out wirings 205 and 205.

  Therefore, by providing the dummy wiring as described above, in the touch panel 210, the interaction between the lead-out wiring 204 and the lead-out wiring 205 occurs more uniformly in all the lead-out wirings 204 and 205. Therefore, the touch panel 210 provided with the dummy wiring can efficiently prevent the influence of the interaction generated between the lead wirings 204 and 205 from being biased to a part of all the lead wirings 204 and 205. Can do. And the fall of the detection sensitivity of the touch position of the touch panel 210 can be suppressed more effectively.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the touch panel of the present invention, the structure of the X detection electrode and the Y detection electrode can be configured in a strip shape using ITO or the like as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 7. Other shapes such as a finer wire shape can be selected by using a metal material having excellent conductive characteristics.

  Further, for example, a metal mesh electrode composed of a plurality of fine metal wires may be used for the X detection electrode and the Y detection electrode. By using a metal mesh electrode, it is possible to ensure translucency in the detection region of the touch panel and to form a low-resistance and high-reliability X detection electrode and Y detection electrode.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,501 Resin board 2,202,502 X detection electrode 3,203,503 Y detection electrode 4,5,204,205 Lead wiring 10,110,210,500 Touch panel 11,211 Detection area 12,212 Lead area 13, 113, 213 Pull-out area 14, 114, 214 Connecting portion 15, 215, 507 area 120 Dummy wiring 504, 504a, 505, 505a Wiring 506 Wiring lead-out area

Claims (7)

Detection areas each having a plurality of first detection electrodes and second detection electrodes arranged in stripes, a routing area provided around the detection area, and a drawer provided connected to the routing area Area on the resin substrate,
The first wiring connected to the first detection electrode and the second wiring connected to the second detection electrode are routed toward the connecting portion with the extraction region in the routing region, and the extraction region The touch panel is formed so as to extend from the connecting portion toward the end facing the connecting portion,
In the routing region, an overlapping portion of the first wiring and the second wiring is formed in an insulating manner,
At least one of the first wiring and the second wiring constituting the overlapping portion lacks at least a part in a shape that does not cut off conduction, so that the first wiring and the second wiring in the overlapping portion are removed. A touch panel characterized in that an overlapping area of two wirings is reduced. 2. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein in the lead-out region, the first wiring and the second wiring are alternately arranged at a predetermined interval.   The at least one of the first wiring and the second wiring is formed by one or a plurality of fine wirings in which a portion constituting the overlapping portion is thinner than other portions. The touch panel according to 1 or 2.   The touch panel according to claim 3, wherein the fine wiring forms a mesh shape at the overlapping portion of the first wiring and the second wiring. The first detection electrode and the first wiring are formed on a first surface of the resin substrate, and each of the first wirings is formed at a predetermined interval on the first surface of the extraction region. Array
The second detection electrode and the second wiring are formed on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the resin substrate, and the second surface of the extraction region includes the second surface. Each of the wiring is arranged at a predetermined interval,
5. The structure according to claim 2, wherein the first wiring and the second wiring are arranged alternately at a predetermined interval with the resin substrate interposed therebetween in the lead-out region. The touch panel according to any one of the above items. The first detection electrode and the first wiring are formed on the first surface of the resin substrate, and each of the first wirings has a predetermined interval on the first surface of the extraction region. Arranged in
The second detection electrode and the second wiring are formed on the first surface of the resin substrate so that the second detection electrode overlaps the first detection electrode via an insulating layer. Each of the second wirings is arranged at a predetermined interval on the first surface of the lead-out region,
5. The structure according to claim 2, wherein the first wiring and the second wiring are alternately arranged at a predetermined interval on the first surface of the lead-out region. The touch panel according to claim 1.   Dummy wiring formed on the surface of the lead area where at least one of the first wiring and the second wiring is formed so as to be parallel to at least one of the first wiring and the second wiring The touch panel according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by comprising:

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