JP2014002789A - Touch panel sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel sensor in which the area of a region occupied by a terminal row can be reduced.SOLUTION: A touch panel sensor 10 includes: a substrate 11; plural transparent conductive patterns 13 and 14 provided on the substrate 11; a terminal row 17 including plural terminal parts provided on the substrate 11; and plural lead-out conductive patterns 15 provided on the substrate 11. Each terminal part of the terminal row 17 is aligned in an x direction and extends in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction. The plural terminal parts of the terminal row 17 include first terminal parts 20 and second terminal parts 30 aligned alternately in the x direction. The terminal parts 20 and 30 include expansion portions 22 and 32, respectively, having a width wider than that of the lead-out conductive patterns 15. The expansion portions 22 and 32 are arranged so as not to overlap each other when viewed in the x direction and the y direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel sensor, and more particularly to a touch panel sensor including a terminal row including a plurality of terminal portions arranged along one direction.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a touch panel sensor is known that includes a substrate and a plurality of transparent conductive patterns that are provided in a predetermined pattern in an active area (display region) on the substrate and detect a touch. As a method for detecting a touch using a transparent conductive pattern, a resistance method for detecting a touch position based on a change in a resistance value caused by contact of a detection target, or a proximity or contact of a detection target having conductivity. Various methods have been proposed, such as a capacitance method that detects a touch position based on a change in capacitance.

  In a non-active area (non-display area) on the substrate, there is a terminal row including a plurality of terminal portions, each of the terminal portions being connected to one transparent conductive pattern via an extraction conductive pattern. Is provided. In this case, a signal from each transparent conductive pattern is transmitted to a desired component via a corresponding terminal portion of the terminal row. For example, a signal from each transparent conductive pattern is transmitted to a control unit that analyzes a signal from each transparent conductive pattern and calculates a touch position.

  By the way, in an electrical member having a precise conductive pattern such as a transparent conductive pattern of a touch panel sensor, in order to confirm the quality of a product, generally, a continuity inspection of each conductive pattern is performed before product shipment. For example, the probe is brought into contact with each terminal portion of the terminal row, thereby measuring the resistance value or the capacitance value of each terminal portion and the conductive pattern connected to each terminal portion to inspect for disconnection or short circuit. . As described above, each terminal portion of the terminal row can be used not only for taking out a signal but also for contacting the probe during a continuity test.

In general, the larger the area of each terminal portion of the terminal row, the easier the operation of bringing the probe into contact with the terminal portion. On the other hand, in recent years, various electrical products have been required to be miniaturized. For this reason, it is preferable that the area of the region occupied by the terminal row in the region on the substrate is smaller.
In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 proposes arranging each terminal portion of the terminal row in a staggered pattern. In Patent Document 1, by arranging each terminal portion in a staggered pattern, the area of each terminal portion is sufficiently increased while the area of the region occupied by the terminal row on the substrate is reduced. .

JP 2004-356339 A

  Signal transmission between the terminal row and the control unit is realized, for example, via signal transmission means such as a flexible printed circuit board having a plurality of connection terminal portions connected to each terminal portion of the terminal row. By the way, when the terminal row | line | column which has the above-mentioned several terminal part arrange | positioned in zigzag form as a terminal row | line | column of a touch panel is used, the connection terminal part of a signal transmission means is formed so that it may correspond to such a terminal part. There is a need. In this case, it is conceivable that the structure of the connection terminal portion of the signal transmission means becomes complicated, and it becomes difficult to connect the connection terminal portion of the signal transmission means to the terminal portion of the terminal row.

  An object of this invention is to provide the touch panel sensor which can solve such a subject effectively.

  The present invention provides a substrate, a plurality of transparent conductive patterns provided in a predetermined pattern on the substrate, and a terminal provided on the substrate, each including a plurality of terminal portions corresponding to one transparent conductive pattern. Each of the terminal portions arranged in the x direction and each extending in the y direction orthogonal to the x direction, the terminal row being provided on the substrate, each of which is one transparent conductive pattern and the terminal A plurality of extraction conductive patterns electrically connected to one terminal portion of the row, wherein the plurality of terminal portions of the terminal row are alternately arranged in the x direction, and It has a 2nd terminal part, the 1st terminal part contains the 1st expansion part which has a width larger than the width of the extraction conductive pattern, and the 2nd terminal part is larger than the width of the extraction conductive pattern A second inflatable portion having a width; Inflatable portion and the second expansion section, together with not overlap each other when viewed from the x direction, a touch panel sensor, characterized in that viewed from the y direction are arranged so as not to overlap each other.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, preferably, the first expansion portion of the first terminal portion is disposed closer to the outer edge side of the substrate than the second expansion portion of the second terminal portion, The portion of the terminal portion that overlaps the second expansion portion of the second terminal portion when viewed from the x direction is a first reduction portion having a width smaller than the width of the first expansion portion, and the second The terminal portion extends in the y direction to a portion overlapping the first expansion portion of the first terminal portion when viewed from the x direction.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, preferably, a portion of the second terminal portion that overlaps the first expansion portion of the first terminal portion as viewed from the x direction has a width smaller than a width of the second expansion portion. It consists of a second reduction part.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, the first terminal portion is disposed adjacent to the extraction conductive pattern, and has a width smaller than a width of the first expansion portion and larger than a width of the first reduction portion. The second terminal portion is disposed adjacent to the extraction conductive pattern, and has a width smaller than a width of the second expansion portion and larger than a width of the second reduction portion. Two main body parts may be further included.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, preferably, an interval between the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion adjacent to each other in the x direction extends over the entire area of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion. It is larger than the conduction preventing interval that prevents the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion from conducting.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, preferably, in the adjacent first terminal portion and second terminal portion, an interval between the first expansion portion and the second expansion portion is larger than the conduction prevention interval. It has become.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, when the arrangement pitch in the x direction between the terminal portions of the terminal row is P, preferably, the width of the first expansion portion and the second expansion portion is greater than the arrangement pitch P. Is also getting smaller.

  The touch panel sensor according to the present invention may further include signal transmission means having a plurality of connection terminal portions connected to each terminal portion of the terminal row from the normal direction of the substrate. In this case, the connection terminal portions of the signal transmission means are arranged in the x direction and each extend in the y direction.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, when the arrangement pitch in the x direction between the terminal portions of the terminal row is P, the width of each connection terminal portion of the signal transmission means is preferably smaller than the arrangement pitch P. It has become.

  According to the present invention, the plurality of terminal portions of the terminal array of the touch panel sensor have the first terminal portions and the second terminal portions that are alternately arranged along the x direction. Among these, the 1st terminal part has the 1st expansion part which is connected to the extraction conductive pattern and has a width larger than the width of the extraction conductive pattern. The second terminal portion has a second expansion portion connected to the extraction conductive pattern and having a width larger than the width of the extraction conductive pattern. Thereby, the operation | work which makes inspection members, such as a probe, contact each terminal part can be made easy. Further, the first inflating part and the second inflating part are arranged so as not to overlap each other when viewed from the x direction. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an inspection member such as a probe from simultaneously contacting both the first expansion portion and the second expansion portion. Furthermore, the first inflating part and the second inflating part are arranged so as not to overlap each other when viewed from the y direction. For this reason, it is possible to use a signal transmission means having a connection terminal portion having a simple structure as a signal transmission means for extracting a signal from the terminal row. Moreover, the operation | work which connects the connection terminal part of a signal transmission means to the terminal part of a terminal row | line | column can be made easy.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a touch panel sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a terminal row of the touch panel sensor of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a terminal portion of the terminal row in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a probe is brought into contact with a terminal portion of a touch panel sensor in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the connection terminal portion of the flexible printed board is connected to the terminal portion of the touch panel sensor in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a probe is brought into contact with a terminal portion of a touch panel sensor in the first comparative embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the connection terminal portion of the flexible printed board is connected to the terminal portion of the touch panel sensor in the second comparative embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the connection terminal portion of the flexible printed circuit board corresponding to the second comparison form is connected to the terminal portion of the touch panel sensor in the second comparison form. FIG. 9 is a view showing a modification of the first inflating part and the second inflating part. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another modification of the first inflating part and the second inflating part. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the terminal row. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the touch panel sensor.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the entire touch panel sensor 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the touch panel sensor 10. Here, a case where the touch panel sensor 10 is formed of a capacitive touch panel sensor will be described.

The touch panel sensor touch panel sensor 10 detects a contact position or an approach position of an external conductor (for example, a human finger) to the touch panel sensor 10 and sends a signal based on the detection to the outside. The touch panel sensor 10 is provided on the substrate 11, a plurality of transparent conductive patterns 13 and 14 for detecting a so-called touch such as a contact position, and the substrate 11. A terminal row 17 including a plurality of terminal portions corresponding to one transparent conductive pattern 13 or one of the transparent conductive patterns 14 and a substrate 11, each of which is one transparent conductive pattern 13, 14 and one terminal of the terminal row 17. And a plurality of extraction conductive patterns 15 that are electrically connected to each other.

  By mounting such a touch panel sensor 10 on a display unit (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display, a display device with a touch panel function (not shown) can be realized. In this case, the area | region in which the some transparent conductive patterns 13 and 14 are provided among the touchscreen sensors 10 is a display area which the video light radiate | emitted from a display part permeate | transmits. On the other hand, a region where the plurality of extraction conductive patterns 15 and the terminal rows 17 are provided in the touch panel sensor 10 is a non-display region through which image light does not pass.

  As described above, the transparent conductive patterns 13 and 14 are provided in the display area. For this reason, the transparent conductive patterns 13 and 14 are made of a transparent conductive material having conductivity and translucency. Examples of the transparent conductive material include indium tin oxide (ITO). On the other hand, as described above, the extraction conductive pattern 15 and the terminal row 17 are provided in the non-display area. Therefore, the extraction conductive pattern 15 and the terminal row 17 do not need to have translucency. Therefore, the extraction conductive pattern 15 and the terminal row 17 are generally made of a metal material having a higher electrical conductivity than the transparent conductive material and having a light shielding property.

  Hereinafter, each component of the touch panel sensor 10 will be described in detail.

(Electrode pattern)
As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of transparent conductive patterns 13 and 14 include a plurality of x transparent conductive patterns 13 extending in the x direction and a plurality of y transparent conductive patterns 14 extending in the y direction orthogonal to the x direction. Yes. Among these, each x transparent conductive pattern 13 includes a plurality of x unit electrodes 13a that are arranged in the x direction and have a substantially square shape, and an x connection portion 13b that connects between the adjacent x unit electrodes 13a. It is out. Similarly, each y transparent conductive pattern 14 includes a plurality of y unit electrodes 14a that are arranged along the y direction and have a substantially square shape, and a y connection portion 14b that connects between adjacent y unit electrodes 14a. Contains. Further, in the normal direction of the substrate 11, an insulating material is interposed between the x connection portion 13b and the y connection portion 14b, whereby the x connection portion 13b and the y connection portion 14b are insulated from each other. . In the present embodiment, the direction specified as the “x direction” is not particularly limited. That is, in the present embodiment, the term “x direction” is used for convenience in order to express one of various directions.

  The dimensions of the x unit electrode 13a and the y unit electrode 14a are determined by the necessary resolution for the finger or pen detected by the touch panel sensor 10. In addition, the shape of the x unit electrode 13a and the y unit electrode 14a is not limited to a square, and various shapes such as a polygon and a circle can be appropriately selected.

(Terminal row)
The terminal row 17 is provided to facilitate the extraction of signals when signals from the transparent conductive patterns 13 and 14 are transmitted to external components. As shown in FIG. 1, each terminal portion of the terminal row 17 is connected to one of the x transparent conductive patterns 13 via the extraction conductive pattern 15 or the y transparent conductive pattern via the extraction conductive pattern 15. 14 is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal row 17 is disposed in the vicinity of the outer edge 11 e extending in the x direction among the outer edges of the substrate 11. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, each terminal part of the terminal row | line | column 17 is arranged along the x direction, and each extends in the y direction.

(Signal transmission means)
Further, FIG. 1 shows a signal transmission means, for example, a flexible printed circuit board 50, including a connection terminal row 51 having a plurality of connection terminal portions 52 connected to each terminal portion of the terminal row 17. In FIG. 1, the flexible printed board 50 in a state before being connected to the terminal row 17 is shown.

  The connection terminal portions 52 of the connection terminal row 51 of the flexible printed circuit board 50 are arranged in the x direction so as to correspond to the terminal portions of the terminal row 17 on the substrate 11. Each connection terminal portion 52 is generally configured to extend in the y direction as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, an example in which the shape of each terminal portion of the terminal row 17 is improved so that the continuity test can be easily and reliably performed under the condition that the signal from the terminal row 17 is taken out by such a flexible printed board 50. explain.

Details of Terminal Row Hereinafter, the terminal row 17 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of terminal portions of the terminal row 17 are alternately arranged along the x direction, and each of the first terminal portion 20 and the second terminal portion 30 is connected to one extraction conductive pattern 15. have. Among these, the first terminal portion 20 includes a first main body portion 21 adjacent to the extraction conductive pattern 15, a first reduction portion 23 disposed closer to the outer edge 11 e of the substrate 11 than the first main body portion 21, and a first reduction portion. And a first inflating part 22 disposed on the outer edge 11e side of the substrate 11 with respect to the part 23. The second terminal portion 30 includes a second main body portion 31 adjacent to the extraction conductive pattern 15, a second inflating portion 32 disposed closer to the outer edge 11 e of the substrate 11 than the second main body portion 31, and a second inflating portion. And a second reduced portion 33 disposed on the outer edge 11 e side of the substrate 11 with respect to 32.

  Hereinafter, the first terminal unit 20 and the second terminal unit 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

  In general, the terminal portions 20 and 30 are regularly arranged in the x direction at a predetermined pitch. In FIG. 3, the arrangement pitch of the terminal portions 20 and 30 in the x direction is represented by the symbol P. The “arrangement pitch” is an interval between adjacent center lines 18 when the center line 18 extending in the y direction and passing through the center of each terminal portion 20, 30 is drawn with respect to each terminal portion 20, 30. I mean. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal portions 20 and 30 are preferably configured to be symmetrical in the x direction with the center line 18 as the center.

  Although the specific value of the arrangement pitch P is not particularly limited, it is, for example, 200 μm. Note that the value of 200 μm is significantly smaller than the arrangement pitch in the terminal array of the conventional touch panel sensor. Here, according to the present embodiment, as will become clear from the following description, such a small arrangement pitch P is realized by improving the shapes of the terminal portions 20 and 30.

[Terminal width]
Next, the widths of the terminal portions 20 and 30 will be described. In the present embodiment, the “width” means the dimension of each component in the x direction.

In FIG. 3, the width of the first main body portion 21 is represented by a symbol a ₁ , the width of the first expansion portion 22 is represented by a symbol a ₂ , and the width of the first reduction portion 23 is represented by a symbol a ₃ . . Here the width _{a 2} of the first expansion section 22 is larger than the width _{a 1} of the first body portion 21, the width _{a 1} of the first body portion 21 than the width _{a 3} of the first reduction unit 23 It is getting bigger. That is, the relationship of a ₂ > a ₁ > a ₃ is established. Note width _{a 1,} a 2, a width _{a 2} of width _{a 1} and first inflation portion 22 of at least the first body portion 21 of _{a 3} is larger than the width of the take-out conductive pattern 15.

In FIG. 3, the width of the second main body portion 31 is represented by a symbol b ₁ , the width of the second expansion portion 32 is represented by a symbol b ₂ , and the width of the second reduction portion 33 is represented by a symbol b _3. Yes. Here the width _{b 2} of the second expansion section 32 is larger than the width _{b 1} of the second body portion 31, the width _{b 1} of the second body portion 31 than the width _{b 3} of the second reduction unit 33 It is getting bigger. That is, the relationship b ₂ > b ₁ > b ₃ is established. Note width _{b 1,} b 2, the width _{b 2} of the width _{b 1} and the second expansion portion 32 of the at least second body section 31 of the _{b 3} is larger than the width of the take-out conductive pattern 15.

Preferably, the width b ₂ of the width a ₂ and a second expansion portion 32 of the first expansion portion 22 is smaller than the arrangement pitch P of the above.

[Positional relationship of terminal part]
Next, the positional relationship between the terminal portions 20 and 30 will be described. In the present embodiment, the constituent elements of the terminal portions 20 and 30 are arranged such that the interval between the adjacent first terminal portion 20 and the second terminal portion 30 is larger than a predetermined conduction preventing interval. Yes. The conduction prevention interval is a minimum that should be provided between the first terminal unit 20 and the second terminal unit 30 in order to prevent the adjacent first terminal unit 20 and second terminal unit 30 from conducting. This is the interval.

  In addition, as a specific aspect that can cause conduction, the first terminal portion 20 and the second terminal portion 30 are conducted through the probe due to a positioning error of the probe at the time of continuity inspection, Due to the positioning error of the flexible printed circuit board 50 when the terminal array 17 and the connection terminal array 51 of the flexible printed circuit board 50 are connected, the first terminal unit 20 and the second terminal unit 30 are connected via the connection terminal unit 52. It is conceivable that it becomes conductive. It is also conceivable that the first terminal portion 20 and the second terminal portion 30 are brought into conduction due to electromigration. Here, according to the present embodiment, by configuring the terminal portions 20 and 30 so that the interval between the adjacent first terminal portion 20 and the second terminal portion 30 is larger than the above-described conduction prevention interval. , Unintentional conduction can be prevented.

Note that the “interval between the adjacent first terminal portion 20 and the second terminal portion 30” described above includes not only the interval in the x direction but also the interval in other directions. In FIG. 3, as an interval in the x direction, an interval d ₁ between the first main body portion 21 and the second main body portion 31, an interval d ₂ between the first reduction portion 23 and the second expansion portion 32, and a first inflation portion 22 interval d ₃ is shown between the second reduction unit 33. In addition, as an interval in other directions, for example, a direction inclined from the x direction and the y direction, an interval d ₄ between the first main body portion 21 and the second inflating portion 32, and the first inflating portion 22 and the second inflating portion. A distance d ₅ between 32 is shown. In the present embodiment, the terminal portions 20 and 30 are configured such that any of these intervals d _{1 to} d ₅ is larger than the conduction preventing interval.

  The specific value of the conduction preventing interval is appropriately set according to the positioning accuracy of the probe and the flexible printed board 50, the use environment of the touch panel sensor 10, and the like, but is generally in the range of 100 to 500 μm. For example, it is 100 μm.

Next, the positional relationship between the first inflating part 22 and the second inflating part 32 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first inflatable portion 22 and the second inflatable portion 32 are arranged so as not to overlap each other when viewed from the x direction. Specifically, the first expansion portion 22 of the first terminal portion 20 is disposed closer to the outer edge 11 e of the substrate 11 than the second expansion portion 32 of the second terminal portion 30. By arranging the first inflating part 22 and the second inflating part 32 in this way, it is possible to prevent the generation of a portion where the distance between the first terminal part 20 and the second terminal part 30 is reduced. .
Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first inflating part 22 and the second inflating part 32 are arranged so as not to overlap each other when viewed from the y direction. Specifically, the width b ₂ of the width a ₂ and a second expansion portion 32 of the first expansion portion 22 is smaller than the arrangement pitch P of the above, the first expansion part 22 and the second expanding portion 32 Is configured to be symmetric in the x direction with the center line 18 as a center. Thereby, when it sees from ay direction, it can prevent that the 1st expansion part 22 and the 2nd expansion part 32 mutually overlap.

The first inflation portion 22 and second inflation portion 32, the distance d ₅ between the first inflation portion 22 and the second expansion portion 32 is arranged to be greater than a predetermined conduction prevention interval. Specifically, as the distance d ₅ is larger than a predetermined conduction prevention interval distance d ₆ between the first terminal portion 20 and the second terminal portion 30 in the y direction is defined.

  Next, a portion adjacent to the first inflating portion 22 and the second inflating portion 32 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the portion of the first terminal portion 20 that overlaps the second expansion portion 32 of the second terminal portion 30 when viewed from the x direction is composed of the first reduction portion 23 described above. Similarly, the portion of the second terminal portion 30 that overlaps the first expansion portion 22 of the first terminal portion 20 when viewed from the x direction is composed of the second reduction portion 33 described above. Thus, by providing the 1st reduction part 23 and the 2nd reduction part 33, it originates in presence of the 1st expansion part 22 and the 2nd expansion part 32, and it is between the 1st terminal part 20 and the 2nd terminal part 30. It can prevent that the space | interval of becomes small.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described. Here, a method for conducting a continuity test of the touch panel sensor 10 and a method for connecting the connection terminal row 51 of the flexible printed circuit board 50 to the terminal row 17 will be described. In addition, a method for configuring a touch panel device and a display device with a touch panel function using the touch panel sensor 10 including the flexible printed circuit board 50 will be described.

Continuity Inspection Method First, a continuity inspection method of the touch panel sensor 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a method for conducting a continuity test by bringing a probe into contact with each of the terminal portions 20 and 30 of the terminal row 17 will be described. It is assumed that the positioning accuracy of the probe used is, for example, ± 80 μm.

First, the probe is moved onto the expansion portions 22 and 32 of the terminal portions 20 and 30 to be subjected to the continuity test among the terminal portions 20 and 30. Next, the tip of the probe is brought into contact with the expanding portions 22 and 32 with a predetermined pressure. Here, the contact area between the tip and the substrate 11 of the probe when viewed from the normal direction of the substrate 11 (hereinafter, the probe contacts) to become circular diameter w _1, the tip of the probe Assume that the shape and the contact pressure of the probe are adjusted. A specific value of the diameter w ₁ of the probe contact is appropriately set according to the arrangement and shape of the terminal portions 20 and 30, and is set to be approximately half of the arrangement pitch P described above, for example. Specifically, when the arrangement pitch P is 200 μm, the probe contact diameter w ₁ is about 100 μm.

In FIG. 4, a probe contact formed when the probe is brought into contact with the substrate 11 with the center of the first expansion portion 22 of the first terminal portion 20 as a target is indicated by reference numeral 25 (25a to 25c).
Of these, reference numeral 25a indicates a probe contact when the probe contact position is in accordance with the target, and reference numeral 25b indicates a probe contact when the probe contact position is deviated by 80 μm from the target in the x direction. Yes. Reference numeral 25c represents a probe contact when the contact position of the probe deviates from the target by 80 μm in the direction inclined from the x direction and the y direction.

  Here, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the first expansion portion 22 of the first terminal portion 20 has the width of the extraction conductive pattern 15, the width of the first main body portion 21, and the first reduction portion. It is comprised so that it may become larger than the width | variety of 23. For this reason, the operation | work which makes the front-end | tip part of a probe contact the 1st terminal part 20 can be implemented easily. That is, even when the contact position of the probe deviates from the target, the probe is brought into contact with the first inflating portion 22 of the first terminal portion 20 as represented by the reference numerals 25b and 25c in FIG. Can do.

Moreover, according to this Embodiment, as above-mentioned, as for each terminal part 20 and 30, the space | interval between the adjacent 1st terminal part 20 and the 2nd terminal part 30 becomes larger than a predetermined | prescribed conduction | electrical_connection prevention space | interval. It is configured as follows. For this reason, even if it is a case where the contact position of a probe deviates from a target, it can prevent that the front-end | tip part of a probe contacts the 2nd terminal part 30 adjacent to the 1st terminal part 20. FIG.
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the probe from being accidentally brought into contact with the second terminal unit 30 during the continuity test for the first terminal unit 20, or to connect the first terminal unit 20 and the first terminal unit via the probe. Conduction between the two terminal portions 30 can be prevented.

  4 also shows probe contacts 35 (35a to 35c) that are formed when the second terminal portion 30 is a continuity test target, as in the case of the first terminal portion 20. FIG. As is apparent from FIG. 4, the second terminal portion 30 can be easily subjected to the operation of bringing the tip of the probe into contact with the second terminal portion 30. Further, even when the contact position of the probe is deviated from the target, it is possible to prevent the tip portion of the probe from contacting the first terminal portion 20 adjacent to the second terminal portion 30.

How to connect the flexible printed circuit board 50 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 in connection then touch sensor 10 of the flexible printed circuit board. In FIG. 5, each terminal part 20 and 30 is covered with the connection terminal part 52 of the connection terminal row | line | column 51, and a mode that the connection terminal part 52 corresponding to each terminal part 20 and 30 is connected by this is shown. ing. In FIG. 5, the connection terminal portion 52 is indicated by a dotted line for convenience.

In FIG. 5, the width of each connection terminal portion 52 is represented by reference sign w ₃ . Preferably, the width w ₃ of the connection terminal portion 52 is smaller than the arrangement pitch P of the above.

  First, the flexible printed circuit board 50 is positioned in the x and y directions. Specifically, an appropriate conveying means (not shown) is provided so that each connection terminal portion 52 of the connection terminal row 51 of the flexible printed circuit board 50 is disposed on the corresponding terminal portion 20 or 30 of the terminal row 17. Used to move the flexible printed circuit board 50 in the x and y directions.

  Next, the flexible printed board 50 is moved toward the board 11 in the normal direction of the board 11. Thereby, the terminal parts 20 and 30 on the board | substrate 11 and the connection terminal part 52 of the flexible printed circuit board 50 are electrically connected. At this time, some conductive layer may be interposed between the terminal portions 20 and 30 and the connection terminal portion 52. For example, an anisotropic conductive layer having conductivity in the normal direction of the substrate 11 and insulating in the x direction and the y direction may be interposed. The anisotropic conductive layer is composed of, for example, conductive particles and an insulating binder. By using such an anisotropic conductive layer, the operation of connecting the flexible printed board 50 to the board 11 can be facilitated, and the connection between the flexible printed board 50 and the board 11 can be made stronger. can do.

  As described above, the terminal portions 20 and 30 and the connection terminal portion 52 both extend in the y direction. For this reason, even if the positioning of the flexible printed circuit board 50 in the y direction deviates from the target, it is possible to ensure sufficient conduction between the terminal portions 20 and 30 and the connection terminal portion 52.

  Here, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the first inflating portion 22 and the second inflating portion 32 are arranged so as not to overlap each other when viewed from the y direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, a general flexible printed board having a simple structure can be used as the flexible printed board 50 for taking out a signal from the terminal row 17. Specifically, a connection terminal row 51 including a plurality of connection terminal portions 52 arranged in the x direction and extending in the y direction can be used as the connection terminal row 51 of the flexible printed circuit board 50. More specifically, a connection terminal row 51 including a plurality of connection terminal portions 52 each having substantially the same rectangular shape can be used. Therefore, even when the expansion portions 22 and 32 are provided in the terminal portions 20 and 30 in order to reduce the arrangement pitch P, the flexible printed circuit board 50 does not require a special design, so that the availability is deteriorated. Can be prevented.

According to this embodiment, as described above, the width b ₂ of the width a ₂ and a second expansion portion 32 of the first expansion portion 22 is smaller than the arrangement pitch P of the terminal portions 20 and 30 Similarly, the width w ₃ of each connection terminal portion 52 is smaller than the arrangement pitch P described above. For this reason, even if the positioning of the flexible printed circuit board 50 in the x direction is slightly deviated from the target, one connection terminal portion 52 is connected to both the first terminal portion 20 and the second terminal portion 30. Can be prevented. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the tolerance for positioning of the flexible printed circuit board 50 in the x direction is determined by the separation distance d ₇ between the first expansion portion 22 and the second expansion portion 32 in the x direction. The separation distance d ₇ is appropriately determined according to the accuracy of the conveying means that conveys the flexible printed circuit board 50, and is in the range of 100 to 500 μm, for example.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the dimension of the first terminal portion 20 and the dimension of the second terminal portion 30 are substantially the same in the y direction. The first terminal portion 20 and the second terminal portion 30 include main body portions 21 and 31, expansion portions 22 and 32, and reduction portions 23 and 33, respectively. Thus, each terminal part 20 and 30 is comprised using the same component, and thereby the contact resistance between the 1st terminal part 20 and the connection terminal row | line | column 51, and the 2nd terminal part 30 and the connection terminal part 52 are shown. Can be made substantially the same. Thus, signals from the transparent conductive patterns 13 and 14 can be taken out by the flexible printed circuit board 50 with substantially the same contact resistance.

Method for Manufacturing Touch Panel Device and Display Device with Touch Panel Function Next, a control unit (not shown) that calculates the touch position of the flexible printed circuit board 50 connected to the substrate 11 by analyzing signals from the transparent conductive patterns 13 and 14. Connect to Thereby, a touch panel device (not shown) capable of calculating the touch position is produced. Further, by mounting such a touch panel device on a display unit (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display, a display device with a touch panel function (not shown) is manufactured.

  Here, according to the present embodiment, as described above, it is realized that the arrangement pitch P of the terminal portions 20 and 30 is reduced, and thus the area of the region occupied by the terminal row 17 is reduced. Has been. Thereby, size reduction of the touch panel sensor 10, the touch panel device, and the display device with a touch panel function can be realized. Moreover, by reducing the area of the region occupied by the terminal row 17, it is possible to reduce the cost required for the material of the flexible printed circuit board 50. Thus, the touch panel sensor 10, the touch panel device, and the display device with a touch panel function can be reduced. Cost reduction can be realized.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, as described above, in each of the terminal portions 20 and 30, the interval between the adjacent first terminal portion 20 and the second terminal portion 30 is larger than the predetermined conduction preventing interval. It is comprised so that it may become. For this reason, while the touch panel sensor 10, the touch panel device, and the display device with a touch panel function are being used, the first terminal portion 20 and the second terminal portion 30 that are adjacent to each other due to electromigration are prevented from conducting. it can.

First Comparison Mode Next, the effect of the present embodiment will be described in comparison with the first comparison mode with reference to FIG.

In the first comparative form shown in FIG. 6, each terminal portion 60 of the terminal row provided on the substrate 11 includes an expanding portion 62 having a width larger than the width of the extraction conductive pattern 15. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the inflatable portions 62 are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed from the x direction.
For this reason, according to the first comparative embodiment, as indicated by reference numeral 25b in FIG. 6, when the contact position of the tip of the probe deviates from the target in the x direction, the terminal portion where the tip of the probe is not intended. 60 may come into contact.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the first inflating portion 22 and the second inflating portion 32 are arranged so as not to overlap each other when viewed from the x direction. For this reason, the space | interval between the adjacent 1st terminal part 20 and the 2nd terminal part 30 can be made larger than a predetermined | prescribed conduction | electrical_connection prevention space | interval. Thereby, even when the contact position of the probe is deviated from the target in the x direction, it is possible to prevent the tip of the probe from coming into contact with the unintended terminal portions 20 and 30.

Second Comparison Mode Next, the effect of the present embodiment will be described in comparison with the second comparison mode with reference to FIGS.

  In the second comparative example shown in FIG. 7, the terminal row provided on the substrate 11 has first terminal portions 70 and second terminal portions 75 that are alternately arranged along the x direction. Among these, the first terminal portion 70 includes a first expansion portion 72 having a width larger than the width of the extraction conductive pattern 15, and the second terminal portion 75 has a width larger than the width of the extraction conductive pattern 15. The 2nd expansion part 77 which has is included.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first inflating portion 72 and the second inflating portion 77 are arranged so as to partially overlap each other when viewed from the y direction. Therefore, according to the second comparative embodiment, when the flexible printed circuit board 50 according to the present embodiment is used, one connection terminal portion 52 of the connection terminal row 51 includes a plurality of terminal portions 70 as shown in FIG. , 75 can be considered.

  Therefore, when the first terminal portion 70 and the second terminal portion 75 are used, as shown in FIG. 8, the flexible printed circuit board corresponds to the arrangement of the first expansion portion 72 and the second expansion portion 77. A specially designed flexible printed circuit board including the first terminal part 74 and the second terminal part 79 needs to be used. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the shape of the 1st terminal part 74 and the shape of the 2nd terminal part 79 are different, Therefore It can be considered that the availability of a flexible printed circuit board deteriorates. When the flexible printed board shown in FIG. 8 is used, it is necessary to precisely position the flexible printed board 50 not only in the x direction but also in the y direction. Therefore, it is considered that the positioning process of the flexible printed board 50 becomes complicated and the time required for positioning becomes long.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the first inflating portion 22 and the second inflating portion 32 are arranged so as not to overlap each other when viewed from the y direction. Therefore, a general flexible printed circuit board having a simple structure can be used as the flexible printed circuit board 50 for taking out signals from the terminal row 17. Further, even if the positioning of the flexible printed circuit board 50 in the y direction is deviated from the target, it is possible to ensure sufficient conduction between the terminal portions 20 and 30 and the connection terminal portion 52.

Modification Example of First Inflating Part and Second Inflating Part In the present embodiment, the example in which the shapes of the first inflating part 22 and the second inflating part 32 are rectangular has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the width a ₂ of the first expansion portion 22 is larger than the width a ₁ of the first main body portion 21 and the width a ₃ of the first reduction portion 23, and As long as the width b ₂ is larger than the width b ₁ of the second main body 31 and the width b ₃ of the second reduction portion 33, various shapes can be used as the shapes of the first expansion portion 22 and the second expansion portion 32. Can be adopted.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, at least a portion facing the second expansion portion 32 of the first expansion portion 22 has a curved contour (curved contour 22 a), and at least the first expansion portion of the second expansion portion 32. The portion facing 22 may have a curved contour (curved contour 32a). Also in the example shown in FIG. 9, by providing the expanding portions 22 and 32, the work of bringing the tip of the probe into contact with the terminal portions 20 and 30 is facilitated. Further, according to the example shown in FIG. 9, the separation distance d ₆ between the expansion portions 22 and 32 in the y direction is ensured while ensuring the distance d ₅ between the expansion portions 22 and 32 equivalent to the case of the above-described embodiment. Can be made smaller. As a result, the area of the region occupied by the terminal row 17 on the substrate 11 can be further reduced, and thus the touch panel sensor 10 can be made smaller.

As shown in FIG. 10, at least a portion of the first inflatable portion 22 that faces the second inflatable portion 32 has a contour (inclined contour 22b) extending in a direction inclined with respect to the x direction and the y direction. At least a portion of the second inflating portion 32 that faces the first inflating portion 22 may have a contour (inclined contour 32 b) that is substantially parallel to the sloping contour 22 b of the first inflating portion 22. Also in the example shown in FIG. 10, by providing the inflating portions 22 and 32, the work of bringing the tip of the probe into contact with the terminal portions 20 and 30 is facilitated. Further, according to the example shown in FIG. 10, the separation distance d ₆ between the inflating portions 22 and 32 in the y direction is ensured while ensuring the distance d ₅ between the inflating portions 22 and 32 as in the case of the above-described embodiment. Can be made smaller. As a result, the area of the region occupied by the terminal row 17 on the substrate 11 can be further reduced, and thus the touch panel sensor 10 can be made smaller.

In the modification of the terminal row and in the present embodiment, the terminal row 17 is alternately arranged along the x direction, and each of the first terminal portion 20 and the second terminal portion 30 is connected to one extraction conductive pattern 15. An example consisting of However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the terminal row 17 may be constituted by three or more types of terminal portions as long as the expanded portions of the terminal portions do not overlap when viewed from the x direction and the y direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the terminal rows 17 are alternately arranged along the x direction, and each of the first terminal portion 20, the second terminal portion 30, and the third terminal is connected to one extraction conductive pattern 15. The portion 40 may be included.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, the third terminal portion 40 is adjacent to the extraction conductive pattern 15, has a third main body portion 41 having a width larger than the width of the extraction conductive pattern 15, and the substrate 11 than the third main body portion 41. The third inflating portion 42 is disposed on the outer edge 11e side and has a width larger than the width of the third main body portion 41, and is disposed on the outer edge 11e side of the substrate 11 with respect to the third inflating portion 42. 3rd reduction part 43 which has a width smaller than the width of this. The inflatable portions 22, 32, and 42 are arranged so as not to overlap each other when viewed from the x direction and from each other when viewed from the y direction. More specifically, the second contraction unit 33 and the third contraction unit 43 are disposed in a portion overlapping the first expansion portion 22 when viewed from the x direction, and the portion overlapping the second expansion portion 32 when viewed from the x direction. The first reduction part 23 and the third reduction part 43 are arranged, and the first reduction part 23 and the second reduction part 33 are arranged in a portion overlapping the third expansion part 42 when viewed from the x direction. This facilitates the operation of bringing the tip of the probe into contact with the terminal portions 20, 30, 40 even when the arrangement pitch P is reduced, and between the terminal portions 20, 30, 40. It is possible to prevent the interval of 小 さ く な る from becoming small.

In the modification of the touch panel sensor and the present embodiment, the transparent conductive patterns 13 and 14 are provided only on one surface of the substrate 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the transparent conductive patterns 13 and 14 may be provided on both surfaces of 11. For example, the x transparent conductive pattern 13 may be provided on one surface of the substrate 11, and the y transparent conductive pattern 14 may be provided on the other surface of the substrate 11.
In this case, the terminal rows 17 may also be provided on both surfaces of the substrate 11, respectively. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example in which the terminal rows 17 are respectively provided on both surfaces of the substrate 11. As shown in FIG. 12, the terminal rows 17 provided on one surface of the substrate 11 and the terminal rows 17 provided on the other surface of the substrate 11 are alternately arranged along the x direction, and each has one extraction conductive It has the 1st terminal part 20 and the 2nd terminal part 30 which were connected to the pattern. Thereby, even when the arrangement pitch P is reduced, the work of bringing the tip of the probe into contact with the terminal portions 20 and 30 is facilitated, and the interval between the terminal portions 20 and 30 is reduced. Can be prevented.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the tip of one probe is brought into contact with one first terminal portion 20 or the second terminal portion 30 for each operation at the time of continuity inspection. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a probe card in which a plurality of probes are regularly arranged may be used in the continuity test. In this case, the tip portions of the plurality of probes can be brought into contact with the plurality of terminal portions 20 and 30 at the same time, whereby the continuity test for the plurality of terminal portions 20 and 30 can be simultaneously performed. As a result, the time required for the continuity test can be shortened.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the touch panel sensor 10 includes a capacitive touch panel sensor is shown. However, as long as the touch panel sensor 10 includes the terminal row 17 described above, the touch panel sensor 10 may be realized by other methods such as a resistance method.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Touch panel sensor part 11 Board | substrate 11e Outer edge 13 x Transparent conductive pattern 14 y Transparent conductive pattern 15 Extraction conductive pattern 17 Terminal row 18 Center line 20 1st terminal part 21 1st main-body part 22 1st expansion part 22a Curved outline 22b Inclined outline 23 1st reduction part 25 Probe contact 30 2nd terminal part 31 2nd main-body part 32 2nd expansion part 32a Curved outline 32b Inclined outline 33 2nd reduction part 35 Probe contact 40 3rd terminal part 50 Flexible printed circuit board 51 Connection terminal row 52 Connection terminal

Claims (9)

A substrate,
A plurality of transparent conductive patterns provided in a predetermined pattern on the substrate;
A terminal row provided on the substrate and including a plurality of terminal portions each corresponding to one transparent conductive pattern, wherein each terminal portion is arranged in the x direction and each is perpendicular to the x direction A terminal row extending to
A plurality of extraction conductive patterns provided on the substrate, each electrically connecting one transparent conductive pattern and one terminal portion of the terminal row,
The plurality of terminal portions of the terminal row have first terminal portions and second terminal portions that are alternately arranged along the x direction,
The first terminal portion includes a first expansion portion having a width larger than the width of the extraction conductive pattern,
The second terminal portion includes a second expansion portion having a width larger than the width of the extraction conductive pattern,
The touch panel sensor, wherein the first expansion part and the second expansion part are arranged so as not to overlap each other when viewed from the x direction and from each other when viewed from the y direction. The first expansion portion of the first terminal portion is disposed on the outer edge side of the substrate with respect to the second expansion portion of the second terminal portion,
The portion of the first terminal portion that overlaps the second expansion portion of the second terminal portion when viewed from the x direction is composed of a first reduction portion having a width smaller than the width of the first expansion portion,
2. The touch panel sensor according to claim 1, wherein the second terminal portion extends in the y direction to a portion overlapping the first expansion portion of the first terminal portion when viewed from the x direction.   The portion of the second terminal portion that overlaps the first expansion portion of the first terminal portion when viewed from the x direction is a second reduction portion having a width smaller than the width of the second expansion portion. The touch panel sensor according to claim 2. The first terminal portion further includes a first body portion that is disposed adjacent to the extraction conductive pattern and has a width smaller than a width of the first expansion portion and larger than a width of the first reduction portion,
The second terminal portion further includes a second main body portion disposed adjacent to the extraction conductive pattern and having a width smaller than a width of the second expansion portion and larger than a width of the second reduction portion. The touch panel sensor according to claim 3.   An interval in the x direction between the adjacent first terminal portion and the second terminal portion is the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion over the entire area of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion. 5. The touch panel sensor according to claim 1, wherein the touch panel sensor is larger than a conduction preventing interval for preventing the conduction.   The adjacent first terminal part and the second terminal part, wherein an interval between the first inflating part and the second inflating part is larger than the conduction preventing interval. 5. The touch panel sensor according to 5.   When the arrangement pitch in the x direction between the terminal portions of the terminal row is P, the width of the first expansion portion and the second expansion portion is smaller than the arrangement pitch P. The touch panel sensor according to claim 1. Further comprising a signal transmission means having a plurality of connection terminal portions connected to each terminal portion of the terminal row from the normal direction of the substrate;
8. The touch panel sensor according to claim 1, wherein the connection terminal portions of the signal transmission means are arranged in the x direction and each extend in the y direction.   The width of each connection terminal portion of the signal transmission means is smaller than the arrangement pitch P, where P is an arrangement pitch in the x direction between the terminal portions of the terminal row. 8. The touch panel sensor according to 8.

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