JP2015008012A - Display device with touch detection function, and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a display device with a touch detection function, in which uniformity of detection sensitivity to touch can be increased.SOLUTION: The display device includes: a display function layer (liquid crystal layer 6); a plurality of touch detection electrodes TDL arranged in parallel to one another extending in a first direction; and a plurality of drive electrodes (a common electrode COML) arranged in parallel to one another extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction so as to form an electrostatic capacitance in an intersection with the plurality of touch detection electrodes. The plurality of drive electrodes extend out of an effective display region in the second direction, while the touch detection electrodes extend out of the effective display region only in the first direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device having a touch detection function, and in particular, includes a display device with a touch detection function that detects a touch based on a change in capacitance due to an external proximity object, and such a display device with a touch detection function. Related to electronic equipment.

  In recent years, a touch detection device called a touch panel is mounted on a display device such as a liquid crystal display device, or the touch panel and the display device are integrated to display various button images on the display device. A display device that can input information instead of a formula button has attracted attention. A display device having such a touch panel does not require an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a keypad. Therefore, the display device tends to be used not only for a computer but also for a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone.

  There are several touch detection methods, one of which is a capacitance type. For example, in Patent Document 1, a display common electrode originally provided in a display device is used as one of a pair of touch sensor electrodes, and the other electrode (touch detection electrode) is used as the common electrode. Display devices arranged so as to cross each other have been proposed. Patent Document 2 proposes a touch panel including a plurality of electrodes formed along the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Further, Patent Document 3 proposes a sensor device including three electrodes having different widths depending on locations in one layer. Further, Patent Document 4 includes a plurality of electrodes formed along the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and is provided with unevenness to prevent mistouch on the operation surface of the touch panel. A touch panel configured to have a constant capacity has been proposed.

JP 2009-244958 A JP 2008-217784 A US Pat. No. 7,382,139 JP 2008-86236 A

  By the way, generally, in the touch detection device, it is desired that the detection sensitivity is uniform within the touch detection surface. However, in the capacitance type touch detection device, for example, the detection sensitivity in the end region of the touch detection surface may be lower than the detection sensitivity in the center of the detection surface, which may reduce the uniformity of the detection sensitivity. . However, the display device described in Patent Document 1, the touch panel described in Patent Document 2, and the sensor device described in Patent Document 3 have no description regarding the uniformity of detection sensitivity. In the touch panel described in Patent Document 4, the detection sensitivity in the end region of the touch detection surface is not touched at all.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a display device with a touch detection function and an electronic apparatus that can improve the uniformity of detection sensitivity with respect to a touch.

  The display device with a touch detection function of the present invention extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a display function layer, a plurality of touch detection electrodes arranged in parallel so as to extend in the first direction. And a plurality of drive electrodes that form capacitance at intersections with the plurality of touch detection electrodes, and the plurality of drive electrodes extend out of the effective display area in the second direction. Then, the touch detection electrode extends out of the effective display area only in the first direction.

  An electronic apparatus of the present invention includes the display device with a touch detection function, and corresponds to a mobile terminal device such as a television device, a digital camera, a personal computer, a video camera, or a mobile phone.

  In the display device with a touch detection function and the electronic apparatus according to the present invention, display is performed in the display function layer, and touch detection is performed on an external proximity object based on a change in capacitance between the drive electrode and the touch detection electrode. The drive electrode is formed to extend outside the effective display area in the second direction. Further, the touch detection electrode is formed to extend outside the effective display area only in the first direction.

  In the display device with a touch detection function of the present invention, for example, the plurality of drive electrodes are detected from the center of the touch detection electrode located on the outermost side among the plurality of touch detection electrodes arranged in the effective display area. You may extend | stretch to the 1st position separated only by the distance of the half of the arrangement pitch of an electrode, or the 2nd position of the outer side. As described above, the drive electrode is extended to the first position or the second position outside the first position, and the outer edge of the effective display area is located at the first position or the inner position. The detection sensitivity in the region corresponding to the touch detection electrode can be made equal to the detection sensitivity in the region corresponding to the inner touch detection electrode.

  Further, for example, the plurality of drive electrodes may exist only in the effective display area in the first direction, and the plurality of touch detection electrodes may exist only in the effective display area in the second direction.

  Further, for example, the plurality of drive electrodes may be arranged in parallel outside the effective display area in the first direction.

  Further, for example, the plurality of touch detection electrodes may be arranged in parallel outside the effective display area in the second direction and may extend to at least a third position outside the outermost drive electrode.

  In addition, for example, the plurality of touch detection electrodes are formed with the same electrode width and arranged with different arrangement pitches, and the arrangement pitch of the touch detection electrodes arranged outside in the effective display area is arranged more inside. It may be the same as or wider than the arranged pitch of the touch detection electrodes.

  In addition, for example, the plurality of touch detection electrodes are formed with different electrode widths and arranged at the same arrangement pitch, and the electrode widths of the touch detection electrodes arranged outside in the effective display area are arranged more inside. The electrode width of the touch detection electrode may be the same as or narrower.

  In addition, for example, a surface layer formed on the plurality of touch detection electrodes so as to cover at least the effective display area is further provided, and the thickness of the outer surface layer in the second direction is equal to that of the inner surface layer. It may be the same as or thinner than the thickness.

  For example, the display functional layer may include a liquid crystal display layer, a pixel electrode, and a common electrode. In this case, for example, the common electrode may be shared with the drive electrode. For example, the common electrode may be disposed on the opposite side of the liquid crystal display layer with the pixel electrode interposed therebetween, or may be disposed between the liquid crystal display layer and the pixel electrode, or the pixel with the liquid crystal display layer interposed therebetween. You may make it arrange | position on the opposite side to an electrode.

  According to the display device with a touch detection function and the electronic apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to improve the uniformity of detection sensitivity in the effective display area.

It is a figure for demonstrating the basic principle of the touch detection system in the display apparatus with a touch detection function of this invention, and is a figure showing the state which the finger | toe does not touch or adjoin. It is a figure for demonstrating the basic principle of the touch detection system in the display apparatus with a touch detection function of this invention, and is a figure showing the state which the finger | toe contacted or adjoined. It is a figure for demonstrating the basic principle of the touch detection system in the display apparatus with a touch detection function of this invention, and is a figure showing an example of the waveform of a drive signal and a touch detection signal. 1A and 1B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a display device with a touch detection function according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic cross-sectional structure of the display device with a touch detection function illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating a pixel array of the display device with a touch detection function illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of a common electrode and a touch detection electrode of the display device with a touch detection function illustrated in FIG. 5. It is a schematic diagram showing the electric force line resulting from a fringe between a common electrode and a touch detection electrode. It is the top view and sectional drawing showing the example of 1 structure of the display apparatus with a touch detection function which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is the top view and sectional drawing showing an example of 1 composition of a display with a touch detection function concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a schematic diagram showing the change of the electric line of force by the fringe when changing the electrode pitch. It is a characteristic view showing the relationship between an electrode pitch and detection sensitivity. It is the top view and sectional drawing showing the example of 1 structure of the display apparatus with a touch detection function which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram showing the change of the electric line of force by the fringe when changing the electrode width. It is a characteristic view showing the relationship between an electrode width and detection sensitivity. It is the top view and sectional drawing showing an example of 1 composition of a display with a touch detection function concerning a 4th embodiment. It is a schematic diagram showing the change of the electric line of force by the fringe when changing the thickness of a surface glass plate. It is the top view and sectional drawing showing the example of 1 structure of the touch detection apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is the top view and sectional drawing showing the example of 1 structure of the touch detection apparatus which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is the top view and sectional drawing showing the example of 1 structure of the touch detection apparatus which concerns on 7th Embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the appearance composition of application example 1 among display devices with a touch detection function, etc. to which an embodiment is applied. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance configuration of an application example 2. FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance configuration of an application example 3. FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance configuration of an application example 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is a front view, a side view, a top view, and a bottom view illustrating an appearance configuration of an application example 5. It is sectional drawing showing the schematic sectional structure of the display apparatus with a touch detection function which concerns on modifications, such as each embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The description will be given in the following order.
1. 1. Basic principle of capacitive touch detection First embodiment (display device with touch detection function)
3. Second embodiment (display device with touch detection function)
4). Third embodiment (display device with touch detection function)
5. Fourth embodiment (display device with touch detection function)
6). Fifth embodiment (touch detection device)
7). Sixth embodiment (touch detection device)
8). Seventh embodiment (touch detection device)
9. Application examples

<1. Basic Principle of Capacitive Touch Detection>
First, the basic principle of touch detection in the display device with a touch detection function of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This touch detection method is embodied as a capacitive touch sensor. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, a pair of electrodes (drives) arranged opposite to each other with a dielectric D interposed therebetween. A capacitive element is configured using the electrode E1 and the touch detection electrode E2). This structure is expressed as an equivalent circuit shown in FIG. The drive element E1, the touch detection electrode E2, and the dielectric D constitute a capacitive element C1. One end of the capacitive element C1 is connected to an AC signal source (drive signal source) S, and the other end P is grounded via a resistor R and also connected to a voltage detector (touch detection circuit) DET. When an AC rectangular wave Sg (FIG. 3B) having a predetermined frequency (for example, about several kHz to several tens of kHz) is applied from the AC signal source S to the drive electrode E1 (one end of the capacitive element C1), the touch detection electrode E2 ( An output waveform (touch detection signal Vdet) as shown in FIG. 3A appears at the other end P) of the capacitive element C1. The AC rectangular wave Sg corresponds to a drive signal Vcom described later.

  For example, in a state where the finger is not in contact (or close), as shown in FIG. 1, a current I0 corresponding to the capacitance value of the capacitive element C1 flows along with charge / discharge of the capacitive element C1. The potential waveform at the other end P of the capacitive element C1 at this time is, for example, a waveform V0 in FIG. 3A, which is detected by the voltage detector DET.

  On the other hand, when the finger is in contact (or close proximity), the capacitive element C2 formed by the finger is added in series to the capacitive element C1, as shown in FIG. In this state, currents I1 and I2 flow in accordance with charging and discharging of the capacitive elements C1 and C2, respectively. The potential waveform at the other end P of the capacitive element C1 at this time is, for example, a waveform V1 in FIG. 3A, and this is detected by the voltage detector DET. At this time, the potential at the point P is a divided potential determined by the values of the currents I1 and I2 flowing through the capacitive elements C1 and C2. For this reason, the waveform V1 is smaller than the waveform V0 in the non-contact state. The voltage detector DET compares the detected voltage with a predetermined threshold voltage Vth, and determines that it is in a non-contact state if it is equal to or higher than this threshold voltage, and determines that it is in a contact state if it is less than the threshold voltage. To do. In this way, touch detection is possible. In this example, the touch of a finger has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a stylus.

<2. First Embodiment>
[Configuration example]
(Overall configuration example)
FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the display device with a touch detection function according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows an example of the cross-sectional structure of the main part of FIG. This display device with a touch detection function uses a liquid crystal display element as a display element, and integrates a liquid crystal display device constituted by the liquid crystal display element and a capacitive touch detection device. Device.

  The display device with a touch detection function 1 includes a pixel substrate 2, a counter substrate 3 disposed so as to face the pixel substrate 2, and a liquid crystal layer 6 inserted between the pixel substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3. I have.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the pixel substrate 2 includes a TFT substrate 21 as a circuit substrate, a common electrode COML, and a pixel electrode 22. The TFT substrate 21 functions as a circuit substrate on which various electrodes, wirings, thin film transistors (TFTs), and the like are formed. The TFT substrate 21 is made of, for example, glass. A common electrode COML is formed on the TFT substrate 21. The common electrode COML is an electrode for supplying a common voltage to a plurality of pixels Pix (described later), and has translucency. The common electrode COML is also used as an electrode for applying the AC rectangular wave Sg in the touch sensor. That is, the common electrode COML corresponds to the drive electrode E1 in the basic principle of the capacitive touch detection described above. As shown in FIG. 4, the common electrode COML is arranged in parallel so as to extend in one direction over the effective display region S that is a region where the display device 1 with a touch detection function performs display. Each of the common electrodes COML is formed so as to extend outside the effective display region S. An insulating film 23 is formed on the common electrode COML, and a pixel electrode 22 is formed thereon. The pixel electrode 22 is an electrode for supplying a pixel signal for display and has translucency. The common electrode COML and the pixel electrode 22 are made of, for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the counter substrate 3 includes a glass substrate 31, a color filter 32, and a touch detection electrode TDL. The color filter 32 is formed on one surface of the glass substrate 31. The color filter 32 is configured by periodically arranging, for example, three color filter layers of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and each display pixel has R, G, and B color filters. Three colors are associated as one set. On the other surface of the glass substrate 31, the touch detection electrodes TDL are arranged in parallel so as to extend in the direction intersecting the common electrode COML over the effective display region S. The touch detection electrode TDL is an electrode that outputs a touch detection signal Vdet in the touch sensor. That is, the touch detection electrode TDL corresponds to the touch detection electrode E2 in the basic principle of the capacitive touch detection described above. The touch detection electrode TDL is an electrode made of, for example, ITO and having translucency. The touch detection electrode TDL is connected to a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 5 for outputting a touch detection signal Vdet to the outside. A polarizing plate 35 is disposed on the touch detection electrode TDL, and a surface glass plate (not shown) is disposed thereon.

  The liquid crystal layer 6 functions as a display function layer, and modulates the light passing therethrough according to the state of the electric field. This electric field is formed by a potential difference between the voltage of the common electrode COML and the voltage of the pixel electrode 22. For the liquid crystal layer 6, a liquid crystal in a transverse electric field mode such as FFS (fringe field switching) or IPS (in-plane switching) is used. The liquid crystal layer 6 is sealed with a seal 4 between the pixel substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3.

  An alignment film is provided between the liquid crystal layer 6 and the pixel substrate 2 and between the liquid crystal layer 6 and the counter substrate 3, and an incident side polarizing plate is provided on the lower surface side of the pixel substrate 2. Although not shown, the illustration is omitted here.

  FIG. 6 illustrates a configuration example of a pixel structure in the display device 1 with a touch detection function. The display device with a touch detection function 1 has a plurality of pixels Pix arranged in a matrix. The pixel Pix includes a TFT element Tr and a liquid crystal element LC. The TFT element Tr is composed of a thin film transistor. In this example, the TFT element Tr is composed of an n-channel MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) TFT. The source of the TFT element Tr is connected to the pixel signal line SGL, the gate is connected to the scanning signal line GCL, and the drain is connected to one end of the liquid crystal element LC. The liquid crystal element LC has one end connected to the drain of the TFT element Tr and the other end connected to the common electrode COML.

The pixel Pix is connected to another pixel Pix belonging to the same row of the display device 1 with a touch detection function by the scanning signal line GCL. The pixel Pix is connected to another pixel Pix belonging to the same column of the display device with a touch detection function 1 by the pixel signal line SGL.
Further, the pixel Pix is connected to another pixel Pix belonging to the same row of the display device with a touch detection function 1 by the common electrode COML.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of the touch sensor in the display device 1 with a touch detection function. The touch sensor includes a common electrode COML provided on the pixel substrate 2 and a touch detection electrode TDL provided on the counter substrate 3. The common electrode COML is composed of a plurality of striped electrode patterns extending in the left-right direction in the drawing. When performing the touch detection operation, the drive signal Vcom (corresponding to the AC rectangular wave Sg in the basic principle of the capacitive touch detection described above) is sequentially supplied to each electrode pattern, and the scan drive is sequentially performed in a time-division manner. To be done. The touch detection electrode TDL is configured by an electrode pattern extending in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the electrode pattern of the common electrode COML. The electrode patterns intersecting each other by the common electrode COML and the touch detection electrode TDL form a capacitance at the intersection. Each electrode pattern of the touch detection electrode TDL is connected to a touch detection circuit (not shown) via the FPC 5, and a touch is detected based on a touch detection signal Vdet supplied from the touch detection electrode TDL.

  The touch sensor shown in FIG. 6 operates according to the basic principle of touch detection described above. That is, the common electrode COML corresponds to the drive electrode E1 in the basic principle of touch detection described above, and the touch detection electrode TDL corresponds to the touch detection electrode E2. As shown in FIG. 6, the electrode patterns intersecting with each other constitute a capacitive touch sensor element in a matrix. Therefore, by scanning the entire touch detection surface of the display device 1 with a touch detection function, it is possible to detect a position where contact or proximity of an external proximity object has occurred.

  Here, the liquid crystal layer 6, the common electrode COML, and the pixel electrode 22 correspond to a specific example of “display function layer” in the invention. The common electrode COML corresponds to a specific example of “driving electrode” in the invention.

[Action and effect]
Next, operations and effects of the display device with a touch detection function 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, an overall operation overview of the display device with a touch detection function 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the display operation, an electric field is formed in the liquid crystal layer 6 based on signals supplied to the pixel electrode 22 and the common electrode COML, the direction of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 6 is changed, and light passing therethrough is modulated. Is done. In the touch detection operation, the drive signal Vcom is sequentially supplied to the common electrode COML, is transmitted to the touch detection electrode TDL via the capacitance between the common electrode COML and the touch detection electrode TDL, and is output as the touch detection signal Vdet. . The touch detection signal Vdet is supplied to the outside (for example, a touch detection circuit) via the FPC 5 to detect the presence or absence of a touch and the touch position.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the common electrode COML is formed to extend outside the effective display region S. Thereby, in the display device 1 with a touch detection function, the detection sensitivity at the end portion of the effective display region S can be made equal to the detection sensitivity at the central portion of the effective display region S. The uniformity of detection sensitivity with respect to touch can be improved. The details will be described below.

  FIG. 8 schematically shows electric lines of force caused by fringes between the common electrode COML and the touch detection electrode TDL. FIG. 8A shows an example (comparative example) in which the common electrode COML is short. B) shows an example when the common electrode COML is long (example of the present embodiment). FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the display device 1 with a touch detection function in the direction of arrows VIII-VIII in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 8A according to the comparative example, the common electrode COML is an electrode of the touch detection electrode TDL from the center of the outermost touch detection electrode TDL (left touch detection electrode TDL in FIG. 8A). It is extended by a distance de1 (<d / 2) corresponding to less than half of the pitch d. On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 8B according to the present embodiment, the common electrode COML is a distance de2 (≧ d / 2) corresponding to more than half of the electrode pitch d from the center of the outermost touch detection electrode TDL. ) Only stretched.

  In FIG. 8A according to the comparative example, since the common electrode COML is short, the electric lines of force due to the fringe of the outermost touch detection electrode TDL are reduced on the outer side (part P1). That is, the number of lines of electric force due to the fringe of the outermost touch detection electrode TDL is smaller than that of the other touch detection electrodes TDL. As a result, the detection sensitivity in the region corresponding to the outermost touch detection electrode TDL is lower than the detection sensitivity in the region corresponding to the other touch detection electrode TDL.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 8B according to the present embodiment, by reducing the length of the common electrode COML, it is possible to minimize the decrease in the lines of electric force due to the fringe of the outermost touch detection electrode TDL (partial). P2). As a result, the number of lines of electric force due to the fringe of the outermost touch detection electrode TDL can be made equal to that of the other touch detection electrode TDL, and detection in the region corresponding to the other touch detection electrode TDL is possible. Compared to the sensitivity, it is possible to minimize a decrease in detection sensitivity in a region corresponding to the outermost touch detection electrode TDL. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the touch detection electrodes TDL are arranged side by side in the effective display area S, so that the detection sensitivity to touch can be made uniform in the effective display area S.

  The touch detection circuit connected via the touch detection electrode TDL and the FPC 5 detects a touch based on the touch detection signal Vdet. In general, the touch detection circuit performs a correction calculation so that the detection sensitivity to the touch in the effective display area S is uniform based on the supplied touch detection signal Vdet, and obtains the touch position and the like based on the calculation result. . In the display device 1 with a touch detection function, as described above, since the uniformity of the detection sensitivity is improved by extending the touch detection electrode TDL, the correction amount by the correction calculation in the touch detection circuit can be reduced. For example, the touch position detection accuracy can be increased.

(effect)
As described above, in the present embodiment, the common electrode extends from the center of the outermost touch detection electrode by a distance corresponding to half or more of the electrode pitch of the touch detection electrode. The detection sensitivity in the region corresponding to the outer touch detection electrode can be made equal to the detection sensitivity in the region corresponding to the inner touch detection electrode.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the touch detection electrodes are arranged in parallel in the effective display area, the uniformity of detection sensitivity in the effective display area can be improved. Further, this can reduce the correction amount by the correction calculation in the touch detection circuit, so that, for example, the detection accuracy of the touch position can be increased.

[Modification 1]
In the above embodiment, the common electrode COML and the touch detection electrode TDL are arranged in parallel in the effective display area S. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and instead, for example, the common electrode COML is provided in the effective display area S. The touch detection electrodes TDL may be arranged outside the effective display area S. In the following, an example in which the common electrode COML and the touch detection electrode TDL are arranged outside the effective display area S is shown.

  FIG. 9 illustrates a configuration example of the display device 1B with a touch detection function according to the present modification. As shown in FIG. 9, the common electrode COML is also arranged in parallel outside the effective display area S (the right end and the left end in FIG. 9). The touch detection electrodes TDL are also arranged in parallel outside the effective display area S (upper and lower ends in FIG. 9). Further, the touch detection electrode TDL is formed to extend to a position corresponding to the outermost common electrode COML outside the effective display region S (left end in FIG. 9). Thereby, in the display device with a touch detection function 1B, the detection sensitivity can be made uniform in the effective display region S, and the touch detection region St can be made wider than the effective display region S.

<3. Second Embodiment>
Next, a display device 7 with a touch detection function according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the electrode pitch d (arrangement pitch) of the touch detection electrodes is made different depending on the location in the effective display area S. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 4). In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the substantially same component as the display apparatus 1 with a touch detection function based on the said 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  FIG. 10 illustrates a configuration example of the display device 7 with a touch detection function. In the display device with a touch detection function 7, as shown in FIG. 10, the touch detection electrodes TDL are arranged in parallel so that the electrode pitch d differs depending on the location. Specifically, the touch detection electrode TDL is arranged so that the electrode pitch d is narrow in the vicinity of the center of the effective display region S in the direction intersecting the extending direction of the touch detection electrode TDL. In the vicinity, the electrode pitch d is arranged to be wide. The arrangement of the touch detection electrodes TDL is not limited to this. For example, only the outermost touch detection electrodes TDL have a wide electrode pitch d in the direction intersecting the extending direction of the touch detection electrodes TDL. It may be made to become.

  FIG. 11 schematically shows changes in the lines of electric force due to fringes when the electrode pitch d of the touch detection electrodes TDL is changed. FIG. 11A shows a case where the electrode pitch d is narrow (electrode pitch d1). , (B) shows the case where the electrode pitch d is wide (electrode pitch d2). FIG. 11 shows a case where only two touch detection electrodes TDL are arranged in parallel for convenience of explanation. As shown in FIG. 11, when the electrode pitch d is increased, the number of lines of electric force due to fringes increases (part P3). Thereby, the detection sensitivity in the area | region corresponding to the touch detection electrode TDL in which the electric lines of force increased can be made high.

  FIG. 12 shows a simulation result of the relationship between the electrode pitch d and the detection sensitivity Sens. When the electrode pitch d is equal to or smaller than a certain value (electrode pitch da), as shown in FIG. 12, the electrode pitch d increases and the detection sensitivity Sens increases. Here, for example, when the electrode width w of the touch detection electrode TDL is 1 mm, the electrode pitch da is about 3 mm. Thus, the detection sensitivity Sens can be adjusted by changing the electrode pitch d in the range of the electrode pitch d <da.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the display device 7 with a touch detection function, the touch detection electrodes TDL are arranged so that the electrode pitch d is narrow near the center of the effective display region S, and the electrodes are near the end of the effective display region S. The touch detection electrodes TDL are arranged so that the pitch d is wide. Thereby, for example, when the touch detection electrodes TDL are formed at a constant electrode pitch d, when the detection sensitivity Sens decreases near the end of the effective display region S, the touch detection electrodes TDL disposed near the end of the effective display region S By widening the electrode pitch d, the detection sensitivity Sens of the area corresponding to the touch detection electrode TDL can be increased, and the detection sensitivity Sens can be made uniform in the effective display area S.

  In the display device 7 with a touch detection function, the electrode pitch of the touch detection electrodes TDL differs depending on the location. Therefore, the touch detection circuit needs to obtain the touch position by performing coordinate interpolation in consideration of this electrode arrangement. is there.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the electrode pitch of the touch detection electrode is different depending on the location, so that the detection sensitivity can be freely set in the direction intersecting the touch detection electrode.

  In the present embodiment, the electrode pitch of the touch detection electrodes arranged outside in the effective display area is the same as or wider than the electrode pitch of the touch detection electrodes arranged inside, so that the detection sensitivity in the effective display area Can improve the uniformity. Further, this can reduce the correction amount by the correction calculation in the touch detection circuit, so that, for example, the detection accuracy of the touch position can be increased.

  Other effects are the same as in the case of the first embodiment.

<4. Third Embodiment>
Next, a display device 8 with a touch detection function according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the electrode width of the touch detection electrode is made different depending on the location in the effective display area S. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 4). In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the substantially same component as the display apparatus 1 with a touch detection function based on the said 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  FIG. 13 illustrates a configuration example of the display device 8 with a touch detection function. In the display device with a touch detection function 8, the touch detection electrodes TDL are formed so that the electrode width w thereof varies depending on the location, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the touch detection electrode TDL is formed so that the electrode width w is wide near the center of the effective display region S in the direction intersecting the extending direction of the touch detection electrode TDL. In the vicinity, the electrode width w is narrowed. The width of the touch detection electrode TDL is not limited to this. For example, only the outermost touch detection electrode TDL has the electrode width w in the direction intersecting the extending direction of the touch detection electrode TDL. You may make it narrow.

  FIG. 14 schematically shows changes in the lines of electric force due to fringes when the electrode width w of the touch detection electrode TDL is changed. FIG. 14A shows a case where the electrode width w is wide (electrode width w2). , (B) shows the case where the electrode width w is narrow (electrode width w1). FIG. 14 shows a case where only two touch detection electrodes TDL are arranged in parallel for convenience of explanation. As shown in FIG. 14, when the electrode width w is reduced, the number of lines of electric force increases (part P4). Thereby, the detection sensitivity in the area | region corresponding to the touch detection electrode TDL in which the electric lines of force increased can be made high.

  FIG. 15 shows a simulation result of the relationship between the electrode width w and the detection sensitivity Sens. As shown in FIG. 15, the detection sensitivity Sens becomes maximum at a certain electrode width wa, and decreases as the distance from the electrode width increases. Here, for example, when the electrode pitch d of the touch detection electrodes TDL is 5 mm, the electrode width wa is about 1 mm. On the right side of FIG. 15, the detection sensitivity Sens decreases when the electrode width w is larger than the electrode width wa, as described above, because the electric lines of force due to fringes decrease as the electrode width w increases. is there. On the other hand, as shown on the left side of FIG. 15, the detection sensitivity Sens decreases when the electrode width w becomes smaller than the electrode width wa. The resistance value of the touch detection electrode TDL decreases when the electrode width w decreases. This increases the time constant and causes the touch detection signal Vdet to be difficult to be transmitted to the touch detection circuit through the touch detection electrode TDL. Thus, the detection sensitivity Sens can be adjusted by changing the electrode width w.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the display device 8 with a touch detection function, the touch detection electrodes TDL are arranged so that the electrode width w is wide near the center of the effective display region S, and the electrodes are near the end of the effective display region S. The touch detection electrodes TDL are arranged so that the width w becomes narrow. Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the touch detection electrode TDL is formed with a constant wide electrode width w2 in the effective display region S, the detection sensitivity Sens is low near the end of the effective display region S. When it becomes, the detection sensitivity Sens of the area | region corresponding to the touch detection electrode TDL can be raised by narrowing like the electrode width w1 of the touch detection electrode TDL arrange | positioned in the edge vicinity, and effective display area | region In S, the detection sensitivity Sens can be made uniform.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the electrode widths of the touch detection electrodes are different from each other, the detection sensitivity can be freely set in the direction intersecting the touch detection electrodes.

  In the present embodiment, since the electrode width of the touch detection electrode arranged outside in the effective display area is the same as or narrower than the electrode width of the touch detection electrode arranged inside, the detection sensitivity in the effective display area Can improve the uniformity. Further, this can reduce the correction amount by the correction calculation in the touch detection circuit, so that, for example, the detection accuracy of the touch position can be increased.

  Other effects are the same as in the case of the first embodiment.

<5. Fourth Embodiment>
Next, a display device 9 with a touch detection function according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the thickness of the surface glass plate varies depending on the location in the effective display area S. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 4). In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the substantially same component as the display apparatus 1 with a touch detection function based on the said 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  FIG. 16 illustrates a configuration example of the display device 9 with a touch detection function. In the display device 9 with a touch detection function, the surface glass plate 36 is formed so that its thickness varies depending on the location, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the surface glass plate 36 is formed so as to be thick near the center of the effective display region S and thin near the end of the effective display region S in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the touch detection electrode TDL. It is formed as follows.

  FIG. 17 schematically shows changes in the electric lines of force due to fringes when the thickness of the surface glass plate 36 is changed. FIG. 17A shows the case where the surface glass plate 36 is thick, and FIG. The thin case is shown. As shown in FIG. 17, when the surface glass plate is thinned, when the finger or the like touches, the finger blocks the electric lines of force caused by many fringes (part P5). Thereby, the detection sensitivity of the touch in the area | region corresponding to the touch detection electrode TDL from which the electric-force line was interrupted | blocked can be made high.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the display device with a touch detection function 9, the surface glass plate 36 is formed thick near the center of the effective display area S and thin near the end of the effective display area S. Thereby, for example, in the case where the thickness of the surface glass plate 36 is made constant in the effective display region S, when the detection sensitivity Sens becomes low near the end of the effective display region S, the surface glass near the end By making the plate 36 thinner, the detection sensitivity Sens of that portion can be increased, and the detection sensitivity Sens can be made uniform in the effective display area S.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the thickness of the surface glass plate is different depending on the location, the detection sensitivity can be freely set.

  In the present embodiment, the thickness of the outer surface glass plate is made equal to or thinner than the inner thickness in the direction intersecting the touch detection electrode in the effective display region, so that the detection sensitivity in the effective display region is Can improve the uniformity. Further, this can reduce the correction amount by the correction calculation in the touch detection circuit, so that, for example, the detection accuracy of the touch position can be increased.

  Other effects are the same as in the case of the first embodiment.

  The embodiment has been described above by taking the display device with a touch detection function as an example. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the touch detection device may be implemented alone. An example in that case will be described below.

<6. Fifth embodiment>
Next, a touch detection device 17 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the main part of the display device with a touch detection function 7 according to the second embodiment is applied to a single touch detection device, and the electrode pitch d of the touch detection electrodes varies depending on the location. It is a thing. Note that substantially the same components as those of the display device with a touch detection function 7 (FIG. 10) according to the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 18 illustrates a configuration example of the touch detection device 17. The touch detection device 17 includes a glass substrate 37 and drive electrodes 40. The drive electrode 40 corresponds to the drive electrode E1 in the basic principle of the capacitive touch detection described above, and corresponds to the common electrode COML in the second embodiment and the like. The drive electrodes 40 are arranged in parallel on one surface of the glass substrate 37, and the touch detection electrodes TDL are arranged in parallel in the direction intersecting with the drive electrodes 40 on the other surface. The touch detection electrodes TDL are arranged in parallel so that the electrode pitch d is different, as in the case of the display device with a touch detection function 7 according to the second embodiment. Specifically, the touch detection electrodes TDL are arranged so that the electrode pitch d is narrow in the vicinity of the center of the touch detection device 17 in the direction intersecting the extending direction of the touch detection electrodes TDL, and the electrode pitch d is near the ends. Is arranged to be wide. Thereby, the detection sensitivity Sens with respect to a touch can be made uniform just as in the case of the second embodiment.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the electrode pitch of the touch detection electrodes is different, the detection sensitivity can be freely set in the direction intersecting with the touch detection electrodes.

  In the present embodiment, the electrode pitch of the touch detection electrodes arranged on the outside is the same as or larger than the electrode pitch of the touch detection electrodes arranged on the inner side, so that the uniformity of detection sensitivity can be improved. Further, this can reduce the correction amount by the correction calculation in the touch detection circuit, so that, for example, the detection accuracy of the touch position can be increased.

<7. Sixth Embodiment>
Next, a touch detection device 18 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the main part of the display device with a touch detection function 8 according to the third embodiment is applied to a single touch detection device, and the electrode width w of the touch detection electrode varies depending on the location. It is a thing. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the substantially same component as the display apparatus 8 with a touch detection function based on the said 3rd Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

FIG. 19 illustrates a configuration example of the touch detection device 18. The touch detection electrode TDL is formed so that the electrode width w differs depending on the location, as in the case of the display device with a touch detection function 8 according to the third embodiment. Specifically, the touch detection electrode TDL is
In the direction intersecting with the extending direction of the touch detection electrode TDL, the electrode width w is formed near the center of the touch detection device 18 and the electrode width w is formed near the end. Thereby, the detection sensitivity Sens with respect to a touch can be made uniform in the same manner as in the third embodiment.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the electrode widths of the touch detection electrodes are different from each other, the detection sensitivity can be freely set in the direction intersecting the touch detection electrodes.

  In the present embodiment, since the electrode width of the touch detection electrode arranged on the outer side is the same as or narrower than the electrode width arranged on the inner side, the uniformity of detection sensitivity can be improved. Further, this can reduce the correction amount by the correction calculation in the touch detection circuit, so that, for example, the detection accuracy of the touch position can be increased.

<8. Seventh Embodiment>
Next, a touch detection device 19 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the main part of the display device 9 with a touch detection function according to the fourth embodiment is applied to the touch detection device alone, and the thickness of the surface glass plate varies depending on the location. Is. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the substantially same component as the display apparatus 9 with a touch detection function based on the said 4th Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  FIG. 20 illustrates a configuration example of the touch detection device 19. The touch detection device 19 includes a planarization layer 37. As the planarization layer 37, for example, an insulating layer, a protective film, a polarizing plate, or the like can be used. The planarization layer 37 is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 37 on which the touch detection electrodes TDL are formed, and the surface glass plate 36 is disposed thereon. Similarly to the case of the display device with a touch detection function 9 according to the fourth embodiment, the surface glass plate 36 is formed so that its thickness varies depending on the place. Specifically, the surface glass plate 36 is formed to be thick near the center of the touch detection device 19 and to be thin near the end in the direction intersecting the extending direction of the touch detection electrode TDL. Yes. Thereby, the detection sensitivity Sens with respect to a touch can be made uniform just as in the case of the fourth embodiment.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the thickness of the surface glass plate is different depending on the location, the detection sensitivity can be freely set.

  In the present embodiment, the thickness of the outer surface glass plate is the same as or thinner than the inner thickness in the direction crossing the touch detection electrode, so that the uniformity of detection sensitivity can be improved. Further, this can reduce the correction amount by the correction calculation in the touch detection circuit, so that, for example, the detection accuracy of the touch position can be increased.

<9. Application example>
Next, with reference to FIG. 21 to FIG. 25, application examples of the display device with a touch detection function and the touch detection device described in the above embodiment and the modification will be described. The display device with a touch detection function and the like in the above embodiment can be applied to electronic devices in various fields such as a television device, a digital camera, a notebook personal computer, a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, or a video camera. It is. In other words, the display device with a touch detection function and the like in the above-described embodiments can be applied to electronic devices in all fields that display an externally input video signal or an internally generated video signal as an image or video. Is possible.

(Application example 1)
FIG. 21 illustrates an appearance of a television device to which the display device with a touch detection function or the like according to the above-described embodiment is applied. The television apparatus has, for example, a video display screen unit 510 including a front panel 511 and a filter glass 512. The video display screen unit 510 is a display device with a touch detection function according to the above-described embodiment and the like. It is comprised by.

(Application example 2)
FIG. 22 shows an appearance of a digital camera to which the display device with a touch detection function or the like according to the above-described embodiment is applied. The digital camera includes, for example, a flash light emitting unit 521, a display unit 522, a menu switch 523, and a shutter button 524, and the display unit 522 is a display device with a touch detection function according to the above-described embodiment and the like. Etc.

(Application example 3)
FIG. 23 illustrates an appearance of a notebook personal computer to which the display device with a touch detection function or the like according to the above-described embodiment is applied. The notebook personal computer includes, for example, a main body 531, a keyboard 532 for inputting characters and the like, and a display unit 533 for displaying an image. The display unit 533 is a touch according to the above-described embodiment and the like. It comprises a display device with a detection function.

(Application example 4)
FIG. 24 shows an appearance of a video camera to which the display device with a touch detection function or the like according to the above-described embodiment is applied. This video camera has, for example, a main body 541, a subject shooting lens 542 provided on the front side surface of the main body 541, a start / stop switch 543 at the time of shooting, and a display 544. The display unit 544 includes a display device with a touch detection function according to the above-described embodiment and the like.

(Application example 5)
FIG. 25 illustrates an appearance of a mobile phone to which the display device with a touch detection function or the like according to the above-described embodiment is applied. For example, the mobile phone is obtained by connecting an upper housing 710 and a lower housing 720 with a connecting portion (hinge portion) 730, and includes a display 740, a sub-display 750, a picture light 760, and a camera 770. Yes. The display 740 or the sub-display 750 is configured by a display device with a touch detection function according to the above-described embodiment and the like.

  The present invention has been described above with reference to some embodiments and modifications, and application examples to electronic devices. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and the like, and various modifications are possible. is there.

  For example, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, the liquid crystal display device using the liquid crystal in the horizontal electric field mode such as FFS and IPS and the touch detection device are integrated, but instead of this, TN (twisted) is used. A liquid crystal display device using a liquid crystal of various modes such as nematic), VA (vertical alignment), ECB (electric field control birefringence), and the touch detection device may be integrated. When such a liquid crystal is used, the display device with a touch detection function can be configured as shown in FIG. FIG. 26 illustrates an example of a cross-sectional structure of a main part of the display device with a touch detection function according to this modification, and illustrates a state in which the liquid crystal layer 6B is sandwiched between the pixel substrate 2B and the counter substrate 3B. Yes. The names and functions of the other parts are the same as in FIG. In this example, unlike the case of FIG. 5, the common electrode COML that is used for both display and touch detection is formed on the counter substrate 3B.

  Further, for example, the display devices with a touch detection function 7 to 9 according to the second to fourth embodiments may be combined. Specifically, for example, both the electrode pitch d and the electrode width w of the touch detection electrode TDL may be different in the effective display region S, or the electrode pitch d of the touch detection electrode TDL is different in the effective display region S. While making it different, the thickness of the surface glass plate may be different depending on the location, or the thickness of the surface glass plate may be different depending on the location while the electrode width w of the touch detection electrode TDL is different. . Further, for example, the thickness of the surface glass plate may be different depending on the location while both the electrode pitch d and the electrode width w of the touch detection electrode TDL are different in the effective display region S. Similarly, the touch detection devices 17 to 19 according to the fifth to seventh embodiments may be combined.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1B, 7,8,9 ... Display device with a touch detection function, 2, 2B ... Pixel substrate, 3, 3B ... Counter substrate, 4 ... Seal, 5 ... FPC, 6, 6B ... Liquid crystal layer, 21 ... TFT substrate 22 ... Pixel electrode, 23 ... Insulating layer, 31, 37 ... Glass substrate, 32 ... Color filter, 35 ... Polarizing plate, 36 ... Surface glass plate, 38 ... Flattening layer, 40 ... Drive electrode, COML ... Common electrode, d ... electrode pitch, GCL ... scanning signal line, LC ... liquid crystal element, S ... effective display area, Sens ... detection sensitivity, St ... touch detection area, SGL ... pixel signal line, Pix ... pixel, TDL ... touch detection electrode, Tr ... TFT element, Vdet ... Touch detection signal, w ... electrode width.

Claims (15)

A display functional layer;
A plurality of touch detection electrodes arranged in parallel to extend in the first direction;
A plurality of drive electrodes that are arranged in parallel so as to extend in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and that forms capacitance at intersections with the plurality of touch detection electrodes;
With
The plurality of drive electrodes extend outside the effective display area in the second direction;
The display device with a touch detection function, wherein the touch detection electrode extends outside the effective display region only in the first direction. The plurality of drive electrodes are separated from the center of the touch detection electrode located on the outermost side among the plurality of touch detection electrodes arranged in the effective display area by a distance that is half the arrangement pitch of the plurality of touch detection electrodes. The display device with a touch detection function according to claim 1, wherein the display device extends to a first position or a second position outside the first position. The plurality of drive electrodes exist only in the effective display area in the first direction,
The display device with a touch detection function according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of touch detection electrodes exist only in the effective display area in the second direction. The display device with a touch detection function according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of drive electrodes are arranged in parallel outside the effective display area in the first direction. The plurality of touch detection electrodes are juxtaposed outside the effective display area in the second direction, and extend to at least a third position outside the outermost drive electrode. The display device with a touch detection function according to any one of 2 and 4. The plurality of touch detection electrodes are formed with the same electrode width and arranged with different arrangement pitches,
The arrangement pitch of the touch detection electrodes arranged outside in the effective display area is the same as or wider than the arrangement pitch of the touch detection electrodes arranged inside. The display device with a touch detection function described. The plurality of touch detection electrodes are formed with different electrode widths and arranged at the same arrangement pitch,
The electrode width of the touch detection electrode arranged outside in the effective display area is the same as or narrower than the electrode width of the touch detection electrode arranged inside. The display device with a touch detection function described. A surface layer formed on the plurality of touch detection electrodes so as to cover at least the effective display area;
The display device with a touch detection function according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the outer surface layer in the second direction is the same as or thinner than a thickness of the inner surface layer. . The display device with a touch detection function according to claim 1, wherein the display function layer includes a liquid crystal display layer, a pixel electrode, and a common electrode. The display device with a touch detection function according to claim 9, wherein the common electrode is shared with the drive electrode. 11. The touch detection function according to claim 9, wherein the common electrode is disposed on a side opposite to the liquid crystal display layer with the pixel electrode interposed therebetween, or is disposed between the liquid crystal display layer and the pixel electrode. Display device. The display device with a touch detection function according to claim 9, wherein the common electrode is disposed on the opposite side to the pixel electrode with the liquid crystal display layer interposed therebetween. A display device with a touch detection function;
A control unit that performs operation control using the display device with a touch detection function,
The display device with a touch detection function is:
A display functional layer;
A plurality of touch detection electrodes arranged in parallel to extend in the first direction;
A plurality of drive electrodes that are arranged in parallel so as to extend in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and that forms capacitance at intersections with the plurality of touch detection electrodes;
With
The plurality of drive electrodes extend outside the effective display area in the second direction;
The electronic device in which the touch detection electrode extends outside the effective display area only in the first direction. The plurality of touch detection electrodes are formed with the same electrode width and arranged with different arrangement pitches,
The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein in the effective display area, an arrangement pitch of touch detection electrodes arranged on the outer side is the same as or wider than an arrangement pitch of touch detection electrodes arranged on the inner side. The plurality of touch detection electrodes are formed with different electrode widths and arranged at the same arrangement pitch,
14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein an electrode width of the touch detection electrode arranged outside in the effective display area is the same as or narrower than an electrode width of the touch detection electrode arranged inside.

Images