JP2015046036A - Touch panel sensor and display unit having touch position detection function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel sensor that meets two requirements of increasing the size and securing detection accuracy of a touch position.SOLUTION: A first electrode disposed on a first surface of a substrate includes a first transparent conductive layer extending in a belt-like fashion in a first direction, and a first metal layer laminated on the first transparent conductive layer. A second electrode disposed on a second surface of the substrate includes a second transparent conductive layer extending in a belt-like fashion in a second direction. The first metal layer of the first electrode extends linearly from one end of the first transparent conductive layer in the first direction to the other end thereof.

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel sensor. The present invention also relates to a display device with a touch position detection function obtained by combining a touch panel sensor and a display device.

  Today, touch panel devices are widely used as input means. The touch panel device includes a touch panel sensor, a control circuit that detects a contact position on the touch panel sensor, wiring, and an FPC (flexible printed circuit board). In many cases, the touch panel device is used together with the display device as an input means for various devices including a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display (for example, a ticket vending machine, an ATM device, a mobile phone, a game machine). It has been. In such a device, the touch panel sensor is disposed on the display surface of the display device, thereby enabling extremely direct input to the display device. The area | region which faces the display area of a display apparatus among touch panel sensors is transparent, and this area | region of a touch panel sensor comprises the active area which can detect a contact position (approach position).

  As a touch panel sensor, a projection capacitive coupling type touch panel sensor is known. In the capacitive coupling type touch panel sensor, when an external conductor (typically, a finger) whose position is to be detected contacts (approaches) the touch panel sensor via a dielectric, a strange capacitance is newly generated. The position of the external conductor on the touch panel sensor is detected on the basis of the change in capacitance caused by this strange capacitance. Such a projected capacitive coupling type touch panel sensor is provided on a first surface of a base material including a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example. A plurality of first electrodes extending in the first direction, and a plurality of second electrodes provided on the second surface of the substrate and extending in the second direction intersecting the first direction. The first electrode and the second electrode are made of a transparent conductive material having translucency and conductivity, for example. In this type of touch panel sensor, the capacitance formed between the first electrode and the second electrode at the portion where the first electrode and the second electrode intersect (hereinafter also referred to as the intersecting portion) is a finger or the like. Varies due to the proximity of the outer conductor.

  By the way, one of the first electrode and the second electrode, which is disposed at a position farther from the outer conductor, is covered with the other electrode with respect to the outer conductor at the intersection. Accordingly, one electrode cannot form a capacitance with the outer conductor at the intersection. As a result, it is considered that the detection accuracy of the touch position based on one electrode is lower than the detection accuracy of the touch position based on the other electrode. In order to solve such a problem, in Patent Document 2, the width of the other electrode disposed closer to the outer conductor is made smaller than the width of one electrode. It has been proposed to reduce the proportion of the portion covered by the other electrode.

JP 2011-8724 A JP 2010-72584 A

  If the width of the other electrode is reduced as proposed in Patent Document 2, the electrical resistance value of the other electrode is increased. In this case, the amplitude of the signal flowing through the other electrode is lowered, and as a result, the detection accuracy of the touch position based on the other electrode may be deteriorated. In addition, there is a concern that the transmission speed of the signal flowing through the other electrode is lowered.

  In recent years, the size of a display device on which a touch panel sensor is mounted is increasing year by year, and accordingly, an increase in the size of the touch panel sensor is required. However, an increase in the size of the touch panel sensor means that the lengths of the first electrode and the second electrode are increased, and the electric resistance value of each electrode is increased. Therefore, simply by making the width of the other electrode closer to the outer conductor smaller than the width of one electrode, it is necessary to increase the size of the touch panel sensor and to ensure the detection accuracy of the touch position. It is difficult to meet these two requirements.

  An object of this invention is to provide the touchscreen sensor and display apparatus with a touch position detection function which can solve such a subject effectively.

  The present invention is a capacitive touch panel sensor, comprising a base including a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface, and provided on the first surface of the base. A plurality of first electrodes extending in a direction, and a plurality of second electrodes provided on the second surface of the base material and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. A first transparent conductive layer extending in a strip shape in the first direction, and a first metal layer laminated on a viewer side surface or a display device side surface of the first transparent conductive layer, The second electrode has a second transparent conductive layer extending in a strip shape in the second direction, and the first metal layer is a line from one end to the other end of the first transparent conductive layer in the first direction. It is the touch panel sensor extended in the shape.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, the first surface of the base material may be a surface facing the observer side, and the second surface of the base material may be a surface facing the display device side. In this case, the width of the second transparent conductive layer of the second electrode may be larger than the width of the first transparent conductive layer of the first electrode.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, preferably, an interval between the first transparent conductive layers of two adjacent first electrodes is larger than a width of the first transparent conductive layer.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, preferably, an interval between the second transparent conductive layers of two adjacent second electrodes is 30 μm or less.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, the surface or side surface of the first metal layer may be subjected to low reflection treatment.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, the first metal layer may extend in a meandering manner from one end to the other end of the first transparent conductive layer in the first direction.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, the touch panel sensor is divided into an active area and a non-active area located around the active area, and the active area is provided with the first electrode and the second electrode. The touch panel sensor is further provided with a plurality of first frame wirings provided in the inactive area and electrically connected to the first electrode, and between the two adjacent first electrodes. A dummy pattern that is not electrically connected to either the first electrode or the first frame wiring may be provided. In this case, the dummy pattern includes a layer made of a transparent conductive material having translucency and conductivity.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, the dummy pattern may further include a layer made of a metal material.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, the first metal layer may be laminated on an observer-side surface of the first transparent conductive layer. Alternatively, the first metal layer may be laminated on the display device side surface of the first transparent conductive layer.

  The present invention includes a display device and a capacitive touch panel sensor disposed on a display surface of the display device, wherein the touch panel sensor is a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface. A base material including: a plurality of first electrodes provided on the first surface of the base material and extending in a first direction; and provided on the second surface of the base material and intersecting the first direction. A plurality of second electrodes extending in a second direction, and the first electrode includes a first transparent conductive layer extending in a strip shape in the first direction, and a surface on the viewer side of the first transparent conductive layer Or a first metal layer laminated on a surface on the display device side, the second electrode has a second transparent conductive layer extending in a strip shape in the second direction, and the first metal layer is The touch position extends linearly from one end of the first transparent conductive layer to the other end in the first direction. Function display device with out.

  In the present invention, the first electrode provided on the first surface of the substrate has a first transparent conductive layer extending in a strip shape in the first direction, and a first metal layer laminated on the first transparent conductive layer. doing. The first metal layer extends linearly from one end of the first transparent conductive layer in the first direction toward the other end. For this reason, even when the width of the first transparent conductive layer is small, the presence of the first metal layer makes it possible to sufficiently ensure the conductivity of the first electrode. It can correspond to. In addition, since the width of the first transparent conductive layer can be reduced, the degree of freedom in designing the pattern of the first electrode and the second electrode is increased. Therefore, the electrical resistance values of the first electrode and the second electrode can be flexibly set according to the specifications, and thereby, the detection accuracy of the touch position based on each of the first electrode and the second electrode is appropriately ensured. be able to. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a touch panel sensor that meets the two requirements of increasing the size and ensuring the detection accuracy of the touch position.

FIG. 1 is a development view showing a display device with a touch position detection function in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a touch panel sensor in the display device with a touch position detection function of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a portion surrounded by an alternate long and short dash line denoted by reference numeral III in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a case where the touch panel sensor is cut along the line IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a case where the touch panel sensor is cut along the line V in FIG. 3. 6A to 6F are views for explaining a method for manufacturing a touch panel sensor. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a modification of the touch panel sensor. 8 is an enlarged plan view showing a portion surrounded by a one-dot chain line denoted by reference numeral VIII in FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the case where the touch panel sensor is cut along the line IX in FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a low reflection treatment applied to the surface of the first metal layer. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a modification of the pattern of the first metal layer. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the layer configuration of the first electrode. 13A to 13F are views for explaining a method of manufacturing a touch panel sensor including the first electrode shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6A to 6F. In the drawings attached to the present specification, for the sake of illustration and ease of understanding, the scale, the vertical / horizontal dimension ratio, and the like are appropriately changed and exaggerated from those of the actual ones.

Touch Panel Device and Display Device with Touch Position Detection Function First, a display device 10 with a touch position detection function including a touch panel sensor 30 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the display device with a touch position detection function 10 is configured by combining a touch panel sensor 30 and a display device 15 such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The illustrated display device 15 is configured as a flat panel display. The display device 15 includes a display panel 16 having a display surface 16 a and a display control unit (not shown) connected to the display panel 16. The display panel 16 includes an active area A1 that can display an image, and an inactive area (also referred to as a frame area) A2 that is disposed outside the active area A1 so as to surround the active area A1. . The display control unit processes information regarding the video to be displayed, and drives the display panel 16 based on the video information. The display panel 16 displays a predetermined image on the display surface 16a based on a control signal from the display control unit. That is, the display device 15 plays a role as an output device that outputs information such as characters and drawings as video.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel sensor 30 is bonded to the display surface 16 a of the display device 15 via, for example, an adhesive layer (not shown).

Touch Panel Sensor Next, the touch panel sensor 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the touch panel sensor 30 when viewed from the observer side.

  Here, an example in which the touch panel sensor 30 is configured as a projection capacitive touch panel sensor will be described. The “capacitive coupling” method is also referred to as “capacitance” method or “capacitance coupling” method in the technical field of touch panels. It is treated as a term synonymous with the “capacitive coupling” method. A typical capacitive coupling type touch panel sensor has a light-transmitting conductive pattern, and an external conductor (typically a human finger) approaches the touch panel sensor to externally. A capacitor (capacitance) is formed between this conductor and the conductive pattern of the touch panel sensor. Based on the change in the electrical state accompanying the formation of the capacitor, the position coordinates of the position where the external conductor is approaching on the touch panel sensor are specified.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the touch panel sensor 30 includes a first surface 32 a and a second surface 32 b opposite to the first surface 32 a, and has a translucent base material 32 and a first surface 32 a of the base material 32. A plurality of first electrodes 41 extending in the first direction D1 and a second direction provided on the second surface 32b of the substrate 32 and intersecting the first direction D1, for example, perpendicular to the first direction D1 And a plurality of second electrodes 46 extending in D2. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the first surface 32a is a surface facing the observer side, and the second surface 32b is a surface facing the display device side. In the present embodiment, a predetermined drive signal for detecting the touch position, for example, a pulse signal is transmitted to the second electrode 46. This drive signal is transmitted to the first electrode 41 via the capacitive coupling between the second electrode 46 and the first electrode 41, and is taken out from the first electrode 41. Thus, in the present embodiment, the second electrode 46 and the first electrode 41 function as a drive electrode and a detection electrode in a so-called mutual capacitance type touch panel sensor.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 46 has a contour extending in a strip shape. The plurality of first electrodes 41 are arranged in the second direction D2 at a constant arrangement pitch, and the plurality of second electrodes 46 are also arranged in the first direction D1 at a constant arrangement pitch. Usually, the arrangement pitch of the first electrodes 41 in the second direction D2 and the arrangement pitch of the second electrodes 46 in the first direction D1 are the same. The arrangement pitch of the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 46 is determined according to the resolution required for the detection of the touch position, and is, for example, several mm. In FIG. 2, the components provided on the first surface 32a side of the base material 32 are represented by solid lines, and the components provided on the second surface 32b side of the base material 32 are represented by dotted lines. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the base material 32 of the touch panel sensor 30 includes a rectangular active area Aa1 corresponding to a region where a touch position can be detected, and a rectangular frame-shaped inactive area Aa2 located around the active area Aa1. And. The active area Aa1 and the inactive area Aa2 are respectively partitioned corresponding to the active area A1 and the inactive area A2 of the display panel 16.

  The first electrode 41 and the second electrode 46 described above are arranged in the active area Aa1. In addition, on the first surface 32a of the base material 32 in the inactive area Aa2, a plurality of first frame wirings 43 electrically connected to the first electrodes 41 and the vicinity of the outer edge of the base material 32 are disposed. A plurality of first terminal portions 44 electrically connected to each first frame wiring 43 are provided. Further, on the second surface 32b of the base material 32 in the inactive area Aa2, a plurality of second frame wirings 48 electrically connected to the second electrodes 46 and the vicinity of the outer edge of the base material 32 are arranged. A plurality of second terminal portions 49 that are electrically connected to the respective second frame wirings 48 are provided.

  Hereinafter, each component of the touch panel sensor 30 will be described.

(Base material)
The base material 32 functions as a dielectric in the touch panel sensor 30. As a material constituting the base material 32, for example, a material having sufficient translucency such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), cycloolefin polymer (COP) or glass is used. In addition, as long as the 1st electrode 41, the 2nd electrode 46, the frame wiring 43 and 48, and the terminal parts 44 and 49 can be hold | maintained appropriately, the specific structure of the base material 32 is not specifically limited. For example, the base material 32 may further include an index matching layer for adjusting the reflectance and transmittance of light in the touch panel sensor 30. In addition, the base material 32 may further include a hard coat layer provided on the surface such as a PET layer. That is, in the present embodiment, the base material 32 does not mean any specific structure or material, but serves as a base for patterns such as the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 46 constituting the touch panel sensor 30. It just means.

(First electrode)
Next, the first electrode 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a portion surrounded by an alternate long and short dash line denoted by reference numeral III in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 shows a case where the touch panel sensor 30 is cut along the IV line in FIG. It is sectional drawing shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first electrode 41 includes a first transparent conductive layer 51 extending in a strip shape in the first direction, and a first metal layer 52 stacked on the first transparent conductive layer 51. Have. In the present embodiment, the first metal layer 52 is laminated on the surface of the first transparent conductive layer 51 on the viewer side. The first metal layer 52 is a layer laminated on the first transparent conductive layer 51 in order to reduce the electric resistance value of the first electrode 41. The first metal layer 52 extends linearly from one end of the first transparent conductive layer in the first direction D1 toward the other end. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first metal layer 52 extends linearly along the first direction D1. “Strip shape” means that the width W1 of the first transparent conductive layer 51 is substantially constant regardless of the position in the first direction D1. “Linear” means that the width W3 of the first metal layer 52 is significantly smaller than the width W1 of the first transparent conductive layer 51 extending in a strip shape. For example, the width W1 of the first transparent conductive layer 51 is in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 mm, while the width W3 of the first metal layer 52 is in the range of 1 to 10 μm, more preferably 2 to 2. It is within the range of 7 μm.

  The first transparent conductive layer 51 is made of a transparent conductive material having translucency and conductivity. Examples of the material constituting the first transparent conductive layer 51 include indium tin oxide (ITO), zinc oxide, indium oxide, antimony-added tin oxide, fluorine-added tin oxide, aluminum-added zinc oxide, potassium-added zinc oxide, and silicon-added oxide. Examples thereof include zinc and metal oxides such as zinc oxide-tin oxide, indium oxide-tin oxide, and zinc oxide-indium oxide-magnesium oxide. A combination of two or more of these metal oxides may be used. The thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 51 is, for example, in the range of 10 nm to 50 nm so that sufficient light transmittance can be secured.

  On the other hand, the 1st metal layer 52 is comprised from the metal material which has translucency and electroconductivity. As a material constituting the first metal layer 52, silver, copper, chromium, or an alloy thereof can be used. Although the thickness of the 1st metal layer 52 is suitably set according to the electrical resistance value calculated | required with respect to the 1st electrode 41, it exists in the range of 0.1-3 micrometers, for example.

  In general, the conductivity of a metal material is extremely superior to that of a transparent conductive material. For example, the conductivity of copper is an order of magnitude higher than that of ITO, which is a typical transparent conductive material. Therefore, even when the width W3 of the first metal layer 52 is significantly smaller than the width W1 of the first transparent conductive layer 51 as described above, the first metal layer 52 is stacked on the first transparent conductive layer 51. Thereby, compared with the case where the 1st electrode 41 is comprised only from the 1st transparent conductive layer 51, the electrical resistance value of the 1st electrode 41 can be reduced effectively.

  Conventionally, as a method for reducing the electric resistance value of the first electrode, it has been proposed to configure the first electrode using a metal wiring arranged in a mesh pattern. In this case, since the electric signal flowing through the first electrode is transmitted only by the metal wiring, the metal wiring needs to continuously extend from one end to the other end of the first electrode. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the first transparent conductive layer 51 continuously extends from one end of the first electrode 41 to the other end in a band shape, the first metal layer 52 extends from one end of the first electrode 41 to the other. It need not extend continuously to the end. For example, although not shown, the first metal layer 52 may be laminated on the first transparent conductive layer 51 intermittently from one end to the other end of the first transparent conductive layer 51 in the first direction D1. Good. Even in this case, the electric resistance value of the first electrode 41 as a whole can be reduced by partially flowing a signal through the first metal layer 52.

  FIG. 3 shows an example in which only one first metal layer 52 extending linearly is provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of linear first metal layers 52 may be provided on the first transparent conductive layer 51. In this case, each first metal layer 52 extending linearly may extend in a single path. That is, the first metal layers 52 extending linearly do not have to be connected to each other.

  By the way, when the 1st metal layer 52 which consists of metal materials is provided, even if the width W3 of the 1st metal layer 52 is set small as mentioned above, it originates in the metallic luster which a metal material has, and the 1st metal layer 52 May be visually recognized by an observer. The visual recognition of the first metal layer 52 leads to a decrease in the design of the display device 10 with a touch position detection function and a decrease in the visibility of an image from the display device 15. In order to prevent such adverse effects from occurring, the surface and side surfaces of the first metal layer 52 are preferably subjected to low reflection treatment such as blackening treatment.

  The specific content of the low reflection treatment is not particularly limited. For example, when blackening treatment is employed, copper or silver that forms the first metal layer 52 using a hydrochloric acid solution in which tellurium is dissolved is used. The surface and side of the can be blackened. Further, by providing a low reflection material on the surface of the first metal layer 52, the low reflection treatment on the surface of the first metal layer 52 may be performed. As a method of providing the low reflection material, a known method such as coating, vapor deposition, or sputtering can be appropriately used.

(Second electrode)
Next, the second electrode 46 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the case where the touch panel sensor 30 is cut along the line V in FIG. 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the second electrode 46 has a second transparent conductive layer 56 extending in a strip shape in the second direction D2. Similar to the first transparent conductive layer 51 described above, the second transparent conductive layer 56 is made of a transparent conductive material having translucency and conductivity. The thickness of the second transparent conductive layer 56 is, for example, in the range of 10 nm to 50 nm so that sufficient light transmittance can be secured.

(About the dimensions of the first electrode and the second electrode)
Next, the dimensions and positions of the first transparent conductive layer 51 of the first electrode 41 and the second transparent conductive layer 56 of the second electrode 46 will be described in detail. 3 and 4, the width of the first transparent conductive layer 51 of the first electrode 41 is represented by the symbol W1 as described above, and the interval between two adjacent first transparent conductive layers 51 is represented by the symbol S1. It is represented by 3 and 5, the width of the second transparent conductive layer 56 of the second electrode 46 is represented by the symbol W2, and the interval between the two adjacent second transparent conductive layers 56 is represented by the symbol S2. Has been.

In the present embodiment, the width W 2 of the second transparent conductive layer 56 of the second electrode 46 is larger than the width W 1 of the first transparent conductive layer 51 of the first electrode 41. The background and advantages of this setting will be described below.
First, as described above, the first electrode 41 is provided on the first surface 32a on the viewer side of the base material 32, while the second electrode 46 is provided on the second surface 32b of the base material 32 on the display device side. Is provided. In this case, the coupling capacitance between the external conductor on the viewer side and the second transparent conductive layer 56 of the second electrode 46 is the first transparent of the first electrode 41 in the plan view of the second transparent conductive layer 56. It is formed between a portion not overlapping with the conductive layer 51 and the outer conductor. That is, the portion of the second transparent conductive layer 56 that is covered with the first transparent conductive layer 51 in plan view cannot contribute to the formation of capacitance (coupling capacitance) with the external conductor.
By the way, as described above, the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 46, that is, the first transparent conductive layer 51 and the second transparent conductive layer 56 are respectively arranged at a predetermined arrangement pitch. Therefore, as the width W1 of the first transparent conductive layer 51 decreases, the interval S1 between the two adjacent first transparent conductive layers 51 increases. Further, as the width W2 of the second transparent conductive layer 56 is increased, the ratio of the region occupied by the second transparent conductive layer 56 in the second surface 32b on the display device side of the base material 32 is increased. For this reason, as described above, the width W2 of the second transparent conductive layer 56 is larger than the width W1 of the first transparent conductive layer 51 is located between the two adjacent first transparent conductive layers 51 and externally. It leads that the area | region of the 2nd transparent conductive layer 56 which can form an electrostatic capacitance between conductors can be ensured more largely. Accordingly, the position of the outer conductor in the first direction detected based on the second transparent conductive layer 56 can be calculated with higher accuracy.

  Further, as described above, in the present embodiment, the first metal layer 52 is laminated on the first transparent conductive layer 51 of the first electrode 41. Therefore, when the width W1 of the first transparent conductive layer 51 is smaller than the width W2 of the second transparent conductive layer 56, for example, the width W1 is within a range of 10 to 30% of the width W2, specifically 20%. Even if it is a case, the electroconductivity as the 1st electrode 41 whole can fully be ensured. Therefore, the width of the first transparent conductive layer 51 of the first electrode 41 can be reduced as compared with the prior art while ensuring the conductivity of the first electrode 41, which makes it possible to prevent electrostatic contact with the external conductor. It is possible to secure a larger area of the second transparent conductive layer 56 that can form a capacitor. Therefore, the position of the outer conductor in the first direction detected based on the second electrode 46 having the second transparent conductive layer 56 can be calculated with higher accuracy.

  Preferably, the interval S1 between two adjacent first transparent conductive layers 51 is larger than the width W1 of the first transparent conductive layer 51. This is because the outer conductor does not overlap the first transparent conductive layer 51 in a plan view in the area of the active area Aa1 as compared with the case where the interval S1 is smaller than the width W1, but the second transparent conductive layer 56 means that the ratio of the overlapping area is increased. For this reason, electrostatic capacitance can be formed more stably between the second transparent conductive layer 56 and the outer conductor. Thereby, the position of the outer conductor in the first direction detected based on the second electrode 46 having the second transparent conductive layer 56 can be calculated with higher accuracy.

  Preferably, the interval S2 between two adjacent second transparent conductive layers 56 is set so that the observer cannot visually recognize that the interval S2 exists. For example, the interval S2 is 30 μm or less, and more preferably 20 μm or less. Thereby, it becomes difficult for the observer to notice that the second transparent conductive layer 56 is provided in the active area Aa1, and thereby the visibility of the image from the display device 15 can be improved. The arrangement pitch of the second transparent conductive layers 56 in the first direction is usually a constant value determined according to the specifications of the display device with a touch position detection function 10 and the touch panel sensor 30. Therefore, reducing the interval S2 means that the width W2 of the second transparent conductive layer 56 is increased. For this reason, decreasing the interval S2 leads to increasing the capacitance formed between the second transparent conductive layer 56 and the outer conductor. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the position of the outer conductor based on the second electrode 46 can be further increased by reducing the interval S2.

(Frame wiring and terminal part)
The second frame wiring 48 and the second terminal portion 49 connected to the second electrode 46 are provided for transmitting a drive signal for detecting the touch position to the second electrode 46. The first frame wiring 43 and the first terminal portion 44 connected to the first electrode 41 are provided for taking out a detection signal from the first electrode 41 to the outside of the touch panel sensor 30. As long as the detection signal and the drive signal can be appropriately transmitted, the specific configurations of the first frame wiring 43 and the first terminal portion 44 and the second frame wiring 48 and the second terminal portion 49 are particularly limited. Absent. For example, the first frame wiring 43 and the first terminal portion 44 may be formed at the same time as the first electrode 41 using the same material as the transparent conductive material or the metal material constituting the first electrode 41. Similarly, the second frame wiring 48 and the second terminal portion 49 may be formed simultaneously with the second electrode 46 using the same material as the transparent conductive material constituting the second electrode 46. Further, in order to enhance the conductivity of the second frame wiring 48 and the second terminal portion 49, a metal material is used on the transparent conductive material layer constituting the second frame wiring 48 and the second terminal portion 49, as will be described later. A metal layer may be further provided.

Method for Manufacturing Touch Panel Sensor Next, a method for manufacturing the touch panel sensor 30 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6F are cross-sectional views showing a case where the base material 32 is cut along the line IV in FIG. 3 in each manufacturing process.

  First, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, a laminate 50 (also referred to as a blank) as a base material for producing the touch panel sensor 30 is prepared. The laminated body 50 is provided in order on the base 32, the first transparent conductive layer 51 and the first metal layer 52 provided in order on the first surface 32 a of the base 32, and the second surface 32 b of the base 32. The second transparent conductive layer 56 and the second metal layer 57 are included. The second metal layer 57 is a layer that forms the above-described second frame wiring 48 and second terminal portion 49 by patterning.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, a first photosensitive layer 61 is formed on the first metal layer 52 in a predetermined pattern. Further, the second photosensitive layer 66 is formed on the second metal layer 57 in a predetermined pattern. The first photosensitive layer 61 and the second photosensitive layer 66 have photosensitivity to light in a specific wavelength range, for example, ultraviolet rays. The type of the photosensitive layers 61 and 66 is not particularly limited. For example, a photodissolvable photosensitive layer may be used, or a photocurable photosensitive layer may be used. Here, an example in which a photodissolvable photosensitive layer is used will be described.
The first photosensitive layer 61 disposed in the active area Aa1 is formed in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the first transparent conductive layer 51 constituting the first electrode 41. Further, the second photosensitive layer 66 disposed in the active area Aa1 is formed in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the second transparent conductive layer 56 constituting the second electrode 46. The photosensitive layers 61 and 66 are formed, for example, by first coating a photosensitive material on the surface of the laminate 50 using a coater, and then exposing and developing the photosensitive material in a predetermined pattern. .

Next, the first metal layer 52 is etched using the first photosensitive layer 61 as a mask. Further, the second metal layer 57 is etched using the second photosensitive layer 66 as a mask. Thereafter, the first transparent conductive layer 51 is etched using the first photosensitive layer 61 and the patterned first metal layer 52 as a mask. Further, the second transparent conductive layer 56 is etched using the second photosensitive layer 66 and the patterned second metal layer 57 as a mask. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6C, the first transparent conductive layer 51 for forming the first electrode 41 and the second transparent conductive layer 56 for forming the second electrode 46 can be obtained. it can. In the above-described etching, as the etching solution for the metal layers 52 and 57, for example, a solution containing dilute iron chloride, copper chloride, an inorganic acid and an organic acid is used. Moreover, as an etching solution for the transparent conductive layers 51 and 56, for example, a hydrogen halide-based solution (HCl, HF, HBr, etc.) is used.
In the above-described etching process, the metal layers 52 and 57 and the transparent conductive layers 51 and 56 are etched in different processes. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the metal layers 52 and 57 and the transparent conductive layers 51 and 56 are transparent. The metal layers 52 and 57 and the transparent conductive layers 51 and 56 may be etched at the same time using an etchant that can dissolve both the layers 51 and 56.

  Next, the first photosensitive layer 61 in the active area Aa1 in the first photosensitive layer 61 is irradiated with exposure light in a predetermined pattern. Specifically, the first photosensitive layer 61 positioned on the region of the first metal layer 52 that forms the linearly extending portion of the first electrode 41 is not irradiated with the exposure light, and the other first photosensitive layers are not irradiated. The first photosensitive layer 61 is irradiated with exposure light so that the layer 61 is irradiated with exposure light. Further, the exposure light is irradiated to the entire second photosensitive layer 66 existing in the active area Aa1 in the second photosensitive layer 66. Thereafter, the photosensitive layers 61 and 66 are developed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6 (d), the first photosensitive layer 61 on the region where the first electrode 41 forms a linearly extending portion of the first metal layer 52 is left, and the active region Aa1 has the remaining portion. The photosensitive layers 61 and 66 are removed.

  Thereafter, the first metal layer 52 is etched using the first photosensitive layer 61 remaining in the active area Aa1 and the first photosensitive layer 61 remaining in the inactive area Aa2 as a mask. Similarly, the second metal layer 57 is etched using the second photosensitive layer 66 remaining in the inactive area Aa2 as a mask. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6E, the first metal layer 52 and the second metal layer 57 existing in the active area Aa1 form the first metal layer 52 that forms a portion extending linearly in the first electrode 41. And can be removed. Next, as shown in FIG. 6F, the remaining photosensitive layers 61 and 66 are removed.

  Thereafter, if necessary, a low reflection process such as a blackening process is performed on the surface and side surfaces of the first metal layer 52 present in the active area Aa1. Thus, the first electrode 41 on the viewer side is composed of the first transparent conductive layer 51 extending in a strip shape and the first metal layer 52 extending in a linear shape, and the second electrode 46 on the display device side is The touch panel sensor 30 configured from the second transparent conductive layer 56 extending in a band shape can be obtained.

According to the present embodiment, the first electrode 41 provided on the first surface 32 a of the base material 32 is laminated on the first transparent conductive layer 51 that extends in a strip shape in the first direction D <b> 1 and the first transparent conductive layer 51. The first metal layer 52 is formed. The first metal layer 52 extends linearly from one end of the first transparent conductive layer 51 in the first direction toward the other end. For this reason, even when the width W1 of the first transparent conductive layer 51 is small, the presence of the first metal layer 52 can sufficiently ensure the conductivity of the first electrode 41, and thus the touch panel. The increase in size of the sensor 30 can be accommodated.
In addition, since the width W1 of the first transparent conductive layer 51 can be reduced, the degree of freedom in designing the pattern of the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 46 is increased. Therefore, the electrical resistance values of the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 46 can be flexibly set according to the specifications, and this allows the detection accuracy of the touch position based on the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 46 to be increased. It can be secured appropriately. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the touch panel sensor 30 that meets the two requirements of increasing the size and ensuring the detection accuracy of the touch position.

  Note that various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment. Hereinafter, some modifications will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description and the drawings used in the following description, the same reference numerals as those used for the corresponding parts in the above embodiment are used for the parts that can be configured in the same manner as in the above embodiment. A duplicate description is omitted. In addition, when it is clear that the operational effects obtained in the above-described embodiment can be obtained in the modified example, the description thereof may be omitted.

(Example where dummy pattern is provided)
First, as a first modification, the touch panel sensor 30 is a dummy provided between two adjacent first electrodes 41 and not electrically connected to either the first electrode 41 or the first frame wiring 43. An example in which the pattern 42 is further provided will be described. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the touch panel sensor 30 in the present modification. 8 is an enlarged plan view showing a portion surrounded by a one-dot chain line denoted by reference numeral VIII in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 shows a case where the touch panel sensor 30 is cut along the line IX in FIG. It is sectional drawing shown. As shown in FIG. 9, the dummy pattern 42 is provided on the first surface 32 a of the substrate 32, similarly to the first electrode 41.

  Similar to the first electrode 41, the dummy pattern 42 includes a layer made of a transparent conductive material having translucency and conductivity. For example, the dummy pattern 42 includes a first transparent conductive layer 51 formed simultaneously with the first transparent conductive layer 51 of the first electrode 41 by patterning the above-described stacked body 50. The dummy pattern 42 may further include a first metal layer 52 that is stacked on the first transparent conductive layer 51 and has a significantly smaller width than the first transparent conductive layer 51. Similarly to the first transparent conductive layer 51 of the dummy pattern 42, the first metal layer 52 of the dummy pattern 42 can be formed simultaneously with the first metal layer 52 of the first electrode 41 by patterning the stacked body 50. . Similarly to the first metal layer 52 of the first electrode 41, the first metal layer 52 of the dummy pattern 42 may be subjected to low reflection treatment on the surface and side surfaces.

  By disposing the dummy pattern 42 between the first electrodes 41, the transmittance of the touch panel sensor 30 on the viewer side of the substrate 32 can be made substantially uniform over the entire area of the active area Aa1. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the luminance of the display device with a touch position detection function 10 from varying.

  Preferably, the first transparent conductive layer 51 and the first metal layer 52 constituting the dummy pattern 42 are formed in the same pattern as the first transparent conductive layer 51 and the first metal layer 52 constituting the first electrode 41. Yes. For example, the width W 4 of the first transparent conductive layer 51 of the dummy pattern 42 is substantially the same as the width W 1 of the first transparent conductive layer 51 of the first electrode 41. Further, the distance S4 between the first transparent conductive layers 51 of the two adjacent dummy patterns 42 and the distance between the first transparent conductive layer 51 of the first electrode 41 and the first transparent conductive layer 51 of the dummy pattern 42. S5 is substantially the same. When the dummy pattern 42 includes the first metal layer 52, the width W5 of the first metal layer 52 of the dummy pattern 42 and the width W3 of the first metal layer 52 of the first electrode 41 are substantially the same. Yes. By forming the first transparent conductive layer 51 and the first metal layer 52 of the dummy pattern 42 in this way, the first electrode 41 and the dummy pattern 42 can be similarly visually recognized by the observer. As a result, it is possible to prevent the first electrode 41 from being visually recognized.

  FIG. 8 shows an example in which the dummy pattern 42 is periodically disconnected in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. However, as long as the dummy pattern 42 is not electrically connected to the first electrode 41 and the first frame wiring 43, the method of disconnecting the dummy pattern 42 is not particularly limited.

  According to this modification, by providing the dummy pattern 42, it is possible to prevent the luminance of the display device with a touch position detection function 10 from varying. In addition, the first electrode 41 can be prevented from being visually recognized. Therefore, the visibility of the image from the display device 15 can be further enhanced.

(Modification of low reflection processing)
As a low reflection process applied to the surface and side surfaces of the first metal layer 52 of the first electrode 41, a process of roughening the surface and side surfaces of the first metal layer 52 to provide irregularities as shown in FIG. May be. In this case, when the external light L1 from the observer side or the image light L2 from the display device reaches the surface or side surface of the first metal layer 52, these lights L1 and L2 are the surface or side surface of the first metal layer 52. Scattered in various directions due to the uneven shape. For this reason, the metallic luster which appears on the surface and side surface of the 1st metal layer 52 can be suppressed, and it can suppress that the 1st metal layer 52 is visually recognized by the observer by this. As a method for roughening the surface and side surfaces of the first metal layer 52, for example, a method of etching crystal grain boundaries of the metal material constituting the first metal layer 52 using a liquid containing formic acid can be employed. The degree of unevenness on the surface and side surfaces of the first metal layer 52 is appropriately set according to the required degree of scattering. For example, the arithmetic surface average roughness (Ra) of the surface and side surfaces of the first metal layer 52 is set. Is in the range of 70 to 100 nm.

(Modified example of pattern of first metal layer)
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the first metal layer 52 of the first electrode 41 extends linearly along the first direction D1 has been described. However, the pattern of the first metal layer 52 is not particularly limited as long as the electric resistance value of the first electrode 41 can be sufficiently reduced by the first metal layer 52. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the first metal layer 52 of the first electrode 41 may extend in a meandering manner from one end to the other end of the first transparent conductive layer 51 in the first direction D1. . The advantage of forming the first metal layer 52 in such a meandering manner will be described below.

  When the first metal layer 52 extends in a meandering manner, the orientation of the side surface of the first metal layer 52 at the position indicated by point A in FIG. 11 and the orientation of the side surface of the first metal layer 52 at the position indicated by point B in FIG. Is different. For this reason, the direction in which the image light L2 reflected at the position of the point A travels is different from the direction in which the image light L2 reflected at the position of the point B travels. That is, when the first metal layer 52 extends in a meandering manner, the image light L2 that reaches the side surface of the first metal layer 52 is reflected in various directions, as in the case where the surface and side surfaces of the first metal layer 52 are roughened. That is, the effect of scattering. For this reason, the metallic luster which appears on the side of the 1st metal layer 52 can be controlled, and it can control that the 1st metal layer 52 is visually recognized by an observer by this.

  The meandering period and amplitude of the first metal layer 52 are appropriately set according to the required degree of scattering. For example, the meandering period of the first metal layer 52 is in the range of 1 to 10 μm.

(Modification of the position of the first metal layer)
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the first metal layer 52 of the first electrode 41 is laminated on the surface of the first transparent conductive layer 51 on the viewer side is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 12, the first metal layer 52 of the first electrode 41 may be provided between the first transparent conductive layer 51 and the substrate 32. That is, the first metal layer 52 of the first electrode 41 may be laminated on the surface of the first transparent conductive layer 51 on the display device side.

  Also in the example shown in FIG. 12, the first electrode 41 includes the first metal layer 52 in addition to the first transparent conductive layer 51, so that even if the width W <b> 1 of the first transparent conductive layer 51 is small, The conductivity of the one electrode 41 can be sufficiently secured. For this reason, it can respond to the enlargement of the touch panel sensor 30. FIG.

  A method for manufacturing the touch panel sensor 30 shown in FIG. 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 13A to 13F are cross-sectional views showing the case where the base material 32 is cut along the line IV in FIG. 3 in each manufacturing process.

  First, as shown in FIG. 13A, a laminated body 50A as a base material for producing the touch panel sensor 30 is prepared. The laminated body 50A includes a base material 32, a first metal layer 52 provided on the first surface 32a of the base material 32, a second metal layer 57 provided on the second surface 32b of the base material 32, Is included.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13B, a first photosensitive layer 62 is formed on the first metal layer 52 in a predetermined pattern. The first photosensitive layer 62 disposed in the active area Aa1 is formed in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the first metal layer 52 constituting the first electrode 41. Although not shown, a second photosensitive layer serving as a mask for etching the second metal layer 57 is provided in the inactive area Aa2 of the second surface 32b of the substrate 32.

  Next, the first metal layer 52 is etched using the first photosensitive layer 62 as a mask. Further, the second metal layer 57 is etched using a second photosensitive layer (not shown) as a mask. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13C, the first metal layer 52 for forming the first electrode 41 can be obtained. Thereafter, the first photosensitive layer 62 and the second photosensitive layer (not shown) are removed. Next, if necessary, low reflection processing such as blackening processing is performed on the surface and side surfaces of the first metal layer 52 present in the active area Aa1.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13D, the first transparent conductive layer 51 is provided on the first surface 32 a of the substrate 32 so as to cover the first metal layer 52 for constituting the first electrode 41. A second transparent conductive layer 56 is provided on the second surface 32 b of the base material 32. Next, as shown in FIG. 13E, a third photosensitive layer 63 is formed on the first transparent conductive layer 51 in a predetermined pattern. The fourth photosensitive layer 68 is formed in a predetermined pattern on the second transparent conductive layer 56. The third photosensitive layer 63 disposed in the active area Aa1 is formed in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the first transparent conductive layer 51 constituting the first electrode 41. The fourth photosensitive layer 68 disposed in the active area Aa1 is formed in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the second transparent conductive layer 56 constituting the second electrode 46.

  Thereafter, the first transparent conductive layer 51 is etched using the third photosensitive layer 63 as a mask. Further, the second transparent conductive layer 56 is etched using the fourth photosensitive layer 68 as a mask. Next, although not shown, the remaining photosensitive layers 63 and 68 are removed. Thus, the touch panel sensor 30 shown in FIG. 12 can be obtained.

(Modification of positional relationship between first electrode and second electrode 46)
In the present embodiment described above, the first electrode 41 provided on the viewer side of the base material 32 and including the first transparent conductive layer 51 and the first metal layer 52 functions as a detection electrode. An example is shown in which the second electrode 46 provided on the display device side and including the second transparent conductive layer 56 functions as a drive electrode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first electrode 41 may function as a drive electrode, and the second electrode 46 may function as a detection electrode. That is, a drive signal may be applied to the first electrode 41, and this drive signal may be transmitted to the second electrode 46 via capacitive coupling between the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 46.

  In addition, although some modified examples with respect to the above-described embodiment have been described, naturally, a plurality of modified examples can be applied in combination as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Display apparatus with a touch position detection function 15 Display apparatus 16 Display panel 16a Display surface 30 Touch panel sensor 32 Base material 41 1st electrode 42 Dummy pattern 43 1st frame wiring 44 1st terminal part 46 2nd electrode 48 2nd frame wiring 49 Second terminal portion 50 Laminate 51 First transparent conductive layer 52 First metal layer 56 Second transparent conductive layer

Claims (11)

A capacitive touch panel sensor,
A base material including a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface;
A plurality of first electrodes provided on the first surface of the substrate and extending in a first direction;
A plurality of second electrodes provided on the second surface of the base material and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
The first electrode includes a first transparent conductive layer extending in a strip shape in the first direction, a first metal layer stacked on an observer side surface or a display device side surface of the first transparent conductive layer, and Have
The second electrode has a second transparent conductive layer extending in a strip shape in the second direction,
The touch panel sensor, wherein the first metal layer extends linearly from one end of the first transparent conductive layer to the other end in the first direction. The first surface of the substrate is a surface facing the observer side, and the second surface of the substrate is a surface facing the display device side,
The touch panel sensor according to claim 1, wherein a width of the second transparent conductive layer of the second electrode is larger than a width of the first transparent conductive layer of the first electrode.   The touch panel sensor according to claim 2, wherein a distance between the first transparent conductive layers of two adjacent first electrodes is larger than a width of the first transparent conductive layer.   The touch panel sensor according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an interval between the second transparent conductive layers of two adjacent second electrodes is 30 µm or less.   The touch panel sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a low reflection treatment is performed on a surface or a side surface of the first metal layer.   6. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the first metal layer extends linearly in a meandering manner from one end of the first transparent conductive layer to the other end in the first direction. Sensor. The touch panel sensor is divided into an active area and an inactive area located around the active area,
In the active area, the first electrode and the second electrode are provided,
The touch panel sensor further includes a plurality of first frame wirings provided in the inactive area and electrically connected to the first electrode,
Between the two adjacent first electrodes, a dummy pattern that is not electrically connected to any of the first electrode and the first frame wiring is provided,
The touch panel sensor according to claim 1, wherein the dummy pattern includes a layer made of a transparent conductive material having translucency and conductivity.   The touch panel sensor according to claim 7, wherein the dummy pattern further includes a layer made of a metal material.   The touch panel sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first metal layer is laminated on a surface of the first transparent conductive layer on an observer side.   The touch panel sensor according to claim 1, wherein the first metal layer is stacked on a surface of the first transparent conductive layer on a display device side. A display device;
A capacitive touch panel sensor disposed on the display surface of the display device,
The touch panel sensor
A base material including a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface;
A plurality of first electrodes provided on the first surface of the substrate and extending in a first direction;
A plurality of second electrodes provided on the second surface of the base material and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
The first electrode includes a first transparent conductive layer extending in a strip shape in the first direction, a first metal layer stacked on an observer side surface or a display device side surface of the first transparent conductive layer, and Have
The second electrode has a second transparent conductive layer extending in a strip shape in the second direction,
The display device with a touch position detection function, wherein the first metal layer extends linearly from one end of the first transparent conductive layer to the other end in the first direction.

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