JP3213513B2 - Touch panel, touch panel inspection method, and touch panel manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a touch panel used for a portable information terminal, an electronic organizer, and the like, and more particularly, to a structure , an inspection method and a manufacturing method thereof. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as for a display device having an input function using a touch panel, for example, as shown in FIG.
In general, a touch panel 21 is laminated on the front surface of the liquid crystal panel 20. By touching a part of the display screen of the touch panel 21 with a pen 22 or the like and inputting characters or figures 23, the information is It is detected by a computer 24 connected to a display device, the coordinates of the input position are calculated based on the detected values, and the characters and / or figures 23 are displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 20 according to the calculated coordinates. is there.

As shown in FIG. 6, the touch panel 21 includes a lower electrode substrate 31 and an upper electrode substrate 3 having a light-transmitting property.
2, electrode circuits 38 and 41 are respectively formed using silver ink or the like, and a key signal extraction terminal 39 is formed in a part of the electrode circuit 38 made of the silver ink. , And are formed by bonding together with a frame-shaped double-sided tape 33 having an air hole for preventing dew condensation.

The key signal extraction terminal 39 includes:
As shown in FIG. 7, a retrofit connector 35 is inserted and connected. It is important that the connection of the retrofitting connector 35 is electrically and mechanically made. Therefore, an anisotropic conductive adhesive 34 is applied to the surface of the retrofitting connector 35.

[0005] The connection of the post-installed connector 35 to the touch panel 21 is performed by bonding the lower electrode substrate 31 and the upper electrode substrate 32 with the double-sided tape 33 and then attaching the lower electrode substrate 31 and the upper electrode substrate 32 to the gap formed in the double-sided tape 33 in advance. The retrofit connector 35 is inserted, and the key signal extraction terminal 3 is inserted.
9, the heat-seal press 46 applies heat and pressure to the anisotropic conductive adhesive formed on the surface of the retrofit connector 35, as shown in FIG. An electrical and mechanical connection is made by 34.

Further, as such a retrofit connector, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. HEI 4-15127 discloses a transparent switch in which an electrode for connection to an external circuit is provided on the same surface of a transparent switch via an external connector composed of independent components. Is disclosed.

[0007]

In the touch panel 21 as described above, as shown in FIG. 7, it is necessary to measure the inter-terminal resistance and the insulation resistance of the touch panel 21 and judge the quality. . This is N
This is because connecting the retrofit connector 35 as described above to the G (defective) touch panel wastes material costs and labor costs.

Therefore, it is preferable that after the touch panel 21 is inspected, the retrofit connector 35 is electrically and mechanically connected to the non-defective product only by the heat seal press 46 as described above.

However, when inspecting the quality of the touch panel 21, it is necessary to use the retrofit connector 35.
Must be connected to the touch panel 21, so that the retrofit connector 35 is connected to the lower electrode substrate 3.
1 and the upper electrode substrate 32, a load 47 is applied only from above the upper electrode substrate 32, and a probe 45 such as an automatic inspection / measurement machine 44 is applied in a state where the touch panel 21 is temporarily connected by pressure welding. Inspection was underway.

The general inspection items at this time include the resistance between terminals of the touch panel 21, the insulation resistance, the linearity of key input, the key input load, and the like. Load 4 from above electrode substrate 32
It is necessary to perform the connection in a temporary connection state where only 7 is applied.

Further, these inspections require an extremely large number of devices and jigs required for the inspections, and require a lot of work, so that they cannot be mechanized or automated.
Therefore, the insertion and removal of the retrofit connector 35 between the lower electrode substrate 31 and the upper electrode substrate 32 is generally performed manually by an operator 48. In particular, when the lower electrode substrate 31 and the upper electrode substrate 32 are both made of a film material, the operation is very difficult.

As a countermeasure against these problems, heat and pressure are applied to the retrofit connector 35 only to the lower electrode substrate 31 by the heat seal press 46 so that the anisotropically formed on the surface of the retrofit connector 35 is formed. It is also conceivable to electrically and mechanically connect with the conductive adhesive 34.

However, in the method described above,
If a defect or the like occurs in the next step, there is a problem that all material costs and labor costs including the touch panel 21 are wasted.

The next step in this case represents a bonding step of common transition, which means that electrical conduction between the lower electrode substrate 31 and the upper electrode substrate 32 is obtained. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, after the double-sided tape 33 for bonding the upper and lower electrode substrates was attached to the electrode circuit 38 formed on one substrate, the electrode circuit 38 was formed on the double-sided tape 33. Recess 49 or round hole 5
0, a predetermined amount of silver ink 51 for common transfer is ejected by a dispenser and then bonded to the other substrate. The silver ink 51 is crushed, and conduction between the upper and lower electrode terminals is obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such problems of the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to provide a key signal extraction terminal on an electrode substrate on which a key signal extraction terminal is not formed. An object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel that can perform a pass / fail judgment inspection without connecting a retrofitting connector by having a configuration in which a portion facing a terminal is cut away.

[0016]

According to the touch panel of the present invention, in a touch panel in which at least two electrode substrates are bonded at a predetermined interval, a part of the electrodes formed on the one electrode substrate has a key. A signal extraction terminal is formed, and a portion of the other electrode substrate facing the key signal extraction terminal is provided with a notch, and the notch includes
A connector for extracting the signal from the key signal extraction terminal
Connected to the key signal extraction terminal and the connector.
Filling the connector with anisotropic conductive adhesive
It is characterized by being electrically and mechanically connected by directly applying heat and pressure, thereby achieving the above object.

It is preferable that a notch provided in the electrode substrate has substantially the same shape as a key signal extraction terminal portion formed on the another electrode substrate.

Further, it is preferable that the touch panel coordinate detection system uses a resistive film system. Further
In addition, the touch panel inspection method of the present invention has at least 2
A touch panel in which two electrode substrates are
In the method for inspecting a panel,
A part of the formed electrode has a key signal extraction terminal
Being formed and in front of said another electrode substrate.
Notch at the part opposite to the key signal extraction terminal
Unit is provided, and the probe of the measuring machine is provided with the key signal
The measurement is performed by directly contacting the extraction terminal.
You. Furthermore, the method for manufacturing a touch panel of the present invention
At least two electrode substrates are attached at a predetermined interval.
Touch panel manufacturing method
A key signal extraction terminal is formed on a part of the formed electrode.
One electrode substrate formed and the key signal extraction
A notch is provided in the part facing the terminal
After bonding the other electrode substrate,
Measurement by bringing the probe directly into contact with the key signal extraction terminal.
The key signal
Anisotropic conductive adhesive is formed on the surface of the extraction terminal
And heat and pressure directly on the connector.
In addition, they are electrically and mechanically connected.

According to the present invention, a notch is provided in a portion of the electrode substrate on which the retrofitting connector is not formed, opposite to the retrofitting connector. Because the key signal extraction terminal connected to the connector is exposed,
When inspecting the quality of the touch panel, it is possible to directly contact a probe such as an automatic inspection and measuring device with the key signal extraction terminal, and the inter-terminal resistance of the touch panel, insulation resistance, linearity of key input, The key input load and the like can be easily measured, and the inspection speed can be improved.

As a result of the inspection described above, if the touch panel is found to be defective, the subsequent steps need not be performed. Specifically, there is no need to connect the retrofitting connector, and the cost and labor costs of the retrofitting connector are not wasted.

If a defective product is found, the inspection data is normally connected to the production line, and the online QC using a statistical method also helps to improve the non-defective product rate in the production process.

When connecting the retrofitting connector, thermocompression bonding using an anisotropic conductive adhesive is required.
At this time, according to the present invention, since the heater head for thermocompression bonding can be brought into direct contact with the retrofitting connector, the thermal efficiency of the heater head for thermocompression bonding can be remarkably improved.

That is, according to the present invention, as described above, the inspection process of the touch panel, the thermocompression bonding process (heat sealing), and the like can be performed by an automatic machine. Thus, efficient operation of material costs, personnel costs, time, and the like can be achieved.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a touch panel according to this embodiment. The touch panel according to this embodiment is obtained by bonding a lower electrode substrate 1 and an upper electrode substrate 2 with a double-sided tape 3. And a retrofit connector 5 having an anisotropic conductive adhesive 4 formed on the surface.

First, the lower electrode substrate 1 will be described.
Lower electrode substrate 1 (90 mm long, 1 horizontal) made of glass material
A resist film 6 made of ITO (indium tin oxide) having a uniform surface resistance is formed on a surface having a thickness of 30 mm and a thickness of 1100 μm), a circuit pattern is formed by etching the resist film 6, and then a dot spacer is formed. 7 was produced.

As a method for manufacturing the dot spacer 7, it is well known to use a photo process method (resist is AZ-1300 manufactured by Hoechst Japan).
In the present example, it was produced using a screen printing method (printing ink was UVCF-82 manufactured by Shikoku Chemicals).

At this time, the dot spacer 7 has a pitch interval of 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm (preferably 0.3 mm).
m to 1.5 mm) and the diameter is 20 μm to 75 mm.
μm (preferably 30 μm-50 μm), height 3 μm
-30 μm (preferably 4 μm-8 μm). In this embodiment, the dot spacers 7 are provided on the surface of the lower electrode substrate 1, but may be provided on the surface of the upper electrode substrate 2.

Next, an electrode circuit 8 made of silver ink (LS-415C manufactured by Osaka Asahi Chemical Co., Ltd.) is formed around the resistance film 6 formed on the surface of the lower electrode substrate 1.
Further, a key signal extracting terminal 9 was formed in a part of the electrode circuit 8 made of the silver ink.

Thereafter, on the surface of the lower electrode substrate 1 manufactured as described above, a double-sided tape 3 (# 4501: manufactured by Sumitomo 3M, length 9) for bonding to the upper electrode substrate 2
0 mm, 130 mm in width, and 100 μm in thickness). At this time, a portion corresponding to the key signal extraction terminal 9 portion of the double-sided tape 3 is provided with a gap portion 17 for an additional connector to be connected later, and 1 mm to 3 mm for dew condensation prevention.
An air hole 18 of about mm is formed.

Next, the upper electrode substrate 2 will be described.
Since the upper electrode substrate 2 needs to bend when the key is turned on and return to the original state when the key is turned off, a film material is generally used.

In this embodiment, the upper electrode substrate 2 (90 mm long, 130 m wide) made of a polyester film is used.
m, thickness 125 μm), a resistive film 10 made of ITO (indium tin oxide) having a uniform surface resistance
Was formed, electrode circuits 11 made of silver ink (LS-415C manufactured by Osaka Asahi Chemical Co.) were formed on both sides of the resistance film 10.

At this time, the key signal extraction terminal 9 is formed on a portion of the upper electrode substrate 2 manufactured as described above, which is opposed to the key signal extraction terminal 9 formed on a part of the electrode circuit 8 on the lower electrode substrate 1. A notch 12 having substantially the same shape as the terminal 9 was provided.

After that, the upper electrode substrate 2 and the lower electrode substrate 1 were bonded to each other with the double-sided tape 3 bonded on the surface of the lower electrode substrate 1 to produce a touch panel 13. At this time, the electrode circuit 8 on the lower electrode substrate 1
The key signal take-out terminal 9 formed in a part of the upper electrode substrate 2 is formed by a notch 12 provided on the upper electrode substrate 2.
It was exposed without being hidden by the upper electrode substrate 2.

Next, the inspection for judging the quality of the touch panel 13 manufactured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, resistance between terminals, insulation resistance, linearity of key input,
Automatic measuring machine 14 that measures key input load etc. and judges pass / fail
The probe 15 was directly contacted with the key signal extracting terminal 9 formed on the lower electrode substrate 1 of the touch panel 13 to perform measurement.

At this time, for each measurement item described above,
At least one exceeding the standard value (determined as defective)
With respect to, the subsequent measurement was not performed, but was removed from the subsequent steps and moved to a predetermined place. In addition, for all the measurement items described above, those that were within the standard values (determined as non-defective products) were directly sent to the next step, the heat sealing step.

In the heat sealing step, the automatic tower mounting machine mounts on the key signal take-out terminal 9 a post-connector 5 (thickness: 60) made of polyimide with copper wiring 19 provided thereon.
μm), the column is mounted, and as shown in FIG. 3, heat and pressure are directly applied by a heat seal press 16 to form an anisotropic conductive layer formed on the surface of the retrofit connector 5. Effective electric by the adhesive 4,
A mechanical connection was made. The heat seal at this time is 1
The test was performed at 40 ° C., 40 Kg / cm ² and 20 seconds. Thus, the touch panel 13 as shown in FIG. 4 was manufactured.

As described above, the operation of the touch panel 13 having the above-described configuration is such that the upper electrode side substrate is pressed by pressing the display surface with a pin or the like, and the resistive film at the pressed position is pressed by the lower portion. Contact with the resistive coating on the electrode side substrate. When touching with such a pen or the like, the current value (analog value) flowing through the circuit at the contact position is converted into a digital value by an A / D converter, and the position coordinates are calculated. Accordingly, characters and graphics can be displayed on the display screen on the display.

(Embodiment 2) In this embodiment, the same method as in Embodiment 1 was used except that a polyester film was used for both the lower electrode substrate and the upper electrode substrate.
Created a touch panel.

At this time, the film material for forming the upper and lower electrode substrates is not particularly limited to a polyester film, and for example, polyether sulfone, polycarbonate, or the like can be used.

[0041]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to connect a retrofit connector after performing a touch panel quality judgment test after bonding two electrode substrates. Therefore, it is not necessary to connect the retrofitting connector to a component determined to be defective, and it is possible to greatly reduce the cost and labor cost of the retrofitting connector.

Even after the two electrode substrates are bonded, the key signal extraction terminal connected to the retrofitting connector is in a bare state, so that a probe such as an inspection / measurement machine is used to extract the key signal. Since the terminal can be brought into direct contact with the terminal, the quality judgment test can be easily measured, and the speed of the test can be improved.

In addition, at the time of heat sealing for connecting the touch panel after the pass / fail judgment test to the retrofitting connector, the heat press can be directly performed on the retrofitting connector. The temperature can be set low and the process can be automated using an automatic mounting machine or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a touch panel according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an inspection method for judging pass / fail of the touch panel according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing connection of a retrofit connector by a heat seal press device for a touch panel in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a touch panel manufactured in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view of a conventional display device having an input function using a touch panel.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional touch panel.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional touch panel inspection method for determining the quality of a touch panel.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing connection of a retrofit connector by a conventional heat seal press device for a touch panel.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 31 Lower electrode substrate 2, 32 Upper electrode substrate 3, 33 Double-sided tape 4, 34 Anisotropic conductive adhesive 5, 35 Retrofit connector 6, 10 Resistive film 7, 37 Dot spacer 8, 11, 38, 41 Electrode Circuit 9, 39 Key signal extraction terminal 12 Notch 13, 21 Touch panel 14, 44 Automatic measuring machine 15, 45 Probe 16, 46 Heat sheet press device 17 Double-sided tape gap 18 Double-sided tape air hole 19 Retrofit connector copper wiring 20 Liquid crystal Panel 22 Pen 23 Characters and figures 24 Computer 47 Load 48 Worker's finger 49 Sealing material recess 50 Sealing material round hole 51 Silver ink

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A touch panel in which at least two electrode substrates are attached at a predetermined interval, wherein a part of the electrodes formed on the one electrode substrate includes:
With the key signal extraction terminals are formed, wherein the said key signal extraction terminals and the opposing portion of the other one of the electrode substrate, and notches are provided in said notch, said key signal From the extraction terminal
A connector for extracting a signal is connected, and an anisotropic conductor is provided between the key signal extraction terminal and the connector.
Filled with electrical adhesive and heat and pressure applied directly to the connector
In addition, a touch panel characterized by being electrically and mechanically connected . 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the notch provided on the electrode substrate has substantially the same shape as a key signal extraction terminal portion formed on the another electrode substrate. Touch panel. 3. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein a coordinate detection method of the touch panel uses a resistive film method. 4. At least two electrode substrates are provided at a predetermined interval.
Inspection method of touch panel stuck with
In addition, a part of the electrode formed on the one electrode substrate includes:
A key signal extraction terminal is formed, and
Relative to the key signal extraction terminal of the other electrode substrate
A notch is provided at the portion where the key signal is taken out.
Touch panel inspection characterized by touching and measuring
Method. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least two electrode substrates are arranged at a predetermined interval.
In the manufacturing method of the touch panel bonded with
In addition, a part of the electrode formed on the electrode substrate
One electrode substrate on which a lead terminal is formed;
-A notch is located on the part facing the signal extraction terminal.
The other provided electrode substrate was attached
Then, connect the probe of the measuring instrument directly to the key signal extraction terminal.
The quality is determined by contacting and measuring, and after it is determined to be good, the key signal extraction terminal is
Equipped with connector with anisotropic conductive adhesive formed on the surface
And applying heat and pressure directly to the connector,
Manufacture of touch panels characterized by mechanical connection
Method.