JP6074533B2 - Display device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device including a touch panel, and more particularly, to a display device that reduces pattern appearance at electrode intersections.

As a main method of a touch panel, a method for detecting a change in light and a method for detecting a change in electrical characteristics are known. As a method for detecting a change in electrical characteristics, a capacitive coupling method is known.
As a conventional capacitive coupling type touch panel, one having a plurality of X electrodes and a plurality of Y electrodes intersecting with the X electrodes is known, as shown in Patent Document 1 below.
In the touch panel disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 or the like, the Y electrode is formed by an electrode pattern in which a plurality of intersecting portions and electrode portions having a width wider than the width of the intersecting portion are alternately arranged. The X electrodes are formed in an electrode pattern in which a plurality of intersecting portions and electrode portions having a width wider than the width of the intersecting portions are alternately arranged.
Further, the intersecting portion of the Y electrodes, the electrode portion of the Y electrode, and the electrode portion of the X electrode are formed on the substrate. The intersection of the electrodes X is formed on an interlayer insulating layer formed on the substrate, and both ends of the intersection of the X electrodes are connected to the adjacent X electrodes via contact holes formed in the interlayer insulating film. Each is electrically connected to the electrode part. Note that the X electrode and the Y electrode are made of a highly transparent material, for example, a transparent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).

JP 2009-265748 A

However, the conventional capacitively coupled touch panel has a problem that when viewed from a specific direction, the contact hole portion is recognized by the user due to reflection at the contact hole portion, and the appearance is deteriorated. It was.
The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to reduce the recognition of the pattern of electrode intersections by the user in the display device due to reflection. It is to provide a technology that makes it possible.
The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

Of the inventions disclosed in this application, the outline of typical ones will be briefly described as follows.
(1) It has a display panel and a touch panel arranged on the display panel, and the touch panel extends in a first direction on the substrate and the substrate, and intersects the first direction. A plurality of X electrodes provided side by side in a second direction; a plurality of Y electrodes extending in the second direction intersecting with the X electrodes on the substrate and provided side by side in the first direction; And each of the plurality of X electrodes and a pedestal layer formed at a portion intersecting with each of the plurality of Y electrodes on the substrate, and each Y electrode intersects with the X electrode. A crossing portion and an electrode portion formed separately from the X electrode in the same layer as the X electrode, wherein each X electrode is the same as the crossing portion crossing the Y electrode and the Y electrode. An electrode part formed separately from the Y electrode in the layer, and the intersection of each Y electrode is below the pedestal layer The crossing portion of each X electrode is formed, a part is formed on the pedestal layer, and both ends are electrically connected to the electrode portion of the adjacent X electrode, and the pedestal layer is When viewed from the direction orthogonal to the substrate, the outer shape of the portion of the X electrode that intersects the intersecting portion has a non-linear shape, and the pedestal layer has a major axis direction as viewed from the direction orthogonal to the substrate, An elliptical shape that is an extension direction of the intersecting portion of the X electrode, overlaps with both end portions of the electrode portion of the adjacent X electrode in the first direction, and does not overlap with the electrode portion of the Y electrode. The cross section of the portion of the pedestal layer that overlaps both ends of the X electrode in the first direction has a thickness from the intersection of the Y electrodes toward both ends of the intersection of the X electrodes. It is formed in a tapered shape that gradually becomes thinner.

(2) In (1), an index matching layer is formed on the substrate, and the X electrode, the Y electrode, and the pedestal layer are formed on the index matching layer.
(3) In (1) or (2), the electrode part of the X electrode and the electrode part of the Y electrode have a rhombus shape when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the substrate.
(4) In any one of (1) to (3), a protective film is provided so as to cover the X electrode and the Y electrode.

The effects obtained by the representative ones of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows.
According to the display device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the recognition of the pattern of electrode intersections by the user by reflection.

It is a figure for demonstrating the touchscreen of the Example of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the touchscreen of the Example of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect of the touchscreen of the Example of this invention. It is a top view which shows the electrode pattern of the touchscreen of the conventional display apparatus with a touchscreen. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure along the line A-A ′ shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure along the line B-B ′ shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a display apparatus with a touch panel.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, parts having the same functions are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation thereof is omitted. Also, the following examples are not intended to limit the interpretation of the scope of the claims of the present invention.
[Schematic configuration of display device with touch panel]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a display device with a touch panel. In FIG. 7, the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel 30.
The display device with a touch panel shown in FIG. 7 includes a liquid crystal display panel 30, a capacitively coupled touch panel 20 disposed on the viewer side of the liquid crystal display panel 30, and the viewer side of the liquid crystal display panel 30. Comprises a backlight 40 disposed below the opposite surface.
As the liquid crystal display panel 30, for example, a liquid crystal display panel of an IPS method, a TN method, a VA method, or the like is used.
As will be described later, the touch panel 20 extends in the first direction, and crosses the X electrodes with a plurality of X electrodes provided in a second direction that intersects the first direction at a predetermined arrangement pitch. A plurality of Y electrodes extending in the second direction and arranged side by side with a predetermined arrangement pitch in the first direction.
In FIG. 7, it is schematically shown that C1 and C3 capacitances are formed between the observer's finger 50 and the X electrode, and C2 capacitances are formed between the observer's finger 50 and the Y electrode. Show. The touch panel 20 shown in FIG. 7 detects the capacitance difference of the coupling capacitance between the X electrode and the Y electrode, and detects the touch position coordinates on the touch surface of the touch panel 20 touched by the observer's finger 50.

[Conventional touch panel]
4 to 6 are diagrams for explaining a conventional capacitive coupling type touch panel. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an electrode pattern of the conventional capacitive coupling type touch panel. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure taken along line AA ′ shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure taken along line BB ′ shown in FIG.
A conventional capacitively coupled touch panel extends in a first direction (for example, the X direction) and is provided at a predetermined arrangement pitch in a second direction (for example, the Y direction) that intersects the first direction. It has a plurality of X electrodes and a plurality of Y electrodes that cross the X electrodes and extend in the second direction, and are arranged side by side with a predetermined arrangement pitch in the first direction.
Each of the plurality of Y electrodes is formed of an electrode pattern in which a plurality of intersecting portions 2a and electrode portions 2b having a width wider than the width of the intersecting portions 2a are alternately arranged in the second direction. Each of the plurality of Y electrodes is disposed on the surface of the substrate 11 on the viewer side, and is covered with an insulating film 12 formed on the upper layer. As the substrate 11, for example, a transparent insulating substrate such as glass is used.
Each of the plurality of X electrodes is formed in an electrode pattern in which a plurality of intersecting portions 1a and electrode portions 1b having a width wider than the width of the intersecting portion 1a are alternately arranged in the first direction. Each intersecting portion 1a of the plurality of X electrodes is formed in a different layer from the Y electrode, and intersects the intersecting portion 2a of the Y electrodes in a plane. Each electrode portion 1b of the plurality of X electrodes is formed in the same layer as the electrode portion 2b of the Y electrode and is separated from the Y electrode. Here, the electrode portion 1b of the X electrode and the electrode portion 2b of the Y electrode have a rhombus shape when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the substrate 11.

Each electrode portion 1b of the plurality of X electrodes is covered with an insulating film 12 similarly to the Y electrode. Each intersecting portion 1a of the plurality of X electrodes is disposed on the insulating film 12, and is covered with a protective film 13 formed thereon.
The crossing portion 1a of the X electrode crosses the crossing portion 2a of the Y electrode in a plane, and the two electrode portions 1b adjacent to each other with the crossing portion 2a interposed between the crossing portion 1a of the X electrode and the Y electrode. They are electrically and mechanically connected through contact holes 12a formed in the insulating film 12 which is an interlayer insulating film.
When viewed in a plan view, the electrode portion 2b of the Y electrode is disposed between the intersection portions 1a of the two adjacent X electrodes, and the electrode portion 1b of the X electrode is the intersection portion of the two adjacent Y electrodes. 2a.
Note that the X electrode and the Y electrode are made of a highly transparent material, for example, a transparent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).
However, in the conventional capacitive coupling type touch panel, when the touch panel is viewed from a specific direction, the contact hole portion is recognized by the user due to reflection at the contact hole portion, and the appearance deteriorates. was there.

[Example]
1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a plan view of an electrode crossing portion, and FIG. 1B is an AA view of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-section along a line.
Also in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, it extends in the first direction (for example, the X direction) and is provided at a predetermined arrangement pitch in the second direction (for example, the Y direction) intersecting the first direction. A plurality of X electrodes, and a plurality of Y electrodes that cross the X electrodes and extend in the second direction, and are arranged in the first direction at a predetermined arrangement pitch.
Each of the plurality of Y electrodes is formed of an electrode pattern in which a plurality of intersecting portions 2a and electrode portions 2b having a width wider than the width of the intersecting portions 2a are alternately arranged in the second direction. Each of the plurality of Y electrodes is disposed on the surface of the substrate 11 on the viewer side and is covered with a protective film 13 formed on the upper layer. As the substrate 11, for example, a transparent insulating substrate such as glass is used.
Each of the plurality of X electrodes is formed in an electrode pattern in which a plurality of intersecting portions 1a and electrode portions 1b having a width wider than the width of the intersecting portion 1a are alternately arranged in the first direction. Each intersecting portion 1a of the plurality of X electrodes is formed so as to straddle the pedestal layer 15, and intersects the intersecting portion 2a of the Y electrodes in a plane. Each electrode portion 1b of the plurality of X electrodes is formed in the same layer as the electrode portion 2b of the Y electrode and is separated from the Y electrode.
Also in this embodiment, each of the plurality of X electrodes is covered with the protective film 13 formed on the upper layer. In addition, the electrode portion 1b of the X electrode and the electrode portion 2b of the Y electrode have a rhombus shape when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the substrate 11.

In the present embodiment, the pedestal layer 15 is provided at a portion where the intersecting portion 1a of the X electrode and the intersecting portion 2a of the Y electrode intersect. The pedestal layer 15 has an elliptical outer shape when viewed in plan.
As described above, the crossing portion 1a of the X electrode is formed so as to straddle the pedestal layer 15, thereby crossing the crossing portion 2a of the Y electrode in a plane, and two adjacent ones sandwiching the crossing portion 2a. The electrodes are electrically and mechanically connected to the electrode portion 1b of the X electrode.
When viewed in a plan view, the electrode portion 2b of the Y electrode is disposed between the intersection portions 1a of the two adjacent X electrodes, and the electrode portion 1b of the X electrode is the intersection portion of the two adjacent Y electrodes. 2a. The X electrode and the Y electrode are made of a highly conductive material, for example, a transparent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).
Thus, in this embodiment, in order to eliminate the contact hole 12a formed in the insulating film 12 in the conventional touch panel, the pedestal is located at the intersection of the intersection 1a of the X electrode and the intersection 2a of the Y electrode. The layer 15 is provided.
Here, the pedestal layer 15 is formed in a tapered shape in which the side surface 15b gradually increases in thickness toward the flat portion 15a opposite to the surface in contact with the substrate 11.

In this embodiment, a pedestal layer 15 is provided at a portion where the intersecting portion 1a of the X electrode and the intersecting portion 2a of the Y electrode intersect to eliminate the contact hole 12a formed in the insulating film 12 in the conventional touch panel. Therefore, when viewed from a specific direction, it is possible to solve the problem that the contact hole portion is recognized by the user due to reflection at the contact hole portion, and the appearance is deteriorated.
However, the taper-shaped side surface 15b of the crossing portion 1a of the X electrode formed so as to cover the pedestal layer 15 has a higher reflectance than the surroundings, including optical interference, and particularly deteriorates the appearance of reflection. It is assumed that
As shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to reduce interference by adding the index matching layer 16, but it is not possible to reduce the appearance due to reflection on the tapered side surface 15b.
The deterioration of appearance due to the reflection is caused by the tapered side surface 15b. When the outer shape of the pedestal layer 15 is a square, the reflected light on each side surface 15b is reflected on each side surface as shown in FIG. This is because the reflected light has directivity in the direction orthogonal to 15b.
Therefore, the present embodiment is characterized in that the outer shape of the pedestal layer 15 viewed from the direction orthogonal to the substrate 11 is an ellipse whose major axis direction is the extension direction of the intersecting portion 1a of the X electrodes. As a result, the tapered side surface 15b has a non-linear shape that is convex with respect to the reflection direction, so that the reflected light on the side surface 15b can be diffused. It is possible to reduce the luminance difference and reduce the pattern appearance at the electrode intersection.
Here, the smaller the area of the pedestal layer 15 is, the better the improvement effect is expected, and it is preferable, but it cannot be made too small due to the restriction of the resistance value of the X electrode.

In the present embodiment, for the reasons described above, it is obvious that the shape of the portion of the pedestal layer 15 that intersects the intersecting portion 1a of the X electrode is non-linear when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the substrate 11. is there.
Furthermore, the outer shape of the pedestal layer 15 viewed from the direction orthogonal to the substrate 11 is not limited to an ellipse, and may be an obtuse polygonal shape of a pentagon or more, or a circular shape as shown in FIG. Good. FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a modification of the pedestal layer 15 of the present embodiment, and is a plan view of an electrode intersection portion.
Further, in FIG. 1, the intersection 2a of the Y electrodes is formed below the pedestal layer 15, and the intersection 1a of the X electrodes is formed above the pedestal layer 15. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the intersection 1a of the X electrodes is formed. Can be formed on the lower side of the pedestal layer 15, and the intersection 2 a of the Y electrodes can be formed on the upper side of the pedestal layer 15. The configuration in this case is shown in FIG.
However, as shown in FIG. 3, due to the manufacturing process, both ends of the X electrode electrode portion 1b in the extending direction of the X electrode also cover part of the flat portion 15a of the pedestal layer 15 and the side surface 15b. Since it is necessary to form the reflective region, the reflective region increases compared to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, which is not preferable. In addition, FIG. 3 is a figure for demonstrating the effect of the touchscreen of a present Example.
Moreover, although the above-mentioned Example demonstrated the display apparatus with a touch panel provided with the touch panel on the liquid crystal display panel as an example of a display panel, this invention is not limited to this, An organic EL display panel and an inorganic EL display The present invention can be applied to a display device with a touch panel provided with a touch panel on another display panel such as a panel.
As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the above embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Of course.

X electrode 1a, 2a Crossing part 1b, 2b Electrode part Y electrode 11 Substrate 12 Insulating film 12a Contact hole 13 Protective film 15 Pedestal layer 15a Flat part 15b Side face 16 Index matching layer 20 Touch panel 30 Liquid crystal display panel 40 Backlight 50 Finger

Claims (4)

A display panel;
A touch panel disposed on the display panel;
The touch panel
A substrate,
A plurality of X electrodes extending in a first direction on the substrate and provided side by side in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
A plurality of Y electrodes extending in the second direction intersecting with the X electrode on the substrate, and arranged side by side in the first direction;
On the substrate, each of the plurality of X electrodes and a pedestal layer formed at a portion intersecting with each of the plurality of Y electrodes,
Have
Each Y electrode has an intersection that intersects with the X electrode, and an electrode portion that is formed in the same layer as the X electrode and separated from the X electrode,
Each of the X electrodes has an intersecting portion that intersects with the Y electrode, and an electrode portion that is formed in the same layer as the Y electrode and separated from the Y electrode,
The intersection of each Y electrode is formed under the pedestal layer,
The intersecting portion of each X electrode is partially formed on the pedestal layer, and both ends thereof are electrically connected to the electrode portion of the adjacent X electrode,
The pedestal layer has a non-linear shape in an outer shape of a portion that intersects the intersecting portion of the X electrode when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the substrate.
The pedestal layer has an elliptical shape in which a major axis direction is an extension direction of the intersecting portion of the X electrodes, as viewed from a direction orthogonal to the substrate, and the first X of the electrode portions of the adjacent X electrodes. It is formed so as to overlap with both ends of the direction and not to overlap with the electrode part of the Y electrode,
The cross section of the portion of the pedestal layer that overlaps both ends of the X electrode in the first direction gradually decreases in thickness from the intersection of the Y electrodes toward both ends of the intersection of the X electrodes. A display device characterized by being formed into a tapered shape. Having an index matching layer formed on the substrate;
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the X electrode, the Y electrode, and the pedestal layer are formed on the index matching layer.   The electrode part of the X electrode and the electrode part of the Y electrode have a rhombus shape when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the substrate. The display device described in 1.   The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a protective film provided so as to cover the X electrode and the Y electrode.

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