KR100950194B1

KR100950194B1 - Touch panel

Info

Publication number: KR100950194B1
Application number: KR1020090021396A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 김용진
Original assignee: 주식회사 토비스
Priority date: 2009-03-13
Filing date: 2009-03-13
Publication date: 2010-03-29

Abstract

PURPOSE: A touch panel is provided to give a stereoscopic effect on a certain image displayed by an ink printed layer. CONSTITUTION: A lower substrate(110) is arranged on a lower portion of an upper substrate(120), and a first window film(140) is attached to an upper plate of the upper substrate. By printing an ink on an external region of a lower plane of a first window film, a first ink printed layer(145) is prepared. A second window film(160) is attached to the upper place of the first window film, and a second ink printed layer(165) is prepared by printing an ink on an edge region of the second window film. An insulating adhesive member(130) is exposed between the upper and lower substrates. The insulating adhesive member enables the bonding between the upper and lower substrates.

Description

Touch panel {TOUCH PANEL}

The present invention relates to a touch panel, and more particularly, to a structure of an ink printing layer printed on a window film of a touch panel.

In order to efficiently use various electronic devices, a touch panel for inputting a signal on a display surface of a display device without a remote controller or a separate input device is widely used. That is, on the display surface of an electronic notebook, a flat panel display device such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD), a plasma dispaly panel (PDP), an electroluminescense (EL), and an image display device such as a cathode ray tube (CRT). It is installed so that the user can select desired information while viewing the image display device.

Such a touch panel may be classified into a resistive type, a capacitive type, and an infrared type according to a method of sensing a touch.

Among the touch panels as described above, the resistive touch panel basically has a structure in which a transparent upper substrate on which a transparent conductive film (or transparent electrode) is formed and a transparent lower substrate on which a transparent conductive film is formed are stacked at a predetermined interval. Therefore, when a certain point of contact with the upper substrate is brought into contact with a predetermined input means such as a pen or a finger, the transparent conductive film formed on the upper substrate and the transparent conductive film formed on the lower substrate are energized with each other and changed by the resistance value of the position. After reading the voltage value, the controller finds the position coordinate according to the change of the potential difference.

1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an example of a general resistive touch panel, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a touch panel taken along line II-II of FIG. 1.

1 and 2, the touch panel 10 may include an upper substrate 2, a window film attached to an upper surface of the upper substrate 2, and a lower portion of the upper substrate 2. A lower printed circuit board (BPC) bonded to the lower substrate 1 disposed on the upper substrate 2, the insulating adhesive member 3 interposed between the upper substrate 2 and the lower substrate 1, and one side of the upper surface of the lower substrate 1. It includes. Meanwhile, in FIG. 1, illustration of transparent conductive layers and electrode patterns formed on the upper and lower substrates 2 and 1 is omitted.

The upper substrate 2 and the lower substrate 1 are formed of a flexible film substrate or a transparent glass substrate having flexibility, and transparent conductive films (not shown) are disposed on the lower surface of the upper substrate 2 and the upper surface of the lower substrate 1. ), Electrode patterns (not shown) are formed.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the insulating adhesive member 3 is interposed between the upper substrate 2 and the lower substrate 1 to bond the upper substrate 2 and the lower substrate 1 to the upper substrate 2. Short circuit between the lower substrate 1 is prevented. The insulating adhesive member 3 has an opening 31 formed at a position corresponding to an input region of the touch panel 10, and four conducting holes 32 are formed at a position corresponding to an outer region of the touch panel 10. do. At this time, the four conducting holes 32 are four AG dots (not shown) disposed between the upper substrate 2 and the lower substrate 1 to electrically connect the upper substrate 2 and the lower substrate 1. ) Provides the part through.

As shown in FIG. 1, the FPC 5 is interposed between the upper substrate 2 and the lower substrate 1 and bonded to one side of the lower substrate 1. At this time, the FPC 5 is bonded to the lower substrate 1 by compressing the anisotropic conductive adhesive (ACA) applied to the lower surface thereof at high temperature and high pressure. The FPC 5 is responsible for electrically connecting the upper electrode (not shown) formed on the upper substrate 2 and the lower electrode (not shown) formed on the lower substrate 1 to the controller (not shown). In this case, the controller (not shown) calculates the position of the point selected by the user in the input area of the touch panel 10.

The window film 4 is a kind of protective film for protecting the upper substrate 2, especially its touch surface, and is usually made of a PET (Poly Ethylen Terephthalate) film. 1 and 2, the window film 4 is attached to the upper surface of the upper substrate 2 by an adhesive 8 such as an optical clear adhesive (OCA).

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, an ink print layer 6 formed by printing ink is formed in the outer peripheral area of the lower surface of the window film 4, and the ink print layer 6 is a touch panel. By providing a frame surrounding the display surface of the display device (not shown) on which the 10 is installed, the appearance of the touch panel 10 is improved, while the electrodes formed on the upper substrate 2 and the lower substrate 1 are provided. This function prevents the patterns from being exposed to the outside.

However, in the conventional touch panel 10 having the above-described configuration, since the ink print layer 6 is printed only on the end face (lower surface) of the window film 4, the specific shape displayed by the ink print layer 6 is shown. There is a problem that there is no three-dimensional feeling and the specific area cannot be visually highlighted.

An object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel in which a specific shape displayed by the ink printing layer can have a three-dimensional effect and can visually highlight the specific part.

The object is, according to the present invention, an upper substrate; A lower substrate disposed under the upper substrate; A first window film attached to an upper surface of the upper substrate; A first ink print layer on which ink is printed on an outer region of a lower surface of the first window film; A second window film attached to an upper surface of the first window film; And a second ink print layer formed by printing ink on an outer region of a lower surface of the second window film.

Here, the first ink printing layer may provide an outer frame surrounding the circumference of the input area of the touch panel.

The second ink printing layer may provide an area for displaying information such as a logo, a brand, a model name, and the like regarding a product.

The first ink print layer may be provided in the entire outer region of the bottom surface of the first window film, and the second ink print layer may be provided in a portion of the outer region of the bottom surface of the second window film.

Each of the first window film and the second window film may be formed of a PET (Poly Ethylen Terephthalate) film.

The touch panel further includes an insulating adhesive member interposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate to bond the upper substrate and the lower substrate, wherein the insulating adhesive member corresponds to an input area of the touch panel. An opening formed in the position to provide an air layer between the upper substrate and the lower substrate; An auxiliary opening formed to provide an auxiliary air layer between the upper substrate and the lower substrate at a position corresponding to an outer region of the touch panel; And a through channel connecting the opening and the auxiliary opening to provide an air flow path connecting the air layer and the auxiliary air layer.

The auxiliary opening may include a first auxiliary opening spaced apart from one side of the opening; And a second auxiliary opening spaced apart from the other side of the opening, wherein the through channel comprises: a first through channel connecting the opening and the first auxiliary opening; And a second through channel connecting the opening and the second auxiliary opening.

The object is, according to the present invention, an upper substrate; A lower substrate disposed under the upper substrate; A window film attached to an upper surface of the upper substrate; A first ink print layer on which ink is printed on an outer region of a bottom surface of the window film; A second ink print layer provided with ink printed on an outer region of an upper surface of the window film; And a protective coating layer coated on the upper surface of the window film to cover the second ink printing layer.

Here, the protective coating layer may have a pencil hardness of substantially 3H or more.

The protective coating layer is formed of a coating liquid having an anti-fingerprint function, and the thickness of a portion disposed on the second ink print layer is disposed on the window film so that the coating surface exposed to the outside is substantially horizontal. It may be formed thinner than the thickness of the portion.

The first ink printed layer may provide an outer frame surrounding a circumference of an input area of the touch panel.

The first ink print layer may be provided in the entire outer region of the lower surface of the window film, and the second ink print layer may be provided in a portion of the outer region of the upper surface of the window film.

The window film may be provided as a PET (Poly Ethylen Terephthalate) film.

The touch panel further includes an insulating adhesive member interposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate to bond the upper substrate and the lower substrate, wherein the insulating adhesive member corresponds to a position corresponding to an input area of the touch panel. An opening formed to provide an air layer between the upper substrate and the lower substrate; An auxiliary opening formed to provide an auxiliary air layer between the upper substrate and the lower substrate at a position corresponding to an outer region of the touch panel; And a through channel connecting the opening and the auxiliary opening to provide an air flow path connecting the air layer and the auxiliary air layer.

According to the present invention, by printing two ink print layers separately on different planes in a touch panel, a specific shape displayed by the ink print layer can have a three-dimensional effect and can visually highlight the specific part.

In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objects achieved by the practice of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in order to avoid unnecessary obscuration of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an upper substrate of the touch panel of FIG. 3 upside down, and FIG. 5 is V- of FIG. 3. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the touch panel along the V line.

3 to 5, the touch panel 100 according to the present embodiment includes an upper substrate 120, a lower substrate 110 disposed below the upper substrate 120, and an upper substrate 120. An insulating adhesive member 130 interposed between the substrate and the lower substrate 110, an FPC 150 electrically connected to the lower substrate 110, and an upper surface of the upper substrate 120. On the first window film 140 to be attached, the first ink printing layer 145 provided with ink is printed on the outer region of the lower surface of the first window film 140, and the upper surface of the first window film 140 The second window film 160 is attached, and a second ink print layer 165 formed by printing ink on an outer region of the bottom surface of the second window film 160. For reference, in the drawings, the thickness of each component of the touch panel 100 is shown to be exaggerated compared to the actual thickness for convenience of description.

Meanwhile, the touch panel 100 according to the present embodiment is a resistive type touch panel, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various methods such as capacitive type and infrared type may be used. Of course, it can be applied to the touch panel.

The upper substrate 120 is provided as a flexible transparent film substrate, and is generally made of a PET (Poly Ethylen Terephthalate) film. However, in the present invention, the upper substrate 120 is not limited to the film substrate, but may be provided as a glass substrate.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper substrate 120 has a transparent upper portion in an area corresponding to a display surface of a display device (not shown) in which the touch panel 100 is installed (hereinafter referred to as an “input area”). The conductive film 123 is formed. In this case, the upper transparent conductive film 123 is provided by coating indium-tin oxide (ITO) on the lower surface of the upper substrate 120. Here, ITO stands for Indium-Tin Oxide and refers to a transparent and electrically conductive material.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, upper electrodes 121 and 122 are formed on a lower surface of the upper substrate 120, and upper electrodes 121 and 122 are formed in strips disposed at both edges of the upper transparent conductive film 123, respectively. The X1 electrode 121 and the X2 electrode 122. In this case, the X1 electrode 121 and the X2 electrode 122 are prepared by printing silver on the upper transparent conductive film 123, and the X1 electrode 121 and the X2 electrode 122 are the upper transparent conductive film 123. ) Is electrically connected.

Although the lower substrate 110 is provided with a transparent glass substrate, it is preferable that the lower substrate 110 is made of tempered glass that is hardly cracked and has excellent workability. However, in the present invention, the lower substrate 110 is not limited to the glass substrate and may be provided as a film substrate having flexibility.

As shown in FIG. 3, a lower transparent conductive layer 113 is formed on a top surface of the lower substrate 110 at a position corresponding to an input area of the touch panel 100. In this case, the lower transparent conductive film 113 is provided by coating indium-tin oxide (ITO) on the upper surface of the lower substrate 110. Although not shown in FIG. 3, dot spacers are formed on the lower transparent conductive film 113 of the lower substrate 110 to appropriately maintain a gap between the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate 120. do.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, lower electrodes 111 and 112 are formed on an upper surface of the lower substrate 110, and the lower electrodes 111 and 112 are lower transparent conductive films 113 in a direction perpendicular to the upper electrodes 121 and 122. Y1 electrode 111 and Y2 electrode 112 in the form of a strip, respectively disposed on both edges of the (). In this case, the Y1 electrode 111 and the Y2 electrode 112 are provided by printing silver on the lower transparent conductive film 113 and are electrically connected to the lower transparent conductive film 113.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the upper surface of the lower substrate 110 may include the X1 auxiliary electrode 115 and the X2 auxiliary at positions corresponding to the X1 electrode 121 and the X2 electrode 122 of the upper substrate 120. An electrode 116 is formed. In this case, the X1 auxiliary electrode 115 and the X2 auxiliary electrode 116 of the lower substrate 110 are respectively the X1 electrode 121 and the X2 electrode 122 of the upper substrate 120 and four AG dots 118 (AG DOT). Is electrically connected by That is, the upper substrate 120 and the lower substrate 110 are electrically connected by the AG dot 118. In this case, the AG dot 118 is provided by coating or printing silver on the X1 auxiliary electrode 115 and the X2 auxiliary electrode 116.

In addition, on the upper surface of the lower substrate 110, as shown in FIG. 3, connecting wires 111a, 112a, and 115a for electrically connecting the upper electrode 121, 122 and the lower electrode 111, 112 to the FPC 150, respectively. 116a) is formed. In this case, the connection lines 111a, 112a, 115a, and 116a are provided by printing silver on an outer region of the lower substrate 110 on which the lower transparent conductive film 113 is not coated.

As shown in FIG. 3, the FPC 150 is interposed between the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate 120 in an area where the ends of the connection lines 111a, 112a, 115a, and 116a are collectively disposed. Bonded to 110. At this time, the FPC 150 is bonded to the lower substrate 110 by compressing the anisotropic conductive adhesive (ACA) applied to the bottom surface at high temperature and high pressure. The FPC 150 is responsible for electrically connecting the upper electrodes 121 and 122 and the lower electrodes 111 and 112 to a controller (not shown). In this case, the controller (not shown) calculates the position of the point selected by the user in the input area of the touch panel 100.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the insulating adhesive member 130 is interposed between the upper substrate 120 and the lower substrate 110 to bond the upper substrate 120 and the lower substrate 110 to each other. Short circuit between the 120 and the lower substrate 110 is prevented. In the present embodiment, the insulating adhesive member 130 is provided in the form of a double-sided adhesive sheet, the opening 131 is formed at a position corresponding to the input area of the touch panel 100. In addition, the insulating adhesive member 130 has four through holes 132 formed therethrough at positions corresponding to four AG dots 118 for electrically connecting the upper substrate 120 and the lower substrate 110.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the first window film 140 is typically made of a Poly Ethylen Terephthalate (PET) film, and is formed of an upper substrate 120 by an adhesive 151 such as an optical clear adhesive (OCA). It is attached to the upper surface. The first window film 140 is a film for protecting the upper substrate 120, in particular, the touch surface thereof, also referred to as an 'overlay film'. On the other hand, the first window film 140 serves as a scattering prevention function to prevent the glass fragments from scattering when the upper substrate 120 is provided as a glass substrate and cracking occurs due to an external impact.

3 and 5, the first ink print layer 145 is provided with ink printed on an outer region of the bottom surface of the first window film 140. Here, the 'outer area' refers to an area outside the above-described input area, and is an area surrounding a display surface of a display device (not shown) in which the touch panel 100 is installed. The first ink printing layer 145 is provided by printing ink on the lower surface of the first window film 140 by a roll screen printing method, etc. At this time, the ink is mainly black ink, but the color of the ink is variously selected. Can be. Meanwhile, each of the first ink print layer 145 and the second ink print layer 165 to be described later generally has a thickness in the range of 10 μm to 20 μm.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the first ink printing layer 145 is provided in the entire outer region of the lower surface of the first window film 140 to surround the circumference of the input area of the touch panel 100. Provide the outer frame of the.

The first ink print layer 145 provides an outer frame surrounding a display surface of a display device (not shown) on which the touch panel 100 is installed, thereby improving the appearance design of the touch panel 100, The electrode patterns formed on the upper substrate 120 and the lower substrate 110 are not exposed to the outside.

On the other hand, the first ink printed layer 145 is formed on the lower surface of the first window film 140 is damaged, such as being scratched or peeled off when the first ink printed layer 145, which is generally weak, is exposed to the outside. Because this happens easily. That is, the first window film 140 has a function of protecting the first ink print layer 145.

3 and 5, the second window film 160 is made of a poly ethylene terephthalate (PET) film in the same manner as the first window film 140, and may be formed of an adhesive such as an optical clear adhesive (OCA). 152 is attached to the upper surface of the first window film 140. The function of the second window film 160 is substantially the same as that of the first window film 140 described above.

Meanwhile, in the present exemplary embodiment, since the two window films 140 and 160 are sequentially stacked on the upper surface of the upper substrate 120, each of the first window film 140 and the second window film 160 may be reduced in terms of slimming of the touch panel thickness. It is preferable to have a thickness of about 1/2 of the thickness of the window film used in the conventional touch panel. For example, since the window film used in the conventional touch panel generally has a thickness in the range of approximately 120 μm to 180 μm, each of the first window film 140 and the second window film 160 in the present embodiment may be formed. It is preferred to have a thickness in the range of 60 μm to 90 μm.

3 and 5, the second ink print layer 165 is provided with ink printed on an outer region of the bottom surface of the second window film 160. Like the first ink print layer 145, the second ink print layer 165 is provided by printing ink on the lower surface of the second window film 160 using a roll screen printing method, and the like, and the color of the ink is variously selected. Can be.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the second ink printing layer 165 is provided on a portion of the outer region of the lower surface of the second window film 160 to provide an area for displaying information such as a logo, a brand, a model name, and the like regarding the product. In this embodiment, the applicant's company name "TOVIS" is represented by the second ink printing layer 165.

The second ink print layer 165 displays an area for displaying information such as a logo, a brand, a model name, and the like on a part of an outer area surrounding a display surface of a display device (not shown) on which the touch panel 100 is installed. By improving the appearance design of the touch panel 100, the function of displaying information about the product to the outside.

However, the second ink printing layer 165 is not limited to providing an area for displaying information such as a logo, a brand, a model name, and the like regarding the product. Like the first ink print layer 145, an outer frame may be provided, and an area in which a specific shape irrelevant to product information may be displayed. In addition, the first ink printing layer 145 may also provide an area for displaying information on a product such as a logo, a brand, and a model name, in addition to providing an outer frame surrounding the input area of the touch panel 100. have.

As described above, in the touch panel 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the first ink printing layer 145 and the second ink printing layer 165 are different planes, specifically, lower surfaces of the first window film 140 and It is printed on the lower surface of the second window film 160, respectively.

Accordingly, the touch panel 100 according to the present embodiment has two ink print layers 145 and 165, unlike the conventional touch panel in which the ink print layer is printed on the same plane of one window film and there is no visual three-dimensional effect. By being separated and printed on the different planes, a three-dimensional effect is displayed on a specific shape displayed by the two ink print layers 145 and 165, in particular, a logo, a brand, a model name, etc. relating to a product displayed by the second ink print layer 165. And visually highlight that particular site.

6 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5 of a touch panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Like reference numerals denote the same components as the above-described embodiments. Hereinafter, a touch panel according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6 based on differences from the aforementioned exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the touch panel 200 according to the present embodiment includes an upper substrate 120, a lower substrate 110 disposed below the upper substrate 120, an upper substrate 120, and a lower substrate. The insulating adhesive member 130 interposed between the 110, the window film 140 attached to the upper surface of the upper substrate 120, and the ink is provided in the outer region of the lower surface of the window film 140 is provided The first ink print layer 145, the second ink print layer 265 formed by printing ink on the outer region of the upper surface of the window film 140, and the window film (2) to cover the second ink print layer 265. 140 includes a protective coating layer 260 coated on the top surface. That is, the touch panel 200 according to the present embodiment may include the protective window layer 260 and the second window film 160 and the second ink printed layer 165 in the touch panel 100 according to the above-described embodiment. Except for replacing with the two-ink printing layer 265 has a configuration substantially the same as the touch panel 100 according to the above-described embodiment. For reference, in the present embodiment, the window film 140 has the same configuration as the first window film 140 in the above-described embodiment.

Like the above-described embodiment, the first ink print layer 145 is provided on the entire outer region of the bottom surface of the window film 140 to provide a rectangular outer frame surrounding the circumference of the input region of the touch panel 100. .

Unlike the above-described embodiment, the second ink print layer 265 is provided with ink printed on the outer region of the upper surface of the window film 140. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the second ink printing layer 265 is provided on a portion of the outer region of the upper surface of the window film 140 to provide an area for displaying information such as a logo, a brand, a model name, and the like regarding the product.

Referring to FIG. 6, the protective coating layer 260 is coated on the upper surface of the window film 140 to cover the second ink printing layer 265, and the upper substrate 120 and the second ink printing layer 265 are coated. Function to protect In particular, the protective coating layer 260 coats the second ink printing layer 265 to protect the second ink printing layer 265, thereby providing a separate additional window film such as the second window film 160 in the above-described embodiment. The second ink printed layer 265 may be prevented from being scratched or peeled off even if the upper surface of the window film 140 is not attached to the upper surface of the window film 140 through an adhesive such as an optical clear adhesive (OCA).

The protective coating layer 260 is provided by coating a coating solution on the upper surface of the window film 140 on which the second ink printing layer 265 is printed by spray coating, dip coating, or the like. At this time, the coating liquid to form the protective coating layer 260 may be applied to a variety of commercialized products. In order to sufficiently protect the second ink printing layer 265 by a separate additional window film, it is preferable to use a coating liquid product such that the protective coating layer 260 has a pencil hardness of 3H or more. In addition, in order to prevent the touch panel 200 from being stained by fingerprints on the coating surface exposed to the outside of the protective coating layer 260 due to the nature of the user's finger operation, the protective coating layer 260 may be anti-fingerprint. More preferably, it is provided with a coating liquid having a print) function.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the protective coating layer 260 includes a portion 260b in which the thickness T1 of the portion 260a disposed in the second ink printing layer 265 is disposed in the window film 140. Is formed thinner than the thickness T2 of the second ink print layer 265 so that the coating surface exposed to the outside of the protective coating layer 260 is substantially horizontal, that is, due to the thickness of the second ink print layer 265. This is to prevent the stepped portion from being formed in the inner boundary line portion. In this case, a dip coating method is more preferable than a spray coating method in terms of making the coating surface exposed to the outside of the protective coating layer 260 substantially horizontal. Protective coating layer 260 has a thickness in the range of 10 μm to 20 μm.

As described above, in the touch panel 200 according to the present embodiment, the first ink printing layer 145 and the second ink printing layer 265 are different planes, specifically, the lower surface and the upper surface of the window film 140. The protective coating layer 260 is coated on the upper surface of the window film 140 so as to cover the second ink printed layer 265 printed on the upper surface of the window film 140.

Accordingly, the touch panel 200 according to the present embodiment, like the above-described embodiment, is a product displayed by the specific shape displayed by the two ink printing layers 145 and 265, in particular by the second ink printing layer 265. While the logo, brand, model name, etc. may have a three-dimensional effect and may visually highlight a specific part thereof, unlike the above-described embodiment, the second ink printing layer 265 may be used even if a separate additional window film is not used. Damage can be prevented.

In addition, the touch panel 200 according to the present embodiment may improve the slimming of the thickness of the touch panel as compared with the above-described embodiment, as an additional additional window film is omitted, and increase the activation force of the touch panel. Reduce sensitivity to improve.

In addition, the touch panel 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment may have two window films 140 and 160 attached to the upper substrate 120 using adhesives 151 and 152 such as OCA. The manufacturing process can be simplified and process errors can be reduced.

FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a touch panel according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the touch panel taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 7. Like reference numerals denote the same components as the above-described embodiments. Hereinafter, a touch panel according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 based on differences from the aforementioned exemplary embodiment.

7 and 8, the touch panel 300 according to the present embodiment includes an upper substrate 120, a lower substrate 110 disposed below the upper substrate 120, and an upper substrate 120. An insulating adhesive member 330 interposed between the lower substrate 110 and the opening 331 and the auxiliary openings 334 and 335, an FPC 150 electrically connected to the lower substrate 110, and an upper substrate ( The first window film 140 attached to the upper surface of the 120, the first ink printing layer 145 provided with ink is printed on the outer region of the lower surface of the first window film 140, and the first window film ( The second window film 160 is attached to the upper surface of the 140 and the second ink printing layer 165 is formed by printing the ink in the outer region of the lower surface of the second window film 160. That is, the touch panel 300 according to the present exemplary embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the touch panel 100 (refer to FIG. 3) according to the above-described exemplary embodiment except for the insulating adhesive member 330.

The insulating adhesive member 330, like the insulating adhesive member 130 of the touch panel 100 according to the above-described embodiment, is interposed between the upper substrate 120 and the lower substrate 110, and the upper substrate 120 and the lower substrate. The 110 is bonded to each other and at the same time serves to prevent a short circuit between the upper substrate 120 and the lower substrate 110.

In this embodiment, the insulating adhesive member 330 is provided in the form of a double-sided adhesive sheet, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the insulating adhesive member 330 may be formed on the corresponding portions of the upper substrate 120 and / or the lower substrate 110. The adhesive may be provided by applying a gel type adhesive material or by printing an adhesive material on a corresponding portion of the upper substrate 120 and / or the lower substrate 110.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the insulating adhesive member 330 corresponds to an opening 331 formed at a position corresponding to an input region of the touch panel 300 and an outer region of the touch panel 300. Auxiliary openings 334 and 335 formed at positions of the plurality of openings and through channels 336 and 337 connecting the openings 331 and the auxiliary openings 334 and 335 are included.

Here, the auxiliary openings 334 and 335 are the first auxiliary opening 334 spaced apart from one side of the opening 331 (the side where the FPC 150 is located) and the second auxiliary opening spaced apart from the other side of the opening 331. 335, and the through channels 336 and 337 define the first through channel 336 connecting the opening 331 and the first auxiliary opening 334, and the opening 331 and the second auxiliary opening 335. And a second through channel 337 for connecting.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the opening 331 of the insulating adhesive member 330 has an air layer 331a between the upper substrate 120 and the lower substrate 110 at a position corresponding to an input area of the touch panel 300. ). That is, the air layer 331a is formed in the space defined by the lower surface of the upper substrate 120, the upper surface of the lower substrate 110, and the side surface of the opening 331. The air layer 331a should be kept constant for normal operation of the touch panel 300. If the air of the air layer 331a escapes to the outside through a relatively weak side of the touch panel 300 due to the external pressure on the upper substrate 120 or the temperature change of the surrounding environment, the thickness of the air layer 331a is increased. When the air layer 331a is reduced or further disappears, a short is generated between the upper transparent conductive film 123 of the upper substrate 120 and the lower transparent conductive film 113 of the lower substrate 110 or a Newton ring It causes problems such as (Newton's Ring) phenomenon.

As shown in FIG. 8, the auxiliary openings 334 and 335 of the insulating adhesive member 330 are formed between the upper substrate 120 and the lower substrate 110 at positions corresponding to the outer regions of the upper substrate 120. (334a, 335a). That is, the auxiliary air layers 334a and 335a are formed in a space defined by the lower surface of the upper substrate 120, the upper surface of the lower substrate 110, and the side surfaces of the auxiliary openings 334 and 335.

The through channels 336 and 337 of the insulating adhesive member 330 are air passages (not shown) connecting the air layer 331a provided by the opening 331 and the auxiliary air layers 334a and 335a provided by the auxiliary openings 334 and 335. O) That is, when pressure is applied to the upper substrate 120 as shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 8, the air in the air layer 331a is provided with air passages (not shown) provided by the through channels 336 and 337 as shown by the dotted arrows in FIG. 8. Through the auxiliary air layers 334a and 335a. In addition, when the temperature of the surrounding environment increases, the air in the air layer 331a expands and flows to the auxiliary air layers 334a and 335a through the air flow paths provided by the through channels 336 and 337.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the insulating adhesive member 330 may include four AG dots 118 so that four AG dots 118 provided on the lower substrate 110 may contact the upper substrate 120. And four conducting holes 332 formed through the corresponding positions. In this case, four conducting holes 332 are formed in the region between the opening 331 and the auxiliary openings 334 and 335.

As described above, the touch panel 300 according to the present embodiment includes all the advantages of the above-described embodiment, but forms auxiliary openings 334 and 335 in the outer region of the insulating adhesive member 330 and passes through the channels 336 and 337. By connecting the auxiliary openings 334 and 335 to the openings 331 through the openings, the air layer 331a provided by the openings 331 between the upper substrate 120 and the lower substrate 110 may be stably maintained.

That is, in the touch panel 300 according to the present embodiment, even when pressure is applied to the upper substrate 120 or the temperature of the surrounding environment changes, air in the air layer 331a is assisted through the through channels 336 and 337. Air in the air layer 331a flows through the air layers 334a and 335a or vice versa, so that air in the auxiliary air layers 334a and 335a can flow through the through channels 336 and 337 into the air layer 331a. Leakage to outside can be prevented.

Accordingly, since the touch panel 300 according to the present embodiment can stably maintain the air layer 331a formed between the upper substrate 120 and the lower substrate 110, the thickness of the air layer 331a is reduced or Furthermore, a short circuit between the upper substrate 120 and the lower substrate 110 and a Newton's Ring phenomenon, which occur as the air layer 331a disappears, may be prevented.

On the other hand, as mentioned above, in the touch panel 300 according to the present embodiment, the auxiliary openings 334 and 335 of the insulating adhesive member 330 are referred to as the first auxiliary opening 334 and the second auxiliary opening 335. By providing a dog, since the air in the air layer 331a can flow in both directions, the air can flow more smoothly between the air layer 331a and the auxiliary air layers 334a and 335a.

However, in the present invention, the number and location of the auxiliary openings formed in the insulating adhesive member is not limited to this embodiment and may be variously selected. For example, the insulating adhesive member may be configured to include only one of the first auxiliary opening 334 and the second auxiliary opening 335 in this embodiment, or may include three or more auxiliary openings. Also, in the present exemplary embodiment, one through channel 336 and 337 connecting the opening 331 and the auxiliary openings 334 and 335 are each formed at a central position. However, two or more through channels may be formed.

Meanwhile, the touch panel 300 according to the present exemplary embodiment has a structure in which the FPC 150 is bonded only to the lower substrate 110, but the present invention is not limited thereto and the upper electrodes 121 and 122 of the upper substrate 120 may be formed. Of course, it can be applied to a touch panel having a structure in which the FPC 150 is electrically connected to the FPC 150 directly on the lower surface of the upper substrate 120 so that the FPC 150 is bonded to both the upper and lower substrates 120 and 110. In this case, the AG dot 118 for electrically connecting the upper substrate 120 and the lower substrate 110 and the conductive hole 332 of the insulating adhesive member 330 corresponding thereto are omitted.

It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, such modifications or variations will have to be belong to the claims of the present invention.

1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an example of a general resistive touch panel.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the touch panel taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1.

3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an upper substrate of the touch panel of FIG. 3 in an inverted state. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the touch panel taken along the line VV of FIG. 3.

6 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5 of a touch panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

7 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a touch panel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the touch panel taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 7.

100,200,300: touch panel 110: lower substrate

120: upper substrate 130,330: insulating adhesive member

140: first window film 145: first ink printing layer

160: second window film 165,265: second ink printing layer

260: protective coating layer

Claims

As a touch panel,

An upper substrate;

A lower substrate disposed under the upper substrate;

A first window film attached to an upper surface of the upper substrate;

A first ink print layer on which ink is printed on an outer region of a lower surface of the first window film;

A second window film attached to an upper surface of the first window film;

A second ink print layer formed by printing ink on an outer region of a bottom surface of the second window film; And

An insulating adhesive member interposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate to bond the upper substrate and the lower substrate;

The insulating adhesive member,

An opening formed to provide an air layer between the upper substrate and the lower substrate at a position corresponding to an input area of the touch panel;

An auxiliary opening formed to provide an auxiliary air layer between the upper substrate and the lower substrate at a position corresponding to an outer region of the touch panel; And

And a through channel connecting the opening and the auxiliary opening to provide an air flow path connecting the air layer and the auxiliary air layer.

The method of claim 1,

The first ink printing layer,

And an outer frame surrounding a circumference of an input area of the touch panel.

The method of claim 2,

The second ink printing layer,

A touch panel comprising: an area for displaying information such as a logo, a brand, a model name, and the like regarding a product.

The method of claim 3,

The first ink printing layer,

It is provided in the entire outer area of the lower surface of the first window film,

The second ink printing layer,

And a portion of an outer region of a lower surface of the second window film.

The method of claim 1,

Each of the first window film and the second window film,

Touch panel, characterized in that the film is provided with a poly (Ethylen Terephthalate) film.

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The method of claim 1,

The auxiliary opening is,

A first auxiliary opening spaced apart from one side of the opening; And

A second auxiliary opening spaced apart from the other side of the opening,

The through channel is,

A first through channel connecting the opening and the first auxiliary opening; And

And a second through channel connecting the opening and the second auxiliary opening.

As a touch panel,

An upper substrate;

A lower substrate disposed under the upper substrate;

A window film attached to an upper surface of the upper substrate;

A first ink print layer on which ink is printed on an outer region of a bottom surface of the window film;

A second ink print layer provided with ink printed on an outer region of an upper surface of the window film;

A protective coating layer coated on an upper surface of the window film to cover the second ink printing layer; And

The insulating adhesive member,

The method of claim 8,

The protective coating layer,

Touch panel having a pencil hardness of substantially 3H or more.

The method of claim 8,

The protective coating layer,

It is formed of a coating liquid having an anti finger print function.

And a thickness of a portion disposed on the second ink printing layer is thinner than a thickness of a portion disposed on the window film so that an externally exposed coating surface is substantially horizontal.

The method of claim 8,

The first ink printing layer,

The method of claim 11,

The second ink printing layer,

The method of claim 12,

The first ink printing layer,

It is provided in the entire outer area of the lower surface of the window film,

The second ink printing layer,

The touch panel, characterized in that provided in a portion of the outer region of the upper surface of the window film.

The method of claim 8,

The window film,

Touch panel characterized in that the film is provided with a PET (Poly Ethylen Terephthalate) film.

delete

The method of claim 8,

The auxiliary opening is,

A first auxiliary opening spaced apart from one side of the opening; And

A second auxiliary opening spaced apart from the other side of the opening,

The through channel is,