KR101240967B1 - Capacitive overlay touch panel with touch pressure sensing and manufacture method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a capacitive touch panel for sensing touch pressure. Capacitive touch panel for sensing the touch pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention is a glass substrate; An uneven film formed on the glass substrate; A first sensing electrode part formed on the uneven film and having a mesh-shaped first pattern electrode part disposed in a first direction and a first wiring electrode part connected to the first pattern electrode part; PET (polyethyleneterephthalate) transparent conductive film substrate; A second sensing electrode formed under the PET transparent conductive film substrate and having a second pattern electrode part intersecting the first direction and disposed in a second direction and a second wiring electrode part connected to the second pattern electrode part; part; An optically clear adhesive (OCA) disposed between the first sensing electrode part and the second sensing electrode part to bond the first sensing electrode part and the second sensing electrode part; And a pressure measuring unit including an infrared transmitting element and an infrared receiving element arranged on the PET transparent conductive film substrate in a direction opposite to each other.

Description

CAPACITIVE OVERLAY TOUCH PANEL WITH TOUCH PRESSURE SENSING AND MANUFACTURE METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a capacitive touch panel and a method for manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a capacitive touch panel for sensing a touch pressure and a touch pressure for implementing various touch methods and a manufacturing method thereof.

A touch panel is an input device mounted on the display surface and converting a physical contact such as a user's finger into an electrical signal to operate the product. The touch panel can be widely applied to various display devices. It is growing rapidly.

Such touch panels may be classified into resistive, capacitive, ultrasonic (SAW), infrared (IR), and the like according to the operation principle.

Among these, conventional capacitive touch panels basically include a substrate, a metal wiring layer, and a pattern layer. The pattern layer is composed of a plurality of pattern electrodes (touch patterns), and each pattern electrode generates an electrical signal in response to external physical contact. The generated electrical signal is transmitted to the controller of the product through metal wires connected to the pattern electrode to operate the product.

However, in the related art, since the surface resistance of the transparent conductive film (ITO), which is a conductive material constituting the pattern electrodes, is larger than that of the metal thin film, the resistance between the pattern electrodes is increased when manufacturing a touch panel having a large area and excellent performance. There was a problem that the sensitivity is somewhat reduced. In addition, there is a problem in that a patterning mark is visible in a region where the pattern electrode exists due to a difference in transmittance between a region where the pattern electrode exists and a region that does not exist.

On the other hand, as various kinds of applications have recently emerged in smartphones, smart TVs, and the like, the demand for various touch methods in a touch panel is rapidly increasing.

Therefore, there is a demand for technology development of a capacitive touch panel that can reduce resistance between pattern electrodes, improve performance in terms of conductivity and detection sensitivity, and increase transmittance. Research into the method is required.

The embodiments of the present invention reduce the resistance between the pattern electrodes or between the pattern electrodes and the wiring electrodes by forming the pattern electrode into a mesh shape using metal, thereby improving performance in terms of conductivity, detection sensitivity, and transmittance, as well as touch. The present invention provides a capacitive touch panel for sensing touch pressure and various methods of manufacturing the same, by sensing pressure.

According to an aspect of the invention, the glass substrate; An uneven film formed on the glass substrate; A first sensing electrode part formed on the uneven film and having a mesh-shaped first pattern electrode part disposed in a first direction and a first wiring electrode part connected to the first pattern electrode part; PET (polyethyleneterephthalate) transparent conductive film substrate; A second sensing electrode formed under the PET transparent conductive film substrate and having a second pattern electrode part intersecting the first direction and disposed in a second direction and a second wiring electrode part connected to the second pattern electrode part; part; An optically clear adhesive disposed between the first sensing electrode part and the second sensing electrode part to bond the first sensing electrode part and the second sensing electrode part (a, OCA, Optically Clear Adhesive); And a pressure measuring unit including an infrared transmitting element and an infrared receiving element disposed on the PET transparent conductive film substrate in a direction opposite to each other.

In addition, the first pattern electrode may have a line width of 1 to 20 μm, and may have a mesh shape formed of fine lines having a spacing between lines of 200 μm or more.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first step of forming an uneven film having an uneven shape on the glass substrate; A second step of forming a first sensing electrode part including a first pattern electrode part of a mesh disposed in a first direction and a first wiring electrode part connected to the first pattern electrode part on the uneven film; A second sensing electrode part including a second pattern electrode part disposed in a second direction crossing the first direction and a second wiring electrode part connected to the second pattern electrode part under the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) transparent conductive film substrate. Forming a third step; Attaching the first sensing electrode portion to one surface of an optically clear adhesive (OCA) and adhering the second sensing electrode portion to the other surface; And a fifth step of disposing an infrared transmitting element and an infrared receiving element in a direction facing each other on the PET transparent conductive film substrate.

The second step may simultaneously form the first pattern electrode part and the first wiring electrode part, and the third step may simultaneously form the second pattern electrode part and the second wiring electrode part. have.

Embodiments of the present invention can improve the conductivity and detection strength of the touch panel by reducing the resistance between the pattern electrodes or between the pattern electrodes and the wiring electrodes by forming a pattern electrode in a mesh shape using a metal.

In addition, by forming the pattern electrode in a mesh shape, it is possible to improve the permeability of the large-area touch panel and to improve the price competitiveness of the product.

In addition, various touch methods may be implemented in the touch panel by sensing the touch pressure using the infrared transmitting element and the receiving element.

In addition, since the pattern electrode, the pressure electrode, and the wiring electrode can be formed at the same time, a touch panel having a simple work process can be manufactured.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a capacitive touch panel for sensing a touch pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the first sensing electrode unit in the capacitive touch panel of FIG. 1.
3 is a front view of a second sensing electrode unit in the capacitive touch panel of FIG. 1.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 1.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a capacitive touch panel 100 for sensing a touch pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the capacitive touch panel 100 (hereinafter, referred to as a touch panel) that senses touch pressure may include a glass substrate 110, an uneven film 112, a first sensing electrode unit 130, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET) film substrate 150, the second sensing electrode 170, the optical transparent adhesive (a) and the pressure measuring unit 190.

The first sensing electrode part 130 includes a first pattern electrode part 132 and a first wiring electrode part 136.

The second sensing electrode part 170 includes a second pattern electrode part 172 and a second wiring electrode part 176.

The glass substrate 110 may be a glass substrate based on SiO 2 or a tempered glass substrate.

The uneven film 112 is formed on the glass substrate 110. The uneven film 112 serves to reduce the phenomenon of the rainbow by minimizing the reflection of light generated from the first pattern electrode 132 to be described later. On the other hand, the uneven film 112 may be formed to have a thickness of 20㎛ or less.

The first sensing electrode 130 is formed on the glass substrate 110 and connected to the first pattern electrode 132 and the first pattern electrode 132 having a mesh shape disposed in the first direction. The first wiring electrode part 136 is provided.

The PET transparent conductive film substrate 150 may be a known transparent film substrate made of polyethylene terephthalate resin.

The second sensing electrode unit 170 is formed under the PET transparent conductive film substrate 150, and is disposed in the second direction crossing the first direction and disposed in the second direction. And a second wiring electrode part 176 connected to the 172.

The optically clear adhesive (a) serves to bond the first sensing electrode unit 130 and the second sensing electrode unit 170. An example of an optically clear adhesive 190 is an optical clear adhesive (OCA).

The optically clear adhesive 190 is disposed between the first sensing electrode unit 130 and the second sensing electrode unit 170. One surface of the optically clear adhesive 190 is bonded to the first sensing electrode unit 130, and the other surface of the optical transparent adhesive 190 is attached to the second sensing electrode unit 170. That is, the touch panel 100 includes a glass substrate 110-an uneven film 112-a first sensing electrode unit 130-an optical transparent adhesive (a)-a second sensing electrode unit 170-a PET transparent conductive film The substrate 150 forms a layer in the order of the pressure measuring unit 190.

The pressure measuring unit 190 measures acupressure according to a user's touch on the touch panel 100. The pressure measuring unit 190 may be disposed on the PET transparent conductive film substrate 150.

On the other hand, the arrangement position of the pressure measuring unit 190 is not limited. For example, the pressure measuring unit 190 may be disposed on the top or the side of the PET transparent conductive film substrate 150.

The pressure measuring unit 190 includes an infrared transmitting element 191 and an infrared receiving element 192. The infrared ray transmitting element 191 and the infrared ray receiving element 192 are arranged in directions facing each other.

For example, the infrared ray transmitting element 191 may be disposed on one side of the upper surface of the PET transparent conductive film substrate 150, and the infrared ray receiving element 192 is the infrared ray transmitting element on the other side of the upper surface of the PET transparent conductive film substrate 150. It may be disposed to face the 191.

The method of measuring the touch pressure in the pressure measuring unit 190 will be described. The infrared signal transmitted from the infrared transmitting element 191 is received by the infrared receiving element 192 disposed in a direction opposite to the infrared transmitting element 191.

At this time, a change occurs in the infrared signal amount due to the deformation of the touch panel 100 according to the touch pressure applied based on the amount of infrared signal when the touch pressure is not applied. The touch pressure can be quantified by detecting the change amount of the above-described infrared signal and calculating the touch pressure.
In more detail, when pressure is applied to the touch panel 100 (for example, a user's touch), the touch panel 100 causes bending deformation. At this time, the angle between the infrared ray transmitting element 191 and the infrared ray receiving element 192 changes slightly according to the bending deformation of the touch panel 100. Therefore, the amount of infrared light received by the infrared receiver 192 changes according to the angle change (amount of change in the infrared signal). Therefore, there is a difference between the amount of the infrared signal when no pressure is applied and the amount of the infrared signal when the pressure is applied, and the pressure applied to the touch panel 100 can be calculated by inverting the difference.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the first sensing electrode 130 in the capacitive touch panel 100 of FIG. 1.

2, the first sensing electrode 130 includes a first pattern electrode 132 and a first wiring electrode 136.

The first pattern electrode part 132 is disposed in the first direction and is formed in a mesh shape. The first direction may be, for example, an X axis direction with respect to the front of the touch panel 100. Although the direction of the first pattern electrode part 132 is not limited thereto, the first direction will be described based on the case where the first direction is the X-axis direction for convenience of description.

The first pattern electrode part 132 may include a plurality of pattern electrodes, and the pattern electrodes may be disposed on the X axis while being connected to each other. The first pattern electrode portion 132 is formed in a mesh shape, and the edge shape is not limited.

For example, the edge shape of the first pattern electrode part 132 may be a rhombus, a rectangle, a square, a circle, or an unshaped shape (for example, a shape in which branches are entangled, such as a dendrite structure). have.

Meanwhile, since the first pattern electrode part 132 is formed in a mesh shape, the phenomenon in which the patterning marks are visible in the region where the pattern electrode is present can be reduced, thereby improving the transmittance of the touch panel 100.

The mesh shape is formed of fine wires, and the fine wires may have a line width of 1 to 20 μm. When the line width is narrower than 1 μm, the defective rate of the touch panel 100 may increase, and when the line width is larger than 20 μm, the effect of improving the transmittance of the touch panel 100 may be slightly reduced.

In addition, the spacing between the lines of the thin lines may be 200㎛ or more. When the distance between the lines is less than 200 μm, the transmittance of the touch panel 100 may be reduced than desired.

The first wiring electrode part 136 is electrically connected to the first pattern electrode part 132. The first wiring electrode unit 136 transfers an electrical signal generated by the first pattern electrode unit 132 to a controller (not shown) or a flexible circuit board (not shown) when the user makes physical contact from the outside. Perform.

The first pattern electrode part 132 or the first wiring electrode part 136 may be made of any one of Ag, Al, Cr, Ni, Mo, or an alloy thereof. Therefore, the resistance between the pattern electrodes of the first pattern electrode part 132 or between the first pattern electrode part 132 and the first wiring electrode part 134 is reduced to improve conductivity and detection strength of the touch panel 100. .

Meanwhile, when the first pattern electrode part 132 and the first wiring electrode part 136 are made of the same metal material, the manufacturing process of the touch panel 100 may be simplified.

3 is a front view of the second sensing electrode unit 170 in the capacitive touch panel 100 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the second sensing electrode unit 170 includes a second pattern electrode unit 172 and a second wiring electrode unit 176.

The second pattern electrode part 172 is disposed in the second direction to cross the first direction and is formed in a mesh shape. The second direction may be, for example, the Y-axis direction with respect to the front of the touch panel 100. The specific arrangement direction is not limited as long as the second pattern electrode portion 172 is disposed so as not to overlap the first pattern electrode portion 132. However, for convenience of description, the second direction will be described based on the case of the Y-axis direction.

Meanwhile, except for the arrangement of the second pattern electrode part 172, the edge shape, the mesh shape, the line width and the spacing of the thin lines of the second pattern electrode part 172 are the same as the first pattern electrode part 132. Detailed description will be omitted.

The second wiring electrode part 176 is electrically connected to the second pattern electrode part 172. Since the role and function of the second wiring electrode part 176 are the same as those of the first wiring electrode part 136, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 4, the touch pressure is caused by mechanical deformation (touch and acupressure) of the touch panel 100 according to a touch by using the infrared transmitting element 191 and the infrared receiving element 192 arranged in parallel to each other. It can be detected by measuring the change in the generated infrared signal.

The infrared transmitting element 191 and the infrared receiving element 192 can be known in the bar, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a capacitive touch panel will be described.

First, a metal film is formed on the glass substrate 110 by using a sputter system, an E-Beam system, or a thermal system. At this time, it is also possible to use a printing process to omit the above process. The metal film is formed of any one of Ag, Al, Cr, Ni, Mo, or an alloy thereof. On the other hand, in the case of forming the metal film, the surface of the metal film is molded to have an uneven shape to function as the uneven film 112.

Second, the photoresist composition is coated on the metal film, and the first pattern electrode part 132 and the first wiring electrode part 136 are formed using an exposure process. The first pattern electrode part 132 and the first wiring electrode part 136 can be formed simultaneously using a printing process. Meanwhile, since the first pattern electrode part 132 and the first wiring electrode part 136 are the same as described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Third, the second pattern electrode part 172 and the second wiring electrode part 176 are formed by etching the transparent conductive thin film of the PET transparent conductive film substrate using a printing process under the PET transparent conductive film substrate 150. . The second pattern electrode portion 172 and the second wiring electrode portion 176 can be formed at the same time. In addition, since the second pattern electrode part 172 and the second wiring electrode part 176 are the same as described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Fourth, the electrode forming surfaces of the glass substrate 110 and the PET transparent conductive film substrate 150 are adhered to both surfaces of the optical transparent adhesive (a). Next, the touch panel 100 may be manufactured by disposing the infrared transmitting element 191 and the infrared receiving element 192 in a direction facing each other on the PET transparent conductive film substrate 150.

As described above, embodiments of the present invention form a pattern electrode in a mesh shape using metal to reduce the resistance between the pattern electrodes or between the pattern electrodes and the wiring electrodes, thereby improving the conductivity and detection strength of the touch panel. Can be.

In addition, by forming the pattern electrode in the shape of a mesh, the permeability of the large area touch panel can be improved, and the price competitiveness of the product can be improved, and various touch in the touch panel can be sensed by sensing the touch pressure using an infrared transmitting element and a receiving element. Can be implemented.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The present invention can be variously modified and changed by those skilled in the art, and it is also within the scope of the present invention.

100: touch panel 110: glass substrate
112: uneven film
130: first sensing electrode 134: first pressure electrode
136: first wiring electrode portion 150: PET transparent conductive film substrate
170: second sensing electrode portion 174: second pressure electrode portion
176: second wiring electrode section 190: pressure measuring section
191: infrared transmitting element 192: infrared receiving element
a: optically clear adhesive

Claims (4)

Glass substrate 110;
An uneven film 112 formed on the glass substrate 110;
A first wiring electrode part formed on the uneven film 112 and connected to the first pattern electrode part 132 having a mesh shape disposed in a first direction and connected to the first pattern electrode part 132 ( A first sensing electrode unit 130 having a 136;
PET (polyethyleneterephthalate) transparent conductive film substrate 150;
A second pattern electrode part 172 formed under the PET transparent conductive film substrate 150 and connected to the second pattern electrode part 172 and the second pattern electrode part 172 that are disposed in a second direction to cross the first direction; A second sensing electrode unit 170 having a wiring electrode unit 176;
An optically transparent adhesive disposed between the first sensing electrode part 130 and the second sensing electrode part 170 to bond the first sensing electrode part 130 and the second sensing electrode part 170 to each other; OCA, Optically Clear Adhesive); And
And a pressure measuring unit 190 having an infrared ray transmitting element 191 and an infrared ray receiving element 192 disposed on the PET transparent conductive film substrate 150 to face each other.
Capacitance for detecting touch pressure, characterized in that the touch pressure is calculated based on the amount of infrared change due to the angle change between the infrared transmitting element 191 and the infrared receiving element 192 according to the bending deformation of the touch panel when a pressure is applied. Type touch panel.
The method of claim 1,
The first pattern electrode part 132 has a line width of 1 to 20 μm, and has a mesh shape formed of fine wires having a spacing between lines of 200 μm or more. panel.
A first step of forming an uneven film having an uneven shape on the glass substrate;
A second step of forming a first sensing electrode part including a first pattern electrode part of a mesh disposed in a first direction and a first wiring electrode part connected to the first pattern electrode part on the uneven film;
A second sensing electrode part including a second pattern electrode part disposed in a second direction crossing the first direction and a second wiring electrode part connected to the second pattern electrode part under the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) transparent conductive film substrate. Forming a third step;
Attaching the first sensing electrode portion to one surface of an optically clear adhesive (OCA) and adhering the second sensing electrode portion to the other surface; And
A fifth step of disposing an infrared transmitting element 191 and an infrared receiving element 192 in a direction facing each other on the PET transparent conductive film substrate,
Capacitance for detecting touch pressure, characterized in that to calculate the touch pressure based on the amount of infrared change due to the angle change between the infrared transmitting element 191 and the infrared receiving element 192 according to the bending deformation of the touch panel when a pressure is applied. Method of manufacturing a touch panel.
The method of claim 3, wherein
The second step is a method of manufacturing a capacitive touch panel for detecting the touch pressure, characterized in that to form the first pattern electrode portion and the first wiring electrode portion at the same time.

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