KR101312550B1 - Flexible touch panel with elastic tactile sensor, elastic tactile sensor and method for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is an external force is applied and flexible top plate; A flexible tactile sensor configured to detect a contact position and a contact force from capacitance generated when an external force is applied; An adhesive part for fixing the bottom of the top plate to the top surface of the tactile sensor so that the top plate and the tactile sensor do not shift by external force; Flexible bottom plate; And a plurality of load bumps provided between the lower surface of the tactile sensor and the upper surface of the lower plate to fix the tactile sensor and the lower surface to sense a precise touch signal by implementing a flexible touch panel having an elastic tactile sensor. The contact position, as well as the feedback according to the various touch inputs by the contact force is possible.

Description

Flexible touch panel with elastic tactile sensor, elastic tactile sensor, elastic tactile sensor and method for manufacturing the same

The present invention relates to a flexible touch panel having an elastic tactile sensor, an elastic tactile sensor, and a method of manufacturing the same. More specifically, the flexible touch panel has an elastic structure applicable to various flexible touch panels, and detects accurate contact position information with only minimal working force. The present invention relates to a flexible touch panel having an elastic tactile sensor providing feedback according to a contact force as well as a contact position, an elastic tactile sensor, and a manufacturing method thereof.

Until now, research and development have been actively conducted to introduce a touch input method instead of a separate input device such as an input button or a keyboard for an intuitive and convenient operation of an electronic device. Recently, a portable terminal or a display in which a touch input method is introduced has been commercialized and widely used.

As the touch input method is spotlighted as the next generation input method, attempts have been made to introduce touch input methods to a variety of electronic devices. Therefore, research and development on tactile sensors that can be applied to various environments and enable accurate touch recognition have been actively conducted. ought.

For example, in the case of an electronic device having a touch type display, an ultra-thin flexible display that achieves ultra-light weight, low power, and improved portability has been attracting attention as a next-generation display, and development of a tactile sensor applicable to such a display has been required.

A flexible display means a display manufactured on a flexible substrate that can bend, bend, or roll without loss of properties, and technology development is in progress in the form of a flexible LCD, a flexible OLED, and an electronic paper.

In order to apply the touch input method to such a flexible display, a tactile sensor having excellent bending and resilience, flexibility and elasticity is required.

1 is a side view showing a touch screen with a conventional capacitive tactile sensor. The capacitive touch screen 10 is composed of an insulating layer 11, a transparent electrode 12, and a substrate 13. The transparent electrode 12 is stacked on the upper surface of the substrate 13, and the insulating layer 11 is formed on the upper surface of the transparent electrode 12. In addition, the transparent electrode 12 is formed on the lower surface of the substrate 13. In the capacitive touch screen 10 configured as described above, when the finger 1 touches the insulating layer 11, X and Y detection signals are applied to the transparent electrode 12, and the position of the capacitive touch screen 10 is calculated by calculating the capacitance change amount. Will be detected.

Figure 2 is a side view showing a touch screen with a conventional resistive type tactile sensor. The resistive touch screen 20 includes an upper substrate 23a, a lower substrate 23b, an upper transparent electrode 22a, a lower transparent electrode 22b, and a dot spacer 21. An upper transparent electrode 22a is stacked on a lower surface of the upper substrate 23a, and a lower transparent electrode 22b is stacked on an upper surface of the lower substrate 23b. The upper substrate 23a and the lower substrate 23b are installed so that the upper and lower transparent electrodes 22a and 22b face each other, and the dot spacers 21 are spaced apart from each other between the upper and lower transparent electrodes 22a and 22b. Dogs are installed. In the resistive touch screen 20 configured as described above, an electric signal for position detection is applied on the upper and lower transparent electrodes 22a and 22b. When the upper substrate 23a is pressed by the finger 1, the upper transparent electrode 22a The electrical signal is detected by the lower transparent electrode 22b while touching the lower transparent electrode 22b. At this time, the position is determined by the magnitude of the detected electrical signal.

The conventional capacitive touch screen 10 or the resistive touch screen 20 described above has no problem in the signal generated by the tactile sensor depending on whether the display is hard when the display is hard, but in the case of a flexible display There was a problem that the tactile sensor had a distorted signal when contacted with. That is, when the tactile sensor was bent, a signal was generated regardless of contact. And there was a problem that the tactile sensor lacks flexibility and durability suitable for a flexible display form.

In addition, the above-described conventional capacitive touch screen 10 or resistive touch screen 20 detects only the contact position information and does not detect the contact force information, and thus changes in contact force from the user's point of view. There was a problem that can not perform the feedback function. For example, when the contact force is strengthened, there is a problem in that a feedback function for various input information cannot be provided, such as increase or decrease of the thickness of the pen.

In addition, the above-described conventional resistive touch screen 20 is applied when the upper and lower transparent electrodes 22a and 22b do not reach up to 20 μm when the upper substrate 23a is pressed with an operating force of 10g or less. There was a problem to press. In addition, there was a problem that the contact position information is inaccurate for a small action force.

3 is a side cross-sectional view of a display integrated flexible touch screen equipped with a tactile sensor of Korean Patent No. 933710. The display-integrated flexible touch screen 30 equipped with a tactile sensor is roughly composed of a lower substrate 31, a flexible display 32, a tactile sensor unit 33, and a load bump 34. On the upper surface of the lower plate 31, a tactile sensor 33 having a plurality of tactile sensors is formed. A plurality of load bumps 34 spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance is disposed on the upper surface of the tactile sensor unit 33, and the flexible display 32 is installed on the load bumps 34.

When the adhesive force of the load bump 34 is weak as described above, the flexible touch screen 30 is shaken when the flexible display 32 is touched by the finger 1 so that the sensitivity of the tactile sensor unit 33 is changed. There was a problem that a large error in the location information occurs. In addition, there is a problem that the tactile sensor 33 does not have a flexible structure sufficient to be applied to various flexible touch panels.

KR0933710 10

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has a flexible structure and a flexible touch having an elastic tactile sensor that senses accurate contact position information with minimal working force and provides feedback according to the contact force as well as the contact position. An object of the present invention is to provide a panel, a flexible tactile sensor, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Other objects, specific advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

An object of the present invention as described above is applied to an external force and a flexible top plate; A flexible tactile sensor configured to detect a contact position and a contact force from capacitance generated when an external force is applied; An adhesive part for fixing the bottom of the top plate to the top surface of the tactile sensor so that the top plate and the tactile sensor do not shift by external force; Flexible bottom plate; And a plurality of load bumps provided between the lower surface of the tactile sensor and the upper surface of the lower plate to fix the tactile sensor and the lower surface. The flexible touch panel may include an elastic tactile sensor.

The top plate includes at least one of a flexible glass substrate, a metal substrate, a plastic film, an LCD, an OLED, an electronic paper, and an EL sheet.

The lower plate includes at least one of a flexible glass substrate, a metal substrate, and a plastic film.

And the adhesive portion is made of at least one of a thermal adhesive ink, a thermal adhesive tape, a double-sided tape and a foam tape.

And the bottom of the lower plate is further provided with a tactile feedback device.

The haptic feedback device is also driven by at least one of a click dome, a polymer actuator and a motor.

And the load bump and the tactile sensor are bonded with at least one of UV, thermal ink and thermal adhesive tape. The load bumps and bottom plate are bonded with at least one of UV, heat-adhesive ink and heat-adhesive tape.

And the load bump is made of a polymer material.

Meanwhile, an object of the present invention as described above is a stretchable first base layer; A first electrode layer formed on at least a portion of the first base layer; A first signal line connected to one side of the first electrode layer and formed at least in part on the first base layer to transmit a signal regarding a contact position and a contact force; And an insulating layer formed to cover at least the first electrode layer. An elastic second base layer; A second electrode layer formed on at least a portion of the second base layer; And a second signal line connected to one side of the second electrode layer so as to transmit a signal regarding a contact position and a contact force, the second signal line being formed on the second base layer and at least partially curved. A second sensor unit arranged to be; And a spacer provided between the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit such that the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

The first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are circular or regular polygonal in planar shape.

The insulating layer is formed wider than the plane of the first electrode layer.

The first base layer and the second base layer include at least one of flexible glass, a metal foil, and a plastic film.

And an adhesive layer having one surface attached to the spacer and the other surface attached to the insulating layer so as to connect the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit.

The other side of the adhesive layer is attached to the insulating layer.

And the adhesive layer is formed of a ring of circular or polygonal plane shape.

The first signal line and the second signal line include at least one of copper, graphene material, and CNT material.

The first signal line and the second signal line extend to be perpendicular to each other.

The first signal line and the second signal line are curved in the center portion to improve elasticity.

In addition, the first base layer is formed by extending the portion along which the first signal line is formed to improve elasticity along the outer shape of the first signal line, and the second base layer is formed by the portion where the second signal line is formed to improve the elasticity of the second signal line. It is formed extending along the outer shape.

The first sensor unit and the second sensor unit are disposed to coincide with the central axes of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

In addition, a plurality of first sensor units are connected in a row in a direction in which the first signal line extends, and a plurality of first sensor units are arranged in parallel with each other. A plurality of sensor units are arranged side by side with each other.

And the tactile sensor is an elastic tactile sensor according to any one of claims 9 to 21.

In addition, in the tactile sensor, the first base layer forms a lower surface of the tactile sensor and the second base layer forms an upper surface of the tactile sensor.

Meanwhile, an object of the present invention as described above is to form a plurality of first electrode layers on a first substrate, to form first signal lines such that at least a portion of the first electrode layer is curved between adjacent first electrode layers, and to insulate the surfaces of the plurality of first electrode layers. Forming a first sensor unit to form a layer; A second sensor unit forming step of forming a plurality of second electrode layers on the second substrate and forming a second signal line such that at least a portion of the second electrode layer is bent between adjacent second electrode layers; Forming a plurality of spacers on the second substrate so as to be spaced apart from the second electrode layer by a predetermined distance; Forming an adhesive layer to bond the surface of the insulating layer and the spacer so that the first signal line and the second signal line are shifted from each other; And removing at least a portion of the first substrate and the second substrate so that the first base layer and the second base layer are formed.

On the other hand, an object of the present invention is to form a second sensor unit forming a plurality of second electrode layer on the second substrate, and forming a second signal line so that at least a portion of the curved between the adjacent second electrode layer; Forming a plurality of spacers on the second substrate so as to be spaced apart from the second electrode layer by a predetermined distance; Forming a plurality of first electrode layers on the first substrate, forming a first signal line such that at least a portion of the first electrode layer is bent between adjacent first electrode layers, and forming an insulating layer on the surfaces of the plurality of first electrode layers; ; Forming an adhesive layer to bond the surface of the insulating layer and the spacer so that the first signal line and the second signal line are shifted from each other; And removing at least a part of the first substrate and the second substrate so that the first base layer and the second base layer are formed.

On the other hand, an object of the present invention is to form a second sensor unit forming a plurality of second electrode layer on the second substrate, and forming a second signal line so that at least a portion of the curved between the adjacent second electrode layer; Forming a plurality of first electrode layers on the first substrate, forming a first signal line such that at least a portion of the first electrode layer is bent between adjacent first electrode layers, and forming an insulating layer on the surfaces of the plurality of first electrode layers; ; Forming a plurality of spacers on the second substrate so as to be spaced apart from the second electrode layer by a predetermined distance; Forming an adhesive layer to bond the surface of the insulating layer and the spacer so that the first signal line and the second signal line are shifted from each other; And removing at least a part of the first substrate and the second substrate so that the first base layer and the second base layer are formed.

In the forming of the first sensor unit, the plurality of first electrode layers are arranged in a matrix on the first substrate, and the first signal line is formed so as to connect two adjacent first electrode layers of the same column. The second electrode layer is arranged in a matrix on the second substrate, and the second signal line is formed to connect two adjacent second electrode layers in the same column.

In the bonding step, one surface of the adhesive layer is adhered to the spacer, and the insulating layer is adhered to the other surface of the adhesive layer so that the first signal line and the second signal line form a right angle.

According to the stretchable tactile sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, since the first signal line and the second signal line are partially curved, the stretchable tactile sensor has an elasticity suitable for use in various flexible touch panels. In addition, since the electrode layers are arranged in a matrix and signal lines are symmetrically connected with respect to each electrode layer, loads due to external forces such as tension are evenly distributed. In addition, since the two electrode layers are provided with a space in an insulated state, a signal regarding contact force as well as a contact force is generated to enable feedback according to various touch inputs. have.

In addition, according to the flexible touch panel having a stretchable tactile sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention has a contact portion between the top plate and the tactile sensor has the effect of detecting the correct touch signal. In addition, since the touch sensor is provided with a space in the state in which the two electrode layers are insulated, the contact sensor generates a signal regarding a contact force as well as a feedback position, thereby enabling feedback according to various touch inputs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to further the understanding of the technical idea of the invention, And shall not be interpreted.
1 is a side view showing a touch screen with a conventional capacitive tactile sensor;
Figure 2 is a side view showing a touch screen with a conventional resistance tactile sensor,
3 is a side cross-sectional view of a display-integrated flexible touch screen equipped with a tactile sensor of Korean Patent No. 933710;
4 is a plan view showing a partial configuration of the first sensor unit constituting the stretchable tactile sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.
6 is a plan view illustrating a structure in which a spacer is coupled to a second sensor unit constituting an elastic tactile sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 6;
8 is a plan view of a stretchable tactile sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
9 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the stretchable tactile sensor shown in FIG. 8;
10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 9;
11 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the stretchable tactile sensor is stretched by tension according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing the flexible tactile sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
13A to 13G are views sequentially showing a method of manufacturing a stretchable tactile sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
14 is a plan view showing a part of a flexible touch panel having a stretchable tactile sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 14;
16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a stretchable one direction of a flexible touch panel having a stretchable tactile sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. However, the detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention.

<Configuration and Function of Flexible Tactile Sensor>

4 to 10 will be described in detail the configuration and function of the stretchable tactile sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The stretchable tactile sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an approximately first sensor unit 110, a second sensor unit 120, a spacer 130, and an adhesive layer 140.

4 is a plan view showing a partial configuration of the first sensor unit constituting the stretchable tactile sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 4 to 5 will be described in detail with respect to the first sensor unit (110).

The first sensor unit 110 may include a first base layer 111, a first electrode layer 112, a first signal line 113, and an insulating layer 114. First, the first base layer 111 is a thin plate in which the first electrode layer 112 and the first signal line 113 are formed on one surface, and has a curved outer shape to improve the elasticity of the tactile sensor. In detail, the first base layer 111 is the first electrode base layer 111a which is a portion on which the first electrode layer 112 is deposited and the first signal base layer 111b which is a portion on which the first signal line 113 is deposited. It is composed. In this case, it is preferable that the outer shape of the first electrode base layer 111a is proportional to the outer shape of the first electrode layer 112 as shown in FIG. 4 and is formed to have a larger planar area than the first electrode layer 112. . For example, it is preferable that the first electrode layer 112 have a circular planar shape and the diameter of the circle is larger than the diameter of the first electrode layer 112. In this case, the diameter of the first electrode base layer 111a may be 3 mm. As shown in FIG. 4, the first signal base layer 111b of the first electrode layer 112 is formed to extend along the edge of the first signal line 113 and is slightly wider than the first signal line 113. Wider is preferred. For example, the first signal base layer 111b has a linear shape having a length of 2 mm to 3 mm, a width of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, and a central portion of the line is curved in a semicircle having a radius of 0.5 mm.

The first base layer 111 includes a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion, high heat resistance, excellent resilience, and good bending, and includes a material such as a flexible glass, a metal foil, and a plastic film. . Flexible glass is a material that gives flexibility while maintaining the properties of glass by thinning existing glass (50㎛ ~ 200㎛) and then laminating polymers. Metal foil is a material exhibiting physical properties close to glass while securing impact resistance. Plastic films include PC, PET, PEN, COC, PAR, PEEK, PES, LCP and PI. In addition, it can be formed by depositing various polymer materials such as PDMS material, rubber material silicone material, polyurethane.

The first electrode layer 112 generates a signal for a contact position, a contact force, etc. when an external force is applied. The first electrode layer 112 is preferably formed in a circular shape as shown in FIG. 4 and may be formed in a regular polygon such as a square. For example, the first electrode layer 112 may be formed in a circular shape having a diameter less than 3 mm. The first electrode layer 112 may include a metal material such as copper or silver, a graphene material, or a carbon nanotube (CNT) material.

The first signal line 113 is connected to one side of the first electrode layer 112 to transmit a signal generated from the first electrode layer 112. The first signal line 113 is a line having a length of 2mm to 3mm and is formed by bending a central portion of the line. For example, the center portion of the line may be formed to be curved in a semi-circular shape with a radius larger than 0.5mm. The first signal line 113 may include a metal material such as copper or silver, a graphene material, or a carbon nanotube (CNT) material.

The insulating layer 114 is deposited on one surface of the first electrode layer 112 and a part of the first electrode base layer 111a to insulate the first electrode layer 112 and the second electrode layer 122 to be described later. In this case, the insulating layer 114 is preferably formed in the same shape and width as the first electrode base layer 111a. The insulating layer 114 may be deposited by using an opaque resistor that is an opaque polymer or carbon particles, or may be formed by using a transparent resistor that is a transparent polymer or transparent resistor particles. For example, the transparent polymer may be a PDMS material, a rubber material, a silicon material, and the transparent resistance particle may include ITO, zinc oxide, tin oxide, or CNT material.

In the first sensor unit 110 having the above-described configuration, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first electrode layer 112 is deposited on the first electrode base layer 111a which is a part of the first base layer 111. do. The first signal line 113 is deposited on the first signal base layer 111b so as to be connected to the first electrode layer 112 and extends radially outwardly about the first electrode layer 112. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the first electrode layer 112 is symmetrically connected to the end of the first signal line 113 not connected to the first electrode layer 112, and the first electrode layer 112 is symmetrically connected again. It is preferable that the plurality of first electrode layers 112 and the plurality of first signal lines 113 are alternately connected in a line in such a manner that the first signal lines 113 are symmetrically connected to each other. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that a plurality of first electrode layers 112 and first signal lines 113 connected in a row are arranged side by side in parallel with each other. The insulating layer 114 is formed by depositing on each of the first electrode layer 112 and the first electrode base layer 111a.

The second sensor unit 120 includes a second base layer 121, a second electrode layer 122, and a second signal line 123. The second base layer 121 is a thin plate on which the second electrode layer 122 and the second signal line 123 are formed, and specifically, the second electrode base layer 121a and the second electrode layer 122 are deposited. And a second signal base layer 121b on which the two signal lines 123 are deposited. The second electrode base layer 121a, the second signal base layer 121b, the second electrode layer 122, and the second signal line 123 are respectively the first electrode base layer 111a and the first signal base layer. The structure and the material of the 111b, the first electrode layer 112, and the first signal line 113 are the same. However, the second electrode layer 122 may have a smaller diameter than the first electrode layer 112.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a structure in which a spacer is coupled to a second sensor unit constituting the stretchable tactile sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 6. A configuration of the second sensor unit 120 and a configuration of the spacer 130 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

The second sensor unit 120 having the above-described configuration is formed by depositing a second electrode layer 122 on the second electrode base layer 121a as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In addition, the second signal line 123 is connected to the second electrode layer 122, is deposited on the second signal base layer 121b, and extends in a radially outward direction of the second electrode layer 122. In the second sensor unit 120, the second electrode layer 122 and the second signal line 123 are connected in a line in the same manner as in the first sensor unit 110 described above. However, if the first sensor unit 110 is connected in a row in the longitudinal direction, the second sensor unit 120 is connected in a row in the transverse direction. The plurality of second electrode layers 122 and the second signal lines 123 connected in a row are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction.

The spacer 130 is provided to form a space between the first electrode layer 112 and the second electrode layer 122. The spacer 130 may have the same shape as a portion of the edge of the second electrode base layer 121a. For example, the spacer 130 may be a piece of a circular ring having an outer diameter equal to the diameter of the second electrode base layer 121a and an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the second electrode layer 122 and formed in a predetermined width. The thickness of the spacer 130 is preferably thicker than the thickness of the second electrode layer 122. The spacer 130 may be made of a metal material such as copper, or may be made of a plastic material such as PI or PE.

6 and 7, two spacers 130 may be symmetrically formed to surround the circumference of the second electrode layer 122 at predetermined intervals. The spacer 130 may be formed at an edge of the second electrode base layer 121a.

8 is a plan view of the stretchable tactile sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a partially exploded perspective view of the stretchable tactile sensor shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D of FIG. 9. 8 to 10, the bonding relationship between the adhesive layer 140 and the flexible tactile sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

The adhesive layer 140 is provided to bond the first sensor unit 110 and the second sensor unit 120 and has the same shape as the first electrode base layer 111a or the second electrode base layer 121a. to be. For example, the adhesive layer 140 has the same circular shape as the first electrode base layer 111a and has an outer diameter of 3 mm. In this case, the width of the adhesive layer 140 may be the same as the width of the spacer 130. The adhesive layer 140 may be formed using a thermal adhesive ink, a thermal adhesive tape, a double-sided tape, a foam tape, or the like.

The stretchable tactile sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration is formed by coupling the first sensor unit 110 and the second sensor unit 120 to be perpendicular to each other as shown in FIG. 8. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the insulating layer 114 of the first sensor unit 110 faces the second electrode layer 122 of the second sensor unit 120, and the first electrode layer 112 and the first electrode layer 112 are formed. The centers of the two electrode layers 122 are coupled to each other. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, an insulating layer 114 deposited on one surface of the first electrode layer 112 is formed on one surface of the spacer 130 formed at the edge of the second electrode base layer 121a and the adhesive layer 140. Is bonded by.

11 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the stretchable tactile sensor is stretched by tension according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The flexible tactile sensor having the above-described configuration is composed of a thin sheet material in which the first signal base layer 111b and the second signal base layer 121b are flexible, and the first signal line 113, the first signal base layer 111b, Since the center portions of the two signal lines 123 and the second signal base layer 121b are curved in a semicircle, they have excellent elasticity. In addition, the first signal line 113 and the first signal base layer 111b and the second signal line 123 and the second signal base layer 121b are disposed perpendicular to each other and symmetrically with respect to the first electrode layer 112. It is arranged so that the force is distributed and excellent elasticity. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the tension T is applied in the lateral direction, the force is uniformly distributed to each of the second signal base layers 121b and the curved portion is elastically stretched. On the other hand, when the tension (T) is removed, the stretchable tactile sensor is restored to a circular shape again.

<Method of manufacturing the flexible tactile sensor>

12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing the stretchable tactile sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 13A to 13G are views sequentially illustrating a method of manufacturing the stretchable tactile sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 12 to 13g will be described in detail a manufacturing method of the stretchable tactile sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The method of manufacturing the flexible tactile sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention may include a first sensor part forming step S100, a second sensor part forming step S200, a spacer forming step S300, an adhesive step S400, and the like. It includes a punching step (S500).

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a state in which a first electrode layer and a first signal line are formed on a first substrate, and FIG. 13B is a perspective view of a state in which an insulating layer is further formed on the substrate of FIG. 13A. A first sensor unit forming step S100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12, 13A, and 13B.

First, the first sensor unit forming step S100 includes a first electrode layer forming step S110, a first signal line forming step S120, and an insulating layer forming step S130. In the first electrode layer forming step (S110), as shown in FIG. 13A, the first electrode layer 112 is arranged in a matrix on the first substrate 115. The interval between the first electrode layers 112 is preferably determined within the range of 2mm to 3mm. Since the first substrate 115 becomes the first base layer 111 by punching in the last step, the same base material as the material of the first base layer 111 is used. In the first signal line forming step (S120), as illustrated in FIG. 13A, a plurality of first signal lines 113 are formed to connect the first electrode layers 112 adjacent in the longitudinal direction. Insulating layer forming step (S130) is formed by depositing a circular insulating layer 114 on the surface of each of the first electrode layer 112, as shown in FIG. In this case, the insulating layer 114 may be formed to be wider than the width of the first electrode layer 112.

13C is a perspective view of a state in which a second electrode layer and a second signal line are formed on a second substrate. A second sensor unit forming step S200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13C.

The second sensor unit forming step S200 includes a second electrode layer forming step S210 and a second signal line forming step S220. First, in the second electrode layer forming step (S210), a plurality of second electrode layers 122 are deposited on a second substrate 125 in a matrix array. In this case, the positions of the second electrode layers 122 on the second substrate 125 may be formed at regular intervals so as to correspond to the positions of the first electrode layers 112 on the first substrate 115. Since the second substrate 125 becomes the second base layer 121 by punching in the last step, the same thin plate material as the material of the second base layer 121 is used. In the second signal line forming step (S220), as illustrated in FIG. 13C, a plurality of second signal lines 123 are formed to connect the second electrode layers 122 adjacent in the lateral direction.

13D is a perspective view of a spacer further coupled to a second substrate. A spacer forming step S300 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13D.

In the spacer forming step S300, the spacer 130 is further formed on the second substrate 125. Two spacers 130 may be symmetrically disposed with the second signal line 123 and the second electrode layer 122 interposed therebetween. In addition, the spacer 130 is disposed to be spaced apart from the second electrode layer 122 by a predetermined distance and the concave bent portion of the spacer 130 faces the second electrode layer 122. The spacer 130 is bonded to the second substrate 125 using a heat adhesive tape or the like.

FIG. 13E is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a second substrate and a first substrate in a state where an adhesive layer is attached to a spacer are overlapped for bonding. The bonding step S400 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13E.

In the bonding step (S400), first, an adhesive layer 140 is formed to attach one surface of the adhesive layer 140 to the spacer 130 as shown in FIG. 13E. The other surface of the adhesive layer 140 is attached to the insulating layer 114. That is, the adhesive layer 140 is attached to the insulating layer 114 so that the second electrode layer 122 and the insulating layer 114 face each other. In addition, as shown in FIG. 13E, columns formed by the first electrode layer 112 and the first signal line 113 connected to each other and columns formed by the second electrode layer 122 and the second signal line 123 are perpendicular to each other, and the first electrode layer is perpendicular to each other. The centers of the 112 and the second electrode layer 122 are bonded to each other. However, unlike shown, one surface of the adhesive layer 140 may be attached to the insulating layer 114 first, and then the other surface of the adhesive layer 140 may be attached to the spacer 130.

FIG. 13F is a plan view of a spacer and an insulating layer bonded to each other by an adhesive layer, and FIG. 13G is a perspective view of a portion of a first substrate and a second substrate removed. The punching step S500 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12, 13F, and 13G.

In the punching step S500, portions of the first substrate 115 and the second substrate 125 are removed by punching to form the first base layer 111 and the second base layer 121. In detail, a portion of the first substrate 115 and the second substrate 125 surrounded by the circle forming the outer diameter edge of the spacer 130, the first signal line 113 and the second signal line 123 is removed by punching. In this case, the punching may be performed with a slight margin at a predetermined interval from the first signal line 113 and the second signal line 123.

Unlike the procedure shown in FIG. 12, the method of manufacturing the flexible tactile sensor may be performed between the spacer forming step S300 and the bonding step S400. That is, in another embodiment, the method of manufacturing the flexible tactile sensor may include forming a second sensor part (S200), forming a spacer (S300), forming a first sensor part (S100), bonding step (S400), and punching step ( It may proceed in the order of S500). Specific manufacturing method according to each step is as described above.

In addition, the manufacturing method of the stretchable tactile sensor may be different from that shown in FIG. 12, in which the second sensor unit forming step S200 is performed before the first sensor unit forming step S100. That is, in another embodiment, the method of manufacturing the flexible tactile sensor may include forming a second sensor part (S200), forming a first sensor part (S100), forming a spacer (S300), bonding step (S400), and punching step ( It may proceed in the order of S500). Specific manufacturing method according to each step is as described above.

<With flexible tactile sensor Flexible touch panel  Configuration and Features>

FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating a part of a flexible touch panel having a stretchable tactile sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 14. 14 and 15 will be described in detail the configuration and connection relationship of the flexible touch panel having a flexible tactile sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The flexible touch panel having the stretchable tactile sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is composed of approximately the upper plate 200, the tactile sensor 100, the lower plate 300, the adhesive unit 400, and the load bump 500.

The upper plate 200 is a thin plate having a touch input and flexibility by the action force Fin. The upper plate 200 may include one of a flexible glass, a metal foil, a plastic film, and various displays. Flexible glass is a material that gives flexibility while maintaining the properties of glass by thinning existing glass (50㎛ ~ 200㎛) and then laminating polymers. Metal foil is a material exhibiting physical properties close to glass while securing impact resistance. Plastic films include PC, PET, PEN, COC, PAR, PEEK, PES, LCP and PI. The display is made of a flexible material and may be, for example, LCD, OLED, electronic paper, or EL sheet.

The tactile sensor 100 is a sensor for detecting the contact position and the contact force of the acting force Fin transmitted from the upper plate 200. The tactile sensor 100 includes an electrode part 101 and a signal part 102. The electrode unit 101 generates a signal regarding the contact position and the contact force according to the change in capacitance from the working force Fin. The signal unit 102 transmits a signal generated from the electrode unit 101.

The tactile sensor 100 is preferably used for the flexible tactile sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention described above. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the electrode unit 101 includes approximately the first electrode base layer 111a, the first electrode layer 112, the insulating layer 114, the adhesive layer 140, the spacer 130, and the second electrode layer. And a second electrode base layer 121a. The configuration of the electrode unit 101 is the same as the corresponding configuration of the flexible tactile sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention described above. In addition, the signal unit 102 may be formed to include the second signal base layer 121b and the second signal line 123, and the detailed configuration thereof may correspond to the corresponding configuration of the flexible tactile sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. same. In addition, the second base layer 121 may be the upper surface of the tactile sensor 100, and the first base layer 111 may be the lower surface of the tactile sensor 100.

The lower plate 300 may be made of a flexible thin plate including one of a flexible glass, a metal foil, and a plastic film. Flexible glass, a metal foil, and a plastic film are as above-mentioned.

The adhesive part 400 is provided to prevent an error from occurring when the external plate is applied to the upper plate 200 and the upper plate 200 and the tactile sensor 100 are displaced and a signal such as a contact position. The adhesive part 400 may be a plurality, and is formed using at least one of a thermal adhesive ink, a thermal adhesive tape, a double-sided tape, and a foam tape.

The load bump 500 is provided to protect the lower plate 300 by absorbing the shock due to the weight. Load bump 500 may be a plurality of made of a polymer material such as silicon, UV, polyurethane, PI.

In the flexible touch panel having the tactile sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration, a plurality of load bumps 500 are attached to and fixed to the upper surface of the lower plate 300 at regular intervals. At this time, the load bump 500 and the lower plate 300 is bonded using UV, thermal adhesive ink, thermal adhesive tape and the like. The stretchable tactile sensor 100 is adhesively fixed on the load bump 500. The stretchable tactile sensor 100 is adhered to the load bump 500 using UV, thermal adhesive ink, thermal adhesive tape, or the like. In this case, the stretchable tactile sensor 100 is disposed such that the first base layer 111 is in contact with the load bump 500. And the upper plate 200 is fixed to the upper surface of the stretchable tactile sensor 100. At this time, the upper surface of the stretchable tactile sensor 100 and the bottom surface of the upper plate 200 are fixed by the adhesive part 400. The adhesive part 400 is preferably formed at each position corresponding to the electrode part 101. And it is preferable that the bottom of the lower plate 300 is further provided with a tactile feedback device.

16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a stretchable one direction of a flexible touch panel having a stretchable tactile sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The flexible touch panel having the stretchable tactile sensor according to the preferred embodiment having the above-described configuration is elastic in the direction of the arrow shown, and is flexibly bent by external force. In addition, if the external force (Fin) is removed, it is restored to its original state.

As described above, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, rather than the detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalents of the claims are to be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention do.

1: finger 10: capacitive touch screen
11 insulation layer 12 transparent electrode
13 substrate 20 resistive touch screen
21: dot spacer 22a: upper transparent electrode
22b: lower transparent electrode 23a: upper substrate
23b: lower substrate
30: Touch screen integrated flexible display with tactile sensor
31: lower substrate 32: flexible display
33: tactile sensor 34: load bump
100: stretchable tactile sensor 101: electrode
102: signal unit 110: first sensor unit
111: first base layer 111a: first electrode base layer
111b: first signal base layer 112: first electrode layer
113: first signal line 114: insulating layer
115, 125: 1st, 2nd board
120: second sensor unit 121: second base layer
121a: second electrode base layer 121b: second signal base layer
122: second electrode layer 123: second signal line
130 spacer 140 adhesive layer
200: top plate 300: bottom plate
400: bonding portion 500: load bump

Claims (28)

An external force (Fin) is applied and flexible top plate 200;
A flexible tactile sensor 100 configured to detect a contact position and a contact force from a capacitance generated when the external force Fin is applied;
An adhesive part 400 which fixes the upper plate 200 to the upper surface of the tactile sensor 100 so that the upper plate 200 and the tactile sensor 100 do not shift by the external force Fin;
Flexible bottom plate 300; And
And a plurality of load bumps 500 provided between the lower surface of the tactile sensor 100 and the upper surface of the lower plate 300 to fix the tactile sensor 100 and the lower plate 300.
The lower panel 300 is a flexible touch panel having a stretchable tactile sensor, characterized in that the tactile feedback device is further provided. The method of claim 1,
The top plate 200 is a flexible touch panel having a flexible tactile sensor, characterized in that it comprises at least one of a flexible glass substrate, metal substrate, plastic film, LCD, OLED, electronic paper and EL sheet. The method of claim 1,
The lower plate 300 is a flexible touch panel having a flexible tactile sensor, characterized in that it comprises at least one of a flexible glass substrate, a metal substrate and a plastic film. The method of claim 1,
The adhesive part 400 is a flexible touch panel having an elastic tactile sensor, characterized in that at least one of a thermal adhesive ink, a thermal adhesive tape, a double-sided tape and a foam tape. delete The method of claim 1,
The tactile feedback device is a flexible touch panel having a flexible tactile sensor, characterized in that driven by at least one of a click dome, a polymer actuator and a motor. The method of claim 1,
The load bump 500 and the tactile sensor 100 are bonded to at least one of UV, thermal adhesive ink, and thermal adhesive tape,
The load bump 500 and the lower plate 300 is a flexible touch panel having an elastic tactile sensor, characterized in that the adhesive is bonded to at least one of UV, thermal adhesive ink and thermal adhesive tape. The method of claim 1,
The load bump 500 is a flexible touch panel having a stretchable tactile sensor, characterized in that the polymer material. An elastic first base layer 111;
A first electrode layer 112 formed on at least a portion of the first base layer 111;
A first signal line 113 connected to one side of the first electrode layer 112 so as to transmit a signal regarding a contact position and a contact force and formed on the first base layer 111 and at least partially curved; And
A first sensor unit 110 including an insulating layer 114 formed to cover at least the first electrode layer 112;
An elastic second base layer 121;
A second electrode layer 122 formed on at least a portion of the second base layer 121; And
And a second signal line 123 connected to one side of the second electrode layer 122 so as to transmit a signal regarding a contact position and a contact force and formed on the second base layer 121 and at least partially curved. A second sensor unit 120 disposed so that the first signal line 113 and the second signal line 123 are shifted from each other; And
And a spacer 130 disposed between the first sensor unit 110 and the second sensor unit 120 so that the first electrode layer 112 and the second electrode layer 122 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Elastic tactile sensor characterized by. The method of claim 9,
The first electrode layer 112 and the second electrode layer 122 is a stretchable tactile sensor, characterized in that the plane shape is a circular or regular polygon. The method of claim 9,
The insulating layer 114 is a stretchable tactile sensor, characterized in that formed wider than the plane of the first electrode layer (112). The method of claim 9,
The first base layer 111 and the second base layer 121 is a stretchable tactile sensor, characterized in that it comprises at least one of flexible glass, a metal foil and a plastic film. The method of claim 9,
The spacer 130 is provided at at least a portion of the edge of the second base layer 121 spaced apart from the second electrode layer 122, the flexible tactile sensor. The method of claim 13,
An adhesive layer 140 having one surface attached to the spacer 130 and the other surface attached to the insulating layer 114 so as to connect the first sensor unit 110 and the second sensor unit 120. Elastic tactile sensor characterized in that. The method of claim 9,
Adhesive layer 140 is a stretchable tactile sensor, characterized in that the planar shape is formed of a circular or polygonal ring. The method of claim 9,
The first and second signal lines 113 and 123 may include at least one of copper, graphene, and CNT materials. The method of claim 9,
The first and second signal lines 113 and 123 extend to be perpendicular to each other. The method of claim 9,
The first and second signal lines 113 and 123, the elastic tactile sensor, characterized in that the curve is formed in the center portion to improve the elasticity. The method of claim 9,
The first base layer 111 is formed by extending the portion along which the first signal line 113 is formed along the outer shape of the first signal line 113 to improve elasticity,
The second base layer 121 is a stretchable tactile sensor, characterized in that the portion in which the second signal line 123 is formed to extend along the outer shape of the second signal line 123 so that the elasticity is improved. The method of claim 9,
The flexible tactile sensor according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor unit 110 and the second sensor unit 120 are disposed so that the central axes of the first electrode layer 112 and the second electrode layer 122 coincide with each other. The method of claim 9,
The first sensor unit 110 is connected in plurality in a direction extending the first signal line 113, the plurality of first sensor unit 110 is connected in parallel with each other,
The second sensor unit 120 is a flexible tactile sensor, characterized in that a plurality of the second sensor unit 120 is connected in parallel in a direction extending from the second signal line 123 is arranged in parallel with each other. The method of claim 1,
The tactile sensor 100 is a flexible touch panel having an elastic tactile sensor, characterized in that the elastic tactile sensor according to any one of claims 9 to 21. 23. The method of claim 22,
The tactile sensor 100 is elastic, characterized in that the first base layer 111 forms a lower surface of the tactile sensor 100 and the second base layer 121 forms an upper surface of the tactile sensor 100. Flexible touch panel with a tactile sensor. A plurality of first electrode layers 112 are formed on the first substrate 115, and a first signal line 113 is formed to be at least partially curved between the adjacent first electrode layers 112, and the plurality of first electrode layers is formed. Forming a first sensor part on the surface of the 112;
A second sensor unit forming step of forming a plurality of second electrode layers 122 on the second substrate 125 and forming a second signal line 123 such that at least a portion of the second electrode layers 122 is bent between the adjacent second electrode layers 122;
Forming a plurality of spacers (130) on the second substrate (125) to be spaced apart from the second electrode layer (122) by a predetermined distance;
Forming an adhesive layer 140 to bond the surface of the insulating layer 114 and the spacer 130 so that the first signal line 113 and the second signal line deviate from each other; And
And removing at least a portion of the first substrate 115 and the second substrate 125 so that the first base layer 111 and the second base layer 121 are formed. Method of manufacturing the sensor. A second sensor unit forming step of forming a plurality of second electrode layers 122 on the second substrate 125 and forming a second signal line 123 such that at least a portion of the second electrode layers 122 is bent between the adjacent second electrode layers 122;
Forming a plurality of spacers (130) on the second substrate (125) to be spaced apart from the second electrode layer (122) by a predetermined distance;
A plurality of first electrode layers 112 are formed on the first substrate 115, and a first signal line 113 is formed to be at least partially curved between the adjacent first electrode layers 112, and the plurality of first electrode layers is formed. Forming a first sensor part on the surface of the 112;
Forming an adhesive layer 140 to bond the surface of the insulating layer 114 and the spacer 130 so that the first signal line 113 and the second second signal line 123 are shifted from each other; And
And removing at least a portion of the first substrate 115 and the second substrate 125 so that the first base layer 111 and the second base layer 121 are formed. Method of manufacturing the sensor. A second sensor unit forming step of forming a plurality of second electrode layers 122 on the second substrate 125 and forming a second signal line 123 such that at least a portion of the second electrode layers 122 is bent between the adjacent second electrode layers 122;
A plurality of first electrode layers 112 are formed on the first substrate 115, and a first signal line 113 is formed to be at least partially curved between the adjacent first electrode layers 112, and the plurality of first electrode layers is formed. Forming a first sensor part on the surface of the 112;
Forming a plurality of spacers (130) on the second substrate (125) to be spaced apart from the second electrode layer (122) by a predetermined distance;
Forming an adhesive layer 140 to bond the surface of the insulating layer 114 and the spacer 130 so that the first signal line 113 and the second signal line deviate from each other; And
And removing at least a portion of the first substrate 115 and the second substrate 125 so that the first base layer 111 and the second base layer 121 are formed. Method of manufacturing the sensor. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 26,
In the forming of the first sensor unit, the plurality of first electrode layers 112 are arranged in a matrix on the first substrate 115, and the first signal lines 113 form two adjacent first electrode layers 112 in the same column. To connect,
In the forming of the second sensor unit, the plurality of second electrode layers 122 are arranged in a matrix on the second substrate 125, and the second signal lines 123 form two adjacent second electrode layers 122 in the same column. Method for producing a flexible tactile sensor characterized in that it is formed to connect. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 26,
In the bonding step, one surface of the adhesive layer 140 is adhered to the spacer 130, and the insulating layer is formed on the other surface of the adhesive layer 140 such that the first signal line 113 and the second signal line 123 form a right angle. Method for producing a stretchable tactile sensor, characterized in that the bonding (114).

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