KR101838686B1 - Electrode sheet for pressure detection and touch input device including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrode sheet according to an embodiment is disposed in a touch input device including a display module and used for pressure detection of a touch on a touch surface of the touch input device, the electrode sheet comprising: a first insulating layer; A second insulating layer; And an electrode positioned between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer, wherein the first insulating layer includes a supporting layer, and when the pressure is applied to the touch surface, the display module is bent, As the module is warped, the electrical characteristics sensed by the electrodes change, the magnitude of the pressure applied to the touch surface is detected according to the amount of change of the electrical characteristics, the support layer is bent when the pressure is applied, It is the material of the property that returns to the original state and can be attached to the display module.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an electrode sheet for detecting pressure, and a touch input device including the electrode sheet. [0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrode sheet for pressure detection and a pressure input apparatus including the electrode sheet. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrode sheet for detecting a touch pressure applied to a touch input apparatus configured to detect a touch position, To a touch input device.

Various types of input devices are used for the operation of the computing system. For example, an input device such as a button, a key, a joystick, and a touch screen is used. Due to the easy and simple operation of the touch screen, the use of the touch screen in the operation of the computing system is increasing.

The touch screen may comprise a touch surface of a touch input device including a touch sensor panel, which may be a transparent panel having a touch-sensitive surface. Such a touch sensor panel may be attached to the front of the display screen such that the touch-sensitive surface covers the visible surface of the display screen. The user simply touches the touch screen with a finger or the like so that the user can operate the computing system. Generally, a computing system is able to recognize touch and touch locations on a touch screen and interpret the touch to perform operations accordingly.

At this time, there is a need for a touch input device capable of detecting not only the touch position according to the touch on the touch screen, but also the pressure magnitude of the touch.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode sheet for pressure detection and a touch input device including the same.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrode sheet and a touch input device including the electrode sheet, which can be applied to a touch input device capable of detecting a touch position.

An electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed in a touch input device including a display module and used for detecting a pressure of a touch on a touch surface of the touch input device, A second insulating layer; And an electrode positioned between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer, wherein the first insulating layer includes a supporting layer, and when the pressure is applied to the touch surface, the display module is bent, As the module is warped, the electrical characteristics sensed by the electrodes change, the magnitude of the pressure applied to the touch surface is detected according to the amount of change of the electrical characteristics, the support layer is bent when the pressure is applied, It is the material of the property that returns to the original state and can be attached to the display module.

An electrode sheet according to another embodiment of the present invention is an electrode sheet disposed in a touch input device including a display module and used for detecting pressure of a touch on a touch surface of the touch input device, An electrode including two electrodes; And a first insulating layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first insulating layer includes a support layer, wherein when the touch surface is applied with pressure, the display module is bent, Wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged such that electric characteristics sensed by the first electrode or the second electrode change as the module is warped and the first electrode and the second electrode do not overlap with each other, The amount of pressure applied to the display module can be detected and attached to the display module.

A touch input device according to another embodiment of the present invention is a touch input device capable of detecting touch pressure on a touch surface, comprising: a display module; A first insulating layer; A second insulating layer; And an electrode positioned between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer, wherein the first insulating layer includes a supporting layer, and when the pressure is applied to the touch surface, the display module is bent, Wherein the first insulating layer, the electrode, and the second insulating layer are attached to the display module as an integral sheet, and the touch is performed in accordance with a change amount of the electrical characteristic, The support layer may be a material of a property of being bent when the pressure is applied and returning to the original state when the pressure is released.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch input device capable of detecting pressure of a touch on a touch surface, the touch input device comprising: a display module; An electrode including a first electrode and a second electrode; And a first insulating layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first insulating layer includes a support layer, wherein when the touch surface is applied with pressure, the display module is bent, Wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged such that electrical characteristics sensed by the first electrode or the second electrode change as the module is warped and the first electrode and the second electrode do not overlap with each other, And the second electrode are attached to the display module as an integral sheet, and the magnitude of the pressure applied to the touch surface can be detected according to the change amount of the electrical characteristic.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electrode sheet for pressure detection and a touch input device including the electrode sheet can be provided.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrode sheet and a touch input device including the electrode sheet, which can be applied to a touch input device capable of detecting a touch position.

1 is a schematic diagram of a capacitive touch sensor panel and its configuration for operation.
FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are conceptual diagrams illustrating the relative positions of the touch sensor panel to the display module in the touch input device.
3A-3H are cross-sectional views of an exemplary electrode sheet including a pressure electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3I is a diagram showing capacitance variation according to a distance change between an electrode layer and a reference potential layer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
4A to 4F illustrate a first example in which the electrode sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the touch input device.
5A to 5I illustrate a second example in which an electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a touch input device.
6A to 6H illustrate a third example in which the electrode sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the touch input device.
7A to 7E illustrate a pressure electrode pattern included in an electrode sheet for pressure detection according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8A and 8B show the relationship between the magnitude of the touch pressure and the saturated area in the touch input device to which the electrode sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied.
9A to 9D illustrate cross-sectional views of an electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10A and 10B illustrate a fourth example in which the electrode sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the touch input device.
11A and 11B illustrate a method of attaching an electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12A to 12C illustrate a method of connecting an electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention to a touch sensing circuit.
13A to 13D illustrate a configuration in which the electrode sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of channels.
FIG. 14 is a graph showing an amount of capacitance change according to a gram weight of an object by performing an experiment for pressing the center of a touch surface of a touch input device to which an electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a non-conductive object.
15A to 15C illustrate the shapes of the first electrode and the second electrode included in the electrode sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different, but need not be mutually exclusive. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar functions throughout the several views.

Hereinafter, a touch input device to which an electrode sheet for pressure detection according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a capacitive touch sensor panel 100 is exemplified, but a touch sensor panel 100 capable of detecting a touch position in an arbitrary manner can be applied.

1 is a schematic diagram of a capacitive touch sensor panel 100 included in a touch input device to which an electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied and a structure for operation thereof. 1, the touch sensor panel 100 includes a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm. The touch sensor panel 100 includes a plurality of driving electrodes A driving unit 120 for applying a driving signal to the electrodes TX1 to TXn and a sensing signal including information on a capacitance change amount that changes according to a touch on the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100, And a sensing unit 110 for sensing the touch position.

As shown in FIG. 1, the touch sensor panel 100 may include a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm. 1, a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm of the touch sensor panel 100 are shown as an orthogonal array. However, the present invention is not limited to this, The driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may have any number of dimensions including its diagonal, concentric and three-dimensional random arrangement, and its application arrangement. Here, n and m are positive integers and may be the same or different from each other, and the size may be changed according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be arranged to cross each other. The driving electrode TX includes a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn extending in a first axis direction and a receiving electrode RX includes a plurality of receiving electrodes extending in a second axis direction intersecting the first axis direction RX1 to RXm).

In the touch sensor panel 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed in the same layer. For example, a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed on the same surface of an insulating film (not shown). In addition, the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed in different layers. For example, the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed on both sides of an insulating film (not shown), or a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn A plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed on one surface of a first insulating film (not shown) and a second insulating film (not shown) different from the first insulating film.

The plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm are formed of ITO (indium tin oxide) or ATO (tin oxide), which is made of a transparent conductive material (for example, tin oxide (SnO2) (Antimony Tin Oxide)) or the like. However, this is merely an example, and the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX may be formed of another transparent conductive material or an opaque conductive material. For example, the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX may include at least one of silver ink, copper, nano silver, and carbon nanotube (CNT) . In addition, the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX may be realized by a metal mesh.

The driving unit 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention may apply a driving signal to the driving electrodes TX1 to TXn. In an embodiment of the present invention, the driving signal may be sequentially applied to one driving electrode at a time from the first driving electrode TX1 to the nth driving electrode TXn. This application of the driving signal can be repeated again. This is merely an example, and driving signals may be simultaneously applied to a plurality of driving electrodes according to an embodiment.

The sensing unit 110 receives information on the capacitance Cm generated between the driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm to which driving signals are applied through the receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm And the touch position and the touch position can be detected by receiving the sensing signal. For example, the sensing signal may be a signal in which the driving signal applied to the driving electrode TX is coupled by the electrostatic capacitance CM: 101 generated between the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX. The process of sensing the driving signal applied from the first driving electrode TX1 to the nth driving electrode TXn via the receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm is referred to as scanning the touch sensor panel 100 can do.

For example, the sensing unit 110 may include a receiver (not shown) connected to each of the reception electrodes RX1 to RXm through a switch. The switch is turned on during a period of sensing the signal of the corresponding receiving electrode RX so that a sensing signal can be sensed from the receiving electrode RX at the receiver. The receiver may be comprised of an amplifier (not shown) and a feedback capacitor coupled between the negative input of the amplifier and the output of the amplifier, i. E., The feedback path. At this time, the positive input terminal of the amplifier may be connected to the ground. In addition, the receiver may further include a reset switch connected in parallel with the feedback capacitor. The reset switch can reset the conversion from current to voltage performed by the receiver. A negative input terminal of the amplifier may be connected to the corresponding receiving electrode RX to receive a current signal including the information about the capacitance (CM) 101, integrate the current signal, and convert the current signal into a voltage. The sensing unit 110 may further include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for converting the integrated data to digital data through the receiver. The digital data may then be input to a processor (not shown) and processed to obtain touch information for the touch sensor panel 100. The sensing unit 110 may be configured to include an ADC and a processor together with a receiver.

The control unit 130 may control the operation of the driving unit 120 and the sensing unit 110. For example, the controller 130 generates a driving control signal, and transmits the driving control signal to the driving unit 120 so that the driving signal is applied to the driving electrode TX preset at a predetermined time. The control unit 130 generates a sensing control signal and transmits the sensing control signal to the sensing unit 110. The sensing unit 110 receives a sensing signal from a predetermined receiving electrode RX at a predetermined time to perform a predetermined function can do.

In FIG. 1, the driving unit 120 and the sensing unit 110 may constitute a touch detection device (not shown) capable of detecting whether the touch sensor panel 100 is touched or touched. The touch detection apparatus may further include a control unit 130. [ The touch sensing device may be integrated on a touch sensing integrated circuit (a touch sensing integrated circuit) (150 in FIG. 12) as a touch sensing circuit in the touch input device 1000 including the touch sensor panel 100. The driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX included in the touch sensor panel 100 are electrically connected to the touch sensing IC 100 through the conductive trace and / or a conductive pattern printed on the circuit board. 150 to the driving unit 120 and the sensing unit 110, respectively. The touch sensing IC 150 may be placed on a printed circuit board on which a conductive pattern is printed, for example, a first printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as a first PCB) indicated by 160 in Fig. The touch sensing IC 150 may be mounted on a main board for operating the touch input device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, when a capacitance value C of a predetermined value is generated at each intersection of the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX and an object such as a finger is close to the touch sensor panel 100, The value of the capacity can be changed. In FIG. 1, the electrostatic capacitance may represent mutual capacitance Cm. The sensing unit 110 senses such electrical characteristics and can detect whether the touch sensor panel 100 is touched and / or touched. For example, it is possible to detect whether or not a touch is made on the surface of the touch sensor panel 100 having a two-dimensional plane including a first axis and a second axis, and / or its position.

More specifically, the position of the touch in the second axial direction can be detected by detecting the driving electrode TX to which the driving signal is applied when the touch to the touch sensor panel 100 occurs. Likewise, the position of the touch in the first axis direction can be detected by detecting the capacitance change from the received signal received through the receiving electrode RX when the touch sensor panel 100 is touched.

Although the mutual capacitance type touch sensor panel has been described in detail as the touch sensor panel 100 in the above description, the touch sensor panel for detecting whether or not the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention is touch- 100 may be formed by a method other than the above-described methods such as a self-capacitance method, a surface capacitance method, a projected capacitance method, a resistive film method, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) method, An optical sensing method, a dispersive signal technology, and an acoustic pulse recognition method.

The touch sensor panel 100 for detecting the touch position in the touch input device 1000 to which the electrode sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied may be located outside or inside the display module 200. [

The display module 200 of the touch input device 1000 to which the electrode sheet according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be applied includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP) A light emitting diode (OLED) or the like. Accordingly, the user can perform an input action by touching the touch surface while visually checking the screen displayed on the display panel. The display module 200 receives input from a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (CPU), which is a central processing unit on a main board for operating the touch input device 1000, And may include control circuitry to display the content. This control circuit may be mounted on a second printed circuit board 210 (hereinafter referred to as a second PCB) in Figs. 11A to 13C. At this time, the control circuit for operating the display panel 200 may include a display panel control IC, a graphic controller IC, and other circuits necessary for operating the display panel 200.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are conceptual diagrams illustrating relative positions of a touch sensor panel with respect to a display module in a touch input device to which an electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. 2A to 2C, an LCD panel is shown as a display panel 200A included in the display module 200, but this is merely an example, and any display panel can be applied to the touch input device 1000. FIG.

In the present specification, reference numeral 200A may refer to a display panel included in the display module 200. 2, the LCD panel 200A includes a liquid crystal layer 250 including a liquid crystal cell, a first glass layer 261 including electrodes at both ends of the liquid crystal layer 250, A second glass layer 262 and a first polarizing layer 271 and a second glass layer 262 on one surface of the first glass layer 261 as a direction opposite to the liquid crystal layer 250 And a second polarizing layer 272. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the LCD panel may further include other configurations for performing the display function and may be modified.

FIG. 2A shows that the touch sensor panel 100 is disposed outside the display module 200 in the touch input device 1000. FIG. The touch surface for the touch input device 1000 may be the surface of the touch sensor panel 100. [ In FIG. 2A, the surface of the touch sensor panel 100, which may be a touch surface, may be the upper surface of the touch sensor panel 100. In addition, the touch surface for the touch input device 1000 may be the outer surface of the display module 200 according to the embodiment. The outer surface of the display module 200, which may be the touch surface in FIG. 2A, may be the lower surface of the second polarizing layer 272 of the display module 200. At this time, in order to protect the display module 200, the lower surface of the display module 200 may be covered with a cover layer (not shown) such as glass.

Figs. 2B and 2C show that the touch sensor panel 100 in the touch input device 1000 is disposed inside the display panel 200A. 2B, a touch sensor panel 100 for detecting a touch position is disposed between the first glass layer 261 and the first polarizing layer 271. In this case, At this time, the touch surface for the touch input device 1000 may be the upper surface or the lower surface in FIG. 2B as the outer surface of the display module 200. 2C illustrates a case where the touch sensor panel 100 for detecting a touch position is included in the liquid crystal layer 250. FIG. Also, according to the embodiment, electrical elements for operating the display panel 220A may be implemented to be used for touch sensing. At this time, the touch surface for the touch input device 1000 may be the upper surface or the lower surface in FIG. 2C as the outer surface of the display module 200. [ 2B and 2C, the upper or lower surface of the display module 200, which may be a touch surface, may be covered with a cover layer (not shown) such as glass.

The touch input device 1000 including the touch sensor panel 100 capable of detecting touch and / or touch position has been described above. By applying the electrode sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention to the touch input apparatus 1000 described above, it is possible to easily detect not only the touch position and / or the touch position, but also the magnitude of the touch pressure. Hereinafter, the case of detecting the touch pressure by applying the electrode sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention to the touch input apparatus 1000 will be described in detail, for example.

3A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary electrode sheet including a pressure electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the electrode sheet 440 may include an electrode layer 441 between the first insulating layer 470 and the second insulating layer 471. The electrode layer 441 may include a first electrode 450 and / or a second electrode 460. At this time, the first insulating layer 470 and the second insulating layer 471 may be an insulating material such as polyimide. The first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 included in the electrode layer 441 may include a material such as copper. According to the manufacturing process of the electrode sheet 440, the electrode layer 441 and the second insulating layer 471 may be bonded with an adhesive (not shown) such as OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive). According to the embodiment, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are formed by positioning a mask having a through-hole corresponding to the pressure electrode pattern on the first insulating layer 470, and then spraying a conductive spray .

4A to 4F illustrate a first example in which the electrode sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the touch input device.

The touch sensor panel 100 for detecting a touch position in the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be laminated with an adhesive such as OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive) between the display module 200 and the touch sensor panel 100 . Accordingly, display color clarity, visibility, and light transmittance of the display module 200 that can be confirmed through the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100 can be improved.

 4A to 4F illustrate that the touch sensor panel 100 as a touch input device 1000 according to the first example of the present invention is laminated and adhered on the display module 200 with an adhesive, The touch input apparatus 1000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a case where the touch sensor panel 100 is disposed inside the display module 200 as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C. 4A and 4B illustrate that the touch sensor panel 100 covers the display module 200 but the touch sensor panel 100 is located inside the display module 200 and the display module 200 is placed on the glass A touch input device 1000 covered with a cover layer such as a touch pad can be used as a first example of the present invention.

The touch input device 1000 to which the electrode sheet according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be applied includes a cell phone, a PDA (personal data assistant), a smartphone, a tablet PC, , A notebook, and the like.

The substrate 300 in the touch input device 1000 to which the electrode sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied is connected to the touch input device 1000 together with the cover 320 which is the outermost mechanism of the touch input device 1000, A mounting space 310 in which a battery can be placed, and the like. A central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (CPU), or the like may be mounted on the circuit board for operating the touch input device 1000 as a main board. The circuit board and / or the battery for the operation of the display module 200 and the touch input device 1000 may be separated through the substrate 300 and the electrical noise generated in the display module 200 may be cut off.

The touch sensor panel 100 or the front cover layer may be formed wider than the display module 200, the substrate 300 and the mounting space 310 in the touch input device 1000, A cover 320 may be formed to cover the display module 200, the substrate 300, and the circuit board 310 together with the sensor panel 100. [

The touch input apparatus 1000 according to the first example of the present invention detects a touch position through the touch sensor panel 100 and arranges the electrode sheet 440 between the display module 200 and the substrate 300 Pressure can be detected. At this time, the touch sensor panel 100 may be located inside or outside the display module 200.

Hereinafter, the configuration for detecting the pressure including the electrode sheet 440 will be collectively referred to as the pressure detecting module 400. For example, in a first example, the pressure sensing module 400 may include an electrode sheet 440 and / or a spacer layer 420. In addition, the pressure detection module 400 may further include a pressure detection device to be described later in detail.

As described above, the pressure detecting module 400 includes a spacer layer 420 formed of, for example, an air gap, which will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4B to 4F. The spacer layer 420 may be made of a shock-absorbing material according to an embodiment. The spacer layer 420 may be filled with a dielectric material according to embodiments.

4B is a perspective view of the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the first example of the present invention. 4B, the electrode sheet 440 may be disposed between the display module 200 and the substrate 300 in the touch input device 1000 in the first example of the present invention. The spacer layer 420 separates the display module 200 of the touch input device 100 from the substrate 300 to dispose the electrode sheet 440.

Hereinafter, the electrodes 450 and 460 for detecting the pressure are referred to as the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 so as to be clearly distinguished from the electrodes included in the touch sensor panel 100. At this time, since the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are included on the rear surface of the display panel, not only the transparent material but also opaque material may be used.

At this time, an adhesive layer 430 having a predetermined thickness may be formed along the rim of the upper portion of the substrate 300 to hold the spacer layer 420 on which the electrode sheet 440 is disposed. At this time, the adhesive layer 430 may be an adhesive tape. 4B, the adhesive layer 430 is formed on all the edges of the substrate 300 (e.g., four sides of a quadrangular shape), but the adhesive layer 430 may be formed on at least a part of the edges of the substrate 300 Three surfaces). According to an embodiment, the adhesive layer 430 may be formed on the upper surface of the substrate 300 or the lower surface of the display module 200. The adhesive layer 430 may be a conductive tape so as to make the substrate 300 and the display module 200 have the same potential. The adhesive layer 430 may be a double-sided adhesive tape. In an embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive layer 430 may be composed of a material having no elasticity. In the embodiment of the present invention, since the display module 200 may be bent when the pressure is applied to the display module 200, the adhesive layer 430 can detect the magnitude of the touch pressure even if there is no deformation of the shape depending on the pressure .

4A to 4F, the electrode sheet 440 may be formed in a space between the substrate 300 and the display module 200, which occurs at the time of manufacturing, without using the adhesive layer 430 .

4C is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device including a pressure electrode of an electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are shown separate from the electrode sheet 440 in FIG. 4c and some of the following drawings, this is for illustrative convenience only and the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are included in the electrode sheet 440 . 4C, an electrode sheet 440 including pressure electrodes 450 and 460 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be disposed on the substrate 300 in the spacer layer 420.

The pressure electrode for pressure detection may include a first electrode 450 and a second electrode 460. At this time, one of the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may be a driving electrode and the other may be a receiving electrode. A driving signal may be applied to the driving electrode and a sensing signal may be obtained through the receiving electrode. When a voltage is applied, mutual capacitance may be generated between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460.

4D is a cross-sectional view of the touch input apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. The lower surface of the display module 200 may have a ground potential for noise shielding. When pressure is applied to the surface of the touch sensor panel 100 through the object 500, the touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200 may be bent or pressed. The distance d between the ground potential plane and the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 can be reduced to d '. In this case, as the distance d decreases, the fringing capacitance is absorbed to the lower surface of the display module 200, so that the mutual capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 can be reduced have. Accordingly, the magnitude of the touch pressure can be calculated by acquiring the amount of decrease in mutual capacitance in the sensing signal obtained through the receiving electrode.

In the touch input device 1000 to which the electrode sheet 440 according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied, the display module 200 may be bent or pressed according to a touch to apply pressure. The display module 200 can be bent or pressed to show a deformation according to a touch. The position where the display module 200 is deformed when the display module 200 is bent or pressed may not coincide with the touch position, but the display module 200 may exhibit warping at least at the touch position. For example, when the touch position is close to the edge and the edge of the display module 200, the position where the display module 200 is bent or pushed to the greatest degree may be different from the touch position, It is possible to indicate warping or pressing.

At this time, the upper surface of the substrate 300 may also have a ground potential for noise shielding. 9 illustrates a cross-section of an electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9A, a cross-sectional view of the electrode sheet 440 including the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 is shown attached to the substrate 300 or the display module 200. FIG. Since the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are located between the first insulating layer 470 and the second insulating layer 471 in the electrode sheet 440, The substrate 300 or the display module 200 to which the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are attached may be formed in accordance with the type and / or implementation of the touch input device 1000. [ May not exhibit the ground potential or may exhibit a weak ground potential. In this case, the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a ground electrode (not shown) between the substrate 300 or the display module 200 and the insulating layer 470 . According to an embodiment, another insulating layer (not shown) may further be provided between the ground electrode and the substrate 300 or the display module 200. At this time, the ground electrode (not shown) can prevent the magnitude of capacitance generated between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460, which are pressure electrodes, from becoming too large.

4E illustrates a case where an electrode sheet 440 including pressure electrodes 450 and 460 is formed on the lower surface of the display module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. At this time, the substrate 300 may have a ground potential. Accordingly, as the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100 is touched, the distance d between the substrate 300 and the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 decreases. As a result, the distance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460). ≪ / RTI >

7 illustrates a pattern of pressure electrodes included in an electrode sheet for pressure detection according to an embodiment of the present invention. 7A to 7C illustrate patterns of the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 included in the electrode sheet 440. FIG. The electrode sheet 440 having the pressure electrode pattern illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7C may be formed on the substrate 300 or on the lower surface of the display module 200. The electrostatic capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 is the capacitance between the electrode layer including the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 and the reference potential layer (the display module 200 or the substrate 300) ). ≪ / RTI >

The first electrode 450 and the second electrode 450 are formed so as to generate a capacitance range necessary for increasing the detection accuracy when the magnitude of the touch pressure is changed as mutual capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 changes It is necessary to form the pattern of the second electrode 460. The greater the area where the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 face each other, or the longer the length, the greater the magnitude of the generated capacitance. Therefore, the size, length, shape, and the like of the opposing area between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 can be designed according to the required capacitance range. 7B and 7C show a case where the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are formed on the same layer and the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 face each other with a relatively long length A case where a pressure electrode is formed is illustrated.

9A, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are formed in the same layer as the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460, respectively, as shown in FIG. 15A And may consist of a plurality of electrodes in the form of a rhombus. Here, the plurality of first electrodes 450 are connected to each other in the first axis direction, and the plurality of second electrodes 460 are connected to each other in the second axis direction orthogonal to the first axis direction. 450 or the second electrode 460 may have a shape in which a plurality of diamond-shaped electrodes are connected to each other through a bridge so that the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are insulated from each other. In addition, at this time, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 shown in FIG. 9A may be formed of the electrode shown in FIG. 15B.

The first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may be formed in different layers according to an embodiment to form an electrode layer. 9B illustrates a cross-section of the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 in different layers. 9B, the first electrode 450 is formed on the first insulating layer 470 and the second electrode 460 is formed on the second insulating layer 471 on the first electrode 450. [ Lt; / RTI > According to an embodiment, the second electrode 460 may be covered with a third insulating layer 472. That is, the electrode sheet 440 may include a first insulating layer 470 to a third insulating layer 472, a first electrode 450, and a second electrode 460. At this time, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are located on different layers, so that the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 overlap each other. For example, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may be formed in a manner similar to the pattern of the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX arranged in the MXN structure, as shown in FIG. 15C . At this time, M and N may be natural numbers of 1 or more. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 15A, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 in a rhombic shape may be located on different layers, respectively.

It is exemplified that the touch pressure is detected from the change of mutual capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460. However, the electrode sheet 440 may be configured to include only the pressure electrode of either the first electrode 450 or the second electrode 460. In this case, one pressure electrode and the ground layer (the display module 200 or Substrate 300) by detecting a change in capacitance between the touch panel and the substrate. At this time, a driving signal is applied to the one pressure electrode, and a capacitance change between the pressure electrode and the ground layer can be sensed from the pressure electrode.

For example, the pressure electrode included in the electrode sheet 440 in FIG. 4C may include only the first electrode 450. At this time, depending on the distance between the display module 200 and the first electrode 450, The magnitude of the touch pressure can be detected from the capacitance change between the first electrode 450 and the display module 200. The capacitance d between the display module 200 and the first electrode 450 may increase as the touch pressure increases because the distance d decreases as the touch pressure increases. This can be equally applied to the embodiment related to FIG. 4E. At this time, the pressure electrode need not have a comb-like shape or a trident shape required for increasing mutual capacitance change detection accuracy, and may have a plate (for example, rectangular plate) shape as illustrated in Fig. 7D.

9C illustrates a cross-section of the electrode sheet 440 in which only the first electrode 450 is implemented. The electrode sheet 440 including the first electrode 450 may be disposed on the substrate 300 or the display module 200, as illustrated in FIG. 9C.

4F illustrates the case where the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are formed on the upper surface of the substrate 300 and the lower surface of the display module 200 in the spacer layer 420. The electrode sheet may include a first electrode sheet 440-1 including a first electrode 450 and a second electrode sheet 440-2 including a second electrode 460. [ At this time, either one of the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may be formed on the substrate 300, and the other one may be formed on the lower surface of the display module 200. 4F illustrates that the first electrode 450 is formed on the substrate 300 and the second electrode 460 is formed on the lower surface of the display module 200. [

When pressure is applied to the surface of the touch sensor panel 100 through the object 500, the touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200 may be bent or pressed. Accordingly, the distance d between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 can be reduced. In this case, the mutual capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may increase as the distance d decreases. Accordingly, it is possible to calculate the magnitude of the touch pressure by acquiring the increase amount of mutual capacitance in the sensing signal obtained through the receiving electrode. At this time, the pressure electrode patterns for the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may have a shape as illustrated in FIG. 7D, respectively. 4F, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are formed on different layers. Therefore, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 need not have a comb-like shape or a trident shape, And may have a plate shape (e.g., a rectangular plate shape).

9D illustrates a second electrode sheet 440-2 with a first electrode sheet 440-1 including a first electrode 450 attached to a substrate 300 and a second electrode sheet 440-2 including a second electrode 460, Sectional view when attached to the module 200 is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 9D, the first electrode sheet 440-1 including the first electrode 450 may be disposed on the substrate 300. FIG. In addition, the second electrode sheet 440-2 including the second electrode 460 may be disposed on the lower surface of the display module 200.

9A to 9D, when the substrate 300 or the display module 200 to which the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are attached does not exhibit the ground potential or exhibits a weak ground potential, as shown in Figs. 9A to 9D, The sheet 440 may further include ground electrodes (not shown) below the first insulating layers 470, 470-1 and 470-2 arranged to contact the substrate 300 or the display module 200. [ At this time, the electrode sheet 440 further includes an additional insulating layer (not shown) positioned to face the first insulating layers 470, 470-1 and 470-2 with a ground electrode (not shown) in between .

5A to 5I illustrate a second example in which an electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a touch input device. The second example of the present invention is similar to the first example described with reference to Figs. 4A to 4F, and the difference will be mainly described below.

5A is a cross-sectional view of the touch input device in which the electrode sheet 440 is disposed according to the second example.

In the touch input device 1000 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, an air gap existing in or outside the display module 200 and / or an air gap existing in the display module 200 without forming a separate spacer layer and / The touch layer can be used to detect the touch pressure, which will be discussed in detail with reference to FIGS. 5B-5I.

5B is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a display module 200 that may be included in the touch input device 1000 according to the second example of the present invention. 5B illustrates an LCD module as the display module 200. FIG. As shown in FIG. 5B, the LCD module 200 may include an LCD panel 200A and a backlight unit 200B. The LCD panel 200A itself can not emit light, but functions to block or transmit light. Accordingly, the light source is positioned below the LCD panel 200A, and the LCD panel 200A illuminates the LCD panel 200A to display information having various colors as well as brightness and darkness on the screen. Since the LCD panel 200A can not emit light as a passive element, a light source having a uniform luminance distribution on the back surface is required. The structures and functions of the LCD panel 200A and the backlight unit 200B are well known techniques and will be briefly described below.

The backlight unit 200B for the LCD panel 200A may include several optical parts. In FIG. 5B, the backlight unit 200B may include a light diffusion and light enhancement sheet 231, a light guide plate 232, and a reflector 240. FIG. At this time, the backlight unit 200B may include a light source (not shown) disposed on the back surface and / or the side surface of the light guide plate 232 in the form of a linear light source or a point light source . According to the embodiment, the light guide plate 232 and the light diffusion and light enhancement sheet 231 may further include a support portion 233 at the edge of the light guide plate 232 and the light diffusion and light enhancement sheet 231.

The light guide plate 232 may function to convert light from a light source (not shown) in the form of a linear light source or a point light source to a surface light source shape and direct the light to the LCD panel 200A.

A part of the light emitted from the light guide plate 232 may be emitted to the opposite side of the LCD panel 200A and may be lost. The reflection plate 240 may be formed of a material having a high reflectance, which is located under the light guide plate 232 to allow the lost light to enter the light guide plate 232 again.

The light diffusion and light enhancement sheet 231 may include a diffuser sheet and / or a prism sheet. The diffusion sheet serves to diffuse the light incident from the light guide plate 232. For example, since the light scattered by the pattern of the light guide plate 232 directly enters into the eye, the pattern of the light guide plate 232 can be directly exposed. Even when the LCD panel 200A is mounted, such a pattern can be clearly detected, so that the diffusion sheet can play a role of canceling the pattern of the light guide plate 232. [

The light brightness rapidly drops after passing through the diffusion sheet. Thus, a prism sheet can be included to focus light again to improve light brightness.

The backlight unit 200B may include a configuration different from the configuration described above according to changes, developments, and / or embodiments of the technology, and may further include additional configurations in addition to the configurations described above. In order to protect the optical structure of the backlight unit 200B from contamination due to external impact or foreign matter inflow, for example, the backlight unit 200B according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a protection sheet, As shown in FIG. In addition, the backlight unit 200B may further include a lamp cover according to an embodiment in order to minimize light loss from the light source. The backlight unit 200B is a frame that allows the light guide plate 232, the sheet 231 and the lamp (not shown), which are the main components of the backlight unit 200B, and may further include a frame. Further, each of the above-described components may be composed of two or more separate portions. For example, the prism sheet may be composed of two prism sheets.

At this time, a material air gap 220-2 may exist between the light guide plate 232 and the reflection plate 240. [ Accordingly, the loss light from the light guide plate 232 to the reflection plate 240 can be incident again on the light guide plate 232 through the reflection plate 240. At this time, a double-sided adhesive tape 221-2 may be provided on the edge between the light guide plate 232 and the reflection plate 240 so as to maintain the air gap 220-2.

Also, according to the embodiment, the backlight unit 200B may be positioned between the LCD panel 200A and the second air gap 220-1. This is to prevent the impact from the LCD panel 200A from being transmitted to the backlight unit 200B. At this time, a double-sided adhesive tape 221-1 may be included on the edge between the backlight unit 200B and the LCD panel 200A so as to hold the air gap 220-1.

As described above, the display module 200 itself may include an air gap such as the first air gap 220-2 and / or the second air gap 220-1. Or an air gap may be included between the plurality of layers of light diffusing and light enhancing sheet 231. Although the case of the LCD module has been described above, other display modules may include air gaps in the structure.

Therefore, the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the second embodiment of the present invention can use an air gap already existing in the display module 200 or outside, without manufacturing a separate spacer layer for pressure detection. The air gap used as the spacer layer may be any air gap contained in the display module 200 as well as the first air gap 220-2 and / or the second air gap 220-1 described with reference to FIG. . Or an air gap included in the outside of the display module 200. In this way, by inserting the electrode sheet 440 capable of detecting pressure into the touch input apparatus 1000, it is possible to reduce the cost and / or simplify the process. 5C is a perspective view of the touch input device according to the second example of the present invention. In FIG. 5C, unlike the first example shown in FIG. 4B, the adhesive layer 430 for holding the spacer layer 420 may not be included.

5D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the touch input device according to the second example. An electrode sheet 440 including pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may be formed on the substrate 300 between the display module 200 and the substrate 300 as shown in FIG. Although the thickness of the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 is shown exaggeratedly for convenience in FIGS. 5d to 5i, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may be implemented in a sheet form, so that the thickness may be very small . Similarly, the spacing between the display module 200 and the substrate 300 is also exaggeratedly shown as wide, but the spacing between the two can also be implemented with very small spacing. The pressure electrodes 450 and 460 and the display module 200 are spaced apart to indicate that the electrode sheet 440 including the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 is formed on the substrate 300 in Figures 5D and 5E. But this is for illustrative purposes only and may be implemented so as not to separate them.

5D, the display module 200 is shown as including a spacer layer 220 and a reference potential layer 270. In this case,

The spacer layer 220 may be a first air gap 220-2 and / or a second air gap 220-1 included in the manufacture of the display module 200 as described with reference to FIG. 5B . When the display module 200 includes one air gap, the one air gap can perform the function of the spacer layer 220. When the display module 200 includes a plurality of air gaps, The air gap can perform the function of the spacer layer 220 integrally. 5d, 5e, 5h and 5i, it is shown to comprise one spacer layer 220 functionally.

The touch input device 1000 according to the second example of the present invention may include the reference potential layer 270 above the spacer layer 220 as the inside of the display module 200A in FIGS. The reference potential layer 270 may be a ground potential layer included in the display module 200 itself. For example, an electrode (not shown) for shielding noise may be included between the first polarizing layer 271 and the first glass layer 261 in the display panel 200A shown in Figs. 2A to 2C . The electrode for this shielding can be composed of ITO and can serve as a ground. The reference potential layer 270 may be located anywhere within the display module 200 such that the spacer layer 220 is positioned between the reference potential layer 270 and the pressure electrodes 450 and 460, An electrode having any potential other than the shielding electrode exemplified above can be used as the reference potential layer 270. [ For example, the reference potential layer 270 may be a common electrode potential (Vcom) layer of the display module 200.

In particular, as an effort to reduce the thickness of the device including the touch input device 1000, the display module 200 may not be configured to be wrapped with a separate cover or frame. In this case, the lower surface of the display module 200 facing the substrate 300 may be the reflector 240 and / or the nonconductive. In this case, the lower surface of the display module 200 can not have the ground potential. Even when the lower surface of the display module 200 can not function as a reference potential layer in this manner, by using the touch pressure apparatus 1000 according to the second example, an arbitrary potential layer located inside the display module 200 can be referred to as a reference potential Layer 270 can be used to detect pressure.

5E is a cross-sectional view of the touch input apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. When pressure is applied to the surface of the touch sensor panel 100 through the object 500, the touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200 may be bent or pressed. At this time, the distance d between the reference potential layer 270 and the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may be reduced to d 'by the spacer layer 220 located within the display module 200. In this case, since the fringing capacitance is absorbed into the reference potential layer 270 in accordance with the decrease of the distance d, the mutual capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may decrease. Accordingly, the magnitude of the touch pressure can be calculated by acquiring the amount of decrease in mutual capacitance in the sensing signal obtained through the receiving electrode.

In the touch input device 1000 according to the second example of the present invention, the display module 200 may be bent or pressed according to a touch to apply pressure. At this time, the bending or pressing of the layer (for example, the reflection plate) located under the spacer layer 220 due to the spacer layer 220 as shown in FIG. 5E can be eliminated or reduced. In FIG. 5E, there is no warping or pressing at the lowermost part of the display module 200, but this is merely an example. Even at the lowermost part of the display module 200, there may be warping or squeezing, but the degree is relaxed through the spacer layer 220 .

The structure and the attaching method of the electrode sheet 440 including the pressure electrode according to the second example are the same as those described with reference to the first example, and will not be described below.

FIG. 5F is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device including a pressure electrode according to a modification of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5D. 5F illustrates a case in which the spacer layer 420 is positioned between the display module 200 and the substrate 300. FIG. An air gap 420 may occur between the display module 200 and the substrate 300 when the touch input device 1000 including the display module 200 is manufactured. Here, by using such an air gap 420 as a spacer layer for touch pressure detection, it is possible to reduce the time / cost of designing the spacer layer in order to detect the touch pressure. Although Figures 5F and 5G illustrate that the air gap 220 used as the spacer layer is not located within the display module 200, Figures 5F and 5G further illustrate that the air gap 220 is included within the display module 200 May be included.

5G is a cross-sectional view of the touch input device shown in FIG. 5D, the display module 200 may be bent or pressed when the touch input device 1000 is touched. The spacer layer 420 and / or the air gap 220 located between the reference potential layer 270 and the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 between the reference potential layer 270 and the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 Can be reduced to d '. Accordingly, the magnitude of the touch pressure can be calculated by acquiring a reduction amount of mutual capacitance in the sensing signal obtained through the receiving electrode.

5H illustrates that an electrode sheet 440 including pressure electrodes 450 and 460 is disposed on the lower surface of the display module 200. The distance d between the reference potential layer 270 and the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 decreases as the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100 is touched. As a result, the distance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460). ≪ / RTI > 5h, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are shown spaced apart from the substrate 300 to illustrate that the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are attached on the display module 200, The two may not be spaced apart. Of course, as in Figs. 5F and 5G, the space between the display module 200 and the substrate 300 may be separated by the spacer layer 420. Fig.

As in the case of the first example, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 in the second example described with reference to Figures 5d to 5h may also have a pattern as shown in Figures 7a to 7c, Therefore, it is omitted.

5I illustrates that the first electrode sheet 440-1 and the second electrode sheet 440-2 including the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are disposed on the upper surface of the substrate 300 and the lower surface of the display module 200, As shown in Fig. 5I illustrates that the first electrode 450 is formed on the substrate 300 and the second electrode 460 is formed on the lower surface of the display module 200. [ In Figure 5i, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are shown as being spaced apart, but only if the first electrode 450 is formed on the substrate 300 and the second electrode 460 is formed on the display 300. [ The first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are formed so as to be spaced apart from each other by an air gap or an insulating material disposed therebetween or the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 do not overlap each other , For example, may be formed to be the same as in the case of being formed on the same layer.

When the pressure is applied to the surface of the touch sensor panel 100 through the object 500, the touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200 are bent or pressed to form the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460, The distance d between the reference potential layers 270 can be reduced. In this case, the mutual capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may decrease as the distance d decreases. Accordingly, the magnitude of the touch pressure can be calculated by acquiring the amount of decrease in mutual capacitance in the sensing signal obtained through the receiving electrode. At this time, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may have a pressure electrode pattern as shown in FIG. 7E. As shown in FIG. 7E, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may be arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other, so that the sensitivity of sensing capacitance variation can be improved.

6A to 6H illustrate a touch input device according to a third example of the present invention. The third example is similar to the first example, and the difference will be mainly described below.

6A is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device according to a third example of the present invention. The electrode sheet 440 including the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 included in the pressure detecting module 400 may be inserted into the touch input device 1000 in the third example. 6A, the electrode sheet 440 including the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 is disposed apart from the substrate 300 and the display module 200, but the electrode sheet 440 including the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 440 may be formed in contact with any one of the substrate 300 and the display module 200.

The electrode sheet 440 is spaced apart from the substrate 300 or the display module 200 and the spacer layer 420 so as to detect the touch pressure in the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the third example of the present invention Or may be attached to the substrate 300 or the display module 200.

6B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the touch input device in which the electrode sheet 440 is attached to the touch input device in accordance with the first method. In FIG. 6B, it is shown that the electrode sheet 440 is attached on the substrate 300 or the display module 200.

An adhesive layer 430 having a predetermined thickness may be formed along the rim of the electrode sheet 440 in order to hold the spacer layer 420, as shown in Fig. 6C. 6C, the adhesive layer 430 is formed on all the edges of the electrode sheet 440 (for example, four sides of a tetragon), but the adhesive layer 430 is formed on at least a part of the edges of the electrode sheet 440 Three prismatic surfaces). At this time, as shown in FIG. 6C, the adhesive layer 430 may not be formed in the area including the electrode patterns 450 and 460. Accordingly, when the electrode sheet 440 is attached to the substrate 300 or the display module 200 through the adhesive layer 430, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are separated from the substrate 300 or the display module 200 by a predetermined distance May be spaced apart. According to an embodiment, the adhesive layer 430 may be formed on the upper surface of the substrate 300 or the lower surface of the display module 200. The adhesive layer 430 may be a double-sided adhesive tape. 6C, the electrode sheet 440 includes only one of the pressure electrodes 450 and 460.

6D is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a touch input device in which an electrode sheet 440 is attached to a touch input device in accordance with a second method. The electrode sheet 440 can be fixed to the substrate 300 or the display module 200 with the adhesive tape 431 after positioning the electrode sheet 440 on the substrate 300 or the display module 200 have. To this end, the adhesive tape 431 may contact at least a portion of the electrode sheet 440 and at least a portion of the substrate 300 or the display module 200. 6D, the adhesive tape 431 is shown extending from the top of the electrode sheet 440 to the exposed surface of the substrate 300 or the display module 200. At this time, the adhesive tape 431 may have an adhesive force only on the side of the surface contacting with the electrode sheet 440. 6D, the upper surface of the adhesive tape 431 may not have an adhesive force.

6D, even if the electrode sheet 440 is fixed to the substrate 300 or the display module 200 through the adhesive tape 431, the electrode sheet 440 and the substrate 300 or the display module 200 A predetermined space, that is, an air gap 420 may exist. This is because the electrode sheet 440 is not directly adhered between the substrate 300 or the display module 200 as an adhesive and the electrode sheet 440 includes the electrodes 450 and 460 having the pattern, Because the surface of the substrate may not be flat. The air gap 420 in Figure 6d may also function as a spacer layer 420 for detecting the touch pressure.

Hereinafter, a third example of the present invention will be described by taking the case where the electrode sheet 440 is attached to the substrate 300 or the display module 200 according to the first method as shown in FIG. 6B, The second method, and the like, and the electrode sheet 440 is attached to the substrate 300 or the display module 200 in a spaced manner.

6E is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device including a pressure electrode pattern according to a third example of the present invention. The electrode sheet 440 including the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 is separated from the substrate 300 and the spacer layer 420 in the region where the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are formed, (Not shown). In Figure 6E, the display module 200 is shown in contact with the electrode sheet 440, but this is merely an example, and the display module 200 may be located away from the electrode sheet 440.

FIG. 6F is a cross-sectional view of the touch input apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. 6E when pressure is applied. The substrate 300 may have a ground potential for noise shielding. When pressure is applied to the surface of the touch sensor panel 100 through the object 500, the touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200 may be bent or pressed. The distance d between the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 included in the electrode sheet 440 and the substrate 300 can be reduced to d 'by pressing the electrode sheet 440. In this case, since the fringing capacitance is absorbed by the substrate 300 as the distance d is decreased, the mutual capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may be reduced. Accordingly, the magnitude of the touch pressure can be calculated by acquiring the amount of decrease in mutual capacitance in the sensing signal obtained through the receiving electrode.

6E and 6F, the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a touch input apparatus 1000 according to a change in distance between a substrate 300 to which an electrode sheet 440 is attached and an electrode sheet 440 The touch pressure can be detected. At this time, since the distance d between the electrode sheet 440 and the substrate 300 is very small, the touch pressure can be precisely detected even with a small change in the distance d due to the touch pressure.

6G illustrates that the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are attached to the lower surface of the display module 200. As shown in Fig. 6H is a sectional view when pressure is applied to the touch input device shown in FIG. 6G. At this time, the display module 300 may have a ground potential. Accordingly, as the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100 is touched, the distance d between the display module 200 and the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 decreases. As a result, the distance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode Gt; 460, < / RTI >

The touch input apparatus 1000 according to the third embodiment of the present invention may be configured such that the distance between the display module 200 with the electrode sheet 440 and the electrode sheet 440 changes, It can be seen that the touch pressure can be detected.

For example, according to an embodiment, the distance between the display module 200 and the electrode sheet 440 may be smaller than the distance between the electrode sheet 440 and the substrate 300. The distance between the electrode sheet 440 and the lower surface of the display module 200 which is the ground potential is set to be equal to the distance between the electrode sheet 440 and the Vcom potential layer located in the display module 200 and / Lt; / RTI > For example, an electrode (not shown) for shielding noise may be included between the first polarizing layer 271 and the first glass layer 261 in the display panel 200 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C The electrode for this shielding can be composed of ITO and can function as a ground potential layer.

The first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 included in FIGS. 6E to 6H may have the patterns illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7C, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

6A through 6H, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are illustrated as being formed on the same layer, but the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may be formed on different layers Lt; / RTI > The first electrode 450 is formed on the first insulating layer 470 and the second electrode 460 is formed on the first electrode 450 on the electrode sheet 440 as illustrated in FIG. 2 insulating layer 471 and the second electrode 460 may be covered with a third insulating layer 472. [

Also, according to the embodiment, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may be configured to include only the pressure electrode of either the first electrode 450 or the second electrode 460. In this case, (The display module 200 or the substrate 300) to detect the magnitude of the touch pressure. At this time, the pressure electrode may have a plate (for example, a rectangular plate) shape as illustrated in FIG. 7D. At this time, the first electrode 450 in the electrode sheet 440 may be formed on the first insulating layer 470 and covered with the second insulating layer 471, as illustrated in FIG. 9C.

8A and 8B show the relationship between the magnitude of the touch pressure and the saturated area in the touch input device to which the electrode sheet 440 according to the present invention is applied. 8A and 8B illustrate a case where the electrode sheet 440 is attached to the substrate 300. However, the following description can be equally applied to the case where the electrode sheet 440 is attached to the display module 200. FIG.

When the magnitude of the touch pressure is sufficiently large, the distance between the electrode sheet 440 and the substrate 300 may not reach a predetermined position. This state is hereinafter referred to as a saturation state. For example, when the touch input device 1000 is pressed with the force f as illustrated in FIG. 8A, the electrode sheet 440 and the substrate 300 are in contact with each other and can no longer be closer to each other. At this time, the area of contact between the electrode sheet 440 and the substrate 300 on the right side of FIG. 8A may be represented by a.

However, even in such a case, when the magnitude of the touch pressure becomes larger, the area in the saturated state where the distance between the substrate 300 and the electrode sheet 440 is not further reduced can be increased. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, when the touch input device 1000 is pressed with a force F greater than f, the contact area between the electrode sheet 440 and the substrate 300 may be larger. The area of contact between the electrode sheet 440 and the substrate 300 on the right side of FIG. As the area increases, the mutual capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may decrease. Hereinafter, the calculation of the magnitude of the touch pressure in accordance with the change in the capacitance due to the change in distance may be explained, but it may include calculating the magnitude of the touch pressure according to the change in the saturated area in the saturated state.

8A and 8B will be described with reference to a third example. However, it should be understood that the description with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B can be equally applied to the first and second examples and the third example described below. More specifically, the magnitude of the touch pressure in accordance with the change in the saturated area in which the distance between the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 and the ground layer or the reference potential layer 200, 300, Can be calculated.

10A and 10B illustrate a touch input device according to a fourth example of the present invention. The touch input apparatus 1000 according to the fourth example of the present invention can detect the touch pressure even when pressure is applied not only to the upper surface but also to the lower surface of the touch input apparatus by inserting the electrode sheet 440. [ The top surface of the touch input device 1000 as a touch surface herein may be referred to as the top surface of the display module 200, which may include not only the top surface of the display module 200 but also the top surface of the display module 200, And a covering surface. The lower surface of the touch input device 1000 as the touch surface herein may also be referred to as the lower surface of the substrate 300 and covers the substrate 300 on the lower surface of the substrate 300 as well as the lower surface of the substrate 300 Lt; / RTI > surface.

10A shows a case where the electrode sheet 440 including the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 is positioned on the lower surface of the display module 200 in the first example and the pressure is applied to the lower surface of the substrate 300, A case where the distance between the substrate 300 and the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 changes due to the pressing or bending of the substrate 300 is illustrated. The distance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 and the capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 and the capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460, The touch capacitance can be detected because the electrostatic capacity between the electrodes 300 is changed.

10B shows a case where the electrode sheet 440 is attached to the substrate 300 in the third example and a pressure is applied to the lower surface of the substrate 300 so that the substrate 300 is pressed or bent, The case where the distance between the electrode sheets 440 changes will be exemplified. 10A, the capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 or the capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 as the distance from the substrate 300, which is the reference potential layer, The electrostatic capacitance between the substrate 460 and the substrate 300 changes, so that the touch pressure can be detected.

10A and 10B, a fourth example has been described with respect to a part of the first example and the third example. In the fourth example, as a first example to a third example, a pressure is applied to the lower surface of the substrate 300, The electrostatic capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 or the electrostatic capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the reference potential layer 200, 300 and 270 changes due to bending or pressing And can be applied to both cases. For example, in the structure as shown in FIG. 4C, the distance between the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 and the display module 200 may be changed by bending or pressing the substrate 300, have.

4 to 10, when the electrode sheet 440 according to the present invention is attached to the touch input device, when pressure is applied to the touch input device through the object 500, (300) is bent or pressed, and the magnitude of the touch pressure can be calculated. 4 to 10 illustrate a change in the distance between the reference potential layer 200, 300, 270 and the pressure electrodes 450, 460 in the display module 200 ) Or the substrate 300 is shown to be bent or pressed, but a member in which pressure is not directly applied through the object 500 is also bent or pressed together. However, since the degree of bending or pressing of the member to which the pressure is directly applied is larger than the degree of bending or pressing of the member to which the pressure is not directly applied, it can be explained as shown in Figs. 4 to 10. As described above, when pressure is applied to the touch input device, the electrode sheet 440 attached to the touch input device is also bent or pressed. At this time, when the pressure applied to the touch input device is released, the display module 200 or the substrate 300 is returned to its original state, so that the electrode sheet 440 attached to the touch input device is also returned to its original shape . In addition, when the electrode sheet 440 is difficult to maintain its original shape, it may be difficult to attach the electrode sheet 440 to the touch input device. Therefore, it is preferable that the electrode sheet 440 has a rigidity capable of maintaining its original shape.

When the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 included in the electrode sheet 440 are formed of a soft conductive metal such as aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), or copper (Cu), the rigidity is low, It is difficult to maintain the original shape of the electrode sheet 440 by only the pressure electrodes 450 and 460. [ It is preferable that the first insulating layer 470 or the second insulating layer 471 disposed on the upper side or the lower side of the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 has a rigidity capable of maintaining the original shape of the electrode sheet 440 Do.

3B, the electrode sheet 440 according to the present invention may include an electrode layer and support layers 470b and 471b. At this time, the electrode layer may be composed of the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 including the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460. In this case, the electrode sheet 440 includes a first electrode 450 and a second electrode 450, which change in accordance with a change in relative distance between the reference potential layers 200, 300, and 270, 460) of the electrostatic capacitance between the electrodes. Further, the electrode layer may be composed of the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 including only one electrode. In this case, the electrode sheet 440 has an electrode layer and a reference potential layer 200, 300, and 270, which are changed in accordance with a relative distance change between the reference potential layers 200, 300, and 270 and the electrode layers, ) Of the electrostatic capacitance between the electrodes.

At this time, the reference potential layers 200, 300, and 270 spaced apart from the electrode sheet 440 may not have a uniform reference potential according to their respective input positions, or may be spaced apart from the electrode sheet 440 When the distance between the reference potential layer and the electrode layer is not uniform with respect to the same size of pressure as in the case where the surfaces of the reference potential layers 200, 300, and 270 are uneven, the electrode sheet 440 And the reference potential layer 200, 300, and 270, which are located apart from the reference potential layer 200, may be difficult to use. 3H, the electrode sheet 440 according to the present invention includes a first electrode layer including a first electrode 450 and a second electrode layer 460 spaced apart from the first electrode layer. Electrode layer. In this case, the electrode sheet 440 can be used for detecting a change in capacitance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, which changes in accordance with a change in relative distance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. At this time, either one of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer may be a reference potential layer. If a change in the capacitance between the electrode layers that varies with the change in distance between the electrode layers located in the electrode sheet 440 is detected as described above, even if a uniform capacitance change can not be detected from the reference potential layer located outside the electrode sheet 440 It is applicable. At this time, the elastic layer 480 may further include a shock absorbing and restoring force between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer so as to provide uniformity in distance variation between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer . Further, as shown in FIG. 9D, the electrode sheet 440 may include a first electrode sheet including a first electrode layer and a first support layer, and a second electrode sheet including a second electrode layer and a second support layer . In this case, the electrode sheet 440 can be used for detecting a change in capacitance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, which changes in accordance with a change in relative distance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

The support layers 470b and 471b are formed in the shape of the electrode sheet 440 even when a relative change in distance from the reference potential layers 200, 300, and 270 of the resin sheet, the highly rigid metal sheet, It can be formed of a material having the property of stiffness that can maintain the strength.

The electrode sheet 440 may further include a first insulating layer 470 and a second insulating layer 471. At this time, the electrode layer is located between the first insulating layer 470 and the second insulating layer 471, and the supporting layers 470b and 471b are located between the first insulating layer 470 and the second insulating layer 472 .

The first insulating layer 470 or the second insulating layer 472 may further include electrode cover layers 470a and 471a. The electrode cover layers 470a and 471a can function to protect the electrode layers, such as the function of insulating the electrode layers and the oxidation, scratching, and cracking of the electrodes. In addition, the electrode cover layers 470a and 471a may be formed or coated with a material containing a color so as to prevent the electrode sheet 440 from being deteriorated by exposure to sunlight when the electrode sheet 440 is circulated. At this time, the electrode cover layers 470a and 471a may be adhered to the electrode layer or the support layers 470b and 471b with an adhesive, but they may be printed or coated. The electrode cover layers 470a and 471a may also be formed of a resin material having high rigidity. However, since the thickness of the electrode cover layers 470a and 471a is only a few um, it is difficult to maintain the electrode sheet 440 of about 100um in its original shape.

3E and 3F, the electrode sheet 440 according to the present invention includes an adhesive layer 430 and a protective layer 435 on the outer side of the first insulating layer 470 or the second insulating layer 471, As shown in FIG. 4 to 10, the adhesive layer 430 is described as being formed separately from the electrode sheet 440, but may be included in one configuration of the electrode sheet 440. The protective layer 435 functions to protect the adhesive layer 430 before the electrode sheet 440 is attached to the touch input device. When the electrode sheet 440 is attached to the touch input device, And the electrode sheet 440 can be attached to the touch input device using the adhesive layer 430. [

As shown in FIG. 3C, the electrode cover layers 470a and 471a may not be formed on the side where the support layers 470b and 471b are formed. When the support layers 470b and 471b are formed of a resin material, paper or the like, the electrode layers can be insulated and protected. In this case, likewise, the support layers 470b and 471b may also be formed or coated with a color-containing material.

As shown in FIG. 3D, the thickness of either the first insulating layer 470 or the second insulating layer 471 may be smaller than the thickness of the other. Specifically, since the electrostatic capacitance C is inversely proportional to the distance d between the electrode layer and the reference potential layers 200, 300, and 270, the electrode layer and the reference potential layers 200 and 300 , And 270 is larger, the capacitance change amount becomes larger, and accurate pressure detection becomes easier. The electrode sheet 440 is attached to the touch input device including the substrate 300 and the display module 200 and the one surface of the substrate 300 facing the substrate 300 and the display module 200, (300, 300) of the first insulating layer (470) or the second insulating layer (471) is attached to one of the surfaces of the first insulating layer (4) 270, 270 may be smaller than the thickness of the insulating layer located at a position remote from the reference potential layers 200, 3000, 270.

Preferably, only one of the first insulating layer 470 or the second insulating layer 471 may include the supporting layers 470b and 471b. Specifically, in a state where the electrode sheet 440 is attached to the touch input device, the first insulating layer 470 and the second insulating layer 471, which are located far from the reference potential layers 200, 300, and 270 Only the insulating layer may include the support layers 470b and 471b.

Similarly, when the first electrode sheet 440-1 is attached to the substrate 300 and the second electrode sheet 440-2 is attached to the display module 200, as shown in Fig. 9D, The thickness of the second insulating layer 471-1 which is an insulating layer near the second electrode 460 of the insulating layer 470-1 and the second insulating layer 471-1 is greater than the thickness of the first insulating layer 470-1, And the thickness of the fourth insulating layer 471-2 which is the insulating layer between the third insulating layer 470-2 and the fourth insulating layer 471-2 which is closer to the first electrode 450 than the thickness of the third insulating layer 471-2, And may be smaller than the insulating layer 470-2. Preferably, only the first insulating layer 470-1 and the third insulating layer 470-2 may include the supporting layer 470b.

3H, the electrode sheet 440 includes a first electrode layer including a first electrode 450 and a second electrode layer including a second electrode 460 spaced apart from the first electrode layer. The thickness of either the first insulating layer 470 or the second insulating layer 471 may be smaller than the thickness of the other. Specifically, when the electrode sheet 440 is attached to the display module 200 or the substrate 300, when the pressure is applied to the touch input device, the electrode sheet 440 and the electrode sheet 440, The distance between the electrode sheet 440 and the member to which the electrode sheet 440 is not attached is changed while the distance is not changed. At this time, the change in capacitance due to the change in distance between the electrode sheet 440 and the reference potential layer 200, 300, 270 located outside the electrode sheet 440 is not the desired change in capacitance, It is desirable to minimize. The electrode sheet 440 is attached to the touch input device including the substrate 300 and the display module 200 and the one surface of the substrate 300 facing the substrate 300 and the display module 200, The electrode sheet 440 of the first insulating layer 470 or the second insulating layer 471 is attached to any one of the surfaces of the first insulating layer 470 and the second insulating layer 480, The thickness of the insulating layer located near the one surface of the electrode sheet 440 may be smaller than the thickness of the insulating layer located farther from the one surface of the electrode sheet 440.

Preferably, only one of the first insulating layer 470 or the second insulating layer 471 may include the supporting layers 470b and 471b. Specifically, in a state where the electrode sheet 440 is attached to the touch input device, the insulation between the first insulation layer 470 and the second insulation layer 471 at a position distant from the one surface to which the electrode sheet 440 is attached Layer may include support layers 470b and 471b.

The electrode sheet 440 shown in Figure 3E is attached to the substrate 300 or the display module 200 to the side where the adhesive layer 430 is formed and the reference electrode layer 440 is formed on the side of the reference potential layer 200 The electrode sheet 440 shown in FIG. 3F is used to detect the magnitude of the pressure according to a change in distance between the electrodes 300 and 270 and the electrode layer. The electrode sheet 440 shown in FIG. ) Or a form attached to the display module 200 and detecting the magnitude of the pressure in accordance with a change in the distance between the reference potential layer 200, 300, 270 formed on the member side to which the electrode sheet 440 is attached and the electrode layer Electrode sheet 440.

The electrode sheet 440 and the supporting layers 470b and 471b are spaced apart from each other by about 100 to 500 mu m although the space between the display module 200 on which the electrode sheet 440 is disposed and the substrate 300 varies depending on the touch input device. Is limited. 3G, when the electrode sheet 440 is attached to the display module 200 and the distance between the display module 200 and the substrate 300 is 500 mu m, the thickness of the electrode sheet 440 is 50 mu m To about 450 mu m. When the thickness of the electrode sheet 440 is smaller than 50 mu m, the thickness of the support layers 470b and 471b having relatively high rigidity becomes small, so that the electrode sheet 440 is hardly retained in its original shape. If the thickness of the electrode sheet 440 is larger than 450 μm, the spacing distance between the electrode sheet 440 and the substrate 300, which is a reference potential layer, becomes too small, ie, 50 μm or less.

Since the electrode sheet 440 is disposed in the touch input device, the reliability of the electrode sheet 440 must be satisfied under predetermined conditions such as temperature and humidity, like the touch input device. It is preferable that the support layers 470b and 471b are made of a resin material in order to satisfy the reliability in which appearance and characteristics are less changed in severe conditions such as a severe condition of 85 degrees Celsius to -40 degrees Celsius and a humidity condition of 85% Specifically, the support layers 470b and 471b may be formed of polyimide (PI), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Further, in the case of using polyethylene terephthalate, it is preferable that the support layers 470b and 471b are formed of polyethylene terephthalate because the cost can be reduced compared to polyimide.

As described above, in order to detect the pressure through the touch input device 1000 to which the electrode sheet 440 according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied, it is possible to detect a change in capacitance generated in the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 Needs to be. Therefore, a driving signal needs to be applied to the driving electrode of the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460, and a sensing signal is required to be obtained from the receiving electrode to calculate the touch pressure from the variation of capacitance. According to the embodiment, it is also possible to further include a pressure detection device in the form of a pressure sensing IC for operation of pressure detection. The pressure detection module 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include such pressure detection device as well as the electrode sheet 440 for pressure detection.

In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 1, since the structure similar to that of the driving unit 120, the sensing unit 110, and the control unit 130 is overlapped, there arises a problem that the area and volume of the touch input device 1000 increase .

The touch input apparatus 1000 may apply a driving signal for pressure detection to the electrode sheet 440 by using a touch detection apparatus for operating the touch sensor panel 100 The sensing signal may be received to detect the touch pressure. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the first electrode 450 is a driving electrode and the second electrode 460 is a receiving electrode.

The first electrode 450 receives the driving signal from the driving unit 120 and the second electrode 460 senses the driving signal from the driving unit 120 in the touch input device 1000 to which the electrode sheet 440 according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied. And may transmit a signal to the sensing unit 110. The control unit 130 performs scanning of the pressure sensor while performing scanning of the touch sensor panel 100 or the control unit 130 performs time sharing to perform scanning of the touch sensor panel 100 in a first time period And generate a control signal to perform pressure detection scanning in a second time period different from the first time period.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 should be electrically connected to the driving unit 120 and / or the sensing unit 110. At this time, the touch sensing device for the touch sensor panel 100 is generally formed as a touch sensing IC 150 on the same plane as one end of the touch sensor panel 100 or the touch sensor panel 100. The pressure electrodes 450 and 460 included in the electrode sheet 440 can be electrically connected to the touch detection device of the touch sensor panel 100 in an arbitrary manner. For example, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may be connected to the touch detection device through a connector using the second PCB 210 included in the display module 200. [ 4B and 5C, the conductive traces 460 electrically extended from the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are electrically connected to the touch sensing ICs (not shown) through the second PCB 210 and the like. 150, respectively.

11A and 11B show a case where the electrode sheet 440 including the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 is attached to the lower surface of the display module 200. 11A and 11B, the display module 200 has a second PCB 210 on which a circuit for operating the display panel is mounted on a part of the lower surface.

11A shows a state in which the electrode sheet 440 is attached to the lower surface of the display module 200 such that the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are connected to one end of the second PCB 210 of the display module 200 Fig. In this case, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may be connected to one end of the second PCB 210 using a double-sided conductive tape. Specifically, since the thickness of the electrode sheet 440 and the distance between the display module 200 and the substrate 300 on which the electrode sheet 440 is disposed are very small, it is preferable to use a double-sided conductive tape Connecting the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 to one end of the second PCB 210 is effective because the thickness can be reduced. A conductive pattern may be printed on the second PCB 210 so that the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 can be electrically connected to a required configuration such as the touch sensing IC 150. [ A detailed description thereof will be described with reference to Figs. 12A to 12C. The method of attaching the electrode sheet 440 including the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 illustrated in FIG. 11A may be applied to the substrate 300 as well.

11B illustrates a case where the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are integrally formed on the second PCB 210 of the display module 200 without being formed as separate electrode sheets. For example, when the second PCB 210 of the display module 200 is manufactured, a predetermined area 211 is allocated to the second PCB to electrically connect the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460, To a pattern corresponding to the number of prints. A conductive pattern for electrically connecting the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 to a necessary configuration such as the touch sensing IC 150 may be printed on the second PCB 210. [

12A to 12C illustrate a method of connecting the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 or the electrode sheet 440 to the touch sensing IC 150. In FIGS. 12A to 12C, when the touch sensor panel 100 is mounted on the display module 200 A case where the touch sensing device of the touch sensor panel 100 is integrated in the touch sensing IC 150 mounted on the first PCB 160 for the touch sensor panel 100 will be exemplified.

12A illustrates a case where the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 attached to the display module 200 are connected to the touch sensing IC 150 through the first connector 121. FIG. 10A, in a mobile communication device such as a smart phone, the touch sensing IC 150 is connected to a second PCB 210 for the display module 200 through a first connector (connector) 121. And the second PCB 210 may be electrically connected to the main board through the second connector 224. [ Accordingly, the touch sensing IC 150 can exchange signals with the CPU or AP for the operation of the touch input device 1000 through the first connector 121 and the second connector 224.

Here, in FIG. 12A, the electrode sheet 440 is attached to the display module 200 in the manner as illustrated in FIG. 11B, but is also applicable to the case where it is attached in the manner as illustrated in FIG. 11A. A conductive pattern may be printed on the second PCB 210 so that the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 can be electrically connected to the touch sensing IC 150 through the first connector 121.

The case where the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 attached to the display module 200 are connected to the touch sensing IC 150 through the third connector 473 in FIG. 12B is exemplified. 12B, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are connected to the main board for operation of the touch input apparatus 1000 through the third connector 473, and the second connector 224 and the first connector 121 To the touch sensing IC 150 through the touch sensing IC 150. At this time, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 can be printed on the additional PCB separated from the second PCB 210. [ The pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may be attached to the touch input device 1000 in the form of an electrode sheet 440 as illustrated in Figures 3A through 3H to form conductive traces 450 and 460 from the pressure electrodes 450 and 460, And may be connected to the main board through the connector 473. [

The case where the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are directly connected to the touch sensing IC 150 through the fourth connector 474 in FIG. 12C is exemplified. 12C, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may be connected to the first PCB 160 through the fourth connector 474. A conductive pattern electrically connecting the fourth connector 474 to the touch sensing IC 150 may be printed on the first PCB 160. Accordingly, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 can be connected to the touch sensing IC 150 through the fourth connector 474. At this time, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 can be printed on the additional PCB separated from the second PCB 210. [ The second PCB 210 and the additional PCB may be insulated from each other so as not to be short-circuited. The pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may be attached to the touch input device 1000 in the form of an electrode sheet 440 as illustrated in Figures 3A through 3H to form conductive traces 450 and 460 from the pressure electrodes 450 and 460, And may be connected to the first PCB 160 through the connector 474.

12B and 12C can be applied to the case where the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are formed on the substrate 300 as well as the lower surface of the display module 200.

12A to 12C, the touch sensing IC 150 is described on the assumption that a chip on film (COF) structure is formed on the first PCB 160. However, this is merely an example, and the present invention can also be applied to a chip on board (COB) structure in which the touch sensing IC 150 is mounted on the main board in the mounting space 310 of the touch input device 1000. It will be clear from the discussion of Figs. 12A-12C that the connection of the pressure electrodes 450, 460 through the connector in the case of other embodiments to those skilled in the art.

In the above description, the first electrode 450 as a driving electrode constitutes one channel, and the second electrode 460 as a receiving electrode constitutes one channel. However, this is merely an example. According to the embodiment, the driving electrode and the receiving electrode constitute a plurality of channels, respectively, so that multiple pressure detection can be performed according to multi touch.

13A to 13D illustrate a case where the pressure electrode of the present invention constitutes a plurality of channels. 13A illustrates a case where the first electrodes 450-1 and 450-2 and the second electrodes 460-1 and 460-2 constitute two channels. The first electrode 450-1 and the second electrode 460-1 constituting the first channel are included in the first electrode sheet 440-1 and the first electrode 450 -2 and the second electrode 460-2 are included in the second electrode sheet 440-2. The first electrode 450-1 and the second electrode 450-2 forming the two channels and the second electrode 460-2, And the electrodes 460-1 and 460-2 are all included in one electrode sheet 440. [ 13B illustrates a case where the first electrode 450 constitutes two channels 450-1 and 450-2 while the second electrode 460 constitutes one channel. In FIG. 13C, the case where the first electrodes 450-1 to 450-5 and the second electrodes 460-1 and 460-5 constitute five channels is exemplified. In this case, all of the electrodes constituting the five channels may be included in one electrode sheet 440. In Fig. 13D, it is exemplified that each of the first electrodes 451 to 459 constitutes nine channels, and all of the first electrodes 451 to 459 are included in one electrode sheet 440.

As shown in FIGS. 13A to 13D and FIGS. 15A to 15C, when a plurality of channels are formed, the first electrode 450 and / or the second electrode 460 are connected to the touch sensing IC 150 A conductive pattern that is electrically connected may be formed.

Here, a case of configuring a plurality of channels of the form shown in FIG. 13D will be described by way of example. In this case, since the plurality of conductive patterns 461 must be connected to the first connector 121 having a limited width, the width of the conductive pattern 461 and the distance from the adjacent conductive pattern 461 must be small. Polyimide is preferable to polyethylene terephthalate in order to perform a fine process for forming the conductive pattern 461 having such small widths and gaps. Specifically, the support layers 470b and 471b of the electrode sheet 440 on which the conductive pattern 461 is formed may be formed of polyimide. In order to connect the conductive pattern 461 to the first connector 121, a soldering process may be required. In order to perform the soldering process at a temperature of 300 degrees Celsius or more, polyimide having heat resistance rather than thermally weak polyethyleneterephthalate is suitable . At this time, the supporting layers 470b and 471b in the portions where the conductive patterns 461 are not formed are formed of polyethylene terephthalate in order to reduce the cost, and the supporting layers 470b and 471b in the portions where the conductive patterns 461 are formed, May be formed.

Figs. 13A to 13D and Figs. 15A to 15C illustrate the case where the pressure electrode constitutes a single or plural channels, and the pressure electrode may be composed of a single channel or a plurality of channels in various ways. Although the case where the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are electrically connected to the touch sensing IC 150 is not illustrated in FIGS. 13A to 13C and FIGS. 15A to 15C, 450, and 460 may be connected to the touch sensing IC 150.

In the above description, the first connector 121 or the fourth connector 474 may be a double-sided conductive tape. Specifically, since the first connector 121 or the fourth connector 474 can be disposed between very small gaps, it is effective to use a double-sided conductive tape rather than a separate connector because the thickness can be reduced.

FIG. 14 shows an experiment for pressing the center of the touch surface of a touch input apparatus 1000 to which an electrode sheet 440 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a non-conductive object, And the amount of change in capacity. 14, as the force pressing the center of the touch surface of the touch input apparatus 1000 to which the electrode sheet 440 according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 ) Becomes larger. As described above, by applying the electrode sheet 440 according to the embodiment of the present invention to the touch input device 1000 including the touch sensor panel capable of detecting the existing touch and the touch position, The touch pressure can be easily detected through the apparatus 1000. [ The touch pressure can be detected using the conventional touch input apparatus 1000 by minimally changing the existing touch input apparatus 1000 and arranging the electrode sheet 440 of the present invention.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of illustration, It can be seen that various modifications and applications are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. It is to be understood that all changes and modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

1000: touch input device 100: touch sensor panel
120: driving unit 110:
130: control unit 200: display module
300: substrate 400: pressure detection module
420; Spacer layer 440: electrode sheet
450, 460: electrode 470: first insulating layer
471: second insulating layer 470a, 471a: electrode cover layer
470b, 471b: Support layer 430: Adhesive layer
435: protection layer 480: elastic layer

Claims (26)

An electrode sheet disposed on a touch input device including a display module and used for detecting a pressure of a touch on a touch surface of the touch input device,
A first insulating layer;
A second insulating layer; And
And an electrode positioned between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer,
Wherein the first insulating layer comprises a support layer,
When pressure is applied to the touch surface, the display module is bent,
As the display module is warped, electrical characteristics sensed by the electrodes change,
The magnitude of the pressure applied to the touch surface is detected according to the change amount of the electrical characteristic,
The supporting layer is a material which is bent when the pressure is applied and returns to the original state when the pressure is released,
A display module,
Electrode sheet. An electrode sheet disposed on a touch input device including a display module and used for detecting a pressure of a touch on a touch surface of the touch input device,
An electrode including a first electrode and a second electrode;
And a first insulating layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode,
Wherein the first insulating layer comprises a support layer,
When pressure is applied to the touch surface, the display module is bent,
The electrical characteristic sensed by the first electrode or the second electrode varies as the display module is warped,
Wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged so as not to overlap with each other,
The magnitude of the pressure applied to the touch surface is detected according to the change amount of the electrical characteristic,
A display module,
Electrode sheet. 3. The method of claim 2,
Further comprising a second insulating layer disposed on a side not attached to the display module,
Electrode sheet. The method of claim 3,
Further comprising a third insulating layer disposed on a side of the display module,
Electrode sheet. The method according to claim 1 or 3,
Wherein a thickness of the first insulating layer is larger than a thickness of the second insulating layer,
Electrode sheet. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein a thickness of the first insulating layer is larger than a thickness of the third insulating layer,
Electrode sheet. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the support layer is formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Electrode sheet. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the support layer is formed of polyimide (PI)
Electrode sheet. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the thickness of the electrode sheet has a value of 50 [mu] m to 450 [mu]
Electrode sheet. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
And a protective layer for protecting the adhesive layer and the adhesive layer on the side attached to the display module,
And an adhesive layer attached to the display module using the adhesive layer,
Electrode sheet. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the electrode comprises a plurality of channels,
Electrode sheet. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein a plurality of channels are used to detect multiple pressure for multiple touches,
Electrode sheet. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A spacer layer disposed between the display module and the spacer layer,
Electrode sheet. A touch input device capable of detecting pressure of a touch on a touch surface,
A display module;
A first insulating layer;
A second insulating layer; And
And an electrode positioned between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer,
Wherein the first insulating layer comprises a support layer,
When pressure is applied to the touch surface, the display module is bent,
As the display module is warped, electrical characteristics sensed by the electrodes change,
Wherein the first insulating layer, the electrode, and the second insulating layer are attached to the display module as an integral sheet,
Detecting a magnitude of a pressure applied to the touch surface according to a change amount of the electrical characteristic,
The supporting layer is bent at the time of applying pressure and returns to the original state when the pressure is released.
Touch input device. A touch input device capable of detecting pressure of a touch on a touch surface,
A display module;
An electrode including a first electrode and a second electrode;
And a first insulating layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode,
Wherein the first insulating layer comprises a support layer,
When pressure is applied to the touch surface, the display module is bent,
The electrical characteristic sensed by the first electrode or the second electrode varies as the display module is warped,
Wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged so as not to overlap with each other,
Wherein the first electrode, the first insulating layer, and the second electrode are attached to the display module as an integral sheet,
Detecting a magnitude of a pressure applied to the touch surface according to a change amount of the electrical characteristic,
Touch input device. 16. The method of claim 15,
Wherein the integrated sheet further comprises a second insulating layer disposed on a side not attached to the display module,
Touch input device. 17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the integrated sheet further comprises a third insulating layer disposed on a side to be attached to the display module,
Touch input device. 17. The method according to claim 14 or 16,
Wherein a thickness of the first insulating layer is larger than a thickness of the second insulating layer,
Touch input device. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein a thickness of the first insulating layer is larger than a thickness of the third insulating layer,
Touch input device. 18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17,
Wherein the support layer is formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Touch input device. 18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17,
Wherein the support layer is formed of polyimide (PI)
Touch input device. 18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17,
Wherein the thickness of the integral sheet has a value of from 50 [mu] m to 450 [
Touch input device. 18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17,
Wherein the integral sheet further comprises an adhesive layer on a side of the display module to be attached to the display module and a protective layer for protecting the adhesive layer,
Wherein the integrated sheet is attached to the display module using the adhesive layer,
Touch input device. 18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17,
Wherein the electrode comprises a plurality of channels,
Touch input device. 25. The method of claim 24,
Wherein a plurality of channels are used to detect multiple pressure for multiple touches,
Touch input device. 18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17,
Wherein the integrated sheet is attached between the display module and the spacer layer,
Touch input device.

Images