KR101865303B1 - Touch Input Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a touch input device including: a display panel; a substrate arranged to be separated from the display panel at a predetermined distance; a pressure detection module including an insulating layer arranged between the display panel and the substrate, at least one pressure sensor arranged on the insulating layer and detecting touch pressure, and a reference potential layer arranged to face the at least one pressure sensor; and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connected to the display panel. The pressure detection module is arranged between the display panel and the FPCB. Accordingly, the present invention can detect the size of the touch pressure and the position of a touch on a touch screen.

Description

[0001] Touch input device [0002]

The present invention relates to a touch input device, and more particularly, to a touch input device, in which a separate layer for implementing a reference potential layer is disposed to effectively block noise generated in 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 a touch position corresponding to a touch on the touch screen but also a pressure magnitude of the touch without deteriorating the performance of the display module.

As described above, in order to detect the magnitude of the touch pressure without deteriorating the performance of the display module, a capacitance type pressure sensor is disposed on the lower surface of the display module, and a distance change A touch input device having a structure for detecting a pressure in accordance with a touch signal is developed. At this time, a part of the FPCB in which the touch or display circuit is implemented is positioned between the pressure sensor and the substrate. This FPCB is disposed between the pressure sensor and the reference potential layer, There is a growing need.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a smartphone including a display module capable of detecting a position of a touch on a touch screen as well as a magnitude of a touch pressure.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a smartphone including a display module configured to detect a touch position and a pressure magnitude of a touch without lowering the visibility and light transmittance of the display module.

Another object of the present invention is to improve the pressure detection sensitivity by implementing a pressure detection module including a separate reference potential layer below the display panel.

The touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display panel, a substrate disposed at a predetermined distance from the display panel, at least one pressure sensor disposed between the display panel and the substrate to detect touch pressure, And a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connected to the display panel, wherein a reference potential layer serving as a reference for detecting the touch pressure is disposed between the at least one pressure sensor and the FPCB And a touch input device.

The touch input device according to another embodiment includes a display panel, a substrate disposed at a predetermined distance from the display panel, at least one pressure sensor disposed between the display panel and the substrate for detecting a touch pressure, And a FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board) connected to the panel, wherein the at least one pressure sensor is a touch input device disposed between the FPCB and a reference potential layer serving as a reference for detecting the touch pressure.

The touch input device may further include a display panel, a substrate disposed at a predetermined distance from the display panel, an insulating layer disposed between the display panel and the substrate, And a reference potential layer arranged to face the at least one pressure sensor, and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connected to the display panel,

And the pressure detection module is disposed between the display panel and the FPCB.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a smart phone including a display module capable of detecting not only a position of a touch on a touch screen but also a magnitude of a touch pressure.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a smart phone including a display module configured to detect a touch position and a pressure magnitude of a touch without lowering a visibility and a light transmittance of the display module.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a separate layer for implementing the reference potential layer, thereby effectively blocking noise generated in the touch input device.

1 is a schematic diagram of a capacitive touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention and a configuration for its operation.
FIGS. 2A to 2F are conceptual diagrams illustrating a relative position of a touch sensor to a display module in a touch input device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device configured to detect a touch pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 and 6 illustrate relative distances between the pressure sensor and the reference potential layer included in the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
5 illustrates an attachment structure of a pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 and 8 are views illustrating a form of a pressure sensor included in a touch input device according to an 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. For example, certain features, structures, and characteristics described herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in connection with an embodiment. It is also to be understood that the position or arrangement of the individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled, if properly explained. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar functions throughout the several views.

Hereinafter, a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, the capacitive touch sensor 10 and the pressure sensors 450 and 460 are exemplified, but a technique capable of detecting a touch position and / or a touch pressure may be applied according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a touch sensor 10 of a capacitive type included in a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a configuration thereof for operation thereof. 1A, the touch sensor 10 includes a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm. The touch sensor 10 includes a plurality of driving electrodes And a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm for receiving a sensing signal including information on a capacitance change amount that changes in accordance with a touch on a touch surface, And a sensing unit 11 for sensing a touch position.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the touch sensor 10 may include a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm. 1A, a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm of the touch sensor 10 are shown as an orthogonal array. However, the present invention is not limited to this, The electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm can have any number of dimensions including the diagonal, concentric and three-dimensional random arrangement, and the like and their application arrangements. 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.

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).

7A and 7B, in the touch sensor 10 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 are formed in the same layer . For example, the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed on a top surface of a display module 200 to be described later.

Also, as shown in FIG. 7C, 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, one of the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed on the upper surface of the display module 200 and the other may be formed on the lower surface of the cover, (Not shown).

A plurality of drive electrodes (TX1 to TXn) and a plurality of receiving electrodes (RX1 to RXm) is a transparent conductive material (e.g., tin oxide (SnO ₂₎ and indium oxide _{(In 2 O 3) ITO (} Indium Tin made of such Oxide) or ATO (antimony tin oxide)). 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 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention can 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 11 acquires information about the electrostatic capacitance Cm 101 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 coupled to the driving electrode TX by a capacitance Cm 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 through the receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be referred to as scanning the touch sensor 10 .

For example, the sensing unit 11 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. The negative input terminal of the amplifier is connected to the receiving electrode RX and receives the current signal including the information about the capacitance Cm 101, The sensing unit 11 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 10. The sensing unit 11 may be configured to include an ADC and a processor together with a receiver.

The control unit 13 may perform a function of controlling the operation of the driving unit 12 and the sensing unit 11. For example, the controller 13 may generate a driving control signal and transmit the driving control signal to the driving unit 12 so that the driving signal is applied to the driving electrode TX predetermined at a predetermined time. The control unit 13 generates a sensing control signal and transmits the sensing control signal to the sensing unit 11 so that the sensing unit 11 receives a sensing signal from the sensing electrode RX previously set at a predetermined time to perform a predetermined function can do.

In FIG. 1A, the driving unit 12 and the sensing unit 11 may constitute a touch detection device (not shown) capable of detecting whether or not to touch the touch sensor 10 and a touch position. The touch detection apparatus may further include a control section (13). The touch sensing device may be integrated on a touch sensing IC (touch sensing integrated circuit), which is a touch sensing circuit, in a touch input device including the touch sensor 10. The driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX included in the touch sensor 10 are included in the touch sensing IC through a conductive trace and / or a conductive pattern printed on a circuit board And may be connected to the driving unit 12 and the sensing unit 11. The touch sensing IC may be placed on a circuit board on which a conductive pattern is printed, for example, a first printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as a first FPCB). According to the embodiment, the touch sensing IC may be mounted on a main board for operating the touch input device.

As described above, a capacitance Cm of a predetermined value is generated at each intersection of the driving electrode TX and the reception electrode RX. When an object such as a finger is close to the touch sensor 10, Can be changed. In FIG. 1A, the capacitance may represent mutual capacitance (Cm). The sensing unit 11 senses such electrical characteristics and can detect whether the touch sensor 10 is touched and / or touched. For example, it is possible to detect the touch and / or the position of the touch on the surface of the touch sensor 10 having the two-dimensional plane including the first axis and the second axis.

More specifically, the position of the touch in the second axial direction can be detected by detecting the drive electrode TX to which the drive signal is applied when a touch to the touch sensor 10 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 touching the touch sensor 10.

In the above description, the operation of the touch sensor 10 for sensing the touch position has been described based on the amount of mutual capacitance change between the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, as shown in FIG. 1B, it is also possible to sense the touch position based on the amount of change in self capacitance.

FIG. 1B is a schematic view for explaining still another capacitive touch sensor 10 included in the touch input device according to another embodiment of the present invention and its operation. A plurality of touch electrodes 30 are provided in the touch sensor 10 shown in FIG. The plurality of touch electrodes 30 may be arranged in a lattice pattern at regular intervals as shown in FIG. 7D, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The driving control signal generated by the control unit 130 is transmitted to the driving unit 12 and the driving unit 12 applies the driving signal to the predetermined touch electrode 30 at a predetermined time based on the driving control signal. The sensing control signal generated by the control unit 13 is transmitted to the sensing unit 11. The sensing unit 11 senses the sensing signal from the touch electrode 30 preset at a predetermined time Receive input. At this time, the sensing signal may be a signal for the amount of change in self-capacitance formed on the touch electrode 30.

At this time, whether or not the touch sensor 10 is touched and / or the touch position is detected by the sensing signal sensed by the sensing unit 11. For example, since the coordinates of the touch electrode 30 are known in advance, it is possible to detect the touch of the object with respect to the surface of the touch sensor 10 and / or its position.

Although the driving unit 12 and the sensing unit 11 are divided into separate blocks for the sake of convenience, the operation of applying the driving signal to the touch electrode 30 and the sensing signal from the touch electrode 30 May be performed by one driving and sensing unit.

1C illustrates a control block for controlling a touch position, a touch pressure, and a display operation in a touch input device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the touch input apparatus 1000 configured to detect the touch pressure in addition to the display function and the touch position detection, the control block includes a touch sensor controller 1100 for detecting the touch position, a display controller (not shown) for driving the display panel And a pressure sensor controller 1300 for detecting the pressure. The display controller 1200 receives input from a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (CPU), which is a central processing unit on the main board for operating the touch input apparatus 1000, And a control circuit for displaying desired contents. This display controller 1200 may be mounted on a second printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as a second FPCB). Such a control circuit may be a circuit necessary for operation of a display panel control IC, a graphic controller IC, and other display panel 200A.

A pressure sensor controller 1300 for detecting pressure through a pressure sensor may be configured similar to the configuration of the touch sensor controller 1100 to operate similarly to the touch sensor controller 1100. Specifically, the pressure sensor controller 1300 includes a driving unit, a sensing unit, and a control unit, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, and can detect the magnitude of the pressure based on the sensing signal sensed by the sensing unit. At this time, the pressure sensor controller 1300 may be mounted on the touch FPCB (hereinafter, referred to as a first FPCB) on which the touch sensor controller 1100 is mounted and on the second FPCB on which the display controller 1200 is mounted It is possible.

According to an embodiment, the touch sensor controller 1100, the display controller 1200, and the pressure sensor controller 1300 may be included in the touch input device 1000 as different components. For example, the touch sensor controller 1100, the display controller 1200, and the pressure sensor controller 1300 may be implemented as different chips. At this time, the processor 1500 of the touch input apparatus 1000 may function as a host processor for the touch sensor controller 1100, the display controller 1200, and the pressure sensor controller 1300.

The touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be applied to various devices such as a cell phone, a PDA (Personal Data Assistant), a smartphone, a tablet PC, an MP3 player, a notebook, An electronic device including the same display screen and / or a touch screen.

The touch sensor controller 1100, the display controller 1200, and the pressure sensor controller 1300, which are separately configured as described above, to make the touch input apparatus 1000 thin and light weight, May be integrated into one or more configurations in accordance with an embodiment. In addition, it is also possible that these respective controllers are integrated in the processor 1500. In addition, the touch panel 10 and / or the pressure sensor may be incorporated in the display panel 200A according to the embodiment.

The touch sensor 10 for detecting a touch position in the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment may be located outside or inside the display panel 200A. The display panel 200A of the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment may be a display device including a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) Display panel. Accordingly, the user can perform an input action by touching the touch surface while visually checking the screen displayed on the display panel.

2A and 2B are conceptual diagrams for explaining the configuration of the display module 200 in the touch input device 1000 according to the present invention. 2A, a configuration of a display module 200 including a display panel 200A using an LCD panel will be described.

2A, the display module 200 includes a display panel 200A as an LCD panel, a first polarizing layer 271 disposed on the display panel 200A, and a first polarizing layer 271 disposed below the display panel 200A. 2 polarizing layer 272 as shown in FIG. The display panel 200A as an LCD panel includes a liquid crystal layer 250 including a liquid crystal cell, a first substrate layer 261 disposed above the liquid crystal layer 250, and a liquid crystal layer 250, And a second substrate layer 262 disposed underneath. In this case, the first substrate layer 261 may be a color filter glass, and the second substrate layer 262 may be a TFT glass. Also, at least one of the first substrate layer 261 and the second substrate layer 262 may be formed of a bendable material such as a plastic according to an embodiment. 2A, the second substrate layer 262 may include various layers including a data line, a gate line, a TFT, a common electrode (Vcom), and a pixel electrode. Lt; / RTI > These electrical components can operate to generate a controlled electric field to orient the liquid crystals located in the liquid crystal layer 250.

Next, a configuration of a display module 200 including a display panel 200A using an OLED panel will be described with reference to FIG. 2B.

2B, the display module 200 may include a display panel 200A, which is an OLED panel, and a first polarizing layer 282, which is disposed on the display panel 200A. The display panel 200A as an OLED panel includes an organic layer 280 including an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a first substrate layer 281 disposed over the organic layer 280, And a second substrate layer 283 disposed thereon. At this time, the first substrate layer 281 may be an encapsulation glass, and the second substrate layer 283 may be a TFT glass. In addition, at least one of the first substrate layer 281 and the second substrate layer 283 may be formed of a bendable material such as a plastic.

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) panel is a self-luminous display panel that uses the principle that light is generated when electrons and holes are combined in an organic layer when current is applied to a fluorescent or phosphorescent organic thin film. Determine the color.

Specifically, OLEDs use the principle that an organic material emits light when an organic material is applied to glass or plastic and electricity is supplied. That is, when holes and electrons are injected into the anode and the cathode of the organic material, respectively, and then recombined with the light emitting layer, excitons having a high energy state are formed. When excitons fall into a state of low energy, energy is emitted, And to use the generated principle. At this time, the color of the light changes depending on the organic material of the light emitting layer.

In OLED, a line-driven PM-OLED (Passive-matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) and an AM-OLED (Active-matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) are used depending on the operation characteristics of the pixels constituting the pixel matrix exist. Since both of them do not require a backlight, the display module can be made very thin, the contrast ratio is constant according to the angle, and color reproducibility according to temperature is good. In addition, un-driven pixels are very economical in that they do not consume power.

In operation, the PM-OLED emits light only for a scanning time with a high current, and the AM-OLED maintains a light emission state for a frame time with a low current. Therefore, AM-OLED has better resolution than PM-OLED, it is advantageous to drive a large-area display panel and has low power consumption. In addition, since each element can be individually controlled by incorporating a thin film transistor (TFT), it is easy to realize a sophisticated screen.

The organic material layer 280 may include a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transport layer (HTL), an emission layer (EIL), an electron transfer layer (ETL) (Electron Injection Layer, light emitting layer).

Briefly describing each layer, the HIL injects holes, and uses a material such as CuPc. The HTL functions to transfer injected holes, and mainly uses materials having good hole mobility. HTL may be arylamine, TPD, or the like. EIL and ETL are layers for electron injection and transport, and injected electrons and holes are combined in EML to emit light. EML is a material that expresses the emitted color, and is composed of a host that determines the lifetime of the organic material, and a dopant that determines color and efficiency. This is only a description of the basic structure of the organic material layer 280 included in the OLED panel, and the present invention is not limited to the layer structure or material of the organic material layer 280. [

The organic layer 280 is inserted between an anode (not shown) and a cathode (not shown). When the TFT is turned on, a driving current is applied to the anode to inject holes, Electrons are injected, and holes and electrons move to the organic material layer 280 to emit light.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that an LCD panel or an OLED panel may further include other configurations for performing the display function and may be modified.

The display module 200 of the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the present invention may include a structure for driving the display panel 200A and the display panel 200A. In detail, when the display panel 200A is an LCD panel, the display module 200 may include a backlight unit (not shown) disposed under the second polarizing layer 272, A display panel control IC, a graphic control IC, and other circuits for operation of the display panel.

In particular, when the display module 200 is implemented as a flexible AM-OLED (Flexible Active-matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) according to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer is made of a plastic material Can be used. It is made of plastic material, and has superior resilience, strong impact, thin and light. At this time, it can be realized as a film of polyimide material.

.

Shielding layer reference potential layer Although the touch position detection according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the touch sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention can be used to detect the touch pressure and / . It is also possible to detect the pressure magnitude of the touch by further including a pressure sensor that detects the touch pressure separately from the touch sensor. Hereinafter, the pressure sensors 450 and 460 and the touch input device including the pressure sensors 450 and 460 will be described in detail.

3A to 3E illustrate examples in which the pressure sensors 450 and 460 are applied in the touch input device according to the present invention.

The cover layer 100 formed with the touch sensor for detecting the touch position in the touch input device 1000 of the present invention and the display module 200 including the display panel 200A are bonded with an adhesive such as OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive) Lt; / RTI > 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 can be improved.

Although the display panel 200A is shown as being directly laminated and attached to the cover layer 100 in Figure 3A and some of the following figures, this is for illustrative convenience only and the first polarizing layer 271, The display module 200 located on the upper side may be laminated to the cover layer 100 and the second polarizing layer 272 and the backlight unit are omitted when the LCD panel is the display panel 200A.

3A and 3B, a cover layer 100 formed with a touch sensor as a touch input device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a display module 200 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B The touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a case where the touch sensor 10 is disposed inside the display module 200 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B can do. 3A and 3B, the cover layer 100 formed with the touch sensor covers the display module 200 including the display panel 200A. However, the touch sensor 10 is not limited to the display module 200, And the display module 200 is covered with a cover layer 100 such as glass can be used as an embodiment of the present invention.

The touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be applied to various devices such as a cell phone, a PDA (Personal Data Assistant), a smartphone, a tablet PC, an MP3 player, a notebook, And electronic devices including the same touch screen.

The substrate 300 in the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a housing 320 as an outermost structure of the touch input apparatus 1000 and a circuit board 300 for operating the touch input apparatus 1000, And / or a mounting space 310 where the 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 are separated through the substrate 300 and the electrical noise generated in the display module 200 and the noise generated in the circuit board Can be blocked.

The touch sensor 10 or the cover layer 100 may be formed wider than the display module 200, the substrate 300 and the mounting space 310 in the touch input device 1000, The housing 320 may be formed to enclose the display module 200, the substrate 300, and the circuit board together with the touch sensor 10.

The touch input apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention can detect the touch position through the touch sensor 10 and detect the touch pressure from the pressure sensors 450 and 460 formed under the display panel 200A . At this time, the touch sensor 10 may be located inside or outside the display module 200.

The touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include the spacer layers 420 and 420 '. At this time, the spacer layers 420 and 420 'may be made of an impact-absorbing material according to an embodiment. The spacer layers 420 and 420 'may be filled with a dielectric material according to an embodiment. Depending on the embodiment, the spacer layers 420 and 420 'may be formed of a material having a resilience that contracts upon application of pressure and returns to its original shape upon release of pressure. According to an embodiment, the spacer layer 420 may be formed of an elastic foam.

These spacer layers 420 and 420'can include a first spacer layer 402 and a second spacer layer 420'divided according to the arrangement of the reference potential layer 402 and the pressure sensors 420 and 460 have.

The reference potential layer 402 may be formed on the display panel 200A or the substrate 300 (not shown) according to the embodiment. In this case, the first spacer layer 420 may be formed on the display panel 200A and the reference potential Or may be formed between the substrate 300 and the display panel 200A implemented as a reference potential layer.

4A, if the reference potential layer 402 is formed on the upper surface of the second FPCB or the reference potential layer 402 is formed on the lower surface of the display panel 200A as shown in FIG. 4C, (420 ') may be disposed between the reference potential layer (402) and the pressure sensors (450, 460).

At this time, since the pressure sensors 450 and 460 are disposed on the rear surface of the display panel 200A rather than on the front surface thereof, the pressure sensors 450 and 460 may be formed of an opaque material as well as a transparent material. When the display panel 200A is an LCD panel, light must be transmitted through the backlight unit, so that the pressure sensors 450 and 460 may be made of a transparent material such as ITO.

At this time, a frame 330 having a predetermined height along the rim of the upper portion of the substrate 300 may be formed to hold the spacer layers 420 and 420 '. At this time, the frame 330 may be adhered to the cover layer 100 with an adhesive tape (not shown). 3B, the frame 330 is formed on all of the edges of the substrate 300 (e.g., four sides of a tetragon), but the frame 330 may include at least some of the edges of the substrate 300 Three surfaces). According to an embodiment, the frame 330 may be integrally formed with the substrate 300 on the upper surface of the substrate 300. In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame 330 may be constructed of a material that is not elastic. In the embodiment of the present invention, when touch pressure is applied to the display panel 200A through the cover layer 100, the display panel 200A may be bent together with the cover layer 100, The magnitude of the touch pressure can be detected even if there is no deformation of the mold body.

3C is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device including pressure sensors 450 and 460 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3C, the pressure sensors 450 and 460 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be formed on the bottom surface of the display panel 200A.

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the touch input device 1000 shown in FIG. 3C when a touch pressure is applied. The top surface of the substrate 300 may have a ground potential for noise shielding. When a touch is applied to the surface of the cover layer 100 through the object 500, the cover layer 100 and the display panel 200A may be warped or pressed.

In the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the display panel 200A can be bent or pressed according to a touch to apply pressure. The display panel 200A can be bent or pressed to show a deformation according to a touch. According to the embodiment, the position where the display panel 200A is deformed when the display panel 200A is bent or pressed may not coincide with the touch position, but the display panel 200A 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 panel 200A, the position where the display panel 200A is warped or pressed most greatly may be different from the touch position, It is possible to indicate warping or pressing.

Meanwhile, according to the embodiment of the present invention, a new reference potential layer may be required by the area of the second FPCB on which the display controller 1200 is mounted. For example, as shown in FIG. 3E, the area of the second FPCB may be at least half or more of the area of the display panel 200A. On the other hand, the present invention is not applied only when the area of the second FPCB is not less than 1/2 of the area of the display panel 200A, and even if the second FPCB is not more than 1/2, 300 may have a size enough to block the change in capacitance due to a change in distance between the reference potential layers. The pressure sensors 450 and 460 disposed under the display panel 200A can detect the pressure of the second FPCB when the pressure is detected using the reference potential layer of the substrate 300 positioned to face the display panel 200A Since the second FPCB is disposed between the pressure sensors 450 and 460 and the substrate 300, the change in capacitance due to the change in distance between the pressure sensors 450 and 460 and the reference potential layer is blocked, . Therefore, by implementing the pressure detection module 400 including a separate reference potential layer below the display panel 200A, the pressure detection sensitivity can be improved.

4 to 6, the pressure detecting module 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a pressure detecting module 400 for detecting a pressure of the display 400, The pressure sensing module 400 may be disposed between the panel 200A and the substrate 300 and may include an insulating layer 470, at least one pressure sensor (not shown) disposed on the insulating layer 470 for sensing touch pressure 450, 460), and a reference potential layer (402) arranged to face at least one pressure sensor (450, 460). 4A, the insulating layer 470 is attached to the lower surface of the display panel 200A. However, even when the insulating layer 470 is attached to the upper surface of the second FPCB as shown in FIG. 4D, Lt; / RTI > 4A, when the insulating layer 470 is attached to the lower surface of the display panel 200A, the reference potential layer 402 may be disposed between the pressure sensors 450 and 460 and the second FPCB, When the insulating layer 470 is attached to the upper surface of the second FPCB, the pressure sensors 450 and 460 may be disposed between the reference potential layer 402 attached to the lower surface of the display panel 200A and the second FPCB. The pressure detection module 400 may be disposed between the display panel 200A and the second FPCB.

4A and 4D illustrate a case where the insulating layer 470 is attached to the lower surface of the display panel 470A or attached to the upper surface of the second FPCB. However, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6D, The module 400 further includes a shielding layer 401 so that the shielding layer 401 can be attached to the lower surface of the display panel 470A or attached to the upper surface of the second FPCB. The shielding layer 401 may include a conductive material such as graphite or nickel to reduce noise. For example, in FIG. 6A, the shielding layer 401 may reduce noise generated in the display panel 200A, and in FIG. 6D, the shielding layer 401 may extend from the second FPCB or the substrate 300 The generated noise can be reduced. When the pressure detecting module 400 includes the shielding layer 401, the insulating layer 470 may be disposed on the shielding layer 401. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4D and FIGS. 6A and 6D, the pressure sensors 450 and 460 according to the embodiment include a first sensor 450 and a second sensor 460, A driving signal may be applied to the driving electrode TX which is one of the sensor 450 and the second sensor 460 and the sensing signal may be obtained through the receiving electrode RX. The distance between the first sensor 450 and the second sensor 460 and the reference potential layer 402 is changed and the mutual capacitance change between the first sensor 450 and the second sensor 460 The touch pressure can be detected.

4E and 6E, the first sensor 450 and the reference potential layer 402 are changed according to the touch pressure, and the first sensor 450 and the reference sensor 450 according to the distance change, The touch pressure can be detected by a change in the self capacitance between the potential layer 402. [

Specifically, when a drive signal is applied to the first sensor 450 and a received signal is received from the first sensor 450, a change in the self-capacitance between the first sensor 450 and the reference potential layer is detected, Can be detected. Since the distance d decreases as the touch pressure increases, the capacitance between the reference potential layer and the first sensor 450 may increase as the touch pressure increases.

4B and 4C, the arrangement of the pressure detecting module 400, the second FPCB, and the reference potential layer 402 has been described. However, in the second FPCB, (300). ≪ / RTI >

For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the second FPCB may be attached to the upper surface of the substrate 300 while being attached to the lower surface of the pressure detection module 400. In this case, a step may be generated between the substrate 300 and the pressure detecting module 400 due to the thickness (D) of the second FPCB. 4B, the step between the substrate 300 and the pressure detecting module 400 can be removed by inserting the second FPCB into the upper portion of the substrate 300. 4B, a groove 301 may be formed in the substrate 300 by inserting the second FPCB on the upper portion of the substrate 300. Referring to FIG. The step between the substrate 300 and the pressure detecting module 400 can be removed by inserting the second FPCB into the groove 301 as shown in FIG. That is, the second FPCB can be inserted into the groove 301, whereby the depth of the groove 301 can be equal to the thickness (D) of the second FPCB.

In another embodiment, the second FPCB may be inserted into the mounting space 310 and attached to the lower surface of the substrate 300, as shown in Fig. 4C.

6B and 6C, the pressure detecting module 400 further includes a shielding layer 401 so that the shielding layer 401 is attached to the lower surface of the display panel 470A, and the insulating layer 470 is attached to the shielding layer 401), and the same principles as described above in Figs. 4B and 4C can be applied.

The second FPCB or the substrate 300 may be electrically connected to the reference potential layer 402 according to the following first or second embodiment of the present invention.

According to the first embodiment, as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, an insulating layer 470 is disposed on the lower surface of the display panel 200A, and pressure sensors 450 and 460 are disposed on the insulating layer 470 The reference potential layer 402 may be disposed so as to face the pressure sensors 450 and 460. The second FPCB according to the embodiment may include an FPCB insulation layer (not shown) and a ground electrode (not shown) in contact with the reference potential layer 402. In this case, the FPCB insulating layer includes a cut off part (not shown) where a part of the FPCB insulating layer is cut off, and the ground electrode is connected to the reference potential layer (Not shown). Further, a conductive tape composed of a conductive adhesive material such as OCA may be disposed in the cutoff part, and the ground electrode may be attached to the reference potential layer 402 using the conductive tape.

The first embodiment described above can be applied not only to the case where the insulating layer 470 is attached to the lower surface of the display panel 200A but also to the case where the insulating layer 470 is provided between the insulating layer 470 and the display panel 200A, The same can be applied when the layer 401 is disposed.

4A, the second FPCB is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 300, and also, when the second FPCB is inserted on the upper surface of the substrate 300 as shown in FIG. 4B, Can be applied.

4B, when the second FPCB is inserted into the upper portion of the substrate 300, the second FPCB may be electrically connected to the reference potential layer 402 as in the first embodiment described above. However, The substrate 300 may be electrically connected to the reference potential layer 402 as well. That is, in the case of FIG. 4A, only the first embodiment described above in which the second FPCB is attached to the upper surface of the substrate 300 and the second FPCB can be electrically connected to the reference potential layer 402 can be applied, The second FPCB is inserted into the upper portion of the substrate 300 so that the substrate 300 is electrically connected to the reference potential layer 402 in addition to the first embodiment described above.

Specifically, according to the second embodiment, the substrate 300 can be attached to the reference potential layer 402 using a conductive tape, and the substrate 300 is electrically connected to the reference potential layer 402 through the conductive tape The reference potential layer of the present invention may have a ground potential.

Meanwhile, the reference potential layer 402 and / or the shielding layer 401 for shielding noise according to the embodiment of the present invention may be implemented by a conductor such as a metal plate or a conductive film. For example, a metal plate or a conductive film may be formed of a conductive material such as graphite or nickel.

Meanwhile, the pressure detecting module 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be attached to the lower part of the display panel 200A using a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). This pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) can also be used in attaching the pressure sensors 450 and 460 and the insulating layer 470, or attaching the shielding layer 401 and the insulating layer 470. At this time, the pressure detecting module 400 may be fully laminated under the display panel 200A.

The pressure detecting module 400 may be attached to the lower portion of the display panel 200A through an adhesive material such as a double-sided touch tape (DAT), an OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive), and an OCR (Optical Clear Resin).

5 illustrates an attachment structure of a pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 illustrates a cross section of sensor sheet 440 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5A, a cross-sectional view of a case where the sensor sheet 440 including the pressure sensors 450 and 460 is attached on the shielding layer 401 is illustrated. As shown in FIG. Since the pressure sensors 450 and 460 are located between the first insulating layer 470 and the second insulating layer 471 in the sensor sheet 440, the pressure sensors 450 and 460 are prevented from short- .

The sensor sheet 440 according to the embodiment may be disposed on the shielding layer 401 as shown in FIG. 5A. However, in the absence of the shielding layer 401, 200A, or may be disposed on the second FPCB as shown in Fig. 5C.

 Also, depending on the type and / or implementation of the touch input device 1000, the display panel 200A or the second FPCB to which the pressure sensors 450 and 460 are attached 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 display panel 200A or the second FPCB and the insulating layer 470. According to the embodiment, another insulating layer (not shown) may further be provided between the ground electrode and the display panel 200A or the second FPCB. At this time, the ground electrode (not shown) can prevent the capacitance generated between the first sensor 450 and the second sensor 460 from becoming too large. The first sensor 450 and the second sensor 460 shown in FIG. 5 may be formed in the same layer as the first sensor 450 and the second sensor 460, respectively, as shown in FIG. 7A, A plurality of sensors of the type shown in FIG. Here, the plurality of first sensors 450 are mutually connected in the first axis direction, and the plurality of second sensors 460 are mutually connected in the second axis direction orthogonal to the first axis direction, At least one of the first sensor 450 and the second sensor 460 may be configured such that a plurality of diamond-shaped electrodes are connected to each other through a bridge so that the first sensor 450 and the second sensor 460 are insulated from each other. At this time, the first sensor 450 and the second sensor 460 shown in FIG. 5 may be configured as electrodes of the type shown in FIG. 7B.

The first sensor 450 and the second sensor 460 may be implemented in different layers according to the embodiment to constitute a sensor layer. 5B illustrates a cross section of the first sensor 450 and the second sensor 460 in different layers. The first sensor 450 is formed on the first insulating layer 470 and the second sensor 460 is formed on the first sensor 450 as shown in Figure 5 (b) Layer 471 as shown in FIG. According to an embodiment, the second sensor 460 may be covered with a third insulating layer 472. That is, the sensor sheet 440 may include a first insulating layer 470 to a third insulating layer 472, a first sensor 450, and a second sensor 460. At this time, since the first sensor 450 and the second sensor 460 are located on different layers, they may overlap each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 7C, the first sensor 450 and the second sensor 460 are similar to the patterns of the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX arranged in the structure of MxN (M times N) . At this time, M and N may be natural numbers of 1 or more. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7A, the first sensor 450 and the second sensor 460 in the rhombic shape may be located at the same position, respectively.

5C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sensor sheet 440 when only the first sensor 450 is implemented. As illustrated in FIG. 5C, the sensor sheet 440 including the first sensor 450 may be disposed on the shielding layer 401.

On the other hand, the sensor sheet 440 of the type shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B may be disposed on the shielding layer 401 as described above in FIG. 5A, , It may be disposed below the display panel 200A as shown in Fig. 5B, or may be disposed above the second FPCB as shown in Fig. 5C.

5 (a) to 5 (a), when the shielding layer 401 to which the pressure sensors 450 and 460 are attached does not show the ground potential or shows a weak ground potential, c), the sensor sheet 440 may further include a ground electrode (not shown) between the display panel 200A or the second FPCB and the first insulating layer 470). At this time, the sensor sheet 440 may further include an additional insulation layer (not shown) between the ground electrode (not shown) and the display panel 200A or the second FPCB.

Each of the embodiments of FIG. 5 described above can be applied to the mutual capacitance type or the self-capacitance type in FIG.

On the other hand, Figs. 8A to 8H describe a further embodiment of the touch input device 1000 described above with reference to Figs.

8A is an example in which the second FPCB is inserted into the mounting space 310 and attached to the lower surface of the substrate 300. The pressure detecting module 400 further includes a shielding layer 401 as shown in FIG. The case where the layer 401 is attached to the lower surface of the display panel 470A and the insulating layer 470 is disposed on the shielding layer 401 is illustrated. In this case, according to the structure of FIG. 8A, the second FPCB including the substrate 300 or the ground electrode can be implemented as a reference potential layer.

8B shows an example in which the second FPCB is inserted into the mounting space 310 and attached to the lower surface of the substrate 300. The insulating layer 470 is attached to the lower surface of the display panel 470A and the pressure sensors 450 and 460 are insulated When disposed on the layer 470, the second FPCB including the substrate 300 or the ground electrode may be implemented as a reference potential layer.

8C shows a state in which the second FPCB is inserted into the upper portion of the substrate 300 and the pressure detection module 400 further includes a shielding layer 401 as shown in FIG. 6D, so that the shielding layer 401 is formed on the upper surface of the second FPCB It is possible to detect a change in capacitance due to a change in distance between the pressure sensors 450 and 460 and the reference potential layer 402 attached to the lower surface of the display panel 200A.

8D shows an example in which the 2FPCB is inserted into the mounting space 310 and attached to the lower surface of the substrate 300. The pressure detecting module 400 further includes a shielding layer 401 so that the shielding layer 401 covers the second FPCB And it is possible to detect a capacitance change due to a change in distance between the pressure sensors 450 and 460 and the reference potential layer 402 attached to the lower surface of the display panel 200A.

6E, the pressure sensing module 400 further includes a shielding layer 401, so that the shielding layer 401 is formed on the upper surface of the second FPCB It is possible to detect a change in capacitance due to a change in distance between the reference potential layer formed on the inside or the surface of the display panel 200A and the pressure sensors 450 and 460 as the attached structure.

8F is an example in which the 2FPCB is inserted into the mounting space 310 and attached to the lower surface of the substrate 300. The pressure detecting module 400 further includes a shielding layer 401 so that the shielding layer 401 covers the second FPCB It is possible to detect a capacitance change due to a change in distance between the reference potential layer formed on the inside or the surface of the display panel 200A and the pressure sensors 450 and 460.

8G shows an example in which the 2FPCB is inserted into the mounting space 310 and attached to the lower surface of the substrate 300. The pressure sensors 450 and 460 disposed on the insulating layer 470 and the pressure sensors 450 and 460 attached to the lower surface of the display panel 200A It is possible to detect a change in capacitance due to a change in distance between the reference potential layer 402 and the reference potential layer 402. [

8H shows an example in which the 2 FPCB is inserted into the mounting space 310 and attached to the lower surface of the substrate 300 and the pressure sensors 450 and 460 disposed on the insulating layer 470 and the inside of the display panel 200A It is possible to detect the capacitance change due to the distance change between the reference potential layer formed on the surface.

6A, the second FPCB is attached to the upper surface of the substrate 300, and the pressure detecting module 400 further includes a shielding layer 401, so that the shielding layer 401 is formed on the upper surface of the second FPCB It is possible to detect a change in capacitance due to a change in distance between the reference potential layer formed on the inside or the surface of the display panel 200A and the pressure sensors 450 and 460 as the attached structure.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood 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.

Claims (40)

In the touch input device,
A cover layer;
A display panel disposed below the cover layer;
A substrate disposed at a predetermined distance from the display panel;
At least one pressure sensor disposed under the display panel for detecting touch pressure; And
And a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connected to the display panel,
Wherein the at least one pressure sensor is disposed between the at least one pressure sensor and the FPCB, the reference potential layer serving as a reference for detecting the touch pressure,
Wherein the reference potential layer is disposed separately from the substrate.
The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising an insulating layer,
Wherein the at least one pressure sensor is disposed on the insulating layer,
Wherein the insulating layer is attached to a bottom surface of the display panel.
The method according to claim 1,
An insulating layer and a shielding layer for noise shielding,
Wherein the at least one pressure sensor is disposed on the insulating layer,
Wherein the insulating layer is disposed on the shielding layer,
Wherein the shield layer is attached to a bottom surface of the display panel.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises a first sensor and a second sensor,
The distance between the at least one pressure sensor and the reference potential layer changes according to the touch pressure,
And detects the touch pressure by mutual capacitance change between the first sensor and the second sensor in accordance with the distance change.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises a first sensor,
The distance between the at least one pressure sensor and the reference potential layer changes according to the touch pressure,
And detects the touch pressure by a change in self-capacitance between the first sensor and the reference potential layer in accordance with the distance change.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the FPCB is attached to an upper surface of the substrate.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the substrate comprises a groove,
And the FPCB is inserted into the groove.
8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the groove is disposed on an upper portion of the substrate,
Wherein the thickness of the FPCB is equal to the depth of the groove.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the FPCB includes an FPCB insulating layer in contact with the reference potential layer and a ground electrode,
Wherein the FPCB insulating layer includes a cutoff part that is a path through which the ground electrode is electrically connected to the reference potential layer,
Wherein the ground electrode is attached to the reference potential layer using a conductive tape disposed on the cutoff portion.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the substrate is attached to the reference potential layer using a conductive tape,
And the substrate is electrically connected to the reference potential layer through the conductive tape.
In the touch input device,
A cover layer;
A display panel disposed below the cover layer;
A substrate disposed at a predetermined distance from the display panel;
At least one pressure sensor disposed under the display panel for detecting touch pressure; And
And a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connected to the display panel,
Wherein the at least one pressure sensor is disposed between the FPCB and a reference potential layer serving as a reference for detecting the touch pressure,
Wherein the reference potential layer is disposed separately from the substrate.
12. The method of claim 11,
Further comprising an insulating layer,
Wherein the at least one pressure sensor is disposed on the insulating layer,
Wherein the insulating layer is attached to the upper surface of the FPCB.
12. The method of claim 11,
An insulating layer and a shielding layer for noise shielding,
Wherein the at least one pressure sensor is disposed on the insulating layer,
Wherein the insulating layer is disposed on the shielding layer,
Wherein the shield layer is attached to the upper surface of the FPCB.
12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises a first sensor and a second sensor,
The distance between the at least one pressure sensor and the reference potential layer changes according to the touch pressure,
And detects the touch pressure by mutual capacitance change between the first sensor and the second sensor in accordance with the distance change.
12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises a first sensor,
The distance between the at least one pressure sensor and the reference potential layer changes according to the touch pressure,
And detects the touch pressure by a change in self-capacitance between the first sensor and the reference potential layer in accordance with the distance change.
12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the FPCB is attached to an upper surface of the substrate.
12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the substrate comprises a groove,
And the FPCB is inserted into the groove.
18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the groove is disposed on an upper portion of the substrate,
Wherein the thickness of the FPCB is equal to the depth of the groove. In the touch input device,
A cover layer;
A display panel disposed below the cover layer;
A substrate disposed at a predetermined distance from the display panel;
A pressure detecting module disposed under the display panel and including an insulating layer, at least one pressure sensor disposed on the insulating layer to detect a touch pressure, and a reference potential layer disposed to face the at least one pressure sensor; And
And a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connected to the display panel,
Wherein the pressure detection module including the reference potential layer is disposed between the display panel and the FPCB,
Wherein the reference potential layer is disposed separately from the substrate.
20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the insulating layer is attached to a bottom surface of the display panel or attached to a top surface of the FPCB.
20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the pressure detection module further comprises a shielding layer for noise shielding,
Wherein the shielding layer is attached to a lower surface of the display panel or attached to a top surface of the FPCB,
Wherein the insulating layer is disposed on the shielding layer.
20. The method of claim 19,
A first sensor and a second sensor,
The distance between the first sensor and the second sensor and the reference potential layer changes according to the touch pressure,
And detects the touch pressure by mutual capacitance change between the first sensor and the second sensor in accordance with the distance change.
20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises a first sensor,
The distance between the at least one pressure sensor and the reference potential layer changes according to the touch pressure,
And detects the touch pressure by a change in self-capacitance between the first sensor and the reference potential layer in accordance with the distance change.
20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the FPCB is attached to an upper surface of the substrate.
20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the substrate comprises a groove,
And the FPCB is inserted into the groove.
26. The method of claim 25,
Wherein the groove is disposed on an upper portion of the substrate,
Wherein the thickness of the FPCB is equal to the depth of the groove.
20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the insulating layer is disposed on a lower surface of the display panel,
Wherein the FPCB includes an FPCB insulating layer in contact with the reference potential layer and a ground electrode,
Wherein the FPCB insulating layer includes a cutoff part that is a path through which the ground electrode is electrically connected to the reference potential layer,
Wherein the ground electrode is attached to the reference potential layer using a conductive tape disposed on the cutoff portion.
20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the insulating layer is disposed on a lower surface of the display panel,
Wherein the substrate is attached to the reference potential layer using a conductive tape,
And the substrate is electrically connected to the reference potential layer through the conductive tape.
A pressure detection module for use in a touch input device including a cover layer, a display panel, a substrate disposed at a predetermined distance from the display panel, and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connected to the display panel,
An insulating layer, at least one pressure sensor disposed on the insulating layer for detecting the touch pressure, and a reference potential layer arranged to face the at least one pressure sensor,
A cover layer disposed between the display panel and the FPCB disposed under the cover layer,
Wherein the at least one pressure sensor is disposed below the display panel,
Wherein the reference potential layer is disposed separately from the substrate.
30. The method of claim 29,
Wherein the insulating layer is attached to a bottom surface of the display panel or attached to a top surface of the FPCB.
30. The method of claim 29,
Further comprising a shielding layer for noise shielding,
Wherein the shielding layer is attached to a lower surface of the display panel or attached to a top surface of the FPCB,
Wherein the insulating layer is disposed on the shielding layer.
30. The method of claim 29,
Wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises a first sensor and a second sensor,
The distance between the at least one pressure sensor and the reference potential layer changes according to the touch pressure,
And detects the touch pressure by mutual capacitance change between the first sensor and the second sensor in accordance with the distance change.
30. The method of claim 29,
Wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises a first sensor,
The distance between the at least one pressure sensor and the reference potential layer changes according to the touch pressure,
And detects the touch pressure by a change in self-capacitance between the first sensor and the reference potential layer in accordance with the distance change.
30. The method of claim 29,
Wherein the FPCB is attached to an upper surface of the substrate.
30. The method of claim 29,
Wherein the substrate comprises a groove,
And the FPCB is inserted into the groove.
36. The method of claim 35,
Wherein the groove is disposed on an upper portion of the substrate,
Wherein the thickness of the FPCB is equal to the depth of the groove.
30. The method of claim 29,
Wherein the insulating layer is disposed on a lower surface of the display panel,
Wherein the FPCB includes an FPCB insulating layer in contact with the reference potential layer and a ground electrode,
Wherein the FPCB insulating layer includes a cutoff part that is a path through which the ground electrode is electrically connected to the reference potential layer,
Wherein the ground electrode is attached to the reference potential layer using a conductive tape disposed on the cut-off portion.
30. The method of claim 29,
Wherein the insulating layer is disposed on a lower surface of the display panel,
Wherein the substrate is attached to the reference potential layer using a conductive tape,
And the substrate is electrically connected to the reference potential layer via the conductive tape.
12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the reference potential layer is an optional conductive layer inside the display panel.
12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the reference potential layer is disposed on a bottom surface of the display panel.

Images