KR102187954B1 - Touch panel and display device - Google Patents

Abstract

The touch panel according to the embodiment includes: a cover substrate; A sensing electrode disposed on the cover substrate; A wiring electrically connected to the sensing electrode; And a protective layer disposed on the wiring, and the protective layer includes microrelief.

Description

Touch panel and display device including same TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiment relates to a touch panel and a display device including the same.

Recently, in various electronic products, a touch panel for inputting an image displayed on a display device by contacting an input device such as a finger or a stylus has been applied.

Such a touch panel can be largely divided into a resistive type touch panel and a capacitive type touch panel. In the resistive touch panel, the glass and the electrode are short-circuited by the pressure of the input device to detect the position. The capacitive touch panel detects a change in capacitance between electrodes when a finger touches it and detects a position.

Resistive touch panel performance may be degraded due to repeated use, and scratches may occur. Accordingly, interest in a capacitive touch panel having excellent durability and a long lifespan is increasing.

On the other hand, a set cover may be further disposed to support such a touch panel, and reliability may decrease due to a decrease in adhesion between the touch panel and the set cover due to contact with oxygen or moisture absorption.

The embodiment is to provide a touch panel having improved reliability and a display device including the same.

The touch panel according to the embodiment includes: a cover substrate; A sensing electrode disposed on the cover substrate; A wiring electrically connected to the sensing electrode; And a protective layer disposed on the wiring, and the protective layer includes microrelief.

In the embodiment, the protective layer for protecting the wiring may include fine concave-convex. Accordingly, the protective layer may serve not only to protect the wiring, but also to adhere to the set cover. In addition, the set cover and the touch panel may be more firmly bonded through the protective layer and the set cover attachment film.

In another embodiment, a part of the set cover attachment film is disposed on the upper surface of the protective layer, thereby reducing the width of the bezel. In addition, since the upper surface of the protective layer includes fine concave-convex, adhesion and adhesion between the protective layer and the set cover attachment film may be improved.

Meanwhile, in another embodiment, the set cover attachment film may be entirely disposed on the upper surface of the protective layer. Through this, the width of the bezel can be further reduced. In this case, as the width of the protective layer is relatively wide, moisture penetration into the touch panel may be prevented and oxidation may be prevented. In addition, it is possible to secure the waterproof function of the touch panel.

1 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a touch panel according to an embodiment.
2 is a plan view showing a cover substrate according to an embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to an exemplary embodiment taken along area AA′ of FIG. 2.
4 is a cross-sectional view of a display device including a touch panel according to an exemplary embodiment.
5 to 8 are cross-sectional views of a touch panel according to another exemplary embodiment and a display device including the same. FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a cover substrate according to another exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view according to an exemplary embodiment taken along area BB′ of FIG. 9.
11 and 12 are views illustrating perspective views of a touch panel according to another type.
13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display device to which a touch panel according to embodiments is applied.

In the description of the embodiments, each layer (film), region, pattern, or structure is “on” or “under/under” the substrate, each layer (film), region, pad or patterns. The description that "is formed in" includes both directly or through another layer. The criteria for the top/top or bottom/bottom of each layer will be described based on the drawings.

In the drawings, the thickness or size of each layer (film), region, pattern, or structure may be modified for clarity and convenience of description, so the actual size is not entirely reflected.

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

1 to 8, the touch panel according to the embodiment may include a cover substrate 100.

The cover substrate 100 may include an effective area AA through which light is transmitted, and an ineffective area UA disposed outside the effective area AA and through which light is not transmitted. In detail, the effective area AA means an area in which a user's touch command input is possible, and the ineffective area UA is a concept opposite to the effective area AA, and is not activated even when a user's touch is made. Refers to an area where no touch command input is made

The cover substrate 100 may include glass or plastic. For example, the cover substrate 100 may include tempered glass, semi-tempered glass, soda lime glass, tempered plastic, or soft plastic.

A printed layer 200, a sensing electrode 300, and a wiring 400 may be disposed on one surface of the cover substrate 100.

The printed layer 200 and the wiring 400 may be disposed on the ineffective area UA, and the sensing electrode 300 may be disposed on the effective area AA.

The sensing electrode 300 may include a conductive material. In detail, the sensing electrode 300 may include a transparent conductive material. For example, the sensing electrode 300 may include a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO).

The sensing electrode 300 may include a first sensing electrode 310, a second sensing electrode 320, and a bridge electrode 330. The first sensing electrode 310, the second sensing electrode 320, and the bridge electrode 330 may include the same material or different materials. In addition, the first sensing electrode 310, the second sensing electrode 320, and the bridge electrode 330 may be disposed on the same surface of the cover substrate.

The bridge electrode 330 may be disposed in a bar shape, for example. In detail, the bridge electrode 330 may be arranged in a bar shape spaced apart at regular intervals on the effective area AA. The bridge electrode 330 may serve to connect the first sensing electrode 310 to be described later.

An insulating layer 351 may be disposed on the bridge electrode 330. In detail, an insulating layer 351 is partially disposed on the bridge electrode 330, and a portion of the bridge electrode 330 may be covered by the insulating layer 351. For example, when the bridge electrode 330 is formed in a bar shape, the insulating layer 351 may be disposed on one end and the other end of the bridge electrode 330, that is, a region excluding both ends.

The first sensing electrode 310 and the second sensing electrode 320 may be disposed on the effective area AA to serve as a sensor for sensing a touch. in details. The first sensing electrode 310 may extend and be disposed in one direction on the effective area AA, and the second sensing electrode 320 may extend and be disposed in a direction different from the one direction.

One of the first sensing electrode 310 and the second sensing electrode 320 may be disposed on the insulating layer 351 and the other may be connected to both ends of the bridge electrode 330. have.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first sensing electrode 310 is disposed on the insulating layer 351, and the first sensing electrode 310 is attached to a connection part 340 connecting them. Can be electrically connected by In addition, the second sensing electrodes 320 may be connected to both ends of the bridge electrode 330 to be electrically connected to each other. Accordingly, the first sensing electrode 310 and the second sensing electrode 320 may be electrically connected to each other without being short-circuited by being shorted to each other by the bridge electrode and the insulating material.

In the foregoing description, a bridge electrode, an insulating material, and a sensing electrode are stacked in order, but embodiments are not limited thereto, and may be stacked in the order of a sensing electrode, an insulating material, and a bridge electrode.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a first sensing electrode 310 and a second sensing electrode 320 may be formed on the effective area AA. In this case, the first sensing electrode 310 may be connected by a connection part 340, and the second sensing electrode 320 may be formed separately.

Subsequently, an insulating layer 352 surrounding the first sensing electrode 310 and the second sensing electrode 320 is disposed, and the insulating layer 352 corresponding to the position of the second sensing electrode 320 is disposed. After the through hole is formed in, a bridge electrode 330 may be disposed on the insulating layer 352 to connect the second sensing electrodes.

Accordingly, the first sensing electrode 310 and the second sensing electrode 320 may be electrically connected to each other without being short-circuited by being shorted to each other by the bridge electrode and the insulating material.

In the following description, an example in which the first sensing electrode, the insulating layer, and the second sensing electrode are sequentially stacked will be described as an example, and a configuration applied to this exemplary embodiment may be equally applied to other embodiments. .

The printing layer 200 may include a first printing layer 210 and a second printing layer 220 disposed on the ineffective area UA.

The first printing layer 210 and the second printing layer 220 may serve to prevent externally recognized electrodes or the like disposed on the printing layer 200. Accordingly, the first printing layer 210 and the second printing layer 220 may be formed by coating black ink or white ink on the ineffective area UA and curing the same.

In addition, by the printing layer 200, it is possible to prevent light from leaking by the LCD at the interface between the effective area and the non-effective area.

Meanwhile, in the drawings, the printing layer 200 is illustrated as including the first printing layer 210 and the second printing layer 220, but the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the color and thickness of the printing layer It goes without saying that it may further include a plurality of printing layers.

The wiring 400 may be disposed on the printed layer 200.

The wiring 400 may include a first wiring 410 and a second wiring 420. In detail, the wiring 400 may include the first wiring 410 connected to the first sensing electrode 310 and the second wiring 420 connected to the second sensing electrode 320. .

The first wiring 410 and the second wiring 420 may be connected to the printed circuit board 700. In detail, the first wiring 410 and the second wiring 420 transmit a touch signal sensed from the first sensing electrode 310 and the second sensing electrode 320 to the driving chip 710 on which the driving chip 710 is mounted. It may be transmitted to the printed circuit board 700 to perform a touch operation. The printed circuit board 700 may be, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

The first wiring 410 and the second wiring 420 may include a conductive material. In detail, the first wiring 410 and the second wiring 420 may include a metal material such as silver (Ag) or copper (Cu).

A protective layer 600 may be disposed on the wiring 400. The protective layer 600 may protect the wiring 400. Specifically, the protective layer 600 may prevent the wiring 400 from being oxidized due to exposure to oxygen or from infiltrating moisture to reduce reliability.

The protective layer 600 may include fine convex convexities 610. In particular, the surface of the protective layer 600 may include fine convex convexities 610. That is, the protective layer 600 may have surface roughness.

The surface energy of the protective layer 600 may be 35 dyne to 55 dyne. When the surface energy of the protective layer 600 is less than 35 dyne or greater than 55 dyne, the surface roughness of the protective layer 600 is too small, and adhesion properties may be deteriorated. Preferably, the surface energy of the protective layer 600 may be 38 dyne to 50 dyne.

The protective layer 600 may include a resin such as PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) and PEG (polyethylene glycol).

Meanwhile, the protective layer 600 may include particles 611. The particles 611 may form irregularities in the protective layer 600. The particles 611 may form irregularities on the surface of the protective layer 600.

The diameter (D) of the particles 611 may be 0.3 μm to 3 μm. When the diameter (D) of the particles 611 is less than 0.3 μm, it may be difficult to form a uniform roughness on the surface of the protective layer 600 due to aggregation of the particles 611. In addition, when the diameter D of the particles 611 is greater than 3 μm, the surface roughness of the protective layer 600 may be reduced. Preferably, the diameter (D) of the particles 611 may be 0.5 ㎛ to 2 ㎛.

The particles 611 may include any one or more materials selected from the group consisting of silica, aluminum stearate, and polyethylene. In this case, the polyethylene may be a polyethylene wax. Electrical insulating properties of the protective layer 600 may be improved through these materials.

Meanwhile, the surface of the protective layer 600 may include a “-OH” group. For example, the protective layer 600 may include a polyol having a “-OH” group. Specifically, the protective layer 600 may include any one selected from the group consisting of glycol, polyhydric alcohol, and polyether-based polyol. Since the surface of the protective layer 600 includes a “-OH” group, the surface energy of the protective layer 600 may be 35 dyne to 55 dyne. Therefore, it is possible to improve the surface roughness and improve the adhesion.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 4, such a touch panel may be accommodated in the set cover 1000. Specifically, the display panel 10 may be disposed under the touch panel, and a first set cover 1001 may be disposed between the display panel 10 and the touch panel. The first set cover 1001 may support the touch panel.

An adhesive layer 900 may be disposed between the touch panel and the display panel 10. Accordingly, the touch panel and the display panel 10 can be stably bonded together.

Meanwhile, a second set cover 1002 coupled to the first set cover 1001 may be further disposed. The second set cover 1002 may support the display panel 10.

Meanwhile, a main board 20 may be disposed under the display panel 10. The main board 20 may drive the display panel 10. Specifically, the main board 20 may set an execution environment of the display device and perform data input/output exchange. The main board 20 may mount components such as a control unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an auxiliary processor, a memory, a BIOS, and a connection circuit.

Meanwhile, a third set cover 1003 coupled to the second set cover 1002 may be further disposed. The third set cover 1003 may support the main board 20.

The set cover 1000 may be formed in a square frame shape. In addition, the set cover 1000 may include plastic or metal.

The adhesion property between the set cover 1000 and the touch panel may be improved through the protective layer 600. Therefore, the protective layer 600 may not only serve to protect the wiring 400 but also serve as an adhesion to the set cover 1000. That is, by improving the adhesion between the set cover 1000 and the touch panel. Reliability can be improved.

Meanwhile, a set cover attachment film 800 may be further included on the cover substrate 100. The set cover attachment film 800 may be formed on the printing layer 200. The set cover attachment film 800 may bond the set cover 1000 to the touch panel.

That is, the set cover 1000 and the touch panel may be more firmly bonded through the protective layer 600 and the set cover attachment film 800.

Hereinafter, a touch panel according to another exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. In the description of the touch panel according to another embodiment, the description of the same and similar parts as the description of the touch panel according to the above-described embodiment is omitted, and the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components.

5,

The ratio of the width (BZ2) from the outermost edge of the cover substrate 100 to the boundary between the effective area AA and the non-effective area UA compared to the width W2 of the protective layer 600 is 1: It may be from 1.1 to 1:4. Hereinafter, the width from the outermost edge of the cover substrate 100 to the boundary between the effective area AA and the non-effective area UA is defined as a bezel.

Referring to FIG. 6, the touch panel illustrated in FIG. 5 may constitute a display device together with the display panel 10 and the main board 20. In this case, the set cover attachment film 810 may overlap at least a portion of the protective layer 600. That is, a part of the set cover attachment film 810 may be disposed on the upper surface of the protective layer 600. A portion of the set cover attachment film 810 except for the part may be disposed on the printing layer 200.

Since a part of the set cover attachment film 810 is disposed on the upper surface of the protective layer 600, the width of the bezel BZ2 may be reduced. That is, the width can be reduced compared to the bezel BZ1 shown in FIG. 3. In addition, since the upper surface of the protective layer 600 includes the fine concave-convex 610, adhesion and adhesion between the protective layer 600 and the set cover attaching film 810 may be improved.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 7, a ratio of the width W3 of the protective layer 600 and the width of the bezel BZ3 may be 1: 1.1 to 1:3.

Referring to FIG. 8, the touch panel illustrated in FIG. 7 may constitute a display device together with the display panel 10 and the main board 20. In this case, the set cover attachment film 820 may be disposed on the upper surface of the protective layer 600. That is, all of the set cover attachment film 820 may be formed on the upper surface of the protective layer 600. Through this, as shown in FIG. 7, the width of the bezel BZ3 can be further reduced. That is, a ratio of the width W3 of the protective layer 600 and the width of the bezel BZ3 may be 1: 1.1 to 1:3.

In this case, as the width W3 of the protective layer 600 is relatively wide, moisture penetration into the touch panel may be prevented and oxidation may be prevented. In addition, it is possible to secure the waterproof function of the touch panel.

Hereinafter, another type of touch panel will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. In the description of the touch panel according to the other type, the description of the same and similar parts as the description of the touch panel described above will be omitted, and the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components.

Referring to FIG. 11, a touch panel according to another type may further include a substrate 500 disposed on the cover substrate 100. The substrate 500 may include plastic. For example, the substrate 500 may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The cover substrate 100 and the substrate 500 may be adhered using a transparent adhesive such as an optical transparent adhesive (OCA).

The cover substrate 100 and the substrate 500 include an effective area and an ineffective area. The effective area and the ineffective area may have the same meaning as described above.

A first sensing electrode 310 may be disposed in the effective area of the cover substrate 100. In addition, a first wiring 410 connected to the first sensing electrode 310 may be disposed in the non-effective region of the cover substrate 100.

In addition, a second sensing electrode 320 may be disposed in the effective area of the substrate 500. In addition, a second wiring 420 connected to the second sensing electrode 320 may be disposed in the non-effective region of the substrate 500.

In addition, the first wiring 410 and the second wiring 420 may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board 700, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 12, a touch panel according to another type may further include a first substrate 510 and a second substrate 520 disposed on the cover substrate 100. The first substrate 510 and the second substrate 520 may include plastic. For example, the first substrate 510 and the second substrate 520 may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The cover substrate 100, the first substrate 510, and the second substrate 520 may be adhered using a transparent adhesive such as an optical transparent adhesive (OCA).

The cover substrate 100, the first substrate 510 and the second substrate 520 may include an effective area and an ineffective area. The effective area and the ineffective area may have the same meaning as described above.

A first sensing electrode 310 may be disposed in the effective area of the first substrate 510. In addition, a first wiring 410 connected to the first sensing electrode 310 may be disposed in an ineffective region of the first substrate 510.

In addition, a second sensing electrode 320 may be disposed in an effective area of the second substrate 520. In addition, a second wiring 420 connected to the second sensing electrode 320 may be disposed in an ineffective region of the second substrate 520.

In addition, the first wiring 410 and the second wiring 420 may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board 700, respectively.

13 is a diagram illustrating a mobile terminal including the touch panel described above.

Referring to FIG. 13, the mobile terminal 2000 may include an effective area AA and a non-effective area UA. The effective area AA may sense a touch signal by a touch such as a finger, and a command icon pattern part and a logo may be formed in the ineffective area.

In FIG. 13, as an example, a mobile terminal is illustrated, but the touch panel described above can be used in various electronic products such as notebooks and home appliances to which a touch panel can be applied in addition to the mobile terminal. In addition, it can be applied to not only PND (Personal Navigation Display) such as car navigation, but also to dashboard (dashboard) to implement CID (Center Information Display).

Features, structures, effects, and the like described in the above-described embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects, and the like illustrated in each embodiment may be combined or modified for other embodiments by a person having ordinary knowledge in the field to which the embodiments belong. Accordingly, contents related to such combinations and modifications should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

In addition, although the embodiments have been described above, these are only examples and do not limit the present invention, and those of ordinary skill in the field to which the present invention pertains are illustrated above within the scope not departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. It will be seen that various modifications and applications that are not available are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. And differences related to these modifications and applications should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims (14)

A cover substrate;
A sensing electrode disposed on the cover substrate;
A wiring electrically connected to the sensing electrode;
It includes a protective layer disposed on the wiring,
The protective layer is in direct contact with the wiring,
The protective layer includes one surface in contact with the wiring and the other surface opposite to the one surface,
Fine concave-convex is formed on the other surface of the protective layer,
The protective layer includes particles having a diameter of 0.3 μm to 3 μm,
The particles are silica (silica), aluminum stearate (Aluminium Stearate), and a touch panel containing at least one of polyethylene (polyethylene). delete delete delete delete The method of claim 1,
The surface of the protective layer is a touch panel including a'-OH' group. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a substrate disposed on the cover substrate,
A first sensing electrode and a first wiring are disposed on the cover substrate,
A touch panel on which a second sensing electrode and a second wire are disposed on the substrate. The method of claim 1,
A first substrate disposed on the cover substrate; And a second substrate disposed on the first substrate,
A first sensing electrode and a first wiring are disposed on the first substrate,
A touch panel on which a second sensing electrode and a second wire are disposed on the second substrate. A cover substrate including an effective area through which light is transmitted and an inactive area through which light is not transmitted and disposed outside the effective area;
A sensing electrode disposed on the cover substrate;
A wire protecting the sensing electrode; And
And a protective layer disposed on the wiring to protect the wiring,
The protective layer is in direct contact with the wiring,
The protective layer includes one surface in contact with the wiring and the other surface opposite to the one surface,
Fine concave-convex is formed on the other surface of the protective layer,
The protective layer includes particles having a diameter of 0.3 μm to 3 μm,
The particles include at least one of silica, aluminum stearate, and polyethylene,
The ratio of the width of the protective layer from the outermost edge of the cover substrate to the boundary between the effective area and the non-effective area is 1: 1.1 to 1:4. delete Display panel; And
Including a touch panel disposed on the display panel,
The touch panel,
A cover substrate;
A sensing electrode disposed on the cover substrate;
A wiring electrically connected to the sensing electrode;
It includes a protective layer disposed on the wiring,
The protective layer is in direct contact with the wiring,
The protective layer includes one surface in contact with the wiring and the other surface opposite to the one surface,
Fine concave-convex is formed on the other surface of the protective layer,
The protective layer includes particles having a diameter of 0.3 μm to 3 μm,
The particle is a display device containing at least one of silica (silica), aluminum stearate (Aluminium Stearate), and polyethylene (polyethylene). The method of claim 11,
A first set cover supporting the touch panel;
A second set cover supporting the display panel and coupled to the first set cover;
The display device further comprises a set cover attachment film disposed on the cover substrate to attach the touch panel to the first set cover. The method of claim 12,
The set cover attachment film is at least partially overlapped with the protective layer. The method of claim 12,
The set cover attachment film is interposed between the protective layer and the first set cover.

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