KR102237964B1 - Electrod members, touch window with the same and display with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The electrode member according to the embodiment includes: a substrate; A sensing electrode disposed on the substrate and sensing a position, the sensing electrode includes a first sensing unit and a second sensing unit disposed adjacent to the first sensing unit, and connected to the first sensing unit. A plurality of wires are included, and a distance between the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit is 150 μm or less.

Description

Electrode member, touch window including the same, and display device including the same TECHNICAL FIELD [ELECTROD MEMBERS, TOUCH WINDOW WITH THE SAME AND DISPLAY WITH THE SAME}

The present disclosure relates to an electrode member, a touch window including the same, 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.

The touch panel may be typically divided into a resistive type touch panel and a capacitive type touch panel. When a pressure is applied to an input device, a resistive touch panel detects a change in resistance according to a connection between electrodes, and a position is detected. The capacitive touch panel detects a change in capacitance between electrodes when a finger touches it and detects a position. In view of the convenience and sensing power of the manufacturing method, the capacitive method has recently attracted attention in small models.

On the other hand, there is a problem that the sensing electrode for sensing a position in such a touch panel is visually recognized by natural light or light.

The embodiment may provide an electrode member with improved reliability and a display device including the same.

The electrode member according to the embodiment includes: a substrate; A sensing electrode disposed on the substrate and sensing a position, the sensing electrode includes a first sensing unit and a second sensing unit disposed adjacent to the first sensing unit, and connected to the first sensing unit. A plurality of wires are included, and a distance between the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit is 150 μm or less.

In an embodiment, the distance between the sensing electrodes may be 150 μm or less. In addition, a dummy part may be disposed adjacent to the sensing electrode. Through this, it is possible to prevent the pattern of the sensing electrode from being visually recognized, and to improve optical characteristics and visibility of the electrode member including the sensing electrode, the touch window, and the display device.

1 is a schematic plan view of an electrode member according to an embodiment.
2 is a plan view of an electrode member according to an embodiment.
3 to 6 are plan views of an electrode member according to another embodiment.
7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross section taken along line A-A' of FIG. 6.
8 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode member according to another embodiment.
9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device in which an electrode member is disposed on a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment.

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 all that are formed directly or through another layer. The standards 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, and thus the actual size is not entirely reflected.

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

1 and 2, the touch window 10 according to the embodiment is arranged around an effective area AA for detecting a position of an input device (eg, a finger, etc.) and the effective area AA. And a substrate 100 on which an invalid area UA is defined.

Here, the sensing electrode 200 may be formed in the effective area AA to detect the input device. In addition, wires 310 and 320 electrically connecting the sensing electrode 200 may be formed in the non-effective area UA. In addition, an external circuit connected to the wirings 310 and 320 may be located in the invalid area UA.

1 and 2, the ineffective area UA may be disposed on only two sides of the effective area AA. Specifically, the ineffective area UA may be disposed only at the top and bottom of the effective area AA. That is, the ineffective area UA may not be disposed on the side of the effective area AA.

Accordingly, the effective area AA, which is the screen area of the touch window, can be maximized, and a large screen can be provided to the user. In addition, it is possible to overcome the limitation of design due to the bezel, which is an invalid area UA.

This touch window will be described in more detail as follows.

The substrate 100 may be formed of various materials capable of supporting the sensing electrode 200, the wirings 310 and 320, and a circuit board formed thereon. The substrate 100 may be formed of a glass substrate or a plastic substrate, for example.

An outer dummy layer is formed in the non-effective area UA of the substrate 100. The outer dummy layer may be formed by coating a material having a predetermined color so that the wirings 310 and 320 and a printed circuit board connecting the wirings 310 and 320 to an external circuit are not visible from the outside. The outer dummy layer may have a color suitable for a desired appearance, and for example, may include black pigment and the like to exhibit black. In addition, a desired logo or the like can be formed on the outer dummy layer in various ways. Such an outer dummy layer may be formed by deposition, printing, wet coating, or the like.

A sensing electrode 200 may be formed on the substrate 100. The sensing electrode 200 may detect whether an input device such as a finger is in contact. The sensing electrode 200 may have a shape extending in one direction.

In FIG. 2, the sensing electrode 200 is shown to extend on the substrate 100 in the first direction, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the sensing electrode 200 may extend in a second direction crossing the first direction. In addition, the sensing electrode 200 may include two types of sensing electrodes 200 having a shape extending in a first direction and a shape extending in a second direction.

In FIG. 2, the sensing electrode 200 is illustrated as having a bar shape, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the sensing electrode 200 may be formed in various shapes capable of detecting whether an input device such as a finger is in contact.

The sensing electrode 200 may include a transparent conductive material to allow electricity to flow without interfering with the transmission of light. The sensing electrode 200 includes indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, copper oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, and titanium oxide. oxide) and the like.

In addition, the sensing electrode 200 may include various materials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), nanowires, or graphene.

The sensing electrode 200 may include a plurality of sensing units. For example, the sensing electrode 200 may include a first sensing unit 210 and a second sensing unit 220 disposed adjacent to the first sensing unit 210.

In this case, a distance G1 between the first sensing unit 210 and the second sensing unit 220 may be 150 μm or less. Specifically, a distance G1 between the first sensing unit 210 and the second sensing unit 220 may be 1 μm to 150 μm. Through this, it is possible to prevent the pattern of the first sensing unit 210 and the second sensing unit 220 from being visually recognized, and the electrode member including the sensing electrode 200, the touch window, and the optical of the display device Characteristics and visibility can be improved.

When the touch window is touched, a signal transformed by a resistance and capacitance value formed in the sensing electrode 200 may be compared with a reference signal to determine a location.

Specifically, a reference signal may traverse the sensing electrode 200 through a uniform resistance design within the sensing electrode 200. That is, a reference signal due to a uniform resistance may cross the first sensing unit 210 and the second sensing unit 220. When touched, a voltage change occurs due to resistance and capacitance formed in the sensing electrode 200, and the contact position can be calculated by calculating the voltage change over time. That is, a time difference occurs in a time response according to a voltage change, and a position can be recognized by comparing a modified signal with a reference signal.

Meanwhile, wirings 310 and 320 electrically connecting the first sensing unit 210 may be formed in the invalid area UA. The wirings 310 and 320 may be provided in plurality.

That is, the wires 310 and 320 are connected to the first wire 310 connected to one end of the first sensing unit 210 and the other end opposite to the one end of the first sensing unit 210 The second wiring 320 may be included. Accordingly, the first wiring 310 may be extended to the upper end of the substrate 100. In addition, the second wiring 320 may be drawn out to the lower end of the substrate 100.

The wirings 310 and 320 may be made of a metal having excellent electrical conductivity. For example, the wirings 310 and 320 may be formed of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), and alloys thereof. In particular, the wiring 310 may include various metal paste materials that can be formed through a printing process.

Electrode pads (not shown, the same hereinafter) are positioned at ends of the wires 310 and 320. These electrode pads can be connected to the printed circuit board. Specifically, although not shown in the drawings, a connection terminal is located on one surface of the printed circuit board, and the electrode pad may be connected to the connection terminal. The electrode pad may have a size corresponding to the connection terminal.

As the printed circuit board, various types of printed circuit boards may be applied. For example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) may be applied.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, in a touch window according to another embodiment, a dummy part 250 is disposed adjacent to the sensing electrode 200. Specifically, the dummy part 250 may be disposed between the first detection part 210 and the second detection part 220.

The dummy part 250 may include the same material as the sensing electrode 200. Accordingly, optical characteristics and visibility of the touch window may be improved through the dummy part 250.

In this case, the gap G2 between the sensing electrode 200 and the dummy part 250 may be 150 μm or less. Specifically, the gap G2 between the sensing electrode 200 and the dummy part 250 may be 1 μm to 150 μm. Accordingly, the distance between the first sensing unit 210 and the dummy unit 250 may be 1 μm to 150 μm, and the distance between the second sensing unit 220 and the dummy unit 250 is 1 It may be ㎛ to 150 ㎛.

3 illustrates that the dummy parts 250 having a square shape are arranged in one row, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the dummy part 250 may have various shapes and may be arranged in various numbers.

Subsequently, referring to FIG. 4, the sensing electrode 200 may include a conductive pattern. That is, the sensing electrode 200 may be formed in a mesh shape.

The sensing electrode 200 may include various metals having excellent conductivity. For example, when the sensing electrode 200 has a mesh shape, the sensing electrode 200 may include Cu, Au, Ag, Al, Ti, Ni, or an alloy thereof.

In this case, the dummy part 250 disposed adjacent to the sensing electrode 200 may also include a conductive pattern. That is, the sensing electrode 200 and the dummy part 250 may have the same pattern or shape. In addition, the dummy part 250 may include the same material as the sensing electrode 200.

Meanwhile, the line width of the mesh line of the sensing electrode 200 and the dummy part 250 may be 0.1 µm to 10 µm. A mesh line having a line width of 0.1 µm or less may not be possible due to the manufacturing process. When the line width is 10 μm or less, visibility can be improved. Preferably, the line width of the mesh line may be 1 µm to 5 µm.

Subsequently, referring to FIG. 5, the first sensing unit 210 and the second sensing unit 220 may be disposed in a shape that meshes with each other. Specifically, the first sensing unit 210 may include a concave portion 210a, and the second sensing unit 220 may include a convex portion 220a. In this case, the convex portion 220a is disposed in the concave portion 210a, so that they may correspond to each other.

Subsequently, referring to FIG. 6, a dummy part 250 may be further disposed between the first sensing unit 210 and the second sensing unit 220. In this case, the dummy part 250 may also be disposed in the concave part 210a of the first sensing part 210.

Subsequently, referring to FIG. 7, a cover substrate 110 may be further disposed on the substrate 100. The cover substrate 110 may include tempered glass.

An optical clear adhesive (OCA) 400 may be disposed between the cover substrate 110 and the substrate 100.

Next, referring to FIG. 8, the substrate 100 may include an intaglio 110a. The intaglio 110a is a portion recessed in the depth direction of the substrate 100. The sensing electrode 200 and the dummy part 250 may be disposed in the intaglio 110a. This can reduce the thickness of the touch window.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 9, such a touch window 10 may be disposed on the display panel 20 that is a driver. The touch window 10 and the display panel 20 are bonded together to form a display device.

The display panel 20 has a display area for outputting an image. A display panel applied to such a display device may generally include an upper substrate 21 and a lower substrate 22. A data line, a gate line, and a thin film transistor (TFT) may be formed on the lower substrate 22. The upper substrate 21 may be bonded to the lower substrate 22 to protect components disposed on the lower substrate 22.

The display panel 20 may be formed in various shapes depending on what kind of display device the display device according to the present invention is. That is, the display device according to the present invention includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a field emission display, a plasma display (PDP), an organic light-emitting display (OLED), and an electrophoretic display (EPD). Accordingly, the display panel 20 may be configured in various forms.

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. Therefore, 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 (17)

Board;
And a sensing electrode disposed on the substrate and sensing a position,
The sensing electrode includes a first sensing unit and a second sensing unit disposed adjacent to the first sensing unit,
A distance between the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit is 1 μm to 150 μm,
A dummy part is disposed between the first detection part and the second detection part,
The first sensing unit and the second sensing unit are formed in a mesh shape including a mesh line,
An electrode member having a line width of 0.1 μm to 10 μm. delete delete The method of claim 1,
An electrode member having a distance of 1 µm to 150 µm between the sensing electrode and the dummy part. The method of claim 1,
The sensing electrode is an electrode member having a shape extending in one direction. delete The method of claim 1,
The dummy part is an electrode member including a conductive pattern. delete The method of claim 1,
The sensing electrode and the dummy part include the same material. The method of claim 1,
An electrode member having the same shape as the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit. The method of claim 1,
The first detection unit includes a concave portion,
The second detection unit includes a convex portion,
The convex portion is an electrode member disposed in the concave portion. The method of claim 1,
An electrode member engaged with the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit. The method of claim 1,
An electrode member comprising a first wire connected to one end of the first sensing unit and a second wire connected to the other end. The method of claim 1,
The substrate includes an intaglio,
The sensing electrode and the dummy part are electrode members disposed in the intaglio. delete Board;
And a sensing electrode disposed on the substrate and sensing a position,
The sensing electrode includes a first sensing unit and a second sensing unit disposed adjacent to the first sensing unit,
A dummy part is disposed between the first detection part and the second detection part,
The first sensing unit and the second sensing unit are formed in a mesh shape including a mesh line,
The line width of the mesh line is 0.1 μm to 10 μm,
A touch window in which an interval between the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit is 10 μm to 150 μm. Touch windows; And
Including a driving unit disposed on the touch window,
The touch window,
Board;
And a sensing electrode disposed on the substrate and sensing a position,
The sensing electrode includes a first sensing unit and a second sensing unit disposed adjacent to the first sensing unit,
A dummy part is disposed between the first detection part and the second detection part,
The first sensing unit and the second sensing unit are formed in a mesh shape including a mesh line,
The line width of the mesh line is 0.1 μm to 10 μm,
A display device in which an interval between the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit is 10 μm to 150 μm.

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