KR102343598B1 - Touch panel and display device comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a touch panel and an image display device including the same, and more particularly, to a conductive layer and a passivation layer on the conductive layer, wherein the passivation layer includes at least one first detection hole exposing the conductive layer. , it is possible to provide easiness, precision and efficiency of detecting a defective touch panel or detecting a defective section of the touch panel.

Description

Touch panel and image display device including same

The present invention relates to a touch panel and an image display device including the same.

The touch sensor refers to a device that detects a user's touch occurring at a specific location on a panel that is installed overlaid on a display screen or provided separately from the display screen. The contact information and contact location information obtained at this time are used for operation control and screen manipulation of a computer system equipped with a touch sensor.

To this end, the touch sensor is provided on the front face of the image display device and converts a contact position in direct contact with a person's hand or an object into an electrical signal. Accordingly, the instruction content selected at the contact position is accepted as an input signal.

Such a touch sensor recognizes, as an input signal, a touch event occurring in the display region by forming the driving electrode and the receiving electrode in the display region where an image is displayed. That is, in the case of an image display device equipped with a touch sensor, the display area is set as a display area for displaying an image and a touch display area where a touch input is possible.

Such a touch sensor should be able to transmit the sensed signal as an electrical signal to an external driving device or the like through a well electrically connected path.

On the other hand, when manufacturing a touch sensor, a touch sensor that does not smoothly transmit such electrical signals does not transmit a signal input to the touch sensor to a driving element well, so it should be able to be selected as a bad touch sensor, and further, It is necessary to be able to identify the section where the electrical connection of the touch sensor is poor, to prevent the occurrence of the defective touch sensor or to help compensate for the defective touch sensor.

In general, the method of detecting such a defective touch sensor and a defective section is an unfinished touch sensor and has to be performed in a state in which only the conductive layer is formed, so that the detection is performed and the defect inspection caused by the subsequent process cannot be performed, or an already formed touch sensor is not performed. Since the front side film of the touch panel has to be peeled off and performed, there is a problem in that the detection is cumbersome.

Accordingly, Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2013-0015600 discloses a touch screen panel inspection apparatus, but this technique also has limitations in terms of efficiency or effectiveness, such as having to be performed by directly touching and inputting a signal.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0015600

An object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel that is easy, precise and efficient to detect a defective touch panel or detect a defective section of the touch panel, and an image display device including the same.

1. A touch panel comprising a conductive layer and a passivation layer on the conductive layer, wherein the passivation layer includes at least one first detection hole exposing the conductive layer.

2. The touch panel according to the above 1, wherein the first detection hole is located in at least one of a place where the conductive layer functions as a touch electrode part, a trace part, and a pad part.

3. The touch panel according to the above 2, wherein, among the first detection holes, the first detection hole located where the conductive layer functions as the touch electrode part or the trace part is located at the end of the touch electrode part or the end of the trace part, .

4. The touch panel according to the above 2, wherein the first detection hole is located at the end of the touch electrode part or the end of the trace part, and the pad part.

5. The touch panel according to the above 2, wherein the first detection hole is located in a connection part of the touch electrode part and the trace part, a connection part between the trace part and the pad, and the pad part.

6. The touch panel according to 2 above, wherein the touch panel is a double routing method.

7. The touch panel according to 1 above, wherein the touch panel is a single routing method.

8. The touch panel according to the above 7, further comprising a first detection hole in a detection part that is an end of an electrode not connected to a trace part among the touch electrode parts.

9. The touch panel according to 1 above, wherein the conductive layer includes a plurality of layers.

10. The method of 1 above, wherein the conductive layer includes a structure in which a first conductive film, an insulating film, and a second conductive film are stacked in this order, a passivation layer is disposed on the second conductive film, and the insulating film is 1 , the touch panel including a second detection hole overlapping the first detection hole area in a stacking direction.

11. The touch panel of 10 above, wherein the first conductive film includes a plurality of layers.

12. The method of 1 above, wherein the conductive layer includes a structure in which a first conductive film, an insulating film, and a second conductive film are stacked in this order, a passivation layer is disposed on the second conductive film, and the insulating film is A touch panel comprising a second detection hole shifted from the first detection hole region in a stacking direction.

13. The touch panel according to 11 above, wherein the first conductive film includes a plurality of layers.

14. An image display device comprising the touch panel of any one of 1 to 13 above.

The touch panel according to the present invention can easily and efficiently detect a defective touch panel or a defective section of the touch panel.

In the touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, detection of a defective touch panel may be more precise.

The touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention is capable of detecting a specific defective section.

The touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention may have the same effects as described above when the position detection lines are formed in pairs on one touch electrode as well as when they are formed as one.

The touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention can reduce the time and cost of inspecting the touch panel for defects during the process, improve the production speed, and finally significantly lower the defect rate of the product.

The present invention may provide an image display device provided with the touch panel.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a schematic plan view of a conductive layer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a conductive layer and a passivation layer on the conductive layer, and the passivation layer includes at least one first detection hole exposing the conductive layer, thereby detecting a defective touch panel or detecting a defective section of the touch panel. It relates to a touch panel capable of providing ease, precision and efficiency, and the like.

Accordingly, the touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention can reduce the defect inspection time and cost of the touch panel during the process, improve the production speed, and finally significantly lower the defect rate of the product.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, this is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In this specification, the meanings of “first” and “second” of the first detection hole 310 , the first conductive film 210 , the second detection hole 320 , and the second conductive film 220 are detection It is not meant to limit the number of holes or conductive layers, but only to distinguish different detection holes or different conductive layers, and each of the detection holes or conductive layers may be plural.

In addition, in this specification, a direction includes not only a geometrically exactly corresponding direction, but also a substantially corresponding direction and a direction within a range commonly recognized even if not exactly corresponding to the direction.

<Touch panel>

conductive layer (200) and passivation layer (100)

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1D , the touch panel includes a conductive layer 200 and a passivation layer 100 on the conductive layer 200 .

In the touch panel, the conductive layer 200 is used for various purposes for transmission and reception of electrical signals. For example, the conductive layer 200 may be used as a touch electrode in the touch electrode unit 410 , as a trace in the trace unit 420 , and as an electrode connection unit in the pad unit 430 . Accordingly, the conductive layer 200 may have various shapes and structures depending on its intended use.

The conductive layer 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed as a single layer as shown in FIG. 1 (b), or as a plurality of layers as shown in FIGS. can be formed.

For example, the conductive layer 200 may include a first conductive layer 210 , an insulating layer 230 , and a second conductive layer 220 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C . .

In addition, the conductive film of the conductive layer 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed of a plurality of layers. For example, as shown in FIG. 1D , the first conductive film 210 is The ITO layer and the metal layer may be formed in a plurality of layered structures to improve the electrical connection of the conductive layer 200 .

1A and 1C are schematic cross-sectional views of a touch panel illustrating a case in which a cross-section of the conductive layer 200 includes the insulating film 230 . This is when an insulator, which will be described later, is positioned as an insulating film 230 in the form of a layer between the sensing electrode and the bridge electrode (contact hole type), the touch panel including the detection hole formed in the portion where the insulating film 230 formed of an insulator exists. A cross section cut vertically is shown.

Meanwhile, FIGS. 1 ( b ) and 1 ( d ) are schematic cross-sectional views of a touch panel illustrating a case in which the cross-section of the conductive layer 200 does not include the insulating film 230 . This is a cross-section of the touch panel including the detection hole formed in the portion where the insulator does not exist when the insulator is located only in an island shape at the intersection of the sensing electrode and the bridge electrode (island type).

In general, a touch panel includes a display area and a non-display area (eg, a bezel part) that are divided according to whether an image is displayed. The display area is formed on the inside of the touch panel, and the non-display area is formed on the outside (ie, the edge part) of the touch panel. A touch electrode unit 410 for sensing an electrical or physical change (input signal) by a user's touch is formed in the display area.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the touch electrode unit 410 may function to generate and transmit an electrical signal according to a touch by being present in the display area of the touch pad.

Here, the touch electrode of the touch electrode may be formed to form four rows or columns on the substrate. As an embodiment of the present invention, the touch electrode may include a first sensing electrode formed in a first direction and a second sensing electrode formed in a second direction.

The first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode are disposed in different directions. For example, the first direction may be an X-axis direction, and the second direction may be a Y-axis direction perpendicular to the direction, but is not limited thereto.

The first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode provide information on the X coordinate and the Y coordinate of the touched point. Specifically, when a human hand or an object comes into contact with the cover window substrate, a change in capacitance according to the contact position is transmitted to the driving circuit via the first sensing electrode, the second sensing electrode, and the position detection line. Then, the change in capacitance is converted into an electric signal by the X and Y input processing circuit (not shown), and the contact position is grasped.

In this regard, the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode are formed on the same layer, and in order to sense a touched point, each of the unit sensing electrodes must be electrically connected. However, since the first sensing electrode is connected to each other, but the second sensing electrode has a structure in which unit sensing electrodes are separated from each other in an island form, a separate bridge electrode is required to electrically connect the second sensing electrode. . The bridge electrode will be described later.

The thickness of the sensing electrode is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 20 to 200 nm, respectively. If the thickness of the sensing electrode is less than 20 nm, electrical resistance may be increased to decrease touch sensitivity, and if the thickness of the sensing electrode is greater than 200 nm, a problem of visibility may occur because reflectance is increased.

The bridge electrode electrically connects the spaced-apart unit sensing electrodes of the second sensing electrode. In this case, an insulator is formed between the bridge electrode and the first sensing electrode to electrically block the first sensing electrode among the bridge electrode and the sensing electrode.

The bridge electrode is connected to the unit sensing electrode spaced apart from the second sensing electrode through a contact hole formed in the insulating layer 230 formed of an insulator.

As described above, in a typical touch sensor, the insulator may be located only in the form of an island only at the intersection of the sensing electrode and the bridge electrode (Island type), or may be located in the form of a layer between the sensing electrode and the bridge electrode (Contact hole type) ).

When the insulator is positioned in the form of an island, both ends of the bridge electrode are directly connected to the sensing electrode, and when the insulator is formed as a layer-type insulating film 230, both ends of the bridge electrode are sensed through a contact hole (formed in the insulating film 230), respectively. connected to the electrode.

A trace portion 420 and a pad portion 430 are formed in the non-display area. One end of the trace unit 420 is electrically connected to each of the touch electrodes forming a plurality of rows or columns, and the other end of the trace unit 420 is connected to the pad unit 430 . In addition, the pad part 430 may be electrically connected to an external driving circuit.

Accordingly, the trace unit 420 may transmit an electrical signal from the touch electrode unit 410 to the pad unit 430 , and the pad unit 430 drives the electrical signal transmitted from the trace unit 420 to the outside of the touch pad. so that it can be transmitted to the device, etc.

The pad part 430 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode connection part and a thin wire part extending from the electrode connection part and electrically connected to the trace. The thin wire part refers to a part included between the electrode connection part and the trace to connect both. In addition, in the pad part 430 , another conductive member (eg, a flexible circuit board) may be bonded to the electrode connection part for electrical connection.

The touch electrode and the trace according to an embodiment of the present invention may be used without particular limitation as long as the material can be performed independently of each other as a medium for input signal reception and electrical signal transmission. For example, indium tin oxide (ITO) ), Indium Zinc Oxide (IZO), Indium Zinc Tin Oxide (IZTO), Aluminum Zinc Oxide (AZO), Gallium Zinc Oxide (GZO), Florin Tin Oxide (FTO), Indium Tin Oxide-Silver-Indium Tin Oxide (ITO-) Ag-ITO), indium zinc oxide-silver-indium zinc oxide (IZO-Ag-IZO), indium zinc tin oxide-silver-indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO-Ag-IZTO) and aluminum zinc oxide-silver-aluminum zinc oxide (AZO-Ag-AZO) metal oxides selected from the group consisting of; Gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), titanium (Ti) and metals selected from the group consisting of alloys of at least one of them; nanowires of a metal selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, copper and lead; Carbon-based materials selected from the group consisting of carbon nanowires, carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene; and a conductive polymer material selected from the group consisting of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and polyaniline (PANI). These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The electrode connection part according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to another conductive member (eg, a flexible circuit board), and for electrical connection, the material may be used without particular limitation as long as it has excellent electrical conductivity, for example, For example, it may be formed including at least one of a metal, a conductive metal oxide, and conductive carbon.

The metal may be specifically silver, gold, aluminum, molybdenum, copper, chromium, neodymium, and alloys thereof, and the conductive metal oxide is specifically ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), AZO (Al-doped) ZnO) and TCO (Transparent conductive oxide), etc., and the conductive carbon may be specifically carbon nanowires, carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene, etc., but is not necessarily limited thereto. Or two or more types may be mixed and used.

If necessary, the electrode connection portion may further include a conductive non-metallic coating layer on the entire surface or at least one surface of the metal. For example, it may be provided on at least one of the upper surface, the lower surface, and the side surface of the metal. When a metal is used as the material of the electrode connection part 100 , corrosion may occur, so it is preferable to provide a conductive non-metallic coating layer.

The conductive non-metallic coating layer may include at least one of the aforementioned conductive metal oxide and conductive carbon.

Examples of the conductive metal oxide may include, but are not limited to, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), Al-doped ZnO (AZO), transparent conductive oxide (TCO), and the like described above. Or two or more types may be mixed and used.

Examples of the conductive carbon include, but are not limited to, the above-described carbon nanowires, carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene, and the like. These can be used individually or in mixture of 2 or more types, respectively.

On the other hand, when the conductive layer 200 or the conductive film according to an embodiment of the present invention is composed of a plurality of layers, any one of the conductive layer 200 or the layers constituting the conductive film is a single one of the above-described conductive materials. It may be formed of a material or may be formed including a plurality of materials.

When the conductive layer 200 according to the present invention is electrically connected from the touch electrode part 410 to the pad part 430, the touch panel is a good product, but the conductive layer 200 according to the present invention is electrically connected In the case of poorly connected or not electrically connected, the signal sensed by the touch electrode unit 410 cannot be transmitted as an electrical signal to an external driving device, so the touch panel is a defective product, and the section in which the electrical connection is disconnected is It falls under the bad section.

Meanwhile, the passivation layer 100 formed on the conductive layer 200 functions to insulate and protect the conductive layer 200 such as the touch electrode part 410 from the outside. The passivation layer 100 is generally non-conductive and transparent.

As long as the material of the passivation layer 100 is a material that can insulate and protect the conductive layer 200 and the like, any material known in the art may be used without particular limitation, for example, conductive through application and curing of a curable composition. It may be formed on the layer 200 .

detection hole

first detection hole (310)

1 and 2 , the passivation layer 100 according to the present invention includes at least one first detection hole 310 exposing the conductive layer 200 .

The detection hole is formed through the passivation layer 100 and the like, and it is possible to secure a path so that the defect detection probe can contact the conductive layer 200 through the detection hole from the outside of the touch panel.

The first detection hole 310 enables detection of a defective touch panel or a defective section of the touch panel without damage to the touch panel after the passivation layer 100 is all coated when the touch panel is formed. It makes it easier and more efficient to detect a defective section of a panel.

The size of the detection hole may be used without any particular limitation as long as the defect detection probe can penetrate the passivation layer 100 , and preferably, it is sufficient as long as the defect detection probe can penetrate the passivation layer 100 . In this case, the function of the passivation layer 100 may be deteriorated.

The defect detection probe is a part of a sensor that detects whether electricity is energized, and may be one known in the art.

The number of detection holes is at least one since detection holes must exist in pairs to check whether electricity is energized.

Where the detection hole can be formed, it is possible to check whether the corresponding section of the touch panel is energized, so that it is possible to precisely detect where the defective section of the touch panel is.

The detection hole may be formed in any of the display area and the non-display area of the panel without limitation, but may preferably be formed in the non-display area. Since the detection hole is formed in the non-display area, it may be easy to form the detection hole without affecting the quality of the touch panel.

Referring to FIG. 2 , in the first detection hole 310 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the conductive layer 200 functions as a touch electrode part 410 , a trace part and a pad part 430 . It may be located in at least one of The first detection hole 310 is formed in the passivation layer 100 so that the conductive layer 200 is located in at least one of the places where the conductive layer 200 functions as the touch electrode part 410 , the trace part and the pad part 430 . , it is possible to accurately detect a defective touch panel or detect a defective section of the touch panel.

The first detection hole 310 located where the conductive layer 200 functions as the touch electrode unit 410 or the trace unit 420 is located where the touch electrode unit 410 or the trace unit 420 functions. This can be done and a defect inspection can be performed, and it can be located without any particular limitation, but it can be preferably located at the end of the touch electrode unit 410 or the end of the trace unit 420 . The first detection hole 310 may be located at the end of the touch electrode unit 410 or at the end of the trace unit 420 , and thus may include the touch electrode unit 410 , the trace unit 420 , and the pad unit 430 . With respect to the section of the conductive layer 200, it is easy to detect at which point in each section the defect exists, and precise detection is possible.

Accordingly, the first detection hole 310 according to an embodiment of the present invention is located at the end of the touch electrode unit 410 or at the end of the trace unit 420 , and at the pad unit 430 , the touch electrode unit ( 410), the trace unit 420, and the pad unit 430 may be more preferable for precise defect detection, respectively. In this aspect, more preferably, the first detection hole 310 is located at the connection part between the touch electrode part 410 and the trace part 420 , the connection part between the trace part 420 and the pad, and the pad part 430 . may be

In the touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the trace unit 420 connection method known in the art may be used without particular limitation, for example, a double routing method (refer to (a) of FIG. 2) or It may be a single routing method (refer to (b) of FIG. 2).

The double routing method refers to a case in which a pair of trace units 420 connected to one end and the other end of the touch electrode unit 410 exist, and the single routing method refers to a single trace unit 420 connected to one end of the touch electrode unit 410 . ) is present.

When the trace connection method of the touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention is a single routing method, a first detection hole is formed in the detection unit 410a, which is an end of an electrode not connected to the trace unit 420 among the touch electrode units 410 . (310) may be further included. Through this, even in the case of a single routing method, a defect inspection of the touch electrode unit 410 may be possible.

second detection hole (320)

As described above, when the touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention is of the contact hole type as a method for insulating the sensing electrode and the bridge electrode, the insulating film 230 may be formed on the front surface of the touch electrode unit 410 . In this case, the conductive layer 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an insulating layer 230 (see FIGS. 1A and 1C ).

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1C , in the conductive layer 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a first conductive film 210 , an insulating film 230 and a second conductive film 220 are the It may include a sequentially stacked structure. In this case, a second detection hole 320 penetrating through the insulating layer 230 may be included so that the first conductive layer 210 and the second conductive layer 220 are electrically connected.

For example, the relationship between the first conductive film 210 and the second conductive film 220 may be electrically connected as conductive materials provided separately from each other, and specifically, the first conductive film 210 and the second conductive film 220 . The film 220 includes a touch electrode and a connection electrode, regardless of the order in which they are listed; touch electrodes and traces; traces and connecting electrodes; Alternatively, the trace and the pad part 430 (a metal, conductive carbon, or conductive non-metal coating layer among the electrode connection parts of the pad part 430) may be used.

In this case, the connection electrode may be provided as needed, and refers to a conductive metal layer capable of interconnecting the touch electrode and the trace or the trace and the pad unit.

The material of the second conductive film 220 may also be used without particular limitation as long as the conductive layer 200 is a material capable of performing as a medium for input signal reception and electrical signal transmission, an example of which is the above-described first conductive film ( It is the same as the material of 210 , and the material of the first conductive layer 210 and the second conductive layer 220 may be different from each other.

The material of the insulating film 230 according to the present embodiment may be used without any particular limitation as long as it is a material that can be used as the insulating film 230 in the field, for example, an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride, or a photocurable resin. An organic insulating material such as the composition may be used.

The method of forming the detection hole in the insulating film 230 according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited, but for example, silicon oxide and silicon nitride are deposited in a predetermined pattern using a mask, or the entire surface is deposited followed by dry etching (Dry etching). Etching) method is used to pattern, or a photocurable resin composition is applied to the first conductive film 210, and then a hole is formed in the portion where the other conductive member is to be connected through a process of exposing and developing using a mask pattern. It can be carried out in a way that

Referring to FIG. 3A , the conductive layer 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first conductive layer 210 , an insulating layer 230 , and a second conductive layer 220 stacked in this order. structure, a passivation layer may be disposed on the second conductive film 220 , and the insulating film 230 may overlap the first detection hole 310 region in the stacking direction in the second detection hole 320 . may include

Referring to FIG. 3B , the insulating film 230 of the conductive layer 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention has a first detection hole 310 region and a second detection hole 320 shifted in the stacking direction. may include Since the insulating layer 230 includes the second detection hole 320 to be shifted from the first detection hole 310 region in the stacking direction, the possibility of moisture or air permeating through the detection hole may be reduced.

<Image display device>

In addition, the present invention provides an image display device including the touch panel.

The touch panel of the present invention can be applied to various image display devices, such as an electroluminescence display device, a plasma display device, and a field emission display device, as well as a general image display device.

100: passivation layer
200: conductive layer
210: first conductive film
220: second conductive film
230: insulating film
310: first detection hole
320: second detection hole
410: touch electrode part
410a: detection unit
420: trace unit
430: pad part

Claims (14)

a conductive layer including a first conductive layer sequentially stacked, an insulating layer including a contact hole, and a second conductive layer contacting the first conductive layer through the contact hole;
and a passivation layer on the second conductive film,
and the passivation layer includes at least one first detection hole exposing the second conductive layer.
The touch panel of claim 1 , wherein the first detection hole is located in at least one of a place where the conductive layer functions as a touch electrode part, a trace part, and a pad part.
The touch panel of claim 2 , wherein, among the first detection holes, a first detection hole positioned where the conductive layer functions as a touch electrode part or a trace part is positioned at an end of the touch electrode part or an end of the trace part.
The touch panel of claim 2 , wherein the first detection hole is located at an end of the touch electrode unit or an end of the trace unit, and the pad unit.
The touch panel of claim 2 , wherein the first detection hole is located in a connection part of the touch electrode part and the trace part, a connection part between the trace part and the pad, and the pad part.
The touch panel according to claim 2, wherein the touch panel is a double routing method.
The touch panel according to claim 2, wherein the touch panel is a single routing method.
The touch panel of claim 7 , further comprising a first detection hole in a detection part that is an end of an electrode not connected to a trace part among the touch electrode parts.
delete The method according to claim 1,
The insulating layer includes a second detection hole overlapping the first detection hole region in a stacking direction, the touch panel.
The touch panel of claim 10 , wherein the first conductive film includes a plurality of layers.
The method according to claim 1,
The insulating layer includes a second detection hole shifted from the first detection hole region in a stacking direction.
The touch panel of claim 12 , wherein the first conductive film includes a plurality of layers.
An image display device comprising the touch panel of any one of claims 1 to 8 and 10 to 13.

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