KR20150008766A - Electrode member and touch panel with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrode member and a touch panel including the same. According to an embodiment, the electrode member includes: a substrate including an effective area and a non-effective area; first and second patterns which are formed on the non-effective area; and a first electrode which is formed on the first pattern. The width of the first pattern is different from the width of the second pattern. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides the touch panel including the electrode member and the electrode member having a new structure that a part where a sensing electrode and a wire electrode are formed is formed on a nono pattern.

Description

ELECTRODE MEMBER AND TOUCH PANEL WITH THE SAME,

Embodiments relate to an electrode member and a touch panel including the electrode member.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a touch panel has been applied to an image displayed on a display device in various electronic products by a method of touching an input device such as a finger or a stylus.

Such a touch panel can largely be divided into a resistance film 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 and the position is detected. A capacitance type touch panel senses a change in electrostatic capacitance between electrodes when a finger touches them, thereby detecting the position.

The resistance film type touch panel may be deteriorated in performance by repeated use, and scratch may occur. As a result, there is a growing interest in a capacitive touch panel having excellent durability and long life span.

Meanwhile, the conventional touch panel uses a photoresist method to mold a transparent electrode pattern. That is, after a transparent electrode material and a metal material are deposited on a substrate, a wiring electrode pattern and a sensing electrode pattern are formed through processes such as exposure, development, and etching.

However, when the wiring electrode pattern and the sensing electrode pattern are formed by such a method, there are problems in that the number of processes is large and complex and the process efficiency is reduced.

In order to solve such a problem, transparent electrodes using metal thin film meshes have recently been attracting attention. However, even when a transparent electrode pattern is formed using a metal thin-film mesh, a photoresist method must still be used to form a wiring electrode pattern, thereby reducing the manufacturing process efficiency.

An electrode member according to an embodiment of the present invention is a novel structure in which a nanopattern is formed in a portion where a sensing electrode and a wiring electrode are formed, and a touch panel including the electrode member.

An electrode member according to an embodiment includes: a substrate including an effective region and a non-effective region; A first pattern and a second pattern formed on the ineffective area; And a first electrode formed on the first pattern, wherein a width of the first pattern and a width of the second pattern are different.

A touch panel according to an embodiment includes: a cover window; And an electrode member formed on the cover window, wherein the electrode member includes: a substrate including a valid region and a non-valid region; A first pattern and a second pattern formed on the ineffective area; And a first electrode formed on the first pattern, wherein a width of the first pattern is larger than a width of the second pattern.

A touch panel according to another embodiment includes: a cover window including a valid area and a non-valid area; A wiring electrode pattern formed on the non-effective region; And a sensing electrode pattern formed on the effective region, wherein the wiring electrode pattern includes a first pattern and a second pattern, the sensing electrode pattern includes a third pattern and a fourth pattern, The width of the third pattern is larger than the width of the second pattern, and the width of the third pattern is larger than the width of the fourth pattern.

The electrode member according to the embodiment forms a plurality of patterns having a smaller width between the sensing electrode pattern and the wiring electrode pattern. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify the process of forming the wiring electrode and the sensing electrode by depositing the same electrode material on the sensing electrode pattern and the wiring electrode pattern, and then etching the same at one time.

Conventionally, a sensing electrode material and a wiring electrode material are sequentially deposited on a substrate, and then a wiring electrode pattern area and a sensing electrode pattern area are formed through a photoresist process, that is, exposure, development and etching. Accordingly, there is a problem that the process efficiency decreases as the number of processes increases.

Accordingly, the electrode member according to the embodiment forms the first pattern through the fourth pattern through the imprint process on the substrate, deposits the same electrode material on the first pattern and the third pattern, The electrode pattern and the wiring electrode pattern can be formed.

Accordingly, the electrode member according to the embodiment can form a sensing electrode pattern and a wiring electrode pattern including the same electrode material by forming a nano pattern on a portion where the wiring electrode is formed.

Also, the manufacturing process efficiency of the touch panel to which the electrode member is applied can be improved as well.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrode member according to an embodiment.
2 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of a portion A in Fig.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B 'in Fig.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing a sensing electrode pattern and a wiring electrode pattern of a touch pattern according to the embodiment.
5 to 12 are views for explaining a method of manufacturing the electrode member according to the embodiment.
13 is a perspective view illustrating a touch panel to which the electrode member according to the embodiment is applied.

In the description of the embodiments, it is to be understood that each layer (film), area, pattern or structure may be referred to as being "on" or "under / under" Quot; includes all that is formed directly or through another layer. The criteria for top / bottom or bottom / bottom of each layer are described with reference to the drawings.

The thickness or the size of each layer (film), region, pattern or structure in the drawings may be modified for clarity and convenience of explanation, and thus does not entirely reflect the actual size.

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrode member according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross- 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a sensing electrode pattern and a wiring electrode pattern of a touch pattern according to an embodiment, and FIGS. 5 to 12 are views for explaining a method of manufacturing an electrode member according to an embodiment And FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a touch panel to which the electrode member according to the embodiment is applied.

1 to 4, an electrode member according to an embodiment includes a substrate 100, a sensing electrode 200, and a wiring electrode 300.

The substrate may comprise plastic or glass. In addition, the substrate includes a valid area AA for sensing the position of an input device (e.g., a finger, etc.) and a non-valid area UA disposed around the valid area AA.

The sensing electrode 200 may be formed on the effective area AA to sense an input device. A wiring electrode 300 electrically connecting the sensing electrode 200 may be formed in the non-effective region UA. An external circuit or the like connected to the wiring electrode 300 may be disposed in the ineffective area UA. A print layer (not shown) may be formed in the ineffective area UA, and a logo or a command icon pattern part may be formed on the print layer.

When an input device such as a finger is brought into contact with the effective area of the substrate, a difference in capacitance occurs at a portion where the input device is contacted, and a portion where the difference occurs can be detected as the contact position.

The sensing electrode 200 is formed on the effective area AA of the substrate. The sensing electrode 200 may sense whether an input device such as a finger is in contact.

Referring to FIG. 1, the sensing electrode 200 includes a first sensing electrode 210 and a second sensing electrode 220.

The first sensing electrode 210 includes a plurality of first sensor units 210a for sensing whether an input device such as a finger is contacted and a first connection electrode unit 210b for connecting the plurality of first sensor units 210a ). The first connection electrode part 210b connects the plurality of first sensor parts 210a in a first direction (X axis direction in the figure), and the first sensing electrode 210 extends in the first direction .

Similarly, the second sensing electrode 220 includes a plurality of second sensor units 220a for sensing whether an input device such as a finger is contacted, and a second connection unit 220a for connecting the plurality of second sensing units 220a. And an electrode portion 220b. The second connection electrode unit 220b connects the plurality of second sensor units 220a in a second direction (Y-axis direction in the drawing) intersecting the first direction, May extend in the second direction.

An insulating layer 230 may be disposed between the first connection electrode portion 210b and the second connection electrode portion 220b to prevent an electrical short circuit. The insulating layer 230 may include a transparent insulating material capable of insulating the first sensing electrode 210 and the second sensing electrode 220.

Meanwhile, the sensing electrodes 210 are arranged in a mesh shape. Specifically, the sensing electrode 210 includes a mesh opening OA and a mesh line portion LA. At this time, the line width of the mesh line portion LA may be about 3 탆 or less. Preferably, when the line width is about 3 mu m or less, the pattern of the sensing electrode 200 can be made invisible. Preferably, the line width of the mesh line portion LA may be about 500 nm to 3 mu m.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 1, the mesh opening OA may have a rectangular shape. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the mesh opening OA may have various shapes such as a diamond shape, a pentagon, a hexagonal polygonal shape, or a circular shape.

Since the sensing electrode 200 has a mesh shape, the pattern of the sensing electrode 200 can be made invisible on the effective area AA. That is, even if the sensing electrode 200 is formed of metal, the pattern can be made invisible. Also, even if the sensing electrode 200 is applied to a touch panel of a large size, the resistance of the touch panel can be lowered. In addition, when the sensing electrode 200 is formed by a printing process, it is possible to secure a high-quality touch panel by improving the printing quality.

The wiring electrode 300 is formed on the ineffective area UA of the substrate 100. The wiring electrode 300 is electrically connected to the sensing electrode 200. The wiring electrode 300 transmits a touch sensing signal sensed from the sensing electrode to a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). That is, the wiring electrode 300 transmits a touch sensing signal sensed by the sensing electrode 200 to a connector (not shown) mounted on the flexible circuit board.

Hereinafter, the sensing electrode 200 and the wiring electrode 300 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG.

2 is a cross-sectional view of a wiring electrode portion showing a cross section of the portion A in Fig. 2, the wiring electrode portion of the electrode member includes a substrate 100, a resin layer 400 formed on the substrate 100, a first pattern 410 formed on the resin layer 400, 2 pattern 420 and a wiring electrode 300 formed on the first pattern 410. [

The wiring electrode 300 is formed on the ineffective area UA of the substrate 100. After the resin layer 400 is formed on the ineffective area UA, the first pattern 410 and the second pattern 420 may be formed through an imprint process. The resin layer 400 may include a UV resin or a thermosetting resin.

A wiring electrode material may be applied to the first pattern 410 to form the wiring electrode 300.

The width of the first pattern 410 may be different from the width of the second pattern 420. In detail, the width of the first pattern 410 may be greater than the width of the second pattern 420. For example, the width of the first pattern 410 may be several micrometers, and the width of the second pattern 420 may be several nanometers.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the sensing electrode portion of FIG. Referring to FIG. 3, the sensing electrode portion of the electrode member includes a substrate 100, a resin layer 400 formed on the substrate 100, a third pattern 430 formed on the resin layer 300, 4 pattern 440, and a sensing electrode material 310 formed on the third pattern 410. Referring to FIG.

The sensing electrode 300 is formed on the effective area AA of the substrate 100. The third pattern 430 and the fourth pattern 440 may be formed through the imprint process after the resin layer 400 is formed on the effective area AA. The resin layer 400 may include a UV resin or a thermosetting resin.

The sensing electrode material may be applied to the third pattern 410 to form the sensing electrode 200.

The width of the third pattern 430 may be different from the width of the fourth pattern 440. In detail, the width of the third pattern 430 may be greater than the width of the fourth pattern 440. For example, the width of the third pattern 430 may be several micrometers, and the width of the fourth pattern 440 may be several nanometers.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the sensing electrode portion and the wiring electrode portion of FIG. 1; Referring to FIG. 4, sensing electrodes are formed on the effective area AA of the substrate 100, and wiring electrodes are formed on the non-effective areas UA of the substrate 100.

In detail, the first pattern 410 and the second pattern 420 are formed in the non-effective area UA, and the third pattern 430 and the fourth pattern 440 are formed in the effective area AA . The second pattern 420 is formed between the first patterns 410. In addition, the fourth pattern 440 is formed between the third patterns 430.

The width of the first pattern 410 may be greater than the width of the second pattern 420 and the width of the third pattern 430 may be greater than the width of the fourth pattern 440. [ It can be big. The widths of the first pattern 410 and the third pattern 430 may be several 탆 and the widths of the second pattern 420 and the fourth pattern 440 may be several nm.

The second pattern 420 and the fourth pattern 440 may be formed at the same time. In addition, the widths of the second pattern 420 and the fourth pattern 440 may have the same size.

An electrode material may be deposited on the first pattern 410 and the third pattern 430. In detail, a wiring electrode material 310 may be deposited on the first pattern 410, and a sensing electrode material 210 may be deposited on the third pattern 430. The wiring electrode material and the sensing electrode material may include at least one material selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, nickel, tin, zinc, gold, silver, and alloys thereof. In detail, the wiring electrode material and the sensing electrode material may include the same metal material.

The electrode member according to the embodiment forms a plurality of patterns having a smaller width between the sensing electrode pattern and the wiring electrode pattern. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify the process of forming the wiring electrode and the sensing electrode by depositing the same electrode material on the sensing electrode pattern and the wiring electrode pattern, and then etching the same at one time.

Conventionally, a sensing electrode material and a wiring electrode material are sequentially deposited on a substrate, and then a wiring electrode pattern area and a sensing electrode pattern area are formed through a photoresist process, that is, exposure, development and etching. Accordingly, there is a problem that the process efficiency decreases as the number of processes increases.

Accordingly, the electrode member according to the embodiment forms the first pattern through the fourth pattern through the imprint process on the substrate, deposits the same electrode material on the first pattern and the third pattern, The electrode pattern and the wiring electrode pattern can be formed.

Accordingly, the electrode member according to the embodiment can form a sensing electrode pattern and a wiring electrode pattern including the same electrode material by forming a nano pattern on a portion where the wiring electrode is formed.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing the electrode member according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12. FIG. Although only the wiring electrodes are shown in Figs. 5 to 12, the manufacturing method of the sensing electrodes is essentially combined with the wiring electrode forming method.

Figs. 5 to 8 show the case of using the positive mold, and Figs. 9 to 12 show the case of using the negative mold.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 9, a resin layer 400 is formed on a substrate 100, and then a positive mold 510 or a negative mold 520 is prepared.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 10, a positive mold 410 or a negative mold 420 may be used. The first pattern 410 may be formed by imprinting the resin layer 300 on the substrate 100 on which the resin layer 300 is formed by using the embossed mold 410 or the embossing mold 420, And the second pattern 420 may be formed.

That is, when the first pattern 410 and the second pattern 420 are formed in an indented shape, the embossed mold 510 corresponding to the indented shape is used to form a depressed shape on the resin layer 300 When the first pattern 410 and the second pattern 420 are formed and the first pattern 410 and the second pattern 420 are formed in a relief shape, The first pattern 410 and the second pattern 420 may be formed on the resin layer 400 using the first pattern 410 and the second pattern 520. At this time, the resin layer 300 may include a UV resin or a thermosetting resin.

7 and 11, the electrode material 410 is applied to the upper surface and / or the side surface of the first pattern 410 and the second pattern 420 formed on the resin layer, The material is deposited. The electrode material 310 may include at least one material selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, nickel, tin, zinc, gold, silver, and alloys thereof.

Subsequently, as shown in Figs. 8 and 12, the electrode material formed on the resin layer is partially etched.

A difference in etching rate occurs depending on the difference in bonding area between the first pattern 410 and the second pattern 420 of the resin layer 400 and the electrode material 310. That is, since the bonding area of the first pattern 410 and the electrode material 310 is greater than the bonding area of the second pattern 420 and the electrode material 310, So that the etching of the electrode material 310 formed on the substrate 310 is less. That is, according to the same etching rate, the electrode material 310 formed on the first pattern 410 is left, and the electrode material 310 formed on the second pattern 420 is etched and removed. 8 and 12, the wiring electrode 300 may be formed on the first pattern 410 only.

The electrode member according to the above-described embodiment can be applied to the touch panel or the like shown in FIG. Although the touch panel or the mobile terminal is shown in Fig. 13, the embodiment is not limited thereto. It is needless to say that the electrode member according to the embodiment can be applied to various display devices such as household appliances such as notebook computers, TVs, washing machines, and automobiles.

13, the touch panel 700 according to the embodiment includes a cover window including a valid area AA and a non-valid area UA, a command icon pattern part 710, a camera 720, a speaker 720 ), And the like.

The touch panel according to the first embodiment may include the above-described electrode members. In detail, the touch panel according to the embodiment includes a cover window; And an electrode member formed on the cover window, wherein the electrode member includes: a substrate including a valid region and a non-valid region; A first pattern and a second pattern formed on the ineffective area; And a first electrode formed on the first pattern, wherein a width of the first pattern may be greater than a width of the second pattern.

A third pattern and a fourth pattern formed on the effective region; And a second electrode formed on the third pattern, wherein a width of the third pattern may be greater than a width of the fourth pattern.

At this time, the first electrode and the second electrode may include the same metal material.

The touch panel according to the second embodiment includes: a cover window including a valid area and a non-valid area; A wiring electrode pattern formed on the non-effective region; And a sensing electrode pattern formed on the effective region, wherein the wiring electrode pattern includes a first pattern and a second pattern, the sensing electrode pattern includes a third pattern and a fourth pattern, May be greater than the width of the second pattern. That is, in the touch panel according to the second embodiment, the sensing electrode pattern and the wiring electrode pattern may be formed directly on the cover window.

At this time, the sensing electrode pattern and the wiring electrode pattern may include the same metal material.

The touch panel according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment may include the above-described electrode member as it is. Accordingly, when forming the sensing electrode and the wiring electrode, the process efficiency can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The features, structures, effects and the like described in the foregoing embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to one embodiment. Further, the features, structures, effects, and the like illustrated in the embodiments may be combined or modified in other embodiments by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these combinations and modifications.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It can be seen that various modifications and applications are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments may be modified and implemented. It is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.

Claims (10)

A substrate including a valid region and a non-valid region;
A first pattern and a second pattern formed on the ineffective area; And
And a first electrode formed on the first pattern,
Wherein a width of the first pattern and a width of the second pattern are different from each other. The method according to claim 1,
A third pattern and a fourth pattern formed on the effective region; And
And a second electrode formed on the third pattern,
Wherein a width of the third pattern and a width of the fourth pattern are different from each other. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the first electrode and the second electrode comprise the same metal material. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the second pattern is formed between the first patterns,
And the fourth pattern is formed between the third patterns. 3. The method of claim 2,
The width of the first pattern is larger than the width of the second pattern,
And the width of the third pattern is larger than the width of the fourth pattern. Cover window; And
And an electrode member formed on the cover window,
The electrode member
A substrate including a valid region and a non-valid region;
A first pattern and a second pattern formed on the ineffective area; And
And a first electrode formed on the first pattern,
Wherein a width of the first pattern is larger than a width of the second pattern. The method according to claim 6,
A third pattern and a fourth pattern formed on the effective region; And
And a second electrode formed on the third pattern,
Wherein a width of the third pattern is larger than a width of the fourth pattern. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the first electrode and the second electrode comprise the same metal material. A cover window including a valid region and a non-valid region;
A wiring electrode pattern formed on the non-effective region; And
And a sensing electrode pattern formed on the effective region
Wherein the wiring electrode pattern includes a first pattern and a second pattern,
Wherein the sensing electrode pattern includes a third pattern and a fourth pattern,
The width of the first pattern is larger than the width of the second pattern,
Wherein a width of the third pattern is larger than a width of the fourth pattern. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the wiring electrode pattern and the sensing electrode pattern include the same metal material.

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