KR20210013232A - Touch window - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment, provided is a touch window with improved visibility, which includes: a substrate including an effective area and an ineffective area; and a sensing electrode pattern disposed on the effective area and including a sensing electrode. The straightness of the sensing electrode pattern is ±40 μm to ±100 μm.

Description

Touch window {TOUCH WINDOW}

The embodiment relates to a touch window.

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

Indium tin oxide (ITO), which is most widely used as a transparent electrode of such a touch window, is expensive, and physically easily hit by bending and bending of the substrate deteriorates the characteristics of the electrode. flexible) There is a problem that it is not suitable for the device. In addition, when applied to a large-sized touch panel, a problem occurs due to high resistance.

In order to solve this problem, active research on an alternative electrode is in progress, and for example, research to replace ITO by forming an electrode material in a mesh shape is in progress.

Such a mesh-shaped electrode can reduce the resistance problem in a touch window having a large area, but since a metal is used as an electrode material instead of a transparent electrode, a problem in that the electrode pattern is visually recognized from the outside may occur.

Accordingly, there is a need for a touch window having a new structure capable of solving the above problems.

The embodiment is to provide a touch window having improved visibility.

The touch window according to the embodiment includes: a substrate including an effective area and an inactive area; And a sensing electrode pattern disposed on the effective region and including a sensing electrode, wherein the sensing electrode pattern has a straightness of ±40 μm to ±100 μm.

The touch window according to the embodiment may improve visibility of the touch window. In detail, by disposing a second dummy electrode pattern between the sensing electrode patterns so that the electrode appears to be disposed between the sensing electrode patterns as well, the part where the electrode is disposed and the part that is not disposed from the outside are not recognized, thereby improving visibility. I can.

In addition, since the sensing electrode pattern and/or the second dummy electrode pattern have straightness within the above range, it is possible to prevent the sensing electrode pattern and/or the dummy electrode pattern from being visually recognized from the outside. That is, by giving the sensing electrode pattern and/or the second dummy electrode pattern straightness, the sensing electrode pattern and/or the second dummy electrode pattern are not parallel straight lines, but are connected by a zigzag line, so that such a sensing electrode pattern is visually recognized from the outside. It can be prevented to improve the overall visibility of the touch window.

1 is a diagram illustrating a top view of a touch window according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of area A of FIG. 1.
3 is another view showing an enlarged area B of FIG. 1.
4 is a diagram illustrating a top view of a touch window according to a second embodiment.
5 to 7 are views showing an enlarged area C of FIG. 4.
8 to 10 are diagrams for explaining a process of forming an electrode of a touch window according to an exemplary embodiment.
11 to 14 are diagrams illustrating various types of touch windows according to embodiments.
15 to 20 are diagrams for describing a touch device having an on-cell and in-cell structure to which a touch window is applied according to an embodiment of a touch window.
21 to 24 are diagrams illustrating an example of a touch device apparatus to which a touch window according to an embodiment 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.

Further, when a part is said to be "connected" with another part, this includes not only a case in which it is "directly connected", but also a case in which it is "indirectly connected" with another member interposed therebetween. In addition, when a certain part "includes" a certain component, this means that other components may be further provided, not excluding other components unless specifically stated to the contrary.

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 3, the touch window according to the first embodiment may include a substrate 100, a sensing electrode pattern 200, and a wiring electrode pattern 300.

The substrate 100 may support the sensing electrode pattern 200 and the wiring electrode pattern 300. That is, the substrate 100 may be a support substrate.

The substrate 100 may be rigid or flexible. For example, the substrate 100 may include glass or plastic. In detail, the substrate 100 includes chemically strengthened glass such as soda lime glass or aluminosilicate glass, or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), COP. Plastics such as films or COC films may be included, or sapphire may be included.

Sapphire is a material that can be applied as a cover substrate due to its high surface strength and not only can dramatically increase the touch response speed due to its excellent electrical properties such as dielectric constant, but also can easily implement spatial touch such as hovering. Here, hovering refers to a technology that recognizes coordinates even at a distance from the display.

In addition, the substrate 100 may be bent while having a partially curved surface. That is, the substrate 100 may be bent while partially having a flat surface and partially having a curved surface. In detail, the end of the substrate 100 may be bent while having a curved surface or may have a surface including a random curvature, and may be bent or bent.

The substrate 100 may be a cover substrate. A separate cover substrate may be further disposed on the substrate 100.

An effective area AA and an inactive area UA may be defined on the substrate 100.

The display may be displayed in the effective area AA, and the display may not be displayed in the non-effective area UA disposed around the effective area AA.

In addition, the position of the input device (eg, a finger, etc.) may be sensed in at least one of the effective area AA and the non-effective area UA. When an input device such as a finger comes into contact with such a touch panel, a difference in capacitance occurs at a portion where the input device is in contact, and a portion where the difference occurs may be detected as a contact position.

The sensing electrode pattern 200 may be disposed on the effective area AA of the substrate 100. The sensing electrode pattern 200 may be formed by patterning the sensing electrode 210 disposed on the effective area AA of the substrate into a predetermined shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, by patterning the sensing electrode 210, the sensing electrode pattern 200 may be formed in a bar shape as a whole.

In FIG. 1, the sensing electrode pattern 200 is shown extending in one direction on the substrate 100, but the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the sensing electrode pattern 200 extends in the other direction crossing one direction. Or, it may be extended and disposed in various directions, such as extending in one direction and the other direction, that is, in both directions.

The sensing electrode 210 may include a transparent conductive material to allow electricity to flow without interfering with the transmission of light. For example, the sensing electrode 210 may include indium tin oxide and indium zinc oxide. Metal oxides such as zinc oxide), copper oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, and titanium oxide may be included.

Alternatively, the sensing electrode 210 may include a nanowire, a photosensitive nanowire film, a carbon nanotube (CNT), graphene, or a conductive polymer.

Alternatively, the sensing electrode 210 may include various metals. For example, the sensing electrode 200 is chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo). It may include at least one metal of gold (Au), titanium (Ti), and alloys thereof.

The sensing electrode may be disposed in a mesh shape. In detail, the sensing electrode 210 may include mesh lines crossing each other, and the overall shape of the sensing electrode 210 may have a mesh shape by these mesh lines.

Here, the mesh lines may be defined as an electrode structure forming one unit sensing electrode. In detail, when the mesh lines are formed in a desired pattern, for example, in a bar pattern as shown in FIG. 1 or in a polygonal pattern such as a diamond pattern. A plurality of mesh lines may be disposed on one unit sensing electrode to cross each other.

In addition, the mesh shape means a shape formed by intersecting mesh lines, and may mean a mesh shape. That is, a closed portion in which mesh lines intersecting each other are disposed and an opening through which one surface of the substrate is exposed may be formed on the substrate 100.

Referring to FIG. 1, the sensing electrode 210 is formed by a mesh line LA and a mesh line LA by a plurality of sub-electrodes intersecting in a mesh shape, that is, a mesh between the mesh lines LA. It may include an opening OA.

The mesh opening OA may be formed in various shapes. For example, the mesh opening OA may have various shapes such as a square, diamond, pentagon, hexagonal polygonal shape or circular shape. In addition, the mesh opening OA may be formed in a regular shape or a random shape.

Since the sensing electrode 210 has a mesh shape, it is possible to prevent the sensing electrode from being visually recognized on the effective area AA or the non-effective area UA. That is, even if the sensing electrode is formed of metal as an example of an opaque material, the sensing electrode may be made invisible. In addition, even when the sensing electrode is applied to a large-sized touch window, the resistance of the touch window can be lowered.

The line width of the mesh line of the sensing electrode 210 may have a size of about 10 μm or less. For example, the line width of the mesh line may exceed 0.1 μm and may have a size of 10 μm or less. In detail, the line width of the mesh line may exceed 0.5 μm and have a size of 5 μm or less. In more detail, the line width of the mesh line may be about 1.5 μm to about 3 μm.

When the line width of the mesh line exceeds about 10 μm, the sensing electrode is visually recognized from the outside, so that visibility may be deteriorated, and if it is less than about 0.1 μm, the sensing electrode is too thin and reliability may decrease due to disconnection.

As described above, the sensing electrode 210 may be patterned and separated into a plurality of sensing electrode patterns 200. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the sensing electrode pattern 200 includes a first sensing electrode pattern 201, a second sensing electrode pattern 202, a third sensing electrode pattern 203, and a fourth sensing electrode pattern 204. It may include.

The first sensing electrode pattern 201 and the second sensing electrode pattern 202 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other. Between the first sensing electrode pattern 201 and the second sensing electrode pattern 202, a mesh line disconnected from the first sensing electrode pattern 201 and the second sensing electrode pattern 202 may be disposed. That is, a plurality of sensing electrode patterns such as the first sensing electrode pattern 201 and the second sensing electrode pattern 202 may be formed by disconnecting the mesh line on the substrate in a predetermined pattern.

The sensing electrode pattern 200 may have straightness. In detail, at least one of the first sensing electrode pattern 201 and the second sensing electrode pattern 202 may have straightness.

Here, the straightness may mean the degree of parallelism of the sensing electrode pattern 200.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of area A of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, virtual parallel lines, that is, a first parallel line PL1 and a second parallel line PL2 may be defined, and the distance at which the sensing electrode pattern 200 deviates from the first parallel line PL1 is first When the deviation (d1) is defined and the distance from the second parallel line PL2 is defined as the second deviation (d2), the magnitude of the first deviation (d1) or the second deviation (d2) is determined as the linearity of the sensing electrode pattern. It can be defined as

That is, the smaller the first deviation (d1) or the second deviation (d2), the better the straightness, and the larger the first deviation (d1) or the second deviation (d2), the straightness This can be said to be bad. Here, the virtual parallel lines may be defined as lines connecting the starting point S of the sensing electrode pattern and the ending point E of the sensing electrode pattern.

The straightness of the sensing electrode pattern 200 may be about ±40 μm to about ±100 μm. That is, the sensing electrode pattern 200 may deviate from about ±40 μm to about ±100 μm with respect to the virtual parallel line. In detail, the straightness of the sensing electrode pattern 200 may be about ±50 μm to about ±90 μm. In more detail, the straightness of the sensing electrode pattern 200 may be about ±60 μm to about ±80 μm.

Accordingly, the sensing electrode pattern having the bar-shaped pattern may be connected by a zigzag line instead of a straight line.

When the straightness of the sensing electrode pattern 200 is less than about ±40 μm, the sensing electrode pattern may be visually recognized from the outside. In addition, when the straightness of the sensing electrode pattern 200 exceeds about ±100 μm, a plurality of sensing electrode patterns spaced apart from each other may contact each other to cause a short circuit.

When the sensing electrode pattern has a straightness within the above range, it is possible to prevent the sensing electrode pattern from being visually recognized from the outside. That is, in the case of a sensing electrode pattern formed in a straight line, that is, a bar pattern, the mesh line inside the sensing electrode pattern may not be recognized from the outside as it has a small line width, but the sensing electrode pattern formed by the mesh line Since the line is formed by disconnecting, such a disconnected region is visually recognized from the outside, so that visibility may be deteriorated.

Therefore, by giving the sensing electrode pattern straightness as much as the above range, and connecting the sensing electrode pattern with a zigzag line rather than a parallel straight line, it is possible to prevent the sensing electrode pattern from being visually recognized from the outside, thereby improving the overall visibility of the touch window. I can make it.

3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of area B of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 3, the touch window according to the embodiment may further include a first dummy pattern 410. In detail, a first dummy electrode pattern 410 disposed between the sensing electrode patterns 200 may be further included.

For example, referring to FIG. 3, the first dummy electrode pattern 410 may be disposed between the second sensing electrode pattern 202 and the third sensing electrode pattern 203. That is, the first dummy electrode pattern 410 may be spaced apart from each other and may be disposed between the second sensing electrode pattern 202 and the third sensing electrode pattern 203 in which the mesh lines are disconnected.

Each of the first dummy electrode patterns 410 may be disposed between the sensing electrode patterns.

The first dummy electrode pattern 410 may include a conductive material. For example, the first dummy electrode pattern 410 may include a material that is the same as or similar to the sensing electrode pattern 200 described above.

In addition, the first dummy electrode pattern 410 may be formed in a bar shape like the sensing electrode pattern.

The touch window according to the embodiment may prevent the sensing electrode patterns from being visually recognized by the first dummy electrode pattern. In detail, by arranging the first dummy pattern between the sensing electrode patterns spaced apart from each other, it is possible to reduce the visibility of the sensing electrode pattern from the outside by making the electrodes appear to be disposed in the spaced area as well, thereby improving the visibility of the touch window. I can make it.

The wiring electrode 300 may be connected to and disposed with the sensing electrode pattern 200. In detail, one end of the wiring electrode 300 is connected to the sensing electrode pattern 200 and the other end is connected to a printed circuit board, so that a touch signal sensed from the sensing electrode may be transmitted to a driving chip mounted on the printed circuit board.

The wiring electrode 300 may include the same material as the sensing electrode 210.

In addition, the wiring electrode 300 may have a mesh shape.

Hereinafter, a touch window according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. In the description of the touch window according to the second embodiment, descriptions of the same and similar contents as the touch window according to the first embodiment described above are omitted, and the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components.

4 to 7, the touch window according to the second embodiment may further include a second dummy electrode pattern 420. For example, the second dummy electrode pattern 420 may be disposed between the sensing electrode patterns. In detail, at least one second dummy electrode pattern 420 may be disposed between a plurality of sensing electrode patterns.

Referring to FIG. 4, a first sensing electrode pattern 201 and a second sensing electrode pattern 202, a first sensing electrode pattern 201 and a second sensing electrode pattern 202 disposed to be spaced apart from each other on the substrate 100. ), a second dummy electrode pattern 420 disposed between the second sensing electrode pattern 202 and the third sensing electrode pattern 203 and between the third sensing electrode pattern 203 and the fourth sensing electrode pattern 204 ) Can be placed.

Referring to FIG. 5, the touch window according to the embodiment may further include a second dummy electrode pattern 420. In detail, a second dummy electrode pattern 420 disposed between the sensing electrode patterns 200 may be further included. Accordingly, at least one of the first dummy electrode pattern 410 and the second dummy electrode pattern 420 may be disposed between the sensing electrode patterns 200.

The second dummy electrode pattern 420 may be disposed between the sensing electrode pattern and the first dummy electrode pattern. For example, referring to FIG. 5, it may be disposed between the second sensing electrode pattern 202 and the first dummy electrode pattern 410. That is, the second dummy electrode patterns 420 may be spaced apart from each other, and may be disposed between the second sensing electrode pattern 202 and the first dummy electrode pattern 410 in which the mesh lines are disconnected.

In detail, the second dummy electrode pattern 420 may be disposed in or adjacent to a region where the mesh lines of the second sensing electrode pattern 202 and the first dummy electrode pattern 420 are disconnected. For example, at least one second dummy electrode pattern 420 may be disposed in a region where a mesh line of the second sensing electrode pattern 202 and the first dummy electrode pattern 420 is disconnected.

The second dummy electrode pattern 420 may be formed in various shapes. For example, the second dummy electrode pattern 4220 may be formed in a polygonal shape such as a triangle or a square, or a linear shape such as a straight line or a curve.

The second dummy electrode pattern 420 may include a conductive material. For example, the second dummy pattern 420 may include a material that is the same as or similar to the sensing electrode pattern 200 described above.

Referring to FIG. 6, the second dummy electrode pattern 420 includes the second detection electrode pattern 420 in a region where the mesh lines of the second detection electrode pattern 202 and the first dummy electrode pattern 420 are disconnected. 202 and the mesh line of the first dummy electrode pattern 420 may be connected and disposed.

In this case, the second dummy electrode pattern connected to the second sensing electrode pattern 202 and the second dummy electrode pattern connected to the first dummy electrode pattern 420 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other.

In addition, referring to FIG. 7, the second dummy electrode pattern 420 includes a region where the mesh line of the second sensing electrode pattern 202 and the first dummy electrode pattern 420 is disconnected, a region adjacent thereto, and a second dummy electrode pattern 420. It may be disposed in the openings of the sensing electrode pattern 202 and the first dummy electrode pattern 420.

For example, the second dummy electrode pattern 420 includes a region where the mesh lines of the second sensing electrode pattern 202 and the first dummy electrode pattern 420 are disconnected, a region adjacent thereto, and a second sensing electrode pattern ( At least one or more may be disposed in the openings of the 202 and the first dummy electrode pattern 420.

The touch window according to the embodiment may prevent the sensing electrode patterns from being visually recognized by the second dummy electrode pattern 420. In detail, by disposing the second dummy electrode pattern between the sensing electrode pattern spaced apart from each other and the first dummy electrode pattern, it is possible to reduce the visibility of the sensing electrode pattern from the outside by making it appear as if the electrodes are also disposed in the spaced region, The visibility of the touch window can be improved.

The wiring electrode 300 may be connected to and disposed with the sensing electrode pattern 200. In detail, one end of the wiring electrode 300 is connected to the sensing electrode pattern 200 and the other end is connected to a printed circuit board, so that a touch signal sensed from the sensing electrode may be transmitted to a driving chip mounted on the printed circuit board.

The wiring electrode 300 may include the same material as the sensing electrode 210.

In addition, the wiring electrode 300 may have a mesh shape.

Hereinafter, a process of forming an electrode of a touch window according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.

Referring to FIG. 8, a metal layer M may be disposed on the substrate 100. Subsequently, the metal layer M may be etched in a mesh shape to form an electrode layer E including a mesh-shaped sensing electrode or a wiring electrode on the substrate 100.

Referring to FIG. 9, after disposing the resin layer R on the substrate 100, the mesh-shaped pattern P is formed by imprinting a mesh-shaped intaglio or embossed pattern mold on the resin layer R. I can.

Subsequently, an electrode layer E including a mesh-shaped sensing electrode or wiring electrode may be formed by filling a metal paste as an example of a conductive paste inside the pattern P.

Referring to FIG. 10, after disposing the resin layer (R) on the substrate 100, a mesh-shaped pattern (P) is formed by imprinting a mesh-shaped intaglio or embossed pattern mold on the resin layer (R). can do. In detail, a first pattern R1 and a second pattern R2 having different sizes may be formed on the resin layer R.

For example, the width of the first pattern R1 may be in units of micrometers (µm), and the width of the second pattern R2 may be in units of nanometers (nm).

Subsequently, after sputtering a conductive material, for example, a metal material, on the first pattern R1 and the second pattern R2 to form the first metal layer M1 and the second metal layer M2, the second pattern ( By removing only the second metal layer M2 formed on R2) and leaving only the first metal layer M1 formed on the first pattern, an electrode layer E including a mesh-shaped sensing electrode or a wiring electrode can be formed. I can.

In this case, when etching the metal layer, a difference in etching rate may occur according to a difference in bonding area between the first and second patterns R1 and R2 and the first and second metal layers M1 and M2. That is, since the bonding area between the first pattern and the first metal layer is larger than the bonding area between the second pattern and the second metal layer, less etching of the electrode material formed on the first pattern occurs, and according to the same etching rate, the As the metal layer formed on the first pattern remains, and the metal layer formed on the second pattern is etched away, a metal electrode having a relief mesh shape of the first pattern may be formed on the substrate 100.

11 to 14 are diagrams illustrating various types of touch windows according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11, the touch window 10 according to the embodiment may include a first substrate 1100 and a first sensing electrode 2100 and a second sensing electrode 2200 on the first substrate 1000. have.

The first sensing electrode 2100 may be disposed while extending in a first direction on the effective area AA of the first substrate 1100. In detail, the first sensing electrode 2100 may be disposed on one surface of the first substrate 1100.

In addition, the second sensing electrode 2200 may be disposed on the effective area AA of the first substrate 1100 while extending in a second direction. In detail, the second sensing electrode 2200 may be disposed on one surface of the first substrate 1100 while extending in the second direction, which is a direction different from the first direction. That is, the first sensing electrode 2100 and the second sensing electrode 2200 may extend and be disposed in different directions on the same surface of the first substrate 1100.

The first sensing electrode 2100 and the second sensing electrode 2200 may be insulated from each other and disposed on the first substrate 1100. In detail, the first sensing electrodes 2100 are connected to each other by a first connection electrode 2110, an insulating layer 2500 is disposed on the first connection electrode 2110, and on the insulating layer 2500 A second connection electrode 2210 may be disposed on and connect the second sensing electrodes 2200 to each other.

Accordingly, the first sensing electrode 2100 and the second sensing electrode 2200 are not in contact with each other, and are insulated from each other on the same surface of the first substrate 1100, that is, one surface of the effective area AA, and are disposed together. Can be.

The first substrate 1100 may be a cover substrate. That is, the first sensing electrode 2100 and the second sensing electrode 2200 may be disposed on the same surface of the cover substrate. Alternatively, a cover substrate may be further disposed on the first substrate 1100.

A first wiring electrode 3100 and a second wiring electrode 3200 disposed in an invalid area UA may be connected to the first sensing electrode 2100 and the second sensing electrode 2200, respectively.

In addition, at least one of the first sensing electrode 2100, the second sensing electrode 2200, the first wiring electrode 3100, and the second wiring electrode 3200 has a mesh shape including a mesh line. The reinforcement lines described above may be disposed between the mesh lines.

Referring to FIG. 12, a touch window 10 according to an embodiment includes a first substrate 1100 and a second substrate 1200, and a first sensing electrode on the first substrate 1100 and the second substrate A second sensing electrode on 1200 may be included.

In detail, a first sensing electrode 2100 extending in one direction and a first wiring electrode 3100 connected to the first sensing electrode 2100 are disposed on one surface of the first substrate 1100, and the second A second sensing electrode 2200 extending in a direction different from the one direction and a second wiring electrode 3200 connected to the second sensing electrode 2200 may be disposed on one surface of the substrate 1200.

In addition, at least one of the first sensing electrode 2100, the second sensing electrode 2200, the first wiring electrode 3100, and the second wiring electrode 3200 has a mesh shape including a mesh line. The reinforcement lines described above may be disposed between the mesh lines.

Referring to FIG. 13, the touch window 20 according to the embodiment includes a first substrate 1100 and a second substrate 1200, and a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode on the second substrate 1200 It may include.

In detail, a first sensing electrode 2100 extending in one direction and a first wiring electrode 3100 connected to the first sensing electrode 2100 are disposed on one surface of the second substrate 1200, and the second A second sensing electrode 2200 extending in a direction different from the one direction and a second wiring electrode 3200 connected to the second sensing electrode 2200 may be disposed on the other surface of the substrate 1200.

In addition, at least one of the first sensing electrode 2100, the second sensing electrode 2200, the first wiring electrode 3100, and the second wiring electrode 3200 has a mesh shape including a mesh line. The reinforcement lines described above may be disposed between the mesh lines.

Referring to FIG. 14, the touch window 20 according to the embodiment includes a first substrate 1100, a second substrate 1200, and a third substrate 1300, and a first substrate on the second substrate 1200. A sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode on the third substrate 1300 may be included.

In detail, a first sensing electrode 2100 extending in one direction and a first wiring electrode 3100 connected to the first sensing electrode 2100 are disposed on one surface of the second substrate 1200, and the third A second sensing electrode 2200 extending in a direction different from the one direction and a second wiring electrode 3200 connected to the second sensing electrode 2200 may be disposed on one surface of the substrate 1300.

In addition, at least one of the first sensing electrode 2100, the second sensing electrode 2200, the first wiring electrode 3100, and the second wiring electrode 3200 has a mesh shape including a mesh line. The reinforcement lines described above may be disposed between the mesh lines.

The touch window described above may be applied to a touch device in combination with a display panel. For example, the touch window may be coupled to the display panel by an adhesive layer.

Alternatively, at least one touch electrode may be disposed on the substrate of the display panel as shown in FIGS. 15 to 20.

15 and 16, the touch device according to the embodiment may include a touch window integrally formed with the display panel 700. That is, a substrate supporting at least one sensing electrode may be omitted.

In detail, at least one sensing electrode may be formed on at least one surface of the display panel 700. The display panel 700 includes a first substrate 701 and a second substrate 702. That is, at least one sensing electrode may be formed on at least one surface of the first substrate 701 or the second substrate 702.

When the display panel 700 is a liquid crystal display panel, the display panel 700 includes a first substrate 701 including a thin film transistor (TFT) and a pixel electrode, and a second substrate including color filter layers. 702 may be formed in a structure bonded with a liquid crystal layer therebetween.

In addition, in the display panel 700, a thin film transistor, a color filter, and a black matrix are formed on the first substrate 701, and the second substrate 702 is bonded to the first substrate 101 with a liquid crystal layer therebetween. It may be a liquid crystal display panel having a color filter on transistor (COT) structure. That is, a thin film transistor may be formed on the first substrate 701, a protective layer may be formed on the thin film transistor, and a color filter layer may be formed on the protective layer. Further, a pixel electrode in contact with the thin film transistor is formed on the first substrate 701. In this case, in order to improve the aperture ratio and simplify the mask process, the black matrix may be omitted, and the common electrode may be formed to serve as the black matrix.

In addition, when the display panel 700 is a liquid crystal display panel, the display device may further include a backlight unit that provides light from a rear surface of the display panel 700.

When the display panel 700 is an organic light emitting display panel, the display panel 700 includes a self-luminous device that does not require a separate light source. In the display panel 700, a thin film transistor is formed on a first substrate 701, and an organic light emitting device in contact with the thin film transistor is formed. The organic light-emitting device may include an anode, a cathode, and an organic light-emitting layer formed between the anode and the cathode. In addition, a second substrate 702 serving as an encapsulation substrate for encapsulation on the organic light emitting device may be further included.

In this case, at least one sensing electrode may be formed on the upper surface of the substrate disposed thereon. The drawing shows a configuration in which the sensing electrode is formed on the upper surface of the second substrate 702, but when the first substrate 701 is disposed on the upper surface, at least one sensing electrode is formed on the upper surface of the first substrate 701 Can be formed.

Referring to FIG. 17, a first sensing electrode 2100 may be formed on an upper surface of the display panel 700. In addition, a first wiring connected to the first sensing electrode 2100 may be formed. A touch substrate 105 on which the second sensing electrode 2200 and the second wiring are formed may be formed on the display panel 700 on which the first sensing electrode 2100 is formed. A first adhesive layer 66 may be formed between the touch substrate 105 and the display panel 700.

In the drawing, the second sensing electrode 2200 is formed on the upper surface of the touch substrate 105, and the cover substrate 400 disposed on the touch substrate 105 with the second adhesive layer 67 therebetween is shown. , Is not limited thereto. The second sensing electrode 2200 may be formed on the rear surface of the touch substrate 105, and in this case, the touch substrate 105 may serve as a cover substrate.

That is, it is not limited to the drawings, and the first sensing electrode 2100 is formed on the upper surface of the display panel 700, and the touch substrate 105 supporting the second sensing electrode 2200 is formed in the display panel 700. ), and a structure in which the touch substrate 105 and the display panel 700 are bonded together is sufficient.

In addition, the touch substrate 105 may be a polarizing plate. That is, the second sensing electrode 2200 may be formed on an upper surface or a rear surface of the polarizing plate. For this reason, the second sensing electrode and the polarizing plate may be integrally formed.

In addition, a polarizing plate may be further included separately from the touch substrate 105. In this case, the polarizing plate may be disposed under the touch substrate 105. For example, the polarizing plate may be disposed between the touch substrate 105 and the display panel 700. In addition, the polarizing plate may be disposed on the touch substrate 105.

The polarizing plate may be a linear polarizing plate or an anti-reflection polarizing plate. For example, when the display panel 700 is a liquid crystal display panel, the polarizing plate may be a linear polarizing plate. In addition, when the display panel 700 is an organic light emitting display panel, the polarizing plate may be a polarizing plate for preventing reflection of external light.

Referring to FIG. 16, a first sensing electrode 2100 and a second sensing electrode 2200 may be formed on an upper surface of the display panel 700. In addition, a first wire connected to the first sensing electrode 2100 and a second wire connected to the second sensing electrode 2200 may be formed on an upper surface of the display panel 700.

In addition, an insulating layer 600 may be formed on the first sensing electrode 2100 and exposing the second sensing electrode 2200. A bridge electrode 250 for connecting the second sensing electrode 220 may be further formed on the insulating layer 600.

However, the embodiment is not limited to the drawings, and the first sensing electrode 2100, the first wiring and the second wiring are formed on the upper surface of the display panel 700, and the first sensing electrode 2100 and the first wiring An insulating layer may be formed thereon. A second sensing electrode 2200 is formed on the insulating layer, and a connection part connecting the second sensing electrode 2200 and the second wiring may be further included.

In addition, a first sensing electrode 2100, a second sensing electrode 2200, a first wiring, and a second wiring may be formed on the upper surface of the display panel 700 in an effective area. The first sensing electrode 2100 and the second sensing electrode 2200 may be formed to be spaced apart from each other and disposed to be adjacent to each other. That is, the insulating layer, the bridge electrode, and the like may be omitted.

That is, the embodiment is not limited to the drawings, and it is sufficient if the first sensing electrode 2100 and the second sensing electrode 2200 are formed on the display panel 700 without a separate sensing electrode supporting substrate.

A cover substrate 400 may be disposed on the display panel 700 with an adhesive layer 68 therebetween. In this case, a polarizing plate may be disposed between the display panel 700 and the cover substrate 400.

In the touch device of FIGS. 15 and 16, at least one substrate supporting the sensing electrode may be omitted. For this reason, a thin and light touch device can be formed.

Next, a touch device according to another embodiment to which the touch window according to the above-described embodiments is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20. A description overlapping with the above-described embodiments may be omitted. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same configuration.

17 to 20, the touch device according to the present embodiment may include a touch window integrally formed with the display panel. That is, the substrate supporting at least one sensing electrode may be omitted, and all of the substrate supporting the sensing electrode may be omitted.

A sensing electrode that is disposed in the effective area and serves as a sensor for sensing a touch, and a wire for applying an electrical signal to the sensing electrode may be formed inside the display panel. In detail, at least one sensing electrode or at least one wire may be formed inside the display panel.

The display panel includes a first substrate 701 and a second substrate 702. At this time, at least one of the first sensing electrode 211 and the second sensing electrode 212 is disposed between the first substrate 701 and the second substrate 702. That is, at least one sensing electrode may be formed on at least one surface of the first substrate 701 or the second substrate 702.

17 to 19, a first sensing electrode 2100, a second sensing electrode 2200, a first wiring, and a second wiring are between the first substrate 701 and the second substrate 702. Can be placed. That is, the first sensing electrode 2100, the second sensing electrode 2200, the first wiring and the second wiring may be disposed inside the display panel.

Referring to FIG. 17, a first sensing electrode 2100 and a first wiring are formed on an upper surface of a first substrate 701 of the display panel, and a second sensing electrode 2200 is formed on a rear surface of the second substrate 702. ) And a second wiring may be formed. Referring to FIG. 18, a first sensing electrode 2100, a second sensing electrode 2200, a first wiring and a second wiring may be formed on an upper surface of the first substrate 701. An insulating layer 620 may be formed between the first sensing electrode 2100 and the second sensing electrode 2200. Further, referring to FIG. 19, a first sensing electrode 2100 and a second sensing electrode 2200 may be formed on the rear surface of the second substrate 702. An insulating layer 630 may be formed between the first sensing electrode 2100 and the second sensing electrode 2200.

Referring to FIG. 18, a first sensing electrode 2100 and a first wiring may be formed between the first substrate 701 and the second substrate 702. In addition, the second sensing electrode 2200 and the second wiring may be formed on the touch substrate 106. The touch substrate 106 may be disposed on a display panel including the first substrate 701 and the second substrate 702. That is, the first sensing electrode 2100 and the first wiring may be disposed inside the display panel, and the second sensing electrode 2200 and the second wiring may be disposed outside the display panel.

The first sensing electrode 2100 and the first wiring may be formed on an upper surface of the first substrate 701 or a rear surface of the second substrate 702. In addition, an adhesive layer may be formed between the touch substrate 106 and the display panel. In this case, the touch substrate 105 may serve as a cover substrate.

In the drawing, a configuration in which the second sensing electrode 2200 is formed on the rear surface of the touch substrate 106 is illustrated, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The second sensing electrode 2200 may be formed on the upper surface of the touch substrate 106, and a cover substrate disposed between the touch substrate 106 and an adhesive layer may be further formed.

That is, the embodiment is not limited to the drawings, and the first sensing electrode 2100 and the first wiring are disposed inside the display panel, and the second sensing electrode 2200 and the second wiring are disposed outside the display panel. The structure is enough.

In addition, the touch substrate 106 may be a polarizing plate. That is, the second sensing electrode 2200 may be formed on an upper surface or a rear surface of the polarizing plate. For this reason, the second sensing electrode and the polarizing plate may be integrally formed.

In addition, a polarizing plate may be further included separately from the touch substrate 106. In this case, the polarizing plate may be disposed under the touch substrate 106. For example, the polarizing plate may be disposed between the touch substrate 106 and the display panel. In addition, the polarizing plate may be disposed on the touch substrate 106.

When the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel, when the sensing electrode is formed on the top surface of the first substrate 701, the sensing electrode may be formed together with a thin film transistor (TFT) or a pixel electrode. In addition, when the sensing electrode is formed on the rear surface of the second substrate 702, a color filter layer may be formed on the sensing electrode or a sensing electrode may be formed on the color filter layer. When the display panel is an organic light emitting display panel, when the sensing electrode is formed on the upper surface of the first substrate 701, the sensing electrode may be formed together with a thin film transistor or an organic light emitting device.

In the touch device according to FIGS. 17 to 20, a separate substrate supporting the sensing electrode may be omitted. For this reason, a thin and light touch device can be formed. In addition, a process can be simplified and cost can be reduced by forming sensing electrodes and wires together with elements formed on the display panel.

Hereinafter, an example of a display device to which a touch window including a fingerprint sensor according to the above-described embodiments is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 24.

Referring to FIG. 21, as an example of a touch device, a mobile terminal is shown. The mobile terminal may include an effective area AA and an invalid 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.

Referring to FIG. 22, the touch window may include a flexible touch window that is bent. Accordingly, the touch device device including the same may be a flexible touch device device. Thus, the user can bend or bend it by hand.

Referring to FIG. 23, such a touch window can be applied not only to a touch device device such as a mobile terminal, but also to a car navigation system.

In addition, referring to FIG. 24, such a touch window may be applied to a vehicle. That is, the touch window can be applied to various parts in the vehicle to which the touch window can be applied. Therefore, it is applied to not only a PND (Personal Navigation Display), but also an instrument panel (dashboard) to implement a CID (Center Information Display). However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that such a touch device device may be used in various electronic products.

Also, although not shown in the drawings, the touch window according to the embodiment may be applied to a wearable such as a smart watch or smart glasses, and may be applied to a touch unit of various electronic products.

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 interpreted 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 (3)

On the touch window with improved visibility,
The touch window includes: a substrate including an effective area and an inactive area; And
A sensing electrode pattern disposed on the effective region and including a sensing electrode,
The straightness of the sensing electrode pattern is ±40㎛ to ±100㎛,
The straightness of the sensing electrode pattern is defined as a parallel degree of the sensing electrode,
The linearity of the sensing electrode pattern is defined by a virtual first parallel line and a second parallel line disposed on an effective area, a first deviation from a distance from which the sensing electrode pattern deviates from the first parallel line, and the sensing electrode pattern is the When the distance deviating from the second parallel line is defined as the second deviation, it is defined as the magnitude of the first deviation or the second deviation,
The sensing electrode pattern includes a first sensing electrode pattern and a second sensing electrode pattern disposed to be spaced apart from each other,
A first dummy electrode pattern is disposed between the first sensing electrode pattern and the second sensing electrode pattern,
A second dummy electrode pattern is disposed between the first sensing electrode pattern and the first dummy electrode pattern and between the second sensing electrode pattern and the first dummy electrode pattern,
One electrode pattern of the first dummy electrode pattern and the second dummy electrode pattern is chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), and these A touch window with improved visibility, characterized in that it contains one metal of an alloy of. The method of claim 1,
The second dummy electrode pattern is connected to one of the sensing electrode pattern or the first dummy electrode pattern,
The sensing electrode pattern includes a mesh line,
The second dummy electrode pattern connected to the mesh line of the sensing electrode pattern has an extension direction different from that of the mesh line of the sensing electrode pattern.
The method of claim 1,
The first dummy electrode pattern includes a mesh line,
The second dummy electrode pattern connected to the mesh line of the first dummy electrode pattern has an extension direction different from that of the mesh line of the first dummy electrode pattern.
A touch window with improved visibility, wherein the plurality of second dummy electrode patterns have different extension directions.

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