TW201939241A - Flexible circuit board, touch panel, touch module, and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a touch module including a touch panel and a flexible circuit board. The touch panel defines a central area and a peripheral area surrounding the central area. The flexible circuit board is bonded to the peripheral area of the touch panel; the flexible circuit board has an outer edge near the central area, and at least a part of the outer edge recesses in a direction away from the central area. The present invention also provides a flexible circuit board, a touch panel and an electronic device. Because at least a part of the flexible circuit board recesses in a direction away from the central area, the wiring space can be increased, and an adhesion layer can be effectively prevented from generating wrinkles and air bubbles due to lack of space, thereby affecting the product yield rate.

Description

Flexible circuit board, touch panel, touch module and electronic device

The invention relates to a flexible circuit board, a touch panel, a touch module and an electronic device using the touch module.

In the conventional electronic device, a touch display device is taken as an example. With the rise of wearable devices, the rectangular shape in the past cannot meet the needs of users. The wearable device may need to be equipped with a non-rectangular display screen, such as a circular display screen, a regular triangular display screen, a regular pentagonal display screen, and a regular hexagonal display screen.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a touch module 12 of a conventional technology, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a part II in FIG. 1. Taking a circular display as an example, the touch module 12 includes a touch panel 120 and a flexible circuit board 13 electrically connected to the touch panel 120. The touch panel 120 defines a central area 101 and A peripheral region 102 surrounds the central region 101. The touch panel 120 includes a trace 122 disposed in the peripheral region 102. The touch panel 120 is adhered to a cover plate (not shown) by an adhesive layer 14, and the flexible circuit board 13 is attached to a state of the touch panel 120 by an anisotropic conductive adhesive (not shown). A bonding area 103 is located in the peripheral area 102.

As shown in FIG. 1, since the connecting portion of the conventional flexible circuit board 13 and the touch panel 120 is close to the outer edge of the central region 101, the outer edge of the flexible circuit board 13 is linear. The edge of the bonding region 103 of the touch panel 120 near the central region 101 is also linear. Therefore, in the touch panel 120, the bonding region 103 and the flexible circuit board 13 occupy a larger space, so The space (for example, distance D) between the flexible circuit board 13 and the central area 101 is small. In addition to causing insufficient wiring space for the wiring 123 of the touch panel 120, it may also cause the adhesive layer 14 to be generated due to insufficient space. Wrinkles and air bubbles affect product yield.

In view of this, it is necessary to provide a touch panel with a smaller occupied area in the bonding area.

A touch module includes a touch panel and a flexible circuit board. The touch panel defines a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region. The flexible circuit board is connected to the peripheral region of the touch panel. The flexible circuit board has an outer edge close to the central area, and at least a portion of the outer edge is recessed in a direction away from the central area.

The invention also provides an electronic device using the same.

An electronic device includes a cover plate and the touch module described above, and the cover plate and the touch module are stacked.

The invention also provides a flexible circuit board.

A flexible circuit board includes a main body portion, a connection portion extending from the main body portion, and a plurality of connection pads provided at one end of the connection portion. An edge of the connection portion away from the main body portion is an outer edge. ; At least a portion of the outer edge is recessed in a direction close to the connection pad.

The invention also provides a touch panel.

A touch panel, wherein the touch panel defines a central area and a peripheral area surrounding the central area, the peripheral area is provided with a plurality of connection pads, and an edge of the plurality of connection pads near one end of the central area is not present. On the same straight line.

Compared with the conventional technology, one side of the connecting portion of the flexible circuit board of the present invention is recessed away from the main body portion; the connection pad of the touch panel can be appropriately distanced from the central area according to the shape of the central area; When used in combination with a touch panel in a touch module, since the flexible circuit board forms a recess away from the central area, the wiring space is increased, and the problem of wrinkles and bubbles due to insufficient space in the adhesive layer can be effectively avoided, affecting the product Yield.

The drawings show embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention can be implemented in many different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For clarity, the dimensions of layers and regions have been exaggerated in the figure.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, elements, regions, layers and / or sections, such elements, elements, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited to Those terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, element, region, layer and / or part from another element, element, region, layer and / or part. Accordingly, the first part, element, region, layer, and / or part discussed below can be referred to as the second element, element, region, layer, and / or part without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

The proper nouns used herein are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that when the terms "comprising" and "including" are used in the specification, the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components is indicated, but one or more other features are not excluded, The existence of wholes, steps, operations, elements and / or components.

Embodiments of the present invention are described here with reference to cross-sectional views, which are schematic diagrams of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the present invention. Thus, variations in the shapes of the illustrations as a result of manufacturing processes and / or tolerances are to be expected. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the specific shape of the region illustrated here, but should include deviations in the shape due to, for example, manufacturing. The regions shown in the figures are only schematic, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of the device, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in the general dictionary should be interpreted to have meanings consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant field, and should not be interpreted in an over-ideal or over-formal meaning Unless explicitly defined in this article.

This embodiment uses a wearable electronic device as an example for description. However, it is not limited to the wearable electronic device. In other embodiments, the alignment method of the present invention may be other types of electronic devices applicable to the technical solution. Specifically, a specific embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention will be described below by taking a wearable electronic device with a display function as an example.

Please refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 together. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the electronic device 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the touch module 22 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. An exploded view of the touch module 22 according to the first embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the electronic device 200 is a wearable electronic device with a touch display function, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the electronic device 200 may be other electronic devices. Specifically, in this embodiment, the electronic device 200 is a smart watch. The electronic device 200 includes a cover plate 21 for protecting other components inside the electronic device 200 and a touch mode for sensing a touch operation. Group 22. The cover plate 21 and the touch module 22 are stacked, and the cover plate 21 and the touch module 22 can be bonded by an adhesive layer 24.

The cover plate 21 may be a suitable transparent material such as glass or plastic, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the material of the cover plate 21 is not limited. In this embodiment, the cover plate 21 is circular, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the cover plate 21 may be set to other shapes, such as an oval shape, a triangle shape, or other polygon shapes, as needed. The electronic device 200 defines a functional area 211 and a border area 212 surrounding the functional area 211. In this embodiment, the functional area 211 is circular, and the border area 212 is a circular ring. In this embodiment, in addition to being used for display, the functional area 211 of the electronic device 200 can also be used as an area for receiving touch operations.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the touch module 22 includes a touch panel 220 and a flexible circuit board 23. The touch panel 220 includes a central region 201 corresponding to the functional region 211 and surrounds the functional region 211. The peripheral area 202 of the central area 201. The central region 201 is also circular, and the peripheral region 202 is a circular ring. The touch panel 220 includes a substrate 221, a sensing electrode 222 disposed in the central region 201, a trace 223 disposed in the peripheral region 202, and a first connection pad 224 connected to the trace 223. One end of the trace 223 is connected to the sensing electrode 222 and extends to a bonding area 203 of the touch panel 220. The bonding area 203 is connected to the flexible circuit board 23, so The bonding region 203 is located in the peripheral region 202. The flexible circuit board 23 may be bonded to the bonding region 203 by an anisotropic conductive adhesive (not shown).

Please refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 together. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the VI section in FIG. 4. The flexible circuit board 23 includes a main body portion 231 and a connection portion 232 extending from the main body portion 231. The connection portion 232 is provided with a plurality of second connection pads 233, and the second connection pads 233 are connected to the first connection pad. The pad 224 is electrically connected, and the second connection pad 233 is disposed at one end of the connection portion 232. The connection portion 232 has an outer edge 2321 close to the central region 201, and the outer edge 2321 is also attached. The side of the connecting portion 232 away from the main body portion 231. The outer edge 2321 is not a smooth straight line. In this embodiment, the outer edge 2321 is a smooth curve. Specifically, the outer edge 2321 is a circular arc with a radius greater than or equal to 22 mm, and the center of the circle is located on the side of the outer edge 2321 near the central region 201. . At least a part of the outer edge 2321 is recessed in a direction away from the central region 201, so that the outer edge 2321 presents a curve of high and low on both sides; that is, at least a part of the outer edge 2321 of the connecting portion 232 faces The direction close to the main body portion 231 is recessed. Preferably, the curvature of the outer edge 2321 and the central region 201 is the same. In this embodiment, the recessed depth of the outer edge 2321 is less than or equal to 0.3 mm, but is not limited thereto, and other suitable height difference values may be set according to the actual needs of the touch panel 220. The closest distance between the lowest point of the recessed depth of the outer edge 2321 and the central region 201 is defined as the distance D. Since the outer edge 2321 is a curve of high and low on both sides, the distance D is relatively The distance between the straight-line outer edge 2321 and the central region 201 will be greater. Specifically, in this embodiment, the distance D is increased by at least 0-0.3 mm. That is, the space between the central region 201 and the flexible circuit board 23 is larger, and the space between the central region 201 and the flexible circuit board 23 is larger for the wiring of the wiring 223. The space for accommodating the adhesive layer 24 between the central region 201 and the flexible circuit board 23 will also increase, which effectively prevents wrinkles and bubbles from being generated due to insufficient space in the adhesive layer 24, which affects the product yield.

In this embodiment, an edge of the second connection pad 233 near the outer edge 2321 is defined as a first edge 2331, and a part of the first edge 2331 and a corresponding outer edge 2321 have the same shape. The first edges 2331 are not all on the same straight line. For the convenience of description, although there is no physical line between every two adjacent first edges 2331, it is defined that every two adjacent first edges 2331 have a connection line 2332 connecting the adjacent first edges 2331. A plurality of first edges 2331 and a plurality of connecting lines 2332 are connected end to end in order to form a line segment having the same shape as the outer edge 2321. Specifically, in this embodiment, since the curvature of the outer edge 2321 and the central region 201 is the same, the curvature of the first edge 2331 and the central region 201 is the same.

Please refer to FIG. 5 again. In this embodiment, each of the first connection pads 224 and the corresponding second connection pad 233 have the same shape, so that the first connection pad 224 and the central region 201 also have a larger space. Since the plurality of first edges 2331 in this embodiment are not all on the same straight line, the edges where the plurality of first connection pads 224 overlap the first edge 2331, that is, the plurality of first connection pads 224 The edges near one end of the central region 201 are not on the same straight line. A line connecting a side of the plurality of first connection pads 224 near one end of the central region 201 is at least partially recessed away from the central region 201.

It can be understood that, in this embodiment, the adhesive layer 24 basically covers the touch panel 220 and avoids the bonding area 203. Since the outer edge 2321 of the flexible circuit board 23 is far from the central area 201, The shape of the edge of the bonding region 203 near the central region 201 may be the same as that of the outer edge 2321, and the edge of the bonding region 203 near the central region 201 may be far from the central region 201. The distance between the adhesive layer 24 and the flexible circuit board 23 is approximately 0.4-0.5 mm. The greater the distance D between the lowest point of the outer edge 2321 and the central region 201, the better, preferably, the distance D is greater than 1.1 mm.

For the convenience of description, in the following embodiments, elements having the same structure and function are not described herein again.

Please refer to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the touch module 32 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a part VIII in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the outer edge 3321 of the connecting portion 332 of the flexible circuit board 33 is not a smooth straight line, and the outer edge 3321 includes a plurality of smooth straight lines that are sequentially connected end to end. In this embodiment, the outer edge 3321 includes a first segment 3323, a second segment 3324, and a third segment 3325, which are sequentially connected end to end. The second segment 3324 is connected between the first segment 3323 and the third segment 3325. The first segment 3323 and the third segment 3325 are inclined toward the second segment 3324, so that at least a part of the outer edge 3321 appears to be recessed away from the central region 301, that is, the connection At least a part of the outer edge 3321 of the portion 332 is recessed toward the main body portion 331. In this embodiment, the first section 3323, the second section 3324, and the third section 3325 are all straight lines, the outer edge 3321 is high on both sides and the middle is low, and the first section 3323 and the third section 3325 are straight. Form obtuse angles with the second segments 3324, respectively. In this embodiment, the recessed depth of the outer edge 3321 is less than or equal to 0.3 mm, but is not limited thereto, and other suitable height difference values may be set according to the actual needs of the touch panel 320. The closest distance between the lowest point of the recessed depth of the outer edge 3321 and the central area 301 is defined as the distance D. Since the outer edge 3321 is a curve of high and low on both sides, at this time, the distance D is compared to The distance between the straight-line outer edge 3321 and the central region 301 is greater. Specifically, in this embodiment, the distance D is increased by at least 0-0.3 mm.

Please refer to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a touch module 42 according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of an X part in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the outer edge 4321 of the connecting portion 332 of the flexible circuit board 43 is not a smooth straight line. Specifically, the outer edge 4321 includes a first section 4323, a second section 4324, and a third section 4325 that are parallel to each other. The first section 4323, the second section 4324, and the third section 4325 are all straight lines, and the second section 4324 is located between the first section 4323 and the third section 4325, and adjacent sections are connected by an arc. Wherein, the first segment 4323 and the third segment 4325 are closer to the central region 401 than the second segment 4324, so that at least a part of the outer edge 4321 appears to be recessed away from the central region 401. The outer edge 4321 has a shape of two sides high and a middle low. At least a part of the outer edge 4321 of the connecting portion 432 is recessed in a direction close to the main body portion 431. Optionally, the first section 4323 and the third section 4325 are located on the same straight line. In this embodiment, the distance between the first segment 4323 and the third segment 4325 is greater than or equal to 2 mm; the recessed depth of the outer edge 4321 is less than or equal to 0.3 mm, but it is not limited to this, and may be According to the actual needs of the control panel 420, other suitable height differences are set. As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the recessed depth L of the outer edge 4321 is equal to 0.3 mm. The closest distance between the lowest point of the recessed depth of the outer edge 4321 and the central area 401 is defined as the distance D. Since the outer edge 4321 is a curve of high and low on both sides, at this time, the distance D is compared to The distance between the straight-line outer edge 4321 and the central region 401 will be greater. Specifically, in this embodiment, the distance D is increased by at least 0-0.3 mm.

Please refer to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of a touch module 52 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a XII part in FIG. 10. In this embodiment, the outer edge 5321 of the connecting portion 532 of the flexible circuit board 53 is not a smooth straight line. Specifically, the outer edge 5321 includes a first segment 5323, a second segment 5324, and a third segment 5325 which are sequentially connected end to end. The first segment 5323 and the third segment 5325 are straight lines that are parallel to each other. Ground, the first section 5323 and the third section 5325 are located on the same straight line. The second segment 5324 is a circular arc (arc type), and the center of the circle is located on the side of the second segment 5324 near the central region 501. In this way, at least a part of the outer edge 5321 is recessed in a direction away from the central region 501. The outer edge 5321 has a shape of two sides high and a middle low. At least a part of the outer edge 5321 of the connecting portion 532 is close to The main body 531 is recessed. In this embodiment, the recessed depth of the outer edge 5321 is less than or equal to 0.3 mm, but is not limited thereto, and other suitable height difference values may be set according to the actual needs of the touch panel 520. As shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, the recessed depth L of the outer edge 5321 is equal to 0.3 mm. The closest distance between the lowest point of the recessed depth of the outer edge 5321 and the central area 501 is defined as the distance D. Since the outer edge 5321 is a curve of high and low on both sides, at this time, the distance D is compared to The distance between the straight-line outer edge 5321 and the central region 501 is greater. Specifically, in this embodiment, the distance D is increased by at least 0-0.3 mm.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, but not limited. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solution of the present invention can be modified or equivalently replaced, and Without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

200‧‧‧Electronic device

21‧‧‧ Cover

211‧‧‧functional area

212‧‧‧Border area

12, 22, 32, 42, 52‧‧‧ touch module

120, 220‧‧‧ touch panel

101, 201, 301, 401, 501‧‧‧ Central District

102, 202‧‧‧ Peripheral area

221‧‧‧ substrate

103, 203‧‧‧Bonding District

222‧‧‧sensing electrode

123, 223‧‧‧ route

224‧‧‧The first connection pad

13, 23, 33, 43, 53‧‧‧ flexible circuit boards

231, 331, 431, 531‧‧‧ main body

232, 332, 432, 532‧‧‧

2321, 3321, 4321, 5321‧‧‧ outer edges

3323, 4323, 5323‧‧‧ first paragraph

3324, 4324, 5324‧‧‧ second paragraph

3325, 4325, 5325 ‧ ‧ ‧ third paragraph

233‧‧‧Second connection pad

14, 24‧‧‧ Adhesive layer

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a conventional touch module.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part II in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a schematic plan view of a touch module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the touch module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a VI portion in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a touch module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view at a portion VIII in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a touch module according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion X in FIG. 9.

11 is a schematic plan view of a touch module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of an XII portion in FIG. 11.

Claims (11)

A touch module includes a touch panel and a flexible circuit board. The touch panel defines a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region. The flexible circuit board is connected to the peripheral region of the touch panel. The improvement is that the flexible circuit board has an outer edge near the central area, and at least a part of the outer edge is recessed in a direction away from the central area. The touch module according to claim 1, wherein the outer edge is arc-shaped. The touch module according to claim 1, wherein the central area is circular. The touch module according to claim 1, wherein the outer edge includes at least a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment that are sequentially connected end to end, and the second segment is connected to the first segment Between the first and third segments, the first and third segments are inclined toward the second segment, and the first and third segments form obtuse angles with the second segment, respectively. The touch module according to claim 1, wherein the outer edge includes at least a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment that are sequentially connected end to end, and the second segment is located between the first segment and the third segment. Between the third paragraph, the first and third paragraphs are closer to the central area than the second paragraph. The touch module according to claim 1, wherein the outer edge includes at least a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment that are sequentially connected end to end, and the second segment is located in the first segment and In the middle of the third segment, the second segment is an arc line recessed in a direction away from the central region. The touch module according to claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit board includes a main body portion, a connection portion extending from the main body portion, and a plurality of connection pads provided at one end of the connection portion, and the flexible circuit board A side of the plurality of connection pads near the outer edge is a first side, and the plurality of first sides are not on a same straight line; the peripheral area is provided with a plurality of connection pads, and the plurality of connections in the peripheral area are The edges of the pads near one end of the central area are not on the same straight line, and the connection pads on the flexible circuit board and the connection pads of the peripheral area are electrically connected in a one-to-one correspondence. An electronic device includes a cover plate and a touch module according to any one of claims 1-7. The cover plate and the touch module are arranged in a stack. A flexible circuit board includes a main body portion, a connection portion extending from the main body portion, and a plurality of connection pads provided at one end of the connection portion. An edge of the connection portion away from the main body portion is an outer edge. An improvement is that at least a part of the outer edge is recessed in a direction close to the connection pad. The flexible circuit board according to claim 9, wherein the side of the plurality of connection pads near the outer edge is a first side, and the plurality of first sides are not on a same straight line. A touch panel, wherein the touch panel defines a central area and a peripheral area surrounding the central area, and a plurality of connection pads are provided in the peripheral area. The connecting line of the side of one end is recessed at least partially in a direction away from the central region.