TWI722113B - Foldable touch sensor and manufacturing method therof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a foldable touch sensor comprising: a base material layer; a touch sensing layer formed on the base material layer; and a protective layer comprising a first region formed on the touch sensing layer along one direction, and a second region which is thicker than the first region and excludes the first region. According to the present invention, there is an effect in that the durability of a touch sensor can be maintained, and at the same time, the foldable property can be enhanced.

Description

Foldable touch sensor and manufacturing method thereof

The present invention relates to a foldable touch sensor, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a foldable touch sensor capable of maintaining durability while enhancing foldability and a manufacturing method thereof.

Generally speaking, a touch sensor detects a touch in response to a touch when a user uses a finger, a stylus, or the like to touch an image displayed on a screen. Location of a device.

Generally, the touch sensor is manufactured in a structure in which the touch sensor is covered on a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), and the like.

At the same time, in recent years, research has been actively committed to using polymer films that can replace glass substrates to develop thinner, lighter, bendable or foldable foldable touch sensors and displays.

In order to enhance the foldability of a touch sensor, the thickness of the protective layer that protects the internal components must be reduced; however, there is a problem that the durability of the touch sensor degrades proportionally as the thickness of the protective layer decreases .

Therefore, there is a need for a technology that can maintain the durability of a touch sensor while enhancing its foldability.

Patent documents

1. Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-0008153 (Publication date: January 30, 2012, name: Electrostatic capacity type touch screen panel and method of manufacturing the same).

2. Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-0069226 (publication date: June 28, 2012, name: Touch screen panel and fabricating method thereof).

One technical objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable touch sensor capable of maintaining durability while enhancing foldability and a manufacturing method thereof.

A foldable touch sensor according to the present invention includes: a base material layer; a touch sensing layer formed on the base material layer; and a protective layer including a layer formed on the touch A first area on the sensing layer and a second area thicker than the first area and excluding the first area.

The foldable touch sensor according to the present invention has the following characteristics: the thickness of the protective layer is in the range of 0.5 μm to 10 μm.

The foldable touch sensor according to the present invention has the following characteristics: the minimum thickness of the first area is in the range of 0.5 μm to 1.5 μm.

The foldable touch sensor according to the present invention has the following characteristics: the thickness of the second area is in the range of 1.5 μm to 10 μm.

The foldable touch sensor according to the present invention has the following characteristics: the first area has the shape of an inclined surface, and the thickness of the inclined surface becomes thinner as it approaches the fold line.

The foldable touch sensor according to the present invention has the following feature: the first area has the shape of a curved surface whose thickness becomes thinner as it approaches the fold line.

The foldable touch sensor according to the present invention has the following characteristics: the first area has the shape of a flat surface.

A method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor according to the present invention includes the following steps: forming a touch sensor layer on a base material layer; and forming a protective layer by using a half-tone mask, The protection layer includes a first area formed on the touch sensing layer along a direction and a second area that is thicker than the first area and does not include the first area.

The method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor according to the present invention has the following characteristics: in the step of forming the protective layer, the thickness of the protective layer is formed in the range of 0.5 μm to 10 μm.

The method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor according to the present invention has the following characteristics: in the step of forming the protective layer, the minimum thickness of the first region is formed in the range of 0.5 μm to 1.5 μm.

The method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor according to the present invention has the following characteristics: in the step of forming the protective layer, the thickness of the second region is formed in the range of 1.5 μm to 10 μm.

The method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor according to the present invention has the following characteristics: in the step of forming the protective layer, the first region is formed in the shape of an inclined surface, and the thickness of the inclined surface increases with It becomes thinner close to the fold line.

The method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor according to the present invention has the following characteristics: in the step of forming the protective layer, the first region is formed in the shape of a curved surface, and the thickness of the curved surface increases with the thickness of the curved surface. It becomes thinner close to the fold line.

The method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor according to the present invention has the following feature: the first area in the shape of a flat surface is formed in the step of forming the protective layer.

According to the present invention, there are the following effects: a foldable touch sensor capable of maintaining durability while enhancing foldability and a manufacturing method thereof are provided.

10: Base material layer

40: Touch sensing layer

41: The first sensing pattern

42: second sensing pattern

45: insulating layer

47: Connection pattern

50: The material layer forming the protective layer

51: protective layer

52: protective layer

53: protective layer

A: The thickness of the area/the first area

B: Thickness of the second area

M: Halftone mask

S10: Steps for forming a touch sensing layer

S20: Steps for forming a protective layer

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall plan view of a foldable touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the area A marked in Fig. 1; Fig. 3a A cross-sectional view of a foldable touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 3b and 3c are diagrams of a modified foldable touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention Cross-sectional view; FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram of a method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIGS. 5 to 9c are an example according to the present invention A cross-sectional view of a process of a method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor of an exemplary embodiment.

Since the specific structure or function description of the embodiment according to the concept of the present invention disclosed herein is only used to exemplarily describe the embodiment according to the concept of the present invention, the embodiment according to the concept of the present invention may be embodied in various forms It is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Although the embodiments of the present invention may accept various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings by way of example and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the present invention will cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish elements from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first element can be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element can be referred to as a first element.

It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there is no intervening element. Other terms used to describe the relationship between components should be interpreted in the same way (ie, "between" versus "directly between", "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent" and many more).

The terms used herein are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, unless the content clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form "one" and "the" are intended to also include the plural form. It should be further understood that the terms "including" and/or "including" used in this text refer to the presence of stated features, wholes, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more Other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including scientific and technological terms) used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by ordinary people in the technology to which the present invention belongs. It should be further understood that unless clearly defined in this article, terms (such as those defined in general dictionaries) should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the relevant technical context and should not be interpreted as an idealization Or too formal.

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall plan view of a foldable touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a foldable touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be classified into a display area and a non-display area with reference to whether to display visual information. In Fig. 1, it should be clarified that, in order to improve the visibility of the components arranged in the non-display area, the non-display area is enlarged to be larger than its actual size.

The display area is an area where the image provided by the device coupled with the touch sensor is displayed, and it is also an area where a capacitive method is used to detect the touch signal input from the user, and here In the display area, an element including a plurality of sensing patterns formed along mutually crossing directions is formed.

In the non-display area positioned on the periphery of the display area, electrode pads electrically connected to the sensing pattern, sensing lines electrically connected to the electrode pads, and bonding pads electrically connected to the sensing lines are formed. The touch signal detected in the display area is transmitted to a driving unit (not shown in the figure) and a flexible printed circuit is connected to the bonding pad.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the area A marked in Figure 1.

In addition, referring to FIG. 2, a plan view of a touch sensing layer 40 constituting a foldable touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is disclosed, and the touch sensing layer 40 includes a first sensing pattern 41. The second sensing pattern 42, an insulating layer 45 and the connection pattern 47.

The first sensing patterns 41 are electrically connected to each other and formed along a first direction, and the second sensing patterns 42 are electrically isolated from each other and formed along a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction cross each other. For example, if the first direction is an x direction, the second direction may be a y direction. The insulating layer 45 is formed between the first sensing pattern 41 and the second sensing pattern 42 and electrically insulates the first sensing pattern 41 and the second sensing pattern 42. The connection pattern 47 electrically connects the adjacent second sensing pattern 42.

Fig. 3a is a cross-sectional view of a foldable touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3a, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a foldable touch The control sensor includes a base material layer 10, a touch sensing layer 40 and a protective layer 51.

The base material layer 10 is a base in which the elements of the touch sensor are formed, and can be a transparent material made of a hard material or a soft material, for example, regarding a soft material, a transparent optical film or a polarized light The board can be a soft material.

A film having excellent transparency, mechanical strength, and thermal stability can be used as a transparent optical film, and to give a specific example, a thermoplastic resin film including any of the following can be used: polyester resin, such as poly-p-phenylene Ethylene dicarboxylate, poly(ethylene isophthalate), polyethylene naphthalate, polybutylene terephthalate and the like; cellulose resins such as diethyl cellulose, Cellulose triacetate and the like; polycarbonate resins; acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate and the like; styrenic resins such as polystyrene and acrylonitrile -Styrenic copolymers and the like; polyolefin resins, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, cyclic polyolefin or norbornene-polyolefin, ethylene-polypropylene copolymers and the like; vinyl chloride resins; Amine-based resins, such as nylon, aromatic polyamides, and the like; imine-based resins; polyether-based resins; waste-based resins; polyetheretherketone-based resins; polyphenylene sulfide-based resins; vinyl alcohol-based Resins; polyvinylidene chloride-based resins; vinyl butyral-based resins; aryl ester-based resins; polyoxymethylene resins; and epoxy-based resins and the like, and a mixture including the use of one of the aforementioned thermoplastic resins A film of material. In addition, a film including a thermosetting resin or a UV curable resin can be used, and the thermosetting resin is selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic, urethane, acrylic, epoxy, and silicone. Department and its analogues. The thickness of the transparent film can be appropriately determined, however, in general, it can be determined to be between 1 μm and 500 μm in view of strength, workability, and thin layer properties. In particular, a value between 1 μm and 300 μm is preferable, and a value between 5 μm and 200 μm is more preferable.

The transparent optical film may contain one or more types of additives as appropriate. Regarding additives, for example, there are UV absorbers, antioxidants, lubricants, plasticizers, mold release agents, Anti-coloring agents, flame retardants, foaming agents, antistatic agents, pigments, coloring agents and the like. A transparent film may have a structure in which various functional layers such as a hard coating layer, an anti-reflection layer, a gas barrier layer and the like are deposited on one or both of its side surfaces, and the functional layer is not limited to the above-mentioned layers , But can include various functional layers depending on the purpose.

In addition, the transparent optical film can be surface-treated as needed. The surface treatment may be a dry process treatment (such as plasma treatment, corona treatment, primer treatment and the like) or a chemical treatment (such as alkaline treatment including hydrolysis treatment and the like).

In addition, the transparent optical film may be an anisotropic film or a retardation film.

Regarding an isotropic film, the in-plane phase difference R _o {R _o =(n _x -n _y )×d, where n _x and n _y are the principal refractive indices in the film plane, and n _z is the refraction along the thickness direction The thickness of the d-based film} does not exceed 40 nm and preferably does not exceed 15 nm, and the phase difference along the thickness direction R _th [R _th ={(n _x +n _y )/2-n _z }×d, where n _x and n _y are the principal refractive indices in the film plane, n _z is the refractive index along the thickness direction, and d is the film thickness between -90nm and +75nm, preferably between -80nm and +60nm Between, and more preferably between -70nm and +45nm.

The retardation film is manufactured through the process of uniaxial elongation, biaxial elongation, polymer coating and liquid crystal coating of a polymer film, and it is generally used to enhance and adjust the optical properties of a display, such as viewing angle compensation and color sensitivity Sensitivity improvement, color and taste adjustment and the like. Regarding the types of retardation films, including wave plates such as half wave plate, quarter wave plate, positive C plate, negative C plate, positive A plate, negative A plate, and biaxial wave plate.

The protective film may be a film including an adhesive layer on at least one surface of a film made of a polymer resin, or may be a self-adhesive film such as polypropylene and the like, and it can be used to protect the touch feeling The surface of the detector and enhance the machinability.

One of the publicly known polarizers used in display panels can be used as one of the polarizers herein. Specifically, the following can be taken as examples: a polarizing plate made of a polarizing film, the An elongated polyvinyl alcohol film dyed with iodine or dichroic pigment, in which a protective layer is installed on at least one surface thereof; a polarizing plate manufactured to obtain a property of the polarizing film by aligning liquid crystal; and A polarizing plate is manufactured by elongating and dyeing a transparent film coated with an orientation resin (such as polyvinyl alcohol and the like); but the polarizing plate is not limited to these examples.

The touch sensing layer 40 is formed on the base material layer 10, and it is an element for detecting a touch signal input from a user.

The sensing pattern constituting the touch sensing layer 40 can be formed into an appropriate shape depending on the requirements of the electronic device equipped with the sensing pattern. For example, when the sensing pattern is applied to a touch screen panel, two types can be formed. Types of patterns (one type is used to detect the x-coordinate and the other type is used to detect the y-coordinate), but the patterns are not limited to these types.

For example, the touch sensing layer 40 may include a first sensing pattern 41, a second sensing pattern 42, an insulating layer 45 and connection patterns 47.

The first sensing patterns 41 are electrically connected to each other and formed along a first direction, and the second sensing patterns 42 are electrically isolated from each other and formed along a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction cross each other. For example, if the first direction is an x direction, the second direction may be a y direction.

The insulating layer 45 is formed between the first sensing pattern 41 and the second sensing pattern 42 and electrically insulates the first sensing pattern 41 and the second sensing pattern 42.

The connection pattern 47 electrically connects the adjacent second sensing pattern 42.

Regarding the first sensing pattern 41, the second sensing pattern 42 and the connection pattern 47, any transparent conductive material can be used (but not limited to). For example, the transparent conductive material can be formed of a material selected from the following: Indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), gallium zinc oxide (GZO), fluorine tin oxide (FTO), indium tin oxide-silver-oxide Indium tin (ITO-Ag-ITO), indium zinc oxide-silver-indium zinc oxide (IZO-Ag-IZO), indium zinc tin oxide-silver-indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO-Ag-IZTO) and aluminum zinc oxide- Silver-oxidized Metal oxides of the group of aluminum zinc (AZO-Ag-AZO); metals selected from the group including gold (Au), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo) and APC; selected from the group including gold, silver, Nanowires made of metals in the group of copper and lead; carbon-based materials selected from the group including carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene; and selected from Conductive polymer materials of the group of oxythiophene (PEDOT) and polyaniline (PANI); and these materials can be used individually or in a mixture of two or more of them, and preferably, oxidation can be used Indium tin. Both crystalline indium tin oxide and amorphous indium tin oxide can be used.

The thickness of the touch sensor layer 40 is not particularly limited; however, if possible, a thin film is preferred in view of the flexibility of the touch sensor. For example, the thickness of the touch sensing layer 40 is in the range of 0.01 μm to 5 μm, preferably, in the range of 0.03 μm to 0.5 μm.

For example, the first sensing pattern 41 and the second sensing pattern 42 (which are independent of each other and constitute the touch sensing layer 40) can be made of triangles, rectangles, pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, or the like. A pattern composed of similar polygons.

In addition, for example, the touch sensing layer 40 may include a regular pattern. Regular pattern means: the shape of the pattern has regularity. For example, the sensing pattern (independent of each other) may include a mesh shape such as a rectangle or a square, or a pattern composed of hexagons.

In addition, for example, the sensing layer 40 may include an irregular pattern. An irregular pattern means: the shape of the pattern is irregular.

In addition, for example, when the sensing pattern constituting the touch sensing layer 40 is formed of metal nanowires, carbon-based materials, polymer-based materials, and the like, the sensing patterns may have a grid structure. When the sensing pattern has a grid structure, since the signals are sequentially transmitted to adjacent patterns in contact with each other, a pattern with a high sensitivity can be implemented.

For example, the sensing pattern constituting the touch sensing layer 40 may be formed to have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure.

Regarding a material of the insulating layer 45 used to insulate the first sensing pattern 41 and the second sensing pattern 42, any insulating material known in the art can be used (but not limited to), for example, a metal oxide can be used (Such as silicon-based oxides), photosensitive resin composites (which contain metal oxides or acrylic resins), or thermoplastic resin composites. Alternatively, an inorganic material such as silicon oxide (SiOx) may be used to form the insulating layer 45, and in this case, a method such as vacuum evaporation, sputtering, and the like may be used to form the insulating layer 45.

A protective layer 51 formed on the touch sensing layer 40 includes: a first area formed on the touch sensing layer along a direction; and a second area thicker than the first area and excluding the first area One area.

The protective layer 51 is formed of an insulating material, and is formed by covering the first sensing pattern 41, the second sensing pattern 42, an insulating layer 45, and the connection pattern 47, and it is implemented to make the touch sensing layer 40 and The outside is insulated and protects the function of the touch sensing layer 40. For example, the protective layer 51 may be formed to have a single layer or multiple layers of more than two layers.

For example, the direction in which the first region is formed may be a first direction in which the first sensing pattern 41 is formed, or a second direction in which the second sensing pattern 42 is formed, but it is not necessarily limited to this.

The first area formed in one direction becomes a folding line, that is, a touch sensor folding line when a user folds the touch sensor.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in order to obtain the foldability of a touch sensor, it is not necessary to reduce the thickness of the entire protective layer 51, but only the thickness A of the first area that becomes the fold line is reduced to A specific level, therefore, can meet the durability requirements of the touch sensor and at the same time obtain foldability.

For example, the thickness of the protective layer 51 is preferably in the range of 0.5 μm to 10 μm. If the thickness of the protective layer 51 is less than 0.5 μm, the durability of the protective layer 51 is degraded, so that the components constituting the touch sensing layer 40 cannot be completely protected from external factors such as impact and the like. But if the thickness of the protective layer 51 exceeds 10 μm, the foldability of the touch sensor is degraded and the uniformity of the protective layer 51 is significantly degraded, thereby degrading the performance quality of the touch sensor.

For example, the minimum thickness of the first region is preferably in the range of 0.5 μm to 1.5 μm. The first area is one area of the entire area of the protective layer 51 (excluding the second area), and it becomes a touch sensor folding line when the user folds the touch sensor. Therefore, the first area It is structured to be thinner than the second area. If the thickness A of the first area is less than 0.5 μm, the durability of the first area (ie, the fold line) of the protective layer 51 is degraded, and therefore, the elements constituting the touch sensing layer 40 cannot be completely protected. In other words, if the thickness A of the first area is less than 0.5 μm, when a user repeatedly folds and unfolds the touch sensor, cracks appear in the first area and the components below the first area constituting the touch sensor layer 40 , Thereby degrading the durability of the touch sensor. If the thickness A of the first area exceeds 1.5 μm, the foldability of the touch sensor in the first area is degraded.

For example, the thickness of the second region is preferably in the range of 1.5 μm to 10 μm. If the thickness B of the second area is less than 1.5 μm, the durability of the second area of the protective layer 51 is degraded, so that the components constituting the touch sensing layer 40 cannot be completely protected from external factors such as impact and the like; However, if the thickness B of the second area exceeds 10 μm, the foldability of the touch sensor is degraded and the uniformity of the protective layer 51 is significantly degraded, thereby degrading the performance quality of the touch sensor.

Regarding the relationship between the thickness of the first area and the thickness of the second area, the thickness A of the first area (which becomes a touch sensor folding line when the user folds the touch sensor) is greater than the thickness A of the first area The thickness B of the two regions is thin in one way to maintain the durability of the touch sensor and at the same time further enhance the foldability.

Examples of the specific shape of the first region can be described as follows.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3a, the first area may have a tilt table The shape of the surface and the thickness of the inclined surface become thinner as it approaches the fold line.

For another example, as shown in FIG. 3b, the first area may have a curved surface shape, and the thickness of the curved surface becomes thinner as it approaches the fold line.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 3c, the first area may have a flat surface shape.

Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c only disclose exemplary shapes of the first region, and in addition to these examples, the first region may have various shapes that can obtain the durability and foldability of the protective layers 51, 52, and 53 .

Regarding one of the materials used for the protective layers 51, 52, and 53, any insulating material known in the art can be used (but not limited to), for example, it can be used with excellent transparency, flexibility, mechanical strength, and thermal stability. , Moisture-proof, isotropic and similar materials.

To give a specific example, an organic insulating film can be used as one of the materials for the protective layers 51, 52, and 53, and it can especially be a film formed from a hardened compound containing a polyol and a melamine curing agent, but it is not limited to this. And other examples.

Regarding the specific types of polyols, polyether diol derivatives, polyester diol derivatives, polycaprolactone diol derivatives and the like can be taken as examples, but are not limited to these examples.

Regarding the specific types of melamine curing agents, methoxymethyl melamine derivatives, methyl melamine derivatives, butyl melamine derivatives, isobutoxy melamine derivatives, butoxy melamine derivatives and the like can be taken as examples , But not limited to these examples.

For other examples, the protective layers 51, 52, and 53 may be formed of organic-inorganic hybrid curable composites, and it may be desirable to use both organic compounds and inorganic compounds to reduce cracks during peeling.

Regarding an organic compound, the above-mentioned components can be used, and regarding an inorganic material The material can be silicon dioxide-based nanoparticle, silicon-based nanoparticle, glass nanofiber and the like as examples, but it is not limited to these examples.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process of a method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIGS. 5 to 9c are according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention A cross-sectional view of a process for a method of manufacturing a foldable touch sensor.

Referring to FIG. 4, a method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps: forming a touch sensing layer (S10); and forming a protective layer (S20) ).

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, in step S10 of forming a touch sensing layer, a process of forming a touch sensing layer 40 on the base material layer 10 is performed.

The touch sensing layer 40 is an element for detecting a touch signal input from a user.

For example, the sensing pattern constituting the touch sensing layer 40 can be formed into an appropriate shape depending on the requirements of the electronic device equipped with the sensing pattern. For example, when the sensing pattern is applied to a touch screen panel, it can be formed There are two types of patterns (one type is used to detect the x-coordinate and the other type is used to detect the y-coordinate), but the patterns are not limited to these types.

A specific exemplary configuration of step S10 of forming a touch sensing layer will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, a process of forming a first sensing pattern 41 connected to each other along a first direction and forming a second sensing pattern 42 isolated from each other along a second direction is performed. For example, if the first direction is the x direction, the second direction may be the y direction.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, a process of forming an insulating layer 45 between the first sensing pattern 41 and the second sensing pattern 42 is performed.

The insulating layer 45 electrically isolates the first sensing pattern 41 and the second sensing pattern 42.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, a process of forming a connection pattern 47 electrically connecting the adjacent second sensing patterns 42 is performed.

Regarding the first sensing pattern 41, the second sensing pattern 42 and the connection pattern 47, any transparent conductive material can be used (but not limited to). For example, the transparent conductive material can be formed of a material selected from the following: Indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), gallium zinc oxide (GZO), fluorine tin oxide (FTO), indium tin oxide-silver-oxide Indium tin (ITO-Ag-ITO), indium zinc oxide-silver-indium zinc oxide (IZO-Ag-IZO), indium zinc tin oxide-silver-indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO-Ag-IZTO) and aluminum zinc oxide- Metal oxides of the group of silver-aluminum oxide zinc (AZO-Ag-AZO); metals selected from the group including gold (Au), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo) and APC; selected from the group including gold Nanowires made of metals in the group of, silver, copper and lead; carbon-based materials selected from the group including carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene; and selected from the group including poly(3,4-extension) Conductive polymer materials of the group of ethyldioxythiophene (PEDOT) and polyaniline (PANI); and these materials can be used individually or in a mixture of two or more of them, and preferably, Indium tin oxide can be used. Both crystalline indium tin oxide and amorphous indium tin oxide can be used.

The thickness of the touch sensor layer 40 is not particularly limited; however, if possible, a thin film is preferred in view of the flexibility of the touch sensor. For example, the thickness of the touch sensing layer 40 is in the range of 0.01 μm to 5 μm, preferably, in the range of 0.03 μm to 0.5 μm.

For example, the first sensing pattern 41 and the second sensing pattern 42 (which are independent of each other and constitute the touch sensing layer 40) can be made of triangles, rectangles, pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, or the like. A pattern composed of similar polygons.

In addition, for example, the touch sensing layer 40 may include a regular pattern. Rule graph The case means: the shape of the pattern is regular. For example, the sensing pattern (independent of each other) may include a mesh shape such as a rectangle or a square, or a pattern composed of hexagons.

In addition, for example, the sensing layer 40 may include an irregular pattern. An irregular pattern means: the shape of the pattern is irregular.

In addition, for example, when the sensing pattern constituting the touch sensing layer 40 is formed of metal nanowires, carbon-based materials, polymer-based materials, and the like, the sensing patterns may have a grid structure. When the sensing pattern has a grid structure, since the signals are sequentially transmitted to adjacent patterns in contact with each other, a pattern with a high sensitivity can be implemented.

For example, the sensing pattern constituting the touch sensing layer 40 may be formed to have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure.

Regarding a material of the insulating layer 45 used to insulate the first sensing pattern 41 and the second sensing pattern 42, any insulating material known in the art can be used (but not limited to), for example, a metal oxide can be used (Such as silicon-based oxides), photosensitive resin composites (which contain metal oxides or acrylic resins), or thermoplastic resin composites. Alternatively, an inorganic material such as silicon oxide (SiOx) may be used to form the insulating layer 45, and in this case, a method such as vacuum evaporation, sputtering, and the like may be used to form the insulating layer 45.

Figures 8, 9a, 9b and 9c are diagrams for explaining the step S20 of forming a protective layer.

In addition, referring to FIG. 8, a protective layer forming material layer 50 is formed on the entire surface of the touch sensing layer 40, and after the half-tone mask M is placed on the protective layer forming material layer 50, the use of halftone is performed The mask M is a process of differentially exposing the material layer 50 forming the protective layer to light and developing the material layer 50 forming the protective layer. The halftone mask M has a transparent pattern corresponding to the shape of a target pattern. That is, when the light output from the exposure device reaches the halftone mask M, the light reaching the halftone mask M passes through the halftone mask M corresponding to the light transmission pattern When reaching the material layer 50 forming the protective layer, the material layer 50 forming the protective layer is exposed to light corresponding to the light-transmitting pattern of the halftone mask M.

For example, in view of the thickness of the finally formed protective layer, the material layer 50 forming the protective layer may be formed to have a thickness not exceeding 10 μm.

9a, 9b, and 9c show various exemplary shapes of the protective layer that can be obtained through the step S20 of forming a protective layer.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 9a, the first area may have the shape of an inclined surface, and the thickness of the inclined surface becomes thinner as it approaches the fold line.

For another example, as shown in FIG. 9b, the first region may have the shape of a curved surface, and the thickness of the curved surface becomes thinner as it approaches the fold line.

For another example, as shown in FIG. 9c, the first area may have a flat surface shape.

9a, 9b, and 9c only disclose exemplary shapes of the first region, and in addition to these examples, the first region may have various shapes that can obtain the durability and foldability of the protective layer.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, there are the following effects: a foldable touch sensor capable of maintaining durability while enhancing foldability and a manufacturing method thereof are provided.

10: Base material layer

40: Touch sensing layer

41: The first sensing pattern

42: second sensing pattern

45: insulating layer

47: Connection pattern

51: protective layer

A: The thickness of the first area

B: Thickness of the second area

Claims (10)

A foldable touch sensor includes: a base material layer; a touch sensing layer formed on the base material layer; and a protective layer including a touch sensor formed along a direction A first area on the layer and a second area thicker than the first area and excluding the first area, wherein the thickness of the protective layer is in the range of 0.5 μm to 10 μm, and the thickness of the second area is in the range Within the range of 1.5μm to 10μm. Such as the foldable touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the minimum thickness of the first area is in the range of 0.5 μm to 1.5 μm. Such as the foldable touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the first area has the shape of an inclined surface, and the thickness of the inclined surface becomes thinner as it approaches the fold line. The foldable touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the first area has a shape of a curved surface, and the thickness of the curved surface becomes thinner as it approaches the fold line. Such as the foldable touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the first area has a shape of a flat surface. A method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor includes the following steps: forming a touch sensor layer on a base material layer; and forming a protective layer by using a half-tone mask. The layer includes a first area formed on the touch sensing layer along a direction and a second area that is thicker than the first area and does not include the first area, wherein the thickness of the protective layer is 0.5 μm to 10 μm The thickness of the second region is in the range of 1.5 μm to 10 μm. The method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor according to claim 6, wherein in the step of forming the protective layer, the minimum thickness of the first region is formed in the range of 0.5 μm to 1.5 μm. The method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor according to claim 6, wherein in the step of forming the protective layer, the first area in the shape of an inclined surface is formed, and the thickness of the inclined surface increases with It becomes thinner close to the fold line. The method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor of claim 6, wherein in the step of forming the protective layer, the first region is formed in the shape of a curved surface, and the thickness of the curved surface increases with the thickness of the It becomes thinner close to the fold line. The method for manufacturing a foldable touch sensor according to claim 6, wherein in the step of forming the protective layer, the first area is formed in the shape of a flat surface.

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