WO2015083410A1 - Conductive sheet and touch panel - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a touch panel equipped with a conductive sheet that uses electrodes formed of mesh, wherein the detection precision of touch positions is improved easily without the use of complex electrode patterns. Among first electrodes (18A1-18An) formed of mesh, a first conductive fine wire (20A1) (first auxiliary conducting wire (50a)) that extends toward, for example, the first electrode (18A2) adjacent to the first electrode (181A) projects from the first electrode (18A1). Meanwhile, a first conductive fine wire (20A2) (second auxiliary conducting wire (50b)) that extends toward the first electrode (18A1) projects from the first electrode (18A2). The first auxiliary conductive wire (50a) and the second auxiliary conductive wire (50b) oppose each other with space therebetween, and preferably are arranged in alternation.

Description

Conductive sheet and touch panel

The present invention relates to a conductive sheet and a touch panel including an electrode including a plurality of cells formed by intersecting thin conductive wires.

In recent years, many touch panels have been used as input devices for mobile terminals and computers. A touch panel is arrange | positioned on the surface of a display, detects the contact position, such as a finger | toe, and performs input operation. As a position detection method in the touch panel, for example, a resistance film method, a capacitance method, and the like are known.

Especially recently, a capacitance method capable of multi-touch has been widely used. The mutual capacitance method is a method in which the detection electrode detects that the fringe capacitance formed by the drive electrode and the detection electrode is changed between the detection electrodes by the finger.

Recently, there is a demand for a capacitive touch panel having high detection accuracy that can detect a contact position even with a pointed object such as a stylus pen. Patent Document 1 discloses a touch panel having a drive electrode that can reduce the operating frequency, secure the number of integrations, reduce crosstalk, and realize high detection accuracy.

In the capacitive touch panel, ITO (indium tin oxide) is used as a transparent electrode material from the viewpoint of visibility. However, since ITO has a high resistance, it is difficult to increase the size of the touch panel. Therefore, recently, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, a capacitive touch panel using a mesh electrode made of fine metal wires has been actively studied.

International Publication No. 2013/080638 Pamphlet International Publication No. 2010/013679 Pamphlet

However, when a mesh electrode as disclosed in Patent Document 2 is applied to the electrode pattern disclosed in Patent Document 1, difficulties are given to the basic cell (mesh) design of the mesh. In particular, the pattern of the drive electrode disclosed in FIG. 4 of Patent Document 1 is complicated and gives up further difficulty.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the touch position without using a complicated electrode pattern even when a mesh electrode made of conductive thin wires is used. An object is to provide a certain conductive sheet and a touch panel.

The above object is achieved by the following configuration [1].

[1] A conductive sheet comprising a substrate having a first main surface and a second main surface, and a first electrode pattern disposed on the first main surface of the substrate,
The first electrode pattern includes a first electrode including a plurality of first cells formed by intersecting first conductive thin wires, and an auxiliary lead electrically connected to the first electrode,
The first electrode extends along the first direction, and a plurality of rows are insulated and arranged in parallel along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
The auxiliary conducting wire has a configuration in which a part of the first conductive thin wire forming the first cell extends obliquely with respect to the second direction toward the first electrode in the adjacent row adjacent to the first electrode. And
A conductive sheet in which the auxiliary conductor of the first electrode and the auxiliary conductor of the first electrode in the adjacent row are insulated from each other and face each other.

In the touch panel using the conductive sheet having the first electrode pattern having the above-described configuration, even if the finger contact position by the operator is a position of a gap between the first electrodes that is not normally detected because a fringe capacitance is not formed. Since the auxiliary conducting wire extending from the first conductive thin wire forming the first cell exists at the contact position, a fringe capacitance is formed between the first electrode and the first electrode adjacent thereto. This fringe capacitance can be detected. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the touch position is improved.

[2] The conductive sheet according to [1], wherein the auxiliary conductors of the first electrode and the auxiliary conductors of the first electrode in the adjacent row are alternately arranged.

In other words, between the first electrodes adjacent to each other, the auxiliary conductive wires protruding from the first electrode in an arbitrary row and the auxiliary conductive wires protruding from the first electrode adjacent to the first electrode are included in the same degree. Is preferred. In this case, the detection accuracy of the touch position is further improved.

[3] The conductive sheet according to [1] or [2], wherein the first electrode and the auxiliary conducting wire are connected by a plurality of first conductive thin wires.

In this configuration, since the first electrode and the auxiliary conducting wire are connected by two or more first conductive thin wires, the possibility that the auxiliary conducting wire is disconnected can be reduced.

[4] Cross conductors electrically connected to the auxiliary conductors, and the cross conductors of the first electrode auxiliary conductors and the cross conductors of the first electrode auxiliary conductors in adjacent rows are alternately arranged [1] ] To [3] conductive sheet.

In this configuration, since the auxiliary conductor has a cross conductor, the resistance of the auxiliary conductor is reduced and the sensitivity of the touch panel is improved. Furthermore, since the cross conducting wires of the adjacent first electrodes are alternately arranged, the position accuracy of the touch position is further improved.

[5] The conductive sheet according to [4], wherein a dummy cell having the same shape as the first cell is formed by the auxiliary conductive wire and the crossing conductive wire of the first electrode and the auxiliary conductive wire and the crossing conductive wire of the first electrode in the adjacent row.

[6] Conductivity of [4] having a dummy line between the first electrode and the first electrode in the adjacent row, and forming a dummy cell having the same shape as the first cell by the dummy line, the auxiliary conductor, and the cross conductor Sheet.

[7] A dummy line is formed between the first electrode and the first electrode in the adjacent row, and a dummy cell having the same shape as the first cell is formed by the dummy line and the auxiliary conducting wire. Conductive sheet.

In the above configuration, since the dummy cell is provided between the first electrodes, it is possible to prevent the first electrode pattern from being seen.

[8] The conductive sheet according to [1] to [7], wherein the extension angle of the auxiliary conductor is 30 ° to 60 ° with respect to the second direction.

¡By setting such an angle, the position accuracy of the touch position can be further improved.

[9] The second electrode pattern includes a first electrode pattern and a second electrode pattern disposed via an insulating material, and the second electrode pattern includes a second cell formed by crossing second conductive thin wires. Including a plurality of second electrodes,
The conductive sheet according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the second electrode extends along the second direction, and a plurality of rows are insulated and juxtaposed along the first direction.

In this configuration, the second electrode pattern is formed via the first electrode pattern and the insulating material. This configuration effectively functions as a capacitive touch panel.

[10] A second electrode pattern disposed on the second main surface of the substrate is provided, and the second electrode pattern includes a plurality of second cells formed by intersecting second conductive thin wires. Including two electrodes,
The conductive sheet according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the second electrode extends along the second direction, and a plurality of rows are insulated and juxtaposed along the first direction.

The second electrode pattern may be formed on the back side of the substrate on which the first electrode pattern is formed. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the touch panel, improve reliability, and reduce costs.

[11] The present invention is a capacitive touch panel having the conductive sheet configured as described above.

[12] Furthermore, the present invention is a touch panel using the conductive sheet of [9] or [10], wherein the first electrode is a drive electrode and the second electrode is a detection electrode.

According to the present invention, the gap between the first electrodes that cannot be normally detected as a touch panel by using a conductive sheet having an auxiliary conductor in the gap between the first electrodes having the first cells composed of the first conductive thin wires. Since there is an auxiliary conducting wire extending from the first conductive thin wire forming the first cell even at the position, the fringe capacitance between the first electrode and the first electrode adjacent thereto is also present. And the fringe capacitance can be detected. Therefore, it is possible to easily improve the detection accuracy of the touch position without using a complicated electrode pattern.

Therefore, by using the conductive sheet and the touch panel of the present invention, it is possible to provide a large capacitive touch panel having high position accuracy.

It is a principal part disassembled perspective view of the display apparatus which comprises the touchscreen which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part disassembled perspective view of the electrically conductive sheet which comprises the said touch panel. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the said conductive sheet. It is the principal part enlarged plan view which expanded the principal part of the 1st electrode which comprises the said electrically conductive sheet. It is the principal part enlarged plan view which expanded the principal part of another 1st electrode. It is the principal part enlarged plan view which expanded the principal part of another 1st electrode. It is the principal part enlarged plan view which expanded the principal part of another 1st electrode. Furthermore, it is the principal part enlarged plan view which expanded the principal part of the 1st electrode which comprises another said electrically conductive sheet. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the electrically conductive sheet which concerns on a different form from FIG.

Hereinafter, the conductive sheet and the touch panel according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by giving preferred embodiments in relation to the display device having the conductive sheet and the touch panel. In the present specification, “˜” indicating a numerical range is used as a meaning including numerical values described before and after the numerical value as a lower limit value and an upper limit value.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a display device 108 including a touch panel 100 using the first conductive sheet 10A of the present invention according to the present embodiment. The touch panel 100 will be described first. The touch panel 100 includes a sensor body 102 and a control circuit (IC circuit or the like) (not shown).

The sensor body 102 includes a laminated conductive sheet 12 formed by laminating a first conductive sheet 10A and a second conductive sheet 10B in this order from below, and a cover lens 106 laminated on the second conductive sheet 10B. Have. That is, in the sensor body 102, the first conductive sheet 10A, the second conductive sheet 10B, and the cover lens 106 are laminated from below.

The sensor body 102 (the laminated conductive sheet 12 and the cover lens 106) is disposed on the display panel 110 in the display device 108, and constitutes a liquid crystal display, for example. When the sensor body 102 is viewed from above, the sensor unit 112 at the touch position arranged in the area corresponding to the display screen 110 a of the display panel 110 and the terminal arranged in the area corresponding to the outer peripheral part of the display panel 110. And a wiring portion 114 (so-called frame).

Here, the laminated conductive sheet 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The first conductive sheet 10A includes a first electrode pattern 116A having first electrodes 18A1 to 18An formed on one main surface (first main surface) of an insulating first transparent substrate 14A (substrate). Similarly, the second conductive sheet 10B includes a second electrode pattern 116B having second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn formed on one main surface of the insulating second transparent base 14B.

The thickness of the first transparent substrate 14A and the second transparent substrate 14B is preferably 20 to 700 μm or less, more preferably 30 to 300 μm, and 40 to 200 μm is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of achieving both thinning and sensitivity of the touch panel.

Examples of the first transparent substrate 14A and the second transparent substrate 14B include insulating substrates such as a plastic film, a plastic plate, and a glass plate.

Examples of the plastic film and the plastic plate include polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN); polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, and polyethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). Vinyl resin; in addition, polycarbonate (PC), polyamide, polyimide, acrylic resin, triacetyl cellulose (TAC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), and the like can be used.

As the first transparent substrate 14A and the second transparent substrate 14B, PET is particularly preferable from the viewpoints of light transmittance and workability. Since the conductive films such as the first conductive sheet 10A and the second conductive sheet 10B used for the laminated conductive sheet 12 are required to be transparent, the transparency of the first transparent base 14A and the second transparent base 14B is high. Is preferred.

The transparent substrate has an undercoat layer that enhances adhesion as needed, an optical filter layer that absorbs light of a specific wavelength to prevent halation, an antistatic layer, and a refractive index adjustment layer that improves transmittance. Alternatively, other functional layers may be provided.

In the case of the present embodiment, the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An each have a plurality of strip-shaped (bar-shaped) patterns extending in the first direction (x direction) as shown in FIG. The first electrode 18A1 has a predetermined electrode width Wd that extends in the second direction (direction perpendicular to the first direction: y direction).

The first electrode 18A1 is formed by intersecting first conductive thin wires 20A1 made of a metal such as silver, copper, gold, aluminum, molybdenum, or an alloy containing one or more of these metals. With this intersection, a plurality of spaces surrounded by the first conductive thin wires 20A1, that is, the first cells 22A1 are formed.

The first conductive thin wire 20A1 is preferably a low-resistance metal such as silver, copper, gold, or aluminum, or an alloy thereof, and silver and a silver alloy are particularly preferable from the viewpoint of resistance. From the viewpoint of resistance and flatness, the thickness of the first conductive thin wire 20A1 is preferably 0.1 μm to 3 μm.

Further, a protective film made of an organic material or an inorganic material may be provided on the first conductive thin wire 20A. Examples of the organic material include acrylic resin and gelatin, and examples of the inorganic material include a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, and an aluminum oxide film. Such a protective film has effects such as preventing oxidation and migration of the first conductive thin wire 20A.

Further, a blackening layer may be provided on the first conductive thin wire 20A or on the side surface. By providing the blackened layer, the effect of suppressing the appearance of the thin line can be obtained even if a metal having a high reflectance is used for the first conductive thin line 20A. As the blackening film, a metal oxide film, a metal sulfide film, chromium, carbon or the like can be used.

The shape of the first cell 22A1 is not particularly limited, but is preferably a square, rhombus, or regular hexagon. Among them, the first cell 22A1 is particularly preferably a rhombus as shown in FIG. That is, the first electrode 18A1 is formed in a mesh shape in which a plurality of rhombic first cells 22A1 are connected.

The opening ratio of the first cell 22A1 (the area ratio of the opening occupying the cell) is preferably as large as possible because the transmittance of the conductive sheet is high. However, the sheet resistance of the first electrode increases accordingly. Therefore, the preferable range of the aperture ratio is 92% to 99%. Further, the sheet resistance of the first electrode is preferably 100Ω / □ or less, more preferably 50Ω / □ or less. The transmittance of the conductive sheet is 80% or more, and particularly preferably 85% or more.

The width direction dimension (line width) of the first conductive thin wire 20A1 is 20 μm or less, more preferably 1 μm or more and 5 μm or less, and still more preferably 1 μm or more and 3 μm or less. Thereby, the moire of the conductive pattern by the first conductive thin wire 20A1 and the appearance of the thin line are improved, and the visibility is improved (that is, the first conductive thin wire 20A1 forming the first electrode 18A1 is hardly visible). In order to secure the detection sensitivity of the touch panel 100, the line width of the first conductive thin wire 20A1 is preferably 1 μm or more.

It is particularly preferable that the first cell 22A1 has a rhombus shape having two obtuse angles and two acute angles from the viewpoint of reducing moire with the pixels of the display device. That is, the obtuse crossing angle α1 in a diagonal relationship is the same angle exceeding 90 °, and the acute crossing angle β1 is the same angle less than 90 °. In FIG. 4, the angle of the rhombus in the y direction is α1, and the angle of the rhombus in the x direction is β1, but this may be reversed.

The crossing angle β1 forming an acute angle is preferably 80 ° or less. In this case, it is effective in reducing moire. However, moire tends to occur even when the acute angle is excessively small. In order to avoid this, it is preferable that the crossing angle β1 is in the range of 45 ° to 80 °, and more preferably in the range of 60 ° to 80 °, because it is effective in reducing moire.

Furthermore, the distance between adjacent first cells 22A1 and 22A1, that is, the cell pitch P (the distance between the centers of gravity of adjacent cells) that is the distance from the inside of one first cell 22A1 to the outside of the adjacent first cell 22A1. ) Is preferably 50 μm to 1000 μm. Setting the cell pitch P in this way is effective in reducing the appearance of moire and fine lines. A more preferable range of the cell pitch P is 100 μm to 500 μm.

The remaining first electrodes 18A2 to 18An are configured in the same manner as the first electrode 18A1 by the first cells 22A2 to 22An formed from the first conductive thin wires 20A2 to 20An. That is, on one main surface of the first transparent substrate 14A, first electrodes 18A1 to 18An having an n-row (plurality of rows) mesh shape formed by connecting a plurality of first cells 22A1 to 22An are provided. They are insulated and arranged in parallel along two directions (see FIG. 2).

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a main part showing only the first electrodes 18A1 and 18A2 adjacent to each other among the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An. In order to easily distinguish the first electrodes 18A1 and 18A2, the first electrode 18A1 is represented by a thick solid line and the first electrode 18A2 is represented by a thin solid line. Further, two imaginary lines are shown in FIG. 4 in order to make it easy to grasp the position of the first electrode 18A1 end of the first electrode 18A1 and the position of the first electrode 18A2 on the first electrode 18A1 side. However, such a line does not exist in the actual first electrodes 18A1 and 18A2.

The first electrodes 18A1 and 18A2 are respectively formed as mesh electrodes by connecting the plurality of first cells 22A1 and 22A2 as described above. The first conductive thin wire 20A1 protrudes from the first electrode 18A1 in the first row to form a first auxiliary conducting wire 50a. The first auxiliary conductor 50a extends obliquely with respect to the second direction toward the first electrode 18A2 in the second row. On the other hand, the first conductive thin wire 20A2 protrudes from the first electrode 18A2 in the second row to form the second auxiliary conducting wire 50b. The second auxiliary conductor 50b is directed to the first electrode 18A1 in the first row and extends obliquely with respect to the second direction.

More specifically, the first auxiliary conducting wire 50a that protrudes from the first electrode 18A1 (first electrode in the first row) protrudes from one side of the rhombus of the first cell 22A1, and the first electrode 18A2 (second row). Extending toward one side of the rhombus of the first cell 22A2 forming the first electrode). However, the first auxiliary conducting wire 50a does not reach the first cell 22A2 of the first electrode 18A2, but is separated and insulated at a predetermined interval.

The second auxiliary lead wire 50b protruding from the first electrode 18A2 (first electrode in the second row) also protrudes from one side of the rhombus of the first cell 22A2. The second auxiliary conducting wire 50b protruding from the first cell 22A2 extends toward one side of the rhombus of the first cell 22A1 forming the first electrode 18A1 (first electrode in the first row). Similarly to the above, the second auxiliary conducting wire 50b does not reach the first cell 22A1 of the first electrode 18A1, but is separated and insulated at a predetermined interval.

It is preferable that the first auxiliary conducting wire 50a and the second auxiliary conducting wire 50b adjacent to the first auxiliary conducting wire 50a are separated from each other at a predetermined interval to avoid a short circuit and are in a parallel relationship.

Furthermore, the first auxiliary conducting wire 50a intersects with a first intersecting conducting wire 52a extending in a direction different from the extending direction of the first auxiliary conducting wire 50a. The first intersecting conductor 52a is cut at a location (disconnected portion) that intersects the second auxiliary conductor 50b in order to avoid contact with the second auxiliary conductor 50b.

On the other hand, the second auxiliary conducting wire 50b intersects with the second intersecting conducting wire 52b extending in a direction different from the extending direction of the second auxiliary conducting wire 50b. The second intersecting conductor 52b is cut at a location (disconnected portion) intersecting the first auxiliary conductor 50a so as to avoid contact with the first auxiliary conductor 50a. In addition, it is preferable from a viewpoint of the positional accuracy improvement of a touchscreen that the 1st crossing conducting wire 52a and the 2nd crossing conducting wire 52b are alternately arrange | positioned like FIG. Furthermore, it is preferable to install in the parallel position from a viewpoint of ensuring the insulation of the 1st crossing conducting wire 52a and the 2nd crossing conducting wire 52b.

Note that the length of the disconnected portion is preferably 5 to 50 μm, and particularly preferably 10 to 30 μm from the viewpoint of achieving both insulation and visibility. If the length of the disconnected portion is less than 5 μm, a problem occurs in insulation, and if it exceeds 50 μm, the problem that the disconnected portion is easily recognized is remarkably generated.

The disconnection portion is not particularly specified for the purpose of insulation, and may be provided at the intersection or the midpoint of the line. However, if the disconnection portions are aligned, it becomes easy to see the disconnection portion, which causes a problem in terms of visibility. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the disconnected portion so as not to be in a straight line as shown in FIG.

The first auxiliary conducting wire 50a, the first intersecting conducting wire 52a, the second auxiliary conducting wire 50b, and the second intersecting conducting wire 52b form a dummy cell 53A having a disconnected portion. Here, the dummy cell 53A has the same shape as the first cells 22A1 and 22A2. The same shape means that the first cells 22A1 and 22A2 have the same shape (the length and angle of the side of the cell are the same) in the dummy cell 53A with the disconnected portion extrapolated. By taking this configuration, the pattern appearance of the first electrode can be suppressed.

The angle θ (takes an acute angle) between the extending direction of the first auxiliary conductor 50a and the first direction is preferably 20 ° to 70 °. When the angle is small, the position accuracy of the touch panel is deteriorated. When the angle is increased, the first auxiliary conductor 50a is lengthened and the resistance is increased, and the sensitivity of the touch panel 100 is deteriorated. As a result of the examination in consideration of the above points, the angle θ is more preferably 30 ° to 60 °, in particular, because the positional accuracy and sensitivity of the touch panel can be remarkably improved.

The first auxiliary conductor 50a and the first electrode 18A1 are connected by two first conductive thin wires 20A1 as indicated by reference numeral 60 in FIG. It is preferable to connect the plurality of first conductive thin wires 20A1 because redundancy against disconnection increases. Similarly, the second auxiliary conductor 50b and the first electrode 18A2 are connected by two first conductive thin wires 20A2.

The intersection of the first auxiliary conductor 50a and the first intersection conductor 52a is a position surrounded by four intersections of the second auxiliary conductor 50b and the second intersection conductor 52b. Further, the intersection of the second auxiliary conductor 50b and the second intersection conductor 52b is a position surrounded by four intersections of the first auxiliary conductor 50a and the first intersection conductor 52a.

The obtuse angle α2 and the acute angle β2 of the first auxiliary conductor 50a and the first intersecting conductor 52a are set equal to the obtuse angle α1 and the acute angle β1 of the first cells 22A1 and 22A2. Is preferred. Similarly, the obtuse angle α3 and the acute angle β3 of the second auxiliary conductor 50b and the second intersecting conductor 52b are set equal to the obtuse angle α1 and the acute angle β1 of the first cells 22A1 and 22A2. It is preferable. That is, the following relationship is established.
α1 = α2 = α3
β1 = β2 = β3

The first auxiliary conductor 50a can be formed, for example, by continuously extending the first conductive thin wire 20A1 from one side of the first cell 22A1 when forming the first electrode 18A1. The first cross conductor 52a can be formed by, for example, intermittently extending the first conductive thin wire 20A1 from one side of the first cell 22A1 when forming the first electrode 18A1.

Similarly, the second auxiliary conductor 50b can be formed, for example, by extending the first conductive thin wire 20A2 continuously from one side of the first cell 22A2 when forming the first electrode 18A2. For example, when the first electrode 18A2 is formed, the second cross conductive wire 52b can be formed by intermittently extending the first conductive thin wire 20A2 from one side of the first cell 22A2.

Although it becomes possible to form efficiently the 1st auxiliary | assistant conducting wire 50a, the 2nd auxiliary | assistant conducting wire 50b, the 1st crossing conducting wire 52a, and the 2nd crossing conducting wire 52b by doing as mentioned above, these lines 50a, 50b, 52a are possible. , 52b may be formed separately from the first electrodes 18A1, 18A2.

The relationship between the electrode width (width dimension along the arrow y direction in FIG. 2) Wd of the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An and the interval width Wk between the adjacent first electrodes is (1/2) × Wd The relationship of ≦ Wk ≦ Wd is preferable because the positional accuracy of the touch panel can be further increased. A preferable range of Wd is 3 to 6 mm.

Although detailed illustration is omitted, the first electrode 18A2 and the first electrode 18A3 adjacent thereto are similarly configured (see FIG. 2). The same applies to the remaining first electrodes adjacent to each other.

As shown in FIG. 2, one end of each of the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An is electrically connected to the first terminal wiring pattern 42a by the first conductive thin wires 20A1 to 20An via the first connection portion 40a. It is connected.

The first connection portion 40a and the first terminal wiring pattern 42a are preferably formed simultaneously with the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An using the same material as the first conductive thin wires 20A1 to 20An. With this configuration, the process can be omitted.

Other embodiments of the first electrode pattern 116A of the first conductive sheet 10A are shown in FIGS. First, FIG. 5 shows a configuration having a dummy line 70 electrically insulated from the first electrodes 18A1 and 18A2 between the first electrodes 18A1 and 18A2. The dummy wire 70 forms a dummy cell 53B having a disconnected portion together with the first auxiliary conductor 50a and the second auxiliary conductor 50b. Here, the dummy cell 53B has the same shape as the first cells 22A1 and 22A2. The same shape means that the first cells 22A1 and 22A2 have the same shape in the dummy cell 53B with the disconnected portion extrapolated. By adopting this configuration, the pattern appearance of the first electrodes 18A1 and 18A2 can be suppressed.

FIG. 6 shows a shape in which the first auxiliary conductor 50a and the second auxiliary conductor 50b are each paired with two auxiliary conductors. The first auxiliary conductor 50a pair and the second auxiliary conductor 50b pair that are paired with the two auxiliary conductors of FIG. 6 have a first intersecting conductor 52a and a second intersecting conductor 52b that are electrically connected to each other. By using this configuration, since the electrical path of the auxiliary conductor increases, the possibility that the auxiliary conductor is disconnected can be reduced as compared with the configuration of FIG. 4. In addition, the resistance of the auxiliary conductor can be lowered, and the sensitivity of the touch panel is improved.

4 to 6, the first auxiliary conductor 50a and the second auxiliary conductor 50b are in a straight line shape, but may be a so-called zigzag line having a refracting portion as shown in FIG. Note that the angle θ at this time is an angle between a straight line connecting the start point and the end point of the first auxiliary conductor 50a and the second auxiliary conductor 50b as shown in FIG. 7 also has a dummy line 70, and a dummy cell 53B is formed by the dummy line 70, the first auxiliary conducting wire 50a, the second auxiliary conducting wire 50b, the first intersecting conducting wire 52a, and the second intersecting conducting wire 52b. .

4 to 7, the cell is a diamond shape, but the cell may be a regular hexagon as shown in FIG. Note that the angle θ at this time is an angle formed by the starting points of the first auxiliary conducting wire 50a and the second auxiliary conducting wire 50b and the extending direction of the first electrode 18A1, as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn formed on one main surface of the second transparent substrate 14B (see FIG. 3) constituting the second conductive sheet 10B are each in the second direction (y A plurality of strip-shaped (bar-shaped) patterns extending in the direction). The plurality of second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn are arranged along the first direction (x direction). That is, in the laminated conductive sheet 12, as shown in FIG. 3, the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An and the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn face each other through the insulating first transparent base 14A.

Each of the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the second electrodes 18B1 to 18An are formed by intersecting the second conductive thin wires 20B as in the case of the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An. Along with this intersection, spaces surrounded by the second conductive thin wires 20B, that is, the second cells 22B1 to 22Bn are formed.

The shape of the second cells 22B1 to 22Bn is not particularly limited, and is preferably a square, rhombus, or regular hexagon, and may be a random shape. Among them, the second cells 22B1 to 22Bn are particularly preferably substantially the same shape and size as the first cells 22A1 to 22An, and the rhombus is particularly preferable like the first cells 22A1 to 22An. That is, each of the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn is formed by mesh formation in which a plurality of rhombic second cells 22B1 to 22Bn are connected. Then, n rows (a plurality of rows) of second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn are insulated and arranged in parallel along the first direction.

The second conductive thin wire 20B1 is preferably a low-resistance metal such as silver, copper, gold, or aluminum, or an alloy thereof, like the first conductive thin wire 20A1, and silver and a silver alloy are particularly preferable from the viewpoint of resistance. preferable. From the viewpoint of resistance and flatness, the film thickness of the second conductive thin wire 20B1 is preferably 0.1 μm to 3 μm.

Further, a protective film may be provided on the second conductive thin wire 20B1. The protective film has effects such as oxidation prevention and migration prevention of the second conductive thin wire 20B1.

Furthermore, a blackening layer may be provided on the second conductive thin wire 20B1 or on the side surface. By providing the blackened layer, even if a metal having a high reflectance is used as the second conductive thin wire 20B1, an effect of suppressing the appearance of the thin wire is obtained. As the blackening film, a metal oxide film, a metal sulfide film, chromium, carbon or the like can be used.

The opening ratio of the second cell 22B1 is preferably as large as possible because the transmittance of the second conductive sheet 10B is high, but the sheet resistance of the second electrode is increased accordingly. Therefore, the preferable range of the aperture ratio is 92% to 99%. The sheet resistance of the second electrode is preferably 100Ω / □ or less, more preferably 50Ω / □ or less. The transmittance of the second conductive sheet 10B is 80% or more, and particularly preferably 85% or more.

The width direction dimension (line width) of the second conductive thin wire 20B1 is 20 μm or less, more preferably 1 μm or more and 5 μm or less, and still more preferably 1 μm or more and 3 μm or less. Thereby, the moire of the conductive pattern by the second conductive thin wire 20B1 and the appearance of the thin wire are improved, and the visibility is improved (that is, the second conductive thin wire 20B1 forming the second electrode 18B1 is hardly visible). In addition, in order to ensure the detection sensitivity of the touch panel 100, the line width of the second conductive thin wire 20B1 is preferably 1 μm or more.

The obtuse angle of the second cells 22B1 to 22Bn, the acute angle of intersection, the line width of the second conductive thin wires 20B1 to 20Bn, the cell pitch between the second cells adjacent in the second cells 22B1 to 22Bn, etc. What is necessary is just to set similarly to 1 cell 22A1-22An.

It is also preferable to provide an insulated dummy line between adjacent ones of the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn. The dummy line forms a dummy cell having a disconnection portion, and the dummy cell has the same shape as the second cell 22B, like the dummy cell 53B.

When the first cells 22A1 to 22An and the second cells 22B1 to 22Bn have the same shape, the first cells 22A1 to 22An and the second cells 22B1 are stacked when the first conductive sheet 10A and the second conductive sheet 10B are stacked. To 22Bn are preferably shifted by 1/2 pitch (the centers of the second cells 22B1 to 22Bn are aligned with the central portions of the first cells 22A1 to 22An). By doing so, the laminated conductive sheet 12 becomes a uniform single mesh shape, and the appearance of fine lines can be prevented.

In this case, it is preferable to provide the disconnection portions of the first conductive sheet 10A and the second conductive sheet 10B at the midpoint of the side of the cell. This is because it becomes difficult to see the disconnection portion.

The electrode width (width dimension along the arrow x direction in FIG. 2) Ws of the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn is the electrode width (width dimension along the arrow y direction in FIG. 2) Wd of the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An. Although it is preferable from the viewpoint of touch panel sensitivity that the electrode width Wd and the electrode width Ws be substantially equal, it may be set smaller than the above. Further, the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn may have a shape having an opening (insulating portion) inside the electrode as disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 12 of JP2013-149236A. By using the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn having such a shape, the sensitivity of the touch panel can be further improved.

As shown in FIG. 2, one end of the second electrode 18B1 is electrically connected to the second terminal wiring pattern 42b by the second conductive thin wire 20B1 via the second connection portion 40b. The second connection portion 40b and the second terminal wiring pattern 42b are preferably formed simultaneously with the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn with the same material as the second conductive thin wire 20B1. With this configuration, the process can be omitted.

In the example of FIG. 1, among the terminal wiring portions 114, a plurality of first terminals 116 a are arranged at the peripheral portion on one long side of the first conductive sheet 10 </ b> A in the central portion in the length direction. Are arranged in the length direction. A part (for example, odd number) of the plurality of first connection portions 40a is linearly arranged along one short side (y direction) of the sensor unit 112, and the other short side (y direction) of the sensor unit 112. ), A part (for example, even number) of the plurality of first connection portions 40a is linearly arranged.

On the other hand, the outer shape of the second conductive sheet 10B has a rectangular shape as viewed from above, and the outer shape of the sensor unit 112 also has a rectangular shape. Among the terminal wiring portions 114, a plurality of second terminals 116b are arranged in the lengthwise central portion of the peripheral portion on the one long side of the second conductive sheet 10B in the length direction of the one long side. Is formed. In addition, a plurality of second connection portions 40b are linearly arranged along one long side (x direction) of the sensor portion 112. The second terminal wiring pattern 42b derived from each second connection portion 40b is routed toward the substantially central portion of one long side of the second conductive sheet 10B, and is electrically connected to the corresponding second terminal 116b. It is connected.

The derivation form of the first terminal wiring pattern 42a may be the same as the second terminal wiring pattern 42b described above. Conversely, the derivation form of the second terminal wiring pattern 42b is the same as the first terminal wiring pattern 42a described above. The same may be applied.

The area of the terminal wiring part 114 of the touch panel 100 is required to be small. For this reason, the minimum line width (line) and the minimum line space (space) in the first terminal wiring pattern 42a and the second terminal wiring pattern 42b are required. Is preferably 5 to 50 μm.

As shown in FIG. 3, the laminated conductive sheet 12 is configured by laminating a second conductive sheet 10B on a first conductive sheet 10A. At this time, an insulating material is used as an adhesive between the upper end surface of the first conductive sheet 10A (that is, on the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An and the first transparent base 14A) and the lower end surface of the second conductive sheet 10B. An optical adhesive sheet (also referred to as OCA) 30 is disposed. As OCA30, one having a thickness of 10 to 200 μm is preferably used. A specific example of the OCA 30 is OCA tape # 8146 manufactured by 3M.

The preferable transmittance of the sensor unit 112 of the laminated conductive sheet 12 is 70% or more, particularly preferably 80% or more, and the haze is 5.0% or less, particularly 2.0% or less. Is preferred.

When the laminated conductive sheet 12 including the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An and the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn configured as described above is used as the touch panel 100, the cover lens 106 is formed on the second conductive sheet 10B. As the cover lens 106, a transparent glass substrate such as chemically strengthened glass, a sapphire substrate, or a transparent plastic substrate such as PMMA or PC is used. From the viewpoint of the sensitivity of the touch panel, the thickness of the cover lens 106 is preferably 0.1 to 1.1 mm. The cover lens 106 may be provided with a decorative layer at the non-display portion position with black ink or the like.

Also between the upper end surface of the second conductive sheet 10B and the lower end surface of the cover lens 106, an optical adhesive sheet (OCA) 30 is disposed as an adhesive. The first terminal wiring pattern 42a derived from the multiple first electrodes 18A1 to 18An of the first conductive sheet 10A and the second terminal wiring derived from the multiple second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn of the second conductive sheet 10B. The pattern 42b is connected to a control circuit that controls scanning so that the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An function as drive electrodes and the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn function as detection electrodes.

When an operator gives an operation instruction to the touch panel 100 including the laminated conductive sheet 12 formed as described above, the operator touches a predetermined position of the touch panel 100 with a finger from the cover lens 106.

Here, in the touch panel according to the related art, for example, there is no auxiliary conducting wire between the first electrodes 18A1 and 18A2. Therefore, when the contact location is between the first electrodes 18A1 and 18A2, the fringe capacitance from the first electrode that is the drive electrode is not formed at the contact location and cannot be sensed. In such a case, although contact is made, it is recognized that “contact is not made”, or another place is recognized as being touched, and as a result, the operator is in a position intended by the operator. I couldn't touch it.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, in the first conductive sheet 10A, the first auxiliary conductor 50a and the second auxiliary conductor are disposed between the adjacent ones of the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An. 50b, the 1st crossing conducting wire 52a and the 2nd crossing conducting wire 52b are formed (refer FIG.2 and FIG.4). Therefore, even when the contact location is between adjacent ones of the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An, for example, the first auxiliary conductor 50a electrically connected to the first electrode 18A1 and the first intersection A contact can be detected by forming a fringe capacitance from the conducting wire 52a and from the second auxiliary conducting wire 50b and the second intersecting conducting wire 52b connected to the adjacent first electrode 18A2, and detecting the change thereof. The fringe capacitance from the first auxiliary conducting wire 50a and the first intersecting conducting wire 52a and from the second auxiliary conducting wire 50b and the second intersecting conducting wire 52b is the first electrode 18A2 adjacent to the electrically connected first electrode 18A1. The capacitance change (contact) can be detected by driving either the first electrode 18A1 or the first electrode 18A2 adjacent thereto. Of course, the same phenomenon occurs between the remaining adjacent ones, such as between the first electrode 18A2 and the first electrode 18A3.

Since the touch panel 100 using the laminated conductive sheet 12 of the present invention can detect even the gap between the first electrodes that could not be detected conventionally, the position accuracy of the touch position can be made high.

The first electrodes 18A1 to 18An, the first auxiliary conducting wire 50a, the second auxiliary conducting wire 50b, the first intersecting conducting wire 52a, the second intersecting conducting wire 52b, and the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn are obtained in order to obtain a pattern having a narrow line width. Preferably, it can be formed by a photolithographic etching method, a method in which a resin having a groove is formed on a substrate and a conductive ink is applied to the groove, a microcontact printing patterning method, or a silver salt method. Among them, a silver salt method that can simplify the process is more preferable.

The microcontact printing patterning method is described in detail in paragraph <0104> of JP-T-2012-519329.

On the other hand, in the silver salt method, a pattern of first conductive fine wires 20A1 to 20An and second conductive thin wires 20B1 to 20Bn having a mesh shape is obtained by exposing and developing a photosensitive material having a photosensitive silver salt-containing layer. Is. Specific operations thereof are described in detail in paragraphs <0163> to <0280> of JP2009-4348A.

The present invention is not particularly limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The above-described embodiment is preferable from the viewpoint of the sensitivity of the touch panel. For example, the positional relationship between the first conductive sheet 10A and the second conductive sheet 10B in FIGS. ) To cover lens 106 / first conductive sheet 10A / second conductive sheet 10B may be configured in this order.

Further, in FIG. 3, an insulating adhesive (OCA) is provided on the surface of the first conductive thin wire 20A1 of the first conductive sheet 10A and is bonded to the surface of the second transparent substrate 14B of the second conductive sheet 10B. However, the first conductive thin wire 20A1 surface and the second conductive thin wire 20B1 surface are bonded to each other with an insulating adhesive (OCA), and the first transparent substrate 14A surface and the second transparent substrate 14B surface are insulated. The structure which bonds together with an adhesive agent (OCA) may be sufficient.

Furthermore, a configuration may be employed in which an insulating film is formed on the surface of the first conductive thin wire 20A1 without using the second transparent substrate 14B, and the second conductive thin wire 20B1 is formed on the insulating film. That is, the first electrode pattern 116A and the second electrode pattern 116B may be configured to face each other with an insulating material interposed therebetween.

Furthermore, both the first electrode and the second electrode may have the pattern shown in FIG. That is, in this case, the first auxiliary conducting wire 50a, the second auxiliary conducting wire 50b, the first intersecting conducting wire 52a, and the second intersecting conducting wire 52b are formed between the adjacent electrodes in both the first electrode and the second electrode. The

Further, it is not particularly necessary to form the first auxiliary conducting wire 50a, the second auxiliary conducting wire 50b, the first intersecting conducting wire 52a, and the second intersecting conducting wire 52b at all between adjacent first electrodes in the first electrode pattern. The first electrode in any one row (arbitrary row) and the first electrode in a row (adjacent row) adjacent thereto may be formed.

Further, it is not particularly necessary to form all of the first auxiliary conducting wire 50a, the second auxiliary conducting wire 50b, the first intersecting conducting wire 52a, and the second intersecting conducting wire 52b, and the present invention includes only the first auxiliary conducting wire 50a and the second auxiliary conducting wire 50b. The effect will occur.

As described above, a configuration in which a dummy line is provided between the electrodes may be used.

The laminated conductive sheet 12 is formed by forming the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An on one main surface of the first transparent substrate 14A and forming the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn on one main surface of the second transparent substrate 14B. It is not limited to a thing (refer FIG.2 and FIG.3). That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An are formed on one main surface of the first transparent substrate 14A, and the second main surface (second main surface) of the first transparent substrate 14A is second. The electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn may be formed. In this case, the second transparent substrate 14B does not exist, the first transparent substrate 14A is stacked on the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn, and the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An are stacked on the first transparent substrate 14A. .

The use of the laminated conductive sheet 12 having this configuration is suitable for a touch panel because the touch panel can be reduced in thickness, cost, and reliability. In addition, the laminated conductive sheet 12 having this configuration can be manufactured using, for example, a method disclosed in Examples of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-6377.

At this time, the cover lens 106 is affixed on the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn using OCA and is configured as the touch panel 100. Of course, the cover lens 106 may be configured to be pasted on the first electrodes 18A1 to 18An using OCA. However, from the viewpoint of touch panel sensitivity, the cover lens 106 uses OCA on the second electrodes 18B1 to 18Bn. The structure that is pasted is more preferable.

The effect of the present invention remarkably occurs, as shown in the present embodiment, the first electrode and the second electrode are bar-shaped (strip-shaped), but of course, diamond having a diamond-shaped sensing electrode A pattern shape and other known electrode pattern shapes are also applicable.

In the present embodiment, the optical adhesive sheet (OCA30) has been described as the adhesive, but other adhesives such as a transparent adhesive liquid (OCR) that is cured by ultraviolet rays can also be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10A ... 1st conductive sheet 10B ... 2nd conductive sheet 12 ... Laminated conductive sheet (conductive sheet) 14A ... 1st transparent base | substrate 14B ... 2nd transparent base | substrate 18A1-18An ... 1st electrode 18B1-18Bn ... 2nd electrode 20A1-20An ... first conductive thin wires 20B1 to 20Bn ... second conductive thin wires 22A1 to 22An ... first cells 22B1 to 22Bn ... second cells 30 ... adhesive (OCA)
50a ... 1st auxiliary conducting wire 50b ... 2nd auxiliary conducting wire 52a ... 1st crossing conducting wire 52b ... 2nd crossing conducting wire 53A, 53B ... Dummy cell 70 ... Dummy wire 100 ... Touch panel 102 ... Sensor body 106 ... Cover lens 108 ... Display device 110 ... Display panel 112 ... sensor portion 116A ... first electrode pattern 116B ... second electrode pattern

Claims (12)

1. A conductive sheet comprising a base body having a first main surface and a second main surface, and a first electrode pattern disposed on the first main surface of the base body,
   The first electrode pattern includes a first electrode including a plurality of first cells formed by intersecting first conductive thin wires, and an auxiliary lead electrically connected to the first electrode,
   The first electrode extends along a first direction, and a plurality of columns are insulated and arranged in parallel along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
   In addition, the auxiliary conducting wire has a part of the first conductive thin wire forming the first cell obliquely with respect to the second direction toward the first electrode in the adjacent row adjacent to the first electrode. The configuration extends to
   The conductive sheet, wherein the auxiliary conductor of the first electrode and the auxiliary conductor of the first electrode in the adjacent row are insulated from each other and face each other.
2. 2. The conductive sheet according to claim 1, wherein auxiliary conductors of the first electrode and auxiliary conductors of the first electrode in the adjacent row are alternately arranged.
3. 3. The conductive sheet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first electrode and the auxiliary conducting wire are connected by a plurality of the first conductive thin wires.
4. The conductive sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a cross conductor electrically connected to the auxiliary conductor, the first conductor of the adjacent row and the first conductor of the adjacent row. A conductive sheet in which the cross conductors of the auxiliary conductors of the electrodes are alternately arranged.
5. 5. The conductive sheet according to claim 4, wherein a dummy cell having the same shape as the first cell is formed by the auxiliary conductive wire and the crossing conductive wire of the first electrode and the auxiliary conductive wire and the crossing conductive wire of the first electrode in the adjacent row. Sheet.
6. 5. The conductive sheet according to claim 4, wherein a dummy line is provided between the first electrode and the first electrode in the adjacent row, and the dummy line, the auxiliary conductor, and the cross conductor are the same as the first cell. A conductive sheet for forming a dummy cell having a shape.
7. The conductive sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a dummy line is provided between the first electrode and the first electrode of the adjacent row, and the dummy line and the auxiliary conducting wire A conductive sheet forming a dummy cell having the same shape as the first cell.
8. The conductive sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an extension angle of the auxiliary conducting wire is 30 ° to 60 ° with respect to the second direction.
9. The conductive sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a second electrode pattern arranged via the first electrode pattern and an insulating material,
   The second electrode pattern includes a second electrode including a plurality of second cells formed by intersecting second conductive thin wires,
   The second electrode is an electrically conductive sheet that extends along the second direction and is arranged in parallel along a plurality of rows along the first direction.
10. The conductive sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a second electrode pattern disposed on the second main surface of the base body,
    The second electrode pattern includes a second electrode including a plurality of second cells formed by intersecting second conductive thin wires,
    The second electrode is an electrically conductive sheet that extends along the second direction and is arranged in parallel along a plurality of rows along the first direction.
11. A touch panel using the conductive sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
12. The touch panel using the conductive sheet according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first electrode is a drive electrode and the second electrode is a detection electrode.

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