WO2019221546A1

WO2019221546A1 - Pressure sensor and image display device including same

Info

Publication number: WO2019221546A1
Application number: PCT/KR2019/005929
Authority: WO
Inventors: 최병진; 이영수
Original assignee: 동우화인켐 주식회사
Priority date: 2018-05-18
Filing date: 2019-05-17
Publication date: 2019-11-21

Abstract

A pressure sensor according to embodiments of the present invention comprises: a first substrate; a first electrode layer arranged on the first substrate, and including a plurality of sensing electrode patterns separated from each other; a second electrode layer arranged to face the first electrode layer, and provided as a common electrode for the plurality of sensing electrode patterns; and an elastic layer arranged between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. A thin pressure sensor having improved flatness can be implemented through the second electrode layer and the elastic layer.

Description

Pressure sensor and image display device including the same

The present invention relates to a pressure sensor and an image display device including the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pressure sensor including a plurality of electrode layers and an image display device including the same.

Recently, with the development of the information society, the demand for the display field is also presented in various forms. For example, a flat panel display device having features such as thinness, light weight, and low power consumption, for example, a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display panel device, Electro luminescent display devices and organic light-emitting diode display devices have been studied.

Meanwhile, various sensor members are coupled to the display device to implement a user's command input. For example, a touch sensor or a touch screen panel that receives a user's command through a touch on the screen of the display device is combined.

In addition, for example, a pressure sensor may be coupled to the display device to sense the pressure applied through the user's finger so that the operation of the display device is started or the user's command is performed.

Recently, as the thickness of the display device becomes thin, the thickness of the touch sensor or the pressure sensor also becomes thin. In this case, even the minute unevenness and the step by the electrode, the insulating pattern, etc. of the sensor member may inhibit the overall flattening of the sensor member, and the thickness uniformity of the display device may also be deteriorated. In addition, it is not easy to design the electrode, the wiring, etc. that can be implemented a desired sensing operation even in a thin thickness.

For example, as disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2013-0114820, a touch screen panel in which a touch sensor is coupled to various image display devices has recently been developed, but it does not include the case where the pressure sensor is coupled together.

One object of the present invention is to provide a pressure sensor having improved mechanical and electrical reliability.

One object of the present invention is to provide an image display device including a pressure sensor having improved mechanical and electrical reliability.

1. a first substrate; A first electrode layer disposed on the first substrate and including a plurality of sensing electrode patterns separated from each other; A second electrode layer disposed to face the first electrode layer and serving as a common electrode for the plurality of sensing electrode patterns; And an elastic layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

2. In the above 1, wherein the second electrode layer is overlapped with the plurality of sensing electrode patterns in a plane direction, the pressure sensor.

3. In the above 2, wherein the elastic layer is overlapped with the plurality of sensing electrode patterns in the planar direction, pressure sensor.

4. In the above 1, wherein the elastic layer is in contact with the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, the pressure sensor.

5. The pressure sensor according to the above 1, wherein the first substrate includes an active region in which the sensing electrode patterns are arranged and a peripheral region surrounding the active region.

6. In the above 5, wherein the first electrode layer further comprises a first wiring branching from each of the sensing electrode patterns extending in the active region, pressure sensor.

7. The pressure sensor of claim 6, further comprising an insulating layer at least partially covering the first wires on the first substrate.

8. The pressure sensor of claim 7, wherein the insulating layer completely covers the first wires between neighboring sensing electrode patterns, and includes openings exposing top surfaces of the sensing electrode patterns.

9. The pressure sensor according to the above 6, further comprising a second wiring arranged in the peripheral region and electrically connected to the second electrode layer.

10. The pressure sensor according to the above 9, further comprising a via structure for electrically connecting the second wire and the second electrode layer to each other.

11. The pressure sensor of above 10, wherein a plurality of the via structures are arranged along the peripheral region of the first substrate.

12. In the above 11, wherein the first substrate comprises a circuit connection,

And the first wiring and the second wiring are gathered together at the circuit connecting portion.

13. In the above 1, wherein the first electrode layer further comprises at least one dummy electrode disposed between the sensing electrode patterns neighboring on the first substrate, the pressure sensor.

14. In the above 13, the separation distance between the neighboring dummy electrode and the sensing electrode pattern is 2 to 300㎛, the pressure sensor.

15. In the above 13, the separation distance between the neighboring dummy electrode and the sensing electrode pattern is 2 to 30㎛, the pressure sensor.

16. The pressure sensor according to the above 1, wherein the elastic layer includes an elastic foam structure.

17. The pressure sensor according to the above 1, further comprising a second substrate disposed on the second electrode layer.

18. The pressure sensor of any one of 1 to 17 above; A display panel stacked on the pressure sensor; And a touch sensor stacked on the display panel.

19. The image display device of claim 18, wherein the touch sensor and the pressure sensor include a capacitive sensor.

The pressure sensor according to the embodiments of the present invention is disposed on the first electrode layer and the first electrode layer including a plurality of sensing electrode patterns that provide a sensing domain, and is provided as a common electrode for the plurality of sensing electrode patterns. It may include a second electrode layer. Since the second electrode layer is provided as a common electrode layer covering the plurality of independent sensing electrode patterns, the flattening of the pressure sensor is increased and a thinner pressure sensor can be realized.

In example embodiments, wires extending from the sensing electrode patterns may be disposed in an active region, and an insulating layer may be formed to selectively cover the wires. Accordingly, signal interference between sensing electrode patterns due to wirings may be prevented, and pressure sensing may be realized by exposing the sensing electrode patterns. In addition, the wirings may be disposed in the active region to reduce an area of the bezel region.

In some embodiments, the dummy electrode may be disposed between the sensing electrode patterns to further reduce flatness caused by the sensing electrode patterns, thereby further improving flatness.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a pressure sensor in accordance with example embodiments.

2 is a schematic plan view illustrating an arrangement of a first electrode layer of a pressure sensor according to example embodiments.

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an arrangement of a first electrode layer and an insulating layer in accordance with some example embodiments.

4 is a schematic plan view for explaining an arrangement of a first electrode layer of a pressure sensor according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view for explaining an arrangement of a first electrode layer of a pressure sensor according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG.

6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a pressure sensor in accordance with some example embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustrating an arrangement of a first electrode layer of a pressure sensor according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG.

8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an image display device according to some example embodiments.

9 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an image display device according to some example embodiments.

Embodiments of the present invention include a first electrode layer including a plurality of spaced apart sensing electrode patterns and a second electrode layer disposed on the first electrode layer, and an elastic layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. It provides a pressure sensor comprising a. In addition, an image display device including the pressure sensor is provided.

According to exemplary embodiments, the pressure sensor may be a capacitive sensor. For example, when pressure is applied through the user's finger through the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer, the pressure is applied from the pressure application point by the capacitance change according to the distance change between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. A signal can be generated.

For example, the pressure sensor may be disposed on the rear side of the image display device so as not to be exposed to the user.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following drawings attached to the present specification are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the contents of the present invention serves to further understand the technical spirit of the present invention, the present invention described in such drawings It should not be construed as limited to matters.

As used herein, the terms "first" and "second" refer to relative positions and are used to distinguish between configurations, and do not limit the absolute location of the configurations.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a pressure sensor in accordance with example embodiments. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating an arrangement of a first electrode layer of a pressure sensor according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, the pressure sensor may include a first electrode layer 110 and a second electrode layer 150 facing each other. An elastic layer 140 may be disposed between the first electrode layer 110 and the second electrode layer 150.

The first electrode layer 110 may be disposed on the first substrate 100a. As the first substrate 100a, for example, a substrate material and an insulating film material which are commonly used in an image display device may be used without particular limitation. For example, the first substrate 100a may be a cyclic olefin polymer (COP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyallylate, polyimide (PI), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), polyethersulfone (PES), cellulose triacetate (TAC), polycarbonate (PC), cyclic olefin copolymer Polymer-based materials such as (COC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and the like.

1 and 2, the first electrode layer 110 may include a plurality of sensing electrode patterns 115 arranged on an upper surface of the first substrate 100a. The first electrode layer 110 may further include first wires 116 electrically connected to the sensing electrode patterns 115. For convenience of description, the illustration of the insulating layer 120 is omitted in FIG.

In example embodiments, each of the sensing electrode patterns 115 may be provided to a sensing domain of a pressure sensor. For example, the sensing electrode patterns 115 may be physically spaced apart from each other to function as independent sensing domains. In addition, the sensing electrode patterns 115 may be electrically separated from each other.

Accordingly, a sensing layer having a dot matrix shape may be formed on the first substrate 100a by the sensing electrode patterns 115.

The first electrode layer 110 or the sensing electrode patterns 115 may include a transparent conductive oxide or a metal. The transparent conductive oxide may include, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium zinc oxide (IZTO), cadmium tin oxide (CTO), or the like. The metal is, for example, silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W). ), Niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn) or alloys thereof It may include.

In some embodiments, the first electrode layer 110 or the sensing electrode patterns 115 may be formed of the metal or the alloy, and may not include the transparent conductive oxide. As described above, the pressure sensor may be disposed on the rear side of the image display device and may not be recognized by the user. Accordingly, the sensing sensitivity may be improved by forming the first electrode layer 110 or the sensing electrode patterns 115 using the metal or alloy having low resistance and high conductivity.

In FIG. 2, the sensing electrode patterns 115 are illustrated as having a rectangular shape, but the shape of the sensing electrode patterns 115 may be variously changed in consideration of the shape of the image display device or the pressure sensor, the pattern density, and the like. . In addition, the sensing electrode patterns 115 may include patterns having different sizes and shapes.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first substrate 100a includes a first region A and a second region B, so that the pressure sensor also includes the first region A and the second region B. ) Can be separated.

The first area A may correspond to an active area where pressure sensing is performed. The sensing electrode patterns 115 may be arranged in the first region A. FIG. The second region B may correspond to a peripheral region or a bezel region of the first substrate 100a or the pressure sensor.

The first area A is formed on the edge of the first substrate 100a from an area where the sensing electrode patterns 115 are disposed, an area between the sensing electrode patterns 115, and a side surface of the sensing electrode patterns 115. It may include a margin area up to a predetermined distance.

In example embodiments, first wirings 116 connected to the sensing electrode patterns 115 may be arranged together on the first substrate 100a of the first region I. The first wires 116 may branch from each of the sensing electrode patterns 115 to extend on the first region A. FIG.

In example embodiments, the first interconnections 116 may be distributed in the area between the sensing electrode patterns 115 and the margin area. By arranging the first wirings 116 in the first region I provided as the active region, an area of the second region II that may serve as the bezel region may be reduced.

In example embodiments, an insulating layer 120 may be formed on the first substrate 100a to at least partially cover the first wires 116. In some embodiments, the insulating layer 120 may be formed on the sidewalls of the first sensing electrode patterns 115 and the first wirings 116 in the first region A. FIG. In addition, the insulating layer 120 may be formed on the second region (B).

As shown in FIG. 2, when a plurality of first wires 116 are disposed between neighboring sensing electrode patterns 115, the insulating layer 120 is disposed between the plurality of first wires 116. It can also be formed.

When the second electrode layer 150 is provided as a common electrode for the plurality of sensing electrode patterns 115, signal interference between the sensing electrode patterns 115 may be prevented by the adjacent insulating layer 120. have. Therefore, noise of the sensing signal can be reduced to provide a high resolution pressure sensor.

The insulating layer 120 may include, for example, an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride, an organic insulating material such as acrylic resin, or an organic / inorganic hybrid material such as siloxane resin. For example, after the insulating layer 120 is formed on the first substrate 100a to cover the first electrode layer 110, a polishing process or a photolithography process is performed to expose the top surface of the sensing electrode pattern 115. can do.

Terminals of the first wires 116 may be assembled at the circuit connection 118. In some embodiments, the circuit connection 118 may have a tail shape protruding from the first substrate 100a.

In one embodiment, the circuit connection 118 may be provided as a terminal portion of the pressure sensor. For example, the ends of the first wires 116 may be directly connected to a driving circuit such as an integrated circuit (IC) chip through the circuit connection 118.

In an embodiment, the ends of the first wires 116 may be connected to a connector of the controller board connected to the integrated circuit IC through the pad region P. FIG.

In one embodiment, the circuit connection 118 may be provided as a pad portion of the pressure sensor. For example, a passivation layer is formed at the circuit connection portion 118 covering the ends of the first wires 116 or the pads connected to the first wires 116, as shown in FIG. 2. The passivation layer portion may be removed at (P) to expose the ends or pads. In one embodiment, the insulating layer 120 may extend to the circuit connection 118 to serve as the passivation layer.

The first wirings 116 and the driving circuit may be electrically connected to each other through a pad member P, for example, through a separate circuit member such as a flexible printed circuit board FPCB.

According to example embodiments, since the second electrode layer 150 is formed as a common electrode, the number of electrode patterns and wirings may be reduced. Therefore, in one embodiment, the connection with the driving circuit can be implemented without a separate circuit member such as FPCB.

The second electrode layer 150 may be disposed to face the first electrode layer 110 with the elastic layer 140 therebetween. In example embodiments, the second electrode layer 150 may cover the sensing electrode patterns 115 included in the first electrode layer 110 in the planar direction. Accordingly, the second electrode layer 150 may be provided as a common counter electrode with respect to the sensing electrode patterns 115.

In some embodiments, the second electrode layer 150 may substantially overlap the first region A of the first substrate 100a in the planar direction. In addition, the second electrode layer 150 may at least partially overlap the second region B of the first substrate 100a in the planar direction.

In some embodiments, the elastic layer 140 may also overlap the sensing electrode patterns 115 as a whole in the planar direction. The elastic layer 140 may directly contact the first electrode layer 110 and the second electrode layer 150.

When pressure is applied from the first electrode layer 110 and the second electrode layer 150, the distance between the first electrode layer 110 and the second electrode layer 150 changes locally due to the deformation of the elastic layer 140. can do. Accordingly, an electrical signal may be generated by the capacitance change at the pressure application point. In addition, as described above, interference and noise between neighboring sensing electrode patterns 115 may be shielded by the insulating layer 120.

The elastic layer 140 may include, for example, a high elastic resin material such as polyurethane, polyester, polypropylene, acrylic, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). In some embodiments, the elastic layer 140 may have an elastic foam structure.

In some embodiments, the elastic layer 140 may be bonded onto the first electrode layer 110 through an adhesive layer.

The second electrode layer 150 may include a conductive material substantially the same as or similar to that of the first electrode layer 110. In one embodiment, the second electrode layer 150 may be formed of a metal or an alloy.

As described above, as the second electrode layer 150 is provided as a common counter electrode with respect to the sensing electrode patterns 115, the second electrode layer 150 eliminates the step caused by the sensing electrode patterns 115. To function as a planarization layer.

Therefore, even when the pressure sensor is thinned, improved flatness with reduced level can be ensured, and flatness of the image display device to which the pressure sensor is coupled can also be improved. In addition, the elastic layer layer 140 may also be provided as a common layer to substantially eliminate the step caused by the sensing electrode patterns 115.

Therefore, a pressure sensor having a thinner structure and which can be effectively applied to a flexible display device can be implemented.

Referring back to FIG. 1, a second substrate 100b may be disposed on the second electrode layer 150. For example, the second electrode layer 150 is formed on the second substrate 100b, the first electrode layer 110 is formed on the first substrate 100b, and the first elastic layer 140 is interposed therebetween. The first substrate 100a and the second substrate 100b may be combined such that the electrode layer 110 and the second electrode layer 150 face each other.

For example, the second substrate 100b may include a polymer-based material substantially the same as or similar to that of the first substrate 100a.

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an arrangement of a first electrode layer and an insulating layer in accordance with some example embodiments. Specifically, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 2 in the thickness direction of the pressure sensor.

Referring to FIG. 3, the insulating layer 120 may substantially cover the first wires 116. In example embodiments, the insulating layer 120 may cover the sidewalls and the upper surface of the first wiring 116 and completely fill the space between the adjacent first wirings 116.

The top surface of the insulating layer 120 may be formed higher than the top surface of the sensing electrode pattern 115. Accordingly, the insulating layer 120 may include an opening 125 that exposes the top surface of the sensing electrode pattern 115. In this case, an additional step may be caused by the opening 125.

As described above, according to exemplary embodiments, even when a step is caused by the insulating layer 120 as the second electrode layer 150 and / or the elastic layer 140 are provided as a common layer, the planarization is substantially flattened. Pressure sensor can be provided. Therefore, a thin flattened pressure sensor with high reliability and high resolution pressure sensing can be effectively implemented.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the insulating layer 120 may partially cover the upper surface of the sensing electrode pattern 125 while covering the first wires 116. Accordingly, signal interference between the sensing electrode pattern 125 and the first wiring 116 may be more effectively blocked. In addition, the electric field diffusion from the side of the upper surface of the sensing electrode pattern 125 can be suppressed.

4 is a schematic plan view for explaining an arrangement of a first electrode layer of a pressure sensor according to some exemplary embodiments. Detailed descriptions of structures and / or configurations substantially the same as or similar to those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first electrode layer 110 may include a dummy electrode 117. In example embodiments, at least one dummy electrode 117 may be disposed between the sensing electrode patterns 115 adjacent to each other in the first region A. Referring to FIG.

The dummy electrode 117 may be electrically and physically separated from the sensing electrode patterns 115 and the first wires 116. The first wires 116 may extend by bypassing the dummy electrode 116 on the first substrate 110a so as not to contact the dummy electrode 117.

As the dummy electrode 117 is disposed in the space or area between the sensing electrode patterns 115, the step caused by the sensing electrode patterns 115 may be further reduced. Therefore, a thinner pressure sensor can be easily implemented.

In some embodiments, the separation distance between the dummy electrode 117 and the sensing electrode pattern 115 may range from about 2 μm to about 300 μm. While maintaining the reliability of sensing through the sensing electrode pattern 115 within the above range, the step can be substantially suppressed from being recognized by the user of the image display device.

Preferably, the separation distance may range from about 2 to 30 μm.

Referring to FIG. 5, the dummy electrodes 119 may be distributed over the region of the first substrate 100a except for the region in which the sensing electrode patterns 115 and the first interconnections 116 are formed. Accordingly, the steps on the first substrate 110a may be substantially flattened by the dummy electrodes 119.

In example embodiments, the dummy electrodes 119 may be disposed between the adjacent sensing electrode patterns 115 and may also be disposed between the adjacent sensing electrode patterns 115 and the first wiring 116. In addition, the dummy electrode 119 may be disposed between the adjacent first wirings 116.

In this case, a separation distance between the dummy electrode 119 and the adjacent sensing electrode pattern 115 or the first wiring 116 may be about 2 to 300 μm, preferably about 2 to 30 μm.

6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a pressure sensor in accordance with some example embodiments. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustrating an arrangement of a first electrode layer of a pressure sensor according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG.

Detailed descriptions of structures and / or configurations substantially the same as or similar to those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 will be omitted.

6 and 7, a via structure 155 may be formed to electrically connect the second electrode layer 150 to the driving circuit. For example, a via hole may be formed in the elastic layer 140, and a via structure 155 may be formed in the via hole. In this case, the via structure 155 may extend from the second electrode layer 150 to penetrate the elastic layer 140.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a second wiring 153 may be arranged on the first substrate 100a to be electrically connected to the second electrode layer 150 through the via structure 155.

According to example embodiments, the second wiring 153 may be arranged on the peripheral area or the second area B of the first substrate 100a. The second wiring 153 may be assembled at the circuit connection portion 118 together with the first wirings 116.

Accordingly, the second wiring 153 and the first wiring 116 can be electrically connected to the driving circuit through one circuit connecting portion 118. Therefore, an electrical connection with the drive circuit can be realized without a separate circuit member such as an FPCB.

In some embodiments, via pad 157 may be disposed on which via structure 155 is seated. In this case, the second wiring 153 branches and extends from the via pad 157, and the second wiring 153 extends through the second electrode layer 150, the via structure 155, the via pad 157, and the second wiring 153. Signal transmission between the electrode layer 150 and the driving circuit may be performed.

The pressure sensor may include at least one via structure 155. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of via structures 155 may be arranged along a peripheral area of the first substrate 100a. Therefore, the signal transfer resistance from the second electrode layer 150 to the driving circuit can be reduced.

For example, the via structure 155 may be formed through a dispensing or jetting process using a conductive material such as gold, silver, copper, and carbon paste. Accordingly, the via structure 155 may be easily formed without a complicated chemical process or a plating process.

The insulating layer 120 may also be formed on the second region B to at least partially cover the second wiring 153. In an embodiment, the insulating layer 120 may be formed to cover the via pad 157. In this case, the via structure 155 may contact the via pad 157 through the insulating layer 120.

In an embodiment, the elastic layer 140 may be selectively formed on the first region A, and may be substantially excluded on the second region B. FIG. In this case, the connection between the second electrode layer 150 and the second wiring 153 may be implemented without forming the via hole in the elastic layer 140.

8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an image display device according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 8, the image display device may include a display panel 200 and a touch sensor 270 sequentially stacked on the pressure sensor 50.

The pressure sensor 50 may include the structure and configuration described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. The pressure sensor 50 may be disposed below the display panel 200 and disposed to the rear side of the image display device.

For example, the display panel 200 may be stacked on the pressure sensor 50 through the first adhesive layer 202.

The display panel 200 may include a pixel electrode 210, a pixel defining layer 220, a display layer 230, an opposite electrode 240, and an encapsulation layer 250 disposed on the panel substrate 205. Can be.

A pixel circuit including a thin film transistor TFT may be formed on the panel substrate 205, and an insulating layer covering the pixel circuit may be formed. The pixel electrode 210 may be electrically connected to the drain electrode of the TFT, for example.

In some embodiments, the panel substrate 205 includes a flexible resin such as polyimide, in which case the image display device may be provided as a flexible display.

The pixel defining layer 220 may be formed on the insulating layer to expose the pixel electrode 210 to define a pixel region. The display layer 230 is formed on the pixel electrode 210, and the display layer 230 may include, for example, a liquid crystal layer or an organic emission layer.

The opposite electrode 240 may be disposed on the pixel defining layer 220 and the display layer 230. The counter electrode 240 may be provided as, for example, a common electrode or a cathode of the image display device. An encapsulation layer 250 for protecting the display panel 200 may be stacked on the counter electrode 240.

For example, the touch sensor 270 may be stacked on the display panel 200 through the second adhesive layer 260. The touch sensor 270 may include, for example, a capacitive sensor of mutual capacitance type or self capacitance type. The touch sensor 270 may be disposed on the front side of the image display device. Therefore, since the sensing electrode of the touch sensor may be visually recognized by the user, the sensing electrode may include a transparent conductive oxide having high transmittance (for example, ITO).

The window substrate 290 may be stacked on the touch sensor 280 through, for example, the third adhesive layer 280.

In some embodiments, an optical layer, such as a polarizing layer, may be further included between the window substrate 290 and the touch sensor 280, or between the touch sensor 280 and the display panel 200.

In the image display device illustrated in FIG. 8, the second electrode layer 150 provided as the common electrode may be disposed to face the display panel 200. In this case, pressure may be applied from the user to the second electrode layer 150.

9 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an image display device according to some example embodiments. Detailed descriptions of configurations and / or structures substantially the same as or similar to those described with reference to FIG. 8 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 9, the first substrate 100a on which the first electrode layer 110 is formed may be disposed to face the display panel 200. In this case, pressure is applied from the user to the first electrode layer 110, and an electrical signal according to a change in capacitance with the second electrode layer 150 may be generated through deformation of the elastic layer 140.

Hereinafter, experimental examples including preferred embodiments are provided to help understanding of the present invention, but these examples are only for exemplifying the present invention, and do not limit the appended claims, and the scope and spirit of the present invention. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications to the embodiments can be made within the scope, and such variations and modifications are within the scope of the appended claims.

압력센서 샘플 제조Pressure Sensor Sample Manufacturing

15 (3 x 5) sensing electrode patterns (20 mm x 25 mm x length) on a first substrate (23 µm thick) made of tri-acetyl-cellulose (TAC); Formed. Dummy electrodes are formed to have the same thickness between the sensing electrode patterns.

On the second substrate (thickness: 25 µm) made of PET material, a second electrode (3,000 microns) and an elastic layer (50 µm) made of polyurethane (PU) foam material were sequentially formed as a common electrode. The first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are formed to include a silver alloy.

The first substrate and the second substrate were laminated through an adhesive layer (30 μm) made of PSA material so that the elastic layer faces the sensing electrode patterns.

A plurality of pressure sensor samples were prepared while varying the separation distance between the adjacent sensing electrode pattern and the dummy electrode (see Table 1). In sample 13, the dummy electrode was omitted.

단차 시인 평가Step poet evaluation

Panels of 20 adults with left and right visual acuity of 1.0 or more were visually observed in the Examples and Comparative Examples of pressure sensor samples at a distance of 30 cm under a three-wavelength lamp illumination. Of the 20 panelists, the level of visual recognition was evaluated based on the number of panels that answered that the level of the first substrate was recognized.

압력 센서 동작 평가Pressure sensor behavior evaluation

The pressure sensor samples were evaluated for driving with a pressure sensor drive tester. If the sensing function is maintained in Table 1 below "OK", if the sensing function is not described as "NG".

Referring to Table 1, in the case of Sample 13 in which the dummy electrode was omitted, the panel power supply recognized the step difference. In the case of Sample 1, it was predicted that some short occurred as the distance between the dummy electrode and the sensing electrode pattern was too close, resulting in an operation error.

Claims

A first substrate;

A first electrode layer disposed on the first substrate and including a plurality of sensing electrode patterns separated from each other;

A second electrode layer disposed to face the first electrode layer and serving as a common electrode for the plurality of sensing electrode patterns; And

And an elastic layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.
The pressure sensor of claim 1, wherein the second electrode layer overlaps the plurality of sensing electrode patterns in a planar direction.
The pressure sensor of claim 2, wherein the elastic layer overlaps the plurality of sensing electrode patterns in the planar direction.
The pressure sensor of claim 1, wherein the elastic layer is in contact with the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.
The pressure sensor of claim 1, wherein the first substrate includes an active region in which the sensing electrode patterns are arranged and a peripheral region surrounding the active region.
The pressure sensor of claim 5, wherein the first electrode layer further comprises a first wiring branched from each of the sensing electrode patterns and extending in the active region.
The pressure sensor of claim 6, further comprising an insulating layer at least partially covering the first wires on the first substrate.
The pressure sensor of claim 7, wherein the insulating layer includes openings completely covering the first wires between neighboring sensing electrode patterns and exposing top surfaces of the sensing electrode patterns.
The pressure sensor of claim 6, further comprising a second wiring arranged in the peripheral region and electrically connected to the second electrode layer.
The pressure sensor of claim 9, further comprising a via structure electrically connecting the second wiring and the second electrode layer to each other.
The pressure sensor of claim 10, wherein a plurality of the via structures are arranged along the peripheral region of the first substrate.
The method of claim 11, wherein the first substrate comprises a circuit connection,

And the first wiring and the second wiring are gathered together at the circuit connecting portion.
The pressure sensor of claim 1, wherein the first electrode layer further comprises at least one dummy electrode disposed between the sensing electrode patterns neighboring on the first substrate.
The pressure sensor as set forth in claim 13, wherein a separation distance between the neighboring dummy electrode and the sensing electrode pattern is 2 to 300 μm.
The pressure sensor as set forth in claim 13, wherein a separation distance between the neighboring dummy electrode and the sensing electrode pattern is 2 to 30 μm.
The pressure sensor of claim 1, wherein the elastic layer comprises an elastic foam structure.
The pressure sensor of claim 1, further comprising a second substrate disposed on the second electrode layer.
The pressure sensor of claim 1;

A display panel stacked on the pressure sensor; And

And a touch sensor stacked on the display panel.
The image display device according to claim 18, wherein the touch sensor and the pressure sensor include a capacitive sensor.