WO2024004537A1

WO2024004537A1 - Electrode pattern and touch sensor using same

Info

Publication number: WO2024004537A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/020844
Authority: WO
Inventors: 直斗市川; 暁豊陸; 光佐藤
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2022-06-29
Filing date: 2023-06-05
Publication date: 2024-01-04

Abstract

This electrode pattern (14) is formed so as to assume a state in which a plurality of cells (13) are adjacent to each other. Each of the cells (13) is composed of a conductive thin wire (20) and is formed so that the thin wire (20) has an annular shape. The mutually adjacent cells (13), (13) are configured so that thin wires (20) of the cells are in contact with each other at one intersection point, and in the thin wires (20), portions corresponding to one intersection point re curved.

Description

Electrode pattern and touch sensor using it

The present invention relates to an electrode pattern and a touch sensor using the same.

Conventionally, for example, the one shown in Patent Document 1 has been known regarding a capacitive touch sensor.

Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a capacitive touch sensor that includes a plurality of first mesh electrodes and a plurality of second mesh electrodes. The plurality of first mesh electrodes are formed on the surface of the substrate (support body) of the touch sensor. The plurality of second mesh electrodes are formed on the back surface of the substrate of the touch sensor. The substrate is made of a flexible transparent material (transparent film material).

Each of the first and second mesh electrodes is constituted by a mesh pattern formed by arranging a plurality of cells made of a plurality of thin wires (thin metal wires). Each cell has a diamond shape. Adjacent cells are arranged such that the vertices of the rhombuses forming each cell are in contact with each other at one intersection (see FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-22512

By the way, in recent years, for example, in the field of touch sensors, touch sensors that can be applied to smartphones etc. that are configured to be foldable depending on the usage situation, or touch sensors that can be applied to displays with curved operation screens (i.e. , touch sensors fixed in a predetermined curved shape) are attracting attention.

Given this background, when the touch sensor of Patent Document 1 is applied to the above-mentioned smartphone etc. or the display, when the substrate constituting the touch sensor (the support of Patent Document 1) is bent or a predetermined When the substrate is fixed in a curved shape, stress tends to concentrate on a portion of the substrate. In particular, in the mesh pattern that constitutes each of the first and second mesh electrodes formed on the substrate, the stress is applied to the intersection point between adjacent cells (the intersection point where the vertices of the rhombuses forming each cell contact each other). It becomes easier to concentrate. If the load due to the stress continues, cracks tend to occur at the intersections of the thin wires, starting from the apexes of the rhombuses forming each cell (that is, the angular portions of the rhombuses). As this crack progresses, the part corresponding to the above-mentioned intersection of the thin wires will eventually break.

In this way, for example, when the touch sensor of Patent Document 1 is applied to the above-mentioned smartphone or the like or a display, some of the thin wires in the mesh pattern are likely to be disconnected. As a result, the resistance values of the first and second mesh electrodes increase and sensor sensitivity becomes unstable, which may cause the touch sensor to malfunction.

The present disclosure has been made in view of these points, and its purpose is to make it difficult for thin wires to break in an electrode pattern for forming an electrode.

In order to achieve the above object, an electrode pattern according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is for forming an electrode, and is formed so that a plurality of cells are adjacent to each other. Each of the plurality of cells is made of a conductive thin wire, and the thin wire is formed in a ring shape. Adjacent cells are configured such that each thin line contacts each other at one intersection, and a portion of the thin line corresponding to one intersection is curved.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to make thin wires less likely to break in an electrode pattern for forming an electrode.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II--II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the touch sensor viewed from the front side. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the transmitting electrode, the first wiring section, and the pad as seen from the back side of the substrate. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the receiving electrode, the second wiring section, and the pad as viewed from the front side of the substrate. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the VI section shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an electrode pattern in a transmitting electrode. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the configurations of the electrode pattern, dummy pattern, and dummy electrode in the receiving electrode. FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view of section IX shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a contact state between adjacent cells in an electrode pattern according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the cross-sectional state of the thin wire. FIG. 12 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10 schematically showing the contact state between adjacent cells in the electrode pattern of Modification 1. FIG. 13 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10 schematically showing the contact state between adjacent cells in the electrode pattern of Modification 2.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the drawings. The following description of the embodiments is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its applications, or its uses.

FIG. 1 shows the entire touch sensor 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The touch sensor 1 is a capacitive sensor type input device applied to the display 100 (see FIG. 2). The touch sensor 1 can be used as an input device for, for example, in-vehicle devices such as car navigation systems, display devices for personal computers, mobile phones, personal digital assistants, portable game machines, copy machines, ticket vending machines, automatic teller machines, watches, etc. used.

In the following description, the side on which the operation surface 2b (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the cover member 2 (described later) is located will be referred to as the "front side" of the touch sensor 1, and the opposite side will be referred to as the "back side" of the touch sensor 1. The positional relationship of each element constituting the sensor 1 shall be determined. In addition, in this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the direction from the left side of the paper to the right side of the paper in FIG. direction Y'.

(Cover member)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the touch sensor 1 includes a cover member 2 having optical transparency. The cover member 2 is made of, for example, a cover glass or a plastic cover lens. The cover member 2 is formed, for example, in a plate shape that is rectangular in plan view. The cover member 2 is fixed to a second layer 5 (see FIG. 11) of the substrate 3, which will be described later.

On the peripheral edge of the back surface of the cover member 2, a substantially frame-shaped decorative portion 2a is formed in a dark color such as black by screen printing or the like. An internal rectangular area surrounded by the decorative portion 2a serves as a view area V through which light can be transmitted. That is, the user can obtain visual information from the display placed on the back side of the touch sensor 1 via this viewing area V. The surface of the cover member 2 in the view area V is configured as an operation surface 2b that the user's fingers or the like comes into contact with during a touch operation.

(substrate)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the touch sensor 1 includes one substrate 3. As shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 11, the substrate 3 has a first layer 4 and a second layer 5. Each of the first layer 4 and the second layer 5 is formed, for example, into a substantially rectangular shape in plan view.

The first layer 4 is made of a transparent resin material. Examples of transparent resin materials include resin materials such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), polycarbonate, COP (cycloolefin polymer), and COC (cycloolefin copolymer).

The second layer 5 is laminated on the surface of the first layer 4. Although not shown, in this embodiment, the second layer 5 is also stacked on the back surface of the first layer 4. The second layer 5 is a layer for forming a plurality of grooves 6, which will be described later. The second layer 5 is made of an insulating and transparent resin material. The thickness of the second layer 5 is set to, for example, 1.0 μm to 10.0 μm in order to ensure flexibility. Further, the thickness of the second layer 5 is formed to be larger than the depth of the groove portion 6, which will be described later.

A plurality of grooves 6 are provided on the surface of the second layer 5. Although not shown, a plurality of grooves 6 are also provided on the back surface of the second layer 5. Each groove 6 has a bottomed shape recessed in the thickness direction of the substrate 3. The depth of each groove portion 6 is set to, for example, 0.9 μm to 3.0 μm.

(adhesive layer)
As shown in FIG. 2, the touch sensor 1 includes an adhesive layer 7. The adhesive layer 7 is laminated between the cover member 2 and the substrate 3. The adhesive layer 7 is an optical adhesive (OCA: Optical Clear Adhesive) having optical transparency. The thickness of the adhesive layer 7 is, for example, 25 μm to 250 μm.

(Flexible wiring board)
As shown in FIG. 1, the touch sensor 1 includes a flexible wiring board 8. The flexible wiring board 8 has flexibility and is configured so that its electrical characteristics do not change even in a deformed state. The flexible wiring board 8 is made of a flexible insulating film such as polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or the like.

(electrode)
The touch sensor 1 includes a plurality of capacitive electrodes.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the plurality of electrodes is composed of a plurality of transmitting electrodes 11 and a plurality of receiving electrodes 12. The plurality of transmitting electrodes 11 and the plurality of receiving electrodes 12 are arranged on the substrate 3 at positions corresponding to the viewing area V (see FIG. 1). The touch sensor 1 is capable of detecting a touch operation by a user's finger (detection target) that is in contact with the operation surface 2b through a plurality of transmitting electrodes 11 and a plurality of receiving electrodes 12 located within a view area V. .

Each transmitting electrode 11 is connected to a drive circuit (not shown) via a flexible wiring board 8. Each transmitting electrode 11 is configured to radiate an electric field to its surroundings by this drive circuit. On the other hand, each receiving electrode 12 is connected to a detection circuit (not shown) via a flexible wiring board 8. Each receiving electrode 12 is configured to receive the electric field radiated from each transmitting electrode 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, each transmitting electrode 11 and each receiving electrode 12 are arranged so as to intersect (orthogonally) each other in a plan view. A node is formed in a region where each transmitting electrode 11 and each receiving electrode 12 overlap. This node is configured as a region where capacitance can be generated.

As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of transmitting electrodes 11 are provided on the back side of the substrate 3. Each transmitting electrode 11 extends along the long side direction of the substrate 3 (first direction X). The plurality of transmitting electrodes 11 are arranged at intervals from each other in the short side direction of the substrate 3 (second direction Y). As shown in FIG. 9, the spacing ES between the transmitting electrodes 11, 11 is set to, for example, 1 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

As shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of receiving electrodes 12 are provided on the front surface side of the substrate 3. That is, the plurality of receiving electrodes 12 are arranged on the substrate 3 on the viewing side of the touch sensor 1 (the side on which the operation surface 2b of the cover member 2 is located). The plurality of receiving electrodes 12 are insulated from the plurality of transmitting electrodes 11 via the substrate 3. Each receiving electrode 12 extends along the short side direction (second direction Y) of the substrate 3. The plurality of receiving electrodes 12 are arranged at intervals from each other in the long side direction of the substrate 3 (first direction X).

As shown in FIG. 6, the pitch EP between the receiving electrodes 12, 12 in the first direction X is, for example, 3 mm or more and 7 mm or less. The electrode width EW2 of the receiving electrode 12 is configured to be smaller than the pitch EP between the receiving electrodes 12, 12. Specifically, the electrode width EW2 of the receiving electrode 12 is, for example, 0.5 mm or more. Further, the electrode width EW2 of the receiving electrode 12 is configured to be smaller than the electrode width EW1 of the transmitting electrode 11.

Note that in FIG. 6, only each receiving electrode 12 is provided with dot hatching in order to make it easier to see the overlapping state of each transmitting electrode 11 and each receiving electrode 12. Further, in FIG. 6, for convenience of illustration, first and second ground portions 34 and 35, which will be described later, and first and second gland portions 34 and 35, which will be described later, are omitted.

(electrode pattern)
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the touch sensor 1 includes an electrode pattern 14 for forming each of the transmitting electrode 11 and the receiving electrode 12.

The electrode pattern 14 is formed so that a plurality of cells 13 are adjacent to each other. The electrode pattern 14 is periodically formed node by node. In addition, in FIG. 8, in order to clearly show the outer edge of the receiving electrode 12, the position corresponding to the outer edge of the receiving electrode 12 is shown by a virtual line.

As shown in FIG. 10, each cell 13 consists of a thin wire 20 having conductivity. The line width of each thin line 20 is, for example, 1 μm or more and 3 μm or less. Note that the specific configuration of the thin wire 20 will be described later.

Each cell 13 is formed such that the thin wire 20 is annular. As a characteristic configuration according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, adjacent cells 13, 13 have thin lines 20, 20 that touch each other at one intersection, and a portion of each thin line 20 that corresponds to one intersection. It is configured to be curved.

In this embodiment, each cell 13 is formed such that the thin wire 20 is in the shape of a perfect circle (that is, a complete circle). That is, each cell 13 has a curved shape formed so that all parts of the thin wire 20 have the same curvature.

Each cell 13 is configured such that the pitch interval P (see FIGS. 7, 8, and 10) of opposing portions of the thin wire 20 is in the range of 100 μm or more and 500 μm or less. In this embodiment, the pitch interval P corresponds to the diameter of a perfect circle forming each cell 13.

(dummy pattern)
As shown in FIG. 8, the receiving electrode 12 includes a dummy pattern 15. The dummy pattern 15 is arranged inside each cell 13 constituting the receiving electrode 12 in plan view. In addition, in FIG. 8, in order to clearly show the outer edge of the dummy pattern 15, the position corresponding to the outer edge of the dummy pattern 15 is shown by a virtual line.

Similar to the electrode pattern 14, the dummy pattern 15 is composed of a plurality of thin lines 20. The dummy pattern 15 is formed so that a plurality of cells 13 are adjacent to each other. Note that the pitch interval between the cells 13 that constitute the dummy pattern 15 is the same as the pitch interval P between the cells 13 that constitute the electrode pattern 14.

The dummy pattern 15 is electrically insulated from the electrode pattern 14. Specifically, the ends of each of the thin wires 20 that make up the dummy pattern 15 are spaced apart from the plurality of thin wires 20 that make up the electrode pattern 14 of the receiving electrode 12 . That is, each thin line 20 forming the dummy pattern 15 does not intersect with the plurality of thin lines 20 forming the electrode pattern 14 . Further, each thin wire 20 constituting the dummy pattern 15 is electrically insulated from an electrode connection portion 17, which will be described later.

(dummy electrode)
A dummy electrode 16 is provided between the receiving electrodes 12, 12. Like the electrode pattern 14, the dummy electrode 16 is composed of a plurality of thin wires 20. The dummy electrode 16 is formed so that a plurality of cells 13 are adjacent to each other. Note that the pitch interval between the cells 13 constituting the dummy electrode 16 is the same as the pitch interval P between the cells 13, 13 constituting the electrode pattern 14.

The dummy electrode 16 is electrically insulated from each receiving electrode 12. Specifically, the ends of each of the thin wires 20 that make up the dummy electrode 16 are spaced from each of the thin wires 20 that make up the electrode pattern 14 of the receiving electrode 12 . That is, each thin line 20 forming the dummy electrode 16 does not intersect with the plurality of thin lines 20 forming the electrode pattern 14 . Further, each thin wire 20 constituting the dummy electrode 16 is electrically insulated from an electrode connecting portion 17, which will be described later.

(electrode connection part)
Each of transmitting electrode 11 and receiving electrode 12 includes an electrode connection portion 17 . The electrode connection portion 17 is made of a thin wire similar to the thin wire 20. The electrode connecting portion 17 is arranged at the end of each of the transmitting electrode 11 and the receiving electrode 12. The electrode connection portion 17 is electrically connected to a plurality of thin wires 20 that constitute the electrode pattern 14 . The line width of the electrode connection portion 17 is thicker than the line width of the plurality of thin lines 20 forming the electrode pattern 14 .

(Specific configuration of thin line)
Each thin wire 20 includes a conductive material embedded in each groove 6. As shown in FIG. 11, each thin wire 20 includes, for example, an adhesive layer 21, a conductive layer 22, a plating layer 23, and a blackening layer 24.

The adhesion layer 21 is an element for ensuring the adhesion of the conductive layer 22 to the groove 6. The adhesion layer 21 has a function of making it difficult for the user to see the thin line 20 when viewed from the operation surface 2b side.

The adhesive layer 21 is, for example, a metal nitride or metal oxide containing at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Al, V, W, Ta, Si, Cr, Ag, Mo, Cu, and Zn. This is a metal layer composed of The adhesive layer 21 may be a single layer or a laminate including a plurality of layers having different compositions. The adhesive layer 21 is laminated in the form of a thin film in the groove portion 6 by, for example, vapor deposition or sputtering.

The conductive layer 22 has a function of increasing the adhesion between the adhesive layer 21 and the plating layer 23. Specifically, the conductive layer 22 serves as a cathode for laminating a plating solution containing copper (Cu) or the like on the adhesive layer 21 in this embodiment, for example, during electroplating to form the plating layer 23. functions as The conductive layer 22 is laminated in the form of a thin film on the adhesive layer 21 by, for example, vapor deposition or sputtering.

The plating layer 23 is formed, for example, by electroplating. When electroplating is performed, the conductive layer 22 and the plating layer 23 are integrally formed. As a result, the interface between the conductive layer 22 and the plating layer 23 cannot be determined.

The blackening layer 24 is laminated on the surface of the plating layer 23. The blackened layer 24 is formed by replacing copper crystal grains located at boundaries between copper crystal grains located on the surface of the plating layer 23 with palladium (blackening treatment). The thickness of the blackening layer 24 is, for example, 7 nm to 10 nm. The blackening layer 24 has a function of making the thin line 20 less visible to the user when viewing from the operation surface 2b side.

(Wiring section)
The touch sensor 1 includes a plurality of wiring sections. The plurality of wiring parts are elements for electrically connecting the plurality of transmitting electrodes 11 and the plurality of receiving electrodes 12 to an external circuit (the above-mentioned drive circuit and detection circuit) not shown. Each wiring portion is made of a thin wire similar to the thin wire 20.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the plurality of wiring sections are composed of a plurality of first wiring sections 31 and a plurality of second wiring sections 32. The plurality of first wiring parts 31 and the plurality of second wiring parts 32 are arranged outside the view area V (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the plurality of first wiring parts 31 and the plurality of second wiring parts 32 are arranged at positions overlapping with the decorative part 2a (see FIGS. 1 and 2) in a plan view from the operation surface 2b side. There is. That is, the plurality of first wiring parts 31 and the plurality of second wiring parts 32 are not visible from the operation surface 2b side due to the decoration part 2a.

As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of first wiring portions 31 are formed on the back surface of the substrate 3. One end of each first wiring section 31 is electrically connected to an end of each transmitting electrode 11 (that is, electrode connection section 17). The plurality of first wiring portions 31 are arranged such that the other end portions of each of the first wiring portions 31 are converged approximately at the center of the lower side of the substrate 3 .

The plurality of second wiring portions 32 are formed on the surface of the substrate 3. One end of each second wiring section 32 is electrically connected to an end of each receiving electrode 12 (that is, electrode connection section 17). The plurality of second wiring portions 32 are arranged such that the other end portions of each of the second wiring portions 32 are converged approximately at the center of the lower side of the substrate 3 .

(pad)
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a pad 33 for electrical connection to the flexible wiring board 8 is provided at the other end of each wiring section. Each pad 33 is made of a thin wire similar to the thin wire 20.

(1st and 2nd ground section)
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the touch sensor 1 includes first and second ground portions 34 and 35 set to a ground potential. The first and second ground sections 34 and 35 are electrically insulated from the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of wiring sections. The first and second ground parts 34 and 35 are arranged outside the view area V (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the first and second ground parts 34 and 35 are arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the view area V.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first ground portion 34 is formed on the back surface of the substrate 3. The first ground portion 34 is arranged at a position near the peripheral edge of the back surface of the substrate 3. The above-mentioned pads 33, 33 are provided in the middle part of the first ground part 34 (the middle part located near the center of the lower side of the substrate 3).

As shown in FIG. 5, the second ground portion 35 is formed on the surface of the substrate 3. The second ground portion 35 is arranged at a position closer to the peripheral edge of the surface of the substrate 3. Both ends of the first ground portion 34 are located near the center of the lower side of the substrate 3 . The above-mentioned pads 33, 33 are provided at both ends of the first ground portion 34.

[Operations and effects of embodiment]
As mentioned above, in recent years, for example, in the field of touch sensors, touch sensors that can be applied to smartphones etc. that are configured to be foldable depending on the usage situation, or touch sensors that can be applied to displays with curved operation screens. Sensors (that is, touch sensors fixed in a predetermined curved shape) are attracting attention. When a touch sensor is applied to such a smartphone or the like or a display, stress tends to concentrate on a part of the substrate when the substrate constituting the touch sensor is bent or fixed in a predetermined curved shape.

Based on this background, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, adjacent cells 13, 13 in the electrode pattern 14 have thin lines 20, 20 that touch each other at one intersection, and each thin line 20 has one intersection. The part corresponding to is curved. Specifically, each cell 13 of this embodiment is formed such that the thin wire 20 has a perfect ring shape. That is, at the one intersection point, the stress is difficult to concentrate due to the curved shape of the thin wire 20. With this configuration, the stress is dispersed at the one intersection point. As a result, cracks are less likely to occur in the portion corresponding to the one intersection of the thin wires 20. Therefore, in the electrode pattern 14, the portion corresponding to the one intersection of each thin line 20 can be made less likely to be disconnected.

In this way, for example, when the touch sensor 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to the above-mentioned smartphone or the like or a display, it becomes difficult for some of the thin wires 20 in the electrode pattern 14 to break. As a result, the resistance values of the transmitting electrode 11 and the receiving electrode 12 are stabilized, and the sensor sensitivity is also stabilized. Therefore, the touch sensor 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can maintain good sensor sensitivity without causing malfunction even when applied to the above-mentioned smartphone or the like or a display.

Furthermore, each cell 13 is configured such that the pitch interval P of opposing portions of the thin wire 20 is in the range of 100 μm or more and 500 μm or less. According to this configuration, while maintaining each cell 13 constituted by the thin wires 20 at a predetermined size, when the user of the touch sensor 1 views from the operation surface 2b side, the thin wires 20 can be visually recognized from the operation surface 2b side. It becomes difficult to do. That is, "line visibility" can be prevented and the appearance of the touch sensor 1 can be improved.

Further, if the line width of each thin line 20 is 1 μm or more and 3 μm or less, each thin line 20 becomes difficult to visually recognize from the operation surface 2b side when the user of the touch sensor 1 views it from the operation surface 2b side. In other words, "line visibility" is prevented. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pitch EP between the receiving electrodes 12, 12 is 3 mm or more and 7 mm or less. Further, the electrode width EW2 of the receiving electrode 12 is 0.5 mm or more and smaller than the pitch EP between the receiving electrodes 12, 12. Furthermore, the spacing ES between the transmitting electrodes 11, 11 is 1 μm or more and 20 μm or less. According to such a configuration, when the user of the touch sensor 1 views from the operation surface 2b side, the interval between the transmitting electrodes 11, 11 and the interval between the receiving electrodes 12, 12 can also be visually recognized from the operation surface 2b side. It becomes difficult to do. As a result, the appearance of the touch sensor 1 can be improved.

Further, the electrode pattern 14 is formed periodically in node units. According to this configuration, the shape in which the plurality of thin wires 20 forming the transmitting electrode 11 and the plurality of thin wires 20 forming the receiving electrode 12 overlap is uniform at all nodes. That is, the capacitance change of the node becomes uniform for all nodes. As a result, the sensor sensitivity of the touch sensor 1 can be stabilized.

Furthermore, the receiving electrode 12 includes a dummy pattern 15 that is electrically insulated from the plurality of thin wires 20 that constitute the receiving electrode 12. This dummy pattern 15 can suppress an increase in the capacitance value of each receiving electrode 12. Further, by providing the dummy pattern 15, it becomes difficult for the user of the touch sensor 1 to distinguish between the plurality of thin lines 20 forming each receiving electrode 12 and the dummy pattern 15 when viewed from the operation surface 2b side. That is, the plurality of thin wires 20 constituting each receiving electrode 12 become less noticeable from the operation surface 2b side. As a result, the appearance of the touch sensor 1 can be improved.

Additionally, a dummy electrode 16 that is electrically insulated from the receiving electrode 12 is provided between the receiving electrodes 12, 12. This dummy electrode 16 can suppress an increase in the capacitance value of each receiving electrode 12 between adjacent receiving electrodes 12 , 12 . Further, by positioning the dummy electrode 16 between the receiving electrodes 12, 12, each receiving electrode 12 becomes less noticeable when the user of the touch sensor 1 views it from the operation surface 2b side. As a result, the appearance of the touch sensor 1 can be improved.

[Modification of embodiment]
In the embodiment described above, each cell 13 has a form in which the thin wire 20 is formed in a perfect circular ring shape, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, as in Modification 1 shown in FIG. 12, each cell 13 may be formed such that the thin wire 20 has an elliptical ring shape. That is, in each cell 13 of this modification, all parts of the thin wire 20 are formed so that they do not have the same curvature.

Even in this modification 1, the portion of the thin wire 20 corresponding to one intersection point is configured to be curved. Therefore, the stress is difficult to concentrate at the one intersection point. Therefore, in this modification as well, similarly to the embodiment described above, the portion of each thin wire 20 corresponding to the one intersection point is less likely to be disconnected.

Alternatively, each cell 13 may be configured as in Modification 2 shown in FIG. 13. Specifically, each cell 13 of Modification 2 is formed so that the thin wire 20 has a substantially rectangular (diamond-shaped in the illustrated example) annular shape. The apexes of the quadrilateral are formed in a curved shape, and the adjacent cells 13, 13 are arranged such that the apex of the quadrilateral corresponds to the one intersection point.

Even in this modification 2, the portion of the thin wire 20 corresponding to the one intersection point is curved. In this modification example 2, preferably, a portion of each thin line 20 corresponding to the one intersection point (vertex of the quadrangle) has an R shape of R0.1 μm or more. Therefore, the stress is difficult to concentrate at the one intersection point. Therefore, in this modification as well, similarly to the embodiment described above, the portion of each thin wire 20 corresponding to the one intersection point is less likely to be disconnected.

[Other embodiments]
In the embodiment described above, a configuration in which a substantially rectangular viewing area V is applied is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The view area V may have, for example, a substantially circular shape or a polygonal shape such as a pentagonal shape when viewed from above.

Although the embodiment described above shows a form using one substrate 3, the present invention is not limited to this form. That is, a configuration using two substrates may be used. Although not shown, two substrates may be used in which the second layer is laminated on the front or back surface of the first layer.

In the above embodiment, the substrate 3 has the first layer 4 and the second layer 5, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the substrate 3 may have only the first layer 4. In this embodiment, it is sufficient that the plurality of grooves 6 and the plurality of thin lines 20 are formed on at least one of the front surface and the back surface of the first layer 4.

In the above embodiment, the direction from the left to the right in the paper of FIG. 3 is defined as the first direction X, and the direction from the bottom to the top in the paper of FIG. 3 is defined as the second direction Y. Not limited to. That is, the direction from the bottom to the top in the paper of FIG. 3 may be defined as the first direction X, while the direction from the left to the right in the paper of FIG. 3 may be defined as the second direction Y. In this case, although not shown, the extending direction of each transmitting electrode 11 is from the bottom to the top in the paper of FIG. On the other hand, the extending direction of each receiving electrode 12 is from the left side to the right side in the paper of FIG.

In the above embodiment, the touch sensor 1 is shown with the cover member 2 and the flexible wiring board 8 attached to the substrate 3, but the present invention is not limited to this form. That is, the concept of the touch sensor 1 according to the present disclosure includes a state before the cover member 2, the flexible wiring board 8, and the like are attached to the substrate 3. Furthermore, the concept of the touch sensor 1 of the present disclosure includes each of the above-mentioned transmissions in an elongated base material (for example, an elongated hoop-shaped member not shown) in a state before the substrates 3 are individually formed. A configuration in which the electrode 11, each receiving electrode 12, each first wiring section 31, each second wiring section 32, and a plurality of pads 33 are formed on the base material is also included.

Although the embodiment described above shows a form in which the transmitting electrode 11 does not include the dummy pattern 15, the present invention is not limited to this form. Although not shown, the transmitting electrode 11 may include a dummy pattern similar to the dummy pattern 15 described in the above embodiment. That is, in the embodiment described above, a dummy pattern similar to the dummy pattern 15 may be arranged on the front surface side of the substrate 3 (on the visible side of the touch sensor 1). In this case, the dummy pattern on the transmitting electrode 11 side is composed of a plurality of thin lines (not shown) similarly to the dummy pattern 15 on the receiving electrode 12 side. Further, the dummy pattern on the transmitting electrode 11 side is arranged inside each cell 13 forming the transmitting electrode 11 in plan view.

Although the embodiment described above shows a form in which the dummy electrode 16 is not provided between the transmitting electrodes 11, 11, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, when the electrode width EW1 of the transmitting electrode 11 becomes relatively small, a dummy electrode (not shown) may be provided between the transmitting electrodes 11, 11. That is, in the embodiment described above, the dummy electrode may be arranged on the front surface side of the substrate 3 (on the visible side of the touch sensor 1). The dummy electrode is composed of a plurality of thin wires (not shown) similarly to the dummy electrode 16 shown in FIG.

In the above embodiment, the plurality of transmitting electrodes 11, the plurality of first wiring parts 31, and the first grounding part 34 are provided on the back side of the substrate 3, while the plurality of receiving electrodes 12, the plurality of second wiring parts 32, Although the second ground portion 35 is provided on the front surface side of the substrate 3, the embodiment is not limited to this embodiment. For example, although not shown, a plurality of transmitting electrodes 11, a plurality of first wiring portions 31, and a first grounding portion 34 are provided on the front surface side of the substrate 3, while a plurality of receiving electrodes 12, a plurality of second wiring portions 32 are provided. , and the second ground portion 35 may be provided on the back side of the substrate 3. Note that even with this configuration, each dummy pattern 15 and each dummy electrode 16 are arranged on the front surface side of the substrate 3 (on the visible side of the touch sensor 1).

In the above embodiment, a configuration including copper (Cu) as the main component of the plating solution is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the plating solution may contain silver, gold, or a copper alloy.

In the embodiment and each modification described above, the touch sensor 1 to which the electrode pattern 14 of the present disclosure is applied is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the electrode pattern 14 of the present disclosure may be used in technical fields other than touch sensors (for example, liquid crystal display devices, organic electroluminescent display devices (OLED), micro LED display devices, solar cell devices, heater devices, antenna devices, electromagnetic wave shielding sheets). , conductive films, etc.).

The present disclosure can be used industrially as an electrode pattern and a touch sensor using the same.

1: touch sensor 2: cover member 3: substrate 11: transmitting electrode 12: receiving electrode 13: cell 14: electrode pattern 15: dummy pattern 16: dummy electrode 17: electrode connection part 20: thin wire 31: first wiring part 32: Second wiring section 33: Pad 34: First ground section 35: Second ground section

Claims

An electrode pattern for configuring an electrode,
The electrode pattern is formed such that a plurality of cells are adjacent to each other,
Each of the plurality of cells is made of a conductive thin wire, and the thin wire is formed in a ring shape,
The adjacent cells are configured such that each of the thin lines contacts each other at one intersection, and a portion of the thin line corresponding to the one intersection is curved.
The electrode pattern according to claim 1,
The cell is an electrode pattern configured such that a pitch interval between opposing portions of the thin wire is in a range of 100 μm or more and 500 μm or less.
The electrode pattern according to claim 1,
The cell is an electrode pattern in which the thin wire is formed in the shape of a perfect circle.
The electrode pattern according to claim 1,
The cell is an electrode pattern in which the thin wire is formed in an elliptical ring shape.
The electrode pattern according to claim 1,
The cell is formed such that the thin wire has a substantially rectangular ring shape,
The apex of the quadrilateral is formed in a curved shape,
In the electrode pattern, the adjacent cells are arranged such that the vertices of the rectangle correspond to the one intersection point.
A touch sensor comprising the electrode pattern according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A plurality of the electrodes are provided,
The plurality of electrodes include a plurality of transmitting electrodes extending along a first direction, and a plurality of transmitting electrodes extending along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and arranged to intersect with the transmitting electrode. A touch sensor comprising a receiving electrode.
The touch sensor according to claim 6,
The line width of the thin line is 1 μm or more and 3 μm or less,
The pitch between the receiving electrodes is 3 mm or more and 7 mm or less,
The electrode width of the receiving electrode is 0.5 mm or more and smaller than the pitch between the receiving electrodes,
In the touch sensor, the distance between the transmitting electrodes is 1 μm or more and 20 μm or less.
The touch sensor according to claim 6,
In the touch sensor, the electrode pattern is periodically formed on a node-by-node basis.
The touch sensor according to claim 6,
The receiving electrode is a touch sensor including a dummy pattern electrically insulated from a plurality of thin wires forming the receiving electrode.
The touch sensor according to claim 6,
A touch sensor, wherein a dummy electrode electrically insulated from the receiving electrode is provided between the receiving electrodes.