JP2011210176A - Touch panel member and touch panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel member using a touch panel sensor with a transparent electrode layer provided on both surface sides of a translucent resin film and having flexible circuits joined to both surface sides of the touch panel sensor, capable of achieving a compact size at attachment positions of the flexible circuits without a contact failure with the touch panel sensor, and a touch panel using the member.SOLUTION: In the touch panel sensor with the transparent electrode layer provided on both surface sides of the translucent resin film base, a first flexible circuit t is compression-bonded to one surface side of the resin film base to form a first joint area, and a second flexible circuit is compression-bonded to the other surface side of the resin film base to form a second joint area. The second joint area is configured to avoid a difference in level generated in formation of the first joint area and to be located within the first joint area in a plan view.

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel member provided with transparent electrode layers on both sides of a light transmissive resin film substrate, and a touch panel using the same.

  In recent years, a touch panel as an input device combining a display device and a coordinate detection device has attracted attention. The touch panel system includes a resistive film system, a capacitive system, an optical system, an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave system, an electromagnetic induction system, and the like based on its operating principle. There are merits and demerits in each method, and it is general that they are properly used according to the application.

  Among them, the capacitive touch panel is a method that captures coordinate information by detecting the change in capacitance when the active area is touched with a fingertip, and can perform complicated operations because it can detect multiple points. Recently, it has become particularly popular. The capacitive touch panel has two transparent electrode layers provided on a transparent substrate, and detects a capacitance generated in an active area, and an electric signal sensed by the touch panel sensor externally. It is provided with a connector for conducting the circuit.

  As a configuration of the touch panel sensor used for the capacitance method, generally, a first transparent electrode layer is formed on a first transparent substrate, and a second is formed on a second transparent substrate. A means for forming a laminated structure by forming a transparent electrode layer and joining them with an adhesive layer is widely known (for example, Patent Document 1 below, hereinafter also referred to as “Prior Art 1”). However, in such a touch panel sensor, since two films are bonded together by the adhesive layer, the thickness of the touch panel sensor is increased, and the number of interfaces that can exert an optical action on transmitted light is increased. In addition, it was difficult to align the positions during bonding. Therefore, it has been pointed out that there is a problem of thinning and improvement of optical characteristics.

  On the other hand, as another aspect, a touch panel sensor (hereinafter, also referred to as “Prior Art 2”) configured by directly forming a transparent electrode layer on each side of a single transparent substrate is known. (For example, Patent Document 2). With such an aspect, the optical characteristics can be improved as compared with the prior art 1, and there is no problem of a decrease in alignment accuracy due to the bonding of a plurality of base materials as in the prior art 1, and the prior art 1 is further improved. In comparison, the thickness of the touch panel can be reduced.

  In addition, as a base material of the touch panel sensor used in combination with the display device, the first condition is that it is light transmissive, and conventionally, a glass base material has been generally used. However, in recent years, a light-transmitting resin film has attracted attention as a substrate from the viewpoint of weight reduction and cost reduction.

JP-A-01-221831 JP 04-264613

  However, in the prior art 2, in particular, when a touch panel sensor is formed using a resin film as a base material and a touch panel member is formed using the touch panel sensor, a change in electric capacity sensed by the touch panel sensor is conducted to an external device. However, there is a problem that heat resistance is insufficient to mount the connector and it is difficult to form a through hole. Therefore, with respect to the transparent electrode layers formed on both surfaces of the resin film substrate, a plurality of extraction wirings connected to the transparent electrode layer and conductors provided at the ends of the extraction wirings are arranged on both sides. And a flexible circuit such as a flexible printed circuit (hereinafter also referred to as “FPC”) or a flexible flat cable (hereinafter also referred to as “FFC”) covering each of the extraction conductive portions, It had to be joined by crimping. However, when the flexible circuit is pressure-bonded sequentially or simultaneously on both sides of the touch panel sensor using the resin film substrate, there are the following problems.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 10, first, the first flexible circuit 103 is pressure-bonded to one side 102 of the light transmissive resin film substrate 101, and the light transmissive resin film substrate 101 and the first flexible circuit 103 are joined. A bonding region 104 to be formed is formed. In the bonding region 104, an electrical connection in which a first extraction conductive portion provided on one side surface 102 of the light transmissive resin film substrate 101 and a first terminal provided on the first flexible circuit 103 are electrically bonded. There is a junction 111. Next, as shown in FIG. 11A, the second flexible circuit 107 is located in the vicinity of the first flexible circuit 103 that is crimped to the other surface side 106 with the other surface side 106 of the light-transmitting resin film base material 101 on the upper side. Is bonded to form a bonding region 104 ′ where the light transmissive resin film substrate 101 and the second flexible circuit 107 are bonded to complete the touch panel member 110. A second extraction conductive portion provided on the other side surface 106 of the light transmissive resin film substrate 101 and a second terminal provided on the second flexible circuit 107 are electrically bonded to the bonding region 104 ′. An electrical junction 112 is present. At this time, light transmission between the first flexible circuit 103 and the second flexible circuit 107 is caused by pressure when the second flexible circuit 107 is pressure-bonded as shown in FIG. A step 105 is generated in the resin film substrate 101, which is a problem. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12A, the second flexible circuit 107 may be crimped to the first flexible circuit 103 in a plan view. However, in the touch panel member 110 ′ of this mode, as shown in FIG. 12B, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line A′-A ′ of FIG. 12A, the thickness due to the presence of the first flexible circuit 103 is below the second flexible circuit 107. And the pressure when the second flexible circuit 107 is pressure-bonded is not uniformly transmitted to the surface of the light transmissive resin film substrate 101. As a result, the light transmissive resin film substrate 101 and the second flexible circuit 107 A gap 108 is generated between the second lead conductive portion provided on the other side 106 of the light transmissive resin film substrate 101 and one of the second terminals provided on the second flexible circuit 107. The parts were not electrically connected, causing contact failure, which was a problem. The problem of poor contact due to the occurrence of steps and gaps described above was unavoidable even when the first flexible circuit and the second flexible circuit were simultaneously pressed from both sides of the light-transmitting film substrate. .

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said problem, and has a flexible circuit joined to the both surfaces side of this touch panel sensor using the touch panel sensor provided with a transparent electrode layer on both surfaces side of a transparent resin film base material. In a touch panel member, a touch panel member that does not generate a step when a flexible circuit is crimped on a light-transmitting resin film substrate and does not have poor contact between the flexible circuit and the touch panel sensor, and a touch panel using the touch panel member are provided. With the goal.

  As a result of diligent study, the present inventor has provided a first extraction conductive portion provided on one side of the light-transmitting resin film substrate with respect to a touch panel sensor having transparent electrode layers on both surfaces of the light-transmitting resin film substrate. The first flexible circuit is crimped so as to form a first joining region, and the second flexible circuit is crimped so as to cover the second extraction conductive portion provided on the other surface side of the light-transmitting resin film substrate. In the touch panel member in which the second bonding region is formed, the occurrence of the above-described problem can be prevented by forming the second extraction conductive portion in the first bonding region in plan view. The present invention was completed.

That is, the present invention
(1) A touch panel member in which a flexible circuit including a plurality of metal wirings arranged on a flexible insulating substrate and a plurality of terminals provided at ends of the plurality of metal wirings is bonded to a touch panel sensor. The touch panel sensor is provided on one side of the light-transmitting resin film substrate and the light-transmitting resin film substrate, and the first transparent electrode layer is connected to the first transparent electrode layer. And a first extraction conductive portion formed by arranging first conductors provided at end portions of the plurality of first extraction wirings, and the light-transmitting resin film substrate A second transparent electrode layer provided on the other surface side, a plurality of second extraction wirings connected to the second transparent electrode layer, and a second conductor provided at an end of the plurality of second extraction wirings; A second take-out conductive part arranged; The flexible circuit is provided with a plurality of first terminals at the end, and covers the first extraction conductive portion by the end and is bonded to the light-transmitting resin film base material. A first flexible circuit that forms a first bonding region on a transparent resin film substrate, and a plurality of second terminals at an end, the second extraction conductive portion is covered by the end, and the light transmission A second flexible circuit that forms a second bonding region on the light-transmitting resin film substrate by being bonded to the transparent resin film substrate, and the first bonding region includes the second flexible circuit in plan view. A touch panel member including a second extraction conductive portion;
(2) The first bonding region includes a first electrical connection region in which the plurality of first conductors and the plurality of first terminals are electrically connected to each other, and an arrangement direction of the first conductors In the first electrical connection region, the first non-electrical connection region that is not electrically connected to the first flexible circuit due to the absence of the first conductor, and The second junction region includes at least a second electrical connection region in which the plurality of second conductors and the plurality of second terminals are electrically connected to each other (1) ) Touch panel member according to
(3) The touch panel member according to (2), wherein the second conductor is located only in the first non-electrical connection region in plan view.
(4) In the first flexible circuit surface forming the first non-electrical connection region, a metal layer is provided continuously or intermittently in the arrangement direction of the first terminals, or the first non-electrical connection (2) or (3), wherein a metal layer is provided continuously or intermittently in the arrangement direction of the first conductor on the surface of the light-transmitting resin film substrate forming the region. Touch panel member according to the description,
(5) The second junction region is a region provided side by side with the second electrical connection region in the arrangement direction of the second electrical connection region and the second conductor, and the second conductor exists. The touch panel member according to any one of (2) to (4), characterized in that the touch panel member is configured from a second non-electrical connection region in which electrical connection to the second flexible circuit is not performed.
(6) On the second flexible circuit surface forming the second non-electrical connection region, a metal layer is provided continuously or intermittently in the arrangement direction of the second terminals, or the second non-electrical connection The touch panel member according to (5) above, wherein a metal layer is provided continuously or intermittently in the arrangement direction of the second conductor on the light-transmitting resin film surface forming the region,
(7) In order to detect a change in electric capacitance that is provided with the touch panel member according to any one of (1) to (6) and is sensed as being in contact with or close to contact in the touch panel sensor in the touch panel member. A touch panel comprising: a detection unit; and a calculation unit for calculating, as a coordinate, a position selected based on the change in the capacitance by processing a signal detected by the detection unit,
Is a summary.

  The touch panel member of the present invention covers the first extraction conductive part provided on one side of the light-transmitting resin film substrate with respect to the touch panel sensor including the transparent electrode layers on both surfaces of the light-transmitting resin film substrate. The first flexible circuit is crimped to form a first joining region, and the second flexible circuit is crimped to cover the second extraction conductive portion provided on the other surface side of the light-transmitting resin film substrate. In the touch panel member in which the second bonding region is formed, the second extraction conductive portion is included in the first bonding region in plan view.

  Therefore, the touch panel using the touch panel member of the present invention is excellent in electrical reliability, and can be made thinner or lighter than when a conventional touch panel sensor is used.

1A is a schematic plan view on one side in one embodiment of the touch panel member of the present invention, and 1B is a schematic plan view on the other side of the touch panel member indicated by 1A. 2A is a schematic plan view of one side of the touch panel member having the same contents as FIG. 1A except that the first transparent electrode layer is omitted, and 2B is intermittently formed in the touch panel member shown in 2A. FIG. 2C is a schematic plan view of a touch panel to which a metal layer continuously formed in the touch panel member shown in FIG. 2A is added. It is the plane schematic of the one surface side of the touch panel member which is the same content as FIG. 1A except having changed the 1st flexible circuit to be used. It is the upper surface schematic which shows the different aspect of the touchscreen member of this invention. It is AA cross-sectional schematic of FIG. 2C. In the touch panel member of this invention, it is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows one embodiment by which the metal layer was provided in the light transmissive resin film board | substrate side. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the aspect by which the 2nd non-electrical connection area | region was provided in the 2nd junction area | region in a 2nd flexible circuit in the touchscreen member in this invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded explanatory diagram for explaining a part of the upper surface of the first embodiment. 9A to 9E are schematic cross-sectional views showing cross sections of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, respectively. It is the upper surface schematic at the time of crimping | bonding the 1st flexible circuit to the one side surface of a touch panel sensor. 11A is explanatory drawing in the upper surface of the conventional touch panel member, 11B is AA cross-sectional schematic of 11A. 12A is an explanatory view on the top surface of a conventional touch panel member, and 12B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A'-A 'of 12A. It is a perspective view which shows the example of the touchscreen member of this invention using an integrated flexible circuit. 14A is a top view of an integrated flexible circuit that can be used in the touch panel of the present invention, and 14B is a perspective view showing a state in which the flexible circuit shown in 14A is joined to a touch panel sensor. 15A is a top view of an integrated flexible circuit that can be used in the touch panel of the present invention, and 15B is a perspective view showing a state in which the flexible circuit shown in 15A is joined to a touch panel sensor. FIG. 16A is a schematic top view showing a state in which the touch panel of the present invention is connected to a rigid circuit, and FIG. 16A is a schematic top view showing an embodiment of the touch panel of the present invention in which a detection unit and a calculation unit are provided on a flexible circuit. Yes, 16B is a schematic top view showing an aspect of the touch panel of the present invention provided in a rigid circuit in which a detection unit and a calculation unit are connected to a flexible circuit.

  Below, the touch panel member of the present invention is explained using a drawing.

  The touch panel member of the present invention can be desirably used particularly as a capacitive touch panel member.

  FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view showing one side a of the touch panel member 1 showing one embodiment of the touch panel member of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view showing the other side b of the touch panel member 1. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the touch panel member 1 includes a touch panel sensor 2 and a first flexible circuit 3 and a second flexible circuit 4 that are joined to a predetermined position of the touch panel sensor 2. In the drawings shown below, the dimensional ratio of the actual configuration and the number of members provided are appropriately changed for ease of explanation, and these ratios and numbers limit the present invention in any way. is not.

  The touch panel sensor 2 is provided with a first transparent electrode layer 6 on one side a (5 (a) in the figure) of the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5, and on the other side b (5 (b) in the figure). ) Is provided with a second transparent electrode layer 7. The first transparent electrode layer 6 and the second transparent electrode layer 7 are made of an indium oxide-based transparent electrode material (ITO, IZO, etc.), and a plurality of diamond shapes aligned on the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5 are straightened in one direction. It is formed in the pattern connected in a shape, and the connection direction of both has a relationship orthogonal. In addition, the material and formation pattern which comprise the 1st transparent electrode layer 6 and the 2nd transparent electrode layer 7 do not limit the 1st transparent electrode layer and the 2nd transparent electrode layer in this invention. The first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer in the present invention are electrodes formed on both surfaces of the light-transmitting resin film substrate, and any electrode layer that constitutes the transparent electrode layer in the conventional touch panel sensor. You may select and apply suitably. For example, any electrode may be selected as long as it constitutes an electrode capable of sensing a change in capacitance due to a contact with a finger or the like by a capacitance method. The light transmissive resin film substrate in the present invention can be appropriately selected and used as long as it is a film formed of a light transmissive resin. Specifically, a polyethylene film such as a polyethylene terephthalate film (PET film) or a polyester film such as a polyether sulfone film (PES film) is exemplified, but not limited thereto. The thickness is not particularly limited, but is generally about 50 μm to 300 μm.

  The first transparent electrode layer 6 and the second transparent electrode layer 7 are each provided with a plurality of first extraction wirings 8 and second extraction wirings 9 that are electrically connected. A first conductor 10 is provided at the end of the first extraction wiring 8, and the plurality of first conductors 10 are arranged at arbitrary edges of the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5, A conductive portion 12 is configured. On the other hand, the second conductor 11 is provided at the end of the second lead-out wiring 9, and the plurality of second conductors 11 are the edges of the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5, and in plan view, It is arranged at a position adjacent to the first extraction conductive portion 12 and constitutes the second extraction conductive portion 13. In the present invention, it is not prohibited that at least a part of the first extraction conductive portion and the second extraction conductive portion are provided to overlap each other in plan view. Care must be taken not to cause electrical inconvenience. In the present invention, it is not prohibited that the first extraction conductive portion and the second extraction conductive portion are provided apart from each other in plan view. However, in order to reduce the size of the touch panel member by keeping the mounting position of the first flexible circuit, which will be described later, as small as possible, the first extraction conductive portion and the second extraction conductive portion are within the possible range in plan view. It is desirable to be provided close to each other, and it is desirable that they are adjacent to each other like the first extraction conductive portion 12 and the second extraction conductive portion 13 shown in the figure.

  Here, the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5 includes an active area 14 that can be visually recognized by a touch panel user in an area where the first transparent electrode layer 6 and the second transparent electrode layer 7 are provided. The outside is an inactive area 15. Since the first and second lead wires 8, 9, the first and second conductors 10, 11, and the first and second lead conductors 12, 13 are generally formed in an inactive area, It does not matter whether the conductive material is a light-transmitting material. In general, a metal material such as silver or copper having high conductivity can be used, and can be printed and formed in a predetermined pattern on the light transmissive resin film substrate 5 by printing means such as screen printing. It is not limited to this.

  Next, the first flexible circuit 3 and the second flexible circuit 4 joined to the touch panel sensor 2 will be described. As the first flexible circuit 3, a flexible circuit generally known as a flexible printed circuit (FPC) is used. However, a plurality of first metal wirings 16 are printed on a region on one side of the insulating base material 22 that is flexible and divided in about one-half of the width direction. The first terminal 17 is provided at the end of the first electrode 17, and the metal wiring 16 and the first terminal 17 are not provided in the region on the other side of approximately one half of the width direction.

  On the other hand, as the second flexible circuit 4, a flexible circuit generally known as FPC is used, which is on the one surface side of the flexible insulating base material 23 and substantially in the width direction. On the other hand, a plurality of second metal wires 19 are printed, and a plurality of second terminals 20 are provided at the ends of the metal wires 19. The width dimension of the second flexible circuit 4 is approximately one half of the width dimension of the first flexible circuit 3. However, the said aspect does not limit the 1st flexible circuit and 2nd flexible circuit in this invention.

  In the present invention, when the first flexible circuit is pressure-bonded to one side surface of the light transmissive resin film substrate, at least the first extraction conductive portion provided on the light transmissive resin film substrate is covered, and In addition, a plurality of first terminals that enable electrical connection with each first conductor are provided, and in addition, a second take-out provided on the other surface side of the light-transmitting resin film substrate in plan view It includes a conductive part. On the other hand, when the second flexible circuit in the present invention is crimped to the other side surface of the light transmissive resin film substrate, at least the second extraction conductive portion provided on the light transmissive resin film substrate is covered, In addition, a plurality of second terminals that can be electrically connected to each second conductor are provided. In the range having the above conditions, the first and second flexible circuits used in the present invention are flexible circuits that can conduct a change in capacitance sensed by the touch panel sensor to an external device (external detection control device). What is necessary is just a structure provided with the some metal wiring arrange | positioned on a flexible insulating base material, and the some terminal provided in the edge part of this some metal wiring. More specifically, a known flexible circuit such as FPC or FFC can be used as the flexible circuit in the present invention.

  As the first and second flexible circuits in the present invention, independent ones may be used as shown in FIG. Or as a 1st flexible circuit and a 2nd flexible circuit mentioned above, it is an integral flexible circuit, Comprising: The thing of the type which has a surface which can be joined to each of both surfaces of a transparent resin film base material (touch panel sensor) (henceforth, (Also referred to as “integrated flexible circuit”). When the integrated flexible circuit is used in the present invention, the bonding surface bonded to one surface side of the light-transmitting resin film substrate is the first flexible circuit, and the bonding surface bonded to the other surface side is the second flexible circuit. It can be understood as a circuit. For example, as in the integrated flexible circuit 113 shown in FIG. 13, the end portion has a T-shaped portion that extends in a T-shape, and an I-shaped portion that extends in the direction perpendicular to the T-shaped direction on both right and left sides. The touch panel sensor 114 may be sandwiched between the T-shaped part and the I-shaped part and may be crimped. In the touch panel member 115 in which the flexible circuit 113 is bonded to the touch panel sensor 114, the end of the flexible circuit 113 bonded to one side surface of the touch panel sensor 114 is used as the first flexible circuit 116 and the other of the touch panel sensor 114 in the present invention. The end portion of the flexible circuit 113 joined to the side surface can be understood as the second flexible circuit 117. Alternatively, as another example of the integrated flexible circuit, the flexible circuit 118 illustrated in FIG. 14A or the flexible circuit 122 illustrated in FIG. 15A can be given. As shown in FIG. 14B or FIG. 15B, the flexible circuits 118 and 122 are partly brought into contact with one side surface of the touch panel sensor 114 and bent at the broken line portion shown in FIG. 14A or FIG. The touch panel member 119 or 123 can be manufactured by contacting the other side of the touch panel sensor 114 with the contact surface and pressing the same. At this time, a portion of the flexible circuit 118 that is bonded to one side surface of the touch panel sensor 114 can be understood as the first flexible circuit 120, and a portion that is bonded to the other surface side is understood as the second flexible circuit 121 (see FIG. 14B). Similarly, the portion of the flexible circuit 122 that is bonded to one side surface of the touch panel sensor 114 can be understood as the first flexible circuit 124, and the portion that is bonded to the other surface side can be understood as the second flexible circuit 125 (see FIG. 15B).

  As described above, the first terminal provided in the first flexible circuit and the second terminal provided in the second flexible circuit used in the present invention are respectively the first conductor and the second conductor in the light-transmitting resin film substrate. It is electrically connected to the body. These may be formed with a width larger than the line width of the metal wiring, such as the first terminal 17 and the second terminal 20 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, or the end of the metal wiring may be formed. If the first conductor or the second conductor is exposed to be electrically connectable, the exposed portion may be used as a terminal.

  The first flexible circuit and the second flexible circuit can be further simplified by connecting to each other by using a metal wiring portion exposed without being covered except for the first terminal 17 and the second terminal 20. Yes (not shown). The connection includes a method using thermocompression bonding with a film containing anisotropic conductive particles, a method using through-hole formation, and a method using soldering. Among these, the method by thermocompression bonding and the method by through-hole formation are suitable because they can be automated during production.

  Next, the touch panel member 1 created using the touch panel sensor 2, the first flexible circuit 3, and the second flexible circuit 4 will be described. In the present invention, in order to create the touch panel member 1, first, each first terminal 17 in the first flexible circuit 3 and each first conductor 10 in the light transmissive resin film substrate 5 (a) face each other. At the position, the first flexible circuit 3 is pressure-bonded to the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5. At this time, the second extraction conductive portion 13 is covered with a surface on which the first terminal 17 does not exist, which is divided by approximately one half of the width direction of the first flexible circuit 3 in plan view. Thereby, the 1st junction area | region 31 formed by joining the 1st flexible circuit 3 to the transparent resin film base material 5 (a) is formed. In addition, in the above-mentioned, it is only one aspect of this invention that the surface in which the 1st terminal 17 in the 1st flexible circuit 3 does not exist is about one-half of the width direction, The 1st flexible circuit 3 is The first terminal 17 is not present in a plan view, and the second covering conductive portion 13 is covered.

  Then, with the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5 (b) facing up, the second flexible circuit 4 is connected to the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5 (b) with each second conductor 11 and each second terminal. Crimp at the position where 20 faces. Thereby, the 2nd junction area | region 32 formed by joining the 2nd flexible circuit 4 to the light transmissive resin film base material 5 (b) is formed, and the touch panel member 1 is completed.

  Here, the first joining region 31 includes the second extraction conductive portion 13 in plan view. This is because the first flexible circuit 3 is pressure-bonded to one side surface 5 (a) of the light-transmitting resin film substrate, and then the other side surface 5 (b) of the light-transmitting resin film substrate is turned up, When the flexible circuit 4 is pressure-bonded, it means that at least the region where the second flexible circuit 4 covers the second extraction conductive portion 13 is flat. Therefore, when the second flexible circuit 4 is pressure-bonded, pressure at the time of pressure-bonding is applied evenly to the second flexible circuit 4 and the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5 at least in the region having the second extraction conductive portion 13. And both can be pressure-bonded satisfactorily. Therefore, there is no gap between the second flexible circuit 4 and the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5, and there is no electrical contact failure, and the excellent purpose of the present invention has been achieved. The touch panel member 1 is completed.

  In addition, in the above, regarding the manufacture of the touch panel member of the present invention, the method of first crimping the first flexible circuit and then crimping the second flexible circuit to the light-transmitting resin film substrate has been described. Is not intended to limit the production of the present invention. The touch panel member of the present invention can be manufactured by a manufacturing method appropriately determined within a range in which a touch panel member that does not depart from the spirit of the present invention can be provided. For example, the touch panel member of the present invention can also be manufactured by a method in which the first flexible circuit and the second flexible circuit are simultaneously pressure-bonded to the light-transmitting resin film substrate. In particular, when the width dimensions of the first flexible circuit and the second flexible circuit are substantially equal, and both are overlapped without deviation in plan view, and are to be bonded to the light-transmitting resin film substrate, By aligning the one flexible circuit and the second flexible circuit at appropriate positions and simultaneously pressing them onto both surfaces of the light-transmitting resin film substrate, the intended purpose of the present invention is similar to the above. Achieved.

  In addition, since the second extraction conductive portion 13 is included in the first bonding region 31 in plan view, as a result, the second extraction conductive portion 13 is covered and pressed onto the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5. The second flexible circuit 4 overlaps with the first flexible circuit 3 in plan view. In other words, there is no gap between the first flexible circuit 3 and the second flexible circuit 4. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the step of the light transmissive resin film base material, which has been a problem in the past, does not occur.

  In the present invention, the configuration in which the first joining region includes the second extraction conductive portion in plan view is, in other words, at least a part of the first joining region and the second joining region overlap in plan view. And the 2nd extraction electroconductive part should just be included in the area | region with which both overlap. More specifically, in plan view, (1) whether both edges in the width direction of the second bonding region are present in both edges in the width direction of the first bonding region, or (2) of the first bonding region. The width direction both edges substantially coincide with the width direction both edges of the second bonding area, or (3) the width direction one side edge of the first bonding area and the width direction one side of the second bonding area The edges substantially coincide with each other, and the width direction other side edge of the second bonding region exists in both edges in the width direction of the first bonding region, or (4) the first bonding region and the above A mode in which a part of the second joining region overlaps and the second extraction conductive portion is included in a region where both overlap is exemplified. Further, in particular, the depth direction edge of the second bonding region coincides with the depth direction edge of the first bonding region, or the depth direction edge of the second bonding region is better than the depth direction edge of the first bonding region. It is more desirable to be inside. The width direction of the first bonding region means the width direction of the first flexible circuit constituting the first bonding region, and the width direction of the second bonding region constitutes the second bonding region. This means the width direction of the second flexible circuit. Further, the depth direction of the first and second joining regions means a direction substantially perpendicular to the width direction of the first and second joining regions and going from the edge of the light-transmitting resin film substrate to the inside. To do.

  Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention for joining the touch panel sensor and the first and second flexible circuits in the touch panel member will be described, and the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 2A is a schematic plan view of the touch panel member 1 in which the first transparent electrode layer 6 is omitted in FIG. 1A. The other side b of the touch panel member 1 shown in FIG. 2A and the touch panel members shown in FIGS. 2B, 2C, 3 and 4 described later has the same configuration as shown in FIG. 1B.

  The bonding area 31 in the touch panel member 1 is the first electric connection area 33 in which each first conductor 10 and each first terminal 17 are electrically connected, and the first conductor 10 in the arrangement direction of the first conductor 10. A distinction can be made between a first non-electrical connection region 34 provided alongside one electrical connection region 33. The first conductor 10 does not exist in the first non-electrical connection region 34, and therefore the touch panel sensor 2 and the first flexible circuit 3 are connected regardless of the presence or absence of the first terminal 17 on the first flexible circuit 3 side. An area that cannot be electrically connected. On the other hand, on the other surface side b of the touch panel member 1 shown in FIG. 1B, the second electrical connection regions 39 (see FIG. 5) in which the second conductors 11 and the second terminals 20 are electrically connected. ) Is provided. That is, regardless of the first or second, in the present invention, the electrical connection region is a region that is necessarily included in the joining region, and is provided in the conductor in the light-transmitting resin film substrate and the flexible circuit. It means a region where the terminals are electrically connected, and the non-electrical connection region is a region provided in parallel with the electrical connection region in the arrangement direction of the conductors, and is not electrically connected. It means an area. Whether or not the non-electrical connection region is formed is determined by the width dimension of the flexible circuit used. That is, the non-electricity is formed adjacent to the electrical connection region by forming the joining region using a flexible circuit that covers the extraction conductive part formed by arranging the conductors and exceeds the width required to form the electrical connection region. A connection area can be provided.

  Here, in the 1st electrical connection area | region 33, the transparent resin film base material 5 and the flexible insulating base material 22 have a metal part called the 1st conductor 10 and the 1st terminal 17, respectively, and are mutually On the other hand, in the first non-electrical connection region 34, the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5 and the insulating substrate 22 are pressed against each other without any metal interposed therebetween. Therefore, the rigidity of the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5 at the crimping portion is insufficient, the material constituting the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5 and the insulating substrate 22, the type of adhesive used for the pressing, or the like The first non-electrical connection region 34 may be warped depending on the pressure bonding temperature or the like. In such a case, it is possible to avoid the problem of warping by simultaneously pressing the first flexible circuit 3 and the second flexible circuit 4 against the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5.

  In order to make the crimping state of the first non-electrical connection region 34 better, as shown in FIG. 2B, on the first flexible circuit 3 surface forming the first non-electrical connection region 34, the first terminal 17 An intermittent metal layer 35 can be provided in the arrangement direction. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2C, a continuous metal layer 36 in the arrangement direction of the first terminals 17 may be provided on the surface of the first flexible circuit 3 forming the first non-electrical connection region 34. 2B and FIG. 2C do not limit the metal layer in the present invention, and the first non-electrical connection region is in a good pressure-bonded state. You may decide arbitrarily in the range of the meaning. The metal constituting the metal layer and the thickness thereof in the present invention are not particularly limited, and may be determined as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. However, it is desirable to use the same metal and the same thickness as the first terminal because the first terminal and the metal layer can be formed in the same process in the manufacturing process of the first flexible circuit 3.

  Further, by providing the continuous metal layer 36, a part or all of the second conductor 11 formed in the inactive area is covered with the metal layer 36 in plan view. The metal layer 36 and the second conductor 11 facing each other through the material 5 are electrostatically coupled, which can reduce erroneous recognition due to contact with an inactive area. Providing the intermittent metal layer 35 also has the effect of reducing false recognition due to contact with the inactive area, and maintaining the flexibility of the touch pal sensor by making it intermittent. Is possible.

  Alternatively, instead of providing the metal layer 35 or the metal layer 36 in the first non-electrical connection region 34, the first terminal 17 is provided at the end also in the first non-electrical connection region 34 as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the first flexible circuit 3 ′ provided with the first metal wiring 16 may be used. Alternatively, although not shown, in the non-electrical connection region, a pseudo wiring that is parallel to the first metal wiring in the electrical connection region and is cut in the middle is provided, and the same metal as the first terminal is provided at the end of the pseudo wiring. It is also possible to provide a part and thereby replace the metal layer. By adopting such a configuration, there is no problem of warping when the first and second flexible circuits are sequentially pressure-bonded to the light-transmitting resin film substrate surface, and an error due to contact with an inactive area is not caused. Recognition can be reduced.

  In addition, the metal layer in the present invention is continuously provided in the first conductor arrangement direction on the light-transmitting resin film substrate surface forming the first non-electrical connection region instead of being provided on the first flexible circuit surface as described above. Or you may provide intermittently (refer the metal layer 37 of FIG. 6). Also by this, the crimping state of the first non-electrical connection region 34 can be improved. As the metal layer provided on the light-transmitting resin film substrate surface, for example, the metal layer 35 shown in FIG. 2B or the metal layer 36 shown in FIG. 2C is not formed on the first flexible circuit surface side. The aspect provided in the light transmissive resin film base-material surface side which just faces this is illustrated. The metal layer provided on the surface of the light transmissive resin film substrate is not limited to the shape, area, arrangement interval, etc. of the metal layers 35 and 36 shown in FIGS. It may be arbitrarily determined within the scope of making the crimped state good, and the metal constituting the metal layer and its thickness are not particularly limited, and may be appropriately determined within the scope of the present invention. However, it is desirable to use the same metal and the same thickness as the first conductor because the first conductive portion and the metal layer can be formed in the same process in the manufacturing process of the touch panel sensor. By adopting such a configuration, there is no problem of warping when the first and second flexible circuits are sequentially crimped to the light-transmitting resin film substrate surface, and the first flexible circuit is formed in the inactive area. Since a metal layer covering the two conductors 11 is formed and, as a result, electrostatic coupling is performed, erroneous recognition due to contact with an inactive area can be reduced, which is preferable.

  Moreover, in another aspect of the touch panel member of the present invention, the first bonding region may not have the first non-electrical connection region. That is, like the touch panel member 1 ′ shown in FIG. 4, the first bonding region 31 is configured as a region equal to the first electrical connection region 33, and the first conductor 10 is formed in the entire 31 width direction of the first bonding region. On the other hand, the first terminal 17 is provided at the end of the first flexible circuit 3 ′ in the entire width direction, and each first conductor 10 and each first terminal 17 are electrically connected. The touch panel sensor used for the touch panel member 1 ′ may be 2 ′ in the drawing. However, in the case of such an aspect, since the second conductor on the other surface side b and the first conductor overlap in plan view, it is necessary to take care not to cause electrical inconvenience due to coupling.

  Next, a crimping method and a crimping state of the touch panel sensor and the first and second flexible circuits will be described. In the present invention, when the touch panel sensor and the first and second flexible circuits are pressure-bonded, the bonding region is physically bonded, and the first conductor, the first terminal, the second conductor, and the second terminal. Is electrically connected. For example, using an anisotropic conductive particle-containing film, applying this to the region to be pressure-bonded, and then aligning the light-transmitting resin film substrate and the first or second flexible circuit at an appropriate position, Both of them can be bonded by temperature and pressure and bonded.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the touch panel member 1 shown in FIG. 2C. In the touch panel member 1, the first conductor 10 and the first terminal 17 are electrically connected via the anisotropic conductive particles 41 on one surface side a of the light transmissive resin film substrate 5. Thus, the first electrical connection region 33 is configured. On the other hand, the other surface is physically bonded by the adhesive layer 42. The first non-electrical connection region 34 of the insulating base material 22 is provided with a metal layer 36 having substantially the same thickness as that of the first terminal 17, but there is no first conductor on the facing surface. There is no electrical connection. On the other hand, on the other surface side b of the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5, the second conductor 11 and the second terminal 20 are electrically connected via the anisotropic conductive particles 41, whereby the first Two electrical connection regions 39 are formed. In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 to be described later, on the other surface side b of the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5, the second bonding region 32 is composed only of the second electric bonding region 39.

  FIG. 6 shows the first non-electrical connection region 34 shown in FIG. 5 in which the metal layer 36 is not provided on the insulating substrate 22 (that is, the metal layer is not provided on the first flexible circuit side), and the light transmissive resin. It is the cross-sectional schematic of the touch panel member 43 produced similarly to the touch panel member 1 except having provided the metal layer 37 of the substantially same thickness as the 1st conductor 10 on the one side surface a of the film base material 5. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view when the touch panel member 43 is cut at the same position as the position where the touch panel member 1 of FIG. 5 is cut. Thus, in the first non-electrical connection region in the present invention, the optionally provided metal layer may be formed on the insulating substrate side, or may be formed on the light transmissive resin film substrate side. Also good.

  In the above, although the 1st joining area | region 31 was demonstrated to the 1st electrical connection area | region 33 and the 1st non-electrical connection area | region 34 in the one surface side a of the light transmissive resin film base material 5, this was demonstrated. Similarly, the second bonding region 32 may be divided into the second electrical connection region 39 and the second non-electrical connection region 40 also on the other surface side b of the light transmissive resin film substrate 5. Good. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the second bonding region 32 is a region provided side by side with the second electrical connection region 39 and the second electrical connection region 39 in the arrangement direction of the second conductors 11. It can be configured as a touch panel member 44 including a second non-electrical connection region 40 in which electrical connection to the second flexible circuit 4 ′ is not performed due to the absence of the two conductors 11. Although not shown, in the present invention, the second flexible circuit has a region that does not overlap the first flexible circuit as long as the second extraction conductive portion is included in the first bonding region in plan view. Is not prohibited.

  Further, in the touch panel member of the present invention in which the second non-electrical connection region is provided, the second flexible circuit surface that forms the second non-electrical connection region or the light-transmitting resin film surface that forms the second non-electrical connection region , A continuous or intermittent metal layer can be optionally provided in the second conductor arrangement direction. The touch panel member 44 shown in FIG. 7 is formed to have substantially the same thickness as the second terminals 20 in the arrangement direction of the second terminals 20 on the surface of the second flexible circuit 4 ′ that forms the second non-electrical connection region 40. A continuous metal layer 38 is provided.

  The touch panel of the present invention can be provided using the touch panel member of the present invention described above. The touch panel 126 of the present invention shown in FIG. 16A uses the touch panel member 129 of the present invention including the touch panel sensor 127 and the flexible circuit 128 including the first and second flexible circuits. A driving IC 130 including a calculation unit is arranged and configured. The touch panel 126 is connected to the rigid circuit 132 via the connector 131. The touch panel 126 ′ of the present invention shown in FIG. 16B is configured in the same manner as the touch panel 126 except that the driving IC 130 is arranged in the rigid circuit 132.

  The touch panel according to the present invention includes the above-described touch panel member according to the present invention, a detection unit for detecting a change in capacitance sensed as being in contact with or close to contact in the touch panel sensor of the touch panel member, and detection by the detection unit. And an arithmetic unit for calculating, as coordinates, a position selected based on the change in the electric capacity by processing the processed signal. The touch panel can optionally be provided with a light-transmitting protective layer that covers the contact surface side of the touch panel sensor.

  The detection unit and the calculation unit are arranged in a conventionally known touch panel, can detect a contact state of the panel surface or a state close to the contact, and a contact position or a contact state by the electric signal detected as described above. Any element can be used as long as it can be calculated using coordinates at close positions. Examples of the detection unit include, but are not limited to, an element that sequentially detects a change in capacitance of the first transparent electrode layer or the second transparent electrode layer due to finger contact by applying the principle of a switched capacitor. In addition, the calculation unit that processes the signal detected by the detection unit and calculates the coordinates that are in contact or close to contact is the capacity of the first transparent electrode layer or the second transparent electrode layer detected by the detection unit. By interpolating the change, the element may be capable of specifying coordinates with higher resolution than the design of the first transparent electrode layer or the second transparent electrode layer, but is not limited thereto.

  The detection unit and the calculation unit may be arranged directly or indirectly on the touch panel member individually, or the detection unit and the calculation unit may be realized by one or more microcontrollers, and may be a flexible circuit surface or a flexible circuit. You may arrange | position on the rigid circuit to connect.

  The protective layer having an arbitrary configuration in the touch panel of the present invention can be provided by adhering the upper surface of the touch panel sensor and the cover panel via a transparent adhesive. Examples of the cover panel include glasses formed from, for example, chemically tempered glass, soda glass, quartz glass, and alkali-free glass, or resins formed from polycarbonate, polyacrylate ester, polymethacrylate ester, and the like. Yes, but not limited to this. Among these, a cover panel formed of glass has a low dielectric constant and high signal detection sensitivity, and is suitable as a protective layer in the present invention.

  Examples of the present invention and comparative examples are shown below. In order to facilitate understanding of the first embodiment, FIG. 8 shows a schematic exploded view of a joint portion between the touch panel sensor and the first and second flexible circuits in the first embodiment, and FIG. 9 shows an embodiment and a comparative example. FIG.

Example 1:
(Preparation of touch panel sensor)
A polyethylene terephthalate film (manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.) having a thickness of 370 mm × 470 mm and a thickness of 140 μm is prepared as the light transmissive resin film base material 51 so that the touch panel sensor can take 35 surfaces on the light transmissive resin film transparent base material 51. The touch panel sensor was designed and created as follows, and an arbitrary one of them was used as the touch panel sensor used in Example 1.

(First lead-out wiring and plate making of the first conductor)
Silver palladium copper alloy is used as a material for forming the first lead-out wiring 52 and the first conductor 53, and the entire surface of the one side a (51 (a)) of the light transmissive resin film substrate 51 is sputtered to 200 nm. The film was formed with a thickness of. Subsequently, using a positive photosensitive material (manufactured by AZ Materials), a pattern of the first extraction wiring 52 and the first conductor 53 was baked on the inactive area by a photolithography technique. Further, the mixed acid SEA-5 manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd. was used as an etchant, unnecessary portions were removed, and the unnecessary positive photosensitive material was subsequently peeled off with an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution, and the first extraction wiring 52 and the first conductor 53 were removed. Pattern was formed. The first extraction wiring 52 has a line width c of 0.2 mm, and the width d × depth e of the first conductor 53 is 0.6 mm × 2.0 mm. The distance f between the first conductors 53 was 0.2 mm.

(Film formation of the first transparent electrode layer)
Next, in order to form the first transparent electrode layer on the light transmissive resin film substrate 51 (a) side, ITO was formed to a thickness of 30 nm on the entire surface by sputtering. Then, a plurality of rows in which the diamond shape shown in FIG. 1A is linearly connected in one direction by a photolithography method using the same positive photosensitive material as that used when making the first extraction wiring 52 is made. The 1st transparent electrode layer was formed with the pattern which consists of. At this time, the first transparent electrode layer was formed in the active area, and the end portion was patterned so as to be connected to the first extraction wiring 52 formed in the inactive area. An aqueous ferric chloride solution was used as an etchant for ITO.

(Second lead-out wiring and second conductor plate making)
On the other side b (51 (b)) of the light transmissive resin film substrate surface 51, the position of the second conductor 56 closest to the first conductor 53 is the arrangement of the first conductors 53 in plan view. And it designed so that the distance g between the adjacent 1st conductor 53 and the 2nd conductor 56 might be set to 2 mm. And the 2nd extraction wiring 55 and the 2nd conductor 56 were made with the method similar to the 1st extraction wiring 52 and the 1st conductor 53. FIG.

(Formation of second transparent electrode layer)
Next, a second transparent electrode layer was formed on the light transmissive resin film substrate 51 (b) side. The second transparent electrode layer was formed in the same manner as the first transparent electrode layer except that the diamond shape was connected in a direction perpendicular to the connecting direction of the first transparent electrode layer and formed in a pattern consisting of a plurality of rows. . Thereby, the touch panel sensor 57 provided with the transparent electrode layer, the lead-out wiring, and the conductor on both surface sides of the light transmissive resin film substrate 51 was obtained.

(First flexible circuit)
As a material for forming the insulating base material 58 and the metal wiring 59, a flexible polyimide film having a thickness of 25 μm having a 9 μm copper foil formed on one surface is selected, and an etching mask is applied to the surface by a photolithography technique. After the formation, the first metal wiring 59 having the same number as the number of the first conductors 53 is formed in a region approximately half the width direction by etching with a ferric chloride aqueous solution, and the line width h is 0.6 mm. The distance i between the first metal wires 59 is 0.2 mm. At the same time, the width j × depth k is 0.6 mm × 2.0 mm and the mutual distance l is 0.2 mm at the end of the remaining half region where the metal wiring 59 is not formed. A plurality of first metal layers 60 were formed. Among the plurality of first metal layers 60 arranged in succession, the first metal layers 60 located at both ends are aligned in a row in a non-active area in a plan view when pressed to the touch panel sensor 57. It formed so that it might be located outside the both ends of the 2nd conductor 56 to arrange. Finally, a 12.5 μm-thick polyimide film that covers the entire surface excluding the region where the end portion of the first metal wiring 59 exists on the surface of the insulating base 58 where the first metal wiring 59 is provided. Were bonded using a 25 μm thick adhesive layer to form a protective layer (not shown), thereby forming the first flexible circuit 61. The end portion of the metal wiring portion exposed without being covered with the protective layer was used as the first terminal 63.

(Second flexible circuit)
The number of second metal wirings 64 is the same as the number of second conductors 56 formed, and both ends of the plurality of second metal layers 66 arranged continuously are bonded to the touch panel sensor 57. A second flexible circuit 62 was created in the same manner as the first flexible circuit except that it was formed so as to be positioned outside both ends of the first conductors 53 arranged in a line in a plan view in the inactive area. . The first flexible circuit 61 and the second flexible circuit 62 were connected to each other using a metal wiring portion (not shown) exposed without being covered except for the first terminal 63 and the second terminal 65.

(Production of touch panel member)
An anisotropic conductive particle-containing film (manufactured by Sony Chemical Co., Ltd.) is preliminarily formed on each first terminal 63 in the first flexible circuit 61 on the light-transmitting resin film substrate 51 (a) and in the inactive state. Next, each first terminal 63 and each first conductor 53 face each other, and the first metal layer 60 is aligned so as to overlap the second conductor 56 in plan view. Crimped.

  Next, the second terminals 65 of the second flexible circuit 62 and the second conductors 56 face each other in the inactive area on the light-transmitting resin film substrate 51 (b), and the first The second flexible circuit 62 is crimped in the same manner as the first flexible circuit 61 except that the two metal layers 66 are aligned so as to overlap the first conductor 53 in plan view, thereby completing the touch panel member. This was designated Example 1.

Example 2:
A first flexible circuit similar to the first flexible circuit 61 used in Example 1 was prepared. In addition, the second flexible circuit 62 is prepared except that an insulating base material having a width dimension of approximately one half of the width dimension of the insulating base material 58 used in Example 1 is prepared and the second metal layer 66 is not provided. A second flexible circuit 62 ′ prepared in the same manner as described above was prepared. Then, as in Example 1, the first flexible circuit 61 was pressure bonded to the touch panel sensor 57. Next, the second flexible circuit 62 ′ prepared above is aligned on the light transmissive resin film substrate 51 (b) side so that the second conductor 56 and the second terminal 65 face each other. The touch panel member was completed in the same manner as in Example 1 and this was designated as Example 2.

Example 3:
A first flexible circuit 61 ′ was prepared in the same manner as the first flexible circuit 61 except that the first metal layer 60 was not provided. The second flexible circuit 62 ″ was prepared in the same manner as the second flexible circuit 62 except that the second metal layer 66 was not provided. Then, the first flexible circuit 61 ′ is properly aligned with the light transmissive resin film substrate 51 (a), and the second flexible circuit 62 ″ is aligned with the light transmissive resin film substrate 51 (b). A touch panel sensor was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the alignment was appropriately performed and thermocompression bonding was performed simultaneously from both sides in that state.

Comparative Example 1:
A touch panel sensor 57 similar to that of Example 1 was prepared. In addition, an insulating base material having a width dimension of approximately one half of the width dimension of the insulating base material 58 used in Example 1 was prepared, and the first flexible circuit 61 except that the first metal layer 60 was not provided. A first flexible circuit 61 ″ prepared in the same manner was prepared. Moreover, the same thing as 2nd flexible circuit 62 'used in Example 2 was prepared as 2nd flexible circuit. Then, the first flexible circuit 61 ′ is first aligned with the light transmissive resin film substrate 51 (a) so that the first conductors 53 and the body position terminals 63 face each other. Crimped to. Next, using the second flexible circuit 62 ′, in the light-transmitting resin film substrate 51 (b), the second conductors 56 and the second terminals 65 are aligned so as to face each other, and are crimped in the same manner as described above. The touch panel member was completed as Comparative Example 1.

Comparative Example 2:
A touch panel sensor 57 ′ prepared in the same manner as the touch panel sensor 57 was prepared except that the distance g between the first conductor 53 and the second conductor 56 was changed to 10 mm. And the touch panel member was created similarly to the comparative example 1 using the 1st flexible circuit 61 '' and 2nd flexible circuit 62 'used in the comparative example 1, and it was set as the comparative example 2. FIG.

  Note that the flexible circuits 61, 61 ′, 62, 62 ′, and 62 ″ used in the above are terminals at the end opposite to the end joined to the touch panel sensor 57 or 57 ′. (Hereinafter also referred to as “terminal on the opposite side”).

<Conductivity test of touch panel member>
Using a tester (made by Custom Co., CDM-17D), a transparent electrode exposed in the touch panel sensor, one probe being brought into contact with a position near the metal wiring, and a flexible circuit electrically continuous with the transparent electrode The continuity of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 was tested by contacting the other probe to the opposite terminal. As a result, in Examples 1 to 3, continuity due to an electronic buzzer sound was confirmed between all the transparent electrodes of the first flexible circuit and the second flexible circuit and terminals electrically continuous to the transparent electrode. Even in Comparative Example 2, conduction due to an electronic buzzer sound could be confirmed between the transparent electrode and terminals electrically continuous to the transparent electrode. In Comparative Example 1, the second terminal 65 of the second flexible circuit 62 ′ A conduction failure was found at the terminal closest to the first flexible circuit 61 ″.

<Preparation of protective layer>
Further, after conducting the above continuity test, in order to provide a protective layer in each of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the touch panel sensor 57 or 57 ′ has a thickness of 25 μm and made by Panac Corporation. A transparent adhesive film was bonded, and then a polycarbonate plate having a thickness of 0.6 mm was bonded to prepare a protective layer.

<Visual observation of touch panel members>
For Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the bonding state of the first and second flexible circuits to the light-transmitting resin film substrate 5 was visually observed. As a result, in Examples 1 to 3, it was confirmed that both the first flexible circuit 61 and the second flexible circuits 62 and 62 ′ were favorably bonded to the light transmissive resin film substrate 5. 9A to 9E, schematic views of cross sections cut at positions including the bonding region in the bonding states in Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are shown. In the drawing, the portion where the conductor and the terminal are electrically joined is shown in black, and the metal layer is shown in white. In the drawing, the protective layer is not shown.

  On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, a gap was confirmed between the end portion of the second flexible circuit 62 ′ near the first flexible circuit 61 ″ and the light transmissive resin film substrate 5. In Comparative Example 2, both the first flexible circuit 61 ″ and the second flexible circuit 62 ′ were satisfactorily bonded to the light transmissive resin film substrate 5, but the first flexible circuit 61 ′ and the second flexible circuit 61 ′ The deformation due to the generation of a step in the light transmissive resin film substrate 5 was confirmed between the circuit 62 ′ and the circuit 62 ′. In addition, when the protective layer is formed in Comparative Example 2 due to the deformation caused by the step, the interface between the transparent adhesive film and the polycarbonate plate is bonded to the upper surface of the touch panel sensor via the transparent adhesive film. Bubbles were mixed in.

1, 2 'touch panel sensor; 3, 3' first flexible circuit; 4, 4 'second flexible circuit; 5 light transmissive resin film substrate; 6 first transparent electrode layer; 2 transparent electrode layers; 8 first extraction wiring; 9 second extraction wiring; 10 first conductor; 11 second conductor; 12 first extraction conductive part; 13 second extraction conductive part; 14 active area; 15 inactive Area: 16 First metal wiring; 17 First terminal; 19 Second metal wiring; 20 Second terminal; 22, 23 Insulating substrate; 31 First bonding area; 32 Second bonding area; 33 First electric connection area 34 First non-electric connection region; 35, 36, 37, 38 Metal layer; 39 Second electric connection region; 40 Second non-electric connection region; 41 Anisotropic conductive particles; 42 Adhesive layer; 43, 44 Touch panel Material: 51 Light transmissive resin film substrate; 52 First extraction wiring; 53 First conductor; 55 Second extraction wiring; 56 Second conductor; 57, 57 'Touch panel sensor; 58 Insulating substrate; One metal wiring; 60 First metal layer; 61, 61 ′ First flexible circuit; 62, 62 ′, 62 ″ Second flexible circuit; 63 First terminal; 64 Second metal wiring; 65 Second terminal; Two metal layers; a one surface side; b other surface side; c line width of the first extraction wiring; d width of the first conductor; e depth of the first conductor; f distance between the first conductors; Distance between one conductor and second conductor; h line width of first metal wiring; i distance between first metal wirings; j width of first metal layer; k depth of first metal layer; l first metal Distance between layers; 101 Light-transmitting resin film substrate; 102 One surface side; 10 104, 104 ′ joint region; 105 step; 106 other side; 107 second flexible circuit; 108 gap; 110, 110 ′, 110 ″ touch panel member; 111, 112 electrical connection portion; 113, first flexible circuit; 118, 122 Integrated flexible circuit; 114 Touch panel sensor; 115, 119, 123 Touch panel member; 116, 120, 124 First flexible circuit; 117, 121, 125 Second flexible circuit; 126, 126 ′ Touch panel of the present invention; 127 Touch panel sensor; 128 Flexible circuit; 129 Touch panel member; 130 Drive circuit including detection unit and calculation unit; 131 Connector; 132 Rigid circuit

Claims (7)

A flexible circuit comprising a plurality of metal wires arranged on a flexible insulating substrate and a plurality of terminals provided at ends of the plurality of metal wires is a touch panel member joined to a touch panel sensor,
The touch panel sensor
A first transparent electrode layer provided on one side of the light transmissive resin film substrate and the light transmissive resin film substrate, a plurality of first extraction wirings connected to the first transparent electrode layer, and the plurality A first extraction conductive portion in which first conductors provided at the end of the first extraction wiring are arranged, and
A second transparent electrode layer, a plurality of second extraction wirings connected to the second transparent electrode layer, and ends of the plurality of second extraction wirings provided on the other surface side of the light transmissive resin film substrate A second extraction conductive portion formed by arranging the second conductors provided in
As the flexible circuit,
A plurality of first terminals are provided at an end portion, and the first take-out conductive portion is covered by the end portion and bonded to the light-transmitting resin film substrate, thereby being formed on the light-transmitting resin film substrate. A first flexible circuit forming a first bonding region;
A plurality of second terminals are provided at the end portion, and the second take-out conductive portion is covered by the end portion and bonded to the light-transmitting resin film base material, thereby being formed on the light-transmitting resin film base material. A second flexible circuit forming a second joining region,
The touch panel member, wherein the second extraction conductive portion is included in the first bonding region in plan view. The first bonding region includes a first electrical connection region in which the plurality of first conductors and the plurality of first terminals are electrically connected to each other, and in the arrangement direction of the first conductors, A region provided side by side with the first electrical connection region, and is configured by a first non-electrical connection region that is not electrically connected to the first flexible circuit due to the absence of the first conductor; and
The said 2nd junction area | region contains at least the 2nd electrical connection area | region formed by electrically connecting these 2nd conductors and these 2nd terminals, respectively. The touch panel member as described. The touch panel member according to claim 2, wherein the second conductor is located only in the first non-electrical connection region in plan view. In the first flexible circuit surface forming the first non-electrical connection region, a metal layer is provided continuously or intermittently in the arrangement direction of the first terminals, or the first non-electrical connection region is formed. 4. The touch panel member according to claim 2, wherein a metal layer is provided continuously or intermittently in the arrangement direction of the first conductor on the surface of the light transmissive resin film substrate. The second junction region is a region provided side by side with the second electrical connection region in the arrangement direction of the second electrical connection region and the second conductor, and the second conductor is not present. 5. The touch panel member according to claim 2, wherein the touch panel member includes a second non-electrical connection region in which electrical connection to the second flexible circuit is not performed. In the second flexible circuit surface forming the second non-electrical connection region, a metal layer is provided continuously or intermittently in the arrangement direction of the second terminals, or the second non-electrical connection region is formed. The touch panel member according to claim 5, wherein a metal layer is provided continuously or intermittently in the arrangement direction of the second conductor on the surface of the light-transmitting resin film. The touch panel member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising:
A detection unit for detecting a change in capacitance sensed as a contact or a state close to contact in the touch panel sensor in the touch panel member;
A touch panel, comprising: a calculation unit that calculates a position selected based on a change in the electric capacity as a coordinate by processing a signal detected by the detection unit.

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