KR102131256B1 - Touch window and touch device with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A touch window according to an embodiment includes a substrate; A sensing electrode disposed on the substrate and sensing a position; And a wiring portion electrically connecting the sensing electrode, wherein the wiring portion includes a first sub-pattern; And a conductive layer disposed on the first sub-pattern.

Description

Touch window and touch device including the same {TOUCH WINDOW AND TOUCH DEVICE WITH THE SAME}

The present description relates to a touch window and a touch device including the same

Recently, in various electronic products, a touch panel for inputting an image displayed on a display device by contacting an input device such as a finger or a stylus has been applied.

The touch panel may be divided into a resistive touch panel and a capacitive touch panel. The resistive touch panel detects a change in resistance according to the connection between electrodes when pressure is applied to the input device, thereby detecting a position. The capacitive type touch panel detects a change in capacitance between electrodes when a finger touches and the position is detected. In view of the convenience of the manufacturing method and the sensing power, the capacitive method has recently attracted attention in small models.

In such a touch panel, wirings for connecting the electrodes to the external circuit are located at least to the left, right, and bottom of the touch panel. Such wiring can be patterned through a photoresist process. However, there is a limitation in forming a wiring pattern through the existing etching method. In other words, there is a limit in reducing the line width of the wiring, so a fine pattern is impossible. This may cause a problem that the effective area is reduced.

In addition, the design may be limited by a bezel for covering such wiring.

The embodiment is intended to provide a touch window capable of securing design diversity.

A touch window according to an embodiment includes a substrate; A sensing electrode disposed on the substrate and sensing a position; And a wiring portion electrically connecting the sensing electrode, wherein the wiring portion includes a first sub-pattern; And a conductive layer disposed on the first sub-pattern.

In an embodiment, the line width of the conductive layer is formed of a very thin fine pattern, so that the area of the ineffective region where the wiring portion is disposed can be reduced. Therefore, a narrow bezel of the touch window can be implemented. As a result, the size of the screen can be secured, and the design diversity of the bezel can be secured.

1 is a schematic plan view of a touch window according to an embodiment.
2 is a plan view of a touch window according to the first embodiment.
3 is an enlarged view illustrating an enlarged view of A in FIG. 2.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section taken along line C-C' of FIG. 3.
5 is an enlarged view illustrating an enlarged view of FIG. 2B.
6 is a cross-sectional view of a touch window according to a second embodiment.
7 is a cross-sectional view of a touch window according to another embodiment.
8 and 9 are enlarged views of a touch window according to another embodiment.
10 is a plan view of a touch window according to another embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing enlarged D of FIG. 10.
12 to 16 are diagrams for describing a method of manufacturing a touch window according to an embodiment.
17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a touch device in which a touch window according to an embodiment is disposed on a display panel.

In the description of the embodiments, each layer (membrane), region, pattern or structure may be “on/on” or “under/under” the substrate, each layer (membrane), region, pad or pattern. The term "formed on" includes both those formed directly or through another layer. The standards for the top/bottom/bottom/bottom of each layer are described based on the drawings.

In the drawings, the thickness or size of each layer (film), region, pattern, or structure may be modified for clarity and convenience of description, and does not entirely reflect the actual size.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the touch window according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. 1 is a schematic plan view of a touch window according to an embodiment. 2 is a plan view of a touch window according to the first embodiment. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating an enlarged view of A in FIG. 2. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section taken along line C-C' of FIG. 3. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating an enlarged view of FIG. 2B.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the touch window 10 according to the embodiment is arranged around the effective area AA and the effective area AA for detecting the position of the input device (eg, finger, etc.) The substrate 100 is defined in which the non-effective area UA is defined.

Here, the sensing electrode 200 may be formed in the effective area AA to detect the input device. In addition, a wiring unit 300 for electrically connecting the sensing electrode 200 may be formed in the non-effective area UA. In addition, an external circuit connected to the wiring unit 300 may be located in the non-effective area UA.

When an input device such as a finger touches the touch window, a difference in capacitance occurs at a portion where the input device is contacted, and a portion where the difference occurs can be detected as a contact position.

The touch window will be described in more detail as follows.

The substrate 100 may be formed of various materials capable of supporting the sensing electrode 200, the wiring part 300, and the circuit board formed thereon. The substrate 100 may be rigid or flexible. For example, the substrate 100 may include glass or plastic. In detail, the substrate includes chemically strengthened glass such as soda lime glass or aluminosilicate glass, sapphire, or plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyimide (PI). can do. Sapphire has excellent electrical properties such as dielectric constant, which can not only significantly improve the touch response speed, but also can easily implement spatial touch such as hovering and high surface strength, making it suitable for cover substrates. Hovering is a technique that recognizes coordinates even at a distance away from the display.

An outer dummy layer is formed in the non-effective area UA of the substrate 100. The outer dummy layer may be formed by coating a material having a predetermined color so that the wiring unit 300 and a printed circuit board connecting the wiring unit 300 to an external circuit are not visible from the outside. The outer dummy layer may have a color suitable for a desired appearance, and for example, may include black pigment or the like to exhibit black color. In addition, a desired logo or the like can be formed on the outer dummy layer in various ways. The outer dummy layer may be formed by vapor deposition, printing, or wet coating.

The sensing electrode 200 may be formed on the substrate 100. The sensing electrode 200 may detect whether an input device such as a finger is in contact. 2, the sensing electrode 200 is illustrated as extending in a second direction on the substrate, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Therefore, the sensing electrode 200 may extend in a first direction crossing the second direction. Further, the sensing electrode 200 may include two types of sensing electrodes 200 having a shape extending in a first direction and a shape extending in a second direction.

In FIG. 2, the sensing electrode 200 is shown as a bar, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the sensing electrode 200 may be formed in various shapes capable of detecting whether an input device such as a finger is in contact.

The sensing electrode 200 may include a transparent conductive material to allow electricity to flow without interfering with the transmission of light. To this end, the sensing electrode 200 includes indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, copper oxide, carbon nano tube (CNT), conductive polymer, and connection structure ( interconnecting structure). The connection structure may be a microstructure having a diameter of 10 nm to 200 nm. In this case, the sensing electrode 200 may include nanowires.

In addition, the sensing electrode 200 may include a metal material having excellent electrical conductivity. For example, the sensing electrode 200 may include at least one of Cu, Au, Ag, Al, Ti, Ni, or alloys thereof. Through this, electrical characteristics of the touch window to which the sensing electrode 200 is applied may be improved.

Also, the sensing electrode 200 may include a mesh shape. In this case, the sensing electrode 200 may include various metals having excellent conductivity.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 2, the sensing electrode 200 is illustrated as extending in one direction, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the sensing electrode may be composed of two types of sensing electrodes, one sensing electrode extending in the one direction and another sensing electrode extending in the other direction crossing the one direction.

The one sensing electrode pattern and the other sensing electrode pattern may be formed in various ways according to the structure of the touch window.

For example, the one sensing electrode pattern and the other sensing electrode pattern may be formed together on one surface of the cover substrate.

Alternatively, the one sensing electrode pattern may be formed on one surface of the cover substrate, and the other sensing electrode pattern may be formed on one surface of the electrode substrate disposed on the cover substrate.

Alternatively, the one sensing electrode pattern may be formed on one surface of the first electrode substrate disposed on the cover substrate, and the other sensing electrode pattern may be formed on the second electrode substrate disposed on the first electrode substrate. .

Alternatively, the one sensing electrode pattern may be formed on one surface of a glass or film disposed on the cover substrate, and the other sensing electrode pattern may be formed on the other surface of the glass or film.

The touch window according to the embodiment may have various structures according to positions of the one sensing electrode pattern and the other sensing electrode pattern. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the one sensing electrode pattern and the other sensing electrode pattern may be formed at various positions.

A wiring unit 300 for electrically connecting the sensing electrode 200 may be formed in the ineffective area UA. 3 and 4, the wiring unit 300 may include a first sub-pattern 310, a second sub-pattern 320 and a conductive layer 311.

The first sub-pattern 310 is disposed on the substrate 100. The first sub-pattern 310 may be embossed. The line width W1 of the first subpattern 310 may be 1 μm to 100 μm. Preferably, the line width W1 of the first sub-pattern 310 may be 5 μm to 50 μm. More preferably, the line width W1 of the first sub-pattern 310 may be 10 μm to 30 μm.

In addition, the distance (pitch) P1 between the first sub-patterns 310 may be 1 μm to 100 μm. Preferably, the distance (pitch) P1 between the first sub-patterns 310 may be 5 μm to 50 μm. More preferably, the distance (pitch) P1 between the first sub-patterns 310 may be 10 μm to 30 μm.

The pitch P1 may have the same value as the line width W1. In FIG. 4, for convenience, the line width W1 of the first subpattern 310 is shown to be smaller than the pitch P1, but may be the same.

The second sub-pattern 320 is disposed on the substrate 100. The second sub-pattern 320 may be disposed between the first sub-patterns 310. The second sub-pattern 320 may be embossed. The line width W2 of the second sub-pattern 320 is smaller than the line width W1 of the first sub-pattern 310. The line width W2 of the second subpattern 320 may be 50 nm to 300 nm. The distance (pitch) P2 between the second sub-patterns 320 may be equal to or less than the line width W2 of the second sub-patterns 320.

The first sub-pattern 310 and the second sub-pattern 320 may include a resin or a polymer.

The conductive layer 311 is disposed on the first sub-pattern 310. Since the conductive layer 311 is disposed on the first sub-pattern 310, the line width of the conductive layer 311 may be the same or similar to the line width of the first sub-pattern 310.

In an embodiment, the line width of the conductive layer 311 is formed of a very thin fine pattern, so that the area of ineffective area (UA) in which the wiring part 300 is disposed can be reduced. Therefore, a narrow bezel of the touch window can be implemented. As a result, the size of the screen can be secured, and the design diversity of the bezel can be secured.

The conductive layer 311 may be made of a metal having excellent electrical conductivity. In one example, the conductive layer 311 may include Cu, Au, Ag, Al, Ti, Ni, or alloys thereof.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5, the first sub-pattern 310 includes a first extension portion 301 and a second extension portion 302. The first extension part 301 may extend in a first direction. The first extension portion 301 may have a straight shape. The second extension 302 is bent from the first extension 301. The second extension part 302 may extend in a second direction crossing the first direction. The second extension portion 302 may have a straight shape. An angle formed by the first extension part 301 and the second extension part 302 may be a right angle.

A second sub-pattern 320 may be disposed adjacent to the first extension portion 301 and the second extension portion 302. For example, a second sub-pattern 320 may be formed between the first extension portion 301 and another first extension portion 301 adjacent thereto. In addition, a second sub-pattern 320 may be formed between the second extension 302 and another second extension 302 adjacent thereto. That is, the second sub-pattern 320 may be formed between the first extension portion 301 or between the second extension portion 302.

The second sub-pattern 320 extends in one direction. As an example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the second sub-pattern 320 may extend in a first direction.

The electrode pad 400 is positioned at the end of the wiring part 300. The electrode pad 400 may be connected to a printed circuit board. Specifically, although not shown in the drawings, a connection terminal is located on one surface of the printed circuit board, and the electrode pad 400 may be connected to the connection terminal. The electrode pad 400 may be formed to have a size corresponding to the connection terminal.

Various types of printed circuit boards may be applied as the printed circuit board. For example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) may be applied.

Hereinafter, a touch window according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. For the sake of clarity and clarity, detailed descriptions of the same or similar parts are omitted. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a touch window according to a second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first sub-pattern 310 has an intaglio shape. A conductive layer 311 may be disposed in the intaglio first subpattern 310. Through this, the phenomenon that the conductive layer 311 is detached from the first sub-pattern 310 may be prevented.

Hereinafter, a touch window according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a touch window according to another embodiment. 8 and 9 are enlarged views of a touch window according to another embodiment. 10 is a plan view of a touch window according to another embodiment. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing enlarged D of FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 7, an end 311e of the electrode layer 311 disposed on the first subpattern 310 may be disposed on a portion of the side surface 310e of the first subpattern 310. That is, the electrode layer 311 may be disposed to surround the first sub-pattern 310. In this case, the end 311e of the electrode layer 311 may directly contact the side surface 310e of the first subpattern 310 or may be spaced apart.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 8, the second sub-pattern 323 may be disposed to intersect the first sub-pattern 313. That is, unlike the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the first sub-pattern 313 and the second sub-pattern 323 may not be parallel.

In addition, referring to FIG. 9, the second sub-pattern 325 may be arranged in a mesh shape.

Through the structures of FIGS. 8 and 9, when forming the electrode layer, it is possible to easily etch the conductive material formed on the second sub-patterns 323 and 325. Therefore, it is possible to make the conductive material remain only on the first sub-pattern 313.

Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in the touch window according to another embodiment, the first sub-pattern 315 may be arranged in a mesh shape.

In this case, the first sub-pattern 315 may include a mesh opening OA and a mesh line portion LA. At this time, the line width of the mesh line portion LA may be 0.1 μm to 10 μm. The mesh line portion LA having a line width of 0.1 μm or less may be impossible in a manufacturing process. When the line width is 10 µm or less, the pattern of the electrode layer can be made invisible. Preferably, the line width of the mesh line LA may be 1 μm to 7 μm. More preferably, the line width of the mesh line LA may be 2 μm to 5 μm.

11, the mesh opening OA may have a rectangular shape. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the mesh opening OA may have various shapes such as a diamond shape, a pentagonal shape, a hexagonal polygonal shape, or a circular shape. Further, the mesh opening OA may have an irregular shape. That is, the mesh opening OA may be provided in various shapes.

A second sub-pattern 327 is disposed adjacent to the first sub-pattern 315. The second sub-pattern 327 may be disposed between the first sub-patterns 315. Therefore, the second sub-pattern 327 is disposed in the mesh opening OA.

The line width of the second sub-pattern 327 may be smaller than the line width of the mesh line LA of the first sub-pattern 315. The line width of the second sub-pattern 327 may be 50 nm to 300 nm.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a touch window according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16. 12 to 16 are diagrams for describing a method of manufacturing a touch window according to an embodiment.

First, although not shown in the drawings, a sensing electrode may be formed in an effective area of a substrate in which an effective area and an inactive area are defined.

Subsequently, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a mold M having a pattern formed on a resin 300 ′ to be disposed on the non-effective region may be positioned and imprinted.

Referring to FIG. 14, the first subpattern 310 and the second subpattern 320 may be manufactured through the imprinting process.

15, a conductive material 311 ′ may be formed on the first subpattern 310 and the second subpattern 320. The conductive material 311' may be formed by a method such as deposition or plating.

Referring to FIG. 16, the conductive material 311 ′ may be etched. At this time, a difference in etching area occurs according to a difference in a bonding area between the structures of the first subpattern 310 and the second subpattern 320 and the conductive material 311 ′. That is, since the bonding area between the first sub-pattern 310 and the conductive material 311' is larger than the bonding area of the second sub-pattern 320 and the conductive material 311', the first sub Less etching of the conductive material 311' formed on the pattern 310 occurs. That is, according to the same etching rate, the conductive material 311' formed on the first sub-pattern 310 remains, and the conductive material 311' formed on the second sub-pattern 320 is etched and removed. do. Therefore, the conductive layer 311 may be formed only on the first sub-pattern 310.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 17, the touch window 10 may be disposed on the display panel 20 as a driving unit. The touch window 10 and the display panel 20 are joined to form a touch device.

The display panel 20 is formed with a display area for outputting an image. The display panel applied to such a touch device may generally include an upper substrate 21 and a lower substrate 22. A data line, a gate line, and a thin film transistor (TFT) may be formed on the lower substrate 22. The upper substrate 21 may be bonded to the lower substrate 22 to protect components disposed on the lower substrate 22.

The display panel 20 may be formed in various forms depending on what kind of touch device the touch device according to the present invention is. That is, the touch device according to the present invention includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a field emission display (Field Emission Display), a plasma display (PDP), an organic light emitting display (OLED) and an electrophoretic display (EPD), etc. The display panel 20 may be configured in various forms.

Features, structures, effects, and the like described in the above-described embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, features, structures, effects, and the like exemplified in each embodiment may be combined or modified for other embodiments by a person having ordinary knowledge in the field to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, the contents related to such combinations and modifications should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

In addition, although the embodiments have been mainly described above, these are merely examples and do not limit the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are exemplified above in a range that does not depart from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. It will be appreciated that various modifications and applications are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments can be implemented by modification. And differences related to these modifications and applications should be construed as being included in the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims (15)

Board;
A sensing electrode disposed on the substrate and sensing a position; And
And a wiring part electrically connecting the sensing electrode,
The wiring unit,
A first sub-pattern;
A conductive layer disposed on the first sub-pattern; And
The wiring unit includes a second sub-pattern disposed adjacent to the first sub-pattern,
The second sub-pattern is a touch window arranged in a mesh shape. delete According to claim 1,
The first sub-pattern has a line width of 1 μm to 100 μm. According to claim 1,
The line width of the second sub-pattern is smaller than the line width of the first sub-pattern. According to claim 1,
A line width of the second sub-pattern is 50 nm to 300 nm. According to claim 1,
The first sub-pattern is an embossed or engraved touch window. According to claim 1,
The first sub-pattern includes a first extension extending in a first direction and
A touch window including a second extension portion bent from the first extension portion and extended in a second direction. According to claim 1,
The second sub-pattern is a touch window extending in one direction. According to claim 1,
The conductive layer is a touch window including Cu, Au, Ag, Al, Ti, Ni or alloys thereof. According to claim 1,
The first sub-pattern is arranged in a mesh shape,
The first sub-pattern includes a mesh front portion and a mesh opening portion. The method of claim 10,
The line width of the mesh line portion is 0.1 μm to 10 μm. The method of claim 11,
The line width of the mesh line portion of the first sub-pattern is larger than the line width of the second sub-pattern. delete According to claim 1,
The first sub-pattern and the second sub-pattern intersect each other. Touch window; And
And a driving unit disposed on the touch window,
The touch window,
Board;
A sensing electrode disposed on the substrate and sensing a position; And
And a wiring part electrically connecting the sensing electrode,
The wiring unit,
A first sub-pattern;
A conductive layer disposed on the first sub-pattern; And
The wiring unit includes a second sub-pattern disposed adjacent to the first sub-pattern,
The second sub-pattern is a touch device arranged in a mesh shape.

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