KR20120065009A

KR20120065009A - Touch screen panel

Info

Publication number: KR20120065009A
Application number: KR1020100126308A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 강성구
Original assignee: 삼성모바일디스플레이주식회사
Priority date: 2010-12-10
Filing date: 2010-12-10
Publication date: 2012-06-20

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a touch screen panel includes: a transparent substrate divided into a touch active area and a touch inactive area formed outside the touch active area; A background layer formed in a region corresponding to the inactive region of the transparent substrate; An overcoat layer formed on one surface of the transparent substrate including the upper portion of the background; A plurality of conductive sensing patterns formed on an overcoat layer corresponding to the touch active area; A position detection line is formed on the overcoat layer corresponding to the touch inactive region, and electrically connected to the sensing patterns, and the background layer is formed of a Zion pigment.

Description

Touch screen panel {Touch Screen Panel}

The present invention relates to a touch screen panel, and more particularly, to a touch screen panel which is integrated with a window.

The touch screen panel is an input device that allows a user to input a command by selecting an instruction displayed on a screen of a video display device or the like as a human hand or an object.

To this end, the touch screen panel is provided on the front face of the image display device to convert a contact position in direct contact with a human hand or an object into an electrical signal. Accordingly, the instruction content selected at the contact position is received as an input signal.

Such a touch screen panel can be replaced with a separate input device connected to the image display device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and the use range thereof is gradually expanding.

However, when the touch screen panel is attached to the upper part of the panel of the image display device, problems such as the increased convenience of portability due to the increase in the volume of the entire display device may occur. Recently, development of a thin touch screen panel is required. .

However, in the case of a general touch screen panel, a window is additionally provided on the upper surface of the touch screen panel to improve the mechanical strength, which has a disadvantage in that it is counter to the trend of thinning of the touch screen panel by increasing the thickness of the touch screen panel. .

In addition, in the case of a general touch screen panel, a black matrix is formed in the touch inactive area along the periphery of the touch active area to prevent the position detection line, etc. formed under the touch inactive area from being visible, and the black border on the touch screen panel. Will form.

However, as colors of display devices employing touch screen panels are diversified recently, there is a demand for a method of implementing various edge colors of the touch screen panel.

The present invention implements a window-integrated touch screen panel that forms first and second sensing electrodes on a window, thereby minimizing the overall thickness of the touch screen panel and changing the color of the edge according to temperature. It is an object of the present invention to provide a touch screen panel implemented using a pigment).

In order to achieve the above object, a touch screen panel according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a transparent substrate divided into a touch active area and a touch inactive area formed outside the touch active area; A background layer formed in a region corresponding to the inactive region of the transparent substrate; An overcoat layer formed on one surface of the transparent substrate including the upper portion of the background; A plurality of conductive sensing patterns formed on an overcoat layer corresponding to the touch active area; It is formed on the over-coating layer corresponding to the touch inactive area, and includes a position detection line electrically connected to the sensing patterns, the background layer is characterized in that formed with a Zion pigment.

In this case, the sensing patterns may include: first sensing cells formed to be connected to each column line in a first direction; First connection lines connecting the adjacent first sensing cells; Second sensing cells formed to be connected to each row line in a second direction; And second connection lines connecting the adjacent second sensing cells, and an insulating layer is interposed between the first connection lines and the second connection lines.

In addition, the first sensing cells and the second sensing cells are formed of a transparent conductive material.

In addition, the transparent substrate is set as a window substrate positioned on the top of the substrate provided in the display device, wherein the background layer, the overcoat layer, the conductive sensing patterns and the position detection lines, the touch surface of the transparent substrate is opposed to It is formed on the bottom.

In addition, the background layer may be formed by printing at least one of a reversible type Zion ink and an irreversible type Zion ink.

According to the present invention, it is advantageous to minimize the overall thickness of the touch screen panel by forming the first and second sensing electrodes on the window.

In addition, by implementing the edge formed corresponding to the non-active area of the touch screen panel using a Zion pigment to change the color according to the temperature, effectively prevents the pattern formed in the inactive area to be visible and changes with temperature There is an advantage that can implement a variety of colors.

1 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a touch screen panel;
2 is an enlarged view illustrating main parts of an example of the sensing pattern illustrated in FIG. 1.
3 is a cross-sectional view showing a touch screen panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating an example of a touch screen panel, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating main parts of an example of a sensing pattern illustrated in FIG. 1.

1 and 2, a touch screen panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a transparent substrate 10, a plurality of conductive sensing patterns 30 formed on the transparent substrate 10, and sensing patterns. Position detection lines 35 for connecting the 30 to an external driving circuit through the pad unit 50 are included.

The transparent substrate 10 may be formed using a transparent substrate such as glass, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or acrylic as a substrate of the touch screen panel. Here, the term “transparent” means not only 100% transparent but also transparent enough to have a high light transmittance.

The sensing patterns 30 are formed by using a transparent electrode material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) in one touch active area of the transparent substrate 10 and connected to the first sensing cells 30a in a first direction. ) And second sensing cells 30b connected in a second direction.

The first sensing cells 30a are formed to be connected in a first direction, for example, in a column line direction, and are connected to each position detection line 35 in column line units.

The second sensing cells 30b are formed to be connected between the first sensing cells 30a along a second direction different from the first direction, for example, a low line direction, so as to be insulated from the first sensing cells 30a. It is connected to each position detection line 35 in a row line unit.

The first sensing cells 30a and the second sensing cells 30b may be formed on the same layer. In this case, the first connection lines 30a1 and the second connection that are insulated from each other with an insulating film interposed therebetween. The lines 30b1 may be connected along the first direction and the second direction, respectively, or may be positioned in different layers with an insulating film interposed therebetween.

More specifically, referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the sensing patterns 30 may include first sensing cells 30a and first sensing cells 30a connected in a first direction. First connection lines 30a1 connecting in a first direction and second sensing cells 30b connected in a second direction, and a second connecting the second sensing cells 30b in the first direction. Connection lines 30b1.

For convenience, although only a part of the sensing pattern is illustrated in FIG. 2, the touch screen panel has a structure in which the sensing patterns illustrated in FIG. 2 are repeatedly arranged.

The first sensing cells 30a and the second sensing cells 30b are alternately disposed so as not to overlap each other, and the first connection lines 30a1 and the second connection lines 30b1 cross each other. . In this case, an insulating film (not shown) is interposed between the first connection lines 30a1 and the second connection lines 30b1 to ensure stability.

Meanwhile, the first sensing cells 30a and the second sensing cells 30b may be formed of a first connection line 30a1 and a second electrode using a transparent electrode material such as indium tin oxide (hereinafter referred to as ITO). The connection lines 30b1 may be formed integrally with each other, or may be separately formed and electrically connected thereto.

For example, the first sensing cells 30a are integrally patterned in the column direction with the first connection lines 30a1, and the second sensing cells 30b are formed between the second sensing cells 30b. Each may be patterned to have an independent pattern, and may be connected along the row direction by second connection lines 30b1 positioned above or below the respective patterns.

In this case, the second connection lines 30b1 are directly connected to the second sensing cells 30b at the upper portion or the lower portion of the second sensing cells 30b to be electrically connected to each other, or through a contact hole. 2 may be electrically connected to the sensing cells 30b.

The second connection lines 30b1 may be formed using a transparent electrode material, such as ITO, or may be formed using an opaque low resistance material, and the width thereof may be adjusted to prevent visualization of the pattern.

In addition, the position detection lines 35 are electrically connected to the first and second sensing cells 30a and 30b and the sensing patterns 30 in the column line unit and the row line unit through the pad unit 50. Connected to an external driving circuit (not shown) such as a position detection circuit.

The position detection lines 35 are disposed in the touch inactive area outside the touch screen panel to avoid the touch active area where an image is displayed, and the transparent electrode used to form the sensing cells 30 due to the wide selection of materials. In addition to the material may be formed of a low resistance material such as molybdenum (Mo), silver (Ag), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), aluminum (Ti), molybdenum / aluminum / molybdenum (Mo / Al / Mo).

The touch screen panel as described above is a capacitive touch screen panel. When a contact object such as a human hand or a stylus pen is in contact with each other, the position detection lines 35 and the pad unit 50 are detected from the sensing patterns 30. The change of the capacitance according to the contact position is transmitted to the driving circuit (not shown) via).

Then, the contact position is grasped by the change of the electrostatic capacitance by the X and Y input processing circuit (not shown) or the like and converted into the electric signal.

In addition, the embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the transparent substrate 10 is set to the window substrate located on the top of the substrate provided in the display device employing the touch screen panel, through which the overall thickness of the touch screen panel Can be minimized.

In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of sensing patterns 30 are formed on an active area of the touch screen panel, and a non-active area located outside the active area. In the non-active area, position detection lines 35 electrically connected to the sensing patterns 30 are formed.

In this case, since the non-active area is an area where no image is displayed, a separate configuration is required to prevent the position detection lines 35 from being visible. For this purpose, a touch screen panel corresponding to the non-active area is required. In general, a material blocking light such as a black matrix is formed in the edge region of the substrate.

However, in the related art, a material such as the black matrix may not be embodied in a color other than a predetermined color.

On the other hand, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the edge formed corresponding to the non-active area of the touch screen panel is implemented by using a thermochromic pigment to change the color according to the temperature, thereby forming the position on the non-active area. It is characterized in that it effectively prevents the pattern such as the detection line from being visible and implements various colors that change according to temperature.

Such an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a touch screen panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a touch screen panel according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a transparent substrate 10, a background layer 20 formed along one edge of the transparent substrate 10, and an upper portion of the background layer 20. The overcoat layer 25 formed on one surface of the transparent substrate 10, the conductive sensing patterns 30 and the position detection lines 35 formed on the overcoating layer 25, the conductive sensing patterns 30 and The protective film 40 is formed on the transparent substrate 10 including the position detection lines 35.

The transparent substrate 10 is a substrate used as a substrate of the touch screen panel, and in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the transparent substrate 10 is set as a window substrate positioned at the top of the substrates provided in the display device employing the touch screen panel.

That is, by forming patterns for implementing a touch screen panel on the window substrate, a window-integrated touch screen panel in which the transparent substrate 10 and the window substrate are integrated can be realized, and thus the thickness of the display device employing the touch screen panel. There is an advantage that can be thinned.

Meanwhile, in the window-integrated touch screen panel, for example, the background layer 20, the overcoat layer 25, the conductive sensing patterns 30, the position detection lines 35, and the like may be formed on the touch surface (upper part) of the transparent substrate 10. It may be formed on the bottom facing the surface).

The background layer 20 is formed at an edge of one surface (eg, bottom) of the transparent substrate 10, that is, an area overlapping with the inactive area 102, and thus, the touch inactive located at the outer side of the touch active area 101. It serves to prevent the pattern of the position detection lines 35 and the like formed in the region 102 from becoming visible.

The color of the background layer 20 determines the border color of the touch screen panel. In particular, the background layer 20 according to the present invention may be formed using a Zion pigment, thereby realizing various colors that vary depending on temperature. It features.

More specifically, the Zion ink used as the Zion pigment is classified into an irreversible Zion ink that does not return even when the temperature is returned to the initial set state, and a reversible Zion ink that is returned. The background layer according to an embodiment of the present invention ( Zion pigments applied to 20) can be either a structure in which these two forms are applied, or a structure in which both are applied.

For example, in the case of using irreversible Zion ink, a color or a displayed message may be gradually changed as the product is used, and thus the purpose of distinguishing the used or used may be used.

In addition, when the reversible type Zion ink is used, the color changes only at a predetermined temperature and reverts, so that various color variations may be realized for each of four seasons, or the color may be locally changed while the user is holding the product.

In addition, each of the above embodiments may be implemented by printing irreversible Zion ink on a portion of the background layer 20 and forming the reversible Zion ink on the remaining portion.

The overcoat layer 25 may be formed using a transparent insulating material, and may be formed on the entire surface of the transparent substrate 10 including the top of the background layer 20.

The conductive sensing patterns 30 are formed in the touch active region 101 on the overcoat layer 25 using a transparent electrode material, and are connected to the position detection lines 35 on a row line or column line basis. Since the structure of the sensing patterns 30 is described in detail above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in FIG. 3, for convenience, connection lines connecting the conductive sensing patterns 30 in a row line or column line unit and the The illustration of the insulating film interposed between the connection lines will be omitted.

The position detection lines 35 are formed in the touch inactive area 102 on the overcoat layer 25 so as to be connected to the sensing patterns 30 in a row line or column line unit.

The passivation layer 40 may be formed using a transparent insulating material and may be entirely formed on the transparent substrate 10 including the conductive sensing cells 30 and the upper portion of the position detection lines 35.

As described above, in the present invention, by forming the background layer 20 formed of at least a Zion pigment along the edge of the transparent substrate 10 serving as the base of the touch screen panel, the edge of the touch screen panel is heated through a simple process. Can be implemented in a variety of colors that change depending on.

In addition, when the transparent substrate 10 of the touch screen panel is integrated with the window substrate, the thickness of the display device employing the touch screen panel may be reduced, and the manufacturing efficiency may be reduced by simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing material costs. It can also be improved.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

10: transparent substrate 20: background layer
30: detection patterns 35: position detection line

Claims

A transparent substrate divided into a touch active area and a touch inactive area formed outside the touch active area;
A background layer formed in a region corresponding to the inactive region of the transparent substrate;
An overcoat layer formed on one surface of the transparent substrate including the upper portion of the background;
A plurality of conductive sensing patterns formed on an overcoat layer corresponding to the touch active area;
A position detection line formed on the overcoat layer corresponding to the touch inactive region and electrically connected to the sensing patterns,
And the background layer is formed of a Zion pigment.

The method of claim 1,
The sensing patterns,
First sensing cells formed to be connected to each column line in a first direction;
First connection lines connecting the adjacent first sensing cells;
Second sensing cells formed to be connected to each row line in a second direction;
And second connection lines connecting the adjacent second sensing cells.

The method of claim 2,
And an insulating layer is interposed between the first connection lines and the second connection lines.

The method of claim 2,
The first and second sensing cells are formed of a transparent conductive material.

The method of claim 1,
The transparent substrate is set as a window substrate positioned on the top of the substrates provided in the display device, and the background layer, the overcoat layer, the conductive sensing patterns, and the position detection lines are formed on a bottom surface of the transparent substrate opposite to the touch surface. Touch screen panel, characterized in that formed.

The method of claim 1,
And the background layer is formed by printing at least one of reversible Zion ink and irreversible Zion ink.