Touch window

A touch window includes a sensing electrode to sense a position; a wire electrically connected to the sensing electrode; and a reinforcing electrode between the sensing electrode and the wire. A touch window includes a sensing electrode to sense a position and comprising a third pattern; and a wire electrically connected to the sensing electrode, wherein the sensing electrode includes a reinforcing part disposed at a region close to the wire, and wherein the reinforcing part includes a fourth pattern overlapping with the third pattern.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT Application No. PCT/KR2014/005085, filed Jun. 10, 2014, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0083663, filed Jul. 16, 2013, whose entire disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a touch window.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, a touch panel, which performs an input function through the touch of an image displayed on a display device by an input device such as a stylus pen or a hand, has been applied to various electronic appliances.

The touch panel may be representatively classified into a resistive touch panel and a capacitive touch panel. In the resistive touch panel, the position of the touch point is detected by detecting the variation of resistance according to the connection between electrodes when pressure is applied to an input device. In the capacitive touch panel, the position of the touch point is detected by detecting the variation in capacitance between electrodes when a finger of the user is touched on the capacitive touch panel. When taking into consideration the convenience of a fabrication process and a sensing power, the capacitive touch panel has been recently spotlighted in a smaller model.

Meanwhile, a sensing electrode of the touch panel is electrically connected to a wire and the wire is connected to an external circuit so that the touch panel may be driven. In this case, short circuit may occur between the sensing electrode and the wire due to variation in a design or variation in a density. Further, the sensing electrode may not smoothly make electric connection with the wire due to crack in the sensing electrode so that electrical characteristics may be degraded.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The embodiment provides a touch window representing an improved reliability.

Technical Solution

According to the embodiment, there is provided a touch window including: a sensing electrode to sense a position; a wire electrically connected to the sensing electrode; and a reinforcing electrode between the sensing electrode and the wire.

According to the embodiment, there is provided a touch window including: a sensing electrode to sense a position and comprising a third pattern; and a wire electrically connected to the sensing electrode; and wherein the sensing electrode comprises a reinforcing part disposed at a region close to the wire, and wherein the reinforcing part comprises a fourth pattern overlapping with the third pattern.

Advantageous Effects

The touch window according to the embodiment includes a reinforcing electrode disposed between the sensing electrode and the wire. The reinforcing electrode can sufficiently ensure an area making contact with the wire. That is, different from a case where the sensing electrode is directly connected to the wire, the sensing electrode is connected to the wire through the reinforcing electrode so that a sufficient contact area can be ensured. Accordingly, the reinforcing electrode prevents short circuit between the sensing electrode and the wire so that electrical characteristics of the touch window can be improved. In addition, even if crack occurs in the sensing electrode, the sensing electrode may be electrically connected to the wire through the reinforcing electrode so that the reliability can be improved.

Particularly, when the sensing electrode has a shape of a mesh, rapid variation in a density between the sensing electrode and the wire can be attenuated through the reinforcing electrode. Therefore, the electrical characteristics can be improved.

MODE FOR INVENTION

The thickness and size of each layer shown in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted or schematically drawn for the purpose of convenience or clarity. In addition, the size of elements does not utterly reflect an actual size.

Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, a touch panel according to the embodiment will be described.FIG. 1is a schematic plan view illustrating a touch window according to an embodiment.FIG. 2is a plan view illustrating a touch window according to the embodiment.FIG. 3is a sectional view taken along line I-I′ ofFIG. 2.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the touch window10according to the embodiment includes a substrate100in which an active area AA to detect the position of an input device (e.g., finger) and an unactive area UA provided at a peripheral portion of the active area AA are defined.

The substrate100may include a glass substrate or a plastic substrate including a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film or resin. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. Various materials to form a sensing electrode200and a wire300may be formed on the substrate100.

The active area AA may be provided therein with sensing electrodes200that may sense the input device. AlthoughFIG. 2shows the sensing electrode200having a bar shape, the embodiment is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the sensing electrode200may have various shapes capable of sensing whether the input device such as the finger is touched.

The sensing electrode200may include a transparent conductive material that allows electricity to flow therethrough without interrupting transmission of light. To this end, the sensing electrode200may include metal oxides such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), copper oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, and titanium oxide. Further, the sensing electrode200may include a nanowire, a sensitive nanowire film, a carbon nano tube (CNT), graphene, conductive polymer, or various metals. For example, the sensing electrode200may include chrome (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), and an alloy thereof.

FIG. 2illustrates the sensing electrode200extending in one direction, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the sensing electrode200may two types of sensing electrodes200having a sensing electrode extending in one direction and a sensing electrode extending in another direction crossing the one direction.

If the input device such as the finger touches the touch window, the variation of capacitance occurs in the touched part by the input device, and the touched part subject to the variation of the capacitance may be detected as a touch point.

The unactive area UA may be provided therein with a wire300that electrically connects the sensing electrodes200to each other. The wire300may include metals having high electrical conductivity. For example, For example, the sensing electrode may include chrome (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), and an alloy thereof. Particularly, the wire300may include various metal paste materials which may be formed by a printing process.

However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the wire300may include the same or similar material as that of the sensing electrode200. That is, the wire300may include metal oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), copper oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, and titanium oxide. Further, the wire300may include a nanowire, a sensitive nanowire film, a carbon nano tube (CNT), graphene, or conductive polymer.

Meanwhile, the wire300may include a conductive pattern. That is, the wire300may be arranged in the shape of a mesh. Accordingly, the unactive area UA may be transparent by hiding the wire300. Therefore, the touch window is applicable to a transparent touch device.

A reinforcing electrode210is disposed between the sensing electrode200and the wire300. The reinforcing electrode210directly makes contact with the sensing electrode200. The reinforcing electrode210directly makes contact with the wire300.

The reinforcing electrode210may include the same or similar material as that of the sensing electrode200.

Referring toFIG. 3, a thickness T2of the reinforcing electrode210may be greater than a thickness T1of the sensing electrode200. Accordingly, the reinforcing electrode210may sufficiently ensure an area making contact with the wire300. That is, different from a case where the sensing electrode200is directly connected to the wire300, the sensing electrode200is connected to the wire300through the reinforcing electrode210so that a sufficient contact area can be ensured.

Accordingly, the reinforcing electrode210prevents short circuit between the sensing electrode200and the wire300so that electrical characteristics of the touch window can be improved. In addition, even if crack occurs in the sensing electrode200, the sensing electrode200may be electrically connected to the wire300through the reinforcing electrode210so that the reliability can be improved.

An electrode pad400is positioned at an end of the wire300. The electrode pad400may be connected to a printed circuit board. In detail, although not shown in drawings, a connection terminal may be positioned at one surface of the printed circuit board, and the electrode pad400may be connected with the connection terminal. The electrode pad400may have the size corresponding to the connection terminal.

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

Meanwhile, referring toFIG. 4, the reinforcing electrode210may be disposed on the sensing electrode200or the wire300. As shown inFIG. 4, the reinforcing electrode210may extend from the sensing electrode200to the wire300.

Hereinafter, a touch window according to another embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 5 to 16. In the following description, the details of structures and components the same as those of the embodiment or extremely similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted except for only structures and components making the difference from those of the embodiment for the purpose of clear and simple explanation.

First, referring toFIG. 5, a sensing electrode200of a touch window according to another embodiment includes a first pattern P11, and a reinforcing electrode211includes a second pattern P12different from the first pattern P11. That is, the first pattern P11of the sensing electrode201may be different from the second pattern P12of the reinforcing electrode211.

In detail, the first pattern P11and the second pattern P12may include a mesh. In this case, as shown inFIG. 5, a density of a mesh line included in the second pattern P12is greater than a density of a mesh line included in the first pattern P11. That is, in the same area, the number of mesh lines included in the second pattern P12is more than the number of mesh lines included in the first pattern P11. For example, in the same area, the number of mesh lines included in the second pattern P12is at least two times more than the number of mesh lines included in the first pattern P11.

Accordingly, the short circuit between the sensing electrode201and the wire301may be prevented by increasing the number of mesh lines making contact with the wire301through the reinforcing electrode211. Further, rapid variation in the density between the sensing electrode201and the wire310may be attenuated through the reinforcing electrode211. Accordingly, the electrical characteristics of the touch window can be improved.

Meanwhile, as the sensing electrode201may have the shape of a mesh, the pattern of the sensing electrode201may not be viewed in the active area AA. That is, even if the sensing electrode201is made of metal, the pattern may not be viewed. In addition, even when the sensing electrode201is applied to a large-sized touch window, low resistance may be ensured.

Referring toFIG. 6, the sensing electrode201may include a first sub-pattern110, a second sub-pattern120, and an electrode layer201.

The first sub-pattern110is disposed on the resin layer150. The first sub-pattern110is disposed on the mesh line. Accordingly, the first sub-pattern110is arranged in the shape of a mesh. The first sub-pattern110may be recessed.

The second sub-pattern120is disposed on the resin layer150. The second sub-pattern120is disposed on a mesh opening. Accordingly, the second sub-pattern120may be disposed between first sub-patterns110. The second sub-pattern120may be recessed.

The first sub-pattern110and the second sub-pattern120may include resin or polymer. The first sub-pattern110and the second sub-pattern120may be manufactured through the imprinting process. That is, the first sub-pattern110and the second sub-pattern120may be formed on a resin layer150through a mold having a desired pattern.

The electrode layer201is disposed on the first sub-pattern110. The electrode layer201is disposed at the mesh line LA, and is arranged in the shape of a mesh. The electrode layer201may include various metals having high electrical conductivity. For example, the electrode layer201may include Cu, Au, Ag, Al, Ti, Ni, or an alloy thereof.

An electrode material may be formed on the first-sub pattern110and the second-sub pattern120. The electrode material may be formed through a deposition process or a plating process.

Next, the electrode material may be etched. In this case, an etch area may vary depending on structures of the first sub-pattern110and the second sub-pattern120and a contact area with respect to the electrode material. That is, since a contact area between the first sub-pattern110and the electrode material is larger than a contact area between the second sub-pattern120and the electrode material, the electrode material formed on the first sub-pattern110is less etched.

That is, the electrode material remains on the first sub-pattern110and the electrode material formed on the second sub-pattern120is etched and removed under the same etching rate. Accordingly, an electrode layer201may be formed on the first sub-pattern110and may be arranged in the shape of a mesh.

Further, the sensing electrode201includes a conductive pattern, so that the bending characteristic and the reliability of the touch window can be improved.

Referring toFIG. 7, a resin layer150is provided on the substrate100. The resin layer150may include an intaglio part150a. In this case, the sensing electrode201may be provided in the intaglio part150a. In other words, the sensing electrode201may be formed by filling an electrode material in the intaglio part150a. Accordingly, when comparing with deposition and photolithography processes according to the related art, the number of processes, the process time, and the process cost can be reduced.

Referring toFIG. 8, the sensing electrode201may include an interconnecting structure222. The interconnecting structure222may be a micro-structure having a diameter of 10 nm to 200 nm. For example, the sensing electrode201may include a nanowire. The sensing electrode201may include a metallic-nanowire.

Referring toFIG. 9, the sensing electrode201may include a preform221and a nanowire222. The preform221includes a sensitive material. The preform221includes the sensitive material, so that the sensing electrode201may be formed through exposure and development processes.

The sensing electrode201may include a sensitive nanowire film. The sensing electrode201includes the sensitive nanowire film, so that the thickness of the sensing electrode201can be reduced. In other words, the sensing electrode201includes nanowires, and the whole thickness of the sensing electrode201can be reduced.

Conventionally, when the sensing electrode includes the nanowires, an overcoating layer must be additionally formed to prevent the nanowires from being oxidized, so that the fabricating process may be complicated, and the thickness of the touch window may be reduced. However, according to the present embodiment, the nanowires are provided in the sensitive material so that the nanowires can be prevented from being oxidized without the overcoating layer.

Referring toFIG. 10, the touch window according to another embodiment includes a sensing electrode202having a first pattern P21and a reinforcing electrode212having a second pattern P22. A line width of a mesh line included in the first pattern P21is different from a line width of a mesh line included in the second pattern P22. In detail, the line width W2of a mesh line included in the second pattern P22is greater than the line width W1of a mesh line included in the first pattern P21.

Referring toFIGS. 11 and 12, the touch window according to another embodiment includes a sensing electrode203having a first pattern P31and a reinforcing electrode213having a second pattern P32. A thickness of a mesh line included in the first pattern P31is different from a thickness of a line width of a mesh line included in the second pattern P32. In detail, the thickness H2of a mesh line included in the second pattern P32is greater than the thickness H1of a mesh line included in the first pattern P31. Meanwhile, the first pattern P31and the second pattern P32may have the same shape and different line thickness.

Referring toFIG. 13, the touch window according to another embodiment includes a sensing electrode205having a first pattern P51and a reinforcing electrode215having a second pattern P52. A pitch D2of a mesh line included in the second pattern P52is different from a pitch D1of a mesh line included in the first pattern P51. In detail, the pitch D2of the mesh line included in the second pattern P52may be less than the pitch D1of the mesh line included in the first pattern P51.

For example, a ratio of the pitch D2of the mesh line included in the second pattern P52to the pitch D1of the mesh line included in the first pattern P51may be 1:1 to 1:4. Accordingly, a contact density between the wire310and the reinforcing electrode215may be improved. That is, a number of mesh lines, which is included in the second pattern P52and makes contact with the wire310, may be increased.

Meanwhile, in the touch window according to another embodiment, a line width W4of a mesh line included in the second pattern P52may be the same as a line width W3of a mesh line included in the first pattern P51. Accordingly, variation in the line widths between the wire301and the sensing electrode205may be attenuated. Accordingly, short circuit, crack, and characteristic variation due to variation in a density and variation in a design between the wire301and the sensing electrode205may be reduced.

Meanwhile, in the touch window according to another embodiment, a width B2of the reinforcing electrode215may be different from a width B1of the sensing electrode205. In detail, the width B2of the reinforcing electrode215may be at least 0.3 times as compared with the pitch D1of the mesh line included in the first pattern P51.

In detail, the width W2of the reinforcing electrode215may be at least 0.3 times as compared with the pitch D1of the mesh line included in the first pattern P51of the sensing electrode205and less than the width B1of the sensing electrode205.

Preferably, the width B2of the reinforcing electrode215may be at least 0.5 times as compared with the pitch D1of the mesh included in the first pattern P51of the sensing electrode205. Accordingly, a contact probability between the wire301and the reinforcing electrode215may be increased.

Meanwhile, referring toFIG. 14, in the touch window according to another embodiment, the reinforcing electrode216may partially overlap with the sensing electrode206. That is, the reinforcing electrode216may be disposed on the sensing electrode206.

In this case, the touch window according to another embodiment includes a sensing electrode206having a first pattern P61and a reinforcing electrode216having a second pattern P62. A pitch D2of a mesh line included in the second pattern P62is different from a pitch D1of a mesh line included in the first pattern P61.

In detail, the pitch D2of a mesh line included in the second pattern P62may be less than the pitch D1of a mesh line included in the first pattern P61. For example, a ratio of the pitch D2of a mesh line included in the second pattern P62to the pitch D1of a mesh line included in the first pattern P61may be 1:1 to 1:4. Accordingly, a contact density between the wire310and the reinforcing electrode216may be improved. That is, a number of the mesh lines, which is included in the second pattern P62and makes contact with the wire310, may be increased.

Further, a line width W4of a mesh line included in the second pattern P62may be the same as a line width W3of a mesh line included in the first pattern P61. Accordingly, variation in the line width between the wire304and the sensing electrode206may be attenuated. Accordingly, short circuit, crack, and characteristic variation due to the variation in the density and the variation in the design between the wire304and the sensing electrode206may be reduced.

Further, a width B2of the reinforcing electrode216may be different from a width B1of the sensing electrode206. In detail, the width B2of the reinforcing electrode216may be at least 0.3 times as compared with the pitch D1of the mesh line included in the first pattern P61of the sensing electrode206. In more detail, the width B2of the reinforcing electrode216may be at least 0.3 times as compared with the pitch D1of the mesh line included in the first pattern P61of the sensing electrode206and less than the width B1of the sensing electrode206.

Preferably, the width B2of the reinforcing electrode216may be at least 0.5 times as compared with the pitch D1of the mesh line included in the first pattern P61of the sensing electrode206. Accordingly, a contact probability between the wire304and the reinforcing electrode216may be increased. Referring toFIG. 15, the touch window according to another embodiment includes a sensing electrode240having a third pattern P41, and the sensing electrode204includes a reinforcing part204a. The reinforcing part204ais disposed at a region close to the wire304in the sensing electrode204. In this case, the reinforcing part204afurther includes a fourth pattern P42overlapping with the third pattern P41.

That is, the reinforcing part204aincludes a third pattern P41and a fourth pattern P42. The fourth pattern P42may vertically make contact with the third pattern P41. In this case, a contact area between the fourth pattern P42and the wire304is greater than a contact area between third pattern P41and the wire304. That is, a contact area between a line included in the fourth pattern P42and the wire304may be increased by increasing a density, a line width, or a thickness of the line included in the fourth pattern P42.

Referring toFIG. 16, the touch window according to the embodiment includes a sensing electrode260having the shape of a mesh, and the sensing electrode260includes at least two regions having different densities.

In detail, the sensing electrode260includes a first sensing electrode part261and a second sensing electrode part262. A density of the first sensing electrode part261is greater than a density of the second sensing electrode part262. For example, a density of a mesh line included in the first sensing electrode part261may be greater than a density of a mesh line included in the second sensing electrode part262.

Accordingly, the number of mesh lines included in the first sensing electrode part261may be greater than the number of mesh lines included in the second sensing electrode part262. Further, a line width of the mesh line included in the first sensing electrode part261may be greater than a line width of the mesh line included in the second sensing electrode part262.

The first sensing electrode part261directly makes contact with the wire305. The second sensing electrode part262directly makes contact with the wire305.

A contact area between the sensing electrode260and the wire305may be improved and short circuit between the sensing electrode260and the wire305may be prevented through the first sensing electrode part261and the second sensing electrode part262.

Meanwhile, referring toFIG. 17, the touch window may be disposed on a driver20. The driver20may include a display panel. The touch window may be combined with the driver20so that a display device may be formed.

The display panel is formed therein with a display region to display an image. Generally, the display panel applied to the display device may include an upper substrate21and a lower substrate22. A data line, a gate line, and a thin film transistor TFT may be formed on the lower substrate22. The upper substrate21may adhere to the lower substrate22to protect constituent elements disposed on the lower substrate22.

The display panel may have various shapes according to the type of the display device. That is, the display device according to the embodiment may include an LCD, a field emission display, a plasma display panel (PDP), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), and an electrophoretic display (EPD). Accordingly, the display panel may be configured to have various shapes.

Meanwhile, referring toFIG. 18, the touch window may include a curved touch window. Accordingly, a touch device including the curved touch window may be a curved touch device.

Meanwhile, referring toFIG. 19, the touch window may include a flexible touch window that is bent. Accordingly, the display including the flexible touch window may be a flexible display. Accordingly, a user may bend or curve the flexible touch window with the hand of the user.

Meanwhile, referring toFIG. 20, the touch window may be applied to a vehicle as well as a display device such as a mobile terminal. AlthoughFIG. 20shows a navigation system of a vehicle, the embodiment is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the touch window is applied to a dashboard as well as a PND (Personal Navigation Display) so that a CID (Center Information Display) may be implemented. However, the embodiment is not limited to the embodiment. In other words, the display may be used in various electronic products.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The touch window according to the embodiment includes a reinforcing electrode disposed between the sensing electrode and the wire. The reinforcing electrode can sufficiently ensure an area making contact with the wire. That is, different from a case where the sensing electrode is directly connected to the wire, the sensing electrode is connected to the wire through the reinforcing electrode so that a sufficient contact area can be ensured.