Touch panel, electronic device and manufacture method thereof

A touch panel is provided in the present disclosure, including: a substrate, a conductive trace structure, and a light-shielding structure. The substrate includes a visible area and a peripheral area, and the visible area is surrounded by the peripheral area. A conductive trace structure is disposed on the visible area. The light-shielding structure includes a first material layer and a second material layer, in which the optical density of the light-shielding structure is lower than 4, the first material layer is disposed on the peripheral area, and the second material layer is disposed on the first material layer. A method of manufacturing a touch panel is provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure for the effects of saving cost and improving wire drift.

BACKGROUND

Field of Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a touch panel and manufacture method thereof.

Description of Related Art

Transparent wires are light permeable and electrically conductive, making them suitable for use in many displays or touch devices. Generally, transparent wires have been made of any of a variety of metal oxides, such as ITO (indium tin oxide), IZO (indium zinc oxide), CTO (cadmium tin oxide), or AZO (aluminum-doped zinc oxide). However, any film layer made of any of these metal oxides cannot satisfy the flexibility requirements of display devices. Therefore, various flexible transparent wires, such as transparent wires made of nanowires or the like, have been developed.

A decorative layer (also referred to as a black layer) is used in current touch panels for separating the peripheral area and the visible area, but the materials of the decorative layer (such as ink) are expensive. In addition, there are conditions such as wire offset during the manufacture of transparent wires. Therefore, how to reduce the cost of the decoration layer and improve the problem of wire offset are important issues.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a touch panel, including a substrate, a conductive wire structure layer, and a light-shielding structure. The substrate includes a visible area and a peripheral area surrounding the visible area. The conductive wire structure layer is disposed on the visible area. The light-shielding structure includes a first material layer and a second material layer, in which an optical density of the light-shielding structure is lower than 4, the first material layer is disposed on the peripheral area, and the second material layer is disposed on the first material layer.

In some embodiments, the second material layer extends and covers the conductive wire structure layer and a region of the visible area where the conductive wire structure layer is not disposed.

In some embodiments, the peripheral trace structure layer is disposed on the peripheral area and electrically connected to the conductive wire structure layer.

In some embodiments, a portion of the first material layer is disposed on two sides of the peripheral trace structure layer and contacts the peripheral trace structure layer.

In some embodiments, the second material layer is disposed on the peripheral trace structure layer.

In some embodiments, a material of the substrate includes polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyimide, cycloolef in polymer, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, a catalytic layer is further included and disposed between the conductive wire structure layer and the substrate, between the peripheral trace structure layer and the substrate, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, a material of the catalytic layer includes metal nanoparticles.

In some embodiments, the conductive wire structure layer and the peripheral trace structure layer include metal wires.

In some embodiments, an optical refractive index of the first material layer is different from an optical refractive index of the second material layer.

In some embodiments, a dielectric constant of the second material layer is less than 3 F/m.

In some embodiments, a water absorbency of the second material layer is not higher than 0.2%, or a water permeability of the second material layer is lower than 1500 g/m2-day.

In some embodiments, a cover is further included and disposed on the second material layer.

In some embodiments, the cover includes a glass cover, a polarizer, or a combination thereof.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a touch panel, including: providing a substrate including a visible area and a peripheral area; forming a first material layer on the visible area and on the peripheral area, in which the first material layer on the visible area is separated into a plurality of first portions by a plurality of first recesses; forming a conductive wire structure layer in the plurality of first recesses; removing the first material layer on the visible area; and disposing a second material layer on the conductive wire structure layer, the visible area where the conductive wire structure layer is not disposed, and the first material layer on the peripheral area, in which an optical density of an overlapping region of the first material layer and the second material layer is lower than 4.

In some embodiments, the plurality of first recesses expose a surface of the substrate.

In some embodiments, removing the first material layer on the visible area includes exposing a surface of the substrate.

In some embodiments, forming the first material layer on the visible area and on the peripheral area includes separating the first material layer on the peripheral area into a plurality of second portions by a plurality of second recesses; and forming the conductive wire structure layer in the plurality of first recesses includes simultaneously forming a peripheral trace structure layer in the plurality of second recesses and electrically connecting the peripheral trace structure layer to the conductive wire structure layer.

In some embodiments, disposing the second material layer on the conductive wire structure layer, the visible area where the conductive wire structure layer is not disposed, and the first material layer on the peripheral area includes disposing the second material layer on the peripheral trace structure layer.

In some embodiments, a cover disposed on the second material layer is further included.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: disposing the cover on the second material layer includes: providing an insulating glue; and adhering the cover to the second material layer by the insulating glue.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: after providing the substrate, forming a catalytic layer on the visible area and on the peripheral area, in which the catalytic layer includes metal nanoparticles, forming the first material layer includes forming the first material layer on the catalytic layer on the visible area, in which the first material layer is separated into the plurality of first portions by the plurality of first recesses, and the plurality of first recesses expose the catalytic layer, and forming the conductive wire structure layer includes performing a reduction reaction on the catalytic layer to form the conductive wire structure layer in the plurality of first recesses are further included.

In some embodiments, forming the first material layer on the catalytic layer on the visible area includes simultaneously forming the first material layer on the catalytic layer on the peripheral area, in which the first material layer located on the peripheral area is separated into the plurality of second portions by the plurality of second recesses, and the plurality of second recesses expose the catalytic layer; and performing the reduction reaction on the catalytic layer to form the conductive wire structure layer in the plurality of first recesses includes simultaneously forming the peripheral trace structure layer in the plurality of second recesses and connecting the peripheral trace structure layer to the conductive wire structure layer.

In some embodiments, disposing the second material layer on the conductive wire structure layer, the visible area where the conductive wire structure layer is not disposed, and the first material layer on the peripheral area includes disposing the second material layer on the peripheral trace structure layer.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electronic device, including mobile devices, wearable devices, or car devices.

In some embodiments, mobile devices include mobile phones, tablets, laptops, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, wearable devices include smart watches, smart glasses, smart clothes, smart shoes, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, car devices include dashboards, driving recorders, car rearview mirrors, car windows, car doors, or a combination thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms used in this present disclosure generally have their ordinary meanings in the field and the context in which they are used. The examples used in the present disclosure, including examples of any terms discussed herein, are only illustrative and do not limit the scope and meaning of the present disclosure or any exemplary terms. Likewise, the present disclosure is not limited to some embodiments provided in the present disclosure.

In addition, spatial relative terms, such as “under”, “upper”, and the like, are used to conveniently describe the relative relationship between one element or one feature and other elements or features in the figures. Spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device other than the orientation in which the device is used or operated. The device can be positioned separately (for example, rotated by 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatial relative description used in the article can also be explained accordingly.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include singular form or the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including” or “has” and/or “having” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that despite the terms “first”, “second”, etc. possibly being used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. For example, the first element may be referred to as the second element, and similarly, the second element may be referred to as the first element without departing from the scope of the embodiment.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or a variety of associated listed items.

A number of examples are provided herein to elaborate upon the touch device of the instant disclosure. However, the examples are for demonstration purpose alone, and the instant disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG.1AtoFIG.1Gdescribe example processes of manufacturing a touch panel in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

First of all, please refer toFIG.1A. A substrate110is provided, and a visible area VA and a peripheral area PA are defined in the substrate110. Next, a catalytic layer120is formed on the visible area VA and a portion of peripheral area PA.

In some embodiments, the substrate110may be a flexible transparent substrate, and the material may be selected from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyimide (PI), cyclo-olefin polymers (COP), or other transparent materials, for achieving the bendable and flexible efficiency.

The catalytic layer120is used to catalyze the deposition of a conductive wire structure layer141(refer toFIG.1D). The catalytic layer120can be an insulation layer including catalytic particles. For example, the catalytic layer120can be made of acrylic resin or epoxy resin, in which conductive nanoparticles or catalytic nanoparticles are included and distributed in the resin, thereby making the catalytic layer120insulation. In one embodiment, the nanoparticles can be Ag nanoparticles, Pa nanoparticles, Cu nanoparticles, Ag/Pa nanoparticles, Cu/Pa nanoparticles, or the like, but the nanoparticles are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the thickness of the catalytic layer120is less than about 1 μm, such as 10 nm to 1 μm, specifically including 10 nm, 50 nm, 100 nm. 200 nm, 300 nm, 400 nm, 500 nm, 600 nm, 700 nm, 800 nm, 900 nm, 1 μm, or any value within the abovementioned intervals. In one embodiment, the catalytic layer120can be formed by printing on a region of the substrate110intended to form the conductive wire structure layer141, but the method of forming the catalytic layer120is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the peripheral area PA surrounds the visible area VA, (e.g., the peripheral area PA is disposed on a frame-shaped region around (i.e., including right side, left side, upper side, and lower side) the visible area VA). In other embodiments, the peripheral area PA is disposed at the left side and the lower side of an L-shaped region on the visible area VA.

Next, refer toFIG.1B. A first material layer131is formed on the catalytic layer120, in which the first material layer131is located on the visible area VA and the peripheral area PA, and the first material layer131is separated into a plurality of first portions on the visible area VA by first recesses A, exposing the catalytic layer120. It is worth noting that, at this step, the first recesses A, constituted by the blank regions of the catalytic layer120where the first material layer131is not disposed, pre-locate the position(s) of the wire structure to be formed, therefore avoiding wire offset and skew. The position(s) of the first recesses A can be flexibly adjusted according to disposition requirements. In some embodiments, the position(s) of the first recesses A can be reserved at the step of forming the first material layer131, or the first recesses A can be formed by forming a first material layer131which is planar without recesses and then removing a portion of first material layer131. In some embodiments, at the step of forming the first material layer131on the visible area VA and the peripheral area PA, the first material layer131on the peripheral area PA may also be separated into a plurality of second portions by second recesses (not shown). In some embodiments, the first material layer131is an insulating material. In some embodiments, the first material layer131may be transparent, such as a peelable mask.

Furthermore, please refer toFIG.10. A conductive wire structure layer141is formed in the first recesses A (FIG.1B) on the visible area VA. That is, a portion of first material layer131is positioned on two sides of the conductive wire structure layer141on the visible area VA and contacts the conductive wire structure layer141. In some embodiments, a peripheral trace structure layer142(refer toFIG.3) is formed on the second recesses (not shown) and electrically connected to the conductive wire structure layer141on the visible area VA while forming the conductive wire structure layer141. As such, the portion of first material layer131is located on two sides of the peripheral trace structure layer142on the peripheral area PA and contacts the peripheral trace structure layer142. Therefore, the portion of the catalytic layer120on the visible area VA is located between the conductive wire structure layer141and the substrate110, and the portion of the catalytic layer120on the peripheral area PA is located between the peripheral trace structure layer142and the substrate110.

In some embodiments, the conductive wire structure layer141and the peripheral trace structure layer142constituted by metal wires (i.e., wires with metal materials) can be formed by electroless plating. Specifically, a plating solution is applied to the catalytic layer120with a suitable reducing agent without external current to make metal ions in the plating solution reduce to metal under catalysis of a metal catalyst and be plated on the surface of the catalytic layer120. This process is called electroless plating or autocatalytic plating. For example, when the conductive wire structure layer141and the peripheral trace structure layer142are to include copper, the plating solution used to form the conductive wire structure layer141and the peripheral trace structure layer142may include copper sulfate. A composition of the copper sulfate may be, but is not limited to, copper sulfate with a concentration of 5 g/L, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid with a concentration of 12 g/L, and formaldehyde with a concentration of 5 g/L. The pH of the electroless copper plating solution (i.e., the plating solution including copper sulfate) is adjusted to about 11 to 13 with sodium hydroxide. The temperature of the plating bath may be about 30° C. to 50° C., and the immersion reaction time may be 5 to 15 minutes. During the reaction process, copper in the plating solution can be nucleated on the catalytic layer120having catalytic/activation ability and then self-catalyzed by copper to continuously grow as the copper film. Those skilled in the art can choose the appropriate plating solution and materials of the catalytic layer120according to the materials of the conductive wire structure layer141and the peripheral trace structure layer142intended to be obtained. In some embodiments, the conductive wire structure layer141and the peripheral trace structure layer142can include or be composed of a metal material with good conductivity, such as a silver layer, a copper layer, etc. or a multilayer metal structure, such as a molybdenum/aluminum/molybdenum layer, copper/nickel layer, titanium/aluminum/titanium layer, molybdenum/chromium layer, etc.

In another embodiment, for increasing the thickness of the conductive wire structure layer141and the thickness of the peripheral trace structure layer142, a thickening step may be added, such as an electroplating process, and the composition of the electroplating solution may include, but is not limited to, copper sulfate with a concentration of 200 g/L, sulfuric acid with a concentration of 80 g/L, and chloride ion with a concentration of 50 mg/L. The pH is adjusted to about 3 to 5. The current density is about 1-10 Å/dm2. The plating bath temperature is about 25° C. to 45° C. The order of the electroless plating process and the electroplating process described above can be adjusted according to actual requirements of the manufacturing process and is not limited herein. For example, the electroplating process can be performed first, followed by the electroless plating process, or the electroless plating process can be performed prior to the electroplating process.

It is possible to perform either the electroplating process or the electroless plating process alone. In other embodiments, the thickening step may be another electroless electroplating process, such as an electroless copper electroplating process using another plating solution with a composition different from the above-mentioned plating solution in order to increase the thickness of the conductive wire structure layer141and the peripheral trace structure layer142.

Next, refer toFIG.1D. The first material layer131on the visible area VA is removed. That is, on the visible area VA, the catalytic layer120is exposed in the gaps between the wires of the conductive wire structure layer141. This step is to avoid a light-shielding effect caused by overlapping of the first material layer131and a second material layer132(refer toFIG.1E), which worsens the visibility of the visible area VA when the second material layer132covers the first material layer131on the visible area VA if the first material layer131remains on the visible area VA.

Please refer toFIG.1E, the second material layer132is disposed on the conductive wire structure layer141, the visible area VA where the conductive wire structure layer141is not disposed (that is, covering each layer of the structure on the visible area VA), and the first material layer131on the peripheral area PA. In some embodiments, the second material layer132further extends and covers the peripheral trace structure layer142on the peripheral area PA.

It should be emphasized that when the first material layer131and the second material layer132overlap, the optical density is lower than 4, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, or any value within the abovementioned intervals. The optical density is calculated by OD=log (incident light/transmitted light) or OD=log (1/transmittance), which is the logarithm of the ratio of incident light to transmitted light. That is, the lower the optical density, the higher the ratio of absorbed light. The light-shielding structure130formed by overlapping the first material layer131and the second material layer132has a total optical density of lower than 4 and can serve as a decorative layer for the visible area VA and the peripheral area PA. In some embodiments, the second material layer132is transparent to avoid interference with the visual effect of the region of the visible area VA while covering the visible area VA and the conductive wire structure layer141. In some embodiments, the optical refractive index of the first material layer131is different from which of the second material layer132. Therefore, the overlapping of the first material layer131and the second material layer132can block light transmission, thereby achieving the light-shielding effect with the optical density of lower than 4. In some embodiments, the light-shielding structure130can be formed for serving as the decoration layer between the visible area VA and the peripheral area PA even if both of the first material layer131and the second material layer132are transparent.

In addition, it is also worth mentioning that materials with lower costs can be selected instead of the conventional expensive ink used for the decoration layer, thereby reducing the production cost, by means of the principle that the optical refractive index of the first material layer131is different from the second material layer132in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the dielectric constant of the second material layer132is less than 3 farads/meter (F/m), which can be 0-2.9 F/m (such as 0 F/m, 0.5 F/m, 1 F/m, 1.5 F/m, 2 F/m, 2.5 F/m, 2.6 F/m, 2.7 F/m, 2.8 F/m, 2.9 F/m, or any value within the abovementioned intervals). In some embodiments, the water absorbency of the second material layer132is not higher than 0.2%, which can be 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, or any value with the abovementioned intervals. In some embodiments, the water permeability of the second material layer132is lower than 1500 g/m2-day, which can be 0 to 1499 (for example, 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1499, or any value with the abovementioned intervals). It is noted that the second material layer132serves as a protection layer for reducing contact of the wires to moisture, thereby reducing electrostatic discharge (ESD) and electron migration, which are problems of the conductive wire structure layer141or the peripheral trace structure layer142caused by excessive moisture, when the second material layer132is disposed on the conductive wire structure layer141or the peripheral trace structure layer142.

In some embodiments, the second material layer132may be a transparent photoresist or a transparent ink. Table 1 represents the parameters of the second material layer132in two examples (transparent ink).

Next, please refer toFIG.1F. A cover160is adhered to the second material layer132and covers the visible area VA and the peripheral area PA by an insulating glue150, and a touch panel100is formed. In some embodiments, the insulating glue150may be optical glue, but the material(s) of the insulating glue150is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the cover160may be a glass cover, a polarizer, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a light-shielding material may be coated on a portion of the cover160corresponding to the peripheral area PA for covering the peripheral area PA.

In other simplified embodiments of the present disclosure, please refer to the touch panel100inFIG.1G. The second material layer132can only cover the first material layer131on the peripheral area PA neighboring the visible area VA to form the light-shielding structure130as the decorative layer instead of extending and covering the conductive wire structure layer141on the visible area VA and the peripheral trace structure layer142on the peripheral area PA (with respect to the peripheral trace structure layer142, please also refer toFIG.3).

Furthermore, please refer toFIG.2AtoFIG.2E. Other embodiments of the present disclosure are provided inFIG.2AtoFIG.2E. The conductive wire structure layer141and the peripheral trace structure layer142inFIG.2AtoFIG.2Ecan be formed without the catalysis of the catalytic layer120, and the manufacture process can be simplified, compared with the method of forming the conductive wire structure layer141and the peripheral trace structure layer142by the catalysis of the catalytic layer120.

Specifically, please refer toFIG.2A. The first material layer131is formed on the substrate110. The major steps are similar to those inFIG.1B. The difference between the steps ofFIG.2AandFIG.1Bis that inFIG.2A, the first material layer131is disposed on the substrate110, and no catalytic layer120is required between the first material layer131and the substrate110.

Next, please refer toFIG.2B. The conductive wire structure layer141is formed in the first recesses A. In some embodiments, the peripheral trace structure layer142(refer toFIG.3) can be formed in the second recesses (not shown) and electrically connected to the conductive wire structure layer141on the visible area VA. In some embodiments, a metal nanowires layer including metal nanowires may be used as the conductive wire structure layer141and the peripheral trace structure layer142. In some embodiments, the metal nanowires layer may include, for example, a silver nanowires layer, a gold nanowires layer, or a copper nanowires layer. The specific method of forming a metal nanowires layer is described as follows, including: a dispersion or ink including the metal nanowires is formed on the blank regions of the substrate110where the first material layer131is not disposed (that is, the first recesses A or the second recesses described above (not shown) or both, which can be adjusted according to the requirements for wire design) by coating, and then the metal nanowires are dried to form the metal nanowires layer disposed on and covering the surfaces of the substrate110. After the curing/drying step described above, the solvent or the like of the ink is evaporated, and the metal nanowires are distributed in a random manner and fixed to the surfaces of the substrate110, thereby forming the metal nanowires layer. The metal nanowires can be in contact with each other to provide a continuous current path, thereby forming a conductive network. In some embodiments, the dispersion may be water, alcohol, ketone, ether, hydrocarbon, or aromatic solvent (benzene, toluene, xylene, etc.). In one embodiment, the dispersion may also include an additive, a surfactant, or an adhesive, such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose (2-HEC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), sulfonate, sulfate, disulfonate, sulfosuccinate, phosphate, fluorine-containing surfactant, etc., but the composition of the dispersion is not limited thereto. It can be understood that the dispersion or ink including the metal nanowires may be formed on the surface of the substrate110in any manner, such as, but not limited to, screen printing, spray coating, roller coating, etc. In one embodiment, a roll-to-roll (RTR) process may be used to coat the dispersion or ink including the metal nanowires to the surfaces of the substrate110continuously supplied.

As used herein, “metal nanowires” is a collective term that refers to a collection of metal wires including multiple element metals, metal alloys, or metal compounds (including metal oxides), in which the number of metal nanowires included therein does not affect the scope of protection claimed by the present invention. At least one cross-sectional dimension (i.e., the diameter of the cross-section) of a single metal nanowire is less than about 500 nm, preferably less than about 100 nm, or even more preferably less than about 50 nm. In some embodiments, the metal nanostructures referred to as “wires” have a high aspect ratio, for example, between about 10 and 100,000. In detail, the aspect ratio (length:diameter of the cross-section) may be greater than about 10, such as greater than about 50, or even more preferably greater than about 100, but the aspect ratio is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the metal nanowires may be any metal including, but not limited to, silver, gold, copper, nickel, and gold-plated silver. Other terms, such as silk, fiber, or tube, also having the above-mentioned dimensions and high aspect ratio, are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

The process illustrated inFIG.2CtoFIG.2Dis similar to that ofFIG.1DandFIG.1Eand will not be repeated herein.

FIG.2Edescribes embodiments of an example process of forming the conductive wire structure layer141on the visible area VA, in which the first material layer131is disposed on the peripheral area PA, the second material layer132is disposed on the first material layer131to form the light-shielding structure130, and the second material layer132covers the conductive wire structure layer141and the visible area VA.

Then, a touch panel can be formed by adhering the cover160to the second material layer132according to steps similar to those illustrated inFIG.1ForFIG.1G.

Next, please refer toFIG.3.FIG.3is an assembled structure of a flexible circuit board200and a touch panel100, in which an electrode structure140is formed by the conductive wire structure layer141and the peripheral trace structure layer142together. In addition, electrode pads (not shown) of the flexible circuit board200can be electrically connected to the peripheral trace structure layer142on the peripheral area PA of the substrate110through a conductive paste (not shown) (e.g., anisotropic conductive adhesive/paste). In some embodiments, touch electrodes formed by the conductive wire structure layer141are non-cross arranged. For example, the conductive wire structure layer141on the visible area VA defines conducting bars extending along a first direction D1, which are not intersected with each other. In other embodiments, the conductive wire structure layer141can have other shapes, and the shape of the conductive wire structure layer141is not limited to those described in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the electrode structure140is disposed to from a single-layer structure, so that a touch position can be determined by detecting variations of capacitances of the touch electrodes formed by the conductive wire structure layer141.

Please continue to refer toFIG.3. The second material layer132on the visible area VA surrounds the conductive wire structure layer141and covers the conductive wire structure layer141(please refer toFIG.1EandFIG.2D). On the peripheral area PA, the light-shielding structure130is formed by covering the second material layer132on the first material layer131on the peripheral area PA neighboring to the visible area VA (refer to the structure ofFIG.1EandFIG.2D, in which the second material layer132covers the first material layer131) as the decorative layer. In some embodiments, the second material layer132covers the conductive wire structure layer141and the peripheral trace structure layer142(refer toFIG.1EandFIG.2D). In other embodiments, the conductive wire structure layer141, the peripheral trace structure layer142, or both can directly cover the insulating glue150(refer toFIG.1G).

Please refer toFIG.4. The embodiment ofFIG.4is similar to that of the embodiment ofFIG.3. The difference between these two figures is that the electrode structure140formed by the conductive wire structure layer141and the peripheral trace structure layer142inFIG.4is disposed to from a double layer configuration.

The configuration of the first touch sensing electrodes TE1and the second touch sensing electrodes TE2formed by the conductive wire structure layer141is used for discussing the embodiment ofFIG.4. Please continue to refer toFIG.4. The first touch sensing electrodes TE1are formed on one surface (e.g., the bottom surface) of the substrate110, and the second touch sensing electrodes TE2are formed on another surface (e.g., the top surface) of the substrate110. Thus, the first touch sensing electrodes TE1and the second touch sensing electrodes TE2are electrically isolated from each other. The peripheral trace structure layer142connected to the first touch sensing electrodes TE1is formed on the bottom surface of the substrate110corresponding to the first touch electrode TE1. Similarly, the peripheral trace structure layer142connected to the second touch sensing electrodes TE2is formed on the top surface of the substrate110corresponding to the second touch sensing electrodes TE2. The first touch sensing electrodes TE1are bar-shape electrodes extending along a first direction D1, and the second touch sensing electrodes TE2are bar-shape electrodes extending along a second direction D2. The extension direction (corresponding to the longest dimension) of the first touch sensing electrodes TE1is different from that of the second touch sensing electrodes TE2, and the first touch sensing electrodes TE1and the second touch sensing electrodes TE2intersect with each other. In other embodiments, the shapes of the first touch sensing electrodes TE1and the second touch sensing electrodes TE2can be flexibly adjusted according to the requirements, and the shapes of the first touch sensing electrodes TE1and the second touch sensing electrodes TE2are not limited to those described in the present disclosure.

The first touch sensing electrodes TE1and the second touch sensing electrodes TE2are configured for transmitting control signals and receiving touch sensing signals, respectively. Accordingly, the touch position can be obtained by detecting signal variations between the first touch sensing electrodes TE1and the second touch sensing electrodes TE2(such as variations of the capacitances). According to this method, users can perform touch sensing at various points on the substrate110.

In some embodiments, a membrane layer can be included in the touch panel100and entirely covers the touch panel100. That is, the membrane layer is disposed on both of the top surface and the bottom surface of the substrate110, covering the top surface and the bottom surface of the substrate110.

The touch panel100of the present disclosure may be assembled with other electronic elements to form an electronic device. For example, a display with a touch function can be manufactured by attaching the substrate110to a display element (such as a liquid crystal display element or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display element) by the insulating glue150. In some embodiments, the touch panel100of some embodiments in the present disclosure can also be applied in electronic devices, including, but not limited to, mobile devices (mobile phones, tablets, laptops, but the types of mobile devices are not limited thereto), wearable devices (smart watches, smart glasses, smart clothes, and smart shoes, but the types of wearable device are not limited thereto), car devices (such as dashboards, driving recorders, car rearview mirrors, car windows, car doors, or a combination thereof, but the types of car devices are not limited thereto).

A touch panel including a novel light-shielding structure and manufacture method thereof are provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. The light-shielding structure includes the first material layer and the second material layer, which achieves the light-shielding effects by means of the difference of optical refractive index between the first material layer and the second material layer instead of the conventional light-shielding materials used for the decorative layer between the visible area and the peripheral area which are expensive, so the production cost can be reduced. Besides, by means of the manufacture improvement, the wire position intended to be formed (such as the conductive wire structure layer and the peripheral trace structure layer) can be pre-located during the formation of the first material layer, and the problems of wire offset can be improved.

In addition, it is also worth noting that the characteristics of the second material layer include low dielectric constant, low water absorbency, low water permeability, or the like, so that the second material layer can cover the wires, improving problems such as electrostatic discharge, electron migration, or the like caused by excessive moisture and increasing the safety.

Although the present disclosure has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the claim of the appended patent application should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.