Abstract:
Disclosed are an optical member, a display device including the optical member and a method of fabricating the optical member. The display device includes a light source; a wavelength conversion member into which light generated from the light source is incident; and a display panel into which light is incident from the wavelength conversion member. The wavelength conversion member includes a receiving part having a pipe shape; a matrix in the receiving part; and a plurality of wavelength conversion particles disposed in the matrix to convert a wavelength of the light generated from the light source.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13501,919, filed Apr. 13, 2012, which is the U.S. national stage application of International Patent Application No. PCTKR2010007090, filed Oct. 15, 2010, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0098823, filed Oct. 16, 2009, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a touch panel and a manufacturing method thereof. 
         [0003]    In the latest diverse electronic products, a touch panel with an inputting method through which a finger or an input device such as a stylus is used to contact an image displayed on a display device is applied. 
         [0004]    The touch panel may be divided into a touch panel of a resistive layer type and a touch panel of an electrostatic capacity type. In the touch panel of a resistive layer type, a position is detected when an electrode becomes a short circuit by pressure of an input device. In the touch panel of an electrostatic capacity type, a position is detected when an electrostatic capacity between electrodes is changed by finger contact. 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a related art capacitive touch panel. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a related art capacitive touch panel includes a lower plate  110 , a first conductive pattern  140 , a first metal electrode  150 , an Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA)  120 , an upper plate  130 , a second conductive pattern  160 , and a second metal electrode  170 . In more detail, the first conductive pattern  140  is formed on the lower plate  110 , and the first metal electrode  150  connected to the first conductive pattern  140  is formed on the lower plate  110 . Herein, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of conductive pattern shapes are connected in one row in the abscissa axis direction and thereby the first conductive pattern  140  is formed. Also, straight-line pattern shapes are spaced apart. Moreover, the second conductive pattern  160  is formed on the upper plate  130 , and the second metal electrode  170  connected to the second conductive pattern  160  is formed on the upper plate  130 . Herein, the second conductive pattern  160  is vertical to the first conductive pattern  140 . Also, the upper plate  130  and the lower plate  110  adhere to each other by the OCA  120 . 
         [0006]    In the related art touch panel, the first conductive pattern  140  and the first metal electrode  150  are formed on the lower plate  110 , and the second conductive pattern  160  and the second metal electrode  170  are formed on the upper plate  130 . That is, the first and second conductive patterns  140  and  160  are formed on different layers, and the first and second metal electrodes  150  and  170  are formed on different layers. However, a structure, in which the upper plate  130  and the lower plate  110  are divided and the OCA  120  is used between the upper plate  130  and the lower plate  110 , has limitations. 
         [0007]    That is, since the residual having viscosity occurs by using the OCA, efficiency of work decreases and the second failure increases. Moreover, transmittance and visibility decrease due to use of the OCA. Furthermore, there is a limitation in reducing the entire thickness of a touch panel. 
         [0008]    Moreover, when a conductive transparent layer, particularly, an Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO) film is used, the cost is high and at least two films are required, whereupon there is another limitation in reducing the thickness of the touch panel. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0009]    Embodiments provide a touch panel and a manufacturing method thereof, which improve the transmittance and visibility of a thin film without using an Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA). 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, a touch panel includes: a substrate; a jumper metal on the substrate; a first insulation layer including an opening, on the jumper metal; first and second conductive patterns on the first insulation layer; first and second metal electrodes respectively connected to end portions of the first and second conductive patterns; and a second insulation layer on the first and second conductive patterns and the first and second metal electrodes, wherein one of the first and second conductive patterns is connected by the jumper metal exposed through the opening of the first insulation layer. 
         [0011]    The jumper metal may include the same material as a material of at least one of the first and second metal electrodes. 
         [0012]    The jumper metal may be a conductive transparent metal. 
         [0013]    The first and second conductive patterns and the first and second metal electrodes may include the same material. 
         [0014]    The first conductive pattern and the first metal electrode may include the same material, and the second conductive pattern and the second metal electrode may include the same material. 
         [0015]    The other of the first and second conductive patterns may be connected to the first insulation layer. 
         [0016]    The first and second metal electrodes may be disposed on the first insulation layer. 
         [0017]    The jumper metal may be formed to connect two patterns adjacent to each other in one of the first and second conductive patterns. 
         [0018]    The opening of the first insulation layer may be formed to expose both ends of the jumper metal. 
         [0019]    The first and second conductive patterns may be connected in a mutually intersecting direction. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing touch panel includes: forming a jumper metal on the substrate; forming a first insulation layer including an opening, on the jumper metal; forming first and second conductive patterns and first and second metal electrodes respectively connected to end portions of the first and second conductive patterns on the first insulation layer, wherein one of the first and second conductive patterns is connected by the jumper metal exposed through the opening; and forming a second insulation layer on the first and second conductive patterns and the first and second metal electrodes. 
         [0021]    The jumper metal may include the same material as a material of at least one of the first and second metal electrodes. 
         [0022]    The jumper metal may be a conductive transparent metal. 
         [0023]    The first and second conductive patterns and the first and second metal electrodes may include the same material. 
         [0024]    The first conductive pattern and the first metal electrode may include the same material, and the second conductive pattern and the second metal electrode may include the same material. 
         [0025]    The jumper metal may be formed to connect two patterns adjacent to each other in one of the first and second conductive patterns. 
         [0026]    The opening of the first insulation layer may be formed to expose both ends of the jumper metal. 
         [0027]    The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a related art capacitive touch panel. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a touch panel according to an embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of a touch panel in which a first insulation layer is formed on a jumper metal, according to an embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a magnified top view illustrating an intersected portion of first and second conductive patterns, according to an embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a touch panel according to an embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing touch panel according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0035]    In description of embodiments, it will be understood that in a case where a layer (or film), a region, a pattern, or components is referred to as being ‘on’ or ‘under’ another substrate, layer (or film), region or patterns, the ‘on’ and ‘under’ include all the meanings of ‘directly’ and ‘indirectly’. Moreover, any reference of the ‘on’ or ‘under’ of each layer will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0036]    In the accompanying drawings, the thickness or size of each layer (or film), region, pattern or structure may be modified for clarity and convenience and thus does not entirely reflect an actual size thereof. 
         [0037]    Moreover, in specification, the meanings of the width and length do not define absolute directions but denote relatively vertical directions. For example, a structure in which a width pattern is formed on a length pattern is the same as a structure in which the length pattern is formed on the width pattern when viewed from different perspectives. 
         [0038]    Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a touch panel according to an embodiment. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a touch panel according to an embodiment includes a transparent substrate  110 , a first conductive pattern  140 , a second conductive pattern  160 , a first metal electrode  150 , a second metal electrode  170 , a first insulation layer  210  having an opening  240 , a second insulation layer  220 , and a jumper metal  230 . 
         [0041]    In more detail, the jumper metal  230  is formed on the transparent substrate  110 . Herein, the jumper metal  230  may be formed of the same material as that of the first metal electrode  150  or the second metal electrode  170  to be formed later. Also, the jumper metal  230  may be formed as a conductive transparent metal. 
         [0042]    The first insulation layer  210  having the opening  240  is formed on the jumper metal  230 . Herein, the opening  240  is disposed to pass through the both ends of the jumper metal  230  among the first insulation layer  210 . Herein, by appropriately selecting an organic material or an inorganic material as the material of the first insulation layer  210 , transmittance may be controlled. Particularly, the first insulation layer  210  may be formed as two or more, for controlling transmittance. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of a touch panel in which the first insulation layer is formed on the jumper metal, according to an embodiment. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the jumper metal  230  is electrically insulated from a conductive pattern to be formed on the first insulation layer  210 , except for the opening  240 . 
         [0045]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , one or more first conductive patterns  140 , in which a plurality of conductive transparent patterns are connected in one row with respect to the abscissa axis of the transparent substrate  110 , are formed spaced apart on the first insulation layer  210 . Herein, the transparent pattern may be Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). Also, as illustrated, the shape of each of the transparent patterns may have corners that are connected in a diamond shape, but it is not limited thereto. As another example, the each transparent pattern may have an appropriate shape such as a triangle or a pentagonal shape, according to a manufacturer&#39;s requirements. 
         [0046]    Moreover, a plurality of conductive patterns are formed in the spaced portions between the first conductive patterns  140 , respectively. The conductive patterns are not connected to each other. 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  is a magnified top view illustrating an intersected portion of the first and second conductive patterns  140  and  160 , according to an embodiment. 
         [0048]    Referring to a portion A of  FIG. 4 , the first conductive pattern  140  is connected along the abscissa axis, but the second conductive pattern  160  is not connected along the ordinate axis. Therefore, the jumper metal  230  is used for connecting the second conductive pattern  160 . The jumper metal  230  may be formed to connect two patterns adjacent to the second conductive pattern  160 . 
         [0049]    However, when the jumper metal  230  is used for forming the second conductive pattern  160  connected along the length, electrical connection with the first conductive pattern  140  should be prevented. Therefore, the second conductive pattern  160  is connected by the jumper metal  230  passing through the opening  240 , for preventing electrical connection with the first insulation layer  210 . 
         [0050]    Herein, the first insulation layer  210  may be formed on the jumper metal  230  so as to correspond to the area of the transparent substrate  110 , or it may be formed on the jumper metal  230  in order to correspond to an area in which the first and second conductive patterns  140  and  160  will be formed. 
         [0051]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the first metal electrode  150  connected to one end of each of the first conductive patterns  140  is formed. Also, the second metal electrode  170  connected to one end of each of the second conductive patterns  160  is formed. Herein, the first metal electrode  150  or the second metal electrode  170  may be formed outside the first insulation layer  210 , and the first and second metal electrodes  150  and  170  may be formed on the first insulation layer  210 . This depends on how large the area of the first insulation layer  210  is formed to be. 
         [0052]    Herein, the first and second conductive patterns  140  and  160  and the first and second metal electrodes  150  and  170  may be formed of the same material. 
         [0053]    Moreover, the first and second metal electrodes  140  and  160  are formed of the same material as that of the first and second metal electrodes  150  and  170 , respectively. 
         [0054]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a touch panel according to an embodiment. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the second conductive pattern  160  may be connected by the jumper metal  230  that is formed under the first insulation layer  210 . In  FIG. 5 , although it is illustrated that the second conductive pattern  160  is connected by the jumper metal  230 , the first conductive pattern  140  may be connected by the jumper metal  230 . This is for that the first and second conductive patterns  140  and  160  will be insulated and be formed on the same plane. 
         [0056]    As a result, the touch panel according to an embodiment does not use an Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA), and thus decreases an entire panel thickness and prevents OCA residual from occurring, thereby improving the manufacturing cost and efficiency of the touch panel. 
         [0057]    In particular, a conductive transparent layer is formed on the entirety of one surface, a thickness decreases, and particularly, when ITO is used as the conductive transparent layer, the cost can be saved. For example, the existing OCA having a thickness of about 100 μm and an ITO film having a thickness of about 80 μm are used, thereby decreasing a thickness of about 180 μm by about 60% or more. 
         [0058]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing touch panel according to an embodiment. 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a jumper metal is formed on a transparent substrate in operation S 1 . In more detail, a transparent substrate is prepared. Herein, the transparent substrate may use various transparent materials such as organic and plastic. A metal is formed on the transparent substrate, and a resist corresponding to the shape of the jumper metal is coated. Subsequently, by performing an etching process, the metal of a portion where the resist is not formed is etched, the resist is removed, and thus the jumper metal is formed. Afterward, a first insulation layer having an opening is formed in operation S 2 . The resist is coated in order for the shape of the first insulating layer to be opened, a first insulator is coated on the opened portion, the resist is removed, and thus the first insulation layer is formed. 
         [0060]    Subsequently, first and second conductive patterns are formed on the first insulation layer in operation S 3 . In more detail, a conductive transparent layer is formed, a resist corresponding to the shape of the first conductive pattern is coated, and a resist corresponding to the shapes of a plurality of patterns that are respectively disposed in the spaced portions of the first conductive pattern and spaced apart is coated. Afterward, by performing an etching process, a conductive transparent layer in a portion where the resist is not formed is etched, and by removing the resist, a plurality of patterns configuring the first and second conductive patterns are formed. Particularly, the second conductive pattern is formed for connecting the both ends of the jumper metal formed in operation S 1  through the opening of the first insulation layer. 
         [0061]    Then, first and second metal electrodes are formed in operation S 4 . Herein, the first and second metal electrodes are connected to the first and second conductive patterns, respectively. In more detail, a metal is formed on the first insulation layer (for example, a transparent substrate where the first insulation layer is not formed when the first insulation layer is less than the entire area of the transparent substrate), a resist having a shape corresponding to the first and second metal electrodes is coated, a conductive metal in a portion where the resist is not formed is etched by performing an etching process, and the first and second metal electrodes are formed by removing the resist. 
         [0062]    Finally, a second insulation layer is formed on the first and second conductive patterns and the first and second metal electrodes in operation S 5 . 
         [0063]    Herein, operation S 3  and operation S 4  may be performed at the same time. That is, a metal corresponding to the shapes of the first and second conductive patterns and the shapes of the first and second metal electrodes is formed, a resist is coated, and by removing the resist after etching, the first and second conductive patterns and the first and second metal electrodes may be simultaneously formed of the same material. 
         [0064]    Moreover, operation S 3  and operation S 4  may be performed in combination. That is, the first and second conductive patterns may be simultaneously formed of the same material, and thereafter the first and second metal electrodes may be simultaneously formed of the same material. On the contrary, the first and second metal electrodes may be simultaneously formed of the same material, and thereafter the first and second conductive patterns may be simultaneously formed of the same material. 
         [0065]    According to embodiments, the touch panel does not use the OCA, and thus decreases an entire panel thickness and prevents OCA residual from occurring, thereby improving transmittance and visibility. Moreover, the touch panel reduces the use amount of a high-cost ITO film, thereby saving the manufacturing cost. 
         [0066]    Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments. 
         [0067]    Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.