KR20140076206A - Touch panel and method of fabricating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A touch panel according to an embodiment includes a substrate; Transparent electrodes disposed on the substrate and forming a pattern at regular intervals; A first coating layer disposed on the transparent electrodes; And a second coating layer disposed between the transparent electrodes.
A method of manufacturing a touch panel according to an embodiment includes preparing a substrate; Forming a transparent electrode layer on the substrate; Forming a first coating layer on the transparent electrode layer; Forming a plurality of transparent electrodes by patterning the transparent electrode layer; And forming a second coating layer between the transparent electrodes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a touch panel,

Embodiments relate to a touch panel and a method of manufacturing the touch panel.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a touch panel has been applied to an image displayed on a display device in various electronic products by a method of touching an input device such as a finger or a stylus.

Such a touch panel can largely be divided into a resistance film type touch panel and a capacitive type touch panel. In the resistive touch panel, the glass and the electrode are short-circuited by the pressure of the input device and the position is detected. A capacitance type touch panel senses a change in electrostatic capacitance between electrodes when a finger touches them, thereby detecting the position.

The resistance film type touch panel may be deteriorated in performance by repeated use, and scratch may occur. As a result, there is a growing interest in a capacitive touch panel having excellent durability and long life span.

In order to manufacture such a touch panel, a transparent electrode material is coated on a substrate, and then an insulating material is coated on the transparent electrode. Then, the transparent electrode material and the insulating material are patterned, Can be prepared.

However, after the transparent electrode material and the insulating material are patterned, the substrate, the transparent electrode material, and the insulating material may form a step at a certain height, thereby deteriorating the visibility of the touch panel.

Accordingly, there is a need for a new touch panel and a method for manufacturing the same that can improve the visibility of the touch panel by removing such a step.

Embodiments provide a touch panel with improved visibility and a method of manufacturing the same.

A touch panel according to an embodiment includes a substrate; Transparent electrodes disposed on the substrate and forming a pattern at regular intervals; A first coating layer disposed on the transparent electrodes; And a second coating layer disposed between the transparent electrodes.

A method of manufacturing a touch panel according to an embodiment includes preparing a substrate; Forming a transparent electrode layer on the substrate; Forming a first coating layer on the transparent electrode layer; Forming a plurality of transparent electrodes by patterning the transparent electrode layer; And forming a second coating layer between the transparent electrodes.

The touch panel according to the embodiment may improve the overall visibility of the touch panel by patterning the transparent electrode and then forming a coating layer as a visible improvement layer between the transparent electrodes.

That is, since the touch panel according to the embodiment forms a coating layer having a refractive index and a thickness similar to that of the insulating layer between the transparent electrodes, it is possible to fill the step formed by the pattern, The visibility of the touch panel deteriorated by the pattern can be improved, so that the reliability of the touch panel can be improved.

Further, the manufacturing method of the touch panel according to the embodiment can manufacture the touch panel having the above-mentioned effects.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional touch panel.
2 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to an embodiment.
3 is a plan view of the touch panel according to the embodiment.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 to 9 are views for explaining a method of manufacturing a touch panel according to an embodiment.

In the description of the embodiments, it is to be understood that each layer (film), area, pattern or structure may be referred to as being "on" or "under / under" Quot; includes all that is formed directly or through another layer. The criteria for top / bottom or bottom / bottom of each layer are described with reference to the drawings.

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

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

Hereinafter, a touch panel according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional touch panel, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to an embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of a touch panel according to an embodiment.

1 to 3, a touch panel according to an embodiment includes a substrate 10, a transparent electrode 20, a wiring 30, an insulating layer 40, a coating layer 50, and an adhesive layer 60 .

The substrate 10 may be formed of various materials capable of supporting the transparent electrodes 20 and the wirings 30 formed on the substrate 10. The substrate 10 may be a glass substrate or a plastic substrate, for example.

The transparent electrode 20 is formed on the substrate. The transparent electrode 20 may be formed in various shapes to detect whether or not an input device such as a finger is in contact.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the transparent electrode 20 may include a first electrode 22 and a second electrode 24. The first electrode 22 and the second electrode 24 include sensor portions 22a and 24a for detecting whether an input device such as a finger is contacted and connection portions 22b and 22b for connecting the sensor portions 22a and 24a. 24b. The connection part 22b of the first electrode 22 connects the sensor part 22a in a first direction (Y axis direction in the drawing), and the connection part of the second electrode 24 connects the sensor part 24A, In the second direction (X-axis direction in the drawing).

An insulating layer is located between the connection portion 22b of the first electrode 22 and the connection portion 24b of the second electrode 24 so that the first electrode 22, The electrical shorting of the second electrode 24 can be prevented. The insulating layer may be formed of a transparent insulating material that can insulate the connecting portions 22b and 24b. For example, the insulating layer may be formed of a metal oxide such as silicon oxide, or a resin such as acrylic.

For example, the sensor portions 22a and 24a of the first and second electrodes 22 and 24 may be formed on the same layer so that the sensor portions 22a and 24a may be formed as a single layer. Accordingly, the use of the transparent conductive material layer can be minimized, and the thickness of the touch panel 100 can be reduced.

When the input device such as a finger touches the touch panel 100, a difference in capacitance occurs at a portion where the input device is contacted, and a portion where the difference occurs can be detected as the contact position. In the embodiment, the transparent electrode 20 is applied to the capacitive touch panel. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, the transparent electrode 20 may be formed in a structure that is applied to a resistance-type touch panel.

The transparent electrode 20 may include a transparent conductive material so that electricity can flow without disturbing the transmission of light. In particular, the transparent electrode 20 may include a nanowire 70. In detail, the transparent electrode 20 may include silver nanowires. Since the transparent electrode 20 includes the nanowire 70, it can replace the conventional indium tin oxide (ITO). Nanowires are superior to indium tin oxide in various aspects such as transmittance and conductivity.

The transparent electrode 20 may be coated on the substrate 10 in various ways. For example, the transparent electrode 20 may be coated on the substrate 10 by a dip coating method. The dip coating is a kind of coating method and refers to a method of obtaining a coating film by dipping a coating material in a coating solution or slurry to form a precursor layer on the surface of the coating material and then firing the coated material at a suitable temperature.

However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the transparent electrode 20 may be formed by various methods such as spin coating, flow coating, spray coating, slot die coating and roll coating, Can be coated on the substrate 10 by a coating method.

Then, the wiring 30 is electrically connected to the transparent electrode 20. The wiring 30 may be located on the same plane as the transparent electrode 20. That is, the wiring 30 may be located on the same substrate 10 as the transparent electrode 20. Therefore, the thickness of the touch panel can be reduced.

The wiring 30 may include the same material as the transparent electrode 20. That is, the wires 30 may include nanowires. The wiring 30 may be formed simultaneously with the transparent electrode 20.

Although not shown in the figure, the printed circuit board may further include a printed circuit board connected to the wiring 30. As the printed circuit board, various types of printed circuit boards can be applied. For example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) or the like can be applied.

The first coating layer 40 may be formed on the transparent electrode 20. The first coating layer may include an insulating material. For example, the first coating layer 40 may include at least one of an alkali-soluble resin, a photo-acid generator, a photoactive compound, an acrylic compound, a urethane compound, and a phenolic compound. Alternatively, the first coating layer may include at least one of a urethane resin, a phenol resin, a silicone acrylate resin, and a UV curable resin.

The first coating layer 40 may be disposed on the transparent electrode to prevent oxidation of the transparent electrode.

The second coating layer may be disposed between the transparent electrodes. The second coating layer includes a material similar to the first coating layer and may have a similar thickness. For example, the second coating layer 50 may include at least one of an alkali-soluble resin, a photo-acid generator, a photoactive compound, an acrylic compound, a urethane compound, and a phenolic compound. Alternatively, the first coating layer may include at least one of a urethane resin, a phenol resin, a silicone acrylate resin, and a UV curable resin.

The second coating layer may have a refractive index similar to that of the first coating layer. The refractive index of the first coating layer and the second coating layer may be about 1.4 to about 1.5, and the refractive indexes of the first coating layer and the second coating layer may be the same or similar to each other.

In addition, the second coating layer may have a thickness similar to that of the first coating layer. For example, the thickness of the first coating layer and the second coating layer may be about 2 탆 to about 10 탆, and the thicknesses of the first coating layer and the second coating layer may be the same or similar to each other.

The second coating layer is disposed between the transparent electrodes to improve the visibility of the touch panel according to the embodiment. That is, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 1, after the transparent electrodes are patterned, a certain stepped portion is formed on the transparent electrode and the substrate, and the stepped portion causes the visibility of the touch panel to deteriorate.

Accordingly, the touch panel according to the embodiment can improve the visibility of the touch panel by filling a material having a similar refractive index and material with the first coating layer between the transparent electrodes to fill the step, Can be improved.

The adhesive layer 60 is formed on the transparent electrode, and the module D can be bonded. Specifically, the adhesive layer is disposed while covering the transparent electrode, the wiring, the first coating layer, and the second coating layer.

The adhesive layer 60 may include a polymer resin capable of performing an adhesive function. The polymer resin may include an acrylic type, a urethane type or an epoxy type resin or a mixed resin thereof

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a touch panel according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9. FIG. In the description of the touch panel manufacturing method, the same or similar parts to those of the above-described touch panel will not be described. That is, in the description of the touch panel manufacturing method, it is essentially combined with the description of the touch panel described above.

Referring to FIG. 4, a method of manufacturing a touch panel according to an embodiment includes preparing a substrate (ST10); Forming a transparent electrode (ST20); Forming a first coating layer (ST30); Patterning the transparent electrode layer (ST40); And forming a second coating layer (ST50).

In the step of preparing the substrate (ST10), a glass substrate or a plastic substrate is prepared. The substrate may be divided into a valid region and an ineffective region, and a material having a predetermined color, for example, black may be applied to the ineffective region, thereby forming a logo or the like.

Next, in step ST20 of forming the transparent electrode layer, a transparent electrode 20 may be formed on the substrate 10, as shown in FIG. The transparent electrode may include a transparent conductive material. For example, the transparent conductive material may include metal nanowires. Preferably, the transparent conductive material may include at least one material selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, nickel, tin, zinc, gold, silver, and alloys thereof.

The transparent conductive material may be formed on the substrate by various methods. In one example, the transparent conductive material may be formed on the substrate by a dip coating method. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the transparent conductive material may be formed by various coating methods such as spin coating, flow coating, spray coating, slot die coating and roll coating May be coated on the substrate.

6, the first coating layer 40 may be formed on the transparent electrode 20 in the step of forming the first coating layer ST30.

The first coating layer 40 may include an insulating material. For example, the first coating layer 40 may include at least one of an alkali-soluble resin, a photo-acid generator, a photoactive compound, an acrylic compound, a urethane compound, and a phenolic compound. Or the first coating layer may include the same material as the second coating layer to be described later. The first coating layer 40 may be formed on the transparent electrode to prevent oxidation and insulation of the transparent electrode.

Next, in the step of patterning the transparent electrode layer (ST40), as shown in Fig. 7, the transparent electrode layer can be patterned in a predetermined shape. The transparent electrode layer can be patterned by various methods. For example, the transparent electrode layer may be patterned by photolithography. That is, the transparent electrode layer can be patterned in a predetermined shape by the exposure, development and etching processes. Accordingly, the transparent electrode layer may include a plurality of transparent electrodes.

8, the wiring electrode 30 can be patterned in the ineffective area of the substrate 10. In this case,

Next, in the step of forming the second coating layer (ST50), as shown in FIG. 9, a second coating layer 50 may be formed between the plurality of transparent electrodes formed by patterning the transparent electrode layer. The second coating layer may include at least one of a urethane resin, a phenol resin, a silicone acrylate resin and a UV curable resin. Alternatively, the second coating layer may include the same material as the first coating layer. The second coating layer may be applied on the transparent electrodes to fill spaces between the transparent electrodes.

The second coating layer may have a refractive index and a thickness similar to those of the first coating layer. In one example, the first coating layer and the second coating layer may have a refractive index of about 1.4 to about 1.5. In addition, the first coating layer and the second coating layer may have a thickness of about 2 탆 to about 10 탆. That is, the first coating layer and the second coating layer are formed to have similar thicknesses, and may include the same or similar materials.

The second coating layer is disposed between the transparent electrodes to fill a gap between the transparent electrodes and the substrate. Thereby improving the visibility of the touch panel. That is, the second coating layer may be a visibility improving layer.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, as the transparent electrode layer is patterned, a certain step is formed between the substrate and the transparent electrodes. These steps cause the visibility of the touch panel to deteriorate. Accordingly, in the touch panel manufacturing method according to the embodiment, the second coating layer is applied to the stepped portion formed between the transparent electrodes to remove the stepped portion, thereby improving the visibility of the touch panel.

In addition, the second coating layer may have a thickness and a refractive index similar to those of the first coating layer, thereby not affecting refraction of transmitted light.

Accordingly, the touch panel manufactured by the touch panel manufacturing method according to the embodiment can improve the visibility as a whole and provide a touch panel with improved reliability.

Then, an adhesive layer 60 may be formed on the transparent electrode layer and the module D may be bonded. Specifically, the adhesive layer is disposed while covering the transparent electrode, the wiring, the first coating layer, and the second coating layer. Further, the adhesive layer 60 can adhere the protective film disposed thereon.

The adhesive layer 60 may include a polymer resin capable of performing an adhesive function. The polymer resin may include an acrylic type, a urethane type or an epoxy type resin or a mixed resin thereof

The features, structures, effects and the like described in the foregoing embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to one embodiment. Further, the features, structures, effects, and the like illustrated in the embodiments may be combined or modified in other embodiments by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these combinations and modifications.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It can be seen that various modifications and applications are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments may be modified and implemented. It is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.

Claims (11)

Board;
Transparent electrodes disposed on the substrate and forming a pattern at regular intervals;
A first coating layer disposed on the transparent electrodes;
And a second coating layer disposed between the transparent electrodes. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the second coating layer comprises at least one of a urethane resin, a phenol resin, a silicone acrylate resin, and a UV curable resin. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the first coating layer comprises at least one of an alkali-soluble resin, a photo-acid generator, a photoactive compound, an acrylic compound, a urethane compound, and a phenolic compound. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the first coating layer comprises at least one of a urethane resin, a phenol resin, a silicone acrylate resin, and a UV curable resin. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first coating layer and the second coating layer have a refractive index of 1.4 to 1.5. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the thickness of the first coating layer and the second coating layer is 2 占 퐉 to 10 占 퐉. Preparing a substrate;
Forming a transparent electrode layer on the substrate;
Forming a first coating layer on the transparent electrode layer;
Forming a plurality of transparent electrodes by patterning the transparent electrode layer; And
And forming a second coating layer between the transparent electrodes. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the first coating layer and the second coating layer comprise the same material. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the first coating layer and the second coating layer comprise at least one of an alkali-soluble resin, a photo-acid generator, a photoactive compound, an acrylic compound, a urethane compound, and a phenolic compound. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the first coating layer and the second coating layer comprise at least one of a urethane resin, a phenol resin, a silicone acrylate resin and a UV curable resin. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the refractive indexes of the first coating layer and the second coating layer are 1.4 to 1.5,
Wherein the thickness of the first coating layer and the second coating layer is 2 占 퐉 to 10 占 퐉.

Images