JP5133205B2 - Capacitive coupling type touch panel and display device with touch panel - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a capacitively coupled touch panel and a display device on which the capacitively coupled touch panel is mounted, and more particularly to a capacitively coupled touch panel that supports resin pen input.

  When combined with a display device, the touch panel has a function of detecting a position by touching (pressing) a touch panel screen corresponding to the display area of the display device with a finger or a pen and inputting position coordinates or the like to the display device. Equipment.

  From its operating principle, there are various systems such as a resistive film system, a capacitive coupling system, an infrared system, an acoustic pulse system, an ultrasonic system, and an electromagnetic induction coupling system.

  Among them, the resistive film type and capacitive coupling type touch panel are advantageous in terms of cost, and have recently been installed in mobile devices such as mobile phones and ultra-small personal computers and used as display devices and combination input devices. It has been.

  The resistive touch panel has a structure in which an opposing substrate (such as a polyethylene terephthalate film) serving as a touch surface is attached to a transparent substrate such as glass serving as a base via a gap spacer on the surface thereof. Yes. These substrates have a transparent electrode such as an indium tin oxide film formed in a lattice pattern on the opposite surface.

  When not touched, the spacers do not contact these electrodes between the substrates. When touching a substrate to be a touch surface, the substrate bends due to pressure, approaches the base substrate, and the electrodes contact each other. At this time, the touched position is detected by measuring the voltage division ratio due to the resistance of the transparent electrode on each substrate surface, and becomes a position input signal to the display device. Therefore, in a resistive film type touch panel, it is indispensable that the electrodes on the substrate surface are in contact with each other. In addition, since the position is detected by contacting the electrodes on the substrate surface, input with a resin pen is also possible.

  In a capacitive touch panel, a patterned transparent electrode that detects the touched position is formed on the touch panel screen on the touch panel substrate corresponding to the display device display area, and the position from the transparent electrode is formed around the touch panel screen. A wiring for extracting the detection signal is formed, and a wiring circuit for outputting the position detection signal to an external detection circuit is provided.

  In general, there is an advantage that a position touched at high speed can be detected. Based on finger touch, a position is detected by detecting a change in capacitance between the fingertip and the position detection electrode. For example, when detecting the XY position, the XY position detection electrodes are insulated from each other.

  In a general capacitive touch panel, the surface static electricity hardly changes and the position cannot be detected when touching with a complete insulator. For this reason, input is impossible with a resin pen or the like, and a conductive touch pen is required.

  Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3, and Patent Document 4 are known as examples of the resistive touch panel.

  As examples of the capacitive touch panel, Patent Documents 5 and 6 are known.

  As a touch panel input device capable of pen input, Patent Document 7 discloses a combination of an electrostatic coupling method and an ultrasonic method.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-113843 JP-A-9-185457 JP 2004-117646 A JP 2005-31805 A JP 2008-32756 A JP 2008-134522 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-179872

  As described above, in general, a capacitive touch panel detects a position by detecting a change in capacitance between a fingertip and a position detection electrode. Static electricity is difficult to change and position cannot be detected. For this reason, when touched with a resin pen or other insulator, there is a problem that the capacitance cannot be changed between the position detection electrode and input is impossible.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a capacitive touch panel that can detect a position when touched with a resin pen or other insulator in order to take advantage of the high-speed touch position of the capacitive touch panel. Is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the capacitive touch panel of the present invention has the following features that can detect the position when touched with a resin pen or other insulator.

  The capacitively coupled touch panel of the present invention has an electrode circuit for detecting XY position coordinates on a transparent substrate, and has a floating electrode at an isolated position facing the XY position coordinate electrode. Capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode by touching with the pen and bringing the XY position coordinate electrode closer, thereby detecting the position touched with the pen .

  At this time, the floating electrode is pushed by the load when touched with the pen, and the distance between the XY position coordinate electrode approaches and capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode. To do. By detecting the generation position of this capacitive coupling, the position touched with the pen can be detected. For this reason, even if it touches with resin-made pens and other insulators, it becomes possible to cause the change of the electrostatic capacitance between position detection electrodes.

  Said XY position coordinate electrode and floating electrode consist of transparent electrodes, and an oxide transparent electrode is suitable as a transparent electrode material. An indium tin oxide film, an indium zinc oxide film, or a zinc oxide film can be used for the oxide transparent electrode. These have high conductivity to some extent and have a function of transmitting visible light.

  In the capacitive coupling type touch panel of the present invention, the floating electrode is formed at an isolated position facing the XY position coordinate electrode. At this time, by having a structure through the insulating film facing the XY position coordinate electrode circuit, the floating electrode is pushed by the load when touched with the pen, and the insulating film is deformed in the thickness direction by the load. By approaching the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode, capacitive coupling is generated between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode, thereby making it possible to detect the position touched with the pen. .

  At this time, since the insulating film has a thickness of 10 μm or more and 120 μm or less, the floating electrode is pushed by a load when touched with a pen, and the insulating film is deformed in the thickness direction by the load, so that the floating electrode When the capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode due to the closeness between the XY position coordinate electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode, Capacitive coupling signal and noise ratio (S / N ratio) can be increased, and position signal detection can be performed satisfactorily. When the insulating film has a thickness of less than 10 μm, capacitive coupling that occurs before the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode approach each other becomes signal noise and N is large, resulting in a small S / N ratio. It will be difficult to detect. When the insulating film has a thickness of 120 μm or more, the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode cannot be sufficiently approached with a small load, the capacitance generated by the capacitive coupling is small and S cannot be increased, and the S / N ratio. As a result, position signal detection becomes difficult.

  In addition, since the above insulating film has a light transmittance characteristic of 80% or more and 100% or less, a capacitively coupled touch panel excellent in display performance when combined with a display device can be realized. . If the light transmittance is less than 80%, there arises a problem that the luminance of the display is small.

  In addition, since the above insulating film has a refractive index characteristic of 1.30 or more and 1.52 or less, it is possible to realize a capacitively coupled touch panel excellent in display performance when combined with a display device. is there.

  In addition, since there is a protective layer that protects the floating electrode on the upper layer of the floating electrode, it is possible to protect the floating electrode itself without damaging it by an external load and maintain the performance as a capacitively coupled touch panel. Become. In addition, the protective layer may be made of a transparent substrate, and can be protected without damaging the floating electrode itself by an external load.

  In the capacitive coupling type touch panel of the present invention, the floating electrode is pushed by a load when touched with a pen by facing the XY position coordinate electrode and the space layer is interposed, and the space layer is Capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode by being compressed and deformed in the thickness direction by the load and approaching between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode. The position can be detected.

  Since the space layer has a space with a thickness of 10 μm or more and 120 μm or less, the floating electrode is pushed by the load when touched with the pen, and the space layer is compressed and deformed in the thickness direction by the load, and the floating electrode and the XY When the capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode due to the proximity between the position coordinate electrodes, the capacitance before and after the approach between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode. A large ratio (S / N ratio) between the combined signal and noise can be obtained, and the position signal can be detected satisfactorily.

  At this time, the floating electrode may be formed on the second transparent substrate facing the transparent substrate on which the XY position coordinate electrode is formed. By pressing the second transparent substrate, the space existing between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode is compressed and deformed in the thickness direction by a load.

  In the capacitive coupling type touch panel of the present invention, the floating electrode is pushed by a load when touched with a pen by facing the XY position coordinate electrode and via the liquid layer, so that the liquid layer is When the load is deformed in the thickness direction and the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode approach each other, capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode, and the position touched by the pen Can be detected.

  Since this liquid layer has a space with a thickness of 10 μm or more and 120 μm or less, the floating electrode is pushed by a load when touched with a pen, and the space layer is compressed and deformed in the thickness direction by the load, When capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode due to the proximity between the XY position coordinate electrodes, electrostatic capacitance is generated before and after the approach between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrodes. The ratio of capacitive coupling signal and noise can be increased, and position signal detection can be performed satisfactorily.

  At this time, the floating electrode may be formed on the second transparent substrate facing the transparent substrate on which the XY position coordinate electrode circuit is formed. By pressing the second transparent substrate, the liquid layer existing between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode is deformed in the thickness direction by a load.

  In addition, since the liquid layer has light transmittance characteristics of 80% or more and 100% or less, a capacitively coupled touch panel excellent in display performance when combined with a display device can be realized. . If the light transmittance is less than 80%, there arises a problem that the luminance of the display is small.

  In addition, since the liquid layer has a refractive index characteristic of 1.30 or more and 1.52 or less, it is possible to realize a capacitively coupled touch panel excellent in display performance when combined with a display device. is there.

  A display device having a function of detecting a position touched with a pen is realized by mounting in combination with the capacitive coupling type touch panel corresponding to the pen input function of the present invention described above and a display device such as a liquid crystal display device. It becomes possible to do.

  At this time, it is possible to realize a display device capable of detecting a position when touched with a resin pen or other insulator.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a capacitive touch panel corresponding to a pen input function capable of detecting a position when touched with a resin pen or other insulator, and a capacitive touch panel corresponding to the pen input function. And a display device having a function of detecting a position touched with a pen combined with the display device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A touch panel device of Example 1 shown in the sectional view of FIG. 1 was produced under the following conditions.

  In the touch panel device of this embodiment, a coordinate detection circuit layer 102 for detecting position coordinates is formed on one surface of the transparent substrate 101. In this circuit layer, transparent electrodes to be the coordinate electrodes 103 and 105 are arranged via insulating films 104 and 106.

  As the transparent substrate 101, a glass substrate such as soda glass, alkali glass such as borosilicate glass, non-alkali glass, or chemically strengthened glass is suitable. Further, polyester films such as polyethylene terephthalate having transparency and polyethylene naphthalate, and polyimide films having high heat resistance and transparency are also known, and a resin-based substrate having such transparency may be used.

  As the transparent electrode to be the coordinate electrodes 103 and 105, an indium tin oxide film having a certain degree of conductivity and a function of transmitting visible light, an oxide transparent electrode such as an indium zinc oxide film and zinc oxide is suitable. Yes.

  The thickness of the coordinate electrode is arbitrarily set from the correlation between conductivity and transparency. In addition, the shape of the coordinate electrode is also arbitrarily set in order to obtain a performance capable of satisfactorily detecting the position signal from the ratio of the capacitive coupling signal and the noise as the detection circuit.

  Each of the coordinate electrodes 103 and 105 is a coordinate electrode corresponding to the X position coordinate and the Y position coordinate in the touch panel device. The vertical relationship between the coordinate electrodes 103 and 105 need not be unique to XY. That is, 103 may be an X position coordinate electrode that detects an X position, 105 may be a Y position coordinate electrode that detects a Y position, 103 is a Y position coordinate electrode that detects a Y position, and 105 is an X position that detects an X position. It may be a position coordinate electrode.

  As the transparent electrode to be the coordinate electrodes 103 and 105, for example, an indium tin oxide film is formed with a thickness of 5 to 100 nm by using a well-known sputtering method in vacuum. Next, using a well-known photolithography technique, a photoresist is applied, and a desired coordinate electrode pattern is formed by exposure and development. Next, using the obtained photoresist pattern as a mask, the transparent electrode is etched to form a pattern, and the photoresist is removed to obtain a desired coordinate electrode pattern made of the transparent electrode.

  When etching the indium tin oxide film, an acidic liquid such as a hydrobromic acid aqueous solution may be used as the etching liquid.

  As the insulating films 104 and 106, a light-transmitting insulating film material is suitable. The film thickness can be selected in consideration of the light transmittance and the dielectric constant of the insulating film material. When the insulating film has a relative dielectric constant of 3 to 4, the film thickness is suitably 1 to 20 μm.

  As a material for the insulating film layer, a photosensitive material is suitable for forming an opening pattern when forming the coordinate detection circuit layer 102 described above. By combining acrylic resin, acrylic epoxy resin, or siloxane resin with a base polymer and a photosensitizer, the light-sensitive part is developed and dissolved and removed, and the positive photosensitive material that is not exposed to light is developed. Negative photosensitive materials that are dissolved and removed are known and can be used. As the developer, an aqueous alkali solution or an organic solvent can be used depending on the photosensitive material.

  The insulating film needs to have a light transmittance of a transmittance of 80% or more so as not to lower the performance of the image display device. In the above-described insulating film material, if the negative photosensitive material is selected such that the components such as the base polymer and the photosensitive agent have little light absorption in the visible light region (400 nm to 800 nm), light transmittance can be realized. In addition, a positive photosensitive material with a base polymer that absorbs less light in the visible light region is selected, and the photosensitizer is subjected to a photobleaching process to improve light transmission in the visible light region. It is possible to improve.

  Specifically, the coordinate detection circuit layer 102 can be formed by the following steps.

  An indium tin oxide film having a thickness of 20 nm is formed on the entire surface of the transparent substrate 101 by sputtering. Next, using a well-known photolithography technique, a photoresist is applied, and a desired pattern in which the underlying indium tin oxide is exposed is formed by exposure and development. Next, using the photoresist pattern as a mask, the exposed indium tin oxide is removed by etching using a hydrobromic acid aqueous solution. Next, the photoresist is removed to obtain a desired coordinate electrode 103 made of a transparent electrode.

  In the formation of the insulating film layer in the case of using an acrylic negative photosensitive material that can be developed with an alkaline aqueous solution, the following steps are taken. First, a material solution is applied on the transparent substrate 101 on which the coordinate electrode 103 is formed. Next, a prebaked film is obtained by heating on a hot plate at 90 ° C. for 5 minutes. Next, light curing is performed by irradiating light onto the surface excluding a portion opening as an insulating film through a photomask for forming a desired pattern. Next, the prebaked film is developed using a 2.38 wt% alkali aqueous solution of tetramethylammonium hydroxide, and a portion not irradiated with light is dissolved and removed to form a desired opening in the insulating film. Next, the insulating film 104 having a thickness of 2 μm is obtained by heating and curing on a hot plate at 230 ° C. for 10 minutes.

  Next, an indium tin oxide film is formed on the entire surface including the insulating film 104 on the transparent substrate 101 to a thickness of 20 nm by sputtering. Next, using a well-known photolithography technique, a photoresist is applied, and a desired pattern in which the underlying indium tin oxide is exposed is formed by exposure and development. Next, using the photoresist pattern as a mask, the exposed indium tin oxide is removed by etching using a hydrobromic acid aqueous solution. Next, the photoresist is removed to obtain a desired coordinate electrode 105 made of a transparent electrode.

  Next, an acrylic negative photosensitive material solution that can be developed with an alkaline aqueous solution is applied onto the substrate on which the lower coordinate electrode layer is formed. Next, a prebaked film is obtained by heating on a hot plate at 90 ° C. for 5 minutes. Next, light curing is performed by irradiating light onto the surface excluding a portion opening as an insulating film through a photomask for forming a desired pattern. Next, the prebaked film is developed using a 2.38 wt% alkali aqueous solution of tetramethylammonium hydroxide, and a portion not irradiated with light is dissolved and removed to form a desired opening in the insulating film. Next, the insulating film 106 having a thickness of 2 μm is obtained by heating and curing on a hot plate at 230 ° C. for 10 minutes.

  Next, a load deformation insulating film 107 that is deformed by a pen input touch load is formed on the coordinate detection circuit layer 102. The insulating film 107 has a thickness of 10 μm to 120 μm. An important characteristic of the load-deformed insulating film is that it is deformed by a touch load, and the deformation is recovered by unloading.

As a material of the load deformation insulating film 107, a silicone gel material is preferable.
This silicone gel is an addition polymerization type silicone resin obtained by adding silicone oil to a monomer of silicone rubber by the action of a platinum catalyst or the like and curing it at a crosslinking density of 1/5 to 1/10 of that of a normal silicone elastomer.

  The rubber material generally has a temperature dependence of physical properties, so that the resilience elastic modulus fluctuates greatly due to a temperature change, and becomes hard at a low temperature of about −10 ° C., and the load deformation characteristics are lowered. In addition, rubber has a large compression set (compression residual strain), and when a load is applied over a long period of time, it is difficult to maintain load-deformation characteristics because the rubber sags.

  On the other hand, the gel material obtains good load deformation characteristics with almost constant mechanical properties (Young's modulus: can be replaced with softness) even in an environment of about -50 ° C to 200 ° C. Can do. Furthermore, since the gel material has a small compressive residual strain, it can maintain good load deformation characteristics over a long period of time.

  This silicone gel material has high light transmittance in the visible light region, and can ensure light transmittance characteristics of 80% or more.

  In addition, since the silicone gel material has a refractive index characteristic of 1.30 or more and 1.52 or less, it is possible to realize a capacitively coupled touch panel excellent in display performance when combined with a display device. is there.

  Here, a silicone gel is formed to a thickness of 100 μm, and the load deformation insulating film 107 is formed. At this time, the silicone gel load deformable insulating film is deformed by 50% of its thickness with a pen touch load of 82 g. The refractive index is 1.4, the wavelength is 400 to 800 nm, and the light transmittance is 98% or more.

  The floating electrode 108 is formed. As the floating electrode, an indium tin oxide film having a function of transmitting visible light, an oxide transparent electrode such as an indium zinc oxide film and zinc oxide is suitable. A desired floating electrode 108 is obtained by depositing an oxide material with a thickness of 5 to 100 nm through a metal mask having a desired opening formed by a sputtering method.

  As such an oxide electrode, a coating material in which fine particles of a transparent oxide conductive material are dispersed in a solution can be used. From such a coating material, a known pattern is formed by using a well-known inkjet coating technique or screen printing technique, and baked at 100 to 230 ° C. to remove volatile components such as a solvent. The floating electrode 108 is obtained by using a transparent oxide conductive pattern.

  Here, an indium tin oxide film having a thickness of 15 nm is formed through a metal mask in which a desired opening is formed by sputtering, and the floating electrode 108 is obtained.

  The capacitive coupling type touch panel device shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 was obtained using the material configuration and processes detailed above.

  As a result, the floating electrode is present through the load deformation insulating film facing the position coordinate electrode circuit, so that the floating electrode is pushed by the touch load 82g of the resin pen, and the load deformation insulating film is By changing 50% of the thickness, the gap between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode approaches, so that capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode, and the position touched with the pen Can be detected, and a capacitive touch panel corresponding to the pen input function is obtained.

  A liquid crystal display device with a touch panel of Example 2 shown in FIG. 2 was produced under the following conditions.

  The touch panel 203 obtained in Example 1 (FIG. 1) is overlapped and fixed on the surface of the liquid crystal display device 201 facing the liquid crystal display region 202. The touch panel 203 is connected to a flexible printed wiring board 206 on which a touch panel position detection circuit control IC 205 is mounted. The flexible printed circuit board 206 connects the touch panel 203 and the liquid crystal display device 201 for the purpose of inputting signals to the liquid crystal display device 201. The liquid crystal display device 201 is mounted with a liquid crystal display control IC 208 and connected to a flexible printed wiring board 207. By connecting the flexible printed wiring board 207 to, for example, a signal circuit of a mobile phone, the display image signal is transmitted to the liquid crystal display device 201.

  The touch panel device obtained in Example 1 has a structure in which a floating electrode exists through a load deformation insulating film facing the position coordinate electrode circuit, so that the floating electrode is pressed by the touch load 82g of the resin pen. Then, the load deformation insulating film is deformed by 50% of its thickness, and the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode come close to each other, so that capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode. Thus, the position touched with the pen can be detected. As a result, a display device having a function of detecting a position touched with a pen in combination with a capacitive touch panel corresponding to the pen input function and the display device is obtained.

  In this example, the touch panel device obtained in Example 1 is used, but the same applies to the touch panel device obtained in Examples described later.

  A touch panel device of Example 3 shown in FIG. 3 was produced under the following conditions.

  A surface protective layer 301 was formed on the outermost surface of the touch panel obtained in Example 1 (FIG. 1).

  As the material for the protective layer, the light-transmitting insulating film material used for the insulating films 104 and 106 in Example 1 is suitable.

  Further, not only the above-described photosensitive material, but also a thermosetting material in which an acrylic resin, an acrylic epoxy resin, or a siloxane resin is combined with only a thermosetting material in a base polymer is suitable.

  Furthermore, a glass substrate such as soda glass, alkali glass such as borosilicate glass, non-alkali glass, or chemically tempered glass can be attached to be used as the surface protective layer 301. In addition, it can be used as the surface protective layer 301 by laminating a transparent resin-based substrate such as a transparent polyester film such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate having high transparency and a polyimide film having high heat resistance and transparency. It is.

  As a result, the floating electrode is opposed to the position coordinate electrode circuit via the load deformation insulating film, so that the floating electrode is pushed by the touch load of the resin pen, and the load deformation insulating film is By deforming the thickness, the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode approach each other, so that capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode, and the position touched with the pen is detected. And a capacitive touch panel corresponding to the pen input function is obtained.

  The touch panel device of Example 4 shown in the substrate plan view of FIG. 4 was produced under the following conditions.

  An X position coordinate electrode 403 is formed on the transparent substrate 401 using the material and the process in which the coordinate electrode 103 described in the first embodiment (FIG. 1) is formed. Next, the insulating film 104 is formed using the materials and steps described in Example 1 (the insulating film 104 is not shown in FIG. 4).

  Next, the Y position coordinate electrode 404 is formed by using the material and process for forming the coordinate electrode 105 described in the first embodiment.

  For the X position coordinate electrode 403 and the Y position coordinate electrode 404, the floating electrode is pushed by the load when touched with the pen, and the insulating film is deformed in the thickness direction by the load, so that the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode are When capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode due to the close proximity, the position signal can be detected well before and after the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode are approached. The shape can be selected.

  In this embodiment, the X position coordinate electrode 403 has a rhombus shape and the Y position coordinate electrode 404 has a rectangular shape, but the X position coordinate electrode may have a rectangular shape and the Y position coordinate electrode may have a rhombus shape.

  The X position coordinate electrode 403 and the Y position coordinate electrode 404 are connected to the electrode circuit signal wiring 405 in the peripheral portion of the coordinate detection surface 402 of the touch panel substrate, and the electrode circuit signal wiring is drawn out to the connection terminal opening 406. ing. The connection terminal opening is connected to a flexible printed wiring board on which a touch panel position detection circuit control IC as shown in FIG. 2 is mounted.

  In the present embodiment, the substrate plan view of the touch panel device of the first embodiment and the production thereof have been described, but the substrate plan view of the touch panel device of the above-described third embodiment and later-described embodiments 6, 7, 8, 12, and 13; The production is the same.

  The touch panel device of Example 5 shown in the substrate plan view of FIG. 5 was produced under the following conditions.

  On the coordinate detection surface 501, there are an X position coordinate electrode 503 and a Y position coordinate electrode 504. These are obtained with the contents described in Example 4 (FIG. 4).

  In this embodiment, the X position coordinate electrode 503 has a rhombus shape, and the Y position coordinate electrode 504 has a rectangular shape.

  At this time, the floating electrode 502 has a shape that is isolated and divided into small rectangles corresponding to these electrodes. The rectangular floating electrode 502 which is isolated and divided is arranged so as to overlap the rhombus X position coordinate electrode 503 and the rectangular Y position coordinate electrode 504.

  As a result, the floating electrode is opposed to the position coordinate electrode circuit via the load deformation insulating film, so that the floating electrode is pushed by the touch load of the resin pen, and the load deformation insulating film is By deforming the thickness, the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode approach each other, so that capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode, and the position touched with the pen is detected. And a capacitive touch panel corresponding to the pen input function is obtained.

  In this embodiment, the X position coordinate electrode 503 has a rhombus shape and the Y position coordinate electrode 504 has a rectangular shape. However, the X position coordinate electrode may have a rectangular shape and the Y position coordinate electrode may have a rhombus shape. If both the X position coordinate electrode and the Y position coordinate electrode are arranged so as to overlap one isolated floating electrode, the X position coordinate electrode, the Y position coordinate electrode, and the floating electrode have different shapes. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the substrate plan view of the touch panel device of the fourth embodiment using the touch panel device of the first embodiment and the production thereof have been described. However, the above-described third embodiment and later-described embodiments 6, 7, 8, 12, The same applies to 13 touch panel devices.

  A touch panel device of Example 6 shown in the sectional view of FIG. 6 was produced under the following conditions.

  Here, a gas layer is used instead of the load-deformed insulating film in the touch panel device of Example 3 (FIG. 3) shown in FIG.

  Using the materials and processes detailed in the first embodiment, coordinate electrodes 602 and 604 and insulating films 603 and 605 are formed on the transparent substrate 601 to obtain an X position coordinate electrode and a Y position coordinate electrode.

  An adhesive is applied to the periphery of the coordinate detection surface of the touch panel substrate to form the frame adhesive portion 606.

  A transparent substrate 608 on which the floating electrode 607 is formed is bonded to the frame bonding portion 606. At this time, the floating electrode takes positions corresponding to the X position coordinate electrode and the Y position coordinate electrode as shown in the fifth embodiment (FIG. 5).

  The frame adhesive portion 606 is formed of a high-viscosity adhesive having a combination of thermosetting or photocuring and thermosetting with a thickness of 10 μm or more and 120 μm or less. As the so-called gap agent, spherical or fiber glass having a diameter of 10 μm or more and 120 μm or less is kneaded with the adhesive, and the thickness of the frame bonding portion 606 is controlled by the thickness of this glass.

  Examples of the transparent substrate 608 on which the floating electrode 607 is formed include soda glass, alkali glass such as borosilicate glass, glass substrate such as alkali-free glass and chemically tempered glass, transparent polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and the like. It is possible to use a resin-based substrate having transparency such as a polyester film and a polyimide film having high heat resistance and high transparency.

  Using a non-alkali glass 0.4 mm thick substrate as a transparent substrate, an indium tin oxide film is formed to a thickness of 15 nm by sputtering. Next, using a well-known photolithography technique, a photoresist is applied, and a desired pattern in which the underlying indium tin oxide is exposed is formed by exposure and development. Next, using the photoresist pattern as a mask, the exposed indium tin oxide is removed by etching using a hydrobromic acid aqueous solution. Next, the photoresist is removed to obtain the floating electrode 607.

  Next, the back surface of the transparent substrate 608 on which the floating electrode 607 is formed is polished by 0.2 mm to obtain a 0.2 mm thick transparent substrate. For the polishing, a chemical polishing technique in which glass is etched using a chemical solution or a mechanical polishing technique in which abrasive grains are mechanically cut using an abrasive as an abrasive can be used.

  A frame adhesive portion 606 is formed by applying a thermosetting adhesive kneaded with glass beads having a diameter of 100 μm to the periphery of the coordinate detection surface of the touch panel substrate. The glass substrate having a thickness of 0.2 mm on which the floating electrode is formed is pasted together with the frame bonding portion 606. At this time, the floating electrode 607 takes a position corresponding to the X position coordinate electrode and the Y position coordinate electrode as shown in the fifth embodiment through a space of 100 μm. Thereafter, the adhesive is cured by heating at 140 ° C. for 60 minutes. Thus, the touch panel device shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 is obtained.

  As a result, the floating electrode 607 exists through the gas layer (space layer 609) facing the position coordinate electrode circuit, so that the floating electrode is pushed by the touch load of the resin pen, and the gas layer By deforming, the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode approach each other, capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode, and the position touched with the pen can be detected Thus, a capacitive touch panel corresponding to the pen input function is obtained.

  When the gas layer is used, it is possible to approach the layer so that the thickness of the layer is reduced with a low load, that is, the floating electrode 607 is in contact with the insulating film 605, and the electrostatic layer is placed between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode. When capacitive coupling occurs, before and after the approach between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode, the ratio of the capacitive coupling signal and noise can be made large, and the position signal can be detected satisfactorily. .

  A touch panel device of Example 7 shown in the sectional view of FIG. 7 was produced under the following conditions.

  A floating electrode protective film 701 was formed on the surface of the glass substrate on which the floating electrode obtained in Example 6 (FIG. 6) was formed.

  As the material for the floating electrode protective layer 701, the light-transmitting insulating film material used for the insulating films 104 and 106 in Example 1 is suitable. Further, not only the above-described photosensitive material, but also a thermosetting material in which an acrylic resin, an acrylic epoxy resin, or a siloxane resin is combined with only a thermosetting material in a base polymer is suitable.

  Thereby, by having a structure in which the floating electrode exists through the gas layer facing the position coordinate electrode circuit, the floating electrode is pushed by the touch load of the resin pen, and the gas layer is deformed. Capacitance coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode, and the position touched by the pen can be detected, and the pen input function can be detected. Get the corresponding capacitive touch panel.

  When the gas layer is used, it is possible to approach the layer so that the thickness of the layer is reduced with a low load, that is, the floating electrode is in contact with the insulating film of the XY position coordinate electrode. The effect of protecting the floating electrode itself is obtained by the floating electrode protective layer 701 at this time.

A touch panel device of Example 8 shown in the sectional view of FIG. 8 was produced under the following conditions.
Here, a liquid layer is used instead of an air layer for the touch panel device described in Example 6 (FIG. 6).

  Here, a photocuring adhesive kneaded with glass beads having a diameter of 100 μm is applied to the periphery of the coordinate detection surface of the touch panel substrate to form a frame sealing adhesive layer 802 having a thickness of 100 μm.

  In the frame bonding portion, liquid paraffin is dropped and filled, and a glass substrate having a thickness of 0.2 mm on which the floating electrode described in Example 6 is formed is bonded to the frame sealing adhesive layer 802. At this time, the floating electrode takes a position corresponding to the X position coordinate electrode and the Y position coordinate electrode as shown in the fifth embodiment (FIG. 5) through a space of 100 μm. Thereafter, the adhesive is cured by irradiating light. Thus, a touch panel device having a liquid layer 801 filled with liquid paraffin is obtained.

  Here, the liquid paraffin is preferably a hydrocarbon-based or silicone oil-based colorless transparent liquid material having a dielectric constant of 1.9 to 3.0. Furthermore, a material having a dielectric constant of 1.9 to 2.5 is preferable.

  As a result, the floating electrode is present through the transparent liquid layer 801 facing the position coordinate electrode circuit, so that the floating electrode is pushed by the touch load of the resin pen and deforms the liquid layer. As a result, the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode approach each other, and capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode, so that the position touched by the pen can be detected. A capacitive touch panel corresponding to the input function is obtained.

  When the liquid layer is used, it is possible to make the layer approach as the thickness of the layer is reduced with a low load, that is, the floating electrode is in contact with the insulating film of the XY position coordinate electrode.

  The touch panel device of Example 9 shown in the sectional view of FIG. 9 will be described in detail based on the touch panel device described in Example 4 (FIG. 4).

  An electrode circuit signal wiring 902 is drawn out to the connection terminal opening 903 with respect to the touch panel transparent substrate 901, the rhombus-shaped X position coordinate electrode, and the rectangular Y position coordinate electrode.

  At this time, with respect to the cross section aa ′ of the connection terminal opening, when the insulating film of the X position coordinate electrode and the Y position coordinate electrode is formed, the connection terminal opening is formed by forming an opening with respect to the electrode circuit signal wiring 906. 905 is obtained. The material of the insulating film and the method for forming the opening are described in the above embodiments.

  The touch panel device of Example 10 shown in the sectional view of FIG. 10 will be described in detail based on the touch panel device described in Example 4 (FIG. 4).

  For the touch panel transparent substrate 1001 and the diamond-shaped coordinate electrode 1003, the electrode circuit signal wiring 1002 is drawn out to the periphery of the transparent substrate.

  At this time, with respect to the cross section b of the peripheral portion of the transparent substrate, the coordinate electrode 1006 is formed on the touch panel transparent substrate 1007, the electrode circuit signal wiring 1005 is formed thereon, and the coordinate electrode insulating film 1004 is formed thereon. Have.

  The touch panel device of Example 11 shown in the sectional view of FIG. 11 will be described in detail based on the touch panel device described in Example 4 (FIG. 4).

  For the touch panel transparent substrate 1101 and the rectangular coordinate electrode 1103, the electrode circuit signal wiring 1102 is drawn to the periphery of the transparent substrate.

  At this time, regarding the cross section c of the peripheral portion of the transparent substrate, the electrode circuit signal wiring 1105 is provided on the touch panel transparent substrate 1107, the coordinate electrode 1106 is formed thereon, and the coordinate electrode insulating film 1104 is formed thereon. Have.

  The touch panel device of Example 12 shown in the sectional view of FIG. 12 will be described in detail based on the touch panel device described in Example 6 (FIG. 6).

  An interval thickness control projection pattern 1201 is formed on the upper surface of the coordinate detection electrode circuit layer. The interval thickness control projection pattern can be formed with a desired pattern shape and thickness by using the above-described photosensitive material and photolithography technology.

  Thereafter, the transparent substrate on which the floating electrode is formed is bonded using the frame bonding portion. The floating electrode takes a position corresponding to the position coordinate electrode as shown in the fifth embodiment (FIG. 5).

  Thus, by having a structure in which the floating electrode exists through the space layer 1202 facing the position coordinate electrode circuit, the floating electrode is pushed by the touch load of the resin pen, and the space layer is deformed. Since the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode are close to each other, and capacitive coupling is generated between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode, it is possible to detect the position touched with the pen, and the pen input function. To obtain a capacitive touch panel.

  At this time, the gap thickness control projection pattern 1201 can control the gap between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode, and when capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode. The position signal can be detected satisfactorily by controlling the signal amount of capacitive coupling.

  The touch panel device of Example 13 shown in the sectional view of FIG. 13 will be described in detail based on the touch panel device described in Example 8 (FIG. 8).

  An interval thickness control projection pattern 1301 is formed on the upper surface of the coordinate detection electrode circuit layer. The interval thickness control projection pattern can be formed with a desired pattern shape and thickness by using the above-described photosensitive material and photolithography technology.

  Thereafter, a frame sealing adhesive layer is formed, liquid paraffin is dropped and filled, and the glass substrate on which the floating electrode is formed is bonded to the frame adhesive portion.

  Thus, by having a structure in which the floating electrode exists through the space layer 1302 facing the position coordinate electrode circuit, the floating electrode is pushed by the touch load of the resin pen, and the space layer is deformed. Since the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode are close to each other, and capacitive coupling is generated between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode, it is possible to detect the position touched with the pen, and the pen input function. To obtain a capacitive touch panel.

  At this time, the gap thickness control protrusion pattern 1301 can control the gap between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode, and when capacitive coupling occurs between the floating electrode and the XY position coordinate electrode. The position signal can be detected satisfactorily by controlling the signal amount of capacitive coupling.

Sectional drawing for demonstrating the touchscreen apparatus of Example 1. FIG. The perspective view explaining the liquid crystal display device with a touch panel of Example 2. FIG. Sectional drawing for demonstrating the touchscreen apparatus of Example 3. FIG. The board | substrate top view for demonstrating the touchscreen apparatus of Example 4. FIG. Substrate plan view for explaining the touch panel device of Example 5 Sectional drawing for demonstrating the touchscreen apparatus of Example 6. FIG. Sectional drawing for demonstrating the touchscreen apparatus of Example 7. FIG. Sectional drawing for demonstrating the touchscreen apparatus of Example 8. FIG. The top view and sectional drawing (aa ') for demonstrating the connection terminal part of the touchscreen apparatus of Example 9. FIG. The top view and sectional view (b) for explaining the frame part of the touch panel device of Example 10 The top view and sectional drawing for demonstrating the frame part of the touchscreen apparatus of Example 11 (c). Sectional drawing for demonstrating the touchscreen apparatus of Example 12. FIG. Sectional drawing for demonstrating the touchscreen apparatus of Example 13.

Explanation of symbols

101 ... Transparent substrate, 102 ... Coordinate detection circuit layer, 103 ... Coordinate electrode,
104 ... insulating film, 105 ... coordinate electrode, 106 ... insulating film,
107 ... load-deformation insulating film, 108 ... floating electrode,
201 ... Liquid crystal display device, 202 ... Liquid crystal display area, 203 ... Touch panel 204 ... Resin pen, 205 ... Touch panel position detection circuit control IC
206 ... flexible printed wiring board,
207 ... Flexible printed circuit board, 208 ... Control IC for liquid crystal display
301 ... surface protective layer,
401 ... transparent substrate, 402 ... coordinate detection surface, 403 ... X position coordinate electrode 404 ... Y position coordinate electrode, 405 ... electrode circuit signal wiring 406 ... connection terminal opening,
501 ... Coordinate detection surface, 502 ... floating electrode, 503 ... X position coordinate electrode 504 ... Y position coordinate electrode,
601 ... Transparent substrate, 602 ... Coordinate electrode, 603 ... Insulating film,
604 ... coordinate electrode, 605 ... insulating film, 606 ... frame adhesion part,
607 ... floating electrode, 608 ... transparent substrate, 609 ... space layer 701 ... floating electrode protective film,
801 ... Liquid layer, 802 ... Frame sealing adhesive layer,
901 ... Touch panel transparent substrate, 902 ... Electrode circuit signal wiring 903 ... Connection terminal opening, 904 ... Coordinate detection circuit insulating film,
905... Connection terminal opening, 906... Electrode circuit signal wiring,
907 ... transparent touch panel,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1001 ... Touch-panel transparent substrate, 1002 ... Electrode circuit signal wiring 1003 ... Coordinate electrode, 1004 ... Coordinate electrode insulating film,
1005 ... Electrode circuit signal wiring, 1006 ... Coordinate electrode layer 1007 ... Touch panel transparent substrate,
1101 ... Touch panel transparent substrate, 1102 ... Electrode circuit signal wiring,
1103 ... coordinate electrode, 1104 ... coordinate electrode insulating film,
1105 ... Electrode circuit signal wiring, 1106 ... Coordinate electrode layer,
1107: Touch panel transparent substrate,
1201... Spacing thickness control projection pattern, 1202... Spatial layer,
1301... Interval thickness control projection pattern, 1302... Liquid layer

Claims (7)

A first transparent substrate;
An XY coordinate electrode provided on the first transparent substrate for detecting XY position coordinates;
In the capacitive touch panel in which the XY coordinate electrode detects an input position by capacitive coupling,
A plurality of floating electrodes that are isolated and insulated from each other and are arranged in a direction along the surface of the first transparent substrate at positions separated from the XY coordinate electrodes ;
An insulating film is provided between the XY coordinate electrode and the floating electrode;
The capacitively coupled touch panel , wherein a distance between the XY coordinate electrode and the floating electrode varies due to elastic deformation of the insulating film . In claim 1,
Each of the plurality of floating electrodes is provided at a position overlapping with the XY coordinate electrode. In claim 2,
The XY coordinate electrode includes an X coordinate electrode and a Y coordinate electrode,
For one of the floating electrode, capacitive coupling type touch panel which is characterized in that overlap each other pair of the X-coordinate electrode and the Y-coordinate electrodes. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
A second transparent substrate facing the first transparent substrate electrode,
The capacitively coupled touch panel, wherein the floating electrode is a transparent electrode and is provided on the second transparent substrate. In claim 4 ,
The capacitive coupling type touch panel, wherein the insulating film has a visible light region and a light transmittance of 80% or more. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5 ,
A capacitively coupled touch panel that receives an input based on a variation in capacitive coupling generated between the XY coordinate electrode and the floating electrode. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5 ,
When the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate is touched by an insulator, the distance between the XY coordinate electrode and the floating electrode varies, and the capacitance coupling variation generated between the electrodes varies. Fluctuate,
A capacitively coupled touch panel that detects a position where the insulator is touched by detecting the fluctuation.

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