Touch sensor and image display device including the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a touch sensor and an image display device including the touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a substrate layer, a plurality of sensing electrodes on the substrate layer, and an optical compensation pattern. The sensing electrodes include electrode lines extending in different directions and crossing each other. The sensing electrodes are defined by a separation area of ​​a portion of the electrode lines cut. The optical compensation pattern is set at a level or plane different from that of the sensing electrodes. The optical compensation pattern at least partially fills the separation area in a plan view. The optical performance of the touch sensor is improved by the optical compensation pattern, and the visibility of the electrode is prevented.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications and priority claim

[0002] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0111483 filed on September 18, 2018 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a touch sensor and an image display device including the touch sensor. More particularly, the present invention relates to a touch sensor including a sensing electrode pattern and an image display device including the touch sensor. Background Art

[0004] With the development of information technology, there are increasing demands for display devices with thinner size, lighter weight, higher power efficiency, etc. Display devices may include flat panel display devices, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, plasma display panel (PDP) devices, electroluminescent display devices, organic light emitting diode (OLED) display devices, etc.

[0005] A touch panel or touch sensor that can input a user's instructions by selecting an instruction displayed on a screen with a finger or an input tool has also been developed. The touch panel or touch sensor can be combined with a display device, so that a display function and an information input function can be implemented in one electronic device.

[0006] As the resolution of display devices is increased to a Quad-High Definition (QHD) level, an Ultra-High Definition (UHD) level, etc., a high resolution of touch sensors is also required. Therefore, the critical dimensions and pitches of sensing electrodes included in the touch sensors can be reduced.

[0007] The touch sensor may be stacked on the display panel, and when the user sees the sensing electrodes of the touch sensor, the image quality of the display device may be deteriorated. Furthermore, when the sensing electrodes overlap with the electrodes or wirings of the display panel, a moiré phenomenon may be caused.

[0008] For example, as disclosed in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2014-0092366, various image display devices combined with a touch screen panel including a touch sensor have been recently developed. However, the demand for a touch sensor or a touch panel having improved compatibility with the image display device continues to increase. Summary of the invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a touch sensor having improved optical performance and electronic reliability is provided.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a window stack structure including the touch sensor having improved optical performance and electronic reliability and an image display device are provided.

[0011] The above aspects of the present invention are achieved through the following features or structures:

[0012] (1) A touch sensor, comprising: a substrate layer; a plurality of sensing electrodes on the substrate layer, the sensing electrodes including electrode lines extending in different directions and crossing each other, the sensing electrodes being defined by separation regions that cut portions of the electrode lines; and an optical compensation pattern, the optical compensation pattern being disposed at a level or plane different from that of the sensing electrodes, the optical compensation pattern at least partially filling the separation region in a plan view.

[0013] (2) The touch sensor according to (1) above, wherein the optical compensation pattern completely fills the separation area in the plan view.

[0014] (3) The touch sensor according to (2) above, wherein the separation area is filled with the entire optical compensation pattern or a portion of the optical compensation pattern in the plan view.

[0015] (4) The touch sensor according to (2) above, wherein the sensing electrode has a grid structure including a plurality of unit cells defined by the electrode lines that are adjacent to each other and extend in different directions and intersect each other.

[0016] (5) The touch sensor according to (4) above, wherein the separation area is defined as an area that cuts at least one vertex or at least one side of the unit cell.

[0017] (6) The touch sensor according to (5) above, wherein the optical compensation pattern has a cross shape, a cut wavy line shape, or a stripe pattern shape.

[0018] (7) The touch sensor according to (4) above, wherein the unit lattice includes a plurality of curves, the curves being selected from sine curves, cosine curves, conic curves, catenaries, tracking curves, cycloids, trochoids or cardioids.

[0019] (8) The touch sensor according to (4) above, wherein the boundary of the unit cell includes a plurality of water waves having the same length corresponding to one period.

[0020] (9) The touch sensor according to (8) above, wherein the boundary of the unit cell is composed of the water waves.

[0021] (10) A touch sensor according to (1) above, wherein the plurality of sensing electrodes include: a plurality of first sensing electrodes, the plurality of first sensing electrodes being arranged along a first direction parallel to the top surface of the substrate layer; and a plurality of second sensing electrodes, the plurality of second sensing electrodes being arranged along a second direction parallel to the top surface of the substrate layer, the first direction and the second direction being perpendicular to each other, wherein the first sensing electrodes and the second sensing electrodes are separated from each other by the separation region.

[0022] (11) The touch sensor according to (10) above, further comprising: a bridge electrode electrically connecting the first sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the first direction; and a connection portion through which the second sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the second direction are connected to each other.

[0023] (12) The touch sensor according to (11) above, wherein the connection portion is integrally connected to the second sensing electrode, and the bridge electrode is provided above or below the connection portion to cross the connection portion.

[0024] (13) The touch sensor according to (12) above, wherein the bridge electrode and the optical compensation pattern are provided at the same level or on the same plane.

[0025] (14) The touch sensor according to (13) above, further comprising an insulating layer partially covering the plurality of sensing electrodes, wherein the bridge electrode is insulated from the second sensing electrodes on the insulating layer to connect adjacent first sensing electrodes.

[0026] (15) The touch sensor according to (13) above further includes an insulating layer, which partially covers the bridging electrode, wherein the plurality of sensing electrodes are arranged on the insulating layer, and adjacent first sensing electrodes are electrically connected by means of the bridging electrode and are insulated from the second sensing electrodes.

[0027] (16) An image display device comprising: a display panel; and the touch sensor according to any one of (1) to (15) above on the display panel.

[0028] (17) The image display device according to (16) above, further including an adhesive layer that bonds the display panel and the touch sensor to each other.

[0029] In the touch sensor according to the exemplary embodiment as described above, the sensing electrode may include a plurality of electrode lines, and the optical compensation pattern is superimposed on the separation area or the cut area of ​​the electrode line at a higher level than the sensing electrode. The optical compensation pattern can fill the separation area from the viewer's direction, so that the visibility of the electrode caused by the electrode arrangement deviation can be reduced or avoided. Further, the optical compensation pattern can be formed at a higher or lower level than the sensing electrode, so that it can be formed without the patterning restriction of the sensing electrode, and the size of the optical compensation pattern can be reduced.

[0030] The sensing electrode may include a unit cell defined by electrode lines, and the edges of the boundaries of the unit cell may have the same water wave shape. The unit cell may be regularly repeated, thereby effectively reducing the visibility of the electrode and the moiré phenomenon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A top plan view and a cross-sectional view respectively show a schematic structure of a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0032] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a touch sensor according to some exemplary embodiments;

[0033] Figures 4 to 6 is a schematic top plan view showing a pattern structure of a sensing electrode according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0034] Figures 7 to 9 is a schematic top plan view showing a pattern structure of a sensing electrode according to some exemplary embodiments;

[0035] Figures 10 to 14 is a schematic top plan view showing a mesh structure and a shape of a unit cell included in a sensing electrode according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0036] Fig.15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a window stack structure and an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a touch sensor is provided, the touch sensor comprising a plurality of sensing electrodes and an optical compensation pattern, the sensing electrodes comprising a plurality of electrode lines, the optical compensation pattern being placed at a higher or lower level than the sensing electrodes, so that the visibility of the electrodes can be reduced or suppressed. Further, an image display device comprising the touch sensor is provided.

[0038] In the following, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are provided for further understanding of the spirit of the present invention without limiting the subject matter to be protected as disclosed in the specific embodiments and the appended claims.

[0039] In the drawings, two directions parallel to the top surface of the touch sensor or substrate layer 105 and crossing each other may be designated as a first direction and a second direction. For example, the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0040] Figure 1 and Figure 2 1 and 2 are top plan views and cross-sectional views respectively showing a schematic structure of a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 For Figure 1 Cross-sectional view at the intersection area C specified in . Figure 2 An example of a touch sensor having a top bridge structure is shown.

[0041] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the touch sensor 100 may include a substrate layer 105 and sensing electrodes 110 and 130 arranged on the substrate layer 105 .

[0042] The substrate layer 105 may include a thin film type substrate used as a base layer for forming the sensing electrodes 110 and the sensing electrodes 130, or an object on which the sensing electrodes 110 and the sensing electrodes 130 are formed. In some embodiments, the substrate layer 105 may be a display panel, and the sensing electrodes 110 and the sensing electrodes 130 may be directly formed on the display panel.

[0043] For example, the substrate layer 105 may include a substrate or thin film material commonly used in a touch sensor. For example, the substrate layer 105 may include glass, a polymer, and / or an inorganic insulating material. The polymer may include, for example, Cyclo Olefin Polymer (COP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyacrylate (PAR), Polyether Imide (PEI), Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN), Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS), Polyallyl, Polyimide (PI), Cellulose Acetate Propionate (CAP), Polyether Sulfone (PES), Cellulose Triacetate (TAC), Polycarbonate (PC), Cyclo Olefin Copolymer (COC), Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), etc. The inorganic insulating material may include, for example, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, metal oxide, etc.

[0044] A layer or film member in an image display device employing a touch sensor may also be used as the substrate layer 105. For example, an encapsulation layer or a passivation layer included in a display panel may be used as the substrate layer 105.

[0045] The sensing electrodes 110 and 130 may include a first sensing electrode 110 and a second sensing electrode 130. For example, the sensing electrodes 110 and 130 may be arranged to operate in a mutual capacitance type.

[0046] The first sensing electrodes 110 may be arranged along the first direction. Each of the first sensing electrodes 110 may have an island pattern shape, and the first sensing electrodes 110 adjacent in the first direction may be electrically connected to each other through the bridge electrode 115.

[0047] Therefore, a first sensing electrode row extending along the first direction may be defined, and a plurality of first sensing electrode rows may be arranged along the second direction.

[0048] The second sensing electrodes 130 may be arranged along the second direction. The second sensing electrodes 130 adjacent in the second direction may be connected to each other by the connecting portion 135. The second sensing electrodes 130 and the connecting portion 135 may be integrally connected to each other as a substantially integral member. In this case, the second sensing electrodes 130 and the connecting portion 135 may be formed by patterning the same conductive layer placed at the same layer or at the same level.

[0049] Therefore, a second sensing electrode column extending along the second direction may be defined, and a plurality of second sensing electrode columns may be arranged along the first direction.

[0050] The sensing electrodes 110 and 130 and / or the bridge electrode 115 may include a metal, a metal alloy, a metal wire, or a transparent conductive oxide.

[0051] For example, the sensing electrode 110 and the sensing electrode 130 and / or the bridge electrode 115 may include silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), or alloys thereof (e.g., silver-palladium-copper (APC)). These materials may be used alone or in combination.

[0052] The sensing electrode 110 and the sensing electrode 130 and / or the bridging electrode 115 may include a transparent conductive oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), cadmium tin oxide (CTO), etc.

[0053] In some embodiments, the sensing electrode 110 and the sensing electrode 130 and / or the bridging electrode 115 may include a multilayer structure including a transparent conductive oxide and a metal. For example, the sensing electrode 110 and the sensing electrode 130 and / or the bridging electrode 115 may have a three-layer structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer-a metal layer-a transparent conductive oxide layer. In this case, the flexibility property can be improved by the metal layer, so that the resistance can be reduced and the signal transmission speed can be increased. Further, the corrosion resistance and transparency can be improved by the transparent conductive oxide layer.

[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the boundary between the sensing electrode 110 and the sensing electrode 130 may have a substantially wavy shape.

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, an insulating layer 120 at least partially covering the first sensing electrodes 110 and the connection portion 135 may be formed on the substrate layer 105. The bridge electrode 115 may be disposed on the insulating layer 120 so that adjacent first sensing electrodes 110 may be electrically connected to each other via, for example, contact holes formed in the insulating layer 120.

[0056] A passivation layer 150 for protecting the touch sensor may be formed on the insulating layer 120 and the bridge electrode 115 .

[0057] The insulating layer 120 and / or the passivation layer 150 may include an inorganic insulating material (such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, etc.) or an organic insulating material (such as an acryl-based resin, a siloxane-based resin, etc.).

[0058] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a touch sensor according to some exemplary embodiments. Figure 3 FIG. 4 shows a touch sensor having a bottom bridge structure. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Detailed description of elements and structures that are substantially the same or similar to those shown in FIG.

[0059] Reference Figure 3 , the bridge electrode 115 may be disposed under the sensing electrode 110 and the sensing electrode 130. For example, the bridge electrode 115 may be formed on the substrate layer 105, and the insulating layer 120 may be formed on the substrate layer 105 to partially cover the bridge electrode 115. The insulating layer 120 may include a contact hole through which the top surface of the bridge electrode 115 may be partially exposed.

[0060] The second sensing electrode 130 may be arranged on the insulating layer 120 along the second direction to be separated from the bridge electrode 115 .

[0061] First sensing electrode 110 may be formed on the insulating layer to fill the contact hole and contact or be electrically connected to bridge electrode 115. Thus, first sensing electrodes 110 adjacent in the first direction may be electrically connected by bridge electrode 115 while being insulated from second sensing electrode 130.

[0062] Figures 4 to 6 is a schematic top plan view showing a pattern structure of a sensing electrode according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, Figure 4 Shown in Figure 1 2 and 3. The pattern structure of the sensing electrode 110 and the sensing electrode 130 at the intersection area C specified in FIG. Figure 5The bridge electrode 115 and the optical compensation pattern 140 , which is disposed at a layer or level different from those of the sensing electrode 110 and the sensing electrode 130 , are selectively shown. Figure 6 The same plan view shows Figure 4 and Figure 5 combination.

[0063] Reference Figure 4 A pair of first sensing electrodes 110 and a pair of second sensing electrodes 130 may be placed Figure 1 The pair of second sensing electrodes 130 may be integrally connected to the connection portion 135 at the intersection region C. The pair of first sensing electrodes 110 may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction relative to the connection portion 135.

[0064] like Figure 4 As shown, the first sensing electrode 110 and the second sensing electrode 130 may each include a grid structure defined by electrode lines crossing each other along a first direction and a second direction. For example, the electrode lines may include a first electrode line extending along the first direction and a second electrode line extending along the second direction.

[0065] For example, two adjacent second electrode lines extending along the second direction and two adjacent first electrode lines extending along the first direction may cross each other to define a unit cell. A plurality of unit cells may be repeatedly arranged to define a grid structure.

[0066] The following will refer to Figures 10 to 14 Describe the shape of the grid structure in more detail.

[0067] A conductive layer having a mesh structure shape may be formed, and then a separation region S may be formed, so that first sensing electrode 110 and second sensing electrode 130 may be electrically insulated or separated from each other.

[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, the intersection of the electrode lines or the portion around the vertex of the unit cell may be cut to form the separation region S. For example, the separation region S may be repeated along a diagonal direction relative to the first direction and the second direction, thereby dividing the first sensing electrode 110 and the second sensing electrode 130 to form a boundary.

[0069] like Figure 4 As shown, the separation region of the electrode lines may be omitted at a region where two adjacent second sensing electrodes 130 are adjacent to each other, and the connection portion 135 may be defined by at least one electrode line that may not be cut and may extend in the second direction.

[0070] Reference Figure 5 For example, the bridge electrode 115 may include a Figure 4The shapes of the electrode lines extending along the first direction shown are substantially the same as the shapes of the electrode lines of at least one cutting pattern. In one embodiment, the bridge electrode 115 may include at least two cutting patterns.

[0071] In an exemplary embodiment, the optical compensation pattern 140 may be disposed at a higher or lower level than the sensing electrode 110 and the sensing electrode 130. Figure 5 As shown, the optical compensation pattern 140 may be disposed at the same level or plane as that of the bridge electrode 115 .

[0072] In one embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the bridge electrode 115 may be disposed on the insulating layer 120, and the optical compensation pattern 140 may be disposed on the insulating layer 120 together with the bridge electrode 115. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the bridge electrode 115 may be disposed on the substrate layer 105, and the optical compensation pattern 140 may be disposed on the substrate layer 105 together with the bridge electrode 115. In this case, the sensing electrode 110 and the sensing electrode 130 may be disposed on the insulating layer 120 and may be disposed above the optical compensation pattern 140 and the bridge electrode 115.

[0073] The optical compensation pattern 140 may have a shape substantially the same as that of the cut portion of the electrode line at the separation region S. In one embodiment, the optical compensation pattern 140 may have a substantially cross shape, such as Figure 5 shown.

[0074] Reference Figure 6 , the optical compensation pattern 140 may be superimposed on the separation region S in a plan view as designated by a dotted circle. In the plan view, the bridge electrode 115 may be placed above the connection portion 135 or below the connection portion 135 to cross the connection portion 135 .

[0075] In the plan view, the space at the separation region S may be at least partially filled or covered by the optical compensation pattern 140. In an exemplary embodiment, in the plan view, the separation region S may be substantially completely filled by the optical compensation pattern 140.

[0076] In an implementation, the size of the optical compensation pattern 140 may be substantially the same as the size of the separation region S. In this case, the separation region S may be substantially completely filled by the entire optical compensation pattern 140 in the plan view.

[0077] In an implementation, the size of the optical compensation pattern 140 may be greater than the size of the separation region S. In this case, the separation region S may be substantially completely filled by a partial portion of the optical compensation pattern 140 in a plan view.

[0078] like Figure 6 As shown, in a plan view, the separation area S may be filled with the optical compensation pattern 140 so that when the touch sensor is observed in a plan view, the electrode lines included in the sensing electrodes 110 and the sensing electrodes 130 may be viewed as a continuous and seamless shape, and thus the separation area S may not be designated or divided.

[0079] Therefore, changes in reflectivity, refractive index, color sense, pattern shape, etc. at the separation area S can be prevented or reduced, so that visibility of the electrode at the separation area S can also be prevented or reduced.

[0080] The optical compensation pattern 140 may be separately formed at a level or a different plane from those of the sensing electrodes 110 and 130. Therefore, the size or area of ​​the separation region S may be reduced, and electrode visibility may be more effectively prevented.

[0081] Figures 7 to 9 is a schematic top plan view illustrating a pattern structure of a sensing electrode according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0082] Reference Figure 7 , at least one side of a unit cell included in the grid structure may be cut to form a separation region S. For example, a portion of the electrode line that may encounter two diagonal lines with respect to the first direction and the second direction may be cut to define the separation region S.

[0083] In one embodiment, one first electrode line and one second electrode line included in the unit cell that may encounter a diagonal line may be cut to form the separation area S.

[0084] Reference Figure 8 , an optical compensation pattern 145 may be formed, and the shape of the optical compensation pattern 145 may be substantially the same as the shape of the portion cut from the separation region S. In one embodiment, the optical compensation pattern 145 may have a cut wavy line or stripe pattern shape. As described above, the optical compensation pattern 145 may be arranged on the same layer or plane as that of the bridging electrode 115.

[0085] Reference Fig. 9 , the separation region S may be substantially filled with the optical compensation pattern 145 (designated by a dotted circle) in a plan view. In the plan view, the bridge electrode 115 may be disposed above the connection portion 135 or below the connection portion 135 to cross the connection portion 135 .

[0086] As described above, from a plan view, the blank at the separation region S may be substantially completely filled or covered by the optical compensation pattern 145. Therefore, when viewed from a plan view, the electrode pattern structure of the touch sensor may include a substantially seamless mesh structure without a cut portion.

[0087] Figures 10 to 14 is a schematic top plan view illustrating a mesh structure and a shape of a unit cell included in a sensing electrode according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0088] Reference Fig.10 , the sensing electrodes may include reference Figure 4 The grid structure described. The unit cell 50 included in the grid structure may include a plurality of curves. For example, the curve may include a sine curve, a cosine curve, a conic curve, a catenary curve, a tracking curve, a cycloid, a trochoid, a cardioid curve, etc.

[0089] In some embodiments, the unit cell 50 may have a shape modified from an imaginary rectangle designated by a dotted line, one side of which is transformed to correspond to one cycle of a water wave.

[0090] In one embodiment, the unit cell 50 may be composed of water waves with the same waveform, and the unit cell 50 may be repeated to form a grid structure.

[0091] As described above, the grid structure can be defined by water waves having the same waveform, so that the spatial frequencies generated from the electrode lines can be standardized or equalized. Therefore, electrode visibility caused by spatial frequency offset generated when including lattices or electrode lines with different shapes can be effectively prevented.

[0092] Further, the grid structure of the touch sensor may be defined by water waves, thereby effectively reducing or avoiding a moiré phenomenon caused by regular overlap of the touch sensor with wirings and electrodes included in the display panel.

[0093] Reference Fig.11 , can be repeated in a zigzag arrangement Fig.10 The unit cells 50 are arranged in a staggered manner to form a grid structure of the sensing electrodes. Therefore, the moiré phenomenon caused by the overlap with the display panel can also be reduced by staggered arrangement of the unit cells 50.

[0094] Reference Fig.12 , the unit cell 52 may have a shape modified from an imaginary rhombus designated by a dotted line, one side of the imaginary rhombus being transformed into a water wave corresponding to one cycle, and the unit cell 52 may include four water waves having the same waveform.

[0095] Reference Fig.13, the unit cell 54 may have a shape modified from an imaginary hexagon designated by a dotted line, one side of the imaginary hexagon is transformed into a water wave corresponding to one cycle, and the unit cell 54 may include six water waves with the same waveform.

[0096] Reference Fig.14 , the unit cell 56 may have a pair of water waves symmetrical to each other in an imaginary hexagon designated by a dotted line. Each water wave may have a length corresponding to one cycle.

[0097] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an image display device including the touch sensor or the touch screen panel as described above.

[0098] Fig.15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a window stack structure and an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0099] The window stack structure 250 may include a window substrate 230 , a polarizing layer 210 , and the touch sensor 200 according to the exemplary embodiment as described above.

[0100] The window substrate 230 may include, for example, a hard coating film. In one embodiment, a light shielding pattern 235 may be formed on a peripheral portion of a surface of the window substrate 230. The light shielding pattern 235 may include a color printed pattern and may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. A frame portion or a non-display area of ​​the image display device may be defined by the light shielding pattern 235.

[0101] The polarizing layer 210 may include a coated polarizer or a polarizing plate. The coated polarizer may include a liquid crystal coating layer, which may include a cross-linkable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye. In this case, the polarizing layer 210 may include an alignment layer for providing an orientation of the liquid crystal coating layer.

[0102] For example, the polarizing plate may include a polyvinyl alcohol-based polarizer and a protective film attached to at least one surface of the polyvinyl alcohol-based polarizer.

[0103] The polarizing layer 210 may be directly attached to the surface of the window substrate 230 or may be attached to the surface of the window substrate 230 via the first adhesive layer 220 .

[0104] The touch sensor 200 may be included in the window stack structure 250 as a film or a panel. In one implementation, the touch sensor 200 may be combined with the polarizing layer 210 via the second adhesive layer 225.

[0105] like Fig.15As shown, the window substrate 230, the polarizing layer 210 and the touch sensor 200 can be placed sequentially from the viewer side. In this case, the sensing electrode of the touch sensor 200 can be arranged under the polarizing layer 210, so that the viewer can be effectively prevented from seeing the electrode pattern.

[0106] If the touch sensor 200 includes a substrate, the substrate may include, for example, triacetyl cellulose, cyclic olefin, cyclic olefin copolymer, polynorbornene copolymer, etc., and may have an in-plane retardation of ±2.5 nm (nanometers) or less.

[0107] In one embodiment, the touch sensor 200 may be directly transferred to the window substrate 230 or the polarizing layer 210. In one embodiment, the window substrate 230, the touch sensor 200, and the polarizing layer 210 may be sequentially placed from the viewer side.

[0108] The image display device may include a display panel 360 and a window stack structure 250 disposed on the display panel 360 .

[0109] The display panel 360 may include a pixel electrode 310 , a pixel definition layer 320 , a display layer 330 , an opposite electrode 340 , and an encapsulation layer 350 disposed on a panel substrate 300 .

[0110] A pixel circuit including a thin film transistor (TFT) may be formed on the panel substrate 300, and an insulating layer covering the pixel circuit may be formed. The pixel electrode 310 may be electrically connected to, for example, a drain electrode of the TFT on the insulating layer.

[0111] The pixel definition layer 320 may be formed on the insulating layer, and the pixel electrode 310 may be exposed through the pixel definition layer 320 so that a pixel region may be defined. The display layer 330 may be formed on the pixel electrode 310, and the display layer 330 may include, for example, a liquid crystal layer or an organic light emitting layer.

[0112] The counter electrode 340 may be disposed on the pixel definition layer 320 and the display layer 330 . The counter electrode 340 may be used as, for example, a common electrode or a cathode of an image display device. The encapsulation layer 350 may be disposed on the counter electrode 340 to protect the display panel 360 .

[0113] In some embodiments, the display panel 360 and the window stack structure 250 may be bonded to each other by the adhesive layer 260. For example, the thickness of the adhesive layer 260 may be greater than the thickness of each of the first adhesive layer 220 and the second adhesive layer 225. The viscoelasticity of the adhesive layer 260 may be about 0.2 MPa or less in a temperature range of -20°C to 80°C. In this case, noise from the display panel 360 may be blocked, and the interface stress during bending may be alleviated, so that damage to the window stack structure 250 may be avoided. In one embodiment, the viscoelasticity of the adhesive layer 260 may be in the range of about 0.01 MPa to about 0.15 MPa.

[0114] The touch sensor 200 according to the exemplary embodiment as described above may include a sensing electrode having a unit cell and an optical compensation pattern aligned with the sensing electrode. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image quality from the display panel 360 from being deteriorated and to achieve improved transmittance.

Claims

1. A touch sensor, comprising: substrate layer; A plurality of sensing electrodes on the substrate layer, wherein the sensing electrodes include electrode lines extending in different directions and crossing each other, and the sensing electrodes are defined by separation areas that cut portions of the electrode lines, Wherein, the plurality of sensing electrodes include: a plurality of first sensing electrodes arranged along a first direction parallel to a top surface of the substrate layer, and a plurality of second sensing electrodes, the plurality of second sensing electrodes being arranged along a second direction parallel to the top surface of the substrate layer, the first direction and the second direction being perpendicular to each other, wherein the first sensing electrodes and the second sensing electrodes are separated from each other by the separation region, and the first sensing electrodes and the second sensing electrodes are disposed at the same level or in the same plane; a bridging electrode, the bridging electrode electrically connecting the first sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the first direction; a connecting portion through which the second sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the second direction are connected to each other; and an optical compensation pattern, the optical compensation pattern being disposed at a level or plane different from that of the sensing electrode, the optical compensation pattern at least partially filling the separation area in a plan view, Wherein, the bridging electrode and the optical compensation pattern are arranged at the same level or the same plane.

2. The touch sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The optical compensation pattern completely fills the separation region in the plan view.

3. The touch sensor according to claim 2, wherein: The separation region is filled with the entire optical compensation pattern or a portion of the optical compensation pattern in the plan view.

4. The touch sensor according to claim 2, wherein: The sensing electrode has a grid structure including a plurality of unit cells defined by the electrode lines that are adjacent to each other and extend in different directions and cross each other.

5. The touch sensor according to claim 4, wherein: The separation region is defined as a region cutting at least one vertex or at least one edge of the unit cell.

6. The touch sensor according to claim 5, wherein: The optical compensation pattern is in the shape of a cross, a cut wavy line or a stripe pattern.

7. The touch sensor according to claim 4, wherein: The unit cell includes a plurality of curves, and the curves are selected from sine curves, cosine curves, conic curves, catenaries, tracing curves, cycloids, trochoids or cardioids.

8. The touch sensor according to claim 4, wherein: The boundary of the unit cell includes a plurality of water waves having the same length corresponding to one period.

9. The touch sensor according to claim 8, wherein: The boundary of the unit cell is composed of the water waves.

10. The touch sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The connecting portion is integrally connected to the second sensing electrode, and The bridge electrode is disposed above the connection portion or below the connection portion to cross the connection portion.

11. The touch sensor according to claim 1 , further comprising an insulating layer partially covering the plurality of sensing electrodes, in, The bridge electrode is insulated from the second sensing electrodes on the insulating layer to connect adjacent first sensing electrodes.

12. The touch sensor according to claim 1 , further comprising an insulating layer partially covering the bridge electrode. in, The plurality of sensing electrodes are disposed on the insulating layer, and adjacent first sensing electrodes are electrically connected by means of the bridging electrode and are insulated from the second sensing electrodes.

13. An image display device, comprising: Display panel; and A touch sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 12 on the display panel. 14 . The image display device of claim 13 , further comprising an adhesive layer which bonds the display panel and the touch sensor to each other.

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