Touch display device and display panel

Abstract

A touch display device and a display panel are provided. A bridge pattern connecting touch electrodes is arranged in an opening area where a single color filter is arranged so as not to overlap with an area where a plurality of color filters are arranged. A short circuit defect between a touch electrode and a touch line is prevented, and accurate touch sensing can be performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments relate to a touch display device and a display panel. Background Art

[0002] Display devices used in computer monitors, TVs, and the like may include self-luminous display devices such as organic light emitting displays, vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs), field emission displays (FEDs), and plasma display panels, and non-self-luminous display devices such as liquid crystal display (LCD) devices that require a light source.

[0003] Among these display devices, a liquid crystal display device includes two substrates each having an electrode generating an electric field and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the two substrates and having dielectric anisotropy. The LCD device generates an electric field in the liquid crystal layer by applying a voltage to the electrode generating an electric field, and adjusts the intensity of the electric field by changing the voltage, thereby adjusting the transmittance of light passing through the liquid crystal layer, thereby displaying a desired image.

[0004] Such a liquid crystal display device includes: a data driving circuit that receives image data from an external source, generates a data voltage, and provides the data voltage to corresponding pixels of a liquid crystal display panel through a data line; a gate driving circuit that generates and provides a gate signal so that the pixels of the liquid crystal display panel are driven according to their respective lines; and a backlight unit that is disposed at the rear of the liquid crystal display panel to light up the liquid crystal display panel.

[0005] Recently, light emitting diodes (LEDs) have attracted attention as light sources of backlight units due to their advantages such as high light emitting efficiency, thin profile, and low power consumption.

[0006] Regarding the touch input function provided by the display device, an in-box touch display device in which components of the touch screen are separately arranged inside a display panel of the touch display device (or embedded in the display panel) has been developed and used to provide a thin profile for mobile terminals such as smartphones and tablet personal computers (PCs).

[0007] In such a touch display device, a common electrode designed to drive a pixel is also used as a touch sensing electrode. Therefore, a common voltage is provided to a thin film transistor (TFT) during a display driving period, and a touch driving signal is provided to the common electrode used as a touch electrode during a touch sensing period.

[0008] Recently, small touch display devices such as watches, vehicle dashboards, and smart phones are widely used. In the process of miniaturizing touch display devices, undesirable short circuits frequently occur between metal layers provided in the small touch display devices.

[0009] In particular, in an area where color filters for representing colors overlap each other, the thickness of the color filters may increase. This may reduce the thickness of a planarization layer between a touch line and a common electrode disposed above the color filter, thereby frequently causing short circuit defects. Therefore, errors may occur during touch sensing, which is problematic. Summary of the invention

[0010] Various aspects provide a touch display device and a display panel capable of preventing a short circuit defect between a touch electrode and a touch line.

[0011] A touch display device and a display panel are also provided, which have a structure in which a bridge pattern connecting a touch electrode can be set in an opening area where a single color filter is set so as not to overlap with an area where multiple color filters are set, thereby preventing a short circuit defect between the touch electrode and the touch line and enabling accurate touch sensing.

[0012] According to one aspect, a touch display device may include: a display panel, which includes an opening area and a black stripe area of ​​a sub-pixel, wherein a single color filter is arranged in the opening area of ​​the sub-pixel to display an image, and in the black stripe area, a plurality of color filters overlap with each other to block light emission; a plurality of touch electrodes, the plurality of touch electrodes are arranged inside the display panel and separated from each other; a plurality of touch lines, the plurality of touch lines are connected to the plurality of touch electrodes to apply touch drive signals to the plurality of touch electrodes; and at least one bridging pattern, the at least one bridging pattern being connected to a touch electrode in an adjacent sub-pixel arranged in the opening area among the plurality of touch electrodes.

[0013] The bridge pattern may be disposed on the same layer as the touch electrode, and the bridge pattern may be made of the same material as the touch electrode.

[0014] The bridge pattern may be disposed at a middle portion of an outer circumference of the opening area with respect to a direction of one side of the opening area.

[0015] The bridge pattern may be disposed at a middle portion of the opening region with respect to a longitudinal direction of the touch line in the sub-pixel in the plurality of touch lines.

[0016] The touch display device may further include an opening pattern disposed in the black stripe region to separate the touch electrodes disposed in the adjacent sub-pixels.

[0017] According to another aspect, a display panel may include: a plurality of sub-pixels; a plurality of touch electrodes, the plurality of touch electrodes performing touch sensing on the plurality of sub-pixels; a plurality of opening areas, in each of which a single color filter is set in a corresponding sub-pixel among the plurality of sub-pixels to display an image; a black band area, in which a plurality of color filters overlap each other in the plurality of sub-pixels to block light emission; and at least one bridging pattern, the at least one bridging pattern being connected to a touch electrode in an adjacent sub-pixel among the plurality of touch electrodes and set in the opening area.

[0018] According to an embodiment, a touch display device and a display panel can prevent a short defect between a touch electrode and a touch line.

[0019] In addition, according to an embodiment, the touch display device and the display panel may have a structure in which a bridge pattern connecting the touch electrode can be set in an opening area where a single color filter is set so as not to overlap with an area where a plurality of color filters are set, thereby preventing a short circuit defect between the touch electrode and the touch line and enabling accurate touch sensing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a touch display device according to an embodiment;

[0022] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a planar structure of a display panel of a touch display device;

[0023] Figure 3 is an example along the Figure 2 A cross-section of a region between adjacent sub-pixels connected to touch electrodes, taken along line AA' in the display panel, and a planar structure diagram of the same region;

[0024] Figure 4 is an example illustrating a short circuit between a touch electrode and a touch line in a black stripe region of a touch display device;

[0025] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a planar structure of a display panel of a touch display device according to an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 6 is an example of a display panel of a touch display device according to an embodiment. Figure 5A diagram showing a cross-sectional structure taken along line BB′ in FIG. 1 and corresponding to a region of an opening pattern separating touch electrodes in adjacent sub-pixels and a bridge pattern connecting touch electrodes in adjacent sub-pixels, and a planar structure of the same region. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In the following description of examples or embodiments of the present invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which specific examples or embodiments that may be implemented are illustrated by way of illustration, and in the accompanying drawings, even if the same reference numerals and numbers are in different drawings from each other, they may be used to designate the same or similar components. In addition, in the following description of examples or embodiments of the present invention, when it is determined that the description of well-known functions and components in this specification may make the subject matter of certain embodiments of the present invention quite unclear, the detailed description will be omitted. Terms such as "including", "having", "comprising", "consisting of", and "formed of" as used herein are generally intended to allow for the addition of other components unless the term is used with the term "only". As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0028] Terms such as "first", "second", "A", "B", "(A)" or "(B)" may be used herein to describe elements of the present invention. Each of these terms is not used to limit the nature, sequence, order or quantity of the elements, but is only used to distinguish the corresponding elements from other elements.

[0029] When it is mentioned that a first element is “connected or coupled to” a second element, or that the first element and the second element are “in contact with or overlap with” each other, etc., it should be interpreted that not only the first element can be “directly connected or coupled to” the second element or the first element and the second element can be “directly in contact with or overlap with” each other, but also a third element can be “interposed” between the first element and the second element, or the first element and the second element can be “connected or coupled to”, “in contact with or overlap with” each other via a fourth element, etc. Here, the second element can be included in at least one of the two or more elements that are “connected or coupled to”, “in contact with or overlap with” each other, etc.

[0030] When time relationship terms such as "after", "subsequently", "next", "before", etc. are used to describe a process or operation of an element or configuration, or a flow or step in an operation, process, or manufacturing method, unless used with the terms "directly" or "immediately", these terms can be used to describe non-continuous or non-sequential processes or operations.

[0031] In addition, when referring to any dimension, relative size, etc., even if no relevant description is specified, it should be considered that the numerical value or corresponding information (e.g., level, range, etc.) of the element or feature includes a tolerance or error range caused by various factors (e.g., process factors, internal or external influences, noise, etc.). In addition, the term "may" fully encompasses all meanings of the term "can".

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a touch display device according to an embodiment.

[0033] Reference Figure 1 , the touch display device 100 according to the embodiment is a device capable of providing an image display function and a touch sensing function.

[0034] For example, the touch display device 100 may be a middle or large-sized display device such as a TV or a monitor having a touch sensing function for touch input, or may be a mobile device such as a smartphone or a tablet personal computer (PC).

[0035] The touch display device 100 includes a display panel 110 , a data driving circuit 120 , a gate driving circuit 130 , a timing controller 140 , etc. to provide an image display function.

[0036] The display panel 110 may include a plurality of data lines DL extending in a first direction (eg, a column direction) and a plurality of gate lines GL extending in a second direction (eg, a row direction).

[0037] The data driving circuit 120 drives a plurality of data lines DL, and the gate driving circuit 130 drives a plurality of gate lines GL.

[0038] The timing controller 140 controls the data driving circuit 120 and the gate driving circuit 130. In this regard, the timing controller 140 provides the data driving circuit 120 and the gate driving circuit 130 with various signals.

[0039] The timing controller 140 starts a scanning process at a time point implemented by each frame, outputs image data obtained by converting input image data provided by an external source into a data signal format readable by the data driving circuit 120, and controls data driving at an appropriate time point in response to the scanning.

[0040] The timing controller 140 may be a controller used in a typical display technology, or may be a control device that includes such a controller and performs other control functions.

[0041] The data driving circuit 120 drives the plurality of data lines DL by providing data voltages to the plurality of data lines DL. Herein, the data driving circuit 120 may also be referred to as a "source driver circuit (SDIC)".

[0042] The gate driving circuit 130 sequentially drives the plurality of gate lines GL by sequentially supplying scan signals to the plurality of gate lines GL. Here, the gate driving circuit 130 may also be referred to as a "scanning driving circuit".

[0043] Under the control of the timing controller 140, the gate driving circuit 130 sequentially supplies a scan signal having an on or off voltage to the plurality of gate lines GL.

[0044] When a specific gate line GL is turned on by the gate driving circuit 130, the data driving circuit 120 converts the image data received from the timing controller 140 into an analog data voltage and supplies the analog data voltage to the plurality of data lines DL.

[0045] The gate driving circuit 120 may be located on one side (eg, above or below) of the display panel 110 , or may be located on both sides (eg, above and below) of the display panel 110 , depending on a driving method, a design of a panel, etc.

[0046] In addition, depending on the driving method, panel design, etc., the gate driving circuit 130 can be located on one side of the display panel 110 (e.g., the left or right side), or can be located on both sides of the display panel 110 (e.g., the left and right sides).

[0047] The data driving circuit 120 may include at least one data driving integrated circuit to drive a plurality of data lines.

[0048] Each data driving integrated circuit may be connected to a bonding pad of the display panel 110 via a tape automated bonding (TAB) method or a chip on glass (COG) method, may be directly mounted on the display panel 110, or in some cases, may be provided as an integrated part of the display panel 110.

[0049] In addition, each data driving integrated circuit may be implemented using a chip on film (COF) structure mounted on a film connected to the display panel 110 .

[0050] Each data driving integrated circuit may include a shift register, a latch circuit, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), an output buffer, and the like.

[0051] The gate driving circuit 130 may include at least one gate driving integrated circuit.

[0052] Each gate driver integrated circuit may be connected to a bonding pad of the display panel 110 by a TAB method or a COG method, may be implemented using a gate in panel (GIP) structure directly mounted on the display panel 110, or in some cases, may be provided as an integrated part of the display panel 110. In addition, each gate driver integrated circuit may be implemented using a COF structure mounted on a film connected to the display panel 110.

[0053] The touch display device 100 may be various types of devices such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an organic light emitting display device, a plasma display panel, and the like.

[0054] Each sub-pixel SP arranged in the display panel 110 may include circuit components such as a transistor.

[0055] In addition, the touch display device 100 may include a touch system for providing a touch sensing function.

[0056] The touch system may include a plurality of touch electrodes arranged in a matrix form to serve as touch electrodes and a touch circuit 150 for sensing touch by driving the plurality of touch electrodes, etc. Here, the touch circuit 150 may include a plurality of modules (e.g., a touch drive circuit and a touch sensing circuit). Some or all of the plurality of modules may be included in a data drive integrated circuit of the data drive circuit 120, or may form a separate integrated circuit together with the data drive circuit 120.

[0057] The touch circuit 150 may sequentially drive the plurality of touch electrodes TE by sequentially providing a touch driving signal to the plurality of touch electrodes TE, and receive a touch sensing signal from the touch electrodes TE to which the touch driving signal has been applied.

[0058] The touch circuit 150 may detect a touch event (ie, whether a touch is made) and touch coordinates based on the touch sensing signals received from the plurality of touch electrodes TE.

[0059] Herein, the touch driving signal may have, for example, a pulse width modulation waveform having two or more voltage levels.

[0060] Touch sensing signals received from the plurality of touch electrodes TE may differ according to whether a touch has been made on or around the corresponding touch electrode TE by a pointer such as a finger or a pen.

[0061] The touch circuit 150 may detect a touch event and touch coordinates by determining a change in capacitance (or voltage or charge) of the touch electrode TE based on the touch sensing signal.

[0062] Here, the plurality of touch lines TL are connected to the plurality of touch electrodes TE to provide a touch driving signal to the plurality of touch electrodes TE.

[0063] In addition, the touch system may further include a switch circuit 160 , through which the touch lines TL connected to the plurality of touch electrodes TE are sequentially connected to the touch circuit 150 , so as to sequentially provide touch driving signals to the plurality of touch electrodes TE.

[0064] Such a switching circuit 160 may be implemented as at least one multiplexer.

[0065] Each of the plurality of touch electrodes TE may be provided in the form of a block.

[0066] The size of each touch electrode TE may be the same as or correspond to the size of each sub-pixel SP. Alternatively, the size of each touch electrode TE may be larger than the size of each sub-pixel SP. That is, the area of ​​each touch electrode TE may have a size corresponding to the area of ​​two or more sub-pixels SP.

[0067] When the size of the area of ​​each touch electrode TE is larger than that of each sub-pixel SP, the number of touch electrodes TE to be driven for touch sensing can be reduced. Therefore, touch driving and touch sensing related to the touch driving can be performed efficiently and quickly.

[0068] In addition, a plurality of touch electrodes TE may be disposed inside the display panel 110 (or embedded in the display panel 110). In this case, the display panel 110 may be referred to as including a touch screen or a touch screen panel embedded therein. That is, the display panel 110 may be a display panel 110 having an in-box type or on-box type touch screen embedded therein.

[0069] Furthermore, the touch display device 100 may operate in a display mode to provide an image display function, or may operate in a touch mode to provide a touch sensing function.

[0070] In this regard, the plurality of touch electrodes TE may be used as display electrodes during an image display period (ie, a period corresponding to an image display mode) and as touch sensors during a touch sensing period (ie, a period corresponding to a touch mode).

[0071] For example, during an image display period, the plurality of touch electrodes TE may be used as a common electrode, ie, an example of a display electrode to which a common voltage is applied. Here, the common voltage corresponds to a pixel voltage applied to a pixel electrode.

[0072] Specifically, a plurality of touch wires TL may pass through the touch electrode TE. The touch wires TL may be connected to the touch electrode TE to provide a touch sensing signal to the touch circuit 150.

[0073] That is, the touch line TL may apply the common voltage to the touch electrode TE in the display mode and provide a touch sensing signal to the touch circuit 150 .

[0074] Here, at least one dummy line (DL) may be disposed between the touch lines TL.

[0075] The touch line TL may be disposed to reach a region connected to the touch electrode TE or to pass through the entire region where the touch electrode TE is disposed according to its configuration.

[0076] A single touch line TL may be provided in each touch electrode TE. A contact hole connecting the touch line TL and the touch electrode TE may be provided. The contact hole may be provided as a plurality of contact holes to improve connection efficiency, or may be a single contact hole.

[0077] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a planar structure of a display panel of a touch display device, and Figure 3 is an example along the Figure 2 The diagram shows a cross section of a region between adjacent sub-pixels connected to touch electrodes, taken along line AA′ in the display panel, and a planar structure of the same region.

[0078] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The touch display device 100 may include an opening area OA of a sub-pixel SP and a black stripe area BS, in which a color filter is provided as a single layer to emit light of a corresponding color in the opening area OA of each sub-pixel SP, and in the black stripe area BS, the color filters are stacked on each other to prevent light from leaking from a circuit portion at a boundary of the sub-pixel SP.

[0079] Circuit elements such as driving transistors are provided in the black belt area BS.

[0080] The first insulating layer PAS1 and the gate layer GATE are sequentially disposed on the substrate SUB, and the gate insulating layer GI is disposed to cover the gate layer GATE.

[0081] The substrate SUB may be a glass substrate or a plastic substrate, and the gate layer GATE may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure made of one selected from but not limited to Mo, Al, Cr, Au, Ti, Ni, Nd, Cu and alloys thereof.

[0082] The gate insulating layer GI may be made of an inorganic insulating material such as silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ), silicon nitride (SiN x ), or silicon oxynitride (SiON), or may have a multi-layered structure of SiO 2 , SiN x , or SiON.

[0083] Color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3 for displaying colors are disposed over the gate insulating layer GI.

[0084] The color filter CF may have an array of three colors, i.e., red (R), green (G), and blue (B), or an array of four colors, i.e., red (R), green (G), blue (B), and white (W). Herein, an array of color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3 of three colors R, G, and B is illustrated.

[0085] A second insulating layer PAS2 is disposed over the color filter CF, and a touch line TL is disposed over the second insulating layer PAS2.

[0086] A third insulating layer PAS3 and a planarization layer PAC may be disposed over the touch line TL to insulate the touch line TL from the pixel electrode PE or the touch electrode TE. The planarization layer PAC may be an organic film made of, for example, a photo acrylic material, or may be an inorganic film made of, for example, silicon nitride (SiNx).

[0087] The pixel electrode PE and the touch electrode TE are disposed above the planarization layer PAC. The pixel electrode PE may be connected to the source / drain via a contact hole.

[0088] The pixel electrode PE and the touch electrode TE may be disposed on different layers or the same layer. The touch electrode TE corresponds to a common electrode to which a common voltage is applied during a display driving period.

[0089] The touch electrode TE may have a linear shape or a zigzag shape having one or more bends.

[0090] The pixel electrode PE may have a linear shape or have one or more curved zigzag shapes. In addition, the pixel electrode PE may have a finger pattern, in which case the touch electrode TE may also have a finger pattern according to the shape of the pixel electrode PE. The touch electrode TE and the pixel electrode PE may be made of, for example, a transparent conductive material (e.g., indium tin oxide (ITO)).

[0091] The touch electrode TE and the touch line TL are insulated by a planarization layer PAC disposed in a region where the touch electrode TE overlaps the touch line TL.

[0092] In addition, the color filter CF displaying a specific color has a mesh-like structure of a predetermined thickness to surround each sub-pixel SP.

[0093] Therefore, each opening area OA displaying red (R), green (G), blue (B) or white (W) is an area where the color filter CF corresponding to each color is set as a single layer, and the black band area BS is an area where two or more of the red filter CF, the green filter CF and the blue filter CF or the red filter CF, the green filter CF, the blue filter CF and the white filter CF overlap.

[0094] Here, the touch electrodes TE in adjacent sub-pixels SP are connected to each other through a bridge pattern TB to form a single structure. The bridge pattern TB is disposed in the black stripe region BS.

[0095] However, as described above, the black band area BS is composed of a double layer of overlapping color filters CF. Therefore, the thickness of the color filter CF in the black band area BS is greater than the thickness of the single layer of the color filter in each opening area OA. In this article, it is illustrated that since three color filters CF (i.e., red filter CF1, green filter CF2, and blue filter CF3) overlap in the area where the bridge pattern TB is provided, the color filter CF protrudes upward in the area where the bridge pattern TB is provided.

[0096] As a result, the thickness of the planarization layer PAC disposed in the black strip area BS is smaller than the thickness of the planarization layer PAC disposed in the opening area OA.

[0097] When the thickness of the planarization layer PAC disposed in the opening area OA is reduced, the distance between the touch electrode TE disposed above the planarization layer PAC and the touch line TL disposed below the planarization layer PAC is reduced. Therefore, the touch electrode TE and the touch line TL may be short-circuited in an unexpected area.

[0098] Figure 4 An example in which a touch electrode and a touch line are short-circuited in a black stripe region of a touch display device is illustrated.

[0099] Reference Figure 4 In the display panel 110 of the touch display device 100 , the black stripe region BS has a structure in which a plurality of color filters CF overlap, and therefore, the thickness of the color filter CF in the black stripe region BS is greater than the thickness of a single color filter CF in the effective display region.

[0100] As a result, the thickness of the planarization layer PAC disposed above the touch line TL in the black strip area BS is smaller than the thickness of the planarization layer PAC disposed in each opening area OA. Therefore, the bridge pattern TB may cause a short circuit between the touch electrode TE and the touch line TL in the area between adjacent sub-pixels to which the touch electrode TE is connected ( Figure 4 (a)).

[0101] Furthermore, the plurality of touch lines TL pass over the touch electrodes TE to which the common voltage is applied during the display driving period, and the single touch line TL is connected to each of the touch electrodes TE.

[0102] In order to improve the connection efficiency, the contact holes connecting the single touch electrode TE and the single touch line TL may be provided as a plurality of contact holes. However, in the case where the single touch line TL is connected to two or more touch electrodes TE due to a short circuit in the black strip area BS, the actually touched area may not be determined, and thus a touch error may occur ( Figure 4 (b)).

[0103] According to an embodiment, a bridge pattern TB connecting the touch electrodes TE in adjacent sub-pixels SP is disposed in the opening area OA, in each of which a single color filter CF is disposed, but not in the black stripe area BS, in which a plurality of color filters CF overlap. Therefore, the planarization layer PAC between the touch electrode TE and the touch line TL may have a thickness sufficient to prevent a touch sensing error caused by a short circuit between the touch electrode TE and the touch line TL.

[0104] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a planar structure of a display panel of a touch display device according to an embodiment.

[0105] Reference Figure 5 In the touch display device 100 according to the embodiment, the display panel 110 may include a plurality of sub-pixels SP arranged in a matrix form. The display panel 110 may include an opening area OA in which a color filter CF is provided as a single layer in the sub-pixel SP to generate light having a corresponding color, and a black stripe area BS for preventing light from leaking from a circuit portion at a boundary of the sub-pixel SP.

[0106] In the black stripe region BS, two or more color filters CF are stacked on each other to prevent light leakage.

[0107] In the display panel 110 , a first insulating layer PAS1 and a gate layer GATE are sequentially disposed on a substrate SUB, and the gate insulating layer GI is disposed to cover the gate layer GATE.

[0108] A color filter CF displaying colors is disposed over the gate insulating layer GI.

[0109] A second insulating layer PAS2 is disposed over the color filter CF, and a touch line TL is disposed over the second insulating layer PAS2.

[0110] A third insulating layer PAS3 and a planarization layer PAC may be disposed over the touch line TL to insulate the touch line TL from the pixel electrode PE or the touch electrode TE.

[0111] The pixel electrode PE and the touch electrode TE are disposed above the planarization layer PAC. The pixel electrode PE may be connected to the source / drain via a contact hole.

[0112] Here, the color filter CF displaying a specific color has a grid-like structure with a predetermined thickness to surround each sub-pixel SP.

[0113] Therefore, each opening area OA that displays red (R), green (G), blue (B) or white (W) is provided with a single color filter layer corresponding to each color (where a single green color filter CF2 is taken as an example). In contrast, the black band area BS is an area where two or more color filters CF of the red color filter CF, the green color filter CF and the blue color filter CF or the red (R) color filter CF, the green (G) color filter CF, the blue (B) color filter CF and the white (W) color filter CF overlap.

[0114] However, since a plurality of color filters CF overlap in the black stripe area BS, the thickness of the color filter CF in the black stripe area BS is greater than the thickness of a single color filter CF disposed in each opening area OA. The thickness of the planarization layer PAC disposed in the black stripe area BS is less than the thickness of the planarization layer PAC disposed in each opening area OA.

[0115] Therefore, in the touch display device 100 according to the embodiment, the bridge pattern TB connecting the touch electrodes TE provided in adjacent sub-pixels SP is provided in the opening area OA in which a single color filter CF is provided, and is not provided in the black strip area BS in which the color filters CF overlap and stack each other. Therefore, the planarization layer PAC may have a thickness sufficient to prevent a short circuit that would otherwise occur between the touch line TL and the touch electrode TE under the planarization layer PAC.

[0116] Here, in order to connect the touch electrodes TE in adjacent sub-pixels SP, a bridge pattern TB disposed in the opening area OA of the sub-pixel SP may be formed to provide a single bridge of the bridge pattern TB for a single sub-pixel SP.

[0117] The bridge pattern TB, ie, a member connecting adjacent touch electrodes TE, may be disposed on the same layer and made of the same material as the touch electrode TE.

[0118] Here, for symmetry and efficient design of the display panel 110 and to minimize interference with other components, a bridge pattern TB may be provided in a middle portion of an outer periphery of the opening area OA adjacent to the touch electrode TE.

[0119] Herein, a case where a bridge of a bridge pattern TB is provided in a middle portion of each opening area OA in a vertical direction of the unit subpixel SP is described as an example Here, the vertical direction may refer to a longitudinal direction of the touch line TE in the unit subpixel SP.

[0120] Figure 6 is an example of a display panel of a touch display device according to an embodiment, along Figure 5 A diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a region taken along line BB′ in FIG. 1 and corresponding to an opening pattern separating touch electrodes in adjacent sub-pixels and a bridge pattern connecting touch electrodes in adjacent sub-pixels, and a planar structure of the same region.

[0121] Reference Figure 6 In the touch display device 100 according to the embodiment, the bridge pattern TB connecting the touch electrodes TE in adjacent sub-pixels SP is not provided in the black stripe region BS, and the opening pattern TO separating the adjacent sub-pixels SP located on both sides of the data line DL is provided in the black stripe region BS.

[0122] That is, the first insulating layer PAS1 and the gate layer GATE are disposed on the substrate SUB, and the gate insulating layer GI is disposed to cover the gate layer GATE.

[0123] Color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3 for displaying colors are disposed over the gate insulating layer GI.

[0124] Since the plurality of color filters CF1 , CF2 , and CF3 overlap in the black stripe region BS, the thickness of the black stripe region BS increases, so that the thickness of the planarization layer PAC disposed on the upper portion of the black stripe region BS decreases.

[0125] Here, in the black stripe region BS where the thickness of the planarization layer PAC is reduced due to the overlap of the plurality of color filters CF1, CF2 and CF3, an opening pattern OA is provided in a portion of the black stripe region BS where the touch line passes to separate the touch electrodes TE in adjacent sub-pixels SP from each other.

[0126] That is, the bridge pattern TB connecting the touch electrodes TE in adjacent sub-pixels SP is not disposed in the black stripe region BS, so that the touch electrodes TE in adjacent sub-pixels SP remain separated from each other.

[0127] Therefore, in the black strip area BS, only the touch line TL is disposed over the area where the first color filter CF1, the second color filter CF2, and the third color filter CF3 overlap each other or two or more color filters CF overlap each other, and the touch electrode TE is not disposed. Therefore, even if the thickness of the third insulating layer PAS3 or the planarization layer PAC disposed over the area where the first color filter CF1 overlaps the second color filter CF2 is reduced, the problem of short circuit between the touch line TL and the touch electrode TE can be prevented.

[0128] In addition, the touch electrodes TE disposed in adjacent sub-pixels SP may be connected to each other via a bridge pattern TB to form a single structure. In the touch display device 100 according to the embodiment, the bridge pattern TB is disposed in the opening area OA of the sub-pixel SP.

[0129] Here, the data line is disposed between the sub-pixels SP adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction. The sub-pixels SP located at both sides of the data line correspond to the opening areas OA which respectively emit lights of specific colors.

[0130] In each opening area OA, a single color filter CF is disposed as a single layer to display light of a specific color. In an area where the touch line TL is disposed, the plurality of color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3 do not overlap with each other.

[0131] That is, since a single color filter CF is disposed as a single layer having a uniform thickness in each sub-pixel SP of the opening area OA, the third insulating layer PAS3 or the planarization layer PAC disposed over each color filter CF may have a sufficient thickness margin.

[0132] As a result, even in the case where the touch electrode TE is disposed over the planarization layer PAC having a sufficient thickness margin and in a region overlapping the touch line TL, the touch electrode TE has a sufficient distance D to the touch line TL disposed under the planarization layer PAC. Therefore, a short circuit defect between the touch electrode TE and the touch line TL can be prevented.

[0133] Here, a bridge pattern TB connecting the touch electrodes TE in adjacent sub-pixels SP may be provided, thereby providing a single bridge of the bridge pattern TB for a single sub-pixel SP.

[0134] In addition, for the purpose of symmetry and efficient design of the display panel 110 and minimization of interference with other components, a bridge pattern TB may be provided in a middle portion of the outer circumference of the opening area OA.

[0135] It should be understood that, herein, the embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to self-luminous display devices such as organic light emitting displays and non-self-luminous display devices requiring a light source such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs).

[0136] The above description has been given to enable any technician in the field to implement and use the technical ideas of the present invention, and the above description has been provided in the context of specific applications and their requirements. Various modifications, additions and substitutions to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The above description and drawings provide examples of the technical ideas of the present invention for exemplary purposes only. That is, the disclosed embodiments are intended to illustrate the scope of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is consistent with the widest scope consistent with the claims. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted based on the attached claims, and all technical ideas within their equivalent ranges should be interpreted as included within the scope of the present invention.

[0137] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0138] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0176608, filed on December 27, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

Claims

1. A touch display device, comprising: a display panel including an opening area of ​​a sub-pixel in which a single color filter is disposed to display an image and a black stripe area in which a plurality of color filters overlap each other to block light emission; a plurality of touch electrodes, the plurality of touch electrodes being arranged inside the display panel and separated from each other; a plurality of touch wires connected to the plurality of touch electrodes to apply touch drive signals to the plurality of touch electrodes; as well as At least one bridge pattern is disposed in the opening region to connect touch electrodes disposed in adjacent sub-pixels among the plurality of touch electrodes.

2. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein: The bridge pattern is disposed on the same layer as the touch electrode, and the bridge pattern is made of the same material as the touch electrode.

3. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein: The bridge pattern is provided at a middle portion of one side of the opening area along an outer circumference of the opening area.

4. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein: The bridge pattern is disposed at a middle portion of the opening region relative to a longitudinal direction of the touch line in the sub-pixel.

5. The touch display device according to claim 1, further comprising: An opening pattern is disposed in the black stripe region to separate the touch electrodes disposed in the adjacent sub-pixels.

6. A display panel, comprising: Multiple sub-pixels; a plurality of touch electrodes, the plurality of touch electrodes performing touch sensing on the plurality of sub-pixels; a plurality of opening regions, in each of which a single color filter is disposed in a corresponding sub-pixel among the plurality of sub-pixels to display an image; a black stripe region in which a plurality of color filters overlap each other in the plurality of sub-pixels to block light emission; as well as At least one bridge pattern is disposed in the opening region to connect touch electrodes disposed in adjacent sub-pixels among the plurality of touch electrodes.

7. The display panel according to claim 6, wherein: The bridge pattern is disposed on the same layer as the touch electrode and is made of the same material as the touch electrode.

8. The display panel according to claim 6, wherein: The bridge pattern is provided at a middle portion of one side of the opening area along an outer circumference of the opening area.

9. The display panel according to claim 6, wherein: The bridge pattern is disposed at a middle portion of the opening region with respect to a longitudinal direction of the touch line in the sub-pixel.

10. The display panel according to claim 6, wherein: An opening pattern is provided in the black stripe region, and the opening pattern separates the touch electrodes arranged in the adjacent sub-pixels.

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