Antenna-inserted electrode structure and image display device including the same

Abstract

The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a substrate layer including a touch sensing region and an antenna touch sensing region; a first sensing electrode disposed in the touch sensing region of the substrate layer; second row sensing electrodes and second column sensing electrodes disposed in the antenna touch sensing region of the substrate layer; a second bridge electrode configured to connect the second row sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the row direction; a second connection portion configured to connect the second column sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the column direction; and an antenna pattern. The antenna pattern includes radiation patterns respectively, the radiation patterns are disposed in the antenna touch sensing region of the substrate layer, have an area larger than each of the second row sensing electrodes and the second column sensing electrodes, and are disposed by avoiding the second bridge electrode and the second connection portion in the planar direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna-inserted electrode structure and an image display device including the antenna-inserted electrode structure. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antenna-inserted electrode structure including an antenna pattern and a sensing electrode, and an image display device including the antenna-inserted electrode structure. Background Art

[0002] Recently, for example, electronic devices have been developed in various forms such as tablet computers that can input user commands by selecting instructions displayed on the screen of an image display device using a user's finger or an object such as a touch pen or stylus.

[0003] In addition, an image display device has been coupled with a communication device such as a smart phone. Therefore, an antenna for implementing communication in a high-frequency or ultra-high frequency (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G, or higher) band can be installed in the image display device.

[0004] As described above, when a touch sensor and an antenna are installed in one image display device, a design for inserting a plurality of electrodes in a limited space is required. In addition, due to the antenna, the connection between the sensing electrodes of the touch sensor may be disconnected, or the resistance in the sensing channel may increase.

[0005] Therefore, it is preferable to design an antenna and a touch sensor with improved driving stability while increasing space efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an antenna-inserted electrode structure having improved electrical characteristics and space efficiency.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an image display device including an antenna-inserted electrode structure having improved electrical characteristics and space efficiency.

[0008] To achieve the above object, the following technical solutions are adopted in the present invention.

[0009] 1. An antenna-inserted electrode structure, comprising: a substrate layer, the substrate layer including a touch sensing area and an antenna touch sensing area; a first sensing electrode disposed in the touch sensing area of the substrate layer; a second row sensing electrode and a second column sensing electrode disposed in the antenna touch sensing area of the substrate layer; a second bridge electrode configured to connect the second row sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the row direction; a second connecting portion configured to connect the second column sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the column direction; and a plurality of antenna patterns, each of the plurality of antenna patterns including a radiation pattern, the radiation pattern being disposed in the antenna touch sensing area of the substrate layer and being disposed by avoiding the second bridge electrode and the second connecting portion in the planar direction.

[0010] 2. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to the above 1, wherein the second row sensing electrode is disposed around the radiation pattern and includes a sub-row sensing electrode having a bar pattern or a curved pattern shape extending along the edge of the radiation pattern.

[0011] 3. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to the above 1, wherein the second connecting portion includes a modified connecting portion that extends around the radiation pattern along the edge of the radiation pattern and includes a curved portion.

[0012] 4. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to the above 1, wherein the first sensing electrode includes: a first row sensing electrode and a first column sensing electrode; a first bridge electrode configured to connect the first row sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the row direction; and a first connecting portion configured to connect the first column sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the column direction.

[0013] 5. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to the above 4, wherein the first row sensing electrode and the second row sensing electrode have the same area, and the first column sensing electrode and the second column sensing electrode have the same area.

[0014] 6. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to the above 4, wherein the first row sensing electrode has a larger area than the second row sensing electrode, and the first column sensing electrode has a larger area than the second column sensing electrode.

[0015] 7. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to the above 6, wherein the second row sensing electrode and the second column sensing electrode respectively correspond to 4n-division (n is a natural number) of the first row sensing electrode and the first column sensing electrode.

[0016] 8. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to item 6 above, wherein the first row of sensing electrodes are connected to each other in the row direction to form a first row of sensing electrodes, and the second row of sensing electrodes are connected to each other in the row direction to form a second row of sensing electrodes.

[0017] 9. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to item 8 above, further comprising: a first trace line extending from each of the first row of sensing electrodes in the touch sensing area; and a second trace line combining multiple second rows of sensing electrodes and extending in the antenna touch sensing area.

[0018] 10. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to item 1 above, wherein the first sensing electrode, the second row of sensing electrodes, the second column of sensing electrodes, and the antenna pattern are all provided on the same layer or at the same level.

[0019] 11. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to item 1 above, wherein the antenna pattern further includes a transmission line extending from the radiation pattern.

[0020] 12. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to item 11 above, wherein the radiation pattern and the transmission line have a grid structure.

[0021] 13. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to item 12 above, wherein the first sensing electrode, the second row of sensing electrodes, and the second column of sensing electrodes have the same grid structure as the radiation pattern.

[0022] 14. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to item 13 above, wherein the second bridge electrode has a solid structure.

[0023] 15. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to item 12 above, further comprising a dummy grid pattern surrounding the periphery of the radiation pattern.

[0024] 16. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to item 12 above, wherein the antenna pattern further includes a signal pad connected to one end of the transmission line and having a solid pattern structure.

[0025] 17. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to item 1 above, wherein the area of the radiation pattern is larger than the area of each of the second row of sensing electrodes and the second column of sensing electrodes.

[0026] 18. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to item 17 above, wherein each of the second row of sensing electrodes or the second column of sensing electrodes corresponds to 4n equal parts (n is a natural number) of the radiation pattern.

[0027] 19. In the antenna-inserted electrode structure according to the above 1, in a planar direction, a central portion of the radiation pattern is disposed between alignment lines, and the second bridge electrode and the second connection portion are respectively disposed in the alignment lines.

[0028] 20. An image display device includes the antenna-inserted electrode structure according to the above 1.

[0029] In the antenna-inserted electrode structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, a radiation pattern of an antenna pattern can be set by avoiding a connection portion and / or a bridge electrode for connecting sensing electrodes of a touch sensor to each other. Thus, it is possible to prevent disconnection of a bonding portion of the sensing electrodes due to the inserted radiation pattern, and it is possible to maintain a desired touch sensing sensitivity even when the antenna pattern is inserted.

[0030] In some embodiments, sensing electrodes around the radiation pattern can be formed to have the same shape as the radiation pattern and have a smaller area than the radiation pattern. Thus, the antenna pattern can be easily arranged not to completely overlap with the bridge electrode and / or the connection portion.

[0031] In some embodiments, the radiation pattern and the sensing electrodes can have a grid structure, and a dummy grid pattern can also be included between the radiation pattern and the sensing electrodes. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the electrodes from being seen, and it is possible to improve transmittance and image characteristics in a display area of the image display device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing a region of an antenna-inserted electrode structure according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0034] Figure 2 and Figure 3 are respectively a schematic plan view and a cross-sectional view showing an electrode structure and an arrangement of an antenna-inserted electrode structure according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic partial enlarged plan view showing an electrode structure and an arrangement of an antenna-inserted electrode structure according to some exemplary embodiments;

[0036] Figure 5 is a schematic partial enlarged plan view showing an electrode structure and an arrangement of an antenna-inserted electrode structure according to some exemplary embodiments; and

[0037] Figure 6It is a schematic plan view showing an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0038] [Description of Reference Numerals]

[0039] 50: Radiation pattern

[0040] 60: Transmission line

[0041] 70: Signal pad

[0042] 75: Ground pad

[0043] 80: dummy grid pattern

[0044] 100: Substrate layer

[0045] 110: First row sensing electrode

[0046] 115: First bridge electrode

[0047] 120: First column sensing electrode

[0048] 125: First connection part

[0049] 130: Second row sensing electrode

[0050] 135: Second bridge electrode

[0051] 140: Second column sensing electrode

[0052] 145: Second connection part

[0053] 160: Insulating layer

[0054] 170: Passivation layer

[0055] 180: Trace line

[0056] 185: Column trace line Detailed Description of the Invention

[0057] Embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna-inserted electrode structure in which an antenna pattern and a sensing electrode are arranged together in the same plane; and an image display device including the antenna-inserted electrode structure.

[0058] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, since the accompanying drawings attached to the present disclosure only provide one of the various preferred embodiments for explaining the present invention, so as to easily understand the technical spirit of the present invention having the above invention, it should not be construed as being limited to such a description shown in the drawings.

[0059] As used herein, the terms "column direction" and "row direction" do not refer to absolute directions, but are used in a relative sense to refer to two different directions from each other.

[0060] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing a region of an antenna-inserted electrode structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0061] For convenience of description, in Figure 1 the sensing electrodes and the antenna patterns are not shown, and their configurations will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 2 More specifically.

[0062] Referring to Figure 1 , the touch sensor-antenna structure may include a substrate layer 100, on which sensing electrodes and antenna patterns are arranged.

[0063] The substrate layer 100 or the antenna-inserted electrode structure may include a touch sensing region TR, an antenna touch sensing region AR, and a circuit connection region CR.

[0064] The touch sensing region TR includes a central portion of the substrate layer 100 and may be set as an active region of a substantially touch sensor, through which a touch input of a user is sensed.

[0065] The antenna touch sensing region AR (shown by a dashed line in Figure 1 ) may be set to be adjacent to at least one of both ends and both sides of the touch sensing region TR.

[0066] For example, in one embodiment, the antenna touch sensing region AR may be set to be adjacent to one side or one end of the touch sensing region TR. In one embodiment, the antenna touch sensing region AR may be set to be continuously adjacent to one side and one end of the touch sensing region TR. In one embodiment, the antenna touch sensing region AR may be set to surround a peripheral portion of the touch sensing region TR.

[0067] The antenna touch sensing region AR may be, for example, a region where an antenna pattern for implementing mobile communication in a high frequency or ultra-high frequency (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G or higher) band is installed. According to an exemplary embodiment, some sensing electrodes of the touch sensor may be distributed in the antenna touch sensing region AR together with the antenna pattern.

[0068] The circuit connection region CR may include a peripheral region of the substrate layer 100 or the antenna-inserted electrode structure. As Figure 1 shown, the antenna touch sensing region AR may be provided between the touch sensing region TR and the circuit connection region CR.

[0069] In some embodiments, signal pads of the antenna pattern may be disposed in the circuit connection region CR. In addition, traces connected to the sensing electrodes may branch and extend in the circuit connection region CR.

[0070] The antenna-inserted electrode structure may further include an integrated circuit (IC) chip for driving and controlling the touch sensor and the antenna pattern. For example, the antenna driving IC chip 190 may be electrically connected to the signal pads of the antenna pattern on one end of the substrate layer 100 in the circuit connection region CR. The touch sensor driving IC chip 195 may be disposed adjacent to the touch sensing region TR at the other end of the substrate layer 100 in the circuit connection region CR to be electrically connected to the distal ends of the traces branched from the sensing electrodes.

[0071] In some embodiments, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) may be disposed between the antenna driving IC chip 190 and the signal pads, and between the touch sensor driving IC chip 195 and the distal ends of the traces, respectively. For example, the antenna driving IC chip 190 may be directly mounted on the flexible printed circuit board.

[0072] In some embodiments, a relay circuit board such as a rigid printed circuit board (rigid PCB) (e.g., the main board of an image display device) may be disposed between the antenna driving IC chip 190 and the flexible printed circuit board. For example, the antenna driving IC chip 190 may be directly mounted on the relay circuit board by surface mount technology (SMT).

[0073] Figure 2 and Figure 3 are a schematic plan view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, showing the electrode structure and arrangement of the antenna-inserted electrode structure according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the sensing electrode structure in the touch sensing region.

[0074] Reference Figure 2 , the antenna-inserted electrode structure includes an antenna pattern disposed on the upper surface of the substrate layer 100 and sensing electrodes for sensing touch.

[0075] The substrate layer 100 means a support layer or a film-type base material used to surround the sensing electrodes and the antenna pattern. For example, the substrate layer 100 may be made of a film material commonly used for touch sensors or antenna dielectric layers, without particular limitation thereto.

[0076] For example, the substrate layer 100 may include: polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene isophthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, etc.; cellulose resins such as diacetyl cellulose, triacetyl cellulose, etc.; polycarbonate resins; acrylic resins such as poly(methyl)methacrylate, poly(methyl)ethyl acrylate, etc.; styrene resins such as polystyrene, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer, etc.; polyolefin resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, cyclic polyolefin or polyolefin having a norbornene structure, ethylene-propylene copolymer, etc.; vinyl chloride resins; polyimide resins such as nylon, aromatic polyimide; imide resins; polyether sulfonic acid type resins; sulfonic acid type resins; polyether ether ketone resins; polyphenylene sulfide resins; vinyl alcohol resins; vinylidene chloride resins; vinyl butyral resins; allylated resins; polyoxymethylene resins; epoxy resins; urethane or acrylic urethane resins, silicone resins, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof.

[0077] The substrate layer 100 may include adhesive materials such as optically clear adhesive (OCA), optically clear resin (OCR), etc. In some embodiments, the substrate layer 100 may include inorganic insulating materials such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, glass, etc.

[0078] In some embodiments, the dielectric constant of the substrate layer 100 may be adjusted within a range of about 1.5 to 12. If the dielectric constant exceeds about 12, the driving frequency is excessively reduced, such that it may not be possible to drive the antenna at a desired high frequency.

[0079] In some embodiments, the layer or film member of the image display device (on which the antenna insertion electrode structure is mounted) may be set as the substrate layer 100. For example, the encapsulation layer or the passivation layer included in the display panel may be set as the substrate layer 100.

[0080] The sensing electrodes may be arranged to be driven by the mutual capacitance method. The sensing electrodes may include a first row of sensing electrodes 110 and a first column of sensing electrodes 120 arranged on the touch sensing area TR. The sensing electrodes may include a second row of sensing electrodes 130 and a second column of sensing electrodes 140 arranged on the antenna touch sensing area AR.

[0081] The first row of sensing electrodes 110 and the second row of sensing electrodes 130 are arranged in the row direction and may each have an independent island pattern shape. The first row of sensing electrodes 110 adjacent to each other in the row direction may be electrically connected to each other through the first bridge electrode 115. The second row of sensing electrodes 130 adjacent to each other in the row direction may be electrically connected to each other through the second bridge electrode 135.

[0082] Accordingly, a first row of sensing electrodes extending in a row direction can be defined on the touch sensing region TR, and a plurality of first rows of sensing electrodes can be arranged in a column direction. In addition, a second row of sensing electrodes extending in the row direction can be defined on the antenna touch sensing region AR, and a plurality of second rows of sensing electrodes can be arranged in the column direction.

[0083] The first column of sensing electrodes 120 and the second column of sensing electrodes 140 can be arranged in the column direction. The first column of sensing electrodes 120 can be connected to each other through the first connection part 125. The first column of sensing electrodes 120 and the first connection part 125 can be integrally connected to each other to be provided as a substantially single component. The second column of sensing electrodes 140 can be connected to each other through the second connection part 145. The second column of sensing electrodes 140 and the second connection part 145 can be integrally connected to each other to be provided as a substantially single component.

[0084] For example, the first column of sensing electrodes 120 and the second column of sensing electrodes 140 can extend together in the column direction through the first connection part 125 and the second connection part 145. Accordingly, a column of sensing electrodes extending in the column direction on the touch sensing region TR and the antenna touch sensing region AR can be defined. In addition, a plurality of columns of sensing electrodes can be arranged in the row direction.

[0085] For example, the first connection part 125 and the second connection part 145 can have a bar shape extending in the column direction.

[0086] The above-described sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the bridge electrodes 115 and 135 can 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), tin (Sn), molybdenum (Mo), calcium (Ca), or an alloy including at least one of them. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more of them.

[0087] In one embodiment, the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the bridge electrodes 115 and 135 can include silver (Ag) or a silver alloy (e.g., silver-palladium-copper (APC) alloy) or copper (Cu) or a copper alloy (e.g., copper-calcium (CuCa) alloy) to achieve low resistance and a fine linewidth pattern.

[0088] In some embodiments, the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the bridge electrodes 115 and 135 can include a transparent conductive oxide, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnOx), or indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO).

[0089] In some embodiments, the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the bridge electrodes 115 and 135 may include a stacked structure of a transparent conductive oxide and a metal layer. For example, the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the bridge electrodes 115 and 135 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 can be improved by the metal layer while the resistance is reduced, and the corrosion resistance and transparency can be improved by the transparent conductive oxide layer.

[0090] The sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the bridge electrodes 115 and 135 may include blackening treatment portions. Accordingly, the reflectivity on the surfaces of the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the bridge electrodes 115 and 135 can be reduced, thereby reducing the visibility of the pattern due to light reflection.

[0091] In one embodiment, the surfaces of the metal layers included in the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the bridge electrodes 115 and 135 are converted into metal oxides or metal sulfides to form blackening layers. In one embodiment, blackening layers such as black material coatings or plating layers may be formed on the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the bridge electrodes 115 and 135 or the metal layers. The black material coating or plating layer may include silicon, carbon, copper, molybdenum, tin, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, or oxides, sulfides, or alloys containing at least one of them.

[0092] The composition and thickness of the blackening layer can be adjusted in consideration of the effect of reducing the reflectivity.

[0093] The antenna pattern may be provided on the antenna touch sensing area AR, and the second row sensing electrodes 130 and the second column sensing electrodes 140 may be arranged around the antenna pattern. For example, a plurality of antenna patterns may be arranged in the row direction.

[0094] The antenna pattern may include a radiation pattern 50, a transmission line 60, and a signal pad 70. For example, the radiation pattern 50 may have the shape of a polygonal plate, and the transmission line 60 may extend by branching from the radiation pattern 50. The signal pad 70 may be electrically connected to the distal end of the transmission line 60.

[0095] The radiation pattern 50 may be arranged on the antenna touch sensing area AR together with the second row sensing electrodes 130 and the second column sensing electrodes 140. The signal pad 70 may be provided on the circuit connection area CR. The transmission line 60 may extend from the radiation pattern 50 to be connected to the signal pad 70 on the circuit connection area CR.

[0096] In some embodiments, a ground pad 75 may also be disposed on the circuit connection region CR. For example, a pair of ground pads 75 may be disposed around the signal pad 70 with a space therebetween, and the signal pad 70 may be interposed therebetween.

[0097] The antenna pattern may include a conductive material substantially the same as or similar to the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140. For example, the antenna pattern may include the above-described metal or alloy or transparent conductive oxide, and may have a multilayer structure of a metal layer and a transparent conductive oxide.

[0098] For example, the antenna pattern may include the above-described blackening treatment portion.

[0099] According to an exemplary embodiment, the antenna pattern may be formed on the same layer or at the same level as the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140. For example, a conductive layer containing the above-described metal or alloy (e.g., Cu-Ca or APC) or a transparent conductive oxide may be formed on the upper surface of the substrate layer 100. The sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the antenna pattern may be formed together by etching the conductive layer.

[0100] By including the antenna pattern on the same layer or at the same level as the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 of the touch sensor, the radiation (e.g., vertical radiation) of the antenna pattern can be prevented from being shielded or disturbed by the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140, to ensure its characteristics, while reducing the thickness of the antenna-inserted electrode structure.

[0101] As Figure 3 shown, an insulating layer 160 may be formed on the upper surface of the substrate layer 100 to cover the antenna pattern and the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 together. The bridge electrodes 115 and 135 may be formed on the insulating layer 160. The bridge electrodes 115 and 135 may penetrate the insulating layer 160 to electrically connect the adjacent row sensing electrodes 110 and 130 to each other.

[0102] A passivation layer 170 may be formed on the insulating layer 160 to cover the bridge electrodes 115 and 135. The insulating layer 160 and the passivation layer 170 may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride, or an organic insulating material such as an acrylic resin or a silicone resin.

[0103] According to an exemplary embodiment, the radiation pattern 50 may have substantially the same shape as the second row sensing electrode 130 and the second column sensing electrode 140, and may have an area larger than each of the second row sensing electrode 130 and the second column sensing electrode 140.

[0104] For example, the radiation pattern 50, the second row sensing electrodes 130, and the second column sensing electrodes 140 may each have a rhombus or diamond shape. In one embodiment, the second row sensing electrodes 130 and the second column sensing electrodes 140 may have an area smaller than that of the radiation pattern 50. For example, it may correspond to 4n equal divisions of the radiation pattern 50. Here, n is a natural number, for example, it may be 1 - 4.

[0105] The term "area corresponding to 4n equal divisions" used herein should be understood to be exactly the same as the region obtained by 4n equal divisions ("4n equal division area"), and it is substantially formed by 4n equal divisions and includes tolerances / allowable errors such as the independence, alignment / arrangement / connection, etc. between the electrodes.

[0106] In one embodiment, the second row sensing electrodes 130 and the second column sensing electrodes 140 may substantially correspond to 4 equal divisions of the radiation pattern 50.

[0107] In some embodiments, the sensing electrodes 110 and 120 included in the touch sensing region TR may also have the same area as the sensing electrodes 130 and 140 included in the antenna touch sensing region AR.

[0108] In some embodiments, as described below with reference to Figure 4 the sensing electrodes 110 and 120 included in the touch sensing region TR may have a larger area than the sensing electrodes 130 and 140 included in the antenna touch sensing region AR.

[0109] In some embodiments, the sensing electrodes 110 and 120 included in the touch sensing region TR may have an area smaller than that of the sensing electrodes 130 and 140 included in the antenna touch sensing region AR.

[0110] In some embodiments, the radiation pattern 50 may be formed in a shape different from that of the second row sensing electrodes 130 and the second column sensing electrodes 140. For example, the second row sensing electrodes 130 and the second column sensing electrodes 140 may have a bar shape, while the radiation pattern 50 may have a rectangular shape. In addition, the shapes of the radiation pattern 50, the second row sensing electrodes 130, and the second column sensing electrodes 140 may be differently changed in consideration of the circuit design of the touch sensor, the space limitation of the image display device, etc.

[0111] According to an exemplary embodiment, when viewed in the planar direction, the second bridge electrode 135 and the second connection portion 145 may be provided by avoiding the radiation pattern 50.

[0112] In some embodiments, the second row of sensing electrodes 130 may include sub-row sensing electrodes 133 disposed around the radiation pattern 50. For example, the sub-row sensing electrodes 133 may have a bar shape or a curved pattern shape extending along the edge of the radiation pattern 50.

[0113] The sub-row sensing electrodes 133 may be connected to adjacent second row sensing electrodes 130 through second bridge electrodes 135 to form a second row of sensing electrodes.

[0114] In some embodiments, among the second connection portions 145, the second connection portion 145 adjacent to the radiation pattern 50 (hereinafter, may be referred to as the modified connection portion 143) may have a modified shape. For example, the modified connection portion 143 may have a line shape including a curved portion along the contour of the edge of the radiation pattern 50.

[0115] According to the above exemplary embodiments, in the antenna touch sensing area AR, the areas of the sensing electrodes 130 and 140 may be formed to be smaller than the radiation pattern 50. Thus, it is possible to more easily avoid disconnection of the bridge electrodes and / or the connection portions due to the difference in the pitch of the radiation pattern 50 (e.g., half wavelength of the resonance frequency) for implementing radiation of multiple antenna patterns and the pitch of the sensing electrodes 130 and 140.

[0116] In addition, by using the sub-row sensing electrodes 133 and the modified connection portion 143, the continuity of the second row and the second column of sensing electrodes around the radiation pattern 50 can be maintained.

[0117] In some embodiments, in order to maintain the continuity of the row of the second sensing electrodes adjacent to the circuit connection area CR, some of the second bridge electrodes 135 may extend above the transmission line 60 of the antenna pattern. In one embodiment, the second bridge electrodes 135 above the transmission line 60 may be omitted to prevent interference with the current and electric field flow in the antenna pattern (see Figure 5 ).

[0118] In some embodiments, the area of the radiation pattern 50 may be less than or equal to the areas of the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140.

[0119] Even in this case, the radiation pattern 50 may be arranged to avoid the second bridge electrodes 135 and the second connection portions 145 in the antenna touch sensing area AR. For example, as Figure 2 shown, the second bridge electrodes 135 and the second connection portions 145 may be arranged together along a virtual straight line (alignment line) in the Figure 2 column direction while intersecting each other in the plane direction.

[0120] The radiation pattern 50 may be arranged, for example, in the row direction such that each central portion is arranged between alignment lines in the planar direction.

[0121] Figure 4 is a schematic partial enlarged plan view showing an electrode structure and arrangement of an antenna-inserted electrode structure according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0122] Reference Figure 4 , the sensing electrodes 110 and 120 provided on the touch sensing region TR may have a larger area than the sensing electrodes 130 and 140 provided on the antenna touch sensing region AR.

[0123] In one embodiment, the first row of sensing electrodes 110 may have a larger area than the area of the second row of sensing electrodes 130. For example, the second row of sensing electrodes 130 may substantially correspond to 4n equal parts (n is a natural number, for example, 1 to 4) of the first row of sensing electrodes 110, and may correspond to, for example, a quarter of the first row of sensing electrodes 110.

[0124] The first column of sensing electrodes 120 may have a larger area than the area of the second column of sensing electrodes 140. For example, the second column of sensing electrodes 140 may substantially correspond to 4n equal parts (n is a natural number, for example, 1 to 4) of the first column of sensing electrodes 120, and may correspond to, for example, a quarter of the first column of sensing electrodes 120.

[0125] In the touch sensing region TR, by increasing the areas of the sensing electrodes 110 and 120, the resistance of the sensing channels can be reduced while ensuring the ease of the patterning process.

[0126] In addition, as described above, considering the pitch of the antenna pattern, the sensing electrodes 130 and 140 having a smaller size may be inserted into the antenna touch sensing region AR. Accordingly, the radiation characteristics in the antenna pattern and the channel characteristics for touch sensing around the antenna pattern can be ensured.

[0127] The trace lines 180 and 185 may extend from the distal ends of the above-described rows and columns of sensing electrodes, respectively.

[0128] In some embodiments, as Figure 4 shown, a plurality (e.g., two) of rows of sensing electrodes provided in the antenna touch sensing region AR may be combined into one row of sensing electrodes in the touch sensing region TR. Accordingly, one column trace line may be branched for each column of sensing electrodes.

[0129] The trace line 180 (e.g., the first trace line) may extend for each first sensing electrode row disposed in the touch sensing region TR, and a plurality of second sensing electrode rows (e.g., two second sensing electrode rows) disposed in the antenna touch sensing region AR may be combined and connected in parallel to one trace line 180 (e.g., the second trace line).

[0130] For example, in the antenna touch sensing region AR, the first sub-trace line 180a and the second sub-trace line 180b may be combined into one trace line 180.

[0131] Figure 5 is a schematic partial enlarged plan view showing an electrode structure and arrangement of an antenna-inserted electrode structure according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0132] Reference Figure 5 , the antenna pattern, e.g., the radiation pattern 50 and the transmission line 60, may have a grid structure. In some embodiments, the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 may also include a grid structure.

[0133] A dummy grid pattern 80 may be disposed around the radiation pattern 50. The dummy grid pattern 80 may be disposed between the radiation pattern 50 and the second row sensing electrode 130 and the second column sensing electrode 140 in a planar direction.

[0134] When the dummy grid pattern 80 is provided, noise and mutual signal interference between the radiation pattern 50 and the sensing electrodes 130 and 140 may be absorbed or blocked. In addition, due to the dummy grid pattern 80, the change in the conductor distribution around the radiation pattern 50 may be reduced, thereby suppressing or reducing the phenomenon of seeing the electrodes.

[0135] The dummy grid pattern 80 may be formed to surround the radiation line pattern 50 and be spaced apart from the radiation pattern 50. The dummy grid pattern 80 may extend to the circuit connection region CR, and thus may also be disposed around the transmission line 60.

[0136] In some embodiments, the signal pad 70 and the ground pad 75 may be formed as solid metal patterns to reduce the bonding resistance and power resistance to the antenna driving IC chip 190.

[0137] In some embodiments, the bridge electrodes 115 and 135 may have a solid structure to reduce the channel resistance. For example, the bridge electrodes 115 and 135 may be solid patterns including a transparent conductive oxide such as ITO.

[0138] Figure 6 is a schematic plan view showing an image display device according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, Figure 6 shows the outer shape of the window including the display device.

[0139] Reference Figure 6 , the display device 300 may include a display area 310 and a peripheral area 320. For example, the peripheral area 320 may be provided, for example, on both sides and / or both ends of the display area 310. For example, the peripheral area 320 may correspond to a light-shielding portion or a border portion of the image display device.

[0140] In the display area 310, there may be included the touch sensing area TR and the antenna touch sensing area AR of the antenna-inserted electrode structure described in the reference Figure 1 . Accordingly, the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the radiation pattern 50 may be arranged in the display area 310. As described above, by using the grid structure, the radiation pattern 50 and the sensing electrodes 110, 120, 130, and 140 can be prevented from being seen by the user.

[0141] In the peripheral area 320, there may be included a circuit connection area CR of the antenna-inserted electrode structure. Accordingly, the electrical connection with the antenna driving IC chip 190 may be achieved in the peripheral area 320 through the signal pad 70.

[0142] In addition, in the peripheral area 320, the distal ends of the traces 180 and 185 may be electrically connected to the touch sensor driving IC chip 195.

Claims

1. An antenna-inserted electrode structure, comprising: A substrate layer, the substrate layer including a touch sensing area and an antenna touch sensing area; A first sensing electrode, the first sensing electrode being disposed in the touch sensing area of the substrate layer; A second row of sensing electrodes and a second column of sensing electrodes, the second row of sensing electrodes and the second column of sensing electrodes being disposed in the antenna touch sensing area of the substrate layer; A second bridge electrode, the second bridge electrode being configured to connect the second row of sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the row direction; A second connection portion, the second connection portion being configured to connect the second column of sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the column direction; And A plurality of antenna patterns, each of the plurality of antenna patterns including a radiation pattern, the radiation pattern being disposed in the antenna touch sensing area of the substrate layer and being disposed by avoiding the second bridge electrode and the second connection portion in the planar direction.

2. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein, The second row of sensing electrodes is disposed around the radiation pattern and includes sub-row sensing electrodes having a bar pattern or a curved pattern shape extending along the edge of the radiation pattern.

3. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein, The second connection portion includes a modified connection portion, the modified connection portion extending around the radiation pattern along the edge of the radiation pattern and including a curved portion.

4. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein, The first sensing electrode includes: A first row of sensing electrodes and a first column of sensing electrodes; A first bridge electrode, the first bridge electrode being configured to connect the first row of sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the row direction; and A first connection portion, the first connection portion being configured to connect the first column of sensing electrodes adjacent to each other in the column direction.

5. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 4, wherein, The first row of sensing electrodes and the second row of sensing electrodes have the same area, and the first column of sensing electrodes and the second column of sensing electrodes have the same area.

6. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 4, wherein, The first row of sensing electrodes has a larger area than the second row of sensing electrodes, and the first column of sensing electrodes has a larger area than the second column of sensing electrodes.

7. The antenna plug-in electrode structure according to claim 6, wherein, The second row of sensing electrodes and the second column of sensing electrodes respectively correspond to 4n equal divisions of the first row of sensing electrodes and the first column of sensing electrodes, where n is a natural number.

8. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 6, wherein The first row of sensing electrodes are connected to each other in the row direction to form a first row of sensing electrodes, and the second row of sensing electrodes are connected to each other in the row direction to form a second row of sensing electrodes.

9. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 8, further comprising: A first trace, the first trace extending from each of the first row of sensing electrodes in the touch sensing area; And A second trace, the second trace combining a plurality of second rows of sensing electrodes and extending in the antenna touch sensing area.

10. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein, The first sensing electrode, the second row of sensing electrodes, the second column of sensing electrodes, and the antenna pattern are all disposed on the same layer or at the same level.

11. The antenna plug-in electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein, The antenna pattern further includes a transmission line extending from the radiation pattern.

12. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 11, wherein, The radiation pattern and the transmission line have a grid structure.

13. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 12, wherein, The first sensing electrode, the second row of sensing electrodes, and the second column of sensing electrodes have the same grid structure as the radiation pattern.

14. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 13, wherein, The second bridge electrode has a solid structure.

15. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 12 further includes a dummy grid pattern surrounding the periphery of the radiation pattern.

16. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 12, wherein, The antenna pattern further includes a signal pad that is connected to one end of the transmission line and has a solid pattern structure.

17. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein, The area of the radiation pattern is larger than the area of each of the second row of sensing electrodes and the second column of sensing electrodes.

18. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 17, wherein, Each of the second row of sensing electrodes or the second column of sensing electrodes corresponds to 4n equal divisions (n is a natural number) of the radiation pattern.

19. The antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein, In the planar direction, a central portion of the radiation pattern is disposed between alignment lines, and the second bridge electrode and the second connection portion are respectively disposed in the alignment lines.

20. An image display device includes the antenna-inserted electrode structure according to claim 1.

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