touch sensor

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a touch sensor having a trapezoidal cutout portion and excellent crack resistance. The cutout portion is formed in an upper protective film and a lower protective film laminated on a transparent film substrate, in regions facing the front-side terminals and the back-side terminals. The cutout portion has a trapezoidal shape that gradually widens from the open end toward the rear end when viewed from above.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a touch sensor having excellent crack resistance. Background Art

[0002] Touch sensors have long been widely used as input devices. In many cases, they are used together with display devices, such as organic EL, liquid crystal displays, and plasma displays, as input devices for various devices (e.g., ticket machines, ATMs, mobile phones, and game consoles). In such devices, the touch sensor is placed on the display surface of the display device, enabling extremely direct input to the display device.

[0003] Various types of touch sensors have been put to practical use. Among them, capacitive touch sensors generate an electric field by passing a weak current through the touch sensor surface. When a conductive object such as a finger is lightly touched, the change in capacitance is converted into a voltage drop, which is detected and output as a signal.

[0004] Capacitive touch sensors are generally known in which transparent electrodes and connecting terminals are formed on a pair of opposing substrates. Alternatively, transparent electrodes and connecting terminals are formed on both sides of a single transparent substrate (hereinafter referred to as a double-sided touch sensor) (e.g., Patent Document 1).

[0005] Double-sided touch sensors have fewer components, enabling thinner touch sensors and increased productivity through roll-to-roll manufacturing. Furthermore, since there's no need to laminate two substrates, problems like misalignment between the two transparent electrodes can be avoided.

[0006] As a double-sided touch sensor structure, this structure is generally widely used in the following situations: an upper protective film and a lower protective film are attached to the surface of a transparent film substrate made of resin, glass, etc., wherein the upper protective film is a film formed by covering a transparent conductive film on one opposing surface of a transparent film substrate formed by a metal pattern, and the lower protective film is a film formed by covering a transparent conductive film on the other opposing surface of the transparent film substrate.

[0007] The touch sensor electrodes and control circuitry are connected via a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). The terminals on one end of the FPC connect to the front and back terminals on the transparent film substrate. The upper and lower protective films have cutouts corresponding to the FPC bonding areas, facilitating bonding between the FPC and the sheet terminals.

[0008] After the upper and lower protective films with cutouts are bonded to a transparent film substrate, they are then punched out to meet the specified product dimensions to produce a double-sided touch sensor.

[0009] However, a cushioning material is provided on the inner side of the outer shape punching die. Therefore, when the outer shape punching die is used to cut the product to meet the specified product size, the upper protective film is pushed against the cushioning material on the inner side of the outer shape punching die. When the stress in the vertical direction is increased, while only the transparent film substrate is exposed on the inner side of the cutout, the three layers of the transparent film substrate, the upper protective film, and the lower protective film are exposed on the outer side of the cutout. Therefore, stress is concentrated at the boundary portion on the inner side of the cutout, and there is a problem that cracks are generated from the inner side of the cutout to the outer side of the cutout at both ends of the open end toward the transparent film substrate (see Figure 8 ).

[0010] Prior art literature

[0011] Patent Literature

[0012] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4901660 Summary of the Invention

[0013] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a touch sensor having excellent crack resistance that solves the above-mentioned problems.

[0015] Methods used to solve problems

[0016] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the touch sensor of the present invention is constructed as follows: a transparent film substrate; a front-side electrode formed on one surface of the transparent film substrate; a front-side terminal formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate on which the front-side electrode is formed and connected to the front-side electrode; a back-side electrode formed on the other surface of the transparent film substrate; and a back-side terminal formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate on which the back-side electrode is formed and connected to the back-side electrode, and not overlapping with the front-side terminal in a plan view, wherein the transparent film substrate has a connection terminal portion on the inner side of one side of the transparent film substrate, and the transparent film substrate is laminated with a pair of films, namely an upper protective film and a lower protective film, and a notch portion is provided on both sides of the pair of films by cutting out regions facing the front-side terminal and the back-side terminal, and the notch portion has a trapezoidal shape that gradually widens from an open end toward the inner side in a plan view.

[0017] In addition, the structure is as follows: the first stack comprises: a transparent film substrate; a front-side electrode formed on one surface of the transparent film substrate; a front-side terminal formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate on which the front-side electrode is formed and connected to the front-side electrode; a back-side electrode formed on the other surface of the transparent film substrate; a back-side terminal formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate on which the back-side electrode is formed and connected to the back-side electrode, and does not overlap with the front-side terminal in a plan view, and has a connecting terminal portion on the inner side of one side of the transparent film substrate; the second stack comprises: a transparent film substrate; a back-side electrode formed on the surface of the back side of the transparent film substrate; a back-side terminal formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate on which the back-side electrode is formed and connected to the back-side electrode, and overlaps with the connecting terminal portion of the first stack in a plan view. The terminal portions do not overlap, and a connecting terminal portion is provided on the inner side of one side of the transparent film substrate. In the first stack and the second stack, an adhesive layer is provided between the first stack and the second stack, a cutout portion is provided in the first stack by cutting out an area opposite to the connecting terminal portion of the second stack, and a cutout portion is provided in the second stack by cutting out an area opposite to the connecting terminal portion of the first stack. The first stack and the second stack are stacked by a pair of films, an upper protective film and a lower protective film, and a cutout portion is provided on both sides of the pair of films by cutting out an area opposite to the connecting terminal portion of the first stack and the connecting terminal portion of the second stack. In a plan view, the first stack, the second stack, the upper protective film, and the lower protective film all have a trapezoidal shape that gradually widens from the opening end of the cutout portion toward the inside.

[0018] Furthermore, the outer angle of the upper base of the trapezoidal shape that contacts the outer peripheral line in the cutout portion may be not less than 30 degrees and not more than 60 degrees.

[0019] Furthermore, a configuration may be adopted in which a reinforcing layer is provided on the transparent film base in regions extending from the inner side to the outer side of both ends of the opening ends of the cutout portions of the pair of protective films.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] The touch sensor with excellent crack resistance according to the present invention is configured to include: a transparent film substrate; a front-side electrode formed on one surface of the transparent film substrate; a front-side terminal formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate on which the front-side electrode is formed and connected to the front-side electrode; a back-side electrode formed on the other surface of the transparent film substrate; a back-side terminal formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate on which the back-side electrode is formed and connected to the back-side electrode, and not overlapping with the front-side terminal in a plan view, wherein the transparent film substrate is provided on the transparent film substrate. A connecting terminal portion is provided on the inner side of one side of the material, and the transparent film substrate is laminated by a pair of films, namely an upper protective film and a lower protective film. A cutout portion is provided on both sides of the pair of films by cutting out the areas opposite to the front-side terminals and the back-side terminals. When viewed from above, the cutout portion has a trapezoidal shape that gradually widens from the open end toward the inner portion. Therefore, by setting the cutout portion to have a trapezoidal shape that gradually widens from the open end toward the inner portion, the stress applied to the transparent film substrate in the cutout portion during the external shape punching and pressurization is alleviated, and cracks are not generated at the boundary portion of the transparent film substrate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 It is a plan view of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 1 and 2 are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 1 and 2 are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 It is a partial top view of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 It is an exploded perspective view of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 6 It is an exploded perspective view of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a plan view of a notch portion of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view showing the touch sensor outer shape punching process.

[0030] Figure 9 It is a plan view showing a modified example of the cutout portion of the touch sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the touch sensor 9 having excellent crack resistance according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0032] (Touch Sensor)

[0033] The touch sensor 9 of the present invention comprises: a transparent film substrate 1; a front-side electrode 5 formed on one surface of the transparent film substrate 1; a front-side terminal 7 formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate 1 on which the front-side electrode 5 is formed and connected to the front-side electrode 5; a back-side electrode 6 formed on the other surface of the transparent film substrate 1; and a back-side terminal 8 formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate 1 on which the back-side electrode 6 is formed and connected to the back-side electrode 6, and not overlapping with the front-side terminal 7 in a plan view. The transparent film substrate 1 has a connection terminal portion 11 on the inner side of one side of the transparent film substrate 1. The transparent film substrate 1 is laminated with a pair of films, namely, an upper protective film 2 and a lower protective film 3. In the touch sensor 9 in which a cutout portion is provided on both sides of the pair of films by cutting out regions facing the front-side terminal 7 and the back-side terminal 8, the touch sensor 9 is configured in a trapezoidal shape that gradually widens from an opening end 10 of the cutout portion 4 toward an inner portion 12 in a plan view (see FIG. 2 ). Figure 1 (a) and (b) in the figure.

[0034] like Figure 5 For example, the transparent film substrate 1 is a structure in which a pair of films, an upper protective film 2 and a lower protective film 3, are stacked to prevent damage caused by external impact. In addition, since it is laminated with the upper protective film 2 and the lower protective film 3, it prevents the infiltration of moisture from the outside.

[0035] like Figure 5 For example, the upper protective film 2 and the lower protective film 3 are respectively provided with a cutout portion 4 for exposing the front side terminal 7 and the back side terminal 8 provided on the transparent film substrate 1. When viewed from above, they are formed into a trapezoidal shape that gradually widens from the opening end 10 of the cutout portion 4 toward the inner portion 12.

[0036] (Transparent film substrate)

[0037] The material constituting the transparent film substrate 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a transparent resin. Specific examples include polyethylene resins such as cycloolefin polymer (COP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyester resins such as polyethersulfone. Furthermore, the thickness of the transparent film substrate 1 used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can stably support the front electrode 5, back electrode 6, front terminal 7, back terminal 8, and connection terminal portion 11, but is generally within the range of 50 μm to 100 μm. The supply form may be either a roll or a sheet, and the selection can be made based on the processing method and processing machinery.

[0038] (Front-side electrode and back-side electrode)

[0039] In the present invention, the front-side electrode 5 is formed on one surface of the transparent film substrate 1 , and the back-side electrode 6 is formed on the other surface of the transparent film substrate 1 .

[0040] The materials constituting the front-side electrode 5 and the back-side electrode 6 are not particularly limited as long as they have the desired conductivity. They may be transparent materials or non-transparent materials, but transparent materials are preferred. As transparent materials in the present invention, materials commonly used for touch sensors 9 can be used, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), zinc oxide, indium oxide, antimony-doped tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, potassium-doped zinc oxide, silicon-doped zinc oxide, zinc oxide-tin oxide, indium oxide-tin oxide, zinc oxide-indium oxide-magnesium oxide, and other metal oxides, as well as materials composed of two or more of these metal oxides. Furthermore, as non-transparent materials, metals such as aluminum, molybdenum, silver, chromium, and copper, and alloys thereof, can be used.

[0041] The formation pattern, thickness, etc. of the front-side electrode 5 and the back-side electrode 6 may be the same as those of a normal touch sensor.

[0042] (Front side terminals and back side terminals)

[0043] The front-side terminal 7 of the present invention is formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate 1 on which the front-side electrode 5 is formed, and is connected to the front-side electrode 5. The back-side electrode 8 is formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate 1 on which the back-side electrode 6 is formed, does not overlap with the front-side terminal 7 in a plan view, is connected to the back-side electrode 6, and is directly formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate 1 (see Figure 5 ).

[0044] Furthermore, the front-side terminals 7 and the back-side terminals 8 can easily and efficiently connect the touch sensor 9 to the FPC within the unit of the connection terminal portion 11. The number of terminals included in the connection terminal portion 11 is appropriately set based on, for example, the heating tool used for connection to the FPC.

[0045] The connection terminal portion 11 is generally composed of a plurality of terminals arranged in parallel on the same surface of the transparent film substrate 1 (see FIG. Figure 1 (b) in the figure.

[0046] Figure 2 (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view of a touch sensor 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] in addition, Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of (b) is Figure 2 The cross-sectional view corresponds to the cross-sectional view at line AA in the top view of (a). Figure 5 It is an exploded perspective view of the touch sensor 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] The interval between the adjacent front-side terminals 7 and the adjacent back-side terminals 8 in the present invention is not particularly limited, and can be set to a normal interval in the touch sensor 9 .

[0049] The material constituting the front-side terminals 7 and the back-side terminals 8 in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as desired conductivity can be obtained. For example, aluminum, silver, copper, or alloys thereof can be used.

[0050] The terminal width, thickness, and planar shape of the front-side terminals 7 and the back-side terminals 8 , and the intervals between the terminals in the connecting terminal portion 11 may be the same as those of a normal touch sensor.

[0051] (Upper protective film, lower protective film)

[0052] The upper protective film 2 and the lower protective film 3 in the present invention are not particularly limited as long as they are insulating materials. However, if they are formed to cover the electrodes, transparent materials are preferred. Examples of such insulating and transparent upper and lower protective films 2 and 3 include thermoplastic resins such as acrylic resins, SiO2, polyurethane resins, polyester resins, polystyrene resins, polyamide resins, chlorinated polyolefin resins, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resins, cyclized rubber, or coumarone-indene resins. Alternatively, a surface protective adhesive film (PSA) may be used.

[0053] (Incision)

[0054] The cutout portion 4 in the present invention is formed by cutting out at least the region facing the front-side terminal 7 and the back-side terminal 8 .

[0055] The cutout portion 4 has an inner portion 12 and side portions 19 extending from both ends of the inner portion 12 to the open end 10. The cutout portion 4 is formed into a trapezoidal shape that gradually widens from the open end 10 toward the inner portion 12 in a plan view (see FIG. Figure 3 、 Figure 5 ).

[0056] By setting it to such a trapezoidal shape, the stress applied to the transparent film substrate 1 of the cutout portion 4 during the external punching and pressurization is relieved, and the boundary portion of the transparent film substrate 1 is less likely to crack. The outer angle 15 of the trapezoidal shape of the cutout portion 4 is preferably within the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees. Within such a range, the stress applied to the transparent film substrate 1 of the cutout portion 4 is further relieved, and the boundary portion of the transparent film substrate 1 will be less likely to crack. The outer angle 15 of the trapezoidal shape can be set to 45 degrees, for example (see Figure 3 、 Figure 5 ).

[0057] Figure 9 A modified example of this embodiment is shown.

[0058] As a method for relieving the stress applied to the transparent film substrate 1 of the cutout portion 4 during the external punching and pressurization, and making the boundary portion of the transparent film substrate 1 less susceptible to cracking, the side portion 19 may be cut into a curved shape if the external angle 15 is within the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees. For example, the external angle 15 may be set to 45 degrees (see FIG. Figure 9 (a) in the figure.

[0059] Furthermore, as a method of relieving the stress applied to the transparent film substrate 1 at the cutout portion 4 during the external punching and pressurization, and making the boundary portion of the transparent film substrate 1 less susceptible to cracking, the side portion 19 may be cut into a polygonal shape, provided that the external angle 15 is within the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees. For example, the external angle 15 may be set to 45 degrees (see FIG. Figure 9 (b) in the figure.

[0060] Furthermore, depending on the properties of the transparent film substrate 1, the side portion 19 may be cut into a curved or polygonal shape while any one of the external angles 15 is set to be within a range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees. For example, any one of the external angles 15 may be set to 45 degrees (see FIG. Figure 9 (c) in the figure.

[0061] In addition, as a method of alleviating the stress applied to the transparent film substrate 1 of the cutout portion 4 during the external shape punching and pressurization, and making it less likely that cracks will occur at the boundary portion of the transparent film substrate 1, if the external angle 15 is within the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees, the external angles 15 on both sides do not need to be adjusted to the same angle.

[0062] That is, as long as the outer angle 15 is within the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees, the shape of the cutout portion 4 may be any shape.

[0063] In the open ends 10 of the cutouts 4 of the pair of protective films, a reinforcing material 14 may be provided on the transparent film substrate 1 in the region extending from the inner side of the cutout 4 to both ends of the outer side. By providing the reinforcing material 14, the stress applied to the transparent film substrate 1 of the cutout 4 during the external punching and pressurization is further alleviated, and the boundary portion of the transparent film substrate 1 is less likely to crack (see Figure 4 (a), (b), Figure 7 ).

[0064] Figure 4 is a partial top view of a touch sensor 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 (a) is a partial top view without the reinforcement material 14. Figure 4 (b) is a partial top view where the reinforcing material 14 is provided.

[0065] The material of the reinforcing material 14 may be the same as or different from the material constituting the electrode, and is not particularly limited.

[0066] (Touch Sensor)

[0067] The touch sensor 9 of the present invention comprises at least a transparent film substrate 1, front electrodes 5, front terminals 7, back electrodes 6, back terminals 8, an upper protective film 2, and a lower protective film 3. However, other structures may be employed as needed. Examples of such other structures include routing wires 16 that connect the electrodes and terminals.

[0068] The routing wires 16 may be the same as those used in the normal touch sensor 9. Specifically, wiring made of the same material as the terminals may be used. The line width of the routing wires 16 may be approximately 10 μm to 100 μm.

[0069] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0070] That is, the first stacked body 21 includes: a transparent film substrate 1; a front-side electrode 5 formed on one surface of the transparent film substrate 1; a front-side terminal 7 formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate 1 on which the front-side electrode 5 is formed and connected to the front-side electrode 5; a back-side electrode 6 formed on the other surface of the transparent film substrate 1; and a back-side terminal 8 formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate 1 on which the back-side electrode 6 is formed and connected to the back-side electrode 6, and does not overlap with the front-side terminal 7 in a plan view and is located on the inner side of one side of the transparent film substrate 1. The second stack 22 includes a transparent film substrate 1, a back-side electrode 6 formed on the back surface of the transparent film substrate 1, and a back-side terminal 8 formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate 1 on which the back-side electrode 6 is formed and connected to the back-side electrode 6. The back-side terminal 8 does not overlap with the back-side electrode 11 of the first stack 21 in a plan view. The back-side terminal 11 is provided on the inner side of one side of the transparent film substrate 1. In the first and second stacks 21 and 22, an adhesive layer 20 is provided between the first and second stacks 21 and 22. A cutout 4 is provided in the first stack 21, where the region facing the back-side electrode 11 of the second stack 22 is cutout. A cutout 4 is provided in the second stack 22, where the region facing the back-side electrode 11 of the first stack 21 is cutout. The first stack 21 and the second stack 22 are stacked by a pair of films, namely an upper protective film 2 and a lower protective film 3, and a touch sensor in which a cutout portion 4 is provided on both sides of the pair of films by cutting out the areas facing the connection terminal portion 11 of the first stack 21 and the connection terminal portion 11 of the second stack 22. In a plan view, the first stack 21, the second stack 22, the upper protective film 2, and the lower protective film 3 all have a trapezoidal shape that gradually widens from the opening end 10 toward the inner portion 12 of the cutout portion 4 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 3 、 Figure 6 ).

[0071] The above method uses a transparent film substrate 1 provided with at least a front side electrode 5, a front side terminal 7, a back side electrode 6, a back side terminal 8, and a connecting terminal portion 11 as a first stack 21, and uses a transparent film substrate 1 provided with at least a back side electrode 6, a back side terminal 8, and a connecting terminal portion 11 as a second stack 22. The first stack 21 and the second stack 22 are stacked by a pair of films, namely an upper protective film 2 and a lower protective film 3. The rest is the same as the invention described previously.

[0072] The above-described method has an excellent shielding effect on electromagnetic energy (so-called noise) emitted from, for example, a light emitting diode (OLED) using an organic substance as a light emitting material or a liquid crystal display (LCD) to the touch sensor 9 .

[0073] Figure 3 (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view of a touch sensor 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] in addition, Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of (b) is Figure 3 The cross-sectional view corresponds to the cross-sectional view at line AA in the top view of (a). Figure 6 It is an exploded perspective view of the touch sensor 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] The connection terminal portions 11 of the second laminate 22 are arranged so as not to overlap with the connection terminal portions 11 of the first laminate 21 when viewed from above. A cutout 4 is provided in the first laminate 21 in a region corresponding to the FPC bonding portion, in a region facing the connection terminal portions 11 of the second laminate 22. Furthermore, a cutout 4 is provided in the second laminate 22 in a region facing the connection terminal portions 11 of the first laminate 21. Furthermore, cutouts 4 are provided in regions of both the upper protective film 2 and the lower protective film 3, facing the connection terminal portions 11 of the first laminate 21 and the connection terminal portions 11 of the second laminate 22.

[0076] Furthermore, an adhesive layer 20 for bonding the first stack 21 and the second stack 22 is provided between the first stack 21 and the second stack 22 .

[0077] The cutout portion 4 of the present invention is formed by cutting away at least the area facing the front-side terminals 7 and the back-side terminals 8. The cutout portion 4 includes an inner portion 12 and side portions 19 extending from both ends of the inner portion 12 to the open end 10. The cutout portion 4 has a trapezoidal shape that gradually widens from the open end 10 toward the inner portion 12 when viewed from above.

[0078] The outer angle 15 of the trapezoidal shape of the cutout portion 4 is preferably within a range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees. As a means of alleviating stress applied to the transparent film substrate of the cutout portion 4 during the pressurization of the outer shape and making the boundary portion of the transparent film substrate 1 less susceptible to cracking, the outer angle 15 of the trapezoidal shape can be set to 45 degrees, for example.

[0079] The above-mentioned configuration is the same as the first embodiment. In addition, depending on the purpose, for example, a plurality of first stacks 21 may be stacked, or a plurality of second stacks 22 may be stacked below the first stack 21 .

[0080] Example

[0081] The transparent film substrate 1 is made of a cycloolefin polymer and has a thickness of 100 μm.

[0082] The material forming the front-side electrode 5 and the back-side electrode 6 is indium tin oxide (ITO).

[0083] The material forming the front-side terminals 7 and the back-side terminals 8 is copper.

[0084] The material forming the upper protective film 2 and the lower protective film 3 is a surface protective adhesive film (PSA).

[0085] The cutout portion 4 is formed into a trapezoidal shape that gradually widens from the opening end 10 toward the inner portion 12 , with the outer angle 15 being set at 45 degrees. The cutout portion 4 is punched out by an outer shape punching die 17 to obtain the touch sensor 9 .

[0086] The touch sensor 9 obtained in this manner does not have cracks generated at the boundary portion of the transparent film substrate 1 .

[0087] In Comparative Example 1, the side portion 19 of the cutout 4 was formed into a rectangular shape without inclination, and the outer corner 15 was set to 90 degrees. The touch sensor 9 was punched out using a profile punching die to obtain the touch sensor 9. The touch sensor 9 thus obtained had cracks at the boundary of the transparent film substrate 1. In this comparative example, the configurations other than the aforementioned angles were the same as those in Example 1.

[0088] In Comparative Example 2, a touch sensor 9 was obtained by forming a tapered shape that gradually narrows from the opening end 10 of the cutout portion 4 toward the inner portion 12, setting the outer angle 15 to 135 degrees, and punching it out using an outer shape punching die 17. The touch sensor 9 thus obtained had cracks at the boundary of the transparent film substrate 1. This comparative example was identical to Example 1 except for the aforementioned angles.

[0089] Description of Reference Numerals

[0090] 1: Transparent film substrate; 2: Upper protective film; 3: Lower protective film; 4: Cutout; 5: Front electrode; 6: Back electrode; 7: Front terminal; 8: Back terminal; 9: Touch sensor; 10: Open end; 11: Connection terminal; 12: Inner part; 13: Outer periphery; 14: Reinforcement material; 15: Outer corner; 16: Lead-in wiring; 17: Outer shape punching die; 18: Cushioning material; 19: Side; 20: Adhesive layer; 21: First laminate; 22: Second laminate.

Claims

1. A touch sensor, characterized in that: The touch sensor has: Transparent film substrate; a front-side electrode formed on one surface of the transparent film substrate; a front-side terminal formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate on which the front-side electrode is formed and connected to the front-side electrode; a back-side electrode formed on the other surface of the transparent film substrate; as well as The back-side terminal is formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate on which the back-side electrode is formed, is connected to the back-side electrode, and does not overlap with the front-side terminal in a plan view. The transparent film substrate has a connection terminal portion on the inner side of one side of the transparent film substrate. The transparent film substrate is laminated with a pair of films, an upper protective film and a lower protective film. In both sides of the pair of films, cutout portions are provided, whereby regions facing the front-side terminals and the back-side terminals are cut out. In a plan view, the cutout portion has a trapezoidal shape that gradually widens from the opening end toward the inner portion. In the regions of the opening ends of the cutout portions of the pair of films, which extend from the inner side to the outer sides of the cutout portions, a reinforcing material is provided on the transparent film substrate. The reinforcing material prevents cracks from being generated at the boundary portion of the transparent film substrate.

2. The touch sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The touch sensor includes a first stack and a second stack. The first stacked body comprises: Transparent film substrate; a front-side electrode formed on one surface of the transparent film substrate; a front-side terminal formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate on which the front-side electrode is formed and connected to the front-side electrode; a back-side electrode formed on the other surface of the transparent film substrate; as well as The back-side terminal is formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate on which the back-side electrode is formed, is connected to the back-side electrode, and does not overlap with the front-side terminal in a plan view. A connecting terminal portion is provided on the inner side of one side of the transparent film substrate. The second laminate has: Transparent film substrate; a back-side electrode formed on the back-side surface of the transparent film substrate; and a back-side terminal formed on the surface of the transparent film substrate on which the back-side electrode is formed, connected to the back-side electrode, and not overlapping with the connection terminal portion of the first stack in a plan view; A connecting terminal portion is provided on the inner side of one side of the transparent film substrate. In the first stack and the second stack, An adhesive layer is provided between the first laminate and the second laminate, The first laminate is provided with a cutout portion formed by cutting out a region facing the connection terminal portion of the second laminate. The second laminate is provided with a cutout portion formed by cutting out a region facing the connection terminal portion of the first laminate. The first stack and the second stack are stacked by a pair of films, an upper protective film and a lower protective film. In both sides of the pair of thin films, A cutout portion is provided by cutting out regions facing the connection terminal portion of the first stack and the connection terminal portion of the second stack. In a plan view, the cutouts of the first stack, the second stack, the upper protective film, and the lower protective film all have a trapezoidal shape that gradually widens from the opening end of the cutout toward the back.

3. The touch sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In the cutout portion, an outer angle of an upper base of the trapezoidal shape that contacts the outer peripheral line is not less than 30 degrees and not more than 60 degrees.

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