A touch panel and its detection method and display device

Abstract

The present invention provides a touch panel and a detection method and display device thereof. When the touch panel is detected, all the touch electrodes are connected in series in sequence during the test phase, and detection signals are input to all the touch electrodes in series, and feedback signals output by all the touch electrodes in series are analyzed and judged; in the non-test phase, all the touch electrodes are isolated from each other. Thus, by simply controlling all the touch electrodes to be connected in series during the test and to be isolated from each other during the non-test, it is possible to detect whether the touch electrodes are abnormal, thereby improving the detection efficiency of the touch electrodes and reducing the detection difficulty.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of display technology, and more specifically, to a touch panel and a detection method thereof, and a display device. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of display technology, touch display devices have gradually become common in people's lives. At present, touch display devices can be divided into external, surface covering and embedded types according to their composition structure. Among them, the embedded (In cell) touch display device embeds the touch electrode inside the display panel, which can reduce the overall thickness of the display module and greatly reduce the production cost of the touch display device, making it favored by major panel manufacturers.

[0003] The existing in-cell touch panel generally divides an electrode layer in the display panel into multiple touch electrode blocks, and each touch electrode block is electrically connected to a control IC (integrated circuit) through a wiring. At present, in the manufacturing process, there is no mature and effective detection method to detect whether there is an abnormality in the touch electrode before binding the control IC. The only way to determine whether the touch electrode is abnormal is to detect the display function of the panel. The detection process is long and cumbersome. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a touch panel and a detection method thereof and a display device, which effectively solve the technical problems existing in the prior art, improve the detection efficiency of the touch electrode, and reduce the detection difficulty.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution provided by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] A touch panel, comprising:

[0007] substrate;

[0008] A touch electrode array located on one side of the substrate, the touch electrode array comprising a plurality of touch electrodes arranged in an array;

[0009] and a test circuit electrically connected to the touch electrode array, wherein the test circuit is used to sequentially connect all the touch electrodes in series during a test phase and to electrically isolate all the touch electrodes from each other during a non-test phase.

[0010] Correspondingly, the present invention further provides a touch panel detection method, which is applied to the above-mentioned touch panel, wherein the detection method comprises:

[0011] In the test phase, all the touch electrodes are connected in series in sequence, and detection signals are input to all the touch electrodes connected in series, and feedback signals output by all the touch electrodes connected in series are analyzed and judged;

[0012] In the non-testing phase, all the touch electrodes are isolated from each other.

[0013] Correspondingly, the present invention further provides a display device, which includes the above-mentioned touch panel.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by the present invention has at least the following advantages:

[0015] The present invention provides a touch panel and a detection method thereof and a display device, comprising: a substrate; a touch electrode array located on one side of the substrate, the touch electrode array comprising a plurality of touch electrodes arranged in an array; and a test circuit electrically connected to the touch electrode array, the test circuit being used to sequentially connect all the touch electrodes in series during a test phase, and to electrically isolate all the touch electrodes from each other during a non-test phase.

[0016] The technical solution provided by the present invention, when testing the touch panel, in the test phase, all the touch electrodes are connected in series in sequence, and detection signals are input to all the touch electrodes in series, and feedback signals output by all the touch electrodes in series are analyzed and judged; in the non-test phase, all the touch electrodes are isolated from each other. Thus, by simply controlling all the touch electrodes to be connected in series during testing and to be isolated from each other during non-testing, it is possible to detect whether the touch electrodes are abnormal, thereby improving the detection efficiency of the touch electrodes and reducing the detection difficulty. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without paying creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a touch electrode provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch electrode provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Fig.15 for Fig.14 Section view along the AA' direction;

[0033] Fig.16 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Fig.17 for Fig.16 Enlarged view of the middle A1 region;

[0035] Fig.18 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Fig.19 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Fig. 20 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Fig.21 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Fig. 22 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Fig.23 A schematic structural diagram of a display device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] As described in the background technology, the existing in-cell touch screen (In Cell Touch Panel) generally divides an electrode layer in the display panel into multiple touch electrode blocks, and each touch electrode block is electrically connected to a control IC (integrated circuit) through a wiring. At present, in the manufacturing process, there is no mature and effective detection method to detect whether there is an abnormality in the touch electrode before binding the control IC. It can only be judged whether the touch electrode is abnormal by detecting the display function of the panel. The detection process is long and the operation is cumbersome.

[0043] Based on this, the embodiments of the present invention provide a touch panel and a detection method thereof and a display device, which effectively solve the technical problems existing in the prior art, improve the detection efficiency of the touch electrodes, and reduce the detection difficulty.

[0044] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention is as follows, specifically combined with Figures 1 to 23 The technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention is described in detail.

[0045] refer to Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the touch panel includes:

[0046] Substrate 10.

[0047] A touch electrode array 20 is located on one side of the substrate 10, and the touch electrode array includes a plurality of touch electrodes 21 arranged in an array.

[0048] And, a test circuit 30 electrically connected to the touch electrode array 20 , wherein the test circuit 30 is used to sequentially connect all the touch electrodes 21 in series during a test phase, and to electrically isolate all the touch electrodes 21 from each other during a non-test phase.

[0049] It can be understood that the embodiment of the present invention provides a touch panel. When testing the touch panel, all the touch electrodes are connected in series in sequence during the test phase, and detection signals are input to all the touch electrodes connected in series, and feedback signals output by all the touch electrodes connected in series are analyzed and judged; in the non-test phase, all the touch electrodes are isolated from each other. Thus, by simply controlling all the touch electrodes to be connected in series during testing and to be isolated from each other during non-testing, it is possible to detect whether the touch electrodes are abnormal, thereby improving the detection efficiency of the touch electrodes and reducing the detection difficulty.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, the detection signal and feedback signal provided by the present invention can both be voltage signals or current signals. Specifically, when testing the touch panel, the touch electrodes are first connected in series in sequence, and then the detection signal is input to the touch electrodes in series. Under normal circumstances, the detection signal will produce a feedback signal after passing through the touch electrodes in series and output from the last touch electrode, and then it can be judged whether there is an abnormality in the touch electrode based on whether the feedback signal meets expectations. At the same time, all touch electrodes can be isolated from each other in the non-testing stage, so as not to affect the normal operation of the touch electrodes, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the touch panel.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, it is a structural schematic diagram of another touch panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the test circuit 30 includes multiple test lead lines, the touch electrode 21 includes a first connection end 201 and a second connection end 202, and in the same touch electrode 21, the distance a between the first connection end 201 and the second connection end 202 is greater than zero.

[0052] The multiple test lead lines include a first test lead line 31 and a second test lead line 32, the first test lead line 31 is electrically connected to the first connection end 201 of the touch electrode 21, and the second test lead line 32 is electrically connected to the second connection end 202 of the touch electrode 21; the first test lead line 31 extends to a first area 41, and the second test lead line 32 extends to a second area 42; along a first direction Y, the first area 41 and the second area 42 are located on both sides of the touch electrode 21, and the first direction Y is any direction parallel to the touch panel.

[0053] All touch electrodes 21 provided in the embodiment of the present invention can be arranged in an array of multiple rows and multiple columns, wherein the test lead wires can be located at corresponding areas between adjacent touch electrodes 21; or, when the touch electrodes 21 and the test lead wires are arranged in different layers, the orthographic projection of the test lead wires on the substrate 10 can also pass through the orthographic projection of the touch electrodes 21 on the substrate 10, and the present invention does not make any specific restrictions on this.

[0054] When the test lead lines provided in the embodiment of the present invention are located at corresponding areas between adjacent touch electrodes 21, and the first direction Y is the touch electrode row arrangement direction, the first test lead lines 31 connected to the touch electrodes 21 in the same column can be located on the same side of the touch electrodes 21 in the second direction, and the second test lead lines 32 connected to the touch electrodes 21 in the same column can be located on the same side of the touch electrodes 21 in the second direction, and the first test lead lines 31 and the second test lead lines 32 connected to the touch electrodes 21 in the same column are respectively located on both sides of the touch electrodes 21 in the second direction, and the second direction is the touch electrode column arrangement direction, thereby facilitating the connection between the first test lead lines 31 and the second test lead lines 32.

[0055] It can be understood that in the touch panel provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the first test lead line is extended to the first area, and the second test lead line is extended to the second area, so that different first test lead lines can be connected in a set manner in the first area, and different second test lead lines can be connected in a set manner in the second area. At the same time, the structure connecting the first test lead lines and the structure connecting the second test lead lines do not affect each other, thereby optimizing the circuit layout on the touch panel.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, the substrate 10 provided by the present invention further includes a control chip IC, wherein the first direction Y provided by the embodiment of the present invention may be a direction from the touch electrode array 20 to the control chip IC, and the present invention does not make any specific limitation to this.

[0057] It should be noted that the main surfaces of the first area and the second area provided in the embodiment of the present invention are the directions in which the first test lead and the second test lead are extended, that is, the first test lead and the second test lead extend in opposite directions in the first direction. The present invention does not limit the size of the first area and the second area.

[0058] In one embodiment of the present invention, in order to detect most of the area of ​​the touch electrode, a larger distance may be set between the first connection end and the second connection end of the touch electrode. Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a touch electrode provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first connection end 201 and the second connection end 202 of the touch electrode 21 are respectively located at the two end sides of the touch electrode 21 in the extension direction X of the line connecting the longest two points of the touch electrode 21.

[0059] Combination Figure 3 As shown, when the touch electrode 21 provided in the embodiment of the present invention is rectangular, the first connection end 201 and the second connection end 202 may be located at two ends of the rectangular touch electrode 21 in the extension direction of the diagonal line.

[0060] Or Figure 4 As shown, the touch electrode 21 provided in the embodiment of the present invention may also be in a rhombus shape, and the first connection end 201 and the second connection end 202 may be located at two ends of the rhombus-shaped touch electrode 21 in the extension direction of the longest diagonal line.

[0061] It should be noted that the touch electrodes provided in the embodiments of the present invention may be regular shapes such as rectangles and diamonds, or may be other irregular shapes, which are not specifically limited in the present invention.

[0062] In one embodiment of the present invention, the test lead wires provided by the present invention can be connected through the connection module related structure, and then by controlling the connection module and other driving operations, all touch electrodes can be connected in series during the test phase and the touch electrodes can be isolated from each other during the non-test phase. Figure 5 As shown, it is a structural schematic diagram of another touch panel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the test lead includes a first test lead 31 and a second test lead 32, and the first test lead 31 extends to the first area 41, and the second test lead 32 extends to the second area 42.

[0063] Moreover, the test circuit 30 provided in the embodiment of the present invention includes multiple connection modules 33; among the touch electrodes 21, the first test lead line 31 of the nth touch electrode is electrically connected to the first test lead line 31 of the n-1th touch electrode through the connection module, and the second test lead line 32 of the nth touch electrode is electrically connected to the second test lead line 32 of the n+1th touch electrode through the connection module 33; wherein n is a positive integer, and n≥3.

[0064] The connection module provided in the embodiment of the present invention may be a transistor. Figure 6As shown, it is a structural schematic diagram of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connection module 33 provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes a connection transistor 331, a first electrode of the connection transistor 331 is electrically connected to one of the two touch electrodes 21 electrically connected to the connection module 33, a second electrode of the connection transistor 331 is electrically connected to the other of the two touch electrodes 21 electrically connected to the connection module 33, and a gate of the connection transistor 331 is connected to a connection control signal; the connection control signal is used to control the connection transistor 331 to be turned on during the test phase, and to control the connection transistor 331 to be turned off during the non-test phase.

[0065] It can be understood that the connection transistor provided in the embodiment of the present invention is electrically connected to the touch electrode through the test lead, that is, the connection transistor is electrically connected to the touch electrode through the first test lead and the second test lead. In the test phase, all the connection transistors can be controlled to be turned on by the connection control signal, so that all the touch electrodes can be connected in series; and in the non-test phase, all the connection transistors can be controlled to be turned off by the connection control signal, so that all the touch electrodes can be isolated from each other.

[0066] The connecting transistor provided in the embodiment of the present invention may be an N-type transistor or a P-type transistor. Optionally, all transistors provided in the embodiment of the present invention have the same conduction type, so that all the connecting transistors can be controlled by one signal port. Figure 7 As shown, all the connection transistors 331 provided in the embodiment of the present invention have the same conduction type, all the connection transistors 331 are N-type transistors or P-type transistors, and the connection control signals connected to all the connection transistors 331 are output from the same signal terminal Sn. By setting the conduction type of all the connection transistors 331 to be the same, the number of signal ports can be saved and the wiring structure can be optimized.

[0067] like Figure 8 , which is a schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the touch electrode 21 provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes an incoming touch electrode 211 and an outgoing touch electrode 212, wherein a connection end of the incoming touch electrode 211 is electrically connected to a first test terminal 210, the first test terminal 210 receives a detection signal, and a connection end of the outgoing touch electrode 212 is electrically connected to a second test terminal 220, the second test terminal 220 outputs a feedback signal; the first test terminal 210 and the second test terminal 220 are located in the first area 41. The incoming touch electrode 211 and the outgoing touch electrode 212 provided by the embodiment of the present invention are two touch electrodes 21 whose connection ends on all touch electrodes 21 are not connected to the connection module 33, that is, the first touch electrode and the last touch electrode after all touch electrodes 21 are connected in series.

[0068] It can be understood that among all the touch electrodes provided in the embodiments of the present invention, two of them are respectively an incoming touch electrode and an outgoing touch electrode, and the incoming touch electrode is used to receive the detection signal, and then when all the touch electrodes are connected in series, the detection signal is received by the incoming touch electrode and flows through all the touch electrodes; and the outgoing touch electrode is used to output a feedback signal, and then after the detection signal flows through all the touch electrodes, a feedback signal is generated and output at the outgoing touch electrode, so as to judge whether there is an abnormality in the touch electrodes in series based on the feedback signal.

[0069] like Figure 8 As shown, it is a structural schematic diagram of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention further includes a detection access transistor M1, the first end of the detection access transistor M1 is connected to the detection signal, the second end of the detection access transistor M1 is electrically connected to the first connection end of the touch electrode 211, and the gate of the detection access transistor M1 is connected to the detection access control signal. And a detection output transistor M2, the first end of the detection output transistor M2 is electrically connected to the first connection end of the touch electrode 212, the second end of the detection output transistor M2 outputs the feedback signal, and the gate of the detection output transistor M2 is connected to the detection output control signal.

[0070] It can be understood that the embodiments of the present invention can control the access and output of signals by detecting access transistors and detecting output transistors, and at the same time can isolate the signals from the touch electrodes, thereby preventing abnormal signals at the test terminals from interfering with the touch electrodes connected thereto during the non-test phase.

[0071] In one embodiment of the present invention, the detection access transistor and the detection output transistor provided by the present invention may be an N-type transistor or a P-type transistor. Optionally, the detection access transistor and the detection output transistor provided by the embodiment of the present invention may have the same conduction type, and thus the two transistors may be controlled by outputting a control signal through the same signal port, thereby reducing the number of signal ports. Figure 8As shown, the conduction type of the detection access transistor M1 and the detection output transistor M2 provided in the embodiment of the present invention can be the same; and further, the conduction type of the detection access transistor M1 and the detection output transistor M2 is the same as the conduction type of the connection transistor 331, and the detection access transistor M1, the detection output transistor M2 and the connection transistor 331 are all controlled to be turned on or off at the same time by the control signal output by the signal port Sn. That is, in the test phase, the signal port Sn outputs a control signal to control the detection access transistor M1, the detection output transistor M2 and the connection transistor 331 to be turned on, and the connection transistor 331 is used to connect all the touch electrodes 21 in series, the detection access transistor M1 connects the detection signal to the touch electrodes 21 connected in series, and the detection output transistor M2 outputs the feedback signal. And, in the non-test phase, the signal port Sn outputs a control signal to control the detection access transistor M1, the detection output transistor M2 and the connection transistor 331 to be turned off, all the touch electrodes 21 are isolated from each other, and the input of the detection signal and the output of the feedback signal are stopped.

[0072] In one embodiment of the present invention, the portion of the test lead provided by the present invention located in the display area may correspond to the light shielding area of ​​the touch panel, thereby preventing the test lead from affecting the aperture ratio of the touch panel. Fig. 9 As shown, it is a structural schematic diagram of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the touch panel includes a display area AA, and the touch electrode array 20 (touch electrode 21) is located in the display area AA; the display area AA includes a pixel definition layer 50 located between the substrate 10 and the touch electrode array 20, the pixel definition layer 50 includes a plurality of pixel openings, and a light-emitting element 51 located in the pixel opening; wherein the test lead (the first test lead 31 and / or the second test lead 32) is located on the side of the pixel definition layer 50 away from the substrate 10, and the orthographic projection 34 of the test lead on the substrate 10 at least partially overlaps with the area between the orthographic projections 52 of two adjacent pixel openings on the substrate 10.

[0073] It should be noted that in the touch electrode array 20 provided in the embodiment of the present invention, the touch electrode 21 can be a block electrode, a metal grid electrode, etc., and the present invention does not make specific restrictions on this. Among them, when the touch electrode provided in the embodiment of the present invention is a metal grid electrode, the orthographic projection of the grid lines of the metal grid electrode on the substrate 10 is located in the area between the orthographic projections of adjacent pixel openings on the substrate 10, that is, the grid lines are located in the light shielding area of ​​the touch panel to prevent the grid lines from affecting the light transmittance of the touch panel.

[0074] More specifically, Fig.10, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The touch panel provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes a transistor array layer located between a pixel definition layer 50 and a substrate 10, wherein the transistor array layer includes a semiconductor layer 61 located on the substrate 10, the semiconductor layer 61 includes an active area constituting a transistor; a gate insulating layer 62 located on a side of the semiconductor layer 61 away from the substrate 10; a gate metal layer 63 located on a side of the gate insulating layer 62 away from the substrate 10, the gate metal layer 63 includes a gate constituting a transistor; an interlayer insulating layer 64 located on a side of the gate metal layer 63 away from the substrate 10; a source-drain metal layer 65 located on a side of the interlayer insulating layer 64 away from the substrate 10, the source-drain metal layer 65 includes a source and a drain constituting the transistor, and the source and the drain are respectively connected to the active area through respective vias; and a planarization layer 66 located on a side of the source-drain metal layer 65 away from the substrate 10.

[0075] like Fig.10 As shown, the light-emitting element 51 provided in the embodiment of the present invention includes an anode 511 located on the side of the planarization layer 66 away from the substrate 10; a light-emitting layer 512 located on the side of the anode 511 away from the substrate 10 and located in the pixel opening; and a cathode 513 located on the side of the light-emitting layer 512 away from the substrate 10, wherein the cathode 513 can be a full-surface structure.

[0076] like Fig.10 As shown, the cathode 513 provided in the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a packaging layer 70 on the side away from the substrate 10 , and the touch electrode array 20 (touch electrodes 21 ) and the test lead wires are both located on the side of the packaging layer 70 away from the substrate 10 .

[0077] In one embodiment of the present invention, the touch electrodes and the test leads provided by the present invention may be in the same layer, that is, the touch electrodes and the test leads are made of the same conductive film. Fig.11 , which is a schematic structural diagram of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the touch electrodes 21 and the test lead wires 31 ( 32 ) are located in the same layer.

[0078] Alternatively, the touch electrodes and test leads provided in the embodiment of the present invention may also be in a different layer structure, in which case the test leads are connected to the touch electrodes through vias. Fig.10 As shown, the touch electrode 21 provided in the embodiment of the present invention is located on the side of the test lead 31 (32) away from the substrate 10, and an insulating layer 67 is provided between the touch electrode 21 and the test lead 31 (32), wherein the touch electrode 21 is arranged on the side of the test lead 31 (32) away from the substrate 10, thereby reducing the distance between the touch electrode 21 and the touch object, thereby improving the touch effect.

[0079] or Fig.12As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the test lead line 31 (32) provided by the embodiment of the present invention and the touch electrode 21 are arranged in different layers, the test lead line 31 (32) is located on the side of the touch electrode 21 away from the substrate 10, and there is an insulating layer 67 between the touch electrode 21 and the test lead line 31 (32), and the present invention does not make specific restrictions on this.

[0080] like Fig.13 As shown, it is a structural schematic diagram of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein all the touch electrodes 21 provided by the embodiment of the present invention are arranged in an array of multiple rows and multiple columns, and the touch electrodes 21 and the test lead wires 31 (32) are arranged in different layers; at any column of the touch electrodes 21, the orthographic projection of the test lead wires 31 (32) connected to the touch electrodes 21 in the column on the substrate 10 at least partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the touch electrodes 21 in the column on the substrate 10. By arranging the touch electrodes 21 and the test lead wires 31 (32) in an overlapping manner, it is possible to ensure that the area of ​​the touch electrodes 21 is large, thereby optimizing the touch effect of the touch panel.

[0081] Combination Fig.14 and Fig.15 As shown, Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.15 for Fig.14 In the cross-sectional view along the AA' direction, the touch electrode 21 provided in the embodiment of the present invention is located on the side of the test lead 31 (32) away from the substrate 10. The touch electrode 21 is a grid touch electrode, wherein the hollow area of ​​the grid touch electrode exposes the light-emitting element 51. The orthographic projection of the test lead 31 (32) on the substrate 10 covers the orthographic projection of the grid line of the grid touch electrode 21 on the substrate 10; wherein the width a1 of the grid line of the grid touch electrode 21 is smaller than the width a2 of the test lead 31 (32). Furthermore, 0.2μm≤a2-a1≤1μm.

[0082] It can be understood that in the touch panel provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the test lead wire is prepared before the grid touch electrode. After the test lead wire is prepared, it is necessary to prepare an insulating film layer on the side of the test lead wire facing away from the substrate; wherein, due to the presence of the test lead wire, the thin film insulating layer has a slope on both sides of the test lead wire. Therefore, at least in the overlapping area of ​​the test lead wire and the grid line, the width of the grid line is designed to be smaller than the width of the test lead line, and the grid line is completely within the occupied area of ​​the test lead line, which can avoid the material from flowing out at the slope of the insulating film layer when preparing the grid line, and thus can avoid abnormal conditions such as line short circuit and open circuit.

[0083] Combination Fig.16 and Fig.17 As shown, Fig.16 A schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.17 for Fig.16 The enlarged view of the A1 area in the figure. The touch panel provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes a ground wire GND which is arranged in a different layer from the test lead wire 31 (32); the test lead wire 31 (32) includes a tip portion 301, the tip of the tip portion 301 is facing the ground wire GND, and the static electricity transmitted on the test lead wire 31 (32) can be discharged to the ground wire GND through the tip discharge principle, thereby improving the anti-static ability of the touch panel.

[0084] Further Fig.17 As shown, at least the tip of the tip portion 301 provided in the embodiment of the present invention has an overlapping area with the ground line GND in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the touch panel is located, thereby further improving the antistatic capability of the touch panel.

[0085] In one embodiment of the present invention, the connection module provided by the present invention can be arranged outside the area where the touch electrode array is located, thereby preventing the connection module from affecting the circuit structure in the area where the touch electrode array is located. Fig.16 As shown, the connection module 33 and the touch electrode array 20 provided in the embodiment of the present invention do not overlap in the thickness direction of the touch panel (that is, in the direction perpendicular to the plane where the touch panel is located).

[0086] Optionally, the connection module provided in the embodiment of the present invention may be located in the border area of ​​the touch panel. Fig.18 , which is a schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the touch panel provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes a display area AA, and a frame area NA at least partially surrounding the display area AA; wherein the touch electrode array 20 is located in the display area AA, and the connection module 33 is located in the frame area NA. When the connection module 33 provided by the embodiment of the present invention is located in the frame area NA, the connection module 33 may include a connection transistor, and the touch electrodes 21 are controllably connected through the connection transistor, thereby achieving the purpose of connecting all touch electrodes 21 in series during the test phase and isolating all touch electrodes 21 during the non-test phase.

[0087] Optionally, the touch panel provided in the embodiment of the present invention may also be an unfinished panel before cutting, wherein the connection module may be partially located in the cutting area of ​​the touch panel and partially located in the frame area; or, the connection module may be entirely located in the cutting area. Fig.19As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the structure of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the touch panel provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes a display area AA, a frame area NA at least partially surrounding the display area, and a cutting area SNA located on the side of the frame area NA away from the display area AA; wherein the touch electrode array 20 is located in the display area AA; the connection module 33 includes a first part and a second part, the connection module 331 of the first part is located in the cutting area SNA, and the connection module 332 of the second part is located in the frame area NA. The touch panel provided by the embodiment of the present invention is tested before cutting, wherein in the test phase, the connection module 33 connects all the touch electrodes 21 in series for testing; and in the non-test phase, the cutting area SNA can be removed, and then the connection module 332 of the second part is removed, and the connection module 331 of the first part is disconnected, so as to achieve the purpose of isolating all the touch electrodes 21.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present invention, the test lead needs to cross the border area NA to the cutting area SNA, and the material of the entire line of the test lead provided by the present invention can be consistent, such as when the touch electrode is a metal grid electrode and the touch electrode and the test lead are in the same layer, the test lead can be a laminated composite material of Ti-Al-Ti. Further, the test lead provided by the embodiment of the present invention can also be segmented, and the materials of different segments are set to be different, such as dividing the touch panel into two areas, wherein the first divided area is the cross-border part of the border area NA and the cutting area SNA, and the second divided area is the part of the remaining area, wherein the material of the test lead in the second divided area can be a laminated composite material of Ti-Al-Ti, because the part of the test lead located in the cutting area SNA needs to be cut, in order to avoid the Al layer exposed at the edge of the border area NA of the test lead after cutting from being corroded, the part of the test lead in the first divided area can be in the same layer as the gate metal layer or the source and drain metal layer, and the material of the specific test lead in the first divided area can be Mo material.

[0089] Or Fig. 20 As shown, it is a structural schematic diagram of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the touch panel provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes a display area AA, a frame area NA at least partially surrounding the display area, and a cutting area SNA located on the side of the frame area NA away from the display area AA; wherein the touch electrode array 20 is located in the display area AA; and all the connection modules 33 are located in the cutting area SNA. The touch panel provided by the embodiment of the present invention is tested before cutting, wherein in the test phase, the connection module 33 connects all the touch electrodes 21 in series for testing; and in the non-test phase, the cutting area SNA can be removed, and then all the connection modules 33 can be removed to achieve the purpose of isolating all the touch electrodes 21.

[0090] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first test terminal 210 and the second test terminal 220 provided by the present invention may be located in the frame area NA or in the cutting area SNA, and the present invention does not make any specific limitation on this.

[0091] like Fig.21 As shown, it is a structural schematic diagram of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connection module 33 provided by the embodiment of the present invention and located in the cutting area SNA includes a short-circuit wire 332, a first end of the short-circuit wire 332 is electrically connected to one of the two touch electrodes 21 electrically connected to the connection module 33, and a second end of the short-circuit wire 332 is electrically connected to the other of the two touch electrodes 21 electrically connected to the connection module 33.

[0092] Optionally, the connection module located in the cutting area provided in the embodiment of the present invention may also be a connection transistor, which is not specifically limited in the present invention.

[0093] In one embodiment of the present invention, the test lead provided by the present invention can also be reused to connect with the touch lead and the control chip, and then provide the touch signal to the touch electrode through the test lead. In the non-testing stage provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the touch electrodes are in a mutually isolated state, so the test lead is isolated from each other. For this, the test lead can be reused as the touch lead, thereby reducing the number of wirings on the touch panel. Fig. 22 As shown, it is a structural schematic diagram of another touch panel provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first test lead 31 provided by the embodiment of the present invention is connected to the touch chip IC and then extends to the cutting area SNA. In the test phase, the control chip IC floats the connection end between the first test lead 31 without applying a signal; and in the non-test phase, since the connection module 33 at the cutting area SNA is cut off, the series relationship between different touch electrodes 21 is changed to an independent structure isolated from each other. At this time, the control chip IC can apply a touch signal to the touch electrode 21 through the first test lead 31.

[0094] Correspondingly, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for detecting a touch panel, which is applied to the touch panel provided by any of the above embodiments, wherein the detection method includes:

[0095] In the test phase, all the touch electrodes are connected in series in sequence, and detection signals are input to all the touch electrodes connected in series, and feedback signals output by all the touch electrodes connected in series are analyzed and judged.

[0096] In the non-testing phase, all the touch electrodes are isolated from each other.

[0097] Correspondingly, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a display device, which includes the touch panel provided by any one of the above embodiments.

[0098] like Fig.23 , which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the display device 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present invention may be a mobile terminal device.

[0099] In other embodiments of the present invention, the display device provided by the present invention may also be an electronic display device such as a computer, a vehicle-mounted terminal, etc., and the present invention does not impose any specific limitation on this.

[0100] An embodiment of the present invention provides a touch panel and a detection method thereof and a display device, comprising: a substrate; a touch electrode array located on one side of the substrate, the touch electrode array comprising a plurality of touch electrodes arranged in an array; and a test circuit electrically connected to the touch electrode array, the test circuit being used to connect all the touch electrodes in series in sequence during a test phase, and to electrically isolate all the touch electrodes from each other during a non-test phase.

[0101] The technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention is that when testing the touch panel, all the touch electrodes are connected in series in sequence in the test phase, and detection signals are input to all the touch electrodes in series, and feedback signals output by all the touch electrodes in series are analyzed and judged; in the non-test phase, all the touch electrodes are isolated from each other. Thus, by simply controlling all the touch electrodes to be connected in series during testing and to be isolated from each other during non-testing, it is possible to detect whether the touch electrodes are abnormal, thereby improving the detection efficiency of the touch electrodes and reducing the detection difficulty.

[0102] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables one skilled in the art to implement or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention will not be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but rather to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A touch panel, characterized in that: include: substrate; A touch electrode array located on one side of the substrate, the touch electrode array comprising a plurality of touch electrodes arranged in an array; and a test circuit electrically connected to the touch electrode array, the test circuit being used to sequentially connect all the touch electrodes in series during a test phase and to electrically isolate all the touch electrodes from each other during a non-test phase; The test circuit includes a plurality of test lead wires, and the touch electrodes and the test lead wires are arranged in different layers; at a column of the touch electrodes, an orthographic projection of the test lead wires connected to the column of the touch electrodes on the substrate at least partially overlaps with an orthographic projection of the column of the touch electrodes on the substrate; The touch electrode is a grid touch electrode, and the orthographic projection of the test lead line on the substrate covers the orthographic projection of the grid lines of the grid touch electrode on the substrate; wherein the width of the grid lines of the grid touch electrode is smaller than the width of the test lead line.

2. The touch panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The touch electrode comprises a first connection end and a second connection end, and in the same touch electrode, a distance between the first connection end and the second connection end is greater than zero; The multiple test lead lines include a first test lead line and a second test lead line, the first test lead line is electrically connected to the first connection end of the touch electrode, and the second test lead line is electrically connected to the second connection end of the touch electrode; the first test lead line extends to a first area, and the second test lead line extends to a second area; along a first direction, the first area and the second area are located on both sides of the touch electrode, and the first direction is any direction parallel to the touch panel.

3. The touch panel according to claim 2, characterized in that: The test circuit includes a plurality of connection modules; Among the touch electrodes, the first test lead line of the nth touch electrode is electrically connected to the first test lead line of the n-1th touch electrode through the connection module, and the second test lead line of the nth touch electrode is electrically connected to the second test lead line of the n+1th touch electrode through the connection module; wherein n is a positive integer, and n≥3.

4. The touch panel according to claim 2, characterized in that: The touch electrode includes an input touch electrode and an output touch electrode, a connection end of the input touch electrode is electrically connected to a first test terminal, the first test terminal receives a detection signal, a connection end of the output touch electrode is electrically connected to a second test terminal, and the second test terminal outputs a feedback signal; the first test terminal and the second test terminal are located in the first area.

5. The touch panel according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a detection access transistor, a first end of the detection access transistor is connected to the detection signal, a second end of the detection access transistor is electrically connected to the first connection end of the touch electrode, and a gate of the detection access transistor is connected to the detection access control signal; and a detection output transistor, wherein a first end of the detection output transistor is electrically connected to the first connection end connected to the touch electrode, a second end of the detection output transistor outputs the feedback signal, and a gate of the detection output transistor is connected to a detection output control signal.

6. The touch panel according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first connection end and the second connection end of the touch electrode are respectively located at two end sides of the touch electrode in the extending direction of the line connecting the longest two points of the touch electrode.

7. The touch panel according to claim 2, characterized in that: The touch panel comprises a display area, and the touch electrode array is located in the display area; The display area includes a pixel definition layer located between the substrate and the touch electrode array, the pixel definition layer includes a plurality of pixel openings, and light emitting elements located in the pixel openings; The test lead is located on a side of the pixel definition layer away from the substrate, and an orthographic projection of the test lead on the substrate at least partially overlaps with an area between orthographic projections of two adjacent pixel openings on the substrate.

8. The touch panel according to claim 2, characterized in that: All the touch electrodes are arranged in an array of multiple rows and multiple columns.

9. The touch panel according to claim 2, characterized in that: The touch panel includes a grounding wire arranged in a different layer from the test lead wire; The test lead includes a tip portion, and the tip of the tip portion faces the grounding wire.

10. The touch panel according to claim 9, characterized in that: At least the tip of the tip portion has an overlapping area with the ground line in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the touch panel is located.

11. The touch panel according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connection module includes a connection transistor, a first end of the connection transistor is electrically connected to one of the two touch electrodes electrically connected to the connection module, a second end of the connection transistor is electrically connected to the other of the two touch electrodes electrically connected to the connection module, and a gate of the connection transistor is connected to a connection control signal; The connection control signal is used to control the connection transistor to be turned on during the test phase, and to control the connection transistor to be turned off during the non-test phase.

12. The touch panel according to claim 11, characterized in that: The conduction type of all the connection transistors is the same, and the connection control signals connected to all the connection transistors are output from the same signal terminal.

13. The touch panel according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connection module and the touch electrode array do not overlap in the thickness direction of the touch panel.

14. The touch panel according to claim 13, characterized in that: The touch panel comprises a display area and a frame area at least partially surrounding the display area; Wherein, the touch electrode array is located in the display area, and the connection module is located in the frame area.

15. The touch panel according to claim 13, characterized in that: The touch panel includes a display area, a frame area at least partially surrounding the display area, and a cutting area located on a side of the frame area away from the display area; The touch electrode array is located in the display area; the connection module includes a first part and a second part, the connection module of the first part is located in the cutting area, and the connection module of the second part is located in the frame area; Alternatively, the touch electrode array is located in the display area; and all the connection modules are located in the cutting area.

16. The touch panel according to claim 15, characterized in that: The connection module located in the cutting area includes a short-circuit wire, a first end of the short-circuit wire is electrically connected to one of the two touch electrodes electrically connected to the connection module, and a second end of the short-circuit wire is electrically connected to the other of the two touch electrodes electrically connected to the connection module.

17. A method for detecting a touch panel, characterized in that: Applicable to the touch panel according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the detection method comprises: In the test phase, all the touch electrodes are connected in series in sequence, and detection signals are input to all the touch electrodes connected in series, and feedback signals output by all the touch electrodes connected in series are analyzed and judged; In the non-testing phase, all the touch electrodes are isolated from each other.

18. A display device, characterized in that: The display device comprises the touch panel according to any one of claims 1-16.

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