Touch panel, manufacturing method thereof, and display device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a touch panel, a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device. The touch panel includes a substrate, a first light-transmitting insulating layer, a touch structure, and a second light-transmitting insulating layer sequentially disposed on the substrate; the touch structure includes a first touch layer, a third light-transmitting insulating layer, and a second touch layer stacked in sequence; the first light-transmitting insulating layer has a greater refractive index than the third light-transmitting insulating layer; and the third light-transmitting insulating layer has a greater refractive index than the second light-transmitting insulating layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present disclosure belong to the field of display technology, and particularly relate to a touch panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing prevalence of private cars, consumers are demanding more and more from in-car products. In the field of in-car display and touchscreen displays, high resolution, high touch sensitivity, and visual effects in various environments have become key competitive areas. Due to the safety and reliability requirements of vehicles, the quality testing of in-car products is even more stringent than that of general consumer goods.

[0003] Most automotive touchscreens use external mutual capacitance touch panels (e.g., OGS, One Glass Solution). These panels have multiple bridge electrode structures. When used in sunlight, these bridge electrodes inevitably glow, obstructing the user's vision. At high speeds, even the slightest impact can be fatal. Therefore, customers have extremely high expectations for bridge electrode shadow elimination in automotive touchscreen products. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a touch panel, a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a touch panel, comprising a substrate, a first light-transmitting insulating layer, a touch structure, and a second light-transmitting insulating layer sequentially disposed on the substrate;

[0006] The touch structure includes a first touch layer, a third light-transmitting insulating layer and a second touch layer stacked in sequence;

[0007] The refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is greater than the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer; and the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer is greater than the refractive index of the second light-transmitting insulating layer.

[0008] In some embodiments, the refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is smaller than the refractive index of the first touch layer.

[0009] In some embodiments, the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer ranges from 1.65 to 1.75.

[0010] In some embodiments, the refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is in a range of 1.75±0.03; the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer is in a range of 1.7±0.2; and the refractive index of the second light-transmitting insulating layer is in a range of 1.65±0.03.

[0011] In some embodiments, the third light-transmitting insulating layer is made of an organic insulating material, and the thickness of the third light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 1.5±0.15 μm.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first light-transmitting insulating layer is made of an inorganic insulating material, and the thickness of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 800±30 angstroms.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second light-transmitting insulating layer is made of an inorganic insulating material, and the thickness of the second light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 900±30 angstroms.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first light-transmitting insulating layer and the second light-transmitting insulating layer are both made of silicon oxynitride.

[0015] In some embodiments, both the first touch layer and the second touch layer are made of light-transmitting conductive materials; and the refractive index of the first touch layer is in the range of 1.85±0.2.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first touch layer is closer to the substrate than the second touch layer; or, the second touch layer is closer to the substrate than the first touch layer;

[0017] The thickness of the first touch layer is in the range of 1200±30 angstroms.

[0018] In some embodiments, the thickness of the second touch layer is in the range of 250±30 angstroms.

[0019] In some embodiments, the third light-transmitting insulating layer is in a rectangular block shape, and a slope angle is formed around the third light-transmitting insulating layer, and the slope angle ranges from 20 to 30 degrees;

[0020] The orthographic projection of the slope surface of the slope angle on the horizontal plane extends from the edge to the center of the rectangular block in a range of 4.5 to 5 microns;

[0021] The length of the slope surface of the slope angle along the direction from the edge to the center of the rectangular block ranges from 5 to 5.5 microns.

[0022] In some embodiments, the second touch layer includes a plurality of driving electrode strips extending along a first direction and a plurality of sensing electrodes arranged along a second direction;

[0023] The first touch layer includes a plurality of bridge portions arranged along the second direction; the bridge portions are provided on a side of the third light-transmitting insulating layer facing away from the second touch layer, and the bridge portions extend along the second direction to connect with adjacent sensing electrodes to form a plurality of sensing electrode strips extending along the second direction;

[0024] The first direction and the second direction intersect each other, and the driving electrode strips and the sensing electrode strips intersect in space and are insulated from each other.

[0025] In some embodiments, a fourth light-transmitting insulating layer is further included, and the fourth light-transmitting insulating layer is disposed on a side of the second light-transmitting insulating layer away from the substrate; the fourth light-transmitting insulating layer is made of an organic insulating material.

[0026] In some embodiments, the surface of the fourth light-transmitting insulating layer facing away from the second light-transmitting insulating layer is the first surface; the surface of the first light-transmitting insulating layer facing away from the substrate is the second surface;

[0027] A distance between a portion of the first surface corresponding to the bridge portion and the second surface is greater than a distance between a portion of the first surface corresponding to an area other than the bridge portion and the second surface.

[0028] In some embodiments, the refractive index of the fourth light-transmitting insulating layer is in a range of 1.53±0.2; and the thickness of the fourth light-transmitting insulating layer is in a range of 2±0.15 μm.

[0029] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a display device, comprising a display panel and the above-mentioned touch panel;

[0030] The touch panel is arranged on the display side of the display panel.

[0031] In some embodiments, an optical adhesive layer is further included, and the touch panel and the display panel are bonded together through the optical adhesive layer.

[0032] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a method for manufacturing a touch panel, comprising: sequentially forming a first light-transmitting insulating layer, a touch structure, and a second light-transmitting insulating layer on a substrate;

[0033] Forming the touch structure includes sequentially forming a first touch layer, a third light-transmitting insulating layer, and a second touch layer;

[0034] The refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is greater than the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer; and the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer is greater than the refractive index of the second light-transmitting insulating layer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present disclosure, they are used to explain the present disclosure and do not constitute a limitation of the present disclosure. The above and other features and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by describing the detailed exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic top view of the structure of a touch panel in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 2 Observed from the side of the substrate away from the touch structure Figure 1 An enlarged schematic diagram of part C of the middle touch panel;

[0038] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of the middle touch panel along the AA section line;

[0039] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of the middle touch panel along the BB section line;

[0040] Figure 5 for Figure 2 Another structural cross-sectional view of the middle touch panel along the AA section line;

[0041] Figure 6 for Figure 2 Another structural cross-sectional view of the middle touch panel along the AA section line;

[0042] Figure 7 Observed from the side of the substrate away from the touch structure Figure 1 Another enlarged schematic diagram of part C of the middle touch panel;

[0043] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of the middle touch panel along the A'A' section line;

[0044] Figure 9 for Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of the middle touch panel along the B'B' section line;

[0045] Figure 10 for Figure 7 Another structural cross-sectional view of the middle touch panel along the A'A' section line;

[0046] Figure 11 for Figure 7 Another schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of the middle touch panel along the A'A' section line;

[0047] Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of another display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0049] Figure 14 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of another display device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] The accompanying drawings are denoted as follows:

[0051] 1. Substrate; 2. First light-transmitting insulating layer; 3. Touch structure; 4. Second light-transmitting insulating layer; 31. First touch layer; 32. Third light-transmitting insulating layer; 33. Second touch layer; 331. Drive electrode strips; 332. Sensing electrodes; 333. Sensing electrode strips; 311. Bridging portion; 5. Fourth light-transmitting insulating layer; 6. Display panel; 61. Base substrate; 62. Array substrate; 7. Touch panel; 8. Optical adhesive layer; 9. Liquid crystal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a touch panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure are further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation plans.

[0053] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the illustrated embodiments may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully enable those skilled in the art to understand the scope of this disclosure.

[0054] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but include modifications of the configurations formed based on the manufacturing process. Therefore, the regions illustrated in the drawings are schematic in nature, and the shapes of the regions shown in the drawings illustrate specific shapes of the regions, but are not intended to be limiting.

[0055] In the disclosed technology, a touch panel based on the mutual capacitance principle generally includes a plurality of first electrode strips extending along a first direction and a plurality of second electrode strips extending along a second direction. The first electrode strips are composed of a plurality of first electrode blocks connected by a first bridge portion, and the second electrode strips are composed of a plurality of second electrode blocks connected by a second bridge portion. The first direction and the second direction intersect with each other, and the first bridge portion and the second bridge portion are spatially intersected and insulated from each other. Therefore, the first bridge portion or the second bridge portion and the first electrode block and the second electrode block are generally arranged on different layers, forming a plurality of bridge points on the touch panel.

[0056] The first and second electrode strips on the touch panel are both made of indium tin oxide (ITO), a high-refractive-index medium (refractive index n = 1.85). Due to thin-film interference of light, for a touch panel mounted on the display side of a liquid crystal display module, the reflection spectra of the electrode block, the bridge portion, and the light-transmitting insulating layer between the bridge portion and the electrode block at the bridge point of the touch panel will be significantly different, resulting in visual differences to the human eye, and the bridge point will be clearly visible.

[0057] In order to solve the problem that the bridge point on the touch panel is clearly visible due to the reflected light at the bridge point position, the embodiment of the present disclosure provides a touch panel, such as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, it includes a substrate 1, a first light-transmitting insulating layer 2, a touch structure 3 and a second light-transmitting insulating layer 4 sequentially arranged on the substrate 1; the touch structure 3 includes a first touch layer 31, a third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 and a second touch layer 33 stacked in sequence; the refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer 2 is greater than the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32; the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is greater than the refractive index of the second light-transmitting insulating layer 4.

[0058] In some embodiments, the refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer 2 is less than the refractive index of the first touch layer 31. In some embodiments, the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is in a range of 1.65 to 1.75.

[0059] In some embodiments, the refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer 2 is in the range of 1.75±0.03; the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is in the range of 1.7±0.2; the refractive index of the second light-transmitting insulating layer 4 is in the range of 1.65±0.03. In some embodiments, the refractive index of the first touch layer 31 is approximately 1.85.

[0060] Optical simulation shows that when the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is 1.7, its reflectivity is as low as 5.42%; when the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is 1.53, its reflectivity is 6.82%; when the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is 1.6, its reflectivity is 6.5%; when the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is 1.65, its reflectivity is 6.1%; that is, when the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is 1.7, the shadow elimination effect of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is the best, and when the refractive index range of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is 1.65~1.75, the shadow elimination effect of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is better.

[0061] The second touch layer 33 includes a plurality of driving electrode strips 331 extending along a first direction X and a plurality of sensing electrodes 332 arranged along a second direction Y. The first touch layer 31 includes a plurality of bridging portions 311 arranged along the second direction Y. The bridging portions 311 are disposed on a side of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 facing away from the second touch layer 33. The bridging portions 311 extend along the second direction Y to connect with adjacent sensing electrodes 332, forming a plurality of sensing electrode strips 333 extending along the second direction Y. The first direction X and the second direction Y intersect, and the driving electrode strips 331 and the sensing electrode strips 333 intersect and are insulated from each other. Thus, the driving electrode strips 331 and the sensing electrode strips 333 intersect at the locations of the bridging portions 311.

[0062] In this embodiment, the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is adjusted from the original 1.53 to 1.7±0.2, and the refractive index range of the first light-transmitting insulating layer 2 is 1.75±0.03, and the refractive index range of the second light-transmitting insulating layer 4 is 1.65±0.03. This can reduce the reflectivity of the bridge portion 311 by 1.15%, and reduce the reflectivity of the area of ​​the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 at the bridge portion 311 by 1.4%, thereby improving the overall shadow elimination level at the bridge portion 311 from level 4 to level 2.

[0063] In some embodiments, when the wavelength of the incident light of the touch panel is within the visible light wavelength range, the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is about 1.7. When the wavelength of the incident light of the touch panel is 633 nm, the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is 1.71.

[0064] By disposing a first light-transmitting insulating layer 2 on the side of the touch structure 3 close to the substrate 1 and disposing a second light-transmitting insulating layer 4 on the side of the touch structure 3 away from the substrate 1, the reflection spectra of the first touch layer 31, the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32, and the second touch layer 33 at the position of the bridge portion 311 can be made similar through the principle of optical interference, thereby improving the visual difference of the human eye at the position of the bridge portion 311. On this basis, in this embodiment, by making the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 range from 1.65 to 1.75, the bridge portion 311 can be further improved. At position 11, the reflective spectra of the first touch layer 31, the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32, and the second touch layer 33 are nearly identical (i.e., the reflectivity difference △R among the three is ≈ 0), thereby further improving the visual difference of the human eye at the position of the bridge portion 311, making the patterns of the first touch layer 31, the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32, and the second touch layer 33 at the position of the bridge portion 311 invisible, thereby better achieving the shadow elimination of the first touch layer 31, the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32, and the second touch layer 33 at the position of the bridge portion 311, thereby improving the visual effect of the human eye.

[0065] It should be noted that the arrangement of the first touch layer and the second touch layer in the touch structure is not limited to the above-mentioned arrangement in this embodiment. The first touch layer may be a driving electrode strip and the second touch layer may be a sensing electrode strip; or the first touch layer may be a sensing electrode strip and the second touch layer may be a driving electrode strip, etc.

[0066] In some embodiments, the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is made of an organic insulating material, such as an acrylic resin. By adjusting the component types and ratios within the material, an organic insulating material with a higher refractive index can be achieved. The thickness of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 ranges from 1.5 ± 0.15 μm. This refractive index and thickness range of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 facilitates shadow cancellation between the first touch layer 31, the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32, and the second touch layer 33 at the bridge portion 311.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first light-transmitting insulating layer 2 is made of an inorganic insulating material, and the thickness of the first light-transmitting insulating layer 2 is within a range of 800 ± 30 angstroms. This thickness range of the first light-transmitting insulating layer 2 is more conducive to eliminating the shadows of the first touch layer 31, the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32, and the second touch layer 33 at the location of the bridge portion 311.

[0068] In some embodiments, the second light-transmitting insulating layer 4 is made of an inorganic insulating material, and the thickness of the second light-transmitting insulating layer 4 is in the range of 900±30 angstroms.

[0069] In some embodiments, the first light-transmitting insulating layer 2 and the second light-transmitting insulating layer 4 are both made of silicon oxynitride.

[0070] The refractive index range, thickness range and material setting of the first light-transmitting insulating layer 2 and the refractive index range, thickness range and material setting of the second light-transmitting insulating layer 4 can achieve good shadow elimination of the pattern of the second touch layer 33 through the principle of optical interference, thereby improving the visual effect of the human eye.

[0071] In some embodiments, the first touch layer 31 and the second touch layer 33 are both made of a light-transmitting conductive material; the refractive index of the first touch layer 31 is in the range of 1.85±0.2. In some embodiments, the first touch layer 31 and the second touch layer 33 are both made of indium tin oxide.

[0072] In some embodiments, the second touch layer 33 is closer to the substrate 1 than the first touch layer 31 ; the thickness of the first touch layer 31 is in the range of 1200±30 angstroms. In some embodiments, the thickness of the second touch layer 33 is in the range of 250±30 angstroms.

[0073] In the disclosed embodiment, based on the aforementioned materials and thickness ranges of the first touch layer 31 and the second touch layer 33, the refractive index, thickness, and material settings of the first light-transmitting insulating layer 2 and the second light-transmitting insulating layer 4 in this embodiment enable the principle of optical interference to effectively eliminate the shadow of the pattern on the second touch layer 33. Furthermore, the refractive index, thickness, and material settings of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 in this embodiment further enable the principle of optical interference to effectively eliminate the shadows of the first touch layer 31, the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32, and the second touch layer 33 at the bridge portion 311, thereby enhancing the visual effect for the human eye.

[0074] In some embodiments, as Figure 5 As shown, the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is rectangular, with a slope angle a formed around its perimeter. The slope angle a ranges from 20 to 30 degrees. The horizontal projection of the slope surface at angle a extends from a distance m from the edge of the rectangular block to its center, ranging from 4.5 to 5 microns. The length s of the slope surface at angle a, along the direction from the edge of the rectangular block to its center, ranges from 5 to 5.5 microns. These slope angles a and slope length s ensure a gradual change in the refraction effect of light around the perimeter of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32, further enhancing the shadow cancellation effect between the first touch layer 31, the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32, and the second touch layer 33 at the bridge portion 311.

[0075] In some embodiments, the length s of the slope surface with a slope angle a in the direction from the edge to the center of the rectangular block is 5 microns, the maximum distance between the slope surface and the horizontal plane is 1.5 microns, and the extension distance m of the orthographic projection of the slope surface with a slope angle a on the horizontal plane in the direction from the edge to the center of the rectangular block is 4.6 microns.

[0076] In some embodiments, the touch panel further includes a fourth light-transmitting insulating layer 5 , which is disposed on a side of the second light-transmitting insulating layer 4 away from the substrate 1 ; the fourth light-transmitting insulating layer 5 is made of an organic insulating material, such as an acrylic resin material.

[0077] In some embodiments, as Figure 6 As shown, the surface of the fourth light-transmitting insulating layer 5 facing away from the second light-transmitting insulating layer 4 is the first surface e; the surface of the first light-transmitting insulating layer 2 facing away from the substrate 1 is the second surface f; and the distance d1 between the portion of the first surface e corresponding to the bridge portion 311 and the second surface f is greater than the distance d2 between the portion of the first surface e corresponding to the area outside the bridge portion 311 and the second surface f. This arrangement ensures that the propagation path length of light incident on the touch panel at the bridge portion 311 is greater than the propagation path length in other areas outside the bridge portion 311, thereby increasing the light attenuation at the bridge portion 311 and further enhancing the shadow cancellation effect of the first touch layer 31, the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32, and the second touch layer 33 at the bridge portion 311.

[0078] In some embodiments, the refractive index of the fourth light-transmitting insulating layer 5 is in the range of 1.53±0.2, and the thickness of the fourth light-transmitting insulating layer 5 is in the range of 2±0.15 μm. The fourth light-transmitting insulating layer 5 can make the surface of the touch panel that is used to mate with the display panel flat, thereby improving the touch performance of the touch panel.

[0079] Based on the above structure of the touch panel, an embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method for preparing the touch panel, including: forming a first light-transmitting insulating layer, a touch structure, and a second light-transmitting insulating layer on a substrate in sequence; forming the touch structure includes forming a first touch layer, a third light-transmitting insulating layer, and a second touch layer in sequence; the refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is greater than the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer; and the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer is greater than the refractive index of the second light-transmitting insulating layer.

[0080] The forming of the first light-transmitting insulating layer includes: preparing the first light-transmitting insulating layer of silicon oxynitride material by a magnetron sputtering process; controlling the nitrogen flow rate into the process chamber to be 150±10sccm and the oxygen flow rate to be 84±10sccm.

[0081] The specific preparation process of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is as follows: the first light-transmitting insulating layer of silicon oxynitride is prepared by magnetron sputtering. In the magnetron sputtering process chamber, a silicon target (Si) is used as the target material, and the target material rotates inside the chamber. The glass substrate is clamped on a carrier and moves inside the chamber. Nitrogen and oxygen in a set ratio are introduced into the chamber, and plasma bombards the target material to deposit crystals on the coating surface of the glass substrate. The deposition thickness of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is controlled by controlling the power of the plasma bombarding the target material (18KW→900A, 14KW→800A) and the travel speed of the glass substrate. The refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is controlled by controlling the flow ratio of nitrogen and oxygen entering the chamber (150sccm / 84sccm→n=1.75). For example, controlling the plasma bombardment target power to 18 kW and the glass substrate travel speed to 1.7 m / min can form a first light-transmitting insulating layer with a thickness of 900 angstroms. Controlling the plasma bombardment target power to 14 kW and the glass substrate travel speed to 1.7 m / min can form a first light-transmitting insulating layer with a thickness of 800 angstroms. Controlling the flow rate ratio of nitrogen and oxygen entering the chamber to 150 sccm / 84 sccm can form a first light-transmitting insulating layer with a refractive index of 1.75.

[0082] In some embodiments, the preparation process of the second light-transmitting insulating layer is the same as that of the first light-transmitting insulating layer. By controlling the flow ratio of nitrogen and oxygen entering the chamber, a second light-transmitting insulating layer with a corresponding refractive index is formed; by controlling the power of the plasma bombarding the target material and the travel speed of the glass substrate, a second light-transmitting insulating layer with a corresponding thickness is formed.

[0083] In some embodiments, the third light-transmitting insulating layer is prepared using a coating process. By controlling the composition of the material forming the third light-transmitting insulating layer, a third light-transmitting insulating layer of a corresponding refractive index can be formed. By adjusting the types and proportions of components in the organic insulating material, a third light-transmitting insulating layer of a higher refractive index can be obtained. By controlling the coating speed and the amount of material to be coated during the coating process, a third light-transmitting insulating layer of a desired thickness can be formed.

[0084] In some embodiments, the preparation process of the fourth light-transmitting insulating layer is the same as that of the third light-transmitting insulating layer, which will not be repeated here.

[0085] In some embodiments, the first touch layer and the second touch layer are formed by a patterning process (including film formation, exposure, development, etching and other steps). The patterning process is a relatively mature process method and will not be described in detail here.

[0086] The embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a touch panel. Different from the above embodiment, the refractive index range of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is 1.65±0.03; the refractive index range of the third light-transmitting insulating layer is 1.53±0.2; and the refractive index range of the second light-transmitting insulating layer is 1.65±0.03.

[0087] In this embodiment, the thickness and material of the first light-transmitting insulating layer in the touch panel, as well as the refractive index, thickness and material of other structures are the same as those in the above embodiment.

[0088] In this embodiment, the refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is adjusted from 1.75 in the above embodiment to 1.65±0.03, and the refractive index range of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is 1.53±0.2, and the refractive index range of the second light-transmitting insulating layer is 1.65±0.03, which can reduce the reflectivity of the bridge portion by 0.6%, and reduce the reflectivity of the area of ​​the third light-transmitting insulating layer at the bridge portion by 0.98%, thereby improving the overall shadow elimination level at the bridge portion from level 4 to level 3.

[0089] In the disclosed embodiments, the refractive index and thickness ranges of the first light-transmitting insulating layer facilitate the elimination of shadows between the first touch layer, the third light-transmitting insulating layer, and the second touch layer at the bridge portion. Furthermore, the refractive index, thickness, and material ranges of the first light-transmitting insulating layer, as well as the refractive index, thickness, and material ranges of the second light-transmitting insulating layer, utilize the principles of optical interference to effectively eliminate shadows from the second touch layer pattern, enhancing visual quality.

[0090] This embodiment also provides a method for fabricating a touch panel. Unlike the above embodiment, when forming the first light-transmitting insulating layer, the nitrogen flow rate into the process chamber is controlled to be 95±10 sccm and the oxygen flow rate is controlled to be 75±10 sccm, resulting in a first light-transmitting insulating layer with a refractive index within the range of 1.65±0.03. For example, if the nitrogen and oxygen flow rates into the chamber are controlled at a ratio of 95 sccm / 75 sccm, a first light-transmitting insulating layer with a refractive index of 1.65 can be formed.

[0091] In some embodiments, by controlling the composition of the material forming the third light-transmitting insulating layer, a third light-transmitting insulating layer with a corresponding refractive index can be formed.

[0092] The preparation methods of the first light-transmitting insulating layer and the third light-transmitting insulating layer and the preparation methods of other structures in the touch panel of this embodiment are the same as those in the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0093] The embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a touch panel. Different from the above embodiment, the refractive index range of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is 1.75±0.03; the refractive index range of the third light-transmitting insulating layer is 1.53±0.2; and the refractive index range of the second light-transmitting insulating layer is 1.65±0.03.

[0094] In this embodiment, the thickness and material of the third light-transmitting insulating layer in the touch panel, as well as the refractive index, thickness and material of other structures are the same as those in the above embodiment.

[0095] In the disclosed embodiments, the refractive index range, thickness range, and material configuration of the first light-transmitting insulating layer, as well as the refractive index range, thickness range, and material configuration of the second light-transmitting insulating layer, can effectively eliminate shadowing of the second touch layer pattern through the principle of optical interference, thereby enhancing visual quality. However, the refractive index ranges and thickness ranges of the first, third, and second light-transmitting insulating layers do not effectively eliminate shadowing of the first, third, and second touch layers at the bridge portion, resulting in an overall shadow elimination rating of Level 4 at the bridge portion.

[0096] The method for preparing the touch panel in this embodiment is the same as that in the above embodiment and will not be described again here.

[0097] The present disclosure also provides a touch panel, which is different from the above embodiments in that: Figure 7-11 As shown, the first touch layer 31 is closer to the substrate 1 than the second touch layer 33 .

[0098] In some embodiments, as Figure 10As shown, the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32 is rectangular, with a slope angle a formed around its perimeter. The slope angle a ranges from 20 to 30 degrees. The horizontal projection of the slope surface at angle a extends from a distance m from the edge of the rectangular block to its center, ranging from 4.5 to 5 microns. The length s of the slope surface at angle a, along the direction from the edge of the rectangular block to its center, ranges from 5 to 5.5 microns. These slope angles a and slope length s ensure a gradual change in the refraction effect of light around the perimeter of the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32, further enhancing the shadow cancellation effect between the first touch layer 31, the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32, and the second touch layer 33 at the bridge portion 311.

[0099] In some embodiments, the length s of the slope surface with a slope angle a in the direction from the edge to the center of the rectangular block is 5 microns, the maximum distance between the slope surface and the horizontal plane is 1.5 microns, and the extension distance m of the orthographic projection of the slope surface with a slope angle a on the horizontal plane in the direction from the edge to the center of the rectangular block is 4.6 microns.

[0100] In some embodiments, as Figure 11 As shown, the surface of the fourth light-transmitting insulating layer 5 facing away from the second light-transmitting insulating layer 4 is the first surface e; the surface of the first light-transmitting insulating layer 2 facing away from the substrate 1 is the second surface f; and the distance d1 between the portion of the first surface e corresponding to the bridge portion 311 and the second surface f is greater than the distance d2 between the portion of the first surface e corresponding to the area outside the bridge portion 311 and the second surface f. This arrangement ensures that the propagation path length of light incident on the touch panel at the bridge portion 311 is greater than the propagation path length in other areas outside the bridge portion 311, thereby increasing the light attenuation at the bridge portion 311 and further enhancing the shadow cancellation effect of the first touch layer 31, the third light-transmitting insulating layer 32, and the second touch layer 33 at the bridge portion 311.

[0101] In this embodiment, other structural arrangements of the touch panel as well as its refractive index, thickness and material are the same as those in the above embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0102] In the touch panel manufacturing method of this embodiment, the first touch layer is first formed on the substrate, and then the second touch layer is formed. The other steps and specific manufacturing processes of the touch panel manufacturing method are the same as those in the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0103] In the above embodiments of the present disclosure, the shadow elimination data simulated by software are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0104]

[0105] Table 1

[0106]

[0107]

[0108] Table 2

[0109] In Tables 1 and 2, Re% represents the reflectivity difference of the laminated structure in different regions; L represents the brightness difference of the laminated structure in different regions. As can be seen from Tables 1 and 2, adjusting the refractive indices of the first and third light-transmitting insulating layers does not significantly change the reflectivity difference and brightness difference of the second touch layer pattern area. However, adjusting the refractive indices of the first and third light-transmitting insulating layers significantly reduces the reflectivity difference and brightness difference of the bridge region. Adjusting the refractive indices of the first and third light-transmitting insulating layers also significantly reduces the reflectivity difference and brightness difference of the third light-transmitting insulating layer corresponding to the bridge region. This makes the patterns of the first, third, and second touch layers invisible at the bridge region, further improving the shadow elimination of the first, third, and second touch layers at the bridge region, thereby improving the visual effect.

[0110] The touch panel provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, by disposing a first light-transmitting insulating layer on the side of the touch structure close to the substrate and a second light-transmitting insulating layer on the side of the touch structure away from the substrate, can, through the principle of optical interference, make the reflection spectra of the first touch layer, the third light-transmitting insulating layer, and the second touch layer at the bridge portion position approach the same, thereby improving the visual difference of the human eye at the bridge portion position. On this basis, in this embodiment, by making the refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer greater than the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer; and the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer greater than the refractive index of the second light-transmitting insulating layer, the reflection spectra of the first touch layer, the third light-transmitting insulating layer, and the second touch layer at the bridge portion position can be further made approach the same, thereby further improving the visual difference of the human eye at the bridge portion position, making the patterns of the first touch layer, the third light-transmitting insulating layer, and the second touch layer at the bridge portion position invisible, thereby better achieving the shadow elimination of the first touch layer, the third light-transmitting insulating layer, and the second touch layer at the bridge portion position, improving the visual effect of the human eye.

[0111] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a display device, comprising a display panel and a touch panel according to any of the above embodiments; the touch panel is disposed on a display side of the display panel.

[0112] In some embodiments, as Figure 12 As shown, the touch panel 7 can be mounted on the display side of the display panel 6 (ie, OutCell). If the display device further includes an optical adhesive layer 8 , the touch panel 7 and the display panel 6 are bonded together via the optical adhesive layer 8 .

[0113] In some embodiments, as Figure 13 As shown, the touch panel 7 can also be directly integrated into the display side of the display panel 6, such as reusing the substrate of the touch panel 7 as the base substrate 61 (ie, On Cell) of the display side of the display panel 6, as shown in FIG. Figure 14 As shown, the touch panel 7 is directly prepared inside the display panel 6 (ie, In Cell).

[0114] In some embodiments, the display panel 6 includes a liquid crystal display panel and further includes an array substrate 62 , wherein the array substrate 62 and the base substrate 61 are aligned in a cell-aligned gap, and liquid crystals 9 are filled in the gap formed therein.

[0115] By adopting the touch panel in any of the above embodiments, the visual effect of the display device is improved.

[0116] The display device provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be any product or component with a display function, such as an LCD panel, an LCD TV, an OLED panel, an OLED TV, a monitor, a mobile phone, or a navigator.

[0117] It is understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments for illustrating the principles of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit and substance of the present disclosure, and such modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A touch panel, characterized in that: It includes a substrate, a first light-transmitting insulating layer, a touch structure and a second light-transmitting insulating layer sequentially arranged on the substrate; The touch structure includes a first touch layer, a third light-transmitting insulating layer and a second touch layer stacked in sequence; The refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is greater than the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer; the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer is greater than the refractive index of the second light-transmitting insulating layer; The refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is smaller than the refractive index of the first touch layer; The refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 1.65 to 1.75; The refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 1.75±0.03; the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 1.7±0.2; and the refractive index of the second light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 1.65±0.

03. The third light-transmitting insulating layer is made of organic insulating material, and the thickness of the third light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 1.5±0.15µm; The first light-transmitting insulating layer is made of an inorganic insulating material, and the thickness of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 800±30 angstroms; The second light-transmitting insulating layer is made of an inorganic insulating material, and the thickness of the second light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 900±30 angstroms; The first light-transmitting insulating layer and the second light-transmitting insulating layer are both made of silicon oxynitride material; The third light-transmitting insulating layer is in a rectangular block shape, and the periphery of the third light-transmitting insulating layer forms a slope angle, and the angle range of the slope angle is 20 to 30 degrees; The orthographic projection of the slope surface of the slope angle on the horizontal plane extends from the edge to the center of the rectangular block in a range of 4.5 to 5 microns; The length of the slope surface of the slope angle along the direction from the edge to the center of the rectangular block ranges from 5 to 5.5 microns.

2. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein: The first touch layer and the second touch layer are both made of light-transmitting conductive material; the refractive index of the first touch layer is in the range of 1.85±0.

2.

3. The touch panel according to claim 2, wherein: The first touch layer is closer to the substrate than the second touch layer; or the second touch layer is closer to the substrate than the first touch layer; The thickness of the first touch layer is in the range of 1200±30 angstroms.

4. The touch panel according to claim 3, wherein: The thickness of the second touch layer is in the range of 250±30 angstroms.

5. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein: The second touch layer includes a plurality of driving electrode strips extending along a first direction and a plurality of sensing electrodes arranged along a second direction; The first touch layer includes a plurality of bridge portions arranged along the second direction; the bridge portions are provided on a side of the third light-transmitting insulating layer facing away from the second touch layer, and the bridge portions extend along the second direction to connect with adjacent sensing electrodes to form a plurality of sensing electrode strips extending along the second direction; The first direction and the second direction intersect each other, and the driving electrode strips and the sensing electrode strips intersect in space and are insulated from each other.

6. The touch panel according to claim 5, wherein: It also includes a fourth light-transmitting insulating layer, which is arranged on a side of the second light-transmitting insulating layer away from the substrate; the fourth light-transmitting insulating layer is made of an organic insulating material.

7. The touch panel according to claim 6, wherein: The surface of the fourth light-transmitting insulating layer facing away from the second light-transmitting insulating layer is a first surface; the surface of the first light-transmitting insulating layer facing away from the substrate is a second surface; A distance between a portion of the first surface corresponding to the bridge portion and the second surface is greater than a distance between a portion of the first surface corresponding to an area other than the bridge portion and the second surface.

8. The touch panel according to claim 6, wherein: The refractive index range of the fourth light-transmitting insulating layer is 1.53±0.2; the thickness range of the fourth light-transmitting insulating layer is 2±0.15µm.

9. A display device, characterized in that: comprising a display panel and also comprising a touch panel according to any one of claims 1 to 8; The touch panel is arranged on the display side of the display panel.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein It also includes an optical adhesive layer, and the touch panel and the display panel are bonded together through the optical adhesive layer.

11. A method for preparing a touch panel, characterized in that: include: forming a first light-transmitting insulating layer, a touch control structure, and a second light-transmitting insulating layer on the substrate in sequence; Forming the touch structure includes sequentially forming a first touch layer, a third light-transmitting insulating layer, and a second touch layer; The refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is greater than the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer; the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer is greater than the refractive index of the second light-transmitting insulating layer; The refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is smaller than the refractive index of the first touch layer; The refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 1.65 to 1.75; The refractive index of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 1.75±0.03; the refractive index of the third light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 1.7±0.2; and the refractive index of the second light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 1.65±0.

03. The third light-transmitting insulating layer is made of organic insulating material, and the thickness of the third light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 1.5±0.15µm; The first light-transmitting insulating layer is made of an inorganic insulating material, and the thickness of the first light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 800±30 angstroms; The second light-transmitting insulating layer is made of an inorganic insulating material, and the thickness of the second light-transmitting insulating layer is in the range of 900±30 angstroms; The first light-transmitting insulating layer and the second light-transmitting insulating layer are both made of silicon oxynitride material; The third light-transmitting insulating layer is in a rectangular block shape, and the periphery of the third light-transmitting insulating layer forms a slope angle, and the angle range of the slope angle is 20 to 30 degrees; The orthographic projection of the slope surface of the slope angle on the horizontal plane extends from the edge to the center of the rectangular block in a range of 4.5 to 5 microns; The length of the slope surface of the slope angle along the direction from the edge to the center of the rectangular block ranges from 5 to 5.5 microns.

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