Touch panel and display device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a touch panel and a display device. The touch panel includes: a substrate; a touch structure, which is arranged on the substrate, and the touch structure includes a touch area and a peripheral area surrounding the touch area; the touch area is provided with a touch electrode, the peripheral area is provided with a touch lead, and the touch lead is electrically connected to the touch electrode; a thermochromic material layer, which covers the touch lead. The present disclosure can detect weak short circuits.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a touch panel and a display device. Background Art

[0002] Touch technologies mainly include resistive, capacitive and infrared optical touch technologies. Among them, capacitive touch technology is characterized by its sensitive response and is widely used in smart phones and tablet computers. A touch panel using capacitive touch technology is provided with touch electrodes, touch leads and touch chips. The touch leads are electrically connected between the touch electrodes and the touch chip to transmit signals. There are multiple touch leads, and adjacent touch leads in existing touch panels will have a weak short circuit, which reduces the product yield. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a touch panel and a display device, which can detect a weak short circuit.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a touch panel, comprising:

[0005] substrate;

[0006] A touch structure is disposed on the substrate, and the touch structure includes a touch area and a peripheral area surrounding the touch area; the touch area is provided with a touch electrode, the peripheral area is provided with a touch lead, and the touch lead is electrically connected to the touch electrode;

[0007] The thermochromic material layer covers the touch leads.

[0008] Furthermore, the touch structure includes a touch insulation layer, the touch lead is arranged on the surface of the touch insulation layer facing away from the substrate, the portion of the touch insulation layer located in the peripheral area is provided with a protrusion, a partial area of ​​the touch lead is arranged on the surface of the protrusion, and the thermochromic material layer at least covers the portion of the touch lead located on the surface of the protrusion.

[0009] Furthermore, the protrusion is in a strip-shaped structure, and the touch lead intersects with the protrusion.

[0010] Furthermore, the touch panel further includes an auxiliary line, the auxiliary line is disposed on the substrate, the touch insulating layer covers the auxiliary line, and a portion of the touch insulating layer covering the auxiliary line forms the protrusion.

[0011] Furthermore, the auxiliary line is a shielding line, the touch lead includes a first line segment and a second line segment, one end of the first line segment is connected to the touch electrode, and the other end of the first line segment is connected to the second line segment; the auxiliary line is located between the second line segment and the touch area, and the first line segment intersects with the protrusion.

[0012] Furthermore, there are a plurality of touch leads, the first line segments of the plurality of touch leads are parallel and spaced apart, and at least two adjacent first line segments among the plurality of first line segments intersect with the protrusion.

[0013] Furthermore, the first line segment is perpendicular to the auxiliary line, and the second line segment is parallel to the auxiliary line.

[0014] Furthermore, the touch area is further provided with a metal bridging layer, the touch electrode and the metal bridging layer are located on both sides of the touch insulating layer, and one of the touch electrode and the metal bridging layer is arranged in the same layer as the auxiliary line.

[0015] Furthermore, the touch electrode and another one of the metal bridge layers are arranged in the same layer as a partial area of ​​the touch lead.

[0016] Furthermore, the touch electrode includes a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode that are cross-arranged, and one of the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode is connected to the metal bridging layer.

[0017] Furthermore, there are a plurality of touch leads, and at least two of the plurality of touch leads have partial regions disposed on the surface of the protrusion.

[0018] Furthermore, the substrate comprises:

[0019] substrate;

[0020] A light emitting structure is disposed on the substrate;

[0021] Wherein, the touch control structure is arranged on a side of the light emitting structure facing away from the substrate.

[0022] Furthermore, the light-emitting structure includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are arranged opposite to each other, and a light-emitting layer located between the first electrode and the second electrode; the substrate also includes an encapsulation layer, the encapsulation layer is arranged on the side of the light-emitting structure facing away from the substrate, and the touch structure is arranged on the surface of the encapsulation layer facing away from the substrate.

[0023] Furthermore, the touch structure includes a touch insulation layer, the touch lead is arranged on the surface of the touch insulation layer facing away from the substrate, the portion of the touch insulation layer located in the peripheral area is provided with a recess, a partial area of ​​the touch lead covers the inner surface of the recess, and the thermochromic material layer at least covers the portion of the touch lead arranged on the surface of the recess.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a display device is provided, comprising the touch panel.

[0025] In the touch panel and display device disclosed herein, the thermochromic material layer covers the touch lead. The residual structural resistance in the touch lead that causes the weak short circuit is relatively large, and it will generate heat after being energized, thereby causing the thermochromic material layer to change color. Not only can the problem of weak short circuit be detected, but the discoloration position can also be directly observed through an optical microscope to find the location of the weak short circuit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the AA section of the structure shown.

[0028] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the BB cross section of the structure shown.

[0029] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the CC cross section of the structure shown.

[0030] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the distribution of ridges and touch leads of the touch panel in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the distribution of auxiliary lines and touch leads of the touch panel in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the residual structure in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Explanation of the reference numerals: 1. substrate; 2. gate insulating layer; 3. interlayer insulating layer; 4. touch lead; 401. first line segment; 402. second line segment; 5. first source-drain electrode layer; 6. second source-drain electrode layer; 7. touch insulating layer; 8. active layer; 9. gate electrode layer; 10. first electrode; 11. light-emitting layer; 12. second electrode; 13. buffer layer; 14. encapsulation layer; 15. metal bridging layer; 16. first touch electrode; 17. second touch electrode; 18. pixel defining layer; 19. first planarization layer; 20. second planarization layer; 21. thermochromic material layer; 22. protrusion 22; 23. auxiliary line; 24. residual structure; 100. touch electrode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Instead, they are merely examples of devices consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

[0035] The terms used in the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the present disclosure should be understood by people with ordinary skills in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. The words "first", "second" and similar words used in the present disclosure specification and claims do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words such as "one" or "one" do not indicate a quantity limit, but indicate that there is at least one. "Multiple" or "several" means two and more than two. Unless otherwise specified, words such as "front", "rear", "lower" and / or "upper" are only for the convenience of explanation and are not limited to one position or one spatial orientation. Words such as "include" or "comprise" mean that the elements or objects appearing in front of "include" or "comprise" include the elements or objects listed after "include" or "comprise" and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. Words such as "connect" or "connected" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, and can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", "said", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0036] In the related art, the touch panel includes a touch insulating layer and a plurality of touch leads arranged on the touch insulating layer. The preparation process of the touch leads includes: forming a lead material layer on the touch insulating layer, and then etching the lead material layer. However, in the process of preparing the touch leads, the area to be etched of the lead material layer may not be etched cleanly, and a residual structure is formed between two adjacent touch leads. The residual structure causes a weak short circuit between the two adjacent touch leads, which leads to a defective product. Since a general optical microscope cannot distinguish the residue, it causes trouble for the weak short circuit defect analysis of the touch lead itself.

[0037] The present disclosure provides a touch panel. Figure 1 As shown, the touch panel may include a substrate and a touch structure, wherein:

[0038] The touch control structure is disposed on the substrate, and the touch control structure includes a touch control area and a peripheral area. The peripheral area may surround the touch control area. The touch control area may be provided with a touch control electrode 100. The peripheral area may be provided with a touch control lead 4. The touch control lead 4 may be electrically connected to the touch control electrode 100. The thermochromic material layer 21 may cover the touch control lead 4.

[0039] In the touch panel of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the thermochromic material layer 21 covers the touch lead 4, and the residual structure 24 (see Figure 7 ) has a small cross-section and a large resistance. It will generate heat when powered on, which will cause the thermochromic material layer 21 to change color. It can not only detect the problem of weak short circuit, but also directly observe the discoloration position through an optical microscope to find the location of the weak short circuit.

[0040] The following is a detailed description of each part of the touch panel according to the embodiment of the present disclosure:

[0041] like Figure 4 As shown, the substrate may include a substrate 1 and a light-emitting structure. The substrate 1 may be a rigid substrate. The rigid substrate may be a glass substrate or a PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) substrate, etc. Of course, the substrate 1 may also be a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate may be a PET (Polyethyleneterephthalate) substrate, a PEN (Polyethylene naphthalate twoformic acid glycol ester) substrate, or a PI (Polyimide) substrate.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, a driving transistor may be provided on the substrate 1. The driving transistor may be a thin film transistor, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The thin film transistor may be a top-gate thin film transistor, and of course, the thin film transistor may also be a bottom-gate thin film transistor. Taking the thin film transistor as a top-gate thin film transistor as an example, the thin film transistor may include an active layer 8, a gate insulating layer 2, a gate electrode layer 9, an interlayer insulating layer 3, and a first source-drain electrode layer 5. The active layer 8 may be provided on the substrate 1. The gate insulating layer 2 may be provided on the substrate 1 and cover the active layer 8. The gate electrode layer 9 may be provided on the side of the gate insulating layer 2 away from the substrate 1. The interlayer insulating layer 3 may be provided on the gate insulating layer 2 and cover the gate electrode layer 9. The first source-drain electrode layer 5 may be provided on the interlayer insulating layer 3 and connected to the active layer 8 via a via passing through the interlayer insulating layer 3 and the gate insulating layer 2.

[0043] like Figure 4As shown, the touch panel of the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a first planarization layer 19. The first planarization layer 19 covers the first source-drain electrode layer 5 and the interlayer insulating layer 3. The display panel of the present disclosure may further include a second source-drain electrode layer 6. The second source-drain electrode layer 6 may be provided on the first planarization layer 19, and may be electrically connected to the first source-drain electrode layer 5 of the thin film transistor via a via hole passing through the first planarization layer 19. The touch panel of the present disclosure may further include a second planarization layer 20. The second planarization layer 20 may cover the second source-drain electrode layer 6.

[0044] like Figure 4 As shown, the light-emitting structure may include a first electrode 10 and a second electrode 12 arranged opposite to each other and a light-emitting layer 11 located between the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 12. The light-emitting layer 11 may be an organic electroluminescent layer, and of course, may also be a quantum dot light-emitting layer, which is not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The first electrode 10 may be an anode, and the second electrode 12 may be a cathode, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The first electrode 10 may be disposed on the side of the second planarization layer 20 facing away from the substrate 1. The first electrode 10 is electrically connected to the second source-drain electrode layer 6 via a via hole passing through the second planarization layer 20. The touch panel of the present disclosure may further include a pixel defining layer 18. The pixel defining layer 18 covers the second planarization layer 20 and the first electrode 10. The pixel defining layer 18 is provided with a pixel opening exposing the first electrode 10. The light-emitting layer 11 of the light-emitting structure may be disposed on the side of the first electrode 10 facing away from the substrate 1. The second electrode 12 of the light-emitting structure is disposed on the side of the light-emitting layer 11 facing away from the substrate 1. The display panel of the present disclosure may further include an encapsulation layer 14. The encapsulation layer 14 may cover the light-emitting structure. The encapsulation layer 14 may include a first inorganic encapsulation layer, an organic encapsulation layer and a second inorganic encapsulation layer. The first inorganic encapsulation layer and the second inorganic encapsulation layer are arranged opposite to each other, and the organic encapsulation layer is coated between the first inorganic encapsulation layer and the second inorganic encapsulation layer.

[0045] The touch control structure is disposed on a substrate, specifically, as Figures 1 to 4As shown, the touch structure may be arranged on the side of the encapsulation layer 14 facing away from the substrate 1. For example, the touch structure may include a buffer layer 13, a metal bridge layer 15, a touch insulating layer 7, a touch electrode 100, a touch protection layer and a touch lead 4. The buffer layer 13 may be arranged on the surface of the encapsulation layer 14 facing away from the substrate 1. The touch insulating layer 7 may be arranged on the side of the buffer layer 13 facing away from the substrate 1. The touch electrode 100 and the metal bridge layer 15 may be located on both sides of the touch insulating layer 7, specifically, the metal bridge layer 15 is located between the buffer layer 13 and the touch insulating layer 7, and the touch electrode 100 may be located on the side of the touch insulating layer 7 facing away from the substrate 1. The touch electrode 100 may include a first touch electrode 100 and a second touch electrode 100. The number of the first touch electrodes 100 may be multiple, and the first touch electrodes 100 may extend along the first direction; the number of the second touch electrodes 100 may also be multiple, and the second touch electrodes 100 may extend along the second direction. The first touch electrodes 100 and the second touch electrodes 100 are arranged crosswise, that is, the first direction and the second direction are different, and further, the first direction may be perpendicular to the second direction. One of the first touch electrodes 100 and the second touch electrodes 100 is a touch driving electrode, and the other is a touch sensing electrode. In the area where the first touch electrode 100 and the second touch electrode 100 intersect, one of the first touch electrode 100 and the second touch electrode 100 is connected to the metal bridging layer 15. Specifically, in the area where the first touch electrode 100 and the second touch electrode 100 intersect, the first touch electrode 100 is disconnected, the second touch electrode 100 is continuous, and the disconnected first touch electrodes 100 are connected through the metal bridging layer 15.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, the number of the touch leads 4 can be multiple, one end of each touch lead 4 is configured to connect a touch chip, and the other end of the touch lead 4 can be connected to the above-mentioned touch electrode 100. The touch chip can be located in the peripheral area of ​​the touch structure. The driving mode of the touch panel disclosed in the present invention can be 1T1R. The 1T1R means that: a touch driving electrode is only connected to one touch lead 4, and a touch sensing electrode is only connected to one touch lead 4. Of course, the driving mode of the touch panel can also be 2T1R, etc. The touch lead 4 may include a first line segment 401 and a second line segment 402. One end of the first line segment 401 is connected to the touch electrode 100, the other end of the first line segment 401 is connected to one end of the second line segment 402, and the other end of the second line segment 402 can be electrically connected to the touch chip. The extension directions of the first line segment 401 and the second line segment 402 are different, for example, the extension directions of the first line segment 401 and the second line segment 402 are perpendicular. The first line segments 401 of the plurality of touch leads 4 may be arranged in parallel and at intervals. In addition, a portion of the touch leads 4 may be arranged in the same layer as the touch electrodes 100 .

[0047] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, the portion of the touch insulating layer 7 located in the peripheral area may be provided with a protrusion 22. The orthographic projection of the protrusion 22 on the substrate 1 may be a circular structure, a rectangular structure, a square structure, a strip structure or other structures with irregular shapes. Part of the touch lead 4 is arranged on the surface of the protrusion 22, that is, the orthographic projection of the touch lead 4 on the substrate 1 and the orthographic projection of the protrusion 22 on the substrate 1 have an overlapping area. Among the multiple touch leads 4, at least two touch leads 4 have partial areas arranged on the surface of the protrusion 22. Taking the touch lead 4 including the first line segment 401 and the second line segment 402 as an example, the first line segment 401 of the touch lead 4 may be arranged on the surface of the protrusion 22. Further, taking the protrusion 22 as a strip structure as an example, the first line segment 401 intersects with the protrusion 22, that is, the first line segment 401 crosses the protrusion 22. Among the multiple first line segments 401, at least two adjacent first line segments 401 intersect with the protrusion 22. For example, a plurality of first line segments 401 that are sequentially spaced intersect with the protrusion 22. In addition, the protrusion 22 in a strip structure may be perpendicular to the first line segment 401. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the portion of the touch insulating layer 7 located in the peripheral area is provided with a recess, a portion of the touch lead 4 covers the inner surface of the recess, and the thermochromic material layer 21 at least covers the portion of the touch lead 4 located on the surface of the recess.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the thermochromic material layer 21 can be composed of thermochromic material. The color of the thermochromic material can change with temperature. Specifically, when the temperature rises to a certain range, the color of the thermochromic material changes, and the original color can be restored after the temperature is lowered. The thermochromic material layer 21 can cover the touch lead 4. Among them, the thermochromic material layer 21 can cover one or more touch leads 4. Specifically, the thermochromic material layer 21 at least covers the part of the touch lead 4 located on the surface of the protrusion 22. Further, the thermochromic material layer 21 can cover one or more of the above-mentioned first line segments 401. Taking the protrusion 22 as a strip structure as an example, the orthographic projection of the part where the protrusion 22 intersects with the first line segment 401 on the substrate 1 is located within the orthographic projection area of ​​the thermochromic material layer 21 on the substrate 1. As shown Figure 3 and Figure 7 As shown, the connection between the protrusion 22 and the plane area of ​​the touch insulating layer 7 is not easy to be etched cleanly, and the connection is easy to form a residual structure 24, which leads to a weak short circuit. In the present disclosure, the orthographic projection of the part where the protrusion 22 intersects with the first line segment 401 on the substrate 1 is located within the orthographic projection area of ​​the thermochromic material layer 21 on the substrate 1, so that the thermochromic material layer 21 can change color when the residual structure 24 is powered on and heated.

[0049] like Figure 6 As shown, the touch panel of the present disclosure may also be provided with an auxiliary line 23. The auxiliary line 23 may be provided on the substrate. Specifically, the auxiliary line 23 may be provided on the side of the above-mentioned buffer layer 13 facing away from the substrate 1, and the touch insulating layer 7 may cover the auxiliary line 23 and the buffer layer 13, and the part of the touch insulating layer 7 covering the auxiliary line 23 forms the above-mentioned protrusion 22. The above-mentioned metal bridging layer 15 may be provided in the same layer as the auxiliary line 23. The auxiliary line 23 may be perpendicular to the first line segment 401, and may be parallel to the second line segment 402. The auxiliary line 23 may be located between the above-mentioned second line segment 402 and the touch area, and the auxiliary line 23 and the second line segment 402 and the touch area are spaced apart, that is, the auxiliary line 23 is located between the positive projection of the second line segment 402 on the buffer layer 13 and the touch area. The auxiliary line 23 may be a shielding line to shield the noise signal between the second line segment 402 and the touch electrode 100 in the touch area.

[0050] The embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a display device. The display device may include the touch panel described in any of the above embodiments. The display device may be a mobile phone, of course, it may also be a tablet computer, a television, etc. Since the touch panel in the display device of the embodiment of the present disclosure is the same as the touch panel in the above touch panel embodiment, it has the same beneficial effects, which will not be described in detail here.

[0051] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure and does not limit the present disclosure in any form. Although the present disclosure has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment as above, it is not used to limit the present disclosure. Any technician familiar with this profession can make some changes or modify the technical contents disclosed above into equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present disclosure. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present disclosure without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present disclosure are still within the scope of the technical solution of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A touch panel, characterized in that: include: substrate; A touch structure is disposed on the substrate, and the touch structure includes a touch area and a peripheral area surrounding the touch area; the touch area is provided with a touch electrode, the peripheral area is provided with a touch lead, and the touch lead is electrically connected to the touch electrode; A thermochromic material layer covering the touch lead; The touch structure includes a touch insulating layer, the touch lead is arranged on the surface of the touch insulating layer facing away from the substrate, the portion of the touch insulating layer located in the peripheral area is provided with a protrusion, a partial area of ​​the touch lead is arranged on the protrusion surface, and the thermochromic material layer at least covers the portion of the touch lead located on the protrusion surface.

2. The touch panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protrusion is in a strip-shaped structure, and the touch lead intersects with the protrusion.

3. The touch panel according to claim 2, characterized in that: The touch panel further includes an auxiliary line, which is disposed on the substrate. The touch insulating layer covers the auxiliary line, and a portion of the touch insulating layer covering the auxiliary line forms the protrusion.

4. The touch panel according to claim 3, characterized in that: The auxiliary line is a shielding line, the touch lead includes a first line segment and a second line segment, one end of the first line segment is connected to the touch electrode, and the other end of the first line segment is connected to the second line segment; the auxiliary line is located between the second line segment and the touch area, and the first line segment intersects with the protrusion.

5. The touch panel according to claim 4, characterized in that: There are multiple touch leads, the first line segments of the multiple touch leads are parallel and spaced apart, and at least two adjacent first line segments among the multiple first line segments intersect with the protrusion.

6. The touch panel according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first line segment is perpendicular to the auxiliary line, and the second line segment is parallel to the auxiliary line.

7. The touch panel according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The touch control area is further provided with a metal bridging layer. The touch control electrode and the metal bridging layer are located on both sides of the touch control insulating layer. One of the touch control electrode and the metal bridging layer is provided in the same layer as the auxiliary line.

8. The touch panel according to claim 7, characterized in that: The touch electrode and the other one of the metal bridge layers are arranged in the same layer as a partial area of ​​the touch lead.

9. The touch panel according to claim 7, characterized in that: The touch electrodes include a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode that are cross-arranged, and one of the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode is connected to the metal bridge layer.

10. The touch panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: There are a plurality of touch leads, and at least two of the plurality of touch leads have partial regions disposed on the surface of the protrusion.

11. The touch panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The substrate comprises: substrate; A light emitting structure is disposed on the substrate; Wherein, the touch control structure is arranged on a side of the light emitting structure facing away from the substrate.

12. The touch panel according to claim 11, characterized in that: The light-emitting structure includes a first electrode and a second electrode arranged opposite to each other and a light-emitting layer located between the first electrode and the second electrode; the substrate also includes an encapsulation layer, the encapsulation layer is arranged on the side of the light-emitting structure facing away from the substrate, and the touch structure is arranged on the surface of the encapsulation layer facing away from the substrate.

13. The touch panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The touch structure includes a touch insulation layer, the touch lead is arranged on the surface of the touch insulation layer facing away from the substrate, the portion of the touch insulation layer located in the peripheral area is provided with a recess, a partial area of ​​the touch lead covers the inner surface of the recess, and the thermochromic material layer at least covers the portion of the touch lead arranged on the inner surface of the recess.

14. A display device, characterized in that: The display device comprises the touch panel according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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