Touch screen and touch device

Abstract

A touch screen includes: a plurality of first touch sensors disposed in a touch sensing area; a plurality of second touch sensors disposed in the touch sensing area on the same layer as the first touch sensors; a first connection pattern disposed on the same layer as the first touch sensors, disposed between adjacent first touch sensors among the plurality of first touch sensors and connecting the adjacent first touch sensors; a second connection pattern disposed on a layer different from the first touch sensors, partially overlapping with a corresponding first connection pattern and connecting adjacent second touch sensors among the plurality of second touch sensors; and a discharge pattern overlapping an area between a corresponding first touch sensor and a corresponding second touch sensor and having one end connected to the corresponding first touch sensor or the corresponding second touch sensor.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application with an application date of November 13, 2018, an application number of 201811346041.0, and an invention title of "Touch Screen and Touch Device".

[0002] Cross - reference to related applications

[0003] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 20170154456, filed on November 20, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. Technical field

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a touch screen and a touch device. Background art

[0005] As society develops into an information society, the demand for display devices for displaying images is continuously increasing, and various types of display devices, such as liquid crystal display devices, plasma display devices, and organic light - emitting display devices, are being utilized. To provide users with more various functions, such display devices provide a function of recognizing a user's touch on a display panel and performing an input process based on the recognized touch.

[0006] For example, by providing a touch sensor on a display panel and sensing a capacitance change caused by a user's touch on the display panel, it is possible to sense whether there is a user touch on the display panel and the touch position. In addition, methods of sensing capacitance changes by sensing touches include a method of applying a touch driving signal having the same voltage level to a corresponding touch sensor and sensing a self - capacitance change caused by the touch, and a method of applying touch driving signals having different voltage levels to adjacent touch sensors and sensing a mutual - capacitance change generated during the touch.

[0007] Here, in the method of sensing mutual - capacitance changes, a phenomenon may occur in which an electric field is formed between adjacent touch sensors, and charges are concentrated in the part where the electric field is formed. As the charges are concentrated, the repulsive force between touch sensors in a specific area increases.

[0008] Accordingly, in the part where the repulsive force between touch sensors increases as described above, the touch sensors may be damaged, and due to the damage of the touch sensors, the touch driving signal may not be sent or touch sensing may not be performed in a specific area. Summary of the invention

[0009] Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are to provide a touch screen and a touch device in which damage to touch sensors due to a phenomenon in which charges are concentrated in a part where an electric field is formed in a structure that senses touches using capacitance changes can be prevented.

[0010] Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are to provide a touch screen and a touch device having a structure for providing an electrostatic discharge path from a touch sensor disposed in the touch screen or the touch device.

[0011] In addition, aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are to provide a touch display panel and a touch display device to which the touch screen or the touch device is applied.

[0012] In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a touch screen including: a plurality of first touch sensors disposed in a touch sensing area; a plurality of second touch sensors disposed in the touch sensing area and on the same layer as the first touch sensors; one or more first connection patterns disposed on the same layer as the first touch sensors, between two of the plurality of first touch sensors, and configured to connect the two first touch sensors to each other; one or more second connection patterns disposed on a layer different from the first touch sensors, configured to at least partially overlap with the first connection patterns, and configured to connect two of the plurality of second touch sensors to each other; and one or more discharge patterns disposed on a layer different from the first touch sensors, configured to overlap with an area between the first touch sensors and the second touch sensors, and having one end connected to the first touch sensors or the second touch sensors.

[0013] In another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a touch screen including: an insulating layer; a plurality of bridge metals disposed under the insulating layer; a plurality of first touch metals disposed on an upper surface of the insulating layer so as to be arranged in one direction; and a plurality of second touch metals disposed on the upper surface of the insulating layer and arranged in a direction intersecting the one direction so as to be separated from each other. One or more first bridge metals among the plurality of bridge metals are connected to two adjacent second metals among the plurality of second metals through holes formed in the insulating layer, and one or more second bridge metals among the plurality of bridge metals are connected to the first touch metals or the second touch metals at one end through holes formed in the insulating layer.

[0014] In another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a touch device, including: a panel on which a plurality of first touch sensors and a plurality of second touch sensors are provided; one or more first connection patterns provided on the same layer as the first touch sensors and the second touch sensors and configured to connect two adjacent first touch sensors to each other; one or more second connection patterns provided on a layer different from the first touch sensors and the second touch sensors and configured to connect two adjacent second touch sensors to each other; and one or more discharge patterns provided on a layer different from the first touch sensors and the second touch sensors. A part of each of the discharge patterns overlaps at least one of the first touch sensors, the remaining part of each of the discharge patterns overlaps at least one of the second touch sensors, and one end of each of the discharge patterns is connected to at least one of the first touch sensors or the second touch sensors.

[0015] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a touch screen and a touch device can be provided, which have a structure in which a discharge pattern is provided at a portion where an electric field is formed between touch sensors, so that static electricity can be released from the portion where the electric field is formed.

[0016] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, by providing a discharge structure for touch sensors provided in a touch screen or a touch device, damage to the touch sensors due to the phenomenon of charge concentration in a specific area can be prevented.

[0017] In addition, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, by applying the above touch screen and touch device capable of performing touch sensing to a display device, the occurrence of defects in the touch sensors in the display device can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 2 is a diagram showing Figure 1 when the touch display device shown in Figure 1 is an organic light emitting display device, an example of a cross-section taken along line A-A' in

[0021] Figure 3 and 4 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic structure in which touch sensors are provided when the touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an organic light emitting display device.

[0022] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure for sensing a touch using mutual capacitance in a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 6 FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a touch sensor is damaged due to a charge concentration phenomenon in a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 7 FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a discharge mode for providing an electrostatic discharge path of a touch sensor in a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating Figure 7 another example of the discharge mode shown in FIG. 4;

[0026] Figures 9 to 11 FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams each illustrating an example of a discharge mode formed in a structure in which a touch sensor has a mesh type in a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0027] Figure 12 FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a discharge mode formed in a modified structure of a touch sensor in a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings. When referring to elements in the drawings by reference numerals, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals even if they are shown in different drawings. In addition, when describing components of the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used herein. Each of these terms is not used to define the essence, order, or sequence of the corresponding components, but is only used to distinguish the corresponding components from other components. In the case where a specific structural element is described as "connected to", "coupled to", or "contacting" another structural element, it should be interpreted that the other structural element may be "connected to", "coupled to", or "contacting" the structural element, and the specific structural element is directly connected to or directly contacts the other structural element.

[0029] Figure 1 FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described focusing on the touch display device 100 having a touch sensing function. However, when a touch screen or a touch device provides a touch sensing function, the touch screen or the touch device is also included in the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] Reference Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch display device 100 may include a touch display panel 110 provided with a plurality of touch sensors TS and a plurality of touch lines TL, and a touch driving circuit 120 configured to drive the touch sensors TS. In addition, in addition to the configuration for touch sensing, the touch display device 100 may further include a basic configuration for display driving.

[0031] For example, a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines may be provided in the touch display panel 110, and a plurality of sub-pixels may be provided at an area where the gate lines and the data lines cross each other. The touch display panel 110 may be divided into an active area A / A for displaying an image and a non-active area N / A, which is an outer area of the active area A / A.

[0032] In addition, the touch display device 100 may include a gate driving circuit configured to drive the gate lines, a data driving circuit configured to drive the data lines, a controller configured to control the gate driving circuit and the data driving circuit, and the like. That is, the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a basic structure for display, and may include a configuration for display driving and a configuration for touch sensing. In this specification, the description will focus on the configuration for touch sensing.

[0033] The plurality of touch sensors TS may be provided on the touch display panel 110 in the form of an independent touch screen or in a form embedded in the touch display panel 110. When the plurality of touch sensors TS are provided in a form embedded in the touch display panel 110, the plurality of touch sensors TS may be electrodes for display driving, or may be electrodes separately provided for touch sensing.

[0034] For example, when the touch display device 100 is a liquid crystal display device, the common electrode provided on the touch display panel 110 may be used as the touch sensor TS. That is, the common electrode receives a common voltage during the display driving period and receives a touch driving signal during the touch sensing period so as to act as the touch sensor TS for touch sensing.

[0035] When the touch display device 100 is an organic light emitting display device, the plurality of touch sensors TS may be provided on the encapsulation layer ENCAP in the touch display panel 110. Therefore, the problem that it is difficult to form the touch sensor TS made of a metal material inside the panel due to the organic material can be overcome, and a touch sensing function can be provided in the organic light emitting display device.

[0036] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be mainly described when the touch display device 100 is an organic light emitting display device, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0037] The multiple touch sensors TS may be transparent electrodes, mesh electrodes, etc. Additionally, depending on the touch sensing method, the multiple touch sensors TS may be arranged in various structures. For example, the multiple touch sensors TS may be arranged in an independent form on the touch display panel 110, and each touch sensor TS may be connected to a touch line TL. Then, the multiple touch sensors TS may sense a touch by sensing the change in self-capacitance caused by a user's touch (self-capacitance sensing method).

[0038] Alternatively, the multiple touch sensors TS may include a first touch sensor TS1 and a second touch sensor TS2 to which different levels of voltage are applied. Additionally, the multiple touch sensors TS may sense a touch by sensing the change in mutual capacitance between the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2, which change is caused when a user touches (mutual-capacitance sensing method).

[0039] When sensing a touch by the mutual-capacitance sensing method, the multiple first touch sensors TS1 may be connected and arranged in one direction. Additionally, the multiple second touch sensors TS2 may be arranged and connected to each other in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first touch sensors TS1 are arranged. The first touch sensor TS1 may be connected to a first touch line TL1, and the second touch sensor TS2 may be connected to a second touch line TL2.

[0040] During a touch sensing period, different levels of voltage are applied through the first touch line TL1 and the second touch line TL2, and when a user touches the touch screen, a capacitance change occurs between the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2. Further, the touch driving circuit 120 drives the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 during the touch sensing period and senses the capacitance change between the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2.

[0041] The touch driving circuit 120 converts the sensed value into digital data and sends the converted digital data to the touch controller so that the touch controller can use the digital data to detect the presence of a touch and the touch position. Additionally, the touch driving circuit 120 may be configured independently of the data driving circuit for driving data lines, or may be configured in the form of a single chip.

[0042] Figure 2 An example of a cross-section taken along line A-A' in the touch display device 100 shown in Figure 1 is shown, and a region adjacent to the portion where the touch sensor TS and the touch driving circuit 120 are connected to each other is shown. Refer to Figure 2, the source / drain electrodes S / D for display driving are provided on the polyimide layer 201. Additionally, a touch pad TP can be provided, and a touch line TL is connected to the touch pad. The touch pad TP can be made of the same material as the source / drain electrodes S / D.

[0043] The first planarization layer 202 is provided on the source / drain electrodes S / D, and contact holes are formed in the portion of the first planarization layer 202 corresponding to the source / drain electrodes S / D. The first electrode layer 203 is provided on the first planarization layer 202, and the first electrode layer 203 is connected to the source / drain electrodes S / D through the contact holes formed in the first planarization layer 202. Here, the first electrode layer 203 can be an anode.

[0044] Furthermore, an organic light-emitting layer 205 is provided on the first electrode layer 203, and a bank layer 204 is provided on the region where the organic light-emitting layer 205 is not provided. Moreover, a second electrode layer 206 is provided on the organic light-emitting layer 205, and the second electrode layer 206 can be a cathode.

[0045] The first protective layer 207, the second protective layer 208, and the third protective layer 209 can be laminated on the second electrode layer 206. Here, the first protective layer 207, the second protective layer 208, and the third protective layer 209 can be regarded as constituting an encapsulation layer ENCAP. Such an encapsulation layer ENCAP can form a dam with a predetermined height to prevent collapse at the inclined portion.

[0046] A structure for touch sensing can also be formed on the basic structure for display driving. Additionally, a touch buffer layer 210 is provided on the encapsulation layer ENCAP, and a touch insulating layer 211 is provided on the touch buffer layer 210. Furthermore, a touch sensor TS and a touch line TL are provided on the touch insulating layer 211, and a second planarization layer 212 is provided on the touch sensor TS and the touch line TL. The second planarization layer 212 can be a coating layer OC.

[0047] When arranging the touch sensor TS in the structure for the mutual capacitance sensing method, the portion where the first touch sensors TS1 are connected to each other and the portion where the second touch sensors TS2 are connected to each other cross each other. As Figure 2 shown, the second touch sensors TS2 can be configured to be connected to each other through a metal provided under the touch insulating layer 211. As described above, by providing a structure in which the touch sensor TS and the touch line TL are provided on the encapsulation layer ENCAP in the organic light-emitting display device, a configuration for touch sensing can be easily formed in the panel.

[0048] Moreover, when a white organic light-emitting diode (W-OLED) is used in an organic light-emitting display device capable of touch sensing, a color filter CF may be provided on the encapsulation layer ENCAP. Specifically, Figure 3 and 4 show an example of a cross-sectional structure in which a touch sensor TS and a color filter CF are provided on the encapsulation layer ENCAP.

[0049] Referring to Figure 3 and 4 the encapsulation layer ENCAP may be provided on the cathode, and the touch sensor TS may be provided on the encapsulation layer ENCAP. Here, by forming the encapsulation layer ENCAP to have a thickness T of a predetermined level or greater (e.g., 5 μm or greater), the parasitic capacitance formed between the cathode and the touch sensor TS can be reduced. Accordingly, deterioration of touch sensing sensitivity due to the parasitic capacitance can be prevented.

[0050] In addition, the touch sensor TS may be a transparent electrode or a mesh-type electrode. When the touch sensor TS is a mesh-type sensor including holes H, the holes H may be positioned to correspond to the light-emitting regions of the sub-pixels. By making the holes H included in the touch sensor TS correspond to the light-emitting regions of the sub-pixels, touch sensing can be performed without degrading the light-emitting performance of the organic light-emitting display device.

[0051] Furthermore, the color filter CF is provided on the encapsulation layer ENCAP, and the vertical positions of the color filter CF and the touch sensor TS can be designed in various ways. For example, as Figure 3 shown, the color filter CF and the black matrix BM may be provided on the touch sensor TS. Additionally, the color filter CF and the black matrix BM may be provided on a coating layer OC provided on the touch sensor TS.

[0052] For example, as Figure 4 shown, the color filter CF and the black matrix BM may be provided under the touch sensor TS. Additionally, the touch sensor TS may be provided on a coating layer OC provided on the color filter CF and the black matrix BM. That is, considering touch performance and display performance, the touch sensor TS and the color filter CF can be designed to have an optimal positional relationship.

[0053] Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the problem of forming the touch sensor TS inside the panel in an organic light-emitting display device and are capable of performing touch sensing without degrading display performance. In addition, the touch display device 100 may sense a touch by a self-capacitance sensing method or a mutual-capacitance sensing method. Alternatively, the self-capacitance sensing method and the mutual-capacitance sensing method may be combined to sense a touch.

[0054] When sensing a touch by a mutual capacitance sensing method, signals having different voltage levels are applied to adjacent touch sensors TS, so that a repulsive force can be increased due to charge concentration in a portion forming an electric field. In addition, due to the increased repulsive force, the touch sensor TS may be damaged.

[0055] More specifically, Figure 5 An example of a structure for sensing a touch by a mutual capacitance sensing method is shown, and Figure 6 an example is shown in which Figure 5 the touch sensor is damaged in the touch sensor TS structure shown in. Referring to Figure 5 , the touch sensor TS in the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first touch sensor TS1 and a second touch sensor TS2 to which signals having different voltage levels are applied during a touch sensing period.

[0056] The first touch sensor TS1 may be arranged in the X-axis direction and connected to each other through a first connection pattern CP1. Moreover, the second touch sensor TS2 may be arranged in the Y-axis direction and connected to each other through a second connection pattern CP2. Here, the first connection pattern CP1 and the second connection pattern CP2 may cross each other, and either the first connection pattern CP1 or the second connection pattern CP2 may be connected through a pattern provided in another layer at the intersection point.

[0057] In addition, the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 form an electric field with respect to each other, and the mutual electrostatic capacitance changes when a user touches them. Thus, a touch can be sensed by sensing a change in the mutual capacitance. Moreover, the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 receive touch drive signals having different voltage levels and form an electric field, resulting in a phenomenon of charge concentration in a specific area.

[0058] For example, the charge concentration phenomenon may occur in a portion where the first connection pattern CP1 and the second connection pattern CP2 overlap each other. Referring to Figure 6 , the first connection pattern CP1 is provided on the same layer as the first touch sensor TS1 and connects adjacent first touch sensors TS1. In addition, the second connection pattern CP2 is provided on a layer different from the second touch sensor TS2 and connects adjacent second touch sensors TS2.

[0059] Accordingly, the first connection pattern CP1 and the second connection pattern CP2 overlap each other at the point where the first connection pattern CP1 intersects the second connection pattern CP2. Additionally, the first connection pattern CP1 and the second connection pattern CP2 are applied with signals of different voltage levels and have a smaller area compared to the touch sensor TS. Therefore, due to the charge concentration phenomenon or the bottleneck phenomenon, the repulsive force between the first connection pattern CP1 and the second connection pattern CP2 may increase.

[0060] As a result, the first connection pattern CP1 or the second connection pattern CP2 may be damaged. In this case, since the connection of the first touch sensor TS1 or the second touch sensor TS2 is cut off, touch sensing cannot be performed, which causes the display device 100 to malfunction.

[0061] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a touch sensor TS having an electrostatic discharge path and a touch display device 100 including such a touch sensor TS, thereby being able to prevent the touch sensor TS from being damaged in a region where a potential difference occurs between signals applied for touch sensing.

[0062] Figure 7 An example of the structure of a touch sensor TS having an electrostatic discharge path in a touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Refer to Figure 7 , the touch sensor TS provided in the touch display device 100 may include a first touch sensor TS1 and a second touch sensor TS2 that are applied with signals of different voltage levels during a touch sensing period.

[0063] The first touch sensor TS1 may be arranged in the X-axis direction and connected to each other through the first connection pattern CP1. That is, the first touch sensor TS1 connected to each other in the X-axis direction may be arranged to form a group in the touch display panel 110.

[0064] Moreover, the second touch sensor TS2 may be arranged in the Y-axis direction and connected to each other through the second connection pattern CP2. Similarly, the second touch sensor TS2 connected to each other in the Y-axis direction may be arranged to form a group in the touch display panel 110.

[0065] The first connection pattern CP1 and the second connection pattern CP2 may also be provided on the same layer as the layer where the touch sensor TS is provided, or on a layer different from the layer where the touch sensor TS is provided. For example, the first connection pattern CP1 may be provided on the same layer as the touch sensor TS, and the second connection pattern CP2 may be provided under the insulating layer 500 located below the touch sensor TS.

[0066] When the first touch sensor TS1 and the first connection pattern CP1 are disposed on the same layer, at least two first touch sensors TS1 and at least one first connection pattern CP1 that are connected to each other can be regarded as "first touch metals". Additionally, since the second touch sensor TS2 and the second connection pattern CP2 are disposed on different layers, each of the second touch sensors TS2 can be regarded as a "second touch metal".

[0067] The second connection pattern CP2 disposed under the insulating layer 500 can also be referred to as a "bridge metal". The first touch sensor TS1 or the second touch sensor TS2 can also be connected to a discharge pattern DP formed to provide an electrostatic discharge path. Such a discharge pattern DP can be disposed on a layer different from the layer on which the touch sensor TS is disposed. For example, the discharge pattern DP can be disposed on the layer on which the second connection pattern CP2 connecting the second touch sensor TS2 is disposed.

[0068] The discharge pattern DP can also be arranged to overlap with the region where the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 form an electric field. That is, the discharge pattern DP can be disposed to overlap with the region between the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2.

[0069] One end of the discharge pattern DP can be connected to the first touch sensor TS1 or the second touch sensor TS2. Here, the discharge pattern DP can be connected to the outermost point of the first touch sensor TS1 or the outermost point of the second touch sensor TS2. The other end of the discharge pattern DP that is not connected to the touch sensor can overlap with another touch sensor TS.

[0070] For example, when one end of the discharge pattern DP is connected to the first touch sensor TS1, the other end of the discharge pattern DP can overlap with the second touch sensor TS2. Additionally, when one end of the discharge pattern DP is connected to the second touch sensor TS2, the other end of the discharge pattern DP can overlap with the first touch sensor TS1.

[0071] That is, the discharge pattern DP is connected to the touch sensor and has such a structure that one end is connected to the first touch sensor TS1 or the second touch sensor TS2, while the other end is not connected to the touch sensor TS. The other end of the discharge pattern DP that is not connected to the touch sensor TS is set to overlap with the touch sensor TS to which a signal having a voltage level different from the voltage level of the signal applied to the touch sensor TS to which the discharge pattern DP is connected is applied.

[0072] Therefore, the discharge pattern DP connected to the first touch sensor TS1 overlaps with the second touch sensor TS2. Moreover, the discharge pattern DP connected to the second touch sensor TS2 overlaps with the first touch sensor TS1.

[0073] Since the discharge pattern DP connected to the first touch sensor TS1 overlaps with the second touch sensor TS2, an electric field can be formed between the discharge pattern DP and the second touch sensor TS2. Similarly, since the discharge pattern DP connected to the second touch sensor TS2 overlaps with the first touch sensor TS1, an electric field can be formed between the discharge pattern DP and the first touch sensor TS1. Thus, charges can be concentrated on the discharge pattern DP. As a result, the discharge pattern DP can serve as an electrostatic discharge path.

[0074] When the first touch sensor TS1 and the discharge pattern DP are connected to each other, since charges are concentrated on the discharge pattern DP connected to the first touch sensor TS1, the repulsive force increases in the region where the discharge pattern DP and the second touch sensor TS2 overlap each other.

[0075] Therefore, when a touch driving signal is applied to the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 during the touch sensing period, the repulsive force increases in the region where the discharge pattern DP and the touch sensor TS overlap. As a result, due to the increase in the repulsive force, the discharge pattern DP may be damaged. That is to say, by forming a charge concentration region in the discharge pattern DP, damage to the touch sensor TS or the connection pattern CP due to charge concentration can be prevented.

[0076] In addition, by forming the discharge pattern DP on the layer where the second connection pattern CP2 connecting the second touch sensor TS2 is provided, the discharge pattern DP can be easily formed. Since the discharge pattern DP is formed using the bridge metal forming the second connection pattern CP2, the discharge pattern DP can be formed by the process of forming the second connection pattern CP2.

[0077] Therefore, in the layer where the bridge metal is provided, a part (connection pattern) of the bridge metal is connected to the two touch sensors TS, and the remaining bridge metal (discharge pattern) is only connected to any one of the touch sensors TS.

[0078] Reference Figure 7 to the cross-section taken along line D-D' in , where the discharge pattern DP is provided. The discharge pattern DP is provided under the insulating layer 500, and the insulating layer is provided under the touch sensor TS. One end of the discharge pattern DP is connected to the second touch sensor TS2, and the other end of the discharge pattern DP overlaps with the first touch sensor TS1.

[0079] When a touch driving signal is applied to the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2, the discharge pattern DP becomes an area where charges are concentrated from the first touch sensor TS1. Therefore, the discharge pattern DP forms an electrostatic discharge path. Additionally, even though the repulsive force increases due to charge concentration, damage may occur in the discharge pattern DP.

[0080] Therefore, referring to Figure 7 the cross-section taken along line E-E’ in, where the first connection pattern CP1 and the second connection pattern CP2 cross each other, can prevent the second connection pattern CP2 from being damaged due to charge concentration. At the same time, such a discharge pattern DP can be set to have a thickness smaller than that of the touch sensor TS or the connection pattern CP.

[0081] Figure 8 shows Figure 7 another example of the structure of the discharge pattern DP shown in, where there are examples of the cross-section taken along line D-D’ in Figure 7 and the cross-section taken along line E-E’. Referring to Figure 8 , the discharge pattern DP can be set on a layer different from the layer where the touch sensor TS is set, and can be set such that one end thereof is connected to the second touch sensor TS2, while the other end overlaps with the first touch sensor TS1.

[0082] Here, the thickness t1 of the discharge pattern DP is smaller than the thickness t2 of the touch sensor TS. Alternatively, the thickness t1 of the discharge pattern DP can be smaller than the thickness t3 of the connection pattern CP. To improve the electrostatic discharge performance of the discharge pattern DP, the degree of charge concentration in the discharge pattern DP should be increased. To increase the degree of charge concentration, the charge density in the discharge pattern DP should be increased.

[0083] Thus, in order to design the charge concentration area by increasing the charge density, the thickness of the discharge pattern DP can be made smaller than that of the touch sensor TS or the connection pattern CP. For example, when the electric potentials at two specific points 1 and 2 on the conductor surface are V1 and V2, V1 and V2 are equal to each other (V1 = V2).

[0084] Since

[0085] it can be seen that since Q1:Q2 = R1:R2, the amounts of charge Q1 and Q2 at the two points 1 and 2 are respectively proportional to the radii of curvature R1 and R2 at the two points 1 and 2.

[0086] Here, assuming that the charge densities at the two points 1 and 2 are б1 and б2, since

[0087] Q = 4πR 2 σ,

[0088] Therefore, since б1:б2 = R2:R1, it can be seen that as the radius of curvature decreases, the charge density increases. Therefore, by reducing the thickness of the discharge pattern DP connected to the touch sensor TS, the charge density of the discharge pattern DP can be made greater than the charge density of the touch sensor TS.

[0089] In addition, by increasing the degree to which charges are concentrated in the discharge pattern DP through a structure in which the charge density in the discharge pattern DP is large, the function of the discharge pattern DP as an area where an electrostatic discharge path is provided and damage may occur can be enhanced. The discharge pattern DP can also be applied when the touch sensor TS has various structures.

[0090] Next, Figure 9 An example of the discharge pattern DP formed in the structure is shown, in which the touch sensor TS provided in the touch display device 100 is a mesh-type touch sensor. Refer to Figure 9 , the first touch sensor TS1 is connected in the X-axis direction through the first connection pattern CP1, and the second touch sensor TS2 is connected in the Y-axis direction through the second connection pattern CP2. The first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 are also arranged in a mesh type.

[0091] In addition, the discharge pattern DP is connected to the outermost point of the first touch sensor TS1 or the second touch sensor TS2, and is provided on a layer different from the layer on which the touch sensor TS is provided. As shown, one end of the discharge pattern DP is connected to the first touch sensor TS1 or the second touch sensor TS2, and the other end overlaps with the second touch sensor TS2 or the first touch sensor TS1.

[0092] Refer to Figure 9 The cross-section taken along the line F-F’ in [], the discharge pattern DP is provided under the insulating layer 500, and the insulating layer is provided under the touch sensor TS. In addition, one end of the discharge pattern DP is connected to the second touch sensor TS2, and the other end of the discharge pattern DP is arranged to overlap with the first touch sensor TS1.

[0093] Since the discharge pattern DP and the first touch sensor TS1 overlap each other, an electric field is formed in the corresponding area, and charges can be concentrated in the discharge pattern DP. Thus, the discharge pattern DP serves as an electrostatic discharge path, and when the charge concentration phenomenon is excessive, damage is induced to occur in the discharge pattern DP, thereby preventing the touch sensor TS or the connection pattern CP from being damaged. Such a mesh-type touch sensor TS can also include an external protruding portion to increase the capacitance formed between adjacent touch sensors TS.

[0094] Figure 10 and11 Another example of a discharge pattern DP formed in a structure is shown, in which a touch sensor TS provided in the touch display device 100 has a mesh type. Refer to Figure 10 , the first touch sensor TS1 is connected in the X-axis direction by a first connection pattern CP1, and the second touch sensor TS2 is connected in the Y-axis direction by a second connection pattern CP2.

[0095] The first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 are of mesh type and include their external protruding portions. Since the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 include protruding portions and the distance between the touch sensors TS is reduced due to the protruding portions, the capacitance between the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 is increased, thereby improving the sensitivity of touch sensing.

[0096] The structure of the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 can be formed by forming a mesh-type touch metal and then removing the boundary portion between the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2. Therefore, the protruding portions of the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 can be positioned in a straight line with each other.

[0097] In addition, the first connection pattern CP1 and the second connection pattern CP2 can also be formed in a mesh type, and there is a portion where the first connection pattern CP1 and the second connection pattern CP2 overlap each other. In order to prevent the first connection pattern CP1 and the second connection pattern CP2 from being damaged due to charge concentration transfer at the portion where the first connection pattern CP1 and the second connection pattern CP2 overlap each other as described above, a discharge pattern DP connected to the first touch sensor TS1 or the second touch sensor TS2 can be formed in the region between the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2.

[0098] The discharge pattern DP is provided on a layer different from the touch sensor TS. One end of the discharge pattern DP is connected to the first touch sensor TS1 or the second touch sensor TS2, and the other end of the discharge pattern DP is connected to the second touch sensor TS2 or the first touch sensor TS1. In addition, the discharge pattern DP is connected to the outermost points of the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 and can be connected to a protruding portion or a non-protruding portion outside the first touch sensor TS1 or the second touch sensor TS2.

[0099] Next, Figure 11 An example of a cross-section taken along line G-G' is shown, in which the discharge pattern DP is connected to Figure 10The non-protruding external portion of the touch sensor TS shown in [reference], and an example of a cross-section taken along line H-H', where the discharge pattern DP is connected to the protruding external portion of the touch sensor TS. Figure 11 In the cross-section taken along line G-G' in [reference], the discharge pattern DP provided under the insulating layer 500 may be connected to the non-protruding external portion of the second touch sensor TS2. Additionally, the discharge pattern DP is provided to overlap with the first touch sensor TS1.

[0100] Reference Figure 11 In the cross-section taken along line H-H' in [reference], the discharge pattern DP provided under the insulating layer 500 may be connected to the protruding external portion of the second touch sensor TS2. Furthermore, the discharge pattern DP is provided to overlap with the first touch sensor TS1. Thus, by making the mesh-type touch sensor TS include a protruding portion, a discharge path can be provided through a structure connected to the discharge pattern DP, while improving touch sensing sensitivity by increasing the capacitance formed between the touch sensors TS.

[0101] Additionally, even if the overlapping portion of the first connection pattern CP1 and the second connection pattern CP2 is increased, since charges are concentrated on the discharge pattern DP to induce damage in the discharge pattern DP, damage to the touch sensor TS or the connection pattern CP can be prevented. To further increase the capacitance formed between the touch sensors TS, by dividing the boundary between the touch sensors TS in a shape similar to a gear rather than a linear shape, the number of points where capacitance is formed can be increased.

[0102] Figure 12 An example of the discharge pattern DP formed in a modified structure of the mesh-type touch sensor TS in the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Reference Figure 12 , the first touch sensor TS1 is connected in the X-axis direction through the first connection pattern CP1, and the second touch sensor TS2 is connected in the Y-axis direction through the second connection pattern CP2.

[0103] The first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 are formed in a mesh type. Here, the boundary between the first touch sensor TS and the second touch sensor TS2 is formed in a zigzag shape rather than a linear shape, so that the boundary can have a shape similar to a gear.

[0104] Therefore, compared with a structure in which the boundary between the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 is a straight line, the number of points where capacitance is formed between the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 is increased, so that touch sensing sensitivity can be further improved.

[0105] Here, a dummy pattern separate from the touch sensor TS may exist inside the touch sensor TS. Such a dummy pattern corresponds to a portion separate from the touch sensor TS so as not to be applied with a signal. In addition, the capacitance of each touch sensor TS can be adjusted by adjusting the presence or absence of the dummy pattern, the number of the provided dummy patterns, and the like.

[0106] Since the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2 having such a modified structure also have a structure in which the first connection pattern CP1 and the second connection pattern CP2 overlap each other, a discharge pattern DP can be formed in the region between the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2. The discharge pattern DP is provided on a layer different from the first touch sensor TS1 and the second touch sensor TS2, and one end of the discharge pattern DP is connected to the first touch sensor TS1 or the second touch sensor TS2.

[0107] In addition, the other end of the discharge pattern DP is not connected to the touch sensor TS and is provided to overlap with the second touch sensor TS2 or the first touch sensor TS1. Therefore, a potential difference is generated between the discharge pattern DP and the touch sensor TS overlapping the discharge pattern DP, and induced charges are concentrated on the discharge pattern DP, so that the discharge pattern serves as an electrostatic discharge path. In addition, by concentrating charges on the discharge pattern DP, damage is induced to occur in the discharge pattern DP, thereby preventing the touch sensor TS or the connection pattern CP from being damaged.

[0108] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by forming a discharge pattern DP that is connected to any one of the touch sensors TS having a potential difference and overlaps with the other touch sensor TS, static electricity can be released through the discharge pattern DP. In addition, by inducing charges to concentrate on the discharge pattern DP so that damage occurs in the discharge pattern DP, the touch sensor TS or the connection pattern CP can be prevented from being damaged.

[0109] In addition, the electrostatic discharge performance can be improved by adjusting the thickness of the discharge pattern DP, and the discharge pattern can be easily implemented by forming the discharge pattern DP on the layer where the bridge metal connecting the touch sensor TS is provided.

[0110] Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications, additions, and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as disclosed in the appended claims. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described for simplicity and clarity. The scope of the present disclosure should be interpreted based on the appended claims, and thus all technical ideas included within the scope equivalent to the claims belong to the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising an active area and a non-active area; the active area comprises: a light-emitting device; a packaging layer disposed on the light-emitting device; a touch buffer layer disposed on the packaging layer; a touch sensor, the touch sensor comprising a plurality of first touch sensors and a plurality of second touch sensors disposed in the same layer as the plurality of first touch sensors, the plurality of first touch sensors and the plurality of second touch sensors being disposed in a touch sensing area on the packaging layer; a color filter disposed on one of the touch sensor and the packaging layer; a first discharge pattern extending into an area between a first touch sensor among the plurality of first touch sensors and an adjacent second touch sensor among the plurality of second touch sensors, and one end of the first discharge pattern being connected to one of the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor, wherein the first discharge pattern is disposed on a layer different from the plurality of first touch sensors and the plurality of second touch sensors, and wherein the one end of the first discharge pattern is connected to an outermost point of one of the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor, and the other end of the first discharge pattern overlaps with the other of the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor.

2. The display device according to claim 1, further comprises: at least one first connection pattern connecting adjacent first touch sensors among the plurality of first touch sensors and disposed in the same layer as the first touch sensors and the second touch sensors; and at least one second connection pattern connecting adjacent second touch sensors among the plurality of second touch sensors and disposed on a layer different from the first touch sensors, wherein the at least one first connection pattern is disposed between the adjacent first touch sensors among the plurality of first touch sensors.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, the first discharge pattern is disposed in the same layer as at least one second connection pattern connecting adjacent second touch sensors among the plurality of second touch sensors, and wherein the one end of the first discharge pattern is connected to the first touch sensor, and the remaining end of the first discharge pattern overlaps with the second touch sensor without being connected to the second touch sensor.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, the first discharge pattern is disposed in the same layer as at least one first connection pattern connecting adjacent first touch sensors among the plurality of first touch sensors, and wherein the one end of the first discharge pattern is connected to the second touch sensor, and the remaining end of the first discharge pattern overlaps with the first touch sensor without being connected to the first touch sensor.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The first touch sensor includes a first protrusion protruding from its side surface, wherein the second touch sensor includes a second protrusion protruding from its side surface, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion extend along a straight line between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, and wherein one end of the first discharge pattern is connected to the first protrusion or the second protrusion.

6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, when the first discharge pattern is connected to the first touch sensor, the thickness of the first discharge pattern is less than the thickness of the first touch sensor, or when the first discharge pattern is connected to the second touch sensor, the thickness of the first discharge pattern is less than the thickness of the second touch sensor.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, the display device is configured to apply different voltage levels to the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor during a touch sensing period.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, the first discharge pattern forms a discharge path for releasing charge concentration at an intersection point of at least one first connection pattern connecting adjacent first touch sensors among the plurality of first touch sensors and at least one second connection pattern connecting adjacent second touch sensors among the plurality of second touch sensors.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, the first discharge pattern is one of a plurality of discharge patterns, and wherein each of the plurality of discharge patterns protrudes into an area between different pairs of a first touch sensor and an adjacent second touch sensor among the plurality of first touch sensors and the plurality of second touch sensors.

10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, the plurality of first touch sensors have a net form, and the plurality of second touch sensors have a net form.

11. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, at least one of at least one first connection pattern connecting adjacent first touch sensors among the plurality of first touch sensors and at least one second connection pattern connecting adjacent second touch sensors among the plurality of second touch sensors has a net form.

12. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, the non-active area includes a pad area.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein, the pad area includes a touch pad electrically connected to a touch line.

14. The display device according to claim 13, further comprising a touch insulating layer provided on the touch buffer layer.

15. The display device according to claim 14, wherein, in the non-active area, the touch line, the touch insulating layer, and the touch buffer layer are provided on a side surface of the encapsulation layer.

16. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, At least one of the first touch sensor or the second touch sensor includes a dummy pattern, wherein the dummy pattern is electrically isolated from the remaining first touch sensor or second touch sensor that does not include the dummy pattern.

Images