Foldable touch sensor panel

Abstract

The foldable touch sensor panel includes a substrate layer and segmented sensing portions formed on the substrate layer, which are divided into more paths in the folded area compared to the non-folded area to form connections. The segmented sensing portions include a first sensing unit, a second sensing unit, an insulating layer, and a sensing unit bridge. The first sensing units are arranged and connected along the folding direction and include conductive metal with a mesh structure. The second sensing units are spaced apart from the first sensing units in the horizontal direction and arranged along the folding axis and include conductive metal with a mesh structure. The insulating layer is formed on the first sensing units, the second sensing units, and the substrate layer. The sensing unit bridge connects the second sensing units along the folding axis through through-holes in the insulating layer. The sensing unit bridge fills the blank spaces of the mesh structure in the area in contact with the second sensing units to form an integral contact and is made of a transparent conductive material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a foldable touch sensor panel. Specifically, this invention relates to a foldable touch sensor panel capable of preventing open circuits in the folded area. Background Technology

[0002] A display device is a device used to display information to the outside world. Display devices include liquid crystal display devices, plasma display panel devices, electroluminescent display devices, and organic light-emitting diode display devices. Display devices may also include touch sensor panels, which are used to input commands by touching indicators displayed on the screen with a finger or pen.

[0003] Figure 1 It is a plan view of a foldable touch sensor panel based on existing technology.

[0004] like Figure 1 As shown, a conventional foldable touch sensor panel includes a substrate layer (not shown), a plurality of sensing units 120 arranged and connected along the X and Y axes on the substrate layer (not shown), an insulating layer (not shown) formed on the substrate layer (not shown) and the sensing units 120, a sensing unit bridge 140 connecting the sensing units 120 arranged along the X axis, and a passivation layer (not shown) formed on the insulating layer (not shown) and the sensing unit bridge 140.

[0005] However, when an existing foldable touch sensor panel is folded around the folding axis FL of the folding area FA, an open circuit occurs at the sensing unit 120 or sensing unit bridge 140 arranged along the folding axis FL as the number of folds increases. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a foldable touch sensor panel that can prevent or minimize the occurrence of open circuits in the sensing unit, sensing unit bridging and other components in the folded area.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a foldable touch sensor panel that can prevent or minimize visibility and resistance increases.

[0009] Technical solution

[0010] To achieve this objective, the foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention may include a substrate layer, segmented sensing portions, etc.

[0011] The segmented sensing section can be formed on the substrate layer and configured to divide into more paths in the folded region to form connections compared to the non-folded region.

[0012] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention, the segmented sensing portion may include a first sensing unit, a second sensing unit, an insulating layer, a sensing unit bridging member, etc.

[0013] The first sensing unit can be arranged and connected along the folding direction (perpendicular to the folding axis) and can include a conductive metal with a mesh structure.

[0014] The second sensing unit may be spaced apart from the first sensing unit in the horizontal direction to be arranged along the folding axis, and may include a conductive metal with a mesh structure.

[0015] An insulating layer can be formed on the first sensing unit, the second sensing unit, and the substrate layer.

[0016] The sensing unit bridging component can connect the second sensing unit through through-holes in the insulating layer along the fold axis. The sensing unit bridging component can fill the empty spaces of the mesh structure in the area in contact with the second sensing unit to form a monolithic contact. The sensing unit bridging component can be made of a transparent conductive material.

[0017] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention, the through-hole for the sensing unit bridging member can have a diameter of 20 to 70 μm.

[0018] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention, the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit may have a grid spacing of 1 to 10 μm.

[0019] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention, the horizontal area of ​​the sensing unit bridging member can have a width of 20 to 100 μm.

[0020] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention, the segmented sensing section may include a first sensing unit, an insulating layer, a second sensing unit, a segmented unit bridging member, etc.

[0021] The first sensing unit can be arranged and connected along the folding direction and may include conductive metal with a mesh structure.

[0022] An insulating layer can be formed on the first sensing unit and the substrate layer.

[0023] The second sensing unit may be spaced apart from the first sensing unit in the horizontal direction on the insulating layer and may be arranged and connected along the folding axis, and may include segmented sensing units that are separated and spaced apart from each other in the folding direction using strip-shaped transparent conductive material.

[0024] The segmentation unit bridging component can connect the segmentation sensing units along the folding direction and can be made of conductive metal.

[0025] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention, at least one segmented sensing unit in the second sensing unit may be integrated with at least one segmented sensing unit in the adjacent second sensing unit.

[0026] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention, the segmented sensing part may include a first sensing unit, a first segmented unit bridge, a second sensing unit, a second segmented unit bridge, an insulating layer, a second sensing unit bridge, etc.

[0027] The first sensing unit may include a first segmented sensing unit, which is made of strip-shaped transparent conductive material and is separated from each other in the folding direction.

[0028] The first segmentation unit bridging member can connect the first segmentation sensing unit along the folding direction and can be made of conductive metal.

[0029] The first sensing unit bridge can connect the first sensing units along the folding direction and can be made of conductive metal.

[0030] The second sensing unit may be spaced apart from the first sensing unit in the horizontal direction and may be arranged along the folding axis, and may include a second segmented sensing unit which is made of strip-shaped transparent conductive material and is separated from each other in the folding direction.

[0031] The second segmentation unit bridging member can connect the second segmentation sensing units along the folding direction for each second sensing unit and can be made of conductive metal.

[0032] An insulating layer may be formed on the first sensing unit, the first segmentation unit bridge, the first sensing unit bridge, the second sensing unit, and the second segmentation unit bridge.

[0033] The second sensing unit bridging element can penetrate the insulating layer to connect the second sensing units along the fold axis direction and can be made of a transparent conductive material.

[0034] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention, the first segmentation unit bridge and the first sensing unit bridge can be integrated.

[0035] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention, the segmented sensing part may include a first segmentation unit bridging member, a second segmentation unit bridging member, an insulating layer, a first sensing unit, a second sensing unit, a first sensing unit bridging member, etc.

[0036] The first segmented unit bridging element can be formed along the folding direction and can be made of conductive metal.

[0037] The second segmented unit bridging element can be spaced apart from the first segmented unit bridging element and can be formed along the folding direction, and can be made of conductive metal.

[0038] An insulating layer may be formed on the substrate layer, the first segmentation unit bridging member, and the second segmentation unit bridging member.

[0039] The first sensing unit may be formed on an insulating layer and may include a first segmented sensing unit. The first segmented sensing unit may be made of strip-shaped transparent conductive material, spaced apart from each other in the folding direction along the arrangement lines of the first segmented unit bridge, and may be connected to the first segmented unit bridge through the insulating layer.

[0040] The second sensing unit may be formed on the insulating layer and may include the second segmented sensing unit. The second segmented sensing unit may be made of strip-shaped transparent conductive material, spaced apart from each other in the folding direction along the arrangement lines of the second segmented unit bridge, and may be connected to the second segmented unit bridge through the insulating layer.

[0041] The first sensing unit bridge can connect the first sensing units along the folding direction and can be made of conductive metal.

[0042] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention, the first sensing unit bridge can be integrated with the first segmentation unit bridge.

[0043] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention, at least one segmented sensing unit in the second sensing unit may be integrated with at least one segmented sensing unit in the adjacent second sensing unit.

[0044] Invention Effects

[0045] The foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention, which has the above-described structure, can prevent or minimize the breakage of the sensing unit in the folding area by changing the folding area into a segmented sensing part (for example, changing the sensing unit into a mesh structure or a segmented sensing unit structure).

[0046] The foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention connects the segmented sensing units that are separated in the folding direction by using a sensing unit bridging member made of conductive metal, which can prevent or minimize the breakage of the sensing unit bridging member in the folding area.

[0047] The foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention uses a transparent conductive material to make a sensing unit bridge or sensing unit that connects the sensing units along the folding axis, which can prevent or minimize the degradation of transparency in the folding area.

[0048] The foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention forms an integral contact with the transparent conductive material by filling the blank space between the mesh structures of the underlying mesh structure sensing unit in the bridging connection using through holes, thereby minimizing the contact resistance and thus minimizing the increase in resistance of each line of the entire touch sensor.

[0049] The foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention minimizes visibility issues by optimizing the diameter of the through holes forming the bridging members, the width of the bridging members, and the grid spacing of the mesh structure.

[0050] Furthermore, the foldable touch sensor panel of the present invention can prevent or minimize the visibility of the folded area by forming a blackening layer in the folded area, which employs a metal mesh structure or a segmented sensing unit structure. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Figure 1 It is a plan view of a foldable touch sensor panel based on existing technology.

[0052] Figure 2 A foldable touch sensor panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0053] Figure 3 A foldable touch sensor panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0054] Figure 4 A foldable touch sensor panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0055] Figure 5 A foldable touch sensor panel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0056] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0057] Figure 2 A foldable touch sensor panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0058] like Figure 2As shown, the foldable touch sensor panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be composed of a substrate layer 210, first sensing units 221 and 222, second sensing units 225 and 226, an insulating layer 230, sensing unit bridging components BR11 and BR12, a passivation layer 240, etc.

[0059] The substrate layer 210 serves as a base for supporting the first sensing units 221 and 222, and may be made of, for example, cyclic olefin polymer (COP), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate, polyimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethersulfone, etc.

[0060] When the substrate layer 210 is used to fabricate the touch sensor panel by transfer printing, it can be an isolation layer. The isolation layer can be a polymer organic film, for example, made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyimide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyamic acid, polyamide, polyethylene, polystyrene, polynorbornene, phenylmaleimide copolymer, polyazobenzene, polyphenylene phthalamide, polyester, polymethyl methacrylate, polyarylate, cinnamate polymers, coumarin polymers, phthalimide polymers, chalcone polymers, and aromatic acetylene polymers.

[0061] The substrate layer 210 may further form one or more protective layers on or in place of the isolation layer. The protective layers may protect the first sensing units 221 and 222, the second sensing units 225 and 226, and the sensing unit bridging members BR11 and BR12 from external contact or impact. The protective layers may include at least one of organic and inorganic insulating films and may be formed by coating / curing or deposition.

[0062] The first sensing units 221 and 222 can be arranged and connected along the folding direction on the substrate layer 210.

[0063] In the first sensing units 221 and 222, the first sensing unit 221 located within the folded region FA can be a metal mesh, i.e., a conductive metal with a mesh structure. The conductive metal can be gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), palladium (Pd), neodymium (Nd), silver-palladium-copper alloy (APC), etc.

[0064] In the first sensing units 221 and 222, the first sensing unit 222 located outside the folded region FA can be made of a transparent conductive material, for example, a monolithic plate structure with a rhombic shape. The transparent conductive material can be indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), gallium zinc oxide (GZO), fluorine tin oxide (FTO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium tin oxide-silver-indium tin oxide (ITO-Ag-ITO), indium zinc oxide-silver-indium zinc oxide (IZO-Ag-IZO), indium zinc tin oxide-silver-indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO-Ag-IZTO), and aluminum zinc oxide-silver-aluminum zinc oxide (AZO-Ag-AZO), etc.

[0065] The second sensing units 225 and 226 can be spaced apart from the first sensing units 221 and 222 on the substrate layer 210, and can be spaced apart from each other in the direction of the folding axis FL.

[0066] In the second sensing units 225 and 226, the second sensing unit 225 located within the folded region FA can be a metal mesh, i.e., a conductive metal with a mesh structure. The conductive metal can be the same material used in the first sensing unit 221 within the folded region FA, i.e., gold (Au), silver (Ag), etc.

[0067] In the second sensing units 225 and 226, the second sensing unit 226 located outside the folded region FA can be made of a transparent conductive material, for example, a monolithic plate structure with a rhomboid shape. The transparent conductive material can be the same as the material of the first sensing unit 222 outside the folded region FA, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO).

[0068] An insulating layer 230 may be formed on the substrate layer 210, the first sensing units 221 and 222, and the second sensing units 225 and 226 to insulate and protect them.

[0069] The insulating layer 230 may be made of one or more materials selected from curable prepolymers, curable polymers and plastic polymers.

[0070] The insulating layer 230 may be made of a film-forming varnish-type material. The varnish-type material may be one or more materials selected from silicone polymers such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyorganosiloxane (POS), polyimide materials, or polyurethane materials such as spandex.

[0071] The insulating layer 230 can act as an adhesive or binder, and it can be made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyether, polyurethane, epoxy resin, silicone and acrylic.

[0072] In this invention, an insulating layer 230 is formed on the substrate layer 210, the first sensing units 221 and 222, and the second sensing units 225 and 226. When the insulating layer 230 is formed throughout the entire insulating layer, compared to forming the insulating layer in only a portion of the area, the stress generated during the folding process can be evenly distributed across the entire insulating layer 230. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent cracks from forming in the insulating layer in a specific area or in the adjacent upper and lower layers due to stress concentration.

[0073] Sensing unit bridging members BR11 and BR12 can connect the second sensing units 225 and 226 through the insulating layer 230 or along the folding axis FL on the substrate layer 210.

[0074] In the sensing unit bridging components BR11 and BR12, the sensing unit bridging component BR11 located within the folded region FA can be made of a transparent conductive material. In this case, the sensing unit bridging component BR11 can be formed together with the second sensing unit 226 outside the folded region FA using the same process. Therefore, the sensing unit bridging component BR11 can be formed on the insulating layer 230. The transparent conductive material can be the same as the material used for the first sensing unit 222 outside the folded region FA, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO).

[0075] The sensing unit bridging component BR11 located within the folded region FA can be electrically connected to the second sensing unit 225 through a through-hole penetrating the insulating layer 230. The sensing unit bridging component BR11 can be made of a transparent conductive material. The second sensing unit 225 can be made of a conductive metal with a mesh structure. At the point where the sensing unit bridging component BR11 contacts the second sensing unit 225, i.e., within the second sensing unit 225, the sensing unit bridging component BR11 fills the empty spaces of the mesh structure of the second sensing unit 225 to form an integral contact in the contact area.

[0076] At this time, both the transparent conductive material sensing unit bridging member BR11 and the mesh metal second sensing unit 225 can be directly located on the substrate layer 210, and the substrate layer 210 can include the portion where the sensing unit bridging member BR11 and the mesh metal second sensing unit 225 intersect each other. When the portion where the sensing unit bridging member BR11 and the mesh metal second sensing unit 225 intersect each other is included below the via, the contact resistance between the sensing unit bridging member BR11 and the second sensing unit 225 can be minimized, thereby preventing or minimizing the increase in resistance that may be caused by the segmentation of the sensing unit within the folded region FA. Regarding the portion where the sensing unit bridging member BR11 and the mesh metal second sensing unit 225 intersect each other below the via, even if the sensing unit bridging member BR11 partially covers the blank space of the mesh structure of the mesh metal second sensing unit 225, it is still effective in reducing the increase in resistance, and when it is completely filled, the effect of reducing resistance is even better, and the adhesion to the underlying substrate can be further improved.

[0077] Within the folded region FA, the through-hole used to form the sensing unit bridge BR11 can be configured to have a diameter of 20 to 70 μm. When the diameter of the through-hole is less than 20 μm, poor contact may occur between the sensing unit bridge BR11 and the second sensing unit 225, or the contact resistance may increase by more than two times. On the other hand, when the diameter of the through-hole exceeds 70 μm, the through-hole becomes visible.

[0078] Within the folded region FA, the first sensing unit 221 and the second sensing unit 225, which have a mesh structure, can be configured with a mesh spacing of 1 to 10 μm. When the mesh spacing exceeds 10 μm, the conductive metal of the mesh structure becomes visible. On the other hand, when the first sensing unit 221 and the second sensing unit 225 are formed with a mesh structure, it is easy to achieve a mesh spacing of 2 μm or more in terms of manufacturing process. However, when the mesh spacing is set to less than 1 μm, it is almost impossible to form a sensing unit with a mesh structure, for example, an open circuit may occur.

[0079] Furthermore, within the folded region FA, the horizontal area of ​​the sensing unit bridge BR11 can be configured to have a width of 20 to 100 μm. When the width of the sensing unit bridge BR11 is set to less than 20 μm, an open circuit or a more than doubling of resistance will occur. On the other hand, when the width of the sensing unit bridge BR11 is set to more than 100 μm, the sensing unit bridge BR11 becomes visible.

[0080] In the sensing unit bridging components BR11 and BR12, the sensing unit bridging component BR12 located outside the folded region FA can be made of conductive metal. In this case, the sensing unit bridging component BR12 can be formed together with the first sensing unit 221 within the folded region FA using the same process. Therefore, the sensing unit bridging component BR12 can be formed on the substrate layer 210 and can be connected to the second sensing unit 226 introduced through the insulating layer 230. The conductive metal can be the material used for the first sensing units 221 and 222 within the folded region FA, such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), etc.

[0081] Passivation layer 240 can be formed on the second sensing units 225 and 226, the sensing unit bridging member BR11, and the insulating layer 230 to protect them. Passivation layer 240 can be an organic film or the like.

[0082] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the first embodiment, a blackening layer (not shown) can be formed on the folded area FA, that is, on the first and second sensing units 221, 222, 225, and 226, which include a conductive metal mesh structure. The blackening layer can be formed by sputtering, wet blackening (chemical plating), etc., thereby preventing or minimizing the visibility of the first and second sensing units 221, 222, 225, and 226 with mesh structures.

[0083] Despite Figure 2 The illustrated and described first embodiment of the foldable touch sensor panel first forms a conductive metal with a mesh structure on a substrate layer 210. However, the order can be changed, i.e., firstly, first and second sensing units 222 and 226 made of transparent conductive material outside the folded region (FA) are formed on the substrate layer 210, and then first and second sensing units 221 and 225 made of metal mesh inside the folded region FA are formed on the insulating layer 230. In this case, a sensing unit bridging member BR11 made of transparent conductive material inside the folded region FA can be formed on the substrate layer 210, and a sensing unit bridging member BR12 made of conductive metal outside the folded region FA can be coupled to the second sensing unit 226 through the insulating layer 230.

[0084] Figure 3 A foldable touch sensor panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0085] like Figure 3 As shown, the foldable touch sensor panel of the second embodiment may be composed of a substrate layer 310, first sensing units 321 and 322, insulating layer 330, second sensing units 325 and 326, segmentation unit bridging member CB21, passivation layer 340, etc.

[0086] The substrate layer 310, serving as a base for supporting the first sensing units 321 and 322, may be made of the same structure and materials as the substrate layer 210 of the first embodiment. A detailed description of the substrate layer 310 is replaced by a description relating to the substrate layer 210 of the first embodiment.

[0087] The first sensing units 321 and 322 can be arranged and connected along the folding direction on the substrate layer 310.

[0088] In the first sensing units 321 and 322, the first sensing unit 321 located within the folded region FA can be a metal mesh, i.e., a conductive metal with a mesh structure. The conductive metal can be gold (Au), silver (Ag), etc., as described in the first embodiment above.

[0089] In the first sensing units 321 and 322, the first sensing unit 322 located outside the folded region FA can be made of a transparent conductive material, for example, a monolithic plate structure with a rhomboid shape. The transparent conductive material can be indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), etc., as described in the first embodiment above.

[0090] The first sensing unit 321 inside the folded region FA and the first sensing unit 322 outside the folded region FA can be connected through the insulating layer 330 in the boundary region.

[0091] The insulating layer 330 can be formed on the first sensing units 321 and 322, the segmentation unit bridging member CB21 and the substrate layer 310 to insulate and protect them, and can be made of the curable prepolymer, curable polymer, etc. described in the first embodiment, or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyorganosiloxane (POS), etc., or polyester, polyether, etc.

[0092] The second sensing units 325 and 326 can be spaced apart from the first sensing units 321 and 322 in the horizontal direction on the insulating layer 330, and can be arranged and connected along the direction of the folding axis FL.

[0093] In the second sensing units 325 and 326, the second sensing unit 325 within the folded region FA can be composed of segmented sensing units SC21. The segmented sensing units SC21 can be strips of transparent conductive material spaced apart along a direction perpendicular to the folding axis. At least one of the segmented sensing units SC21 (e.g., the central segmented sensing unit) can be integrally connected with at least one of adjacent segmented sensing units SC21 (e.g., the central segmented sensing unit). The transparent conductive material can be indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), etc., as described in the first embodiment above.

[0094] In the second sensing units 325 and 326, the second sensing unit 326 located outside the folded region FA can be made of a transparent conductive material, for example, a monolithic plate structure with a rhomboid shape. The transparent conductive material can be indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), or the like described in the first embodiment above. The second sensing unit 326 located outside the folded region FA can be integrally connected to the insulating layer 330.

[0095] The segmentation unit bridging member CB21 can connect segmented sensing units SC21 within the folded region FA on a unit basis, and can be arranged perpendicular to the folding axis FL. The segmentation unit bridging member CB21 can be formed on the substrate layer 210 together with the first sensing unit 321 within the folded region FA using the same process. In this case, the segmented sensing unit SC21 can be connected to the segmentation unit bridging member CB21 through the insulating layer 230. The segmentation unit bridging member CB21 can be made of a conductive metal with a mesh structure like the first sensing unit 321 or a conductive metal with an integral wire structure, and the conductive metal can be gold (Au), silver (Ag), etc., as described in Embodiment 1 above.

[0096] Passivation layer 340 can be formed on the second sensing units 325 and 326 and the insulating layer 230 to protect them. Passivation layer 240 can be an organic film or the like.

[0097] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the second embodiment, a blackening layer (not shown) can be formed on the folded area FA, that is, on the upper part of the first sensing unit 321, which includes a conductive metal mesh structure, and the second sensing unit 325, which is composed of segmented sensing units SC21. The blackening layer can be formed by sputtering, wet blackening (chemical plating), etc., thereby preventing or minimizing the visibility of the first sensing unit 321 with mesh structure and the second sensing unit 325 composed of segmented sensing units SC21.

[0098] Despite Figure 3 The foldable touch sensor panel of the second embodiment shown is illustrated and described in that a first sensing unit 321 and a segmentation unit bridge CB21, which are conductive metals including a mesh structure, are first formed on the substrate layer 210. However, the order can be changed, that is, a second sensing unit 325, etc., including a segmentation sensing unit SC21 with transparent conductive material, is first formed on the substrate layer 210, and then the first sensing unit 321 and the segmentation unit bridge CB21 made of metal mesh in the folding region (FA) are formed on the insulating layer 230.

[0099] As described above, in the second embodiment, the second sensing unit 325 in the folded region FA is composed of a segmented sensing unit SC21 made of transparent conductive material, thereby improving the light transmittance of the folded region FA compared to the first embodiment.

[0100] Figure 4 A foldable touch sensor panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0101] like Figure 4 As shown, the foldable touch sensor panel of the third embodiment may consist of a substrate layer 410, first sensing units 421 and 422, a first segmentation unit bridging member CB31, second sensing units 425 and 426, a second segmentation unit bridging member CB32, an insulating layer 430, second sensing unit bridging members BR31 and BR32, a passivation layer 440, etc.

[0102] The substrate layer 410, serving as a base for supporting the first sensing units 421 and 422, may be made of the same structure and materials as the substrate layer 210 of the first embodiment. A detailed description of the substrate layer 410 is replaced by a description relating to the substrate layer 210 of the first embodiment.

[0103] The first sensing units 421 and 422 can be formed on the substrate layer 410. The first sensing unit 421 within the folded region FA can be composed of first segmented sensing units SC31 made of a transparent conductive material in a strip shape and spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis FL. The first sensing unit 422 outside the folded region FA can be made of a transparent conductive material, for example, a monolithic plate structure with a rhomboid shape.

[0104] The first segmented sensing unit SC31, which forms the first sensing unit 421 within the folded region FA, can be connected along the folding direction via a first segmented unit bridging member CB31. The first segmented unit bridging member CB31 can be made of a conductive metal. The conductive metal can be gold (Au), silver (Ag), etc., as described in the first embodiment above.

[0105] The first segmentation unit bridge CB31 can be used as a first sensing unit bridge to connect the first sensing unit 421 within the folded region FA or to connect the first sensing unit 421 within the folded region FA and the first sensing unit 422 outside the folded region FA.

[0106] The second sensing units 425 and 426 can be formed on the substrate layer 410, horizontally spaced apart from the first sensing units 421 and 422. The second sensing unit 425 within the folded region FA can be composed of second segmented sensing units SC32, which are made of a transparent conductive material and then separated and spaced apart from each other in the folding direction. The second sensing unit 426 outside the folded region FA can be made of a transparent conductive material, for example, a monolithic plate structure with a rhomboid shape. The transparent conductive material can be indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), etc., as described in the first embodiment above.

[0107] The second segmented sensing unit SC32, which constitutes the second sensing unit 425 within the folded region FA, can be connected along the folding direction via the second segmented unit bridging member CB32. The second segmented unit bridging member CB32 can be made of conductive metal, such as gold (Au) or silver (Ag) as described in the first embodiment above.

[0108] The second sensing units 425 and 426 can be connected along the folding axis FL via the second sensing unit bridging members BR31 and BR32.

[0109] Within the folded region FA, at least one of the second segmented sensing units SC32 constituting the second sensing unit 425 (e.g., the central second segmented sensing unit) can be connected to at least one of the second segmented sensing units SC32 of an adjacent second sensing unit 425 (e.g., the central second segmented sensing unit) via a second sensing unit bridge BR31. The second sensing unit bridge BR31 can be made of a transparent conductive material. The transparent conductive material can be indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), etc., as described in the first embodiment above.

[0110] Outside the folded region FA, the second sensing unit 426 can be connected via a second sensing unit bridge BR32. The second sensing unit bridge BR32 can be made of a transparent conductive material or a conductive metal. The transparent conductive material can be indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), etc., as described in the first embodiment above, and the conductive metal can be gold (Au), silver (Ag), etc.

[0111] An insulating layer 430 may be formed on the substrate layer 410, the first sensing units 421 and 422, the first segmentation unit bridging member CB31, the second sensing units 425 and 426, and the second segmentation unit bridging member CB32 to protect them. The insulating layer 430 may be made of the curable prepolymer, curable polymer, etc., described in the first embodiment, or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyorganosiloxane (POS), etc., or polyester, polyether, etc.

[0112] The second sensing unit bridging components BR31 and BR32 can connect the second sensing units 425 and 426 through the insulating layer 430 along the folding axis FL.

[0113] Passivation layer 440 can be formed on the second sensing unit bridges BR31 and BR32 and the insulating layer 430 to protect them. Passivation layer 440 can be an organic film or the like.

[0114] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the third embodiment, a part of the sensing unit bridge in the first segmentation unit bridge CB31, which serves to connect the first sensing unit 421 within the folded area FA and to connect the first sensing unit 421 within the folded area FA and the first sensing unit 422 outside the folded area FA, can also be referred to as the first sensing unit bridge.

[0115] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the third embodiment, the first segmentation unit bridging member CB31 and the second segmentation unit bridging member CB21 can be formed by the same process.

[0116] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the third embodiment, a blackening layer can be formed on the first sensing unit 421, which is composed of a first segmented sensing unit SC31, and the second sensing unit 425, which is composed of a second segmented sensing unit SC32, in the folded area FA. The blackening layer can be formed by sputtering, wet blackening (chemical plating), etc., thereby preventing or minimizing the visibility of the first sensing unit 421 and the second sensing unit 425 with segmented structures.

[0117] Figure 5 A foldable touch sensor panel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0118] like Figure 5 As shown, the foldable touch sensor panel of the fourth embodiment may consist of a substrate layer 510, a first segmentation unit bridging member CB41, a second segmentation unit bridging member CB42, an insulating layer 530, first sensing units 521 and 522, second sensing units 525 and 526, a passivation layer 240, etc.

[0119] The substrate layer 510, serving as a base for supporting the first segmentation unit bridging member CB41, etc., can be made of the same structure and materials as the substrate layer 210 of the first embodiment. A detailed description of the substrate layer 510 is replaced by a description relating to the substrate layer 210 of the first embodiment.

[0120] The first segmentation unit bridging member CB41 can be formed on the substrate layer 510 within the folded region FA along a direction perpendicular to the folding axis FL. The first segmentation unit bridging member CB41 can be a linear integral conductive metal. The conductive metal can be gold (Au), silver (Ag), etc., as described in the first embodiment above.

[0121] The second segmentation unit bridging member CB42 can be formed on the substrate layer 510 within the folded region FA along the folding direction. The second segmentation unit bridging member CB42 can be made of a linear integral conductive metal and can be formed integrally with the first sensing unit 525. The conductive metal can be gold (Au), silver (Ag), etc., as described in the first embodiment above.

[0122] An insulating layer 530 may be formed on the substrate layer 510, the first segmentation unit bridging member CB41, and the second segmentation unit bridging member CB42 to protect them. It may be made of a curable prepolymer, a curable polymer, or the like described in the first embodiment, or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyorganosiloxane (POS), or polyester, polyether, etc.

[0123] The first sensing units 521 and 522 can be formed on the insulating layer 530. The first sensing unit 521 within the folded region FA can be composed of first segmented sensing units SC41, which are made of a transparent conductive material and then separated from each other in the folding direction. The first sensing unit 522 outside the folded region FA can be made of a transparent conductive material, for example, a monolithic plate structure with a rhombic shape. The transparent conductive material can be indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), etc., as described in the first embodiment above.

[0124] The first segmented sensing unit SC41, which forms the first sensing unit 521 within the folded region FA, can be connected along the folding direction via the first segmented unit bridging member CB41.

[0125] The first segmentation unit bridging component CB41 can be used as a first sensing unit bridging component to connect the first sensing unit 521 within the folded region FA or to connect the first sensing unit 521 within the folded region FA and the first sensing unit 522 outside the folded region FA.

[0126] The second sensing units 525 and 526 can be formed to be horizontally spaced apart from the first sensing units 521 and 522 on the insulating layer 530. The second sensing unit 525 within the folded region FA can be composed of second segmented sensing units SC42 that are separated and spaced apart from each other in the folding direction after being made into strips using a transparent conductive material. The second sensing unit 526 outside the folded region FA can be made of a transparent conductive material, for example, a monolithic plate structure with a rhomboid shape. The transparent conductive material can be indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), etc., as described in the first embodiment above.

[0127] The second segmented sensing unit SC42 that constitutes the second sensing unit 525 within the folded region FA can be connected along the folding direction via the second segmented unit bridge CB42. At least one of the second segmented sensing units SC42 in the second sensing unit 525 (e.g., the central second segmented sensing unit) can be connected to at least one of the second segmented sensing units SC42 in the adjacent second sensing unit 525 (e.g., the central segmented sensing unit) to form a single unit.

[0128] In the fourth embodiment, the first and second sensing units 521, 522, 525 and 526 can be formed by the same process.

[0129] A passivation layer 540 can be formed on the first sensing units 521 and 522, the second sensing units 525 and 526, and the insulating layer 530 to protect them. The passivation layer 540 can be an organic film or the like.

[0130] In the foldable touch sensor panel of the fourth embodiment, a blackening layer can be formed in the folded area FA, that is, above the first sensing unit 521 composed of the first segmented sensing unit SC41 and the second sensing unit 525 composed of the second segmented sensing unit SC42. The blackening layer can be formed by sputtering, wet blackening (chemical plating), etc., thereby preventing or minimizing the visibility of the first and second sensing units 521 and 525 with segmented structures.

[0131] Despite Figure 5 The fourth embodiment shown illustrates and describes first forming first and second segmentation unit bridging members CB41 and CB42 on substrate layer 510, and then forming first sensing units 521 and 522 and second sensing units 525 and 526 on insulating layer 230. However, alternatively, first sensing units 521 and 522 and second sensing units 525 and 526 may be formed on substrate layer 510 first, and then forming first and second segmentation unit bridging members CB41 and CB42 on insulating layer 230.

[0132] The present invention has been described above by way of several embodiments, which are intended to illustrate the invention. Those skilled in the art will be able to modify or vary these embodiments into other forms. However, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, these modifications or variations can be interpreted as being included within the scope of the invention.

[0133] [Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures]

[0134] 210, 310, 410, 510: Substrate layer

[0135] 221, 222, 321, 322, 421, 422, 521, 522: First sensing unit

[0136] 225, 226, 325, 326, 425, 426, 525, 526: Second sensing unit

[0137] 230, 330, 430, 530: Insulation layer

[0138] 240, 340, 440, 540: Passivation layer

[0139] BR11, BR12, BR31, BR32: Sensing unit bridging components

[0140] CB21, CB31, CB32, CB41, CB42; Segmentation unit bridging components

[0141] SC21, SC31, SC32, SC41, SC42: Segmented sensing units

[0142] FA: Folded area

[0143] FL: Folding axis.

Claims

1.A foldable touch sensor panel comprising: a substrate layer; and a split sensing portion formed on the substrate layer and split into more lanes to form a connection in a folding area than in a non-folding area, wherein the split sensing portion comprises: a first sensing unit connected in a folding direction and comprising a mesh structure of conductive metal; a second sensing unit spaced apart from the first sensing unit in a horizontal direction and connected in a direction of a folding axis, wherein the second sensing unit comprises a mesh structure of conductive metal; an insulating layer formed on the substrate layer and for electrically insulating the first sensing unit from the second sensing unit; and a sensing unit bridge connecting the second sensing unit in the direction of the folding axis by a via hole penetrating the insulating layer and having a diameter of 20-70 μm, wherein the sensing unit bridge fills a mesh structure of empty spaces in a region in contact with the second sensing unit to form an integrated contact and the sensing unit bridge is made of a transparent conductive material. 2.The foldable touch sensor panel of claim 1, wherein the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit have a mesh pitch of 1 μm to 10 μm. 3.The foldable touch sensor panel of claim 1, wherein a horizontal region of the sensing unit bridge has a width of 20 μm to 100 μm. 4.A foldable touch sensor panel comprising: a substrate layer; and a split sensing portion formed on the substrate layer and split into more lanes to form a connection in a folding area than in a non-folding area, wherein the split sensing portion comprises: a first sensing unit connected in a folding direction and comprising a mesh structure of conductive metal; an insulating layer formed on the substrate layer and for electrically insulating the first sensing unit; a second sensing unit spaced apart from the first sensing unit in a horizontal direction on the insulating layer and connected in a direction of a folding axis, and comprising split sensing units spaced apart from each other in a folding direction with a strip-shaped transparent conductive material; and a split unit bridge connecting the split sensing units in the folding direction and made of conductive metal. 5.The foldable touch sensor panel of claim 4, wherein at least one split sensing unit of the second sensing unit forms an integrated body with at least one split sensing unit of an adjacent second sensing unit. 6.A foldable touch sensor panel comprising: a substrate layer; and a split sensing portion formed on the substrate layer and split into more lanes to form a connection in a folding area than in a non-folding area, wherein the split sensing portion comprises: a first sensing unit consisting of first split sensing units spaced apart from each other in a folding direction with a strip-shaped transparent conductive material; a first split unit bridge connecting the first split sensing units in the folding direction and made of conductive metal; a first sensing unit bridge connecting the first sensing units in the folding direction and made of conductive metal; ​ ​ ​ a second sensing unit spaced apart from the first sensing unit in a horizontal direction and arranged in a direction of the folding axis, the second sensing unit consisting of second divided sensing units spaced apart from each other in a folding direction by a strip-shaped transparent conductive material; a second divided unit bridge connecting the second divided sensing units for each of the second sensing units in a folding direction and made of a conductive metal; an insulating layer for electrically insulating the first sensing unit, the first divided unit bridge, the first sensing unit bridge, the second sensing unit, and the second divided unit bridge; and a second sensing unit bridge penetrating the insulating layer to connect the second sensing units in a folding axis direction and made of a transparent conductive material. 7.The foldable touch sensor panel of claim 6, wherein the first divided unit bridge is integrated with the first sensing unit bridge. 8.The foldable touch sensor panel of claim 6 or claim 7, comprising a blackened layer formed in regions of the first sensing unit consisting of the first divided sensing units and the second sensing unit consisting of the second divided sensing units. 9.A foldable touch sensor panel, comprising: a substrate layer; and a divided sensing portion formed on the substrate layer and divided into more lanes in a folding area than in a non-folding area to form a connection, wherein the divided sensing portion comprises: a first divided unit bridge formed in a folding direction and made of a conductive metal; a second divided unit bridge spaced apart from the first divided unit bridge and formed in a folding direction and made of a conductive metal; an insulating layer formed on the substrate layer and for electrically insulating the first divided unit bridge and the second divided unit bridge; a first sensing unit formed on the insulating layer and consisting of first divided sensing units, wherein the first divided sensing units are spaced apart from each other in a folding direction along arrangement lines of the first divided unit bridge by a strip-shaped transparent conductive material and connected to the first divided unit bridge penetrating the insulating layer; a second sensing unit formed on the insulating layer and consisting of second divided sensing units, wherein the second divided sensing units are spaced apart from each other in a folding direction along arrangement lines of the second divided unit bridge by a strip-shaped transparent conductive material and connected to the second divided unit bridge penetrating the insulating layer; and a first sensing unit bridge connecting the first sensing units in a folding direction and made of a conductive metal. 10.The foldable touch sensor panel of claim 9, wherein the first sensing unit bridge is integrated with the first divided unit bridge. 11.The foldable touch sensor panel of claim 9, wherein at least one divided sensing unit of the second sensing unit and at least one divided sensing unit of an adjacent second sensing unit are integrated.

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