Touch structure, touch display panel and display device

Abstract

A touch structure, a touch display panel, and a display device are disclosed. The touch structure includes a substrate and a first metal mesh electrode layer, an insulating layer, and a second metal mesh electrode layer disposed on the substrate. The first metal mesh electrode layer includes a plurality of first metal meshes formed by a plurality of first metal lines, and the second metal mesh electrode layer includes a plurality of second metal meshes formed by a plurality of second metal lines. First portions of the plurality of first metal lines and second portions of the plurality of second metal lines each have the same line extension direction and overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The insulating layer has an edge slope portion covering the second portions of the plurality of second metal lines in a direction perpendicular to the line extension direction. This edge slope portion forms a step relative to the surface of the substrate, and the first portions of the plurality of first metal lines and the edge slope portion at least partially do not overlap. This improves the reliability of the touch structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to a touch structure, a touch display panel, and a display device. Background Technology

[0002] Touch-enabled user interfaces are widely used in various electronic devices, such as mobile phones and tablets. The touch structure used to implement touch functionality includes the touch electrode structure. The arrangement of the touch electrode structure affects the sensitivity and accuracy of the touch function, and is therefore an important factor affecting the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] At least one embodiment of this disclosure provides a touch structure, including a substrate and a first metal mesh electrode layer, an insulating layer, and a second metal mesh electrode layer disposed on the substrate. The first metal mesh electrode layer is located on the side of the second metal mesh electrode layer away from the substrate, and the insulating layer is disposed between the first and second metal mesh electrode layers. The first metal mesh electrode layer includes a plurality of first metal meshes formed by a plurality of first metal lines, and the second metal mesh electrode layer includes a plurality of second metal meshes formed by a plurality of second metal lines. First portions of the plurality of first metal lines and second portions of the plurality of second metal lines each have the same line extension direction and overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The insulating layer has an edge slope portion covering the second portions of the plurality of second metal lines in a direction perpendicular to the line extension direction. The edge slope portion forms a step relative to the surface of the substrate, and the first portions of the plurality of first metal lines do not at least partially overlap with the edge slope portion.

[0004] For example, in a touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, in a plane parallel to the surface of the substrate, the linewidth of the second portion of the plurality of second metal lines is greater than the linewidth of the first portion of the first metal lines.

[0005] For example, in a touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the orthographic projection of the first portion of the plurality of first metal lines on the substrate is located inside the orthographic projection of the second portion of the plurality of second metal lines on the substrate.

[0006] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the first portion of the plurality of first metal lines includes a plurality of first sub-metal lines, the second portion of the plurality of second metal lines includes a plurality of second sub-metal lines, and the plurality of first sub-metal lines and the plurality of second sub-metal lines overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate.

[0007] For example, in a touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the first metal mesh electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch sub-electrodes and a plurality of first connecting electrodes arranged along a first direction. The plurality of first touch sub-electrodes and the plurality of first connecting electrodes are alternately distributed and electrically connected in sequence to form a first touch electrode extending along the first direction. The first metal mesh electrode layer also includes a plurality of second touch sub-electrodes arranged in sequence along a second direction and spaced apart from each other. The first direction intersects the second direction. Each of the plurality of first touch sub-electrodes and each of the second touch sub-electrodes is spaced apart from each other and each includes a plurality of first metal meshes. The second metal mesh electrode layer includes a plurality of second connecting electrodes spaced apart from each other. Each of the plurality of second connecting electrodes is electrically connected to its adjacent second touch sub-electrode through a plurality of vias in the insulating layer, thereby electrically connecting adjacent second touch electrodes to form a second touch electrode extending in the second direction.

[0008] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the first portion of the plurality of first sub-metal lines includes a first sub-part located at the end of the first touch sub-electrode near the second connecting electrode, and the second portion of the plurality of second sub-metal lines includes a second sub-part at the end of the second connecting electrode near the first touch sub-electrode. In a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, the first sub-part and the second sub-part overlap, and the first sub-part is electrically connected to the second sub-part through a plurality of vias in the insulating layer.

[0009] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the first portion of the plurality of first sub-metal lines further includes a third sub-part located at the first connecting electrode, and the second portion of the plurality of second sub-metal lines further includes a fourth sub-part located at the second connecting electrode. In a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the substrate, the third sub-part and the fourth sub-part overlap and are electrically insulated.

[0010] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the ratio of the line width of the second portion of the plurality of second metal lines to the line width of the first portion of the plurality of first metal lines is R1.

[0011] 2 ≥ R1>1.

[0012] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the line width of each of the plurality of first metal lines is 3μm-5μm, and the line width of the second portion of the plurality of second metal lines is 0.2μm-0.5μm larger than the line width of the first metal lines.

[0013] For example, in at least one embodiment of the touch structure provided in this disclosure, the plurality of second metal lines further have a third portion that does not overlap with the plurality of first metal lines, and the ratio of the line width of the third portion of the plurality of second metal lines to the line width of the first portion of the plurality of first metal lines is R2.

[0014] 1 > R2 ≥ 0.6.

[0015] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the line width of the third portion of the plurality of second metal lines is 0.2 μm - 0.5 μm smaller than the line width of the first metal line.

[0016] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the third portion of the plurality of second metal lines includes a connection portion between the second sub-part and the fourth sub-part.

[0017] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the line width of each of the plurality of first metal lines is 3 μm, the line width of the second portion of the second metal line is 3.2 μm, and the line width of the third portion of the second metal line is 2.8 μm.

[0018] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the line width of each of the plurality of second metal lines is 2.5μm-4.5μm, and the line width of the first portion of the plurality of first metal lines is 0.2μm-0.5μm smaller than the line width of the second metal lines.

[0019] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the plurality of first metal lines further have a fourth portion that does not overlap with the plurality of second metal lines, and the line width of the fourth portion of the plurality of first metal lines is larger or smaller than the line width of the second metal lines.

[0020] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the second portion of the plurality of second metal lines is generally arranged in a plurality of spaced-apart zigzag shapes.

[0021] For example, in a touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, each of the plurality of second connecting electrodes includes, along a second direction: a first metal mesh row, including a plurality of second metal meshes arranged along the first direction; and a second metal mesh row, adjacent to and connected to the first metal mesh row, and including at least one second metal mesh arranged along the first direction, wherein the number of second metal meshes in the second metal mesh row is less than or equal to the number of second metal meshes in the first metal mesh row, and the second metal line of the second metal mesh in the second metal mesh row near the first metal mesh row is a second metal line shared with the second metal mesh in the first metal mesh row.

[0022] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the second metal line shared by the second metal grid row and the first metal grid row is in the form of a first zigzag shape, and the plurality of spaced zigzag shapes include the first zigzag shape.

[0023] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the first metal mesh row further includes a first non-shared second metal line opposite to the shared second metal line, the first non-shared second metal line being in the form of a second zigzag shape, and the plurality of spaced zigzag shapes including the second zigzag shape.

[0024] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the plurality of vias includes a first via, the first via being located at the bend of the second zigzag shape of the first non-shared second metal line, and the first metal mesh row being electrically connected through the first via to one of the two second touch sub-electrodes adjacent to the second connecting electrode thereon.

[0025] For example, in a touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, each of the plurality of second connecting electrodes further includes, along the second direction: a third metal mesh row, located on the side of the second metal mesh row away from the first metal mesh row, and including a plurality of second metal meshes arranged along the first direction; and a fourth metal mesh row, located on the side of the third metal mesh row close to the second metal mesh row and adjacent to and connected to the third metal mesh row, including at least one second metal mesh arranged along the first direction, wherein the number of second metal meshes in the fourth metal mesh row is less than or equal to the number of second metal meshes in the third metal mesh row, and the second metal line of the second metal mesh in the fourth metal mesh row close to the third metal mesh row is a second metal line shared with the second metal mesh in the third metal mesh row.

[0026] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the third metal grid row further includes a second non-shared second metal line opposite to the second metal line shared by the fourth metal grid row and the third metal grid row, the second non-shared second metal line being in the form of a third zigzag shape, and the plurality of spaced zigzag shapes including the third zigzag shape.

[0027] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the plurality of vias further includes a second via, the second via being located at the bend of the third zigzag shape of the second non-shared second metal line, and the third metal mesh row being electrically connected to another of the two second touch sub-electrodes adjacent to the second connecting electrode thereon through the second via.

[0028] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the second connection electrode further includes: at least one intermediate metal mesh row located between the second metal mesh row and the fourth metal mesh row, each of the at least one intermediate metal mesh row including at least one second metal mesh.

[0029] For example, in the touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the at least one intermediate metal grid row includes a second metal line shared with the second metal grid row or the fourth metal grid row, and the second metal line shared by the at least one intermediate metal grid row and the second metal grid row or the fourth metal grid row is in the form of a fourth zigzag shape, and the plurality of spaced zigzag shapes include the fourth zigzag shape.

[0030] For example, in at least one embodiment of the touch structure provided in this disclosure, the plurality of first metal meshes and the plurality of second metal meshes are hexagonal.

[0031] At least one embodiment of this disclosure provides a touch display panel, which includes a substrate, a display structure and any of the touch structures described above, stacked on the substrate.

[0032] At least one embodiment of this disclosure provides a display device, which includes the above-described touch display panel. Attached Figure Description

[0033] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings described below only relate to some embodiments of this disclosure and are not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of a touch-sensitive structure;

[0035] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the wiring arranged in layers in a touch structure;

[0036] Figure 3 This is a plan view of a touch structure provided in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 4 for Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of a portion within the square frame;

[0038] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged schematic diagram of region A in the middle;

[0039] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A sectional view along section line D-D';

[0040] Figure 7 It shows Figure 5 The first metal mesh electrode layer in the middle;

[0041] Figure 8 It shows Figure 5 The second metal mesh electrode layer in;

[0042] Figure 9 for Figure 5 A sectional view along section line B-B';

[0043] Figure 10 A schematic diagram showing the vertices of the second metal mesh with and without vias;

[0044] Figure 11 A plan view of a touch display panel provided for at least one embodiment of this disclosure; and

[0045] Figure 12 For along Figure 11 The sectional view of section line II-II' in the diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0046] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0047] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this disclosure shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms “first,” “second,” and similar terms used in this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as “comprising” or “including” mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as “connected” or “linked” are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” and “right” are used only to indicate relative positional relationships, and these relative positional relationships may change accordingly when the absolute position of the described objects changes.

[0048] The accompanying drawings in this disclosure are not strictly drawn to scale, and the number of the first touch electrode, second touch electrode, first touch sub-electrode, second touch sub-electrode, first metal mesh, and second metal mesh in the touch structure is not limited to the numbers shown in the drawings. The specific dimensions and quantity of each structure can be determined according to actual needs. The accompanying drawings described in this disclosure are only structural schematic diagrams.

[0049] Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panels possess characteristics such as self-illumination, high contrast, low power consumption, wide viewing angle, fast response speed, applicability to flexible panels, wide operating temperature range, and simple manufacturing, making them promising for future development. To meet diverse user needs, integrating multiple functions into display panels, such as touch functionality and fingerprint recognition, is of great significance. For example, forming an on-cell touch structure within the OLED display panel is one approach. This method achieves touch functionality by forming the touch structure on top of the OLED display panel's encapsulation film.

[0050] For example, a mutual capacitance touch structure includes multiple touch electrodes, including touch driving electrodes and touch sensing electrodes extending in different directions. The touch driving electrode Tx and the touch sensing electrode Rx form a mutual capacitance for touch sensing at their intersections. The touch driving electrode Tx is used to input an excitation signal (touch driving signal), and the touch sensing electrode Rx is used to output a touch sensing signal. By inputting an excitation signal to, for example, the vertically extending touch driving electrode and receiving a touch sensing signal from, for example, the horizontally extending touch sensing electrode, a detection signal reflecting the capacitance value at the coupling point (e.g., the intersection) of the horizontal and vertical electrodes can be obtained. When a finger touches the touchscreen (e.g., a cover glass), it affects the coupling between the touch driving electrode and the touch sensing electrode near the touch point, thereby changing the capacitance of the mutual capacitance between these two electrodes at the intersection, resulting in a change in the touch sensing signal. Based on data of the two-dimensional capacitance change of the touchscreen according to the touch sensing signal, the coordinates of the touch point can be calculated.

[0051] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a mutual capacitance touch structure is shown. Figure 1As shown, under the drive of the touch driving circuit 130, a touch driving signal is applied to the touch driving electrode Tx, thereby generating an electric field line E. This electric field line E is received by the touch sensing electrode Rx to form a reference capacitance. When a finger touches the touch screen 110, since the human body is a conductor, a portion of the electric field line E generated by the touch driving electrode Tx is guided to the finger to form a finger capacitance, reducing the electric field line E received by the touch sensing electrode Rx. Therefore, the capacitance value between the touch driving electrode Tx and the touch sensing electrode Rx decreases. The touch driving circuit 130 obtains the capacitance value through the touch sensing electrode Rx and compares it with the reference capacitance to obtain the capacitance change. Based on the capacitance change data and the position coordinates of each touch capacitor, the coordinates of the touch point can be calculated.

[0052] In some touch structures, a metal mesh structure is used to form the touch sensing electrode Rx and the touch driving electrode Tx. For example, at the intersection of the touch sensing electrode Rx and the touch driving electrode Tx, one of the touch sensing electrode Rx and the touch driving electrode Tx electrically connects its multiple sub-electrodes by bridging. At the bridging location, the touch sensing electrode Rx and the touch driving electrode Tx have overlapping metal meshes, and the metal lines constituting these overlapping metal meshes have the same line extension direction. The specific form of these meshes will be described later. Figure 5 Examples are shown. For example, Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the overlapping portion perpendicular to the line extension direction is shown. (See diagram.) Figure 2 As shown, the touch sensing electrode Rx includes traces L1 forming a metal mesh, and the touch driving electrode Tx has traces L2 forming a metal mesh. Tracees L1 and L2 are insulated by an insulating layer I. At the edge of trace L2, the insulating layer I has a ramp portion I1. During the fabrication of the touch structure, this ramp portion I1 is prone to breakage, causing traces L1 and L2 to be electrically connected at the broken portion of ramp portion I1, thus preventing the touch structure from functioning properly.

[0053] At least one embodiment of this disclosure provides a touch structure, which includes a substrate and a first metal mesh electrode layer, an insulating layer, and a second metal mesh electrode layer disposed on the substrate. The first metal mesh electrode layer is located on the side of the second metal mesh electrode layer away from the substrate, and an insulating layer is disposed between the first metal mesh electrode layer and the second metal mesh electrode layer. The first metal mesh electrode layer includes a plurality of first metal meshes formed by a plurality of first metal lines, and the second metal mesh electrode layer includes a plurality of second metal meshes formed by a plurality of second metal lines. The first portions of the plurality of first metal lines and the second portions of the plurality of second metal lines have the same line extension direction and overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The insulating layer has an edge slope portion covering the second portions of the plurality of second metal lines in a direction perpendicular to the line extension direction. The edge slope portion forms a step relative to the surface of the substrate, and the first portions of the plurality of first metal lines and the edge slope portion do not overlap at least partially.

[0054] The touch structure provided in this embodiment reduces the probability of a short circuit caused by the first portion of the multiple first metal lines being electrically connected to the second portion of the multiple second metal lines due to the breakage of the edge slope portion, thereby improving the reliability of the touch structure.

[0055] For example, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a touch structure 40 provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the touch electrode structure 40 includes multiple first touch electrodes 410 extending along the first direction D1 (one first touch electrode 410 is...). Figure 3 The corresponding position indicated by the dashed line) and multiple second touch electrodes 420 extending along the second direction D2 (one second touch electrode 420 is...) Figure 3 (The corresponding position indicated by the dashed line in the diagram). For example, the first touch electrode 410 is a touch sensing electrode Rx, and the second touch electrode 420 is a touch driving electrode Tx. However, the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to this. In other embodiments, the first touch electrode 410 may be a touch driving electrode Tx, and the second touch electrode 420 may be a touch sensing electrode Rx.

[0056] Each first touch electrode 410 includes first touch sub-electrodes 411 arranged sequentially and connected to each other along a first direction D1, and each second touch electrode 420 includes second touch sub-electrodes 421 arranged sequentially and connected to each other along a second direction D2. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the main outline of each first touch sub-electrode 411 and second touch sub-electrode 421 is rhomboid. In other examples, the first touch sub-electrode 411 and second touch sub-electrode 421 can also be other shapes, such as triangles, stripes, etc.

[0057] The first touch sub-electrode 411 adjacent in the first direction D1 is electrically connected through the first connecting electrode 412 to form the first touch electrode 410, and the second touch sub-electrode 421 adjacent in the second direction D2 is electrically connected through the second connecting electrode (not shown) to form the second touch electrode 420.

[0058] Each first touch electrode 410 and each second touch electrode 420 are insulated from each other and cross each other, forming a plurality of touch units 400 at the intersection. Each touch unit includes a portion of each of the two first touch electrode portions connected at the intersection and at least a portion of each of the two second touch electrode portions connected at the intersection.

[0059] For example, Figure 3 The right side shows an enlarged schematic diagram of a touch unit 400. (See attached image.) Figure 3 As shown, each touch unit 400 includes half of each of two adjacent first touch sub-electrodes 411 and half of each of two adjacent second touch sub-electrodes 421, that is, an area including an average of one first touch sub-electrode 411 and one second touch sub-electrode 421. The intersection point of the first touch sub-electrode 411 and the second touch sub-electrode 421 in each touch unit 400 (that is, the intersection of the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode) forms a reference point for calculating coordinates. When a finger touches the capacitive screen, it affects the coupling between the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode near the touch point, thereby changing the mutual capacitance between the two electrodes. The touch sensing signal changes according to the change in the capacitance of the touch screen, thereby allowing the coordinates of each touch point to be calculated based on this reference point. For example, the area of ​​each touch unit 400 is comparable to the area of ​​a human finger in contact with the touch panel. If the area of ​​the touch unit is too large, it may cause touch blind spots on the panel; if it is too small, it may cause false touch signals.

[0060] The average side length of each touch unit 400 is P, which is called the pitch of the touch structure. For example, the pitch P ranges from 3.7mm to 5mm, such as about 4mm; this is because the diameter of a human finger in contact with the touch panel is about 4mm. For example, the size of this pitch is the same as the average side length of each first touch sub-electrode 411 and the average side length of each second touch sub-electrode 421, and also the same as the center distance between adjacent first touch sub-electrodes 411 and the center distance between adjacent second touch sub-electrodes 421.

[0061] like Figure 3As shown, the first touch sub-electrode 411 and the second touch sub-electrode 421 each include a main body and a plurality of interdigital structures 440 extending from the main body. The first touch sub-electrode 411 and the adjacent second touch sub-electrode 421 are nested together in the first metal mesh 50 through the interdigital structures 440 to form mutual capacitance. The interdigital structure can increase the perimeter of the touch sub-electrode with the same area, thus effectively increasing the mutual capacitance without increasing the self-capacitance (capacitive load) of the touch sub-electrode, thereby improving the touch sensitivity. For example, the shape of the main body can be circular or rectangular, and the shape of the interdigital structure includes at least one of the following shapes: parallelogram (e.g., rectangle), triangle, trapezoid, and hexagon.

[0062] For example, multiple interdigital structures 440 are distributed around the periphery of the main body of the touch sub-electrode. For example, the main body is rectangular, and the number of second interdigital structures 112 corresponding to each side is 3-10, for example 6-10. In other examples, the main body may also be circular, and the multiple interdigital structures 440 are evenly distributed on the circumference of the circle.

[0063] For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, adjacent first touch sub-electrodes 411 in the first direction D1 are connected by a first connecting electrode 412 to form a first touch electrode 410 extending along the first direction D1, and adjacent second touch electrodes 421 in the second direction D2 are connected by a second connecting electrode ( Figure 3 (Not shown) are connected to form a second touch electrode 420 extending along the second direction D2.

[0064] Figure 4 for Figure 3 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion within the square frame. The touch structure 40 includes a first metal mesh electrode layer 50 and a second metal mesh electrode layer 60. An insulating layer is disposed between the first metal mesh electrode layer 50 and the second metal mesh electrode layer 60.

[0065] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 The first metal mesh electrode layer 50 includes a plurality of first touch sub-electrodes 411 and a plurality of first connecting electrodes 412 arranged along the first direction D1. The plurality of first touch sub-electrodes 411 and the plurality of first connecting electrodes 412 are alternately distributed and electrically connected in sequence to form a first touch electrode 410 extending along the first direction D1. That is, along the first direction D1, adjacent first touch sub-electrodes 4111 and 4112 are electrically connected to each other through the first connecting electrodes 412 to form a first touch electrode 410. Figure 3The first touch electrode 410 is shown located in the first metal mesh electrode layer 50. The first metal mesh electrode layer 50 also includes a plurality of second touch sub-electrodes 421 arranged sequentially and spaced apart from each other along a second direction D2, where the first direction D1 intersects the second direction D2. Each of the plurality of first touch sub-electrodes 411 and each of the second touch electrodes 421 are spaced apart from each other and each includes a plurality of first metal meshes.

[0066] The second metal mesh electrode layer 60 includes a plurality of second connection electrodes 422 spaced apart from each other. Each of the plurality of second connection electrodes 422 is electrically connected to its adjacent second touch sub-electrodes 4211 and 4212 through a plurality of vias in the insulating layer, thereby electrically connecting the adjacent second touch electrodes 4211 and 4212 to form a Figure 3 The second touch electrode 420 extends in the second direction D2, as shown. Figure 4 As shown, the first touch sub-electrode 411 and the second touch sub-electrode 421 are nested and isolated from each other in the first metal mesh electrode layer 50 through an interdigitated structure 440. The boundary between the first touch sub-electrode 411 and the second touch sub-electrode 421 is serrated due to the presence of the interdigitated structure.

[0067] For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, the touch structure 40 may further include a virtual electrode 430. The virtual electrode 430 is embedded in at least one of the plurality of touch sub-electrodes and spaced apart from its respective touch sub-electrode to insulate it from each other. For example, each touch sub-electrode may have a virtual electrode 430 embedded in it, or some of the plurality of touch sub-electrodes may have a virtual electrode 430 embedded in it. For example, the at least one touch sub-electrode may be a second touch sub-electrode 421. In other embodiments, the at least one touch sub-electrode may also be a first touch electrode 411.

[0068] By setting a virtual electrode 430 that is spaced apart from and not electrically connected to the touch sub-electrode, the electrode area (effective area) of the touch electrode can be reduced, the capacitive load (self-capacitance) on the touch electrode can be reduced, thereby reducing the load on the touch electrode and improving touch sensitivity. For example, the virtual electrode 430 is in a floating state, that is, it is not electrically connected to other structures or receives any electrical signals.

[0069] Figure 5 It shows Figure 3 and Figure 4 An enlarged schematic diagram of area A, which is the intersection point of the first touch sub-electrode 411 and the second touch sub-electrode 421, also known as the bridging area. Figure 5 The light-colored grid indicates the first metal grid 52 in the first metal grid electrode layer 50 (i.e., Figure 7The first metal mesh electrode layer 50 shown includes a first touch electrode 410 (including a first touch sub-electrode 411 and a first connecting electrode 412) and a second touch sub-electrode 421. The first touch sub-electrode 411, the first connecting electrode 412 and the second touch electrode 421 each include a plurality of first metal meshes 52 connected to each other. Figure 5 The dark-colored mesh indicates the second metal mesh 62 in the second metal mesh electrode layer 60 (i.e. Figure 8 The second metal mesh electrode layer 60 shown includes a second connecting electrode 422, which includes a plurality of second metal meshes 62 connected to each other.

[0070] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A sectional view along section line D-D'. Figure 7 It shows Figure 5 The first metal mesh electrode layer in the middle, Figure 8 It shows Figure 5 The second metal mesh electrode layer in the middle. Combined with... Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The touch structure 40 includes a first metal mesh electrode layer 50 and a second metal mesh electrode layer 60. The first metal mesh electrode layer 50 is located on the side of the second metal mesh electrode layer 60 away from the substrate 21, and an insulating layer 70 is disposed between the first metal mesh electrode layer 50 and the second metal mesh electrode layer 60. The first metal mesh electrode layer 50 includes a plurality of first metal meshes 52 defined by a plurality of first metal lines 51, and the second metal mesh electrode layer 60 includes a plurality of second metal meshes 62 defined by a plurality of second metal lines 61.

[0071] For example, each of the plurality of first metal meshes 52 and each of the second metal meshes 62 are polygons. For example, each of the plurality of first metal meshes 52 and each of the second metal meshes 62 shown in the figure are hexagons. Of course, in other embodiments, their shapes can also be other polygons, such as quadrilaterals, pentagons, triangles, etc. The specific design can be made as needed. The embodiments of this disclosure do not limit the shape of each first metal mesh 52 and each second metal mesh 62, as long as they satisfy the corresponding features in the claims.

[0072] like Figure 5 and 6 As shown, the first portion P1 of multiple first metal lines 51 (such as...) Figure 7 The portion P1 circled by multiple dashed boxes in the middle and the second portion P2 of multiple second metal wires 61 (as shown in the image) Figure 8The portions P2 enclosed by multiple thick dashed lines have the same line extension direction and overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 21. Figure 5 The overlapping portion G is shown. The insulating layer 70 has an edge slope 70A covering the second portion P2 of multiple second metal lines 61 in a direction perpendicular to the line extension direction. The edge slope 70A forms a step relative to the surface of the substrate 21, that is, the distances of each part of the edge slope 70A relative to the substrate 21 are different. The first portion P1 of multiple first metal lines 51 does not overlap with the edge slope 70A at least partially. This reduces the probability of a short circuit caused by the first portion P1 of multiple first metal lines 51 being electrically connected to the second portion P2 of multiple second metal lines 61 due to the breakage of the edge slope 70A, thereby improving the reliability of the touch structure.

[0073] For example, in some embodiments, the first portion P1 of the multiple first metal lines 51 does not overlap with the edge slope portion 70A at all, thereby avoiding the short circuit caused by the first portion P1 of the multiple first metal lines 51 being electrically connected to the second portion P2 of the multiple second metal lines 61 due to the breakage of the edge slope portion 70A, thereby improving the reliability of the touch structure.

[0074] For example, in such Figure 6 As shown, in a plane parallel to the substrate surface, the linewidth X2 of the second portion P2 of the plurality of second metal lines 61 is greater than the linewidth X1 of the first portion P1 of the plurality of first metal lines 51. This ensures that at least a portion of the first portion P1 of the plurality of first metal lines 51 does not overlap with the edge slope portion 70A.

[0075] For example, the orthographic projection of the first portion P1 of the plurality of first metal lines 51 onto the substrate 21 lies inside the orthographic projection of the second portion P2 of the plurality of second metal lines 61 onto the substrate 21. This achieves complete non-overlap between the first portion P1 of the plurality of first metal lines 51 and the edge slope portion 70A.

[0076] For example, such as Figure 7 As shown, the first portion P1 of the plurality of first metal wires 51 includes a plurality of first sub-metal wires (e.g., each first sub-metal wire is substantially "W"-shaped or a portion thereof), such as Figure 8 As shown, the second portion P2 of the plurality of second metal lines 61 includes a plurality of second sub-metal lines (e.g., each second sub-metal line is substantially "W"-shaped or a portion thereof), and the plurality of first metal lines 51 and the plurality of second sub-metal lines 52 overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 21, with the overlapping portion being... Figure 5 The diagram shows multiple intervals arranged in a broken line shape G (detailed below).

[0077] For example, such as Figure 7As shown, the first portion P1 of the plurality of first metal lines 51 includes a first sub-portion S1 located at the end of the first touch sub-electrode near the second connection electrode, as shown in the figure. Figure 8 As shown, the second portion P2 of the plurality of second metal lines 61 includes a second sub-part S2 at the end of the second connecting electrode near the first touch sub-electrode. In a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the substrate 21, the first sub-part S1 and the second sub-part S2 overlap, and the first sub-part S1 is electrically connected to the second sub-part S2 through a plurality of vias in the insulating layer 70 (e.g., a plurality of vias 71 and a plurality of vias 72, which will be described in detail later).

[0078] For example, such as Figure 7 As shown, the first portion P1 of the plurality of first metal lines 51 further includes a third sub-part S3 located at the first connecting electrode, and the second portion P2 of the plurality of second metal lines 61 further includes a fourth sub-part S4 located at the second connecting electrode. In a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the substrate 21, the third sub-part S3 and the fourth sub-part S4 overlap and are electrically insulated, for example, through an insulating layer 70 between them.

[0079] For example, in some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, the line width X2 of the second part P2 of the multiple second metal lines 61 is R1 to the line width of the first part P1 of the multiple first metal lines 51. Then 2 ≥ R1>1.

[0080] For example, in some embodiments, the linewidth X1 of each of the plurality of first metal lines 51 is 3μm-5μm, such as 3.5μm, 4μm or 4.5μm, etc., and the linewidth X2 of the second portion P2 of the plurality of second metal lines 61 is 0.2μm-0.5μm larger than the linewidth of the first metal line X1, such as 0.3μm or 0.4μm larger.

[0081] For example, such as Figure 8 As shown, the plurality of second metal wires 61 also have a third portion P3 that does not overlap with the plurality of first metal wires 51. For example, the third portion P3 of the plurality of second metal wires 61 includes a connecting portion S5 between the second sub-part S2 and the fourth sub-part S4.

[0082] For example, if the line width of the third part P3 of the multiple second metal lines 61 is R2 to the line width of the first part P1 of the multiple first metal lines 51, then 1 > R2 ≥ 0.6.

[0083] For example, the linewidth of the third portion P3 of the multiple second metal lines 61 is 0.2μm-0.5μm smaller than the linewidth of the first metal line 51, such as 0.3μm or 0.4μm smaller.

[0084] For example, in one example, the linewidth of each of the multiple first metal lines 51 is 3 μm, the linewidth of the second portion P2 of the second metal line 61 is 3.2 μm, and the linewidth of the third portion P3 of the second metal line 61 is 2.8 μm. Thus, while ensuring the reliability of the touch structure is improved by avoiding short circuits caused by electrical connections between the first portion P1 of the multiple first metal lines 51 and the second portion P2 of the multiple second metal lines 61 due to the breakage of the edge slope portion 70A, the circuit patterns of the multiple first metal lines 51 and the second metal lines 61 can be optimized, thereby improving the accuracy and sensitivity of the touch structure.

[0085] For example, in other embodiments, the linewidth of each of the plurality of second metal lines 61 is 2.5μm-4.5μm, such as 3μm, 3.5μm, or 4μm. The linewidth of the first portion P1 of the plurality of first metal lines 51 is 0.2μm-0.5μm smaller than the linewidth of the second metal lines 61, such as 0.3μm or 0.4μm smaller. For example, as... Figure 7 As shown, the plurality of first metal lines 51 also have a fourth portion P4 that does not overlap with the plurality of second metal lines 61. The line width of the fourth portion P4 of the plurality of first metal lines 51 is larger or smaller than the line width of the second metal lines 61. The embodiments of this disclosure do not limit the line width of the fourth portion P4 at this time.

[0086] For example, such as Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the overlapping portions of the first parts P1 of multiple first metal lines 51 or the second parts P2 of multiple second metal lines 61 or the overlapping portions of the first parts P1 of multiple first metal lines 51 and the second parts P2 of multiple second metal lines 61 are arranged in multiple zigzag shapes G at intervals.

[0087] For example, in some embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figure 8 As shown, each of the plurality of second connecting electrodes 422 includes, along the second direction, a first metal mesh row 1 and a second metal mesh row 2. The first metal mesh row 1 includes a plurality of second metal meshes 62 arranged along the first direction D1. The second metal mesh row 2 is adjacent to and connected to the first metal mesh row 1, and includes at least one second metal mesh 62 arranged along the first direction D1. The number of second metal meshes 62 in the second metal mesh row 2 is less than the number of second metal meshes 62 in the first metal mesh row 1, and the second metal line 61 of the second metal meshes 62 in the second metal mesh row 2 is a second metal line 611 shared with the second metal meshes 62 in the first metal mesh row 1.

[0088] For example, refer to Figure 5The second metal line 611 shared by the second metal grid row 2 and the first metal grid row 1 is in the form of a first broken line shape G1, and the above-mentioned multiple spaced broken line shapes G include the first broken line shape G1.

[0089] For example, such as Figure 8 As shown, the first metal mesh row 1 also includes a first non-shared second metal line 61a opposite to the shared second metal line 611, referencing Figure 5 The first non-shared second metal line 61a is in the form of a second broken line shape G2, and multiple broken line shapes G arranged at intervals include the second broken line shape G2.

[0090] In the touch structure 40 provided in this embodiment, since the second metal line 61 of the second metal mesh 62 in the second metal mesh row 2 is a second metal line 611 shared with the second metal mesh 62 in the first metal mesh row 1, there are no additional second metal lines overlapping with the first metal line 51 in the second metal mesh row 2 near the first metal mesh row 1, except for the second metal line 61 shared with the first metal mesh row 1. This reduces the overlapping area of ​​the first metal line 51 and the second metal line 61, reduces the overlapping area of ​​the first touch electrode 410 and the second touch electrode 420, thereby reducing the mutual capacitance value between the first touch electrode 410 and the second touch electrode 420, improving touch performance, reducing false alarms and false touches, and reducing the power consumption of the touch circuit.

[0091] For example, in some examples, the number of second metal grids 62 in the first metal grid row 1 is 2, and the number of second metal grids in the second metal grid row 2 is 1, so that the second connecting electrode 422 includes as few second metal grids as possible while ensuring that the second grid row 2 provides at least two electrical signal conduction paths along the second direction D2, thereby minimizing the overlap between the first metal line 51 and the second metal line 62. At least two electrical signal conduction paths are, for example,... Figure 8 The gray lines represent the first channel 621 and the second channel 622.

[0092] Figure 9 It shows along Figure 5 The cross-sectional diagram of line B-B' in the diagram, combined with Figure 5 and Figure 9 For example, the plurality of vias in the insulating layer 70 include a first via 71, which is located at the bend of the second zigzag G2 of the first non-shared second metal line 61a. The first metal mesh row 1 is electrically connected through the first via 71 to one of the two second touch sub-electrodes 4211 / 4212 adjacent to the second connection electrode 422 thereon.

[0093] For example, such as Figure 5 and Figure 9 As shown, the orthographic projections of multiple second metal lines 61 of the second metal mesh 62 (e.g., at least two metal meshes 62) of the first metal mesh row 1 onto the first metal mesh electrode layer 50 overlap with multiple first metal lines 51 of the first metal mesh 52 of the second touch sub-electrode 421, such that the second metal mesh 62 has multiple vertices overlapping with the first metal mesh 52, and these multiple vertices are located at the bending positions of the second polygonal shape G2. For example, in this embodiment, the number of these multiple vertices is 5, namely the first vertex 01, the second vertex 02, the third vertex 03, the fourth vertex 04, and the fifth vertex 05, wherein the first vertex 01, the second vertex 02, the fourth vertex 04, and the fifth vertex 05 have vias 71 for electrically connecting the first portion P1 of the multiple first metal lines 51 and the second portion P2 of the multiple metal lines 61.

[0094] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing vertices of the second metal mesh with and without vias. For example, Figure 10 The left side shows an example of the second metal mesh 62 without a vertex 03 containing a via, while the right side shows an example of the second metal mesh 62 with vertices 01 / 02 / 04 / 05 containing a via 71. Figure 10 As shown, in order to ensure good contact between the second metal wire 61 and the first metal wire 51 at the connection vertex via the via 71, the second metal mesh electrode layer 60 forms a metal contact pad 65 at the vertex 01 / 02 / 04 / 05. For example, the shape of the metal contact pad is rectangular or circular, and the size (average side length or diameter) of the metal contact pad is more than twice the linewidth of the first metal wire 51 or the second metal wire 61.

[0095] For example, multiple second metal grids 62 of the first metal grid row 1 are first edge second metal grids of the second connecting electrode, located at the first end (upper end in the figure) of the second connecting electrode 422 in the second direction D2, and electrically connected to the edge first metal grid of the adjacent second touch sub-electrode 4211. That is, the edge second metal line 61a of the second metal grid 62 of the first metal grid row 1 is connected to the edge first metal line 51a of the adjacent second touch sub-electrode 4211 closest to the first metal grid row 1. This arrangement can minimize the overlap between the second touch sub-electrode 4211 and the second connecting electrode 422, thereby reducing the capacitive load on the touch sub-electrode and improving touch sensitivity.

[0096] For example, such as Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, each of the plurality of second connecting electrodes 422 further includes, along the second direction D2, a third metal mesh row 3 and a fourth metal mesh row 4. The third metal mesh row 3 is located on the side of the second metal mesh row 4 away from the first metal mesh row 1, and includes a plurality of second metal meshes 62 arranged along the first direction D1; the fourth metal mesh row 4 is located on the side of the third metal mesh row 3 near the second metal mesh row 2 and is adjacent to and connected to the third metal mesh row 3, and includes at least one second metal mesh 62 arranged along the first direction D1. The number of second metal meshes 62 in the fourth metal mesh row 4 is less than the number of second metal meshes in the third metal mesh row 3, and the second metal line 612 of the second metal mesh 62 in the fourth metal mesh row 4 near the third metal mesh row 3 is a second metal line 612 shared with the second metal meshes 62 in the third metal mesh row 3.

[0097] For example, the third metal grid row 3 also includes a second non-shared second metal line 61b opposite to the second metal line 612 shared by the fourth metal grid row 4 and the third metal grid row 3, see reference. Figure 5 The second non-shared second metal line 61b is in the form of a third zigzag shape G3, and the multiple zigzag shapes arranged at intervals include the third zigzag shape G3.

[0098] For example, such as Figure 9 As shown, the plurality of vias in the insulating layer 70 also includes a second via 72, which is located at the bend of the third zigzag G3 of the second non-shared second metal line 61b. The third metal mesh row 3 is electrically connected through the second via 72 to the other of the two second touch sub-electrodes 4212 adjacent to the second connecting electrode 422.

[0099] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown, the third zigzag shape G3 of the second non-shared second metal line 61b has five vertices, namely the sixth vertex 01', the seventh vertex 02', the eighth vertex 03', the ninth vertex 04', and the tenth vertex 05'. The sixth vertex 01', the seventh vertex 02', the ninth vertex 04', and the tenth vertex 05' have second vias 72 for electrically connecting the first portion P1 of the plurality of first metal lines 51 and the second portion P2 of the plurality of metal lines 61.

[0100] In the touch structure 40 provided in this embodiment, since the second metal line 61 of the second metal mesh 62 in the fourth metal mesh row 4 is a second metal line 612 shared with the second metal mesh 62 in the third metal mesh row 3, there are no additional second metal lines overlapping with the first metal line 51 in the fourth metal mesh row 4 near the first metal mesh row 1, except for the second metal line 61 shared with the third metal mesh row 3. This reduces the overlapping area of ​​the first metal line 51 and the second metal line 61, and reduces the overlapping area of ​​the first touch electrode 410 and the second touch electrode 420. This further achieves the technical effects of reducing the mutual capacitance value between the first touch electrode 410 and the second touch electrode 420, reducing the power consumption of the touch circuit, and reducing the probability of a short circuit between the first metal line 51 and the second metal line 61.

[0101] For example, the second metal grid 62 of the third metal grid row 3 is the second edge second metal grid of the second connecting electrode 422, located at the second end of the second connecting electrode 422 in the second direction, and electrically connected to the edge first metal grid of the adjacent second touch sub-electrode 4212. This second end is opposite to the first end in the second direction D2. That is, the edge second metal line 61b of the second metal grid 62 of the third metal grid row 3 is connected to the edge first metal line 51b of the adjacent second touch sub-electrode 4212 closest to the third metal grid row 3. This arrangement can minimize the overlap between the second touch sub-electrode 4212 and the second connecting electrode 422, thereby reducing the capacitive load on the touch sub-electrode and improving touch sensitivity.

[0102] Combination Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 For example, the orthogonal projection of the second metal line 612, which is shared with the second metal mesh 62 in the third metal mesh row 3, onto the first metal mesh electrode layer 50 does not overlap with the first metal line 51. That is, the first metal line 51 is not set at the position of the first metal layer 50 corresponding to the shared second metal line 612, so as to minimize the overlap area between the first metal line 51 and the second metal line 62 and avoid the problem caused by the large overlap area.

[0103] For example, the number of second metal grids in the third metal grid row is 2, and the number of second metal grids in the fourth metal grid row is 1, so as to minimize the overlap between the first metal line 51 and the second metal line 62 while ensuring that the signal can be transmitted through the second connecting electrode 422. In this case, along the second direction D2, each second electrode 422 includes at least two electrical signal conduction channels.

[0104] For example, the second connection electrode 422 further includes at least one intermediate metal mesh row located between the second metal mesh row 2 and the fourth metal mesh row 4, each of which includes at least one second metal mesh 62. For example, in some examples, such as Figure 8 As shown, at least one intermediate metal grid row is 1 row, namely the fifth grid row 5. The fifth grid row 5 is adjacent to and connected to the second metal grid row 2 and the fourth metal grid row 4.

[0105] For example, such as Figure 8 As shown, at least one intermediate metal grid row (e.g., the fifth grid row 5) includes a second metal line 613 shared with the second metal grid row 2 or the fourth metal grid row 4, see reference. Figure 5 At least one intermediate metal grid row shares a second metal line with the second metal grid row 2 or the fourth metal grid row 4, which is in the form of a fourth broken line G4. Multiple spaced broken line shapes G include the fourth broken line shape G4.

[0106] For example, the number of second metal grids in each row of at least one intermediate metal grid row is 1. For example, the fifth grid row 5 has only 1 second metal grid to ensure that the fifth grid row 5 provides at least two electrical signal conduction paths along the second direction D2, so that the second connecting electrode 422 includes as few second metal grids as possible, thereby minimizing the overlap between the first metal line 51 and the second metal line 62.

[0107] For example, the pattern of each of the plurality of second connection electrodes 422 is symmetrical with respect to the axis of symmetry along the first direction D1 to facilitate the uniformity of touch signal transmission through the second connection electrodes 422.

[0108] For example, such as Figure 8 As shown, each second metal grid 62 includes at least two vertical edges 61c along the second direction D2 to ensure that each row of second metal grids can provide at least two electrical signal conduction paths along the second direction D2. This prevents touch defects and ensures the reliability of the touch function when a vertical edge 61c is at risk of breakage. For example, the orthogonal projection of at least two vertical edges 61c onto the first metal grid electrode layer 50 does not overlap with the first metal line 51 (i.e., the vertical edge 61c is implemented as the third part P3 of the aforementioned multiple second metal lines), to minimize the overlap between the first metal line 51 and the second metal line 62.

[0109] For example, such as Figure 5 and Figure 8 As shown, adjacent second touch sub-electrodes 4211 and 4212 are connected by two second connecting electrodes 422, i.e. Figure 8The left and right second connection electrodes 422 are electrically connected. These two second connection electrodes 422 are spaced apart from each other, for example, they can be structurally symmetrically distributed. Figure 5 and Figure 7 Each of the plurality of first connecting electrodes 412 has its orthographic projection on the second metal mesh electrode layer 60 located within the gap between two second connecting electrodes 422 that connect adjacent second touch sub-electrodes 4211 and 4212.

[0110] Combination Figure 5 and Figure 7 For example, each of the plurality of first touch sub-electrodes 421 is electrically connected to an adjacent first connecting electrode 412 via at least one first connecting line 464 consisting of a plurality of first metal lines 51 connected end-to-end. The orthographic projection of the first connecting line 461 on the second metal mesh electrode layer 60 overlaps with the plurality of second metal lines in the second connecting electrodes 422, and at least partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the shared second metal line on the first metal mesh electrode layer 50. For example, in Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the embodiment shown in A, the first touch sub-electrode 411 on the left side of the figure is electrically connected to the first connecting electrode 412 through three first connecting lines 4611, 4612, and 4613. A portion of the orthogonal projection of the first connecting line 4611 on the second metal mesh electrode layer 60 overlaps with the second metal line 611 shared by the first metal mesh row 1 and the second metal mesh row 2 of the second connecting electrode 422 on the left side of the figure, so as to minimize the overlap area between the first metal line 51 and the second metal line 62 and avoid problems caused by a large overlap area.

[0111] The touch structure provided in this disclosure reduces the probability of a short circuit due to the first portion of the multiple first metal lines electrically connecting with the multiple second metal lines caused by a break in the edge slope, by ensuring that at least a portion of the first portion of the multiple first metal lines does not overlap with the edge slope portion, thereby improving the reliability of the touch structure. This touch structure can, for example, be integrated into a display panel to form a touch display panel.

[0112] At least one embodiment of this disclosure provides a touch display panel, which includes a substrate, a display structure and any of the above-described touch structures stacked on the substrate.

[0113] Figure 11 This diagram shows a plan view of a touch display panel 30 provided in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 12 It shows along Figure 11 Sectional view of section line II-II'.

[0114] Reference Figure 11 and Figure 12 The touch display panel 30 includes a substrate 31 and a display structure 32 and the aforementioned touch structure 40, which are sequentially stacked on the substrate 31. The touch structure 40 is located on the side of the display structure 32 away from the substrate 31 and is closer to the user during use; and the first metal mesh electrode layer 50 is located on the side of the second metal mesh electrode layer touch structure 40 away from the display structure 32, that is, the first metal mesh electrode layer 50 is closer to the viewer than the second metal mesh electrode layer 60, thereby avoiding excessive first metal mesh from approaching the pixel structure of the display structure and affecting the operation of the pixel structure.

[0115] For example, this embodiment uses an OLED display panel as an example. Of course, in other embodiments, the display panel can also be a liquid crystal display panel, such as an on-cell or in-cell touch display panel. This disclosure does not limit the specific type of display panel using the touch structure provided in this disclosure.

[0116] For example, the display structure 32 includes a plurality of sub-pixels arranged along an array, such as the pixel array being arranged along a first direction D1 and a second direction D2. For example, the touch display panel is an OLED display panel, and the plurality of sub-pixels include green sub-pixels (G), red sub-pixels (R), and blue sub-pixels (B). Each sub-pixel includes a light-emitting element 23 and a pixel driving circuit for driving the light-emitting element 23 to emit light. The embodiments of this disclosure do not limit the type and specific composition of the pixel driving circuit. For example, the pixel driving circuit can be a current-driven type or a voltage-driven type, can be a 2T1C (i.e., two transistors and one capacitor, the two transistors including a driving transistor and a data writing transistor) driving circuit, or can be a driving circuit that further includes a compensation circuit (compensation transistor), a light-emitting control circuit (light-emitting control transistor), a reset circuit (reset transistor), etc., based on the 2T1C.

[0117] For clarity, Figure 12 Only the first transistor 24, which is directly electrically connected to the light-emitting element 23 in the pixel driving circuit, is shown. This first transistor 24 can be a driving transistor configured to operate in saturation and control the magnitude of the current driving the light-emitting element 23 to emit light. For example, the first transistor 24 can also be a light-emitting control transistor used to control whether the current driving the light-emitting element 23 to emit light flows. The embodiments of this disclosure do not limit the specific type of the first transistor.

[0118] For example, the light-emitting element 23 is an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), including a first electrode 231, a light-emitting layer 233, and a second electrode 232. One of the first electrode 231 and the second electrode 232 is an anode, and the other is a cathode; for example, the first electrode 231 is the anode, and the second electrode 232 is the cathode. For example, the light-emitting layer 233 is an organic light-emitting layer or a quantum dot light-emitting layer. For example, in addition to the light-emitting layer 233, the light-emitting element 23 may also include auxiliary functional layers such as a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an electron injection layer, and an electron transport layer. For example, the light-emitting element 23 is a top-emitting structure, where the first electrode 231 is reflective and the second electrode 232 is transmissive or semi-transmissive. For example, the first electrode 231 is made of a high work function material to act as the anode, such as an ITO / Ag / ITO stacked structure; the second electrode 232 is made of a low work function material to act as the cathode, such as a semi-transmissive metal or metal alloy material, such as an Ag / Mg alloy material.

[0119] The first transistor 24 includes a gate 341, a gate insulating layer 342, an active layer 343, a first electrode 344, and a second electrode 345. The second electrode 345 is electrically connected to the first electrode 231 of the light-emitting element 23. The embodiments of this disclosure do not limit the type, material, or structure of the first transistor 24. For example, it can be a top-gate type, a bottom-gate type, etc. The active layer 343 of the first transistor 24 can be amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon (low-temperature polycrystalline silicon and high-temperature polycrystalline silicon), oxide semiconductor (e.g., indium gallium tin oxide (IGZO)), etc., and the first transistor 24 can be N-type or P-type.

[0120] The transistors used in the embodiments of this disclosure can all be thin-film transistors, field-effect transistors, or other switching devices with the same characteristics. The embodiments of this disclosure are all illustrated using thin-film transistors as an example. The source and drain of the transistors used here can be structurally symmetrical, so their source and drain can be structurally indistinguishable. In the embodiments of this disclosure, to distinguish the two terminals of the transistor other than the gate, one terminal is directly described as the first terminal, and the other terminal as the second terminal.

[0121] Combination Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the display structure 32 also includes a pixel defining layer 320, which is disposed on the first electrode 231 of the light-emitting element 23. Multiple openings 321 are formed therein to expose the first electrodes 231 of multiple sub-pixels respectively, thereby defining the pixel opening area of ​​each sub-pixel. The light-emitting layer of the sub-pixel is formed in the pixel opening area, and the second electrode 232 is formed as a common electrode (i.e. shared by multiple sub-pixels). Figure 11 The diagram illustrates the pixel opening area 310 of the green sub-pixel, the pixel opening area 320 of the red sub-pixel, and the pixel opening area 330 of the blue sub-pixel.

[0122] Figure 12 The pattern in the second metal mesh electrode layer is not shown. For example, the second metal mesh electrode layer is located on the side of the first metal mesh electrode layer closest to the substrate 31.

[0123] The orthographic projections of the multiple first metal lines 51 in the first metal mesh electrode layer and the multiple second metal lines 61 in the second metal mesh electrode layer onto the substrate 31 lie outside the orthographic projections of the pixel opening areas of the multiple sub-pixels onto the substrate 31, that is, within the orthographic projections of the pixel separation areas between the pixel opening areas onto the substrate 31. These pixel separation areas are also the non-opening areas 322 of the pixel defining layer 320. These pixel separation areas are used to separate the pixel opening areas of the multiple sub-pixels and to separate the light-emitting layers of each sub-pixel, preventing color cross-contamination.

[0124] For example, the mesh openings of the first metal mesh 52 or the second metal mesh 62 cover at least one pixel opening area. For example, the mesh openings of the first metal mesh 52 or the second metal mesh 62 cover the pixel opening areas 310 of two green sub-pixels, which are arranged in pairs and side by side in the second direction D2.

[0125] like Figure 12 As shown, the display structure 32 also includes an encapsulation layer 33 located between the light-emitting element 23 and the touch structure 20. The encapsulation layer 33 is configured to seal the light-emitting element 23 to prevent external moisture and oxygen from penetrating into the light-emitting element and driving circuit, thereby causing damage to devices such as the light-emitting element 23. For example, the encapsulation layer 33 can be a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure, such as including organic thin films, inorganic thin films, or a multi-layer structure including alternating layers of organic and inorganic thin films.

[0126] For example, such as Figure 12 As shown, the touch display panel 30 also includes a buffer layer 22 located between the display structure 32 and the touch structure 20. For example, the buffer layer 22 is formed on the encapsulation layer 33 to improve the adhesion between the touch structure 40 and the display structure 32. For example, the buffer layer 22 is an inorganic insulating layer; for example, the material of the buffer layer 22 can be silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or silicon oxide. For example, the buffer layer 22 may also include a structure in which silicon oxide layers and silicon nitride layers are stacked alternately.

[0127] The touch display panel 30 provided in this embodiment has both touch and display functions, and has all the technical effects of the touch structure 40 described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0128] At least one embodiment of this disclosure also provides a display device, including the aforementioned touch display panel 30. For example, the display device is an OLED display device or a liquid crystal display device.

[0129] For example, the display device can be any product or component with display and touch functions, such as a monitor, OLED panel, OLED TV, e-paper, mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, digital photo frame, or navigator.

[0130] The following points also need to be explained:

[0131] (1) The accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this disclosure only involve the structures involved in the embodiments of this disclosure, and other structures can be referred to the general design.

[0132] (2) For clarity, the thickness of layers or regions is enlarged or reduced in the drawings used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, i.e., these drawings are not drawn to scale. It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region or substrate is referred to as being “above” or “below” another element, the element may be “directly” located “above” or “below” the other element or there may be intermediate elements.

[0133] (3) Where there is no conflict, the embodiments of this disclosure and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0134] The above are merely specific embodiments of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. The scope of protection of this disclosure shall be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A touch structure, comprising a substrate and a first metal mesh electrode layer, an insulating layer, and a second metal mesh electrode layer disposed on the substrate, wherein, The first metal mesh electrode layer is located on the side of the second metal mesh electrode layer away from the substrate, and the insulating layer is disposed between the first metal mesh electrode layer and the second metal mesh electrode layer; The first metal mesh electrode layer comprises multiple first metal meshes formed by multiple first metal lines, and the second metal mesh electrode layer comprises multiple second metal meshes formed by multiple second metal lines. The first portions of the plurality of first metal lines and the second portions of the plurality of second metal lines have the same line extension direction and overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The insulating layer has an edge slope portion covering the second portions of the plurality of second metal lines in a direction perpendicular to the line extension direction. The edge slope portion forms a step relative to the surface of the substrate. The first portions of the plurality of first metal lines and the edge slope portion do not overlap at least partially.

2. The touch structure according to claim 1, wherein, In a plane parallel to the surface of the substrate, the linewidth of the second portion of the plurality of second metal lines is greater than the linewidth of the first portion of the plurality of first metal lines.

3. The touch structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The orthographic projection of the first portion of the plurality of first metal lines on the substrate lies within the orthographic projection of the second portion of the plurality of second metal lines on the substrate.

4. The touch structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first portion of the plurality of first metal lines includes a plurality of first sub-metal lines, and the second portion of the plurality of second metal lines includes a plurality of second sub-metal lines. The plurality of first sub-metal lines and the plurality of second sub-metal lines overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate.

5. The touch structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first metal mesh electrode layer includes a plurality of first touch sub-electrodes and a plurality of first connecting electrodes arranged along a first direction. The plurality of first touch sub-electrodes and the plurality of first connecting electrodes are alternately distributed and electrically connected in sequence to form a first touch electrode extending along the first direction. The first metal mesh electrode layer also includes a plurality of second touch sub-electrodes arranged in sequence along a second direction and spaced apart from each other. The first direction intersects the second direction. Each of the plurality of first touch sub-electrodes and each of the second touch electrodes are spaced apart from each other and each includes a plurality of first metal meshes. The second metal mesh electrode layer includes a plurality of second connection electrodes spaced apart from each other. Each of the plurality of second connection electrodes is electrically connected to an adjacent second touch sub-electrode through a plurality of vias in the insulating layer, thereby electrically connecting adjacent second touch sub-electrodes to form a second touch electrode extending in the second direction.

6. The touch structure according to claim 5, wherein, The first portion of the plurality of first metal lines includes a first sub-portion located at the end of the first touch sub-electrode near the second connecting electrode, and the second portion of the plurality of second metal lines includes a second sub-portion located at the end of the second connecting electrode near the first touch sub-electrode. In a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, the first sub-part and the second sub-part overlap, and the first sub-part is electrically connected to the second sub-part through a plurality of vias in the insulating layer.

7. The touch structure according to claim 6, wherein, The first portion of the plurality of first metal wires further includes a third sub-portion located at the first connecting electrode, and the second portion of the plurality of second metal wires further includes a fourth sub-portion located at the second connecting electrode. In a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, the third sub-part and the fourth sub-part overlap and are electrically insulated.

8. The touch structure according to claim 7, wherein, If the linewidth ratio of the second portion of the plurality of second metal wires to the linewidth ratio of the first portion of the plurality of first metal wires is R1, then... 2 ≥ R1＞1。 9. The touch structure according to claim 8, wherein, The line width of each of the plurality of first metal lines is 3μm-5μm. The linewidth of the second portion of the plurality of second metal lines is 0.2 μm - 0.5 μm wider than the linewidth of the first metal line.

10. The touch structure according to claim 9, wherein, The plurality of second metal lines also have a third portion that does not overlap with the plurality of first metal lines, and the ratio of the line width of the third portion of the plurality of second metal lines to the line width of the first portion of the plurality of first metal lines is R2. 1＞R2 ≥ 0.6。 11. The touch structure according to claim 10, wherein, The linewidth of the third portion of the plurality of second metal lines is 0.2μm-0.5μm smaller than the linewidth of the first metal line.

12. The touch structure according to claim 10, wherein, The third portion of the plurality of second metal wires includes a connection between the second sub-part and the fourth sub-part.

13. The touch structure according to claim 8, wherein, The linewidth of each of the plurality of second metal lines is 2.5μm-4.5μm. The linewidth of the first portion of the plurality of first metal lines is 0.2 μm - 0.5 μm smaller than the linewidth of the second metal lines.

14. The touch structure according to claim 13, wherein, The plurality of first metal lines also have a fourth portion that does not overlap with the plurality of second metal lines, wherein the line width of the fourth portion of the plurality of first metal lines is larger or smaller than the line width of the second metal lines.

15. The touch structure according to claim 5, wherein, The second portion of the multiple second metal wires is generally arranged in a zigzag shape with multiple intervals.

16. The touch structure according to claim 15, wherein, Each of the plurality of second connecting electrodes includes, along the second direction: The first metal mesh row includes a plurality of second metal meshes arranged along the first direction; and The second metal grid row is adjacent to and connected to the first metal grid row, and includes at least one second metal grid arranged along the first direction, wherein the number of second metal grids in the second metal grid row is less than or equal to the number of second metal grids in the first metal grid row, and the second metal line of the second metal grid in the second metal grid row that is close to the first metal grid row is a second metal line shared with the second metal grid in the first metal grid row.

17. The touch structure according to claim 16, wherein, The second metal grid row shares a second metal line with the first metal grid row, which is in the shape of a first zigzag line. The plurality of spaced-apart polygonal shapes include the first polygonal shape.

18. The touch structure according to claim 17, wherein, The first metal mesh row also includes a first non-shared second metal line opposite to the shared second metal line, the first non-shared second metal line being in a second zigzag shape. The plurality of spaced-apart polygonal shapes include the second polygonal shape.

19. The touch structure according to claim 18, wherein, The plurality of vias includes a first via located at the bend of the second zigzag shape of the first non-shared second metal line, and the first metal mesh row is electrically connected through the first via to one of the two second touch sub-electrodes adjacent to the second connecting electrode thereon.

20. The touch structure according to claim 16, wherein, Each of the plurality of second connecting electrodes further includes, along the second direction: A third metal mesh row, located on the side of the second metal mesh row away from the first metal mesh row, and comprising a plurality of second metal meshes arranged along the first direction; and The fourth metal grid row, located on the side of the third metal grid row closest to the second metal grid row and adjacent to and connected to the third metal grid row, includes at least one second metal grid arranged along the first direction, wherein the number of second metal grids in the fourth metal grid row is less than or equal to the number of second metal grids in the third metal grid row, and the second metal line of the second metal grid in the fourth metal grid row closest to the third metal grid row is a second metal line shared with the second metal grid in the third metal grid row.

21. The touch structure according to claim 20, wherein, The third metal mesh row also includes a second non-shared second metal line opposite to the second metal line shared by the fourth metal mesh row and the third metal mesh row, the second non-shared second metal line being in the form of a third zigzag line. The plurality of spaced-apart polygonal shapes include the third polygonal shape.

22. The touch structure according to claim 21, wherein, The plurality of vias also includes a second via, which is located at the bend of the third zigzag shape of the second non-shared second metal line. The third metal mesh row is electrically connected to the other of the two second touch sub-electrodes adjacent to the second connecting electrode through the second via.

23. The touch structure according to claim 20, wherein, The second connecting electrode further includes: at least one intermediate metal mesh row located between the second metal mesh row and the fourth metal mesh row. Each row of the at least one intermediate metal grid row includes at least one second metal grid.

24. The touch structure according to claim 23, wherein, The at least one intermediate metal grid row includes a second metal line shared with the second metal grid row or the fourth metal grid row, and the second metal line shared by the at least one intermediate metal grid row and the second metal grid row or the fourth metal grid row forms a fourth zigzag shape. The plurality of spaced-apart polygonal shapes include the fourth polygonal shape.

25. The touch structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The plurality of first metal meshes and the plurality of second metal meshes are hexagonal.

26. A touch display panel, comprising a substrate, a display structure and a touch structure as described in any one of claims 1-25, stacked on the substrate.

27. A display device comprising a touch display panel as claimed in claim 26.

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