Touch substrate, method for manufacturing the same and touch display device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a touch substrate, a manufacturing method thereof and a touch display device. The touch substrate comprises a substrate, a touch electrode layer and an electrostatic discharge structure on the substrate. The touch substrate comprises a touch functional area and a frame area. The touch electrode layer is located in the touch functional area at least. The electrostatic discharge structure is located in the frame area. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrostatic in the touch substrate is discharged through the electrostatic discharge structure. In this way, the problem of the touch substrate being damaged by electrostatic can be improved, and the reliability of the touch substrate can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of touch technology, specifically to a touch substrate, a method for preparing the same, and a touch display device. Background Technology

[0002] Touch-enabled electronic products are becoming increasingly popular in the market. The main structure used to implement touch functionality in these products is the touch substrate. During manufacturing and use, static electricity is generated on the surface of the touch substrate. However, current touch substrates are easily damaged by electrostatic discharge (ESD) due to design limitations, leading to malfunctions in the touch interface. Therefore, improving the protection of touch substrates from ESD damage has become a crucial issue that urgently needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure provides a touch substrate, a method for preparing the same, and a touch display device. The touch substrate is equipped with an electrostatic discharge structure to discharge static electricity. This method can improve the problem of electrostatic damage to the touch substrate and enhance its reliability.

[0004] The first aspect of this disclosure provides a touch substrate including a substrate and a touch electrode layer and an electrostatic discharge structure on the substrate. The touch substrate includes a touch functional area and a border area, the touch electrode layer being located at least in the touch functional area, and the electrostatic discharge structure being located in the border area.

[0005] In the above solution, the electrostatic discharge structure is located on the side of the touch electrode layer facing away from the substrate. During the removal of the protective film, the electrostatic discharge structure is closer to the protective film than the touch electrode layer, allowing the protective film to directly contact the electrostatic discharge structure. Therefore, the static charge generated when the protective film is removed will preferentially conduct and accumulate in the electrostatic discharge structure. This can improve the phenomenon of static charge generated when the protective film is removed accumulating in the touch electrode layer and damaging the touch electrodes. Furthermore, the electrostatic discharge structure is located in the border area, so it will not affect the original touch function of the touch substrate.

[0006] In one specific embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure, the electrostatic discharge structure is grounded through a through-hole located in the border area of ​​the touch substrate.

[0007] In one specific embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure, the electrostatic discharge structure is ring-shaped around the touch functional area; or, the electrostatic discharge structure includes a plurality of spaced conductive structures.

[0008] In one specific embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure, the conductive structure is rectangular in shape.

[0009] In the above scheme, the electrostatic discharge structure includes multiple spaced conductive structures. Different conductive structures can be connected to different grounding signal lines according to the wiring needs, thereby improving the flexibility of wiring. At the same time, this method can also shorten the discharge path of static charge and improve the discharge efficiency of static charge.

[0010] In one specific embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure, the border area of ​​the touch substrate includes a first ground signal line, and the electrostatic discharge structure is connected to the first ground signal line through a first through hole.

[0011] In one specific embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure, the touch electrode layer includes a plurality of first electrodes arranged in parallel and a plurality of second electrodes arranged in parallel, wherein the first electrodes and the second electrodes are insulated from each other and cross each other, and a plurality of touch units are formed at the intersection.

[0012] In one specific embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure, the first grounding signal line, the first electrode, and the second electrode are in the same layer and made of the same material.

[0013] In one specific embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure, the first electrode is broken into a plurality of first sub-electrodes in the region where it intersects with the second electrode. The touch electrode layer also includes a conductive bridge located at the intersection of the first electrode and the second electrode to connect adjacent first sub-electrodes. The first ground signal line is in the same layer and made of the same material as the conductive bridge.

[0014] In one specific embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure, the substrate is a display substrate, the display substrate includes a second ground signal line, and the electrostatic discharge structure is connected through a second through hole and the second ground signal line.

[0015] In one specific embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure, the substrate is an OLED display substrate, and the second ground signal line and the conductive elements in the OLED display substrate are on the same layer and made of the same material.

[0016] In the above scheme, the second grounding signal line can be formed in the same process as the original conductive elements of the OLED display substrate, without the need for additional processes. Therefore, this method can improve the manufacturing efficiency.

[0017] In one specific embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure, the material of the electrostatic discharge structure is a conductive material.

[0018] In one specific embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure, the material of the electrostatic discharge structure is a metal.

[0019] In one specific embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure, the touch substrate further includes a protective layer located between the touch electrode layer and the electrostatic discharge structure.

[0020] In one specific embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure, the touch substrate further includes a protective film to be peeled off, the protective film being located on the side of the electrostatic discharge structure and the protective layer away from the substrate.

[0021] In one specific embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure, the substrate is a display substrate, and the touch substrate further includes a polarizer located on the side of the electrostatic discharge structure and the protective layer away from the substrate.

[0022] A second aspect of this disclosure provides a touch display device, which may include the touch substrate described in the first aspect.

[0023] This disclosure provides a third aspect of a method for fabricating a touch substrate, the touch substrate including a touch functional area and a border area; the fabrication method includes:

[0024] Provide a base;

[0025] A touch electrode layer is formed on at least the substrate located in the touch functional area;

[0026] An electrostatic discharge structure is formed on the substrate located in the border region.

[0027] In one specific embodiment of the third aspect of this disclosure, the preparation method further includes: forming a protective film on the side of the electrostatic discharge structure and the touch electrode layer away from the substrate;

[0028] Remove the protective film.

[0029] In one specific embodiment of the third aspect of this disclosure, after the protective film is removed, a polarizer is attached to the side of the electrostatic discharge structure and the touch electrode layer away from the substrate. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a planar structure of a touch substrate provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a touch substrate provided in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a planar structure of another touch substrate provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a planar structure of another touch substrate provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of a substrate and a touch electrode layer in a touch substrate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 6An embodiment of this disclosure provides an electrostatic discharge structure and Figure 6 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the touch substrate and touch electrode layer shown.

[0036] Figure 7 An embodiment of this disclosure provides an electrostatic discharge structure and Figure 6 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the touch substrate and touch electrode layer shown.

[0037] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of a substrate in a touch substrate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 9 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a substrate in a touch substrate provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of a touch unit in a touch substrate provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another touch substrate provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another touch substrate provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 13 This is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of a touch display device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 14 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for preparing a touch substrate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another touch substrate provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 16 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another touch substrate provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 17 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another touch substrate provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0047] 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 embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0048] During the manufacturing process of touch substrates, a protective film is applied to their surface. Removing this film generates a large amount of static charge on the substrate surface, leading to electrostatic discharge (ESD). The touch electrodes in the substrate typically employ a metal mesh structure. ESD generates high voltage, a strong electric field, and a large instantaneous current, damaging the metal mesh lines within the substrate. Furthermore, during the use of touch products, friction between fingers and the screen also generates static electricity, further damaging the connecting wires within the touch substrate.

[0049] In view of this, the present disclosure provides a touch substrate, which includes a substrate, a touch electrode layer on the substrate, and an electrostatic discharge structure. The touch substrate may include a touch functional area and a border area, with the touch electrode layer located at least in the touch functional area. The electrostatic discharge structure is located in the border area. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrostatic charge generated when peeling off the film on the screen is directly conducted away without passing through the touch electrode layer. This method can improve the problem of electrostatic discharge damage to the touch substrate and improve the reliability of the touch substrate.

[0050] The specific structure of the touch substrate in at least one embodiment of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings, a spatial Cartesian coordinate system is established with the surface of the touch substrate as a reference to illustrate the position of each structure in the touch substrate. In this spatial Cartesian coordinate system, the X-axis and Y-axis are parallel to the surface of the touch substrate, and the Z-axis is perpendicular to the surface of the touch substrate.

[0051] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of a touch substrate 100 provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 For along Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cross-section of line AB. In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the touch substrate 100 includes a substrate 110 and a touch electrode layer 120 and an electrostatic discharge structure 130 sequentially stacked on the substrate 110. The touch substrate 100 includes a touch functional area 11 and a border area 12. The touch electrode layer 120 is located at least in the touch functional area 11, and the electrostatic discharge structure 130 is located in the border area 12. Specifically, the touch functional area and the border area are regions defined on a plane parallel to the planes defined by the X-axis and Y-axis.

[0052] Optionally, the touch electrode layer 120 may be entirely located within the touch functional area 11. For example, the touch electrode layer 120 and the touch functional area 11 are substantially the same size. Alternatively, the touch electrode layer 120 may be located in both the touch functional area 11 and the border area 12. For example, the touch electrode layer 120 and the substrate 110 are substantially the same size. In the following embodiments, the example of the touch electrode layer 120 and the substrate 110 being substantially the same size is used for illustration. It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to limit the size of the touch electrode layer 120.

[0053] Touch electrodes may be provided in the touch electrode layer 120 located in the touch function area 11. Specifically, the touch electrodes include multiple first electrodes 121 arranged in parallel and multiple second electrodes 122 arranged in parallel. The first electrodes 121 and the second electrodes 122 are insulated from each other and cross each other, forming multiple touch units S1 at the intersection.

[0054] The electrostatic discharge structure 130 is located on the side of the touch electrode layer 120 facing away from the substrate 110. During the removal of the protective film, the electrostatic discharge structure 130 is closer to the protective film than the touch electrode layer 120, allowing the protective film to directly contact the electrostatic discharge structure 130. Therefore, the static charge generated when the protective film is removed will preferentially conduct and accumulate in the electrostatic discharge structure 130. This can improve the problem of static charge generated when the protective film is removed accumulating in the touch electrode layer and damaging the touch electrodes. Moreover, the orthographic projection of the electrostatic discharge structure 130 onto the touch electrode layer 120 is located in the border area 12, so the electrostatic discharge structure 130 will not affect the original touch function of the touch substrate 100.

[0055] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, such as Figure 1 As shown, the electrostatic discharge structure 130 is annular in shape surrounding the touch functional area 11. This annular shape avoids affecting the display effect of the touch substrate, and during the film removal process, the electrostatic discharge structure 130 remains in contact with the protective film, allowing it to promptly discharge static electricity generated during the removal process. Optionally, the electrostatic discharge structure 130 can be configured into different shapes as needed. For example, as... Figure 3 As shown, the electrostatic discharge structure 130 includes at least two irregularly shaped conductive structures, such as strips; Figure 4As shown, the electrostatic discharge structure 130 includes four rectangular conductive structures. The number of conductive structures can be set as needed; for example, it can be two, three, or more. By configuring the electrostatic discharge structure 130 as multiple separate conductive structures and connecting these structures to the grounding signal line through at least one corresponding through-hole, different conductive structures can be connected to different grounding signal lines according to wiring needs. This improves wiring flexibility and also shortens the electrostatic charge discharge path, increasing the efficiency of electrostatic charge discharge.

[0056] The electrostatic discharge structure 130 can be formed using physical vapor deposition or photolithography, for example, by fabricating a patterned electrostatic discharge structure 130 using a mask of a specific shape. The material of the electrostatic discharge structure 130 is a conductive material; optionally, the material is a metal. For example, the electrostatic discharge structure 130 can be an opaque conductive line, such as copper, aluminum, titanium, molybdenum, or silver, or other metals or alloys. Optionally, the first ground signal line 126 can also be a transparent conductive line, such as indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) or indium tin oxide (ITO). Optionally, the thickness of the electrostatic discharge structure 130 can be 100 nanometers to 1000 nanometers. It should be noted that the electrostatic discharge structure 130 only needs to have electrostatic conduction functionality; the material, thickness, and shape of the electrostatic discharge structure 130 can be adaptively adjusted as needed. This disclosure is not intended to limit the material, thickness, or shape of the electrostatic discharge structure 130.

[0057] Optionally, the electrostatic discharge structure 130 is grounded through a via in the frame area 12 of the touch substrate 100, so as to quickly conduct the electrostatic charge generated during the film removal process directly to the grounding line without passing through the touch electrode layer 120. Connecting the electrostatic discharge structure 130 to the grounding signal line can promptly discharge static electricity, preventing the accumulation of static charge on the touch substrate 100. This method can improve the problem of electrostatic damage to the touch electrodes (first electrode 121 or second electrode 122). For example, the electrostatic discharge structure 130 can be connected to the first grounding signal line 126 located in the frame area 12 through a via. The first grounding signal line 126 can be disposed in the same layer as at least some of the touch electrodes in the touch electrode layer and made of the same material; or the electrostatic discharge structure 130 can be connected to the second grounding signal line 112 in the substrate 110 through a via; furthermore, the electrostatic discharge structure 130 can be connected to the first grounding signal line 126 in the touch electrode layer 120 and the second grounding signal line 112 in the substrate 110 through vias respectively.

[0058] The following is combined Figures 5-8The connection between the electrostatic discharge structure 130 and the first ground signal line 126 in the touch electrode layer 120 through the first through hole 131 will be described.

[0059] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of a substrate 110 and a touch electrode layer 120 in a touch substrate 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 5 As shown, the touch substrate 100 includes a touch functional area 11 and a border area 12 surrounding the touch functional area 11. The touch electrode layer 120 includes a plurality of first electrodes 121 arranged in parallel and a plurality of second electrodes 122 arranged in parallel. The first electrodes 121 and the second electrodes 122 are insulated from each other and cross each other to form a touch capacitor (equivalent to a touch unit S1) at the intersection.

[0060] Specifically, the boundary of the touch unit S1 can be divided according to the sensing area of ​​the touch capacitor. In the embodiments of this disclosure, one of the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 can be a driving electrode, and the other of the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 can be a sensing electrode. The area where the driving electrode and the sensing electrode intersect insulatedly can form a touch capacitor. When a scanning signal is applied to the driving electrode, if the user's finger approaches the intersection point, a parasitic capacitance will be formed between the driving electrode or the sensing electrode and the user's finger. This parasitic capacitance will cause the voltage of the touch capacitor to fluctuate, that is, the capacitance value of the touch capacitor formed at the intersection point of the driving electrode and the sensing electrode will change. By detecting the sensing electrode where the voltage changes, the position of the touch capacitor with the changed capacitance value can be determined, that is, the touch position can be located, thereby realizing touch control.

[0061] It should be noted that when dividing the touch units S1 in the touch substrate 100, the entire touch functional area 11 is usually divided into multiple touch units S1. The division of the touch unit S1 area is actually a definition of the sensing area. For example, the touch unit S1 to which an area belongs can be determined based on the touch sensitivity of that area. For example, in an area between adjacent first and second touch capacitors, if the rate of change of the capacitance value of the first touch capacitor is greater than the rate of change of the capacitance value of the second touch capacitor when touched (e.g., when a user's finger approaches), then that area can be classified as the touch unit S1 corresponding to the first touch capacitor. Thus, the boundary of the touch unit S1 may actually be larger than the area occupied by the touch capacitor. Those skilled in the art should know that the detection range of a capacitor is usually larger than the area occupied by the touch capacitor. Therefore, even the area around the capacitor can still be considered as the detection area of ​​the touch capacitor. That is, the capacitor and some surrounding areas can be defined as a touch unit S1.

[0062] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the touch electrode (first electrode 121 or second electrode 122) is located on the substrate 110 and within the touch functional area 11. A first ground signal line 126 is disposed in the frame area 12, and the first ground signal line 126 is insulated from other signal lines (e.g., scan signal lines and drive signal lines). The first ground signal line 126 is disposed at a position corresponding to the frame area 12 on the touch electrode layer 120, allowing static electricity on the surface of the touch electrode layer 120 to be discharged through the first ground signal line 126, thus mitigating the problem of electrostatic discharge damage to the touch electrode. The orthographic projection of the first ground signal line 126 onto the touch electrode layer 120 is located in the frame area 12, facilitating the connection between the static electricity discharge structure 130, whose orthographic projection on the touch electrode layer 120 is also located in the frame area 12, and the first ground signal line 126. For example, the orthographic projection of the first ground signal line 126 on the touch electrode layer 120 and the orthographic projection of the electrostatic discharge structure 130 on the touch electrode layer 120 partially overlap. Thus, a first through hole 131 is provided at this overlapping position, so that the electrostatic discharge structure 130 is connected to the first ground signal line 126 through the first through hole 131.

[0063] Furthermore, the first ground signal line 126 may include a first ground line 1261 and a second ground line 1262. The ends of the first ground line 1261 and the second ground line 1262 are spaced apart to form an opening. The first ground line 1261 and the second ground line 1262 can respectively transmit static electricity to reduce the accumulation of static electricity in the first ground signal line 126. Optionally, the first ground signal line 126 may be an opaque conductive line, such as a copper wire or a silver wire, or it may be a transparent conductive line, such as an ITO wire.

[0064] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the first electrode 121 is broken into a plurality of first sub-electrodes 1211 in the region where it intersects with the second electrode 122. The touch electrode layer 120 further includes a conductive bridge 123 located at the intersection of the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 to connect adjacent first sub-electrodes 1211.

[0065] Figure 6 For including Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of the touch substrate 100 along line CD, showing the substrate 110 and touch electrode layer 120. Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the touch electrode layer 120 includes touch electrodes (including a first electrode 121 and a second electrode 122), a conductive bridge 123, and an insulating layer 124. The conductive bridge 123 is located between the touch electrodes (including the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122) and the substrate 110. The insulating layer 124 covers the conductive bridge 123, and the conductive bridge 123 is connected to the first sub-electrode 1211 through a through-hole in the insulating layer 124. A protective layer 125 covers the touch electrode layer (including the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122), and an electrostatic discharge structure 130 is disposed on the protective layer 125. In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the first ground signal line 126, the first electrode 121, and the second electrode 122 are on the same layer and made of the same material. The first ground signal line 126 and the touch electrodes (including the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122) are on the same layer and made of the same material, which is equivalent to forming the first ground signal line 126 and the touch electrodes by patterning the same conductive layer. This can improve production efficiency and simplify the process without increasing the process flow of the touch substrate 100, thus improving production efficiency and simplifying the process. In this case, the first through hole 131 penetrates the protective layer 125, and the two ends of the first through hole 131 are electrically connected to the first ground signal line 126 and the static discharge structure 130, respectively.

[0066] Specifically, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the conductive bridge 123 is located between the substrate 110 and the touch electrodes (including the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122), that is, the touch electrodes are located on the side of the conductive bridge 123 facing the touch side of the touch substrate 100. Thus, when a user observes the touch substrate 100 from the touch side, the conductive bridge 123 is located below the touch electrodes (including the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122) and is blocked by them, thereby avoiding the problem of uneven light transmittance and reflectance of the touch substrate 100 caused by the conductive bridge 123, and improving the optical effect of the touch substrate 100. For example, as... Figure 6 As shown, the conductive bridge 123 is located between the substrate 110 and the touch electrodes (including the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122). For example, in actual processes, a conductive material film can be deposited on the substrate 110, and then the conductive material film can be patterned to form the conductive bridge 123; then an insulating material can be deposited on the substrate 110 and the conductive bridge 123 to form an insulating layer 124, which covers the conductive bridge 123, and the insulating layer 124 can be patterned to form holes in the insulating layer 124 that expose the conductive bridge 123; then, another conductive material film is deposited on the insulating layer 124, which fills the holes to form conductive vias, and the conductive material film is connected to the conductive bridge 123 through the vias. After patterning the other conductive material film, a conductive bridge 123 is formed as shown. Figure 5 The first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 are shown, and the conductive bridge 123 connects the disconnected first electrode 121.

[0067] Furthermore, the touch substrate 100 may include one, two, three, four, or multiple first through-holes 131. Connecting the first ground signal line 126 and the electrostatic discharge structure 130 through multiple first through-holes 131 can improve the electrostatic discharge efficiency. In addition, connecting the first ground signal line 126 and the electrostatic discharge structure 130 through multiple first through-holes 131 ensures that even if one or more of the multiple first through-holes 131 fail, the electrostatic discharge effect will not be affected. Therefore, this method can also ensure that static charge is discharged in a timely manner, improving the reliability of the touch substrate.

[0068] It should be noted that the number and position of the first through holes 131 can be adaptively adjusted according to the wiring requirements of the touch board 100.

[0069] Optionally, such as Figure 7 As shown, the touch substrate also includes a protective layer 125 located between the touch electrode layer 120 and the electrostatic discharge structure 130. Optionally, the protective layer 125 can be disposed in the touch electrode layer. The touch electrode layer 120 includes touch electrodes (including a first electrode 121 and a second electrode 122), a conductive bridge 123, an insulating layer 124, and the protective layer 125. The insulating layer 124 is located on the side of the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 away from the substrate 110 and covers the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122. The touch electrode layer 120 also includes a conductive bridge 123 located on the side of the insulating layer 124 away from the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122. The insulating layer 124 has through holes, and the conductive bridge 123 is connected to the first sub-electrode 1211 through the through holes in the insulating layer 124. The protective layer 125 covers the conductive bridge 123 to prevent water, air, dust, and other impurities from entering the touch substrate 100, thereby protecting the touch substrate 100. The electrostatic discharge structure 130 is disposed on the protective layer 125.

[0070] For example, such as Figure 7 As shown, the touch electrodes (including the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122) are located between the substrate 110 and the conductive bridge 123. For example, in actual processes, a conductive material film can be deposited on the substrate 110, and then the conductive material film can be patterned to form the touch electrodes (including the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122); then an insulating material can be deposited on the substrate 110 and the touch electrodes to form an insulating layer 124, which covers the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122, and the insulating layer 124 can be patterned to form holes exposing the first electrode 121; then, another conductive material film is deposited on the insulating layer 124, which fills the holes exposing the first electrode 121 to connect with the first electrode 121, and after patterning the other conductive material film, a structure is formed as shown. Figure 7The conductive bridge 123 shown connects the disconnected first electrode 121.

[0071] The first ground signal line 126 can be on the same layer and made of the same material as the conductive bridge 123. This is equivalent to forming the first ground signal line 126 and the conductive bridge 123 by patterning the same conductive layer. This method can increase the wiring space of the ground signal line and simplify the process. Specifically, since the scanning signal line, the drive signal line, the first electrode 121, and the second electrode 122 are arranged on the same layer, the ground signal line and the conductive bridge can be arranged on different layers. This can avoid short circuits caused by excessively dense signal lines. In addition, in this method, the first ground signal line 126 is close to the electrostatic discharge structure 130, and the two are separated only by a protective layer 125. Thus, the first through hole 131 penetrates the protective layer 125, which simplifies the manufacturing process of the first through hole 131 and improves production efficiency.

[0072] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the material of the touch electrode layer 120 is not limited. For example, the first electrode 121, the second electrode 122, and the conductive bridge 123 can be single-layer structures or multilayer structures. For example, the multilayer structure is a Ti-Al-Ti, Mo-Al-Mo, or ITO-Ag-ITO multilayer structure. Exemplarily, the Ti-Al-Ti multilayer structure is a multilayer formed by sequentially stacking three film layers, namely a Ti film layer, an Al film layer, and a Ti film layer.

[0073] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the material of the protective layer 125 is not limited. The protective layer 125 can be an organic planarization layer, such as optical adhesive or other organic adhesives. Specifically, the protective layer 125 can be formed on the conductive bridge 123 and the insulating layer 124 by a coating process.

[0074] The following is combined Figures 8-12 The connection of the electrostatic discharge structure 130 to the second ground signal line 112 in the substrate 110 via the second through hole 132 will be described.

[0075] Specifically, the substrate 110 can be a display substrate. This display substrate can be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display substrate, a liquid crystal display (LCD) display substrate, or an electronic paper display substrate, etc. The display substrate may include a light-emitting device layer and a driving circuit layer. The display substrate may also include a thin-film encapsulation layer located on the side of the light-emitting device layer away from the driving circuit layer.

[0076] For example, taking substrate 110 as an OLED display substrate, substrate 110 includes organic light-emitting diodes 111 and a driving circuit layer 114. The organic light-emitting diodes 111 form the physical light-emitting structure of the sub-pixels of the flexible display substrate. The OLED display substrate can be configured to have either a top-emitting mode or a bottom-emitting mode as required.

[0077] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the base 110 is shown. (As shown) Figure 9 As shown, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) 111 is a device that generates electroluminescence using a multilayer organic thin-film structure. Specifically, the OLED 111 may include an anode layer 1111, a light-emitting functional layer 1112, and a cathode layer 1113 stacked sequentially. The light-emitting functional layer 1112 includes at least a light-emitting layer; optionally, the light-emitting functional layer 1112 may also include at least one of a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an electron blocking layer, a hole blocking layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer. Under the action of an electric field, holes generated in the anode layer 1111 and electrons generated in the cathode layer 1113 migrate to the light-emitting layer. When holes and electrons meet in the light-emitting layer, energy excitons are generated, thereby exciting the light-emitting molecules in the light-emitting layer to ultimately produce visible light.

[0078] The driving circuit layer 114 may include a pixel driving circuit, which includes multiple transistors (e.g., thin-film transistors (TFTs)), capacitors, etc., and may be configured as 2T1C (i.e., two transistors (T) and one capacitor (C)), 3T1C, or 7T1C, etc. The pixel driving circuit can be connected to the bonding area via signal lines, and then connected to the control chip via a flexible circuit board. In this way, the control chip can control the display function of the display substrate.

[0079] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, such as Figure 8 As shown, the display substrate 110 includes a second ground signal line 112, and the electrostatic discharge structure 130 is connected to the second ground signal line 112 through a second through-hole 132. Specifically, the second ground signal line 112 in the display substrate is located in the bezel area 12, and the orthographic projection of the sub-pixels in the display substrate onto the touch electrode layer 120 is located in the touch functional area 11.

[0080] Figure 10 This is a plan view of the touch unit S1 region in a touch substrate 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a touch substrate 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, in some embodiments of the touch substrate 100 provided in this disclosure, the substrate 110 is a display substrate, the touch electrode layer 120 is located on the light-emitting side of the display substrate, the display substrate includes a display area 13 and a plurality of pixels located in the display area 13, each pixel includes a plurality of sub-pixels and a spacing region located between the sub-pixels, wherein each sub-pixel may be composed of an organic light-emitting diode 111. For example, further, the orthographic projection of the grid lines of the touch electrodes (first electrode 121 and second electrode 122) in the touch substrate 100 onto the display substrate is located within the spacing region between the sub-pixels, and the sub-pixels are located within the orthographic projection of the mesh of the grid lines onto the display substrate. The touch electrodes and / or conductive bridges 123 designed as a grid structure do not block the emitted light from the sub-pixels, which is beneficial to improving the light extraction rate of the display substrate, improving the display brightness, and thus improving the display effect.

[0081] It should be noted that the orthographic projection of the grid lines of the touch electrode layer 120 onto the surface of the touch substrate 100 is located within the orthographic projection of the spacing area between sub-pixels onto the surface of the touch substrate 100, including the case where the orthographic projection of the grid lines onto the surface of the touch substrate 100 and the orthographic projection of the spacing area onto the surface of the touch substrate 100 coincide.

[0082] The OLED display substrate includes conductive elements. For example, the conductive elements can be the anode or cathode layer in the organic light-emitting diode 111, the gate or source / drain electrode of the thin-film transistor in the driving circuit layer 114, or the upper or lower electrode in a capacitor. The second ground signal line can be in the same layer and made of the same material as at least one of the conductive elements. Since the second ground signal line and the conductive element are in the same layer and made of the same material, it is equivalent to forming the second ground signal line and the conductive element by patterning the same conductive layer. This allows the second ground signal line 112 to be formed in the same process as the existing conductive elements of the OLED display substrate, eliminating the need for additional processes. Therefore, this method can improve manufacturing efficiency and simplify the process.

[0083] For example, such as Figure 11 As shown, the source and drain electrodes of the second ground signal line 112 and the thin-film transistor (TFT) in the driving circuit layer 114 are on the same layer. The second via 132 penetrates the touch electrode layer 120 and a portion of the film layer in the substrate 110, connecting to the second ground signal line 112. This method connects the electrostatic discharge structure 130 to the ground signal line in the substrate 110, thereby discharging the static charge on the surface of the touch substrate 100. Therefore, it can improve the problem of electrostatic discharge damage to the first electrode 121 or the second electrode 122 in the touch substrate 100, and conduct the electrostatic charge generated when peeling the film on the touch substrate 100 away from the ground lead, thus protecting the conductive bridge at the intersection of the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 122 in the touch electrode from ESD damage.

[0084] The touch substrate provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure and Figure 2 or Figure 11 The difference in the touch substrate shown is that the touch substrate also includes a protective film 140 to be peeled off. This protective film 140 is located on the side of the electrostatic discharge structure 130 and the protective layer 125 away from the substrate 110, as shown below. Figure 12 As shown. The protective film to be peeled off can be attached to the surface of the touch substrate away from the substrate by electrostatic adsorption. Since the touch substrate also needs to be assembled with other film layers such as polarizer, support layer and cover plate to form the final touch display substrate, the assembly process needs to be carried out in other operating machines. Therefore, setting a protective film on the surface of the touch electrode layer can protect the touch substrate during the transportation of the touch substrate.

[0085] The touch substrate provided in at least one embodiment of this disclosure and Figure 2 or Figure 11 The difference in the touch substrate shown is that it also includes a polarizer, located on the side of the electrostatic discharge structure and protective layer away from the substrate. The polarizer serves to polarize the light beam, filtering out a portion of the beam and reducing ambient light reflection. When the substrate of the touch substrate is a display substrate, placing a polarizer on the side of the touch electrode layer away from the substrate can improve the display effect. The protective film 140 can be removed before the polarizer and other components are attached.

[0086] Optionally, the touch substrate also includes a cover plate located on the side of the electrostatic discharge structure and protective layer away from the substrate. The protective film 140 can be removed before the cover plate is attached. The cover plate may be located on the side of the polarizer away from the electrostatic discharge structure and touch electrode layer.

[0087] It should be noted that the first through hole 131 and the second through hole 132 in this embodiment are both conductive structures, serving to connect the static discharge structure 130 and the grounding signal line.

[0088] In at least one embodiment of this disclosure, where there is no overlap between the orthographic projection of the electrostatic discharge structure 130 onto the touch electrode layer 120 and the orthographic projection of the ground signal line onto the touch electrode layer 120, an interconnection structure may also be provided. The interconnection structure may be substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate 110. The interconnection structure may be connected to different vias, or the interconnection structure may be connected to both vias and the ground signal line. The electrostatic discharge structure 130 is connected to the ground signal line through a conductive connection structure formed by the vias and the interconnection structure.

[0089] At least one embodiment of this disclosure provides a touch display device 1000, such as Figure 13As shown, the touch display device 1000 includes the touch substrate 100 provided in the above embodiment. The touch display device 1000 also includes a cover plate 200 and a housing 300, and the touch substrate 100 is disposed in the receiving space formed by the cover plate 200 and the housing 300.

[0090] The touch display device 1000 can be any of various types of computer system devices that are mobile or portable and perform wireless communication. In some cases, the touch display device 1000 can perform multiple functions (e.g., playing music, displaying video, storing pictures, and receiving and sending telephone calls). Specifically, the display device can be any product or component with display functionality, such as a television, digital camera, mobile phone, watch, tablet computer, laptop computer, or navigator.

[0091] The touch display device provided according to the embodiments of this disclosure and the touch substrate provided according to the embodiments of this disclosure belong to the same inventive concept and have corresponding structures and beneficial effects. Details not described in detail in the embodiments of the touch display device can be found in the embodiments of the touch substrate, and will not be repeated here.

[0092] At least one embodiment of this disclosure provides a method for fabricating a touch substrate, wherein the touch substrate is divided into a touch functional area and a border area on a plane perpendicular to the Z-axis. This method for fabricating the touch substrate can be used to fabricate the touch substrate described in the above embodiments. Figure 14 As shown, the preparation method includes the following steps S1310 to S1330.

[0093] S1310: Provides substrate 110a.

[0094] Specifically, such as Figure 15 As shown, the substrate 110a can be a display substrate. This display substrate can be an organic light-emitting display substrate, a liquid crystal display substrate, or an electronic paper display substrate, etc.

[0095] S1320: At least a touch electrode layer 120a is formed on the substrate 110a located in the touch functional area 11a.

[0096] Specifically, such as Figure 15 As shown, the formation process of the touch electrode layer 120a can be referred to the description in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0097] S1330: An electrostatic discharge structure 130a is formed on the substrate 110a located in the border region 12a.

[0098] Optionally, such as Figure 15As shown, forming an electrostatic discharge structure 130a on a substrate 110a located in the border region 12a can be achieved by the touch electrode layer 120a being located between the touch functional region 11a and the border region 12a, with the electrostatic discharge structure 130a formed on the border region of the touch electrode layer 120a. Optionally, forming the electrostatic discharge structure 130a on the substrate 110a located in the border region 12a can also be achieved by the touch electrode layer 120a not being located in the border region 12a, with the electrostatic discharge structure 130a formed on the substrate 110a, and the upper surface of the electrostatic discharge structure 130a being higher than the upper surface of the touch electrode layer 120a. The formation process of the electrostatic discharge structure 130a can be physical vapor deposition or photolithography, for example, by fabricating a patterned electrostatic discharge structure 130a using a mask of a specific shape.

[0099] In one specific embodiment of at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the preparation method may further include the following steps S1340 to S1360.

[0100] S1340: A protective film 140a is formed on the side of the electrostatic discharge structure 130a and the touch electrode layer 120a away from the substrate 110a.

[0101] Specifically, such as Figure 16 As shown, the protective film 140a can be an adhesive-free film or a release film, which is adhered to the touch electrode layer 120a by means of electrostatic adsorption, etc., and plays the role of protecting the touch electrode layer 120a.

[0102] S1350: Remove the protective film 140a.

[0103] Specifically, the protective film 140a is peeled off from one side of the touch electrode layer 120a to the opposite side.

[0104] S1360: A polarizer 150a is attached to the side of the electrostatic discharge structure 130a and the touch electrode layer 120a away from the substrate 110a.

[0105] Specifically, such as Figure 17 As shown, the polarizer 150a can be adhered to the surface of the touch electrode layer 120a using optical adhesive 160a.

[0106] Optionally, after removing the protective film, a cover plate is attached to the side of the electrostatic discharge structure 130a and the touch electrode layer 120a away from the substrate 110a. Optionally, the cover plate is located on the side of the polarizer away from the touch electrode layer.

[0107] The method for preparing the touch substrate according to the embodiments of this disclosure belongs to the same inventive concept as the touch substrate and touch display device provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, and has corresponding structures and beneficial effects. Details not described in detail in the embodiments of the touch display device can be found in the embodiments of the touch substrate, and will not be repeated here.

[0108] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this disclosure and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Any modifications or equivalent substitutions made within the spirit and principles of this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A touch substrate, characterized in that, Includes a substrate and a touch electrode layer and an electrostatic discharge structure on the substrate. The touch substrate includes a touch functional area and a border area. The touch electrode layer is located at least in the touch functional area. The electrostatic discharge structure is located in the border area and on the side of the touch electrode layer away from the substrate. The touch substrate also includes a protective layer located between the touch electrode layer and the electrostatic discharge structure. The border area of ​​the touch substrate includes a first ground signal line. The electrostatic discharge structure is connected to the first ground signal line through a first through-hole. The protective layer covers the touch electrode layer. The electrostatic discharge structure is disposed on the protective layer. The first through-hole penetrates the protective layer. The touch substrate also includes a protective film to be peeled off. The protective film to be peeled off is located on the side of the electrostatic discharge structure and the protective layer away from the substrate. The electrostatic discharge structure is closer to the protective film than the touch electrode layer. The protective film and the electrostatic discharge structure are in direct contact.

2. The touch substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrostatic discharge structure is ring-shaped, surrounding the touch functional area.

3. The touch substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrostatic discharge structure includes multiple spaced conductive structures. The multiple separate conductive structures are connected to a ground signal line through at least one corresponding through hole. The multiple separate conductive structures are arranged around the touch function area, and different conductive structures are connected to different ground signal lines.

4. The touch substrate according to claim 3, characterized in that, Four separate conductive structures are arranged around the touch functional area.

5. The touch substrate according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The conductive structure is rectangular in shape.

6. The touch substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The touch electrode layer includes multiple first electrodes arranged in parallel and multiple second electrodes arranged in parallel. The first electrodes and the second electrodes are insulated from each other and cross each other, forming multiple touch units at the intersection. The first grounding signal line, the first electrode, and the second electrode are made of the same layer and material; or The first electrode is broken into multiple first sub-electrodes in the area where it intersects with the second electrode. The touch electrode layer also includes a conductive bridge located at the intersection of the first electrode and the second electrode to connect adjacent first sub-electrodes. The first ground signal line is in the same layer and made of the same material as the conductive bridge.

7. The touch substrate according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The substrate is a display substrate, which includes a second ground signal line. The electrostatic discharge structure is connected through a second through hole and the second ground signal line.

8. The touch substrate according to claim 7, characterized in that, The substrate is an OLED display substrate, which includes conductive elements. The second ground signal line and the conductive elements are on the same layer and made of the same material.

9. The touch substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material of the electrostatic discharge structure is a conductive material.

10. The touch substrate according to claim 9, characterized in that, The material of the electrostatic discharge structure is metal.

11. The touch substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protective layer is an organic planarization layer, and the material of the protective layer is optical adhesive or other organic adhesive.

12. The touch substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the electrostatic discharge structure is 100 nanometers to 1000 nanometers.

13. The touch substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first grounding signal line is a transparent conductive line.

14. The touch substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first grounding signal line includes a first ground wire and a second ground wire, with an opening formed between the ends of the first ground wire and the second ground wire, and the first ground wire and the second ground wire respectively transmit static electricity.

15. A touch display device, characterized in that, Includes the touch substrate as described in any one of claims 1-14.

16. A method for preparing a touch substrate, characterized in that, The touch substrate includes a touch functional area and a border area, and the method for manufacturing the touch substrate includes: Provide a base; A touch electrode layer is formed on the substrate located in the touch functional area; An electrostatic discharge structure is formed on the substrate located in the border region; A protective film is formed on the side of the electrostatic discharge structure and the touch electrode layer away from the substrate. The electrostatic discharge structure is located on the side of the touch electrode layer opposite to the substrate. The touch substrate also includes a protective layer located between the touch electrode layer and the electrostatic discharge structure. The border area of ​​the touch substrate includes a first ground signal line. The electrostatic discharge structure is connected to the first ground signal line through a first through hole. The protective layer covers the touch electrode layer. The electrostatic discharge structure is disposed on the protective layer. The first through hole penetrates the protective layer. The touch substrate also includes a protective film to be peeled off. The protective film to be peeled off is located on the side of the electrostatic discharge structure and the protective layer away from the substrate. The electrostatic discharge structure is closer to the protective film than the touch electrode layer. The protective film and the electrostatic discharge structure are in direct contact.

17. The method for preparing a touch substrate according to claim 16, characterized in that, The preparation method further includes: Remove the protective film.

18. The method for preparing a touch substrate according to claim 17, characterized in that, After removing the protective film, the process also includes: A polarizer is attached to the side of the electrostatic discharge structure and the touch electrode layer away from the substrate.

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