Touch panel, touch display module and display device
By designing a single-layer conductive layer structure and inclined electrode traces within the bendable area of the touch panel, the cracking problem of the touch panel during the bending process of the AMOLED display was solved, improving the reliability and lifespan of the display.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing AMOLED displays are prone to cracking during bending. 160 touch panels develop cracks at the bending point, leading to encapsulation failure and display defects.
The touch traces within the bendable area of the touch panel are designed as a single-layer conductive layer structure, removing the conductive layer beneath the touch insulating layer. The end face of the touch trace forms an angle with the extension direction of the bendable area. The touch traces and electrodes are designed as straight lines or inclined structures to avoid stress concentration.
This effectively prevents the insulation layer from cracking during the bending process of the touch panel, reduces the defect rate of the display panel, and improves the reliability and service life of the touch panel.
Smart Images
Figure CN117148998B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a touch panel, a touch display module, and a display device. Background Technology
[0002] With the rapid development of AMOLED (Active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) display technology, AMOLED displays have entered the era of full-screen and narrow-bezel displays. In order to bring users a better user experience, full-screen, narrow-bezel, high resolution, rollable wearable, and foldable displays will inevitably become important development directions for future AMOLED display products.
[0003] To enable AMOLED displays to better achieve folding functionality, FMLOC (Flexible Multi-Layer OnCell) technology was developed. FMLOC technology involves creating a metal mesh electrode layer on the encapsulation structure after the EVEN process (evaporation process) of each film layer of the light-emitting element and the encapsulation process of the light-emitting element. This forms the driving electrode (Tx) and sensing electrode (Rx) channels of FMLOC technology to achieve the touch function of the display. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In view of this, the purpose of this application is to provide a touch panel, a touch display module and a display device.
[0005] Based on the above objectives, a first aspect of this application provides a touch panel, including a substrate, a touch insulating layer disposed on one side of the substrate, a first conductive layer disposed on the side of the touch insulating layer away from the substrate, and an encapsulation protective layer covering the first conductive layer; the first conductive layer includes a first wiring pattern for forming touch traces and a first electrode pattern for forming touch electrodes, wherein the touch traces and the outermost edges of the touch electrodes are connected; the touch panel includes a bendable area and a non-bendable area; the touch traces include a first touch trace, the end of which is located within the bendable area; within the bendable area, the touch insulating layer corresponding to the first touch trace is disposed on the surface of the substrate.
[0006] Based on the same inventive concept, the second aspect of this application also provides a touch display module, including a display panel and a touch panel as described in the first aspect.
[0007] Based on the same inventive concept, the third aspect of this application also provides a display device, including a touch panel as described in the first aspect, or a touch display module as described in the second aspect.
[0008] As can be seen from the above, the touch panel, touch display module, and display device provided in this application, for the first touch trace whose end is within the bendable area, remove at least the conductive layer located below the touch insulating layer within the bendable area. This ensures that the touch insulating layer corresponding to the first touch trace is in a flat state without any breaks, effectively preventing stress generated during the bending process of the touch panel from accumulating at the touch insulating layer corresponding to the end of the first touch trace, thus avoiding cracks in the touch insulating layer. Simultaneously, this also prevents defects in the touch panel and the display panel below the touch panel due to cracks. Attached Figure Description
[0009] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this application or related technologies, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing touch panel in the relevant technology;
[0011] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged schematic diagram of region E in the middle;
[0012] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional view of line a'-a;
[0013] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a touch panel according to an embodiment of this application;
[0014] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged schematic diagram of region E' in the middle;
[0015] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first conductive layer of the touch panel according to an embodiment of this application;
[0016] Figure 7 The first type of touch wiring for the touch panel in this application embodiment is... Figure 5 A cross-sectional view at position b'-b;
[0017] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a second type of touch wiring for a touch panel according to an embodiment of this application;
[0018] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of existing touch traces and existing touch electrodes in an existing touch panel;
[0019] Figure 10This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the existing touch traces in an existing touch panel;
[0020] Figure 11a for Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional view from c'-c;
[0021] Figure 11b for Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional view of d'-d;
[0022] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a third type of touch wiring for a touch panel according to an embodiment of this application;
[0023] Figure 13a for Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional view from e' to e;
[0024] Figure 13b for Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional view from f' to f;
[0025] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of a third type of touch trace and extended touch electrode of the touch panel according to an embodiment of this application;
[0026] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of a fourth type of touch trace and touch electrode for a touch panel according to an embodiment of this application;
[0027] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the touch electrodes of the touch panel according to an embodiment of this application;
[0028] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of existing touch electrodes in related technologies;
[0029] Figure 18 for Figure 16 A magnified diagram of region G in the middle. Detailed Implementation
[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings.
[0031] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values of the components described in these embodiments do not limit the scope of this application.
[0032] At the same time, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to actual scale.
[0033] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the scope of this application and its application or use.
[0034] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the embodiments of this application should have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in the embodiments of this application 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 after 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 only used to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.
[0035] by Figure 1 Taking the existing touch panel 100 as an example, the existing touch panel 100 includes a touch area A with existing touch electrodes, and a peripheral area B surrounding the touch area A. The peripheral area B contains existing touch traces connected to the existing touch electrodes, a ground line 130 (GND), and a protection trace 140 (Guard). The existing touch electrodes include multiple existing sensing electrodes (or receiving electrodes) and multiple existing driving electrodes 150 (or transmitting electrodes). The existing sensing electrodes extend longitudinally (e.g., ...). Figure 1 (in the y direction) and along the lateral direction (e.g.) Figure 1 The existing driving electrodes 150 are spaced apart in the x-direction, extending laterally and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. The existing sensing electrodes and existing driving electrodes 150 intersect in the longitudinal and transverse spaces. The existing touch traces include multiple existing sensing traces 120 (hereinafter referred to as existing Rx traces) connected to the existing sensing electrodes and multiple existing driving traces 110 (hereinafter referred to as existing Tx traces) connected to the existing driving electrodes 150.
[0036] Figure 2 for Figure 1 An enlarged schematic diagram of region E, which is located within the bendable region C. Taking an existing Tx trace 110 as an example, each existing Tx trace 110 is connected to an existing drive electrode 150, and the extension of the existing Tx trace 110 terminates after being connected to the existing drive electrode 150. In other words, the end 111 of the existing Tx trace is close to the connection position between the existing Tx trace 110 and the existing drive electrode 150.
[0037] Figure 1 The existing touch panel 100 in the middle is along the horizontal axis (e.g. Figure 1If the dotted line in the diagram is bent, the bendable area C of the existing touch panel 100 extends laterally from the left to the right side of the existing touch panel 100. Since the connection position between the existing Tx trace 110 and the existing driving electrode 150 is located on the left and / or right side of the touch area A, then a portion of the existing Tx trace end 111 is located within the bendable area C, such as... Figure 2 .
[0038] The applicant discovered through research that when a crack 160 appears in the existing touch panel 100 during bending, the location of the crack 160 is correlated with the location of the end of the existing Tx trace 111, such as... Figure 2 Crack 160 typically extends along the end 111 of the existing Tx trace.
[0039] After extensive experimentation and analysis, the applicant discovered that the appearance of crack 160 is related to the structure of the existing touch wiring:
[0040] One reason for this is that existing touch traces are formed by stacked double layers of metal, such as... Figure 3 As shown, it is Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view (a'-a) of the existing Tx trace end 111. The existing Tx trace 110 is disposed on one side of the substrate 170. Exemplarily, the substrate 170 may include a first inorganic encapsulation layer 171 (CVD1), an organic encapsulation layer 172 (IJP), a second inorganic encapsulation layer 173 (CVD2), and a barrier layer 174, stacked together. The existing Tx trace 110 is composed of a first conductive layer 112 (TMA), a touch insulating layer 113 (TLD), and a second conductive layer 114 (TMB), stacked together. A protective encapsulation layer 180 (TOC) is also disposed on the side of the existing Tx trace 110 away from the substrate 170.
[0041] like Figure 3 As can be seen, the existing touch insulating layer 113 extends from the surface of the existing first conductive layer 112 to the surface of the substrate 170 at the existing Tx trace end 111, thus there is a large discontinuity.
[0042] The second reason is that within the bendable region C, the end face of the existing Tx trace 111 is parallel to the extension direction p (or crease direction) of the bendable region C, such as... Figure 2 .
[0043] For both reasons mentioned above, when the existing touch panel 100 is folded, stress will concentrate at the break point of the existing touch insulation layer 113, resulting in cracks.
[0044] Cracks 160 in the existing touch insulating layer 113 can grow along the thickness direction of the existing touch panel 100 towards the substrate 170. When crack 160 extends along the thickness direction of the existing touch panel 100 to the second inorganic encapsulation layer 173 and from the peripheral area B to the touch area A, it can cause the substrate 170 to fail. At this time, moisture or oxygen in the air may penetrate the display panel below the existing touch panel 100 along the crack 160, causing the display panel to exhibit the phenomenon of continuously growing black spots (GDS).
[0045] In view of this, such as Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown in the figure, this application provides a touch panel, including a substrate 170, a touch insulating layer 2 disposed on one side of the substrate 170, a first conductive layer 1 disposed on the side of the touch insulating layer 2 away from the substrate 170, and an encapsulation protective layer 180 covering the first conductive layer 1; the first conductive layer 1 includes a first wiring pattern 101 for forming touch wiring 3 and a first electrode pattern 102 for forming touch electrode 4, the touch wiring 3 and the outermost side of the touch electrode 4 are connected; the touch panel includes a bendable area C' and a non-bendable area D; the touch wiring 3 includes a first touch wiring 301, the end of the first touch wiring 301 is located in the bendable area C'; in the bendable area C', the touch insulating layer 2 corresponding to the first touch wiring 301 is disposed on the surface of the substrate 170.
[0046] For example, the touch trace 3 is disposed on the outside of the touch electrode 4, and the touch trace 3 is connected to the outermost part of the touch electrode 4 (e.g., the end of the touch electrode 4).
[0047] For example, the first touch trace 301 is a Tx trace and is close to the touch area A' of the touch panel.
[0048] For example, the first wiring pattern 101 and the first electrode pattern 102 are disposed on the same layer and are located in the peripheral area B' and the touch area A', respectively.
[0049] For example, the bendable area C' is located in the center of the touch panel and extends laterally, and the bendable area C' includes a portion of the touch area A' and a portion of the peripheral area B'. Along the longitudinal direction of the touch panel, the non-bendable area D is located on both sides of the bendable area C'.
[0050] It should be noted that the orthographic projection of the first trace pattern 101 used to form the first touch trace 301 onto the substrate 170 within the bendable area C' is the first projection. The orthographic projection of the touch insulating layer 2 corresponding to the first touch trace 301 onto the substrate 170 coincides with the first projection.
[0051] The first touch trace 301 enters the bendable area C' from the non-bendable area D on one side of the bendable area C' and terminates within the bendable area C'. That is, the first touch trace 301 will not cross the bendable area C' to enter the non-bendable area D on the other side. Figure 5 .
[0052] To avoid a break in the touch insulating layer 2 within the bendable area C', in this embodiment, the first touch trace 301 within the bendable area C' is designed as a single-layer conductive layer. The conductive layer of the touch insulating layer 2 near the substrate 170 is removed, so that the touch insulating layer 2 is disposed on a relatively flat surface of the substrate 170 within the bendable area C', such as... Figure 7 The touch insulating layer 2 is relatively flat within the bendable area C'. At the same time, the conductive layer on the side of the touch insulating layer 2 away from the substrate 170 is retained as the first trace pattern 101 in the first conductive layer 1 to realize the electrical function of the first touch trace 301 and ensure that the first touch trace 301 is properly connected to the touch electrode 4.
[0053] The touch panel provided in this embodiment removes at least the conductive layer below the touch insulating layer 2 within the bendable region C' of the first touch trace 301, ensuring that the touch insulating layer 2 corresponding to the first touch trace 301 is in a flat state without any breaks. This effectively prevents stress generated during bending of the touch panel from accumulating at the touch insulating layer 2 corresponding to the end of the first touch trace 301, thus avoiding the formation of cracks 160 in the touch insulating layer 2. Simultaneously, it prevents defects in the touch panel and the display panel below it due to cracks 160.
[0054] In conjunction with the foregoing, in addition to designing the first touch trace 301 within the bendable area C' as a single-layer conductive layer structure, the end face angle of the first touch trace 301 can also be designed.
[0055] like Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the angle α between the first touch trace end face 3011 and the extension direction p of the bendable area C' is greater than 0° and less than 180°.
[0056] For example, the included angle α is greater than or equal to 15° and less than or equal to 75°.
[0057] The first touch trace end face 3011 is the end surface of the first touch trace 301. The first touch trace end face 3011 is designed to be inclined to avoid it being parallel to the extension direction p of the bendable area C', thereby reducing the risk of crack 160 forming at the end of the first touch trace 301.
[0058] The applicant also discovered that in the related technology, the edge of the existing driving electrode 150 near the existing Tx trace 110 is straight. Since the existing Tx traces 110 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, and each existing Tx trace 110 is connected to a corresponding existing driving electrode 150, the existing Tx trace 110 closest to the driving electrode 150 terminates after being connected to the corresponding existing driving electrode 150. Therefore, other existing Tx traces 110 that are farther away from the existing driving electrode 150 than this existing Tx trace 110 need to bend towards the existing driving electrode 150 in order to connect to the existing driving electrode 150.
[0059] by Figure 9 Using the existing touch panel shown and the orientation in the figure as an example, the existing Tx trace 110(n+1) extends from below to the bendable area C and connects to the existing driving electrode 150(n+1) within the bendable area C. The existing Tx trace 110(n+1) extends in a straight line. However, in order to connect to the existing driving electrode 150(n), the existing Tx trace 110(n) needs to be bent towards the existing driving electrode 150(n) at the gap above the end 111(n+1) of the existing Tx trace. After bending, the existing Tx trace 110(n) is aligned with the existing Tx trace 110(n+1). Similarly, the existing Tx trace 110 located to the left of the existing Tx trace 110(n) is also bent.
[0060] At the bend location of the existing Tx trace 110(n), the bend angle is different from other locations of the existing Tx trace 110(n), which will exert a pulling effect on the structural layer of the existing touch panel 100. Since the structural layer formed by the existing touch insulating layer 113 and other inorganic materials in the existing touch panel 100 is under negative stress, it is more prone to breakage when subjected to external pulling.
[0061] Specifically, Figure 10 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the existing Tx trace at bend 110 and adjacent structures. Figure 11a for Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of the c'-c position, which is the bend. Figure 11b for Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the d'-d position, which is the position where the line extends.
[0062] Will Figure 11a and Figure 11bA comparison reveals that, within the same existing Tx trace 110, the cross-sectional width g of the existing first conductive layer 112 at the bend (the width of the existing second conductive layer 114 is the same) is significantly greater than the cross-sectional width i of the existing first conductive layer 112' at the straight extension (the width of the existing second conductive layer 114' is the same). Simultaneously, the gap h between the existing first conductive layers 112 at the bend is also significantly greater than the gap j between the existing first conductive layers 112' at the straight extension. In other words, Figure 11a The existing touch insulation layer 113 in the existing Tx trace 110 at the bending location shown, and Figure 11b The existing touch insulation layer 113' in the existing Tx trace 110' at the straight extension position shown in the figure will experience the aforementioned pulling phenomenon because the two are formed on different structures.
[0063] In view of this, such as Figure 12 , Figure 13a and Figure 13b As shown, in some embodiments, the touch trace 3 extends in a straight line along a portion of the bendable area C'.
[0064] For example, the touch trace 3 within the non-bending area D can extend in a straight line or have a bending structure.
[0065] When the touch trace 3 extends in a straight line in the bendable area C', the structure of each touch trace 3 is the same along its extension direction for all touch traces 3 except for the first touch trace 301. Specifically, Figure 13a for Figure 12 A cross-sectional view at position e'-e. Figure 13b for Figure 9 A cross-sectional view at position f'-f.
[0066] Will Figure 13a and Figure 13b A comparison reveals that, within the same touch trace 3, the cross-sectional width k of the first trace pattern 101 at position e'-e is the same as the cross-sectional width m of the first trace pattern 101' at position f'-f; simultaneously, the gap distance l between the first trace patterns 101 at positions e'-e is also the same as the gap distance n between the first trace patterns 101' at positions f'-f. In other words, Figure 13a The touch insulating layer 2 in the touch trace 3 at position e'-e shown, and Figure 13b The touch insulation layer 2' in the touch trace 3' at position f'-f shown can effectively avoid the pulling phenomenon and further reduce the risk of crack 160 in the touch insulation layer 2 because both are formed on the same structure.
[0067] like Figure 14As shown, in some embodiments, the touch trace 3 further includes a second touch trace 302 arranged side by side with the first touch trace 301. The first touch trace 301 is adjacent to the touch electrode 4, and the second touch trace 302 is located on the side of the first touch trace 301 away from the touch electrode 4. The touch panel includes a gap region F defined by the second touch trace 302, the end face 3011 of the first touch trace, and the touch electrode 4. A portion of the touch electrode 4 extends toward the gap region F to connect with the second touch trace 302.
[0068] by Figure 14 Taking the direction in the middle as an example, since the second touch trace 302 is located to the left of the first touch trace 301 and extends in a straight line, if the line width of the second touch trace 302 is the same as the line width of the existing Tx trace 110(n), and the edges of all touch electrodes 4 that need to be connected to the second touch trace 302 extend to the edge of the first touch trace 301, then a gap region F will appear between the second touch trace 302 and the touch electrode 4 above the end face 3011 of the first touch trace.
[0069] In order for the second touch trace 302 to be properly connected to the touch electrode 4, the touch electrode 4 needs to extend into the gap region F and pass through the gap region F until it is connected to the corresponding second touch trace 302.
[0070] When the touch trace 3 extends in a straight line within the bendable area C', and the second touch trace 302 extends through the touch electrode 4 and is connected to the touch electrode 4, as follows: Figure 14 As shown, in some implementations, in the bendable area C', the width of each of the touch traces 3 is uniform.
[0071] At this time, the width of each touch trace 3 (first touch trace 301 or second touch trace 302) in the bendable area C' is the same at all positions along its extension direction. Compared with the related technology, which has a structure where the width of the existing touch trace is inconsistent at the bending position and the width at the straight extension position due to the bending structure, the touch panel of this embodiment can reduce the risk of tensile cracks 160 to a certain extent because the width of each touch trace 3 is uniform.
[0072] like Figure 14 As shown, in some embodiments, multiple touch traces 3 are provided in the bendable area C', and the spacing between adjacent touch traces 3 along the extension direction of the bendable area C' is the same.
[0073] For example, the multiple touch lines 3 may include at least one first touch line 301 and at least two second touch lines 302; or, may include at least two first touch lines 301 and at least one second touch line 302.
[0074] Compared to related technologies, where the width of the existing touch traces at the bend position is inconsistent with the width at the straight extension position due to the bending structure, and the gap width at the bend position is also inconsistent with the gap width at the straight extension position, the gap width between adjacent touch traces 3 in this embodiment is the same. At the same time, for the same touch trace 3, the gap width between it and adjacent touch traces 3 at different positions along its extension direction is also the same, further reducing the risk of tensile cracks 160.
[0075] In addition to the structure where the touch electrode 4 extends to the second touch trace 302, such as Figure 15 As shown, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the second touch trace 302 adjacent to the gap region F extends toward the gap region F to connect with the touch electrode 4.
[0076] In this embodiment, the edges of the touch electrode 4 are flush, and a portion of the second touch trace 302 extends toward the gap region F and passes through the gap region F until it connects with the touch electrode 4, so that the second touch trace 302 can be normally connected to the touch electrode 4.
[0077] like Figure 15 As shown, in some embodiments, the second touch trace 302 includes an extension trace segment 3021 extending toward the gap region F, and the width of the other part of the second touch trace 302, excluding the extension trace segment 3021, is smaller than the width of the extension trace segment 3021.
[0078] The extended trace segment 3021 is the location where the second touch trace 302 is connected to the touch electrode 4. By increasing the width of the extended trace segment 3021, it extends into the gap region F and connects to the touch electrode 4.
[0079] like Figure 4 , Figure 13b and Figure 16As shown, in some embodiments, the touch panel further includes a second conductive layer 8 disposed between the touch insulating layer 2 and the substrate 170. The second conductive layer 8 includes a second electrode pattern 802 for forming the touch electrode 4 and a second wiring pattern 801 for forming the touch wiring 3. The second wiring pattern 801 is located at least in the non-bending area D. The touch insulating layer 2 is also provided with a plurality of through holes to connect the first wiring pattern 101 and the second wiring pattern 801, and to connect the first electrode pattern 102 and the second electrode pattern 802.
[0080] For example, the second trace pattern 801 may be set only in the non-bending area D, that is, the touch traces 3 (including the first touch trace 301 and the second touch trace 302) in the bending area C are all single-layer conductive layer structures.
[0081] For example, the second wiring pattern 801 can also be set at the positions corresponding to the second touch wiring 302 in the non-bending area D and the bendable area C, such as... Figure 13a In other words, among the touch traces 3, only the first touch trace 301 located in the bendable area C is a single-layer conductive layer structure, while the first touch trace 301 and the second touch trace 302 located in the non-bendable area D are both double-layer conductive layer structures including the first trace pattern 101 and the second trace pattern 801.
[0082] The second trace pattern 801 in the second conductive layer 8 can be connected to the first trace pattern 101 to reduce the resistance of the touch trace 3 and improve the signal transmission effect of the touch trace 3. The second electrode pattern 802 can serve as a bridging structure in the touch electrode 4, enabling the interrupt patterns in the first electrode pattern 102 to be connected, thus allowing for more flexible layout of the first electrode pattern 102.
[0083] like Figure 17 The existing touch electrodes in the existing touch panel include existing first conductive layer 112 and existing second conductive layer 114 stacked in the touch area A. In order to connect the existing first conductive layer 112 and existing second conductive layer 114, existing pads 9 are provided on the existing first conductive layer 112 and existing second conductive layer 114, and the existing first conductive layer 112 and existing second conductive layer 114 are connected at the location of existing pads 9 through vias provided in the existing touch insulating layer 113.
[0084] The applicant's research found that the edge of the existing pad 9 extends along a first existing edge direction r and a second existing edge direction q, wherein the first existing edge direction r is parallel to the extension direction p of the bendable area. Similar to the aforementioned crack 160 caused by the end face of the existing Tx trace 110 being parallel to the extension direction p of the bendable area C, when the existing touch panel is bent, crack 160 is very likely to appear at the edge of the existing pad 9.
[0085] In view of this, such as Figure 18 As shown, in some embodiments, the first electrode pattern 102 and / or the second electrode pattern 802 are provided with electrode pads 11, and the first electrode pattern 102 and the second electrode pattern 802 are connected at the electrode pads 11; the included angle β between the edge of the electrode pad 11 and the extension direction p of the bendable area is greater than 0° and less than 90°.
[0086] For example, the included angle β is greater than or equal to 15° and less than or equal to 75°.
[0087] It should be noted that the included angle β is the acute angle between the edge of the electrode pad 11 and the extension direction p of the bendable area.
[0088] The edge of the electrode pad 11 is inclined relative to the extension direction p of the bendable area, which can reduce the risk of cracks 160 being generated at the edge of the electrode pad 11 when the touch panel is bent.
[0089] like Figure 18 As shown, in some embodiments, the touch electrode 4 is a mesh structure, and the touch electrode 4 includes a supplementary connection structure 12 for connecting the discontinuous positions of the mesh structure. The angle η between the edge of the supplementary connection structure 12 and the extension direction p of the bendable area is greater than 0° and less than 90°.
[0090] In the central region of the mesh-structured touch electrode 4, four adjacent traces need to be connected to a common endpoint (in some locations, the electrode pad 11 is located at the endpoint) to ensure the continuity of the mesh structure. However, there may be situations where the four traces cannot be connected to a single endpoint. In this case, a trace will be interrupted from the endpoint at the corresponding location, which can be called a discontinuous location.
[0091] In order to connect the discontinuous positions into a continuous mesh structure, a supplementary connection structure 12 is set up. One end of the supplementary connection structure 12 is connected to the trace, and the other end is connected to the endpoint.
[0092] like Figure 17In the existing touch electrode, the extension direction of a portion of the edge of the existing supplementary connection structure 10 is parallel to the extension direction p of the bendable area. Therefore, when the existing touch panel is bent, cracks 160 are likely to appear at the edge of the existing supplementary connection structure 10.
[0093] To avoid the above situation, the edge of the supplementary connection structure 12 in this embodiment is also designed to be inclined relative to the extension direction p of the bendable area, which can reduce the risk of generating cracks 160 at the edge of the supplementary connection structure 12 when the touch panel is bent.
[0094] like Figure 18 As shown, in some embodiments, the touch electrode 4 is a mesh structure, and the angle γ between the edge of the mesh structure and the extension direction p of the bendable area is greater than 0° and less than 90°.
[0095] For example, the included angle γ is greater than or equal to 15° and less than or equal to 75°.
[0096] It should be noted that the included angle γ is the acute angle between the edge of the mesh structure and the extension direction p of the bendable region.
[0097] For example, the touch electrode 4 is a quadrilateral mesh structure, a hexagonal mesh structure, or other polygonal mesh structure.
[0098] Similar to the edge setting principle of electrode pad 11, the edge of the mesh structure of touch electrode 4 is also inclined relative to the extension direction p of the bendable area, which can reduce the risk of cracks 160 being generated at the edge of the mesh structure of touch electrode 4 when the touch panel is bent.
[0099] For example, the manufacturing process of the touch panel in this embodiment may include the following steps:
[0100] After the EN encapsulation process of the display panel is completed (i.e., after the formation of the first inorganic encapsulation layer, the organic encapsulation layer and the second inorganic encapsulation layer), a barrier layer covering the EN encapsulation is first deposited. The material of the barrier layer can be SiNx.
[0101] Subsequently, a second trace pattern and a second electrode pattern are formed in the second conductive layer through a photomask process. The material of the second conductive layer can be metal Ti-Al-Ti, the second electrode pattern can serve as a bridging structure in the touch electrode, and the second trace pattern is located at least in the non-bending area D of the peripheral area B'.
[0102] After forming the second conductive layer, a touch insulating layer covering the second conductive layer and the barrier layer is formed through a patterning process. The material of the touch insulating layer can be SiNx, which serves as an interlayer dielectric layer and plays an insulating role. At the same time, in order to enable the second conductive layer below the touch insulating layer to connect with the first conductive layer above the touch insulating layer, vias need to be formed at predetermined positions.
[0103] After forming the touch insulating layer, a first trace pattern and a first electrode pattern, which are included in the first conductive layer, are formed through a patterning process. The material of the first conductive layer can be metal Ti-Al-Ti. The first electrode pattern can serve as a driving channel, sensing channel, and dummy electrode block in the touch electrode, and is connected to the second electrode pattern through vias. The first trace pattern is located in the bendable area C' and the non-bendable area D in the peripheral area B'. The first trace pattern located in the non-bendable area D is connected to the second trace pattern through vias.
[0104] Finally, a protective encapsulation layer is formed through a patterning process. The material of the protective encapsulation layer can be PI, which covers the touch electrodes and touch traces and provides insulation protection.
[0105] Based on the same inventive concept and in conjunction with the description of the touch panels in the above embodiments, this embodiment provides a touch display module that has the corresponding technical effects of the touch panels in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.
[0106] This embodiment provides a touch display module, including a display panel and a touch panel as described in the above embodiments.
[0107] Based on the same inventive concept and in conjunction with the descriptions of the touch panels and touch display modules in the above embodiments, this embodiment provides a display device that has the corresponding technical effects of the touch panels and touch display modules in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.
[0108] This embodiment provides a display device, including a touch panel or touch display module as described in the above embodiments.
[0109] It should be noted that the above description describes some embodiments of this application. Other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. In some cases, the actions or steps recorded in the claims can be performed in a different order than that shown in the above embodiments and still achieve the desired result. Furthermore, the processes depicted in the drawings do not necessarily require a specific or sequential order to achieve the desired result. In some embodiments, multitasking and parallel processing are also possible or may be advantageous.
[0110] The various embodiments in this application are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.
[0111] The description in this application is given for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the application to the forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described to better illustrate the principles and practical application of this application and to enable those skilled in the art to understand this application and design various embodiments with various modifications suitable for a particular purpose.
[0112] Those skilled in the art should understand that the discussion of any of the above embodiments is merely exemplary and is not intended to imply that the scope of this application (including the claims) is limited to these examples; within the framework of this application, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations of different aspects of the embodiments of this application as described above, which are not provided in the details for the sake of brevity.
[0113] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, many substitutions, modifications and variations of these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description.
[0114] The embodiments of this application are intended to cover all such substitutions, modifications, and variations that fall within the broad scope of the appended claims. Therefore, any omissions, modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the embodiments of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. A touch panel, characterized in that, The device includes a substrate, a touch insulating layer disposed on one side of the substrate, a first conductive layer disposed on the side of the touch insulating layer away from the substrate, and an encapsulation protective layer covering the first conductive layer; the first conductive layer includes a first trace pattern for forming touch traces and a first electrode pattern for forming touch electrodes, wherein the touch traces and the outermost edges of the touch electrodes are connected. The touch panel includes a bendable area and a non-bendable area; the touch trace includes a first touch trace, the end of which is located within the bendable area; within the bendable area, a touch insulating layer corresponding to the first touch trace is disposed on the substrate surface; Within the bendable area, the conductive layer located below the touch insulating layer is removed so that the touch insulating layer corresponding to the first touch trace is in a flat state without any breaks, and the touch insulating layer is directly disposed on the substrate surface. The angle between the end face of the first touch trace and the extension direction of the bendable area is greater than or equal to 15° and less than or equal to 75°. The touch trace extends in a straight line in the portion of the bendable area; In the bendable area, the width of each of the touch traces is uniform.
2. The touch panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The touch trace also includes a second touch trace arranged side by side with the first touch trace, the first touch trace being adjacent to the touch electrode, and the second touch trace being located on the side of the first touch trace away from the touch electrode; The touch panel includes a gap region defined by the second touch trace, the end face of the first touch trace, and the touch electrode, with a portion of the touch electrode extending toward the gap region to connect with the second touch trace.
3. The touch panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the bendable area, multiple touch traces are provided, and the spacing between adjacent touch traces along the extension direction of the bendable area is the same.
4. The touch panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The touch trace includes a second touch trace, the touch panel includes a gap region, and at least a portion of the second touch trace adjacent to the gap region extends toward the gap region to connect with the touch electrode.
5. The touch panel according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second touch trace includes an extended trace segment extending toward the gap region, and the width of the second touch trace other than the extended trace segment is smaller than the width of the extended trace segment.
6. The touch panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The touch panel further includes a second conductive layer disposed between the touch insulating layer and the substrate. The second conductive layer includes a second electrode pattern for forming the touch electrode and a second trace pattern for forming the touch trace. The second trace pattern is located at least in the non-bending area. The touch insulating layer is also provided with a plurality of through holes to connect the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern, and to connect the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern.
7. The touch panel according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first electrode pattern and / or the second electrode pattern are provided with electrode pads, and the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern are connected at the electrode pads; the angle between the edge of the electrode pad and the extension direction of the bendable area is greater than 0° and less than 90°.
8. The touch panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The touch electrode has a mesh structure and includes a supplementary connection structure for connecting the discontinuous positions of the mesh structure. The angle between the edge of the supplementary connection structure and the extension direction p of the bendable area is greater than 0° and less than 90°.
9. The touch panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The touch electrode has a mesh structure, and the angle between the edge of the mesh structure and the extension direction of the bendable area is greater than 0° and less than 90°.
10. A touch display module, characterized in that, It includes a display panel and a touch panel as described in any one of claims 1-9.
11. A display device, characterized in that, Includes a touch panel as described in any one of claims 1-9, or a touch display module as described in claim 10.