Touch screen, touch screen preparation method, display module and electronic equipment
By setting parallel electrodes on the two metal layers of the touch screen, the problem of large impedance of the drive electrode and the induction electrode is solved, and the effect of improving the performance of the touch screen is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202310688324.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-09
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-10
AI Technical Summary
The impedance of the driving electrode and the induction electrode in the existing touch screen is large, resulting in a degradation of performance. Due to the manufacturing cost, it is difficult to further improve, and it is impossible to effectively reduce the electrode impedance to improve the performance of the touch screen.
The first electrode and the second electrode are arranged on both metal layers, and the electrodes on different metal layers are electrically connected to each other, so as to achieve parallel connection, reducing the impedance of the electrodes, thereby improving the performance of the touch screen.
In parallel, the electrode impedance is reduced and the performance of the touch screen is improved, including improving signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity.
Smart Images
Figure CN119105666A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of touch screens, and in particular to a touch screen, a touch screen manufacturing method, a display module and an electronic device. Background Art
[0002] At present, touch screens are very common in electronic devices and are an important medium for human-computer interaction. Touch screens generally include driving electrodes and sensing electrodes. The impedance of the driving electrodes and sensing electrodes has a great influence on the performance of the touch screen. Excessive electrode impedance will lead to a decrease in the performance of the touch screen.
[0003] However, due to the limitation of manufacturing cost, the thickness of the driving electrodes and the sensing electrodes cannot be made too large, which makes it difficult to further reduce the impedance values of the driving electrodes and the sensing electrodes, thereby making it difficult to further improve the performance of the touch screen. Summary of the invention
[0004] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a touch screen, a touch screen preparation method, a display module and an electronic device that can improve the performance of the touch screen in order to solve the above technical problems.
[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a touch screen. The touch screen includes a first metal layer, a first inorganic functional layer, and a second metal layer in a thickness direction, wherein the first inorganic functional layer is located between the first metal layer and the second metal layer;
[0006] The first metal layer and the second metal layer are both provided with a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes, wherein the plurality of first electrodes on the first metal layer are electrically connected to the plurality of first electrodes on the second metal layer, and the plurality of second electrodes on the first metal layer are electrically connected to the plurality of second electrodes on the second metal layer, and one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a driving electrode, and the other is a sensing electrode.
[0007] In a second aspect, the present application also provides a touch screen preparation method, the method comprising:
[0008] A first metal layer is prepared, and a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes are prepared on the first metal layer; a first inorganic functional layer is prepared on the first metal layer, and a plurality of vias are prepared on the first inorganic functional layer; a second metal layer is prepared on the first inorganic functional layer, and a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes are prepared on the second metal layer; wherein the vias are electrically connected to the first electrode on the first metal layer and the first electrode on the second metal layer, or are electrically connected to the second electrode on the first metal layer and the second electrode on the second metal layer, so that the plurality of second electrodes on the first metal layer are electrically connected to the plurality of second electrodes on the second metal layer, and one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a driving electrode, and the other is a sensing electrode.
[0009] In a third aspect, the present application further provides a display module, wherein the display module comprises a display screen and a touch screen as described in the first aspect, wherein the touch screen and the display screen are bonded to each other.
[0010] In a fourth aspect, the present application further provides an electronic device, wherein the electronic device comprises the display module as described in the second aspect above.
[0011] The present application provides a touch screen, a touch screen preparation method, a display module and an electronic device, wherein the touch screen comprises a first metal layer, a first inorganic functional layer and a second metal layer in a thickness direction, the first inorganic functional layer is located between the first metal layer and the second metal layer, the first metal layer and the second metal layer are both provided with a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes, wherein the plurality of first electrodes on the first metal layer are electrically connected to the plurality of first electrodes on the second metal layer, and the plurality of second electrodes on the first metal layer are electrically connected to the plurality of second electrodes on the second metal layer, wherein one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a driving electrode and the other is a sensing electrode, so that by providing the first electrode and the second electrode on two different metal layers, and making the first electrodes on different metal layers electrically connected to each other, and the second electrodes on different metal layers electrically connected to each other, the first electrodes on different metal layers can be connected in parallel, and the second electrodes on different metal layers can be connected in parallel, so that the impedance of the first electrode and the second electrode is reduced by connecting in parallel without reducing the thickness of the first electrode and the second electrode on each metal layer, and then the performance of the touch screen can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch screen in one embodiment;
[0013] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a touch screen in another embodiment;
[0014] Figure 3is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of electrodes in one embodiment;
[0015] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of metal routing in a metal grid in one embodiment;
[0016] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a cross node of a metal routing line in a metal grid in one embodiment;
[0017] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a first metal layer in one embodiment;
[0018] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a second metal layer in one embodiment;
[0019] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a first metal layer in another embodiment;
[0020] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a second metal layer in another embodiment;
[0021] Fig.10 is a flow chart of a method for preparing a touch screen in one embodiment;
[0022] Fig.11 This is a schematic diagram of the first inorganic functional layer after preparation in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.
[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used herein in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application.
[0025] It is understood that the terms "first", "second", etc. used in this application may be used herein to describe various elements, but these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish a first element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of this application, a first resistor may be referred to as a second resistor, and similarly, a second resistor may be referred to as a first resistor. Both the first resistor and the second resistor are resistors, but they are not the same resistor.
[0026] It can be understood that the “connection” in the following embodiments should be understood as “electrical connection”, “communication connection”, etc. if the connected circuits, modules, units, etc. have electrical signals or data transmission between each other.
[0027] When used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "said / the" may also include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "include / comprise" or "have" and the like specify the presence of stated features, wholes, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. At the same time, the term "and / or" used in this specification includes any and all combinations of the relevant listed items.
[0028] At present, touch screens (English: Touch Panel; abbreviated: TP) are already quite common in electronic devices. They are an important carrier for realizing human-computer interaction and a panel that can detect touch events. Generally speaking, a touch screen may include multiple driving electrodes (abbreviated: Tx) and multiple sensing electrodes (abbreviated: Rx). The impedance of the driving electrodes and the sensing electrodes has a great influence on the performance of the touch screen. Excessive electrode impedance will lead to a small signal-to-noise ratio of the touch screen, uneven signals and / or signal-to-noise ratios at the far and near ends of the touch screen, and ultimately affect key performances such as the sensitivity and accuracy of the touch screen.
[0029] A direct way to increase the impedance of the driving electrodes and sensing electrodes is to increase the thickness of the driving electrodes and sensing electrodes. However, if thicker driving electrodes and sensing electrodes are to be prepared, problems such as reduced yield and longer preparation cycles will be brought about, which will ultimately increase the manufacturing cost of the touch screen. In other words, at present, due to the limitation of manufacturing costs, the thickness of the driving electrodes and sensing electrodes cannot be prepared too large, which makes it difficult to further reduce the impedance values of the driving electrodes and sensing electrodes, and thus it is difficult to further improve the performance of the touch screen.
[0030] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a touch screen, in which a first electrode and a second electrode are arranged on two different metal layers, and the first electrodes on different metal layers are electrically connected to each other, and the second electrodes on different metal layers are electrically connected to each other, wherein one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a driving electrode, and the other is a sensing electrode, which makes it possible for the first electrodes on different metal layers to be connected in parallel, and the second electrodes on different metal layers to be connected in parallel, so that when the thickness of the first electrode and the second electrode on each metal layer is not reduced, the impedance of the first electrode and the second electrode is reduced by parallel connection, and then the performance of the touch screen can be improved.
[0031] Please refer to Figure 1, which shows an exemplary touch screen provided by an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 1 As shown, the touch screen includes a first metal layer 101 , a first inorganic functional layer 102 and a second metal layer 103 in the thickness direction, and the first inorganic functional layer 102 is located between the first metal layer 101 and the second metal layer 103 .
[0032] The first metal layer 101 and the second metal layer 103 can be made of metals such as Ti, Al, Mo, Cu, Ag, or alloys thereof. The first inorganic functional layer 102 is a transparent insulating layer and can be made of SiN x Or prepared by SiO2, etc.
[0033] Please continue to refer to Figure 1 ,like Figure 1 As shown, the first metal layer 101 and the second metal layer 103 are both provided with multiple first electrodes d1 and multiple second electrodes d2, wherein the multiple first electrodes d1 on the first metal layer 101 are electrically connected to the multiple first electrodes d1 on the second metal layer 103, and the multiple second electrodes d2 on the first metal layer 101 are electrically connected to the multiple second electrodes d2 on the second metal layer 103.
[0034] It should be noted that one of the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2 is a driving electrode, and the other is a sensing electrode. The embodiment of the present application is described by taking the first electrode d1 as the driving electrode and the second electrode d2 as the sensing electrode as an example.
[0035] In an optional embodiment of the present application, in order to ensure insulation between the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2 in the same metal layer, a break or a dummy electrode (English: Dummy) may be provided between the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2 in the same metal layer.
[0036] In an optional embodiment of the present application, the first electrodes in different metal layers can be electrically connected to each other through metal traces or vias k. Similarly, the second electrodes in different metal layers can also be electrically connected to each other through metal traces or vias k. Figure 1 Only the electrical connection through the via k is shown.
[0037] In an optional embodiment of the present application, the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2 may both be made of a metal mesh (English: Metal Mesh; abbreviated: MM). It should be noted that: Figure 1 The mesh mark in is only used to distinguish the first electrode d1 from the second electrode d2, and is not used to show the specific shape of the metal mesh. In practical applications, the metal mesh may be a diamond mesh.
[0038] The touch screen provided in this embodiment includes a first metal layer, a first inorganic functional layer and a second metal layer in the thickness direction, the first inorganic functional layer is located between the first metal layer and the second metal layer, and the first metal layer and the second metal layer are both provided with a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes, wherein the plurality of first electrodes on the first metal layer are electrically connected to the plurality of first electrodes on the second metal layer, and the plurality of second electrodes on the first metal layer are electrically connected to the plurality of second electrodes on the second metal layer, wherein one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a driving electrode, and the other is a sensing electrode. In this way, by providing the first electrode and the second electrode on two different metal layers, and making the first electrodes on different metal layers electrically connected to each other, and the second electrodes on different metal layers electrically connected to each other, the first electrodes on different metal layers can be connected in parallel, and the second electrodes on different metal layers can be connected in parallel, so that the impedance of the first electrode and the second electrode is reduced by connecting in parallel without reducing the thickness of the first electrode and the second electrode on each metal layer, and then the performance of the touch screen can be improved.
[0039] Please continue to refer to Figure 1 ,like Figure 1 As shown, the touch screen further includes a second inorganic functional layer 104 and an organic protective layer 105 in the thickness direction, wherein the second inorganic functional layer 104 is located on the side of the first metal layer 101 away from the first inorganic functional layer 102, and the organic protective layer 105 is located on the side of the second metal layer 103 away from the inorganic functional layer.
[0040] In an optional embodiment of the present application, the arrangement of the electrodes on the first metal layer 101 is consistent with the arrangement of the electrodes on the second metal layer 103 .
[0041] The "electrode arrangement" includes the relative arrangement relationship of the electrodes, the intervals between the electrodes, etc. It should be noted that the consistency in the embodiments of the present application should be understood in an expanded sense, that is, consistency means being completely the same, or the difference is within a certain threshold range.
[0042] The electrodes on the first metal layer 101 and the second metal layer 103 are arranged in a consistent manner, which can ensure that the orthographic projection areas of the electrodes on the first metal layer 101 and the second metal layer 103 overlap, thereby avoiding reducing the area of the light-transmitting area of the touch screen, thereby making the touch screen have less impact on the display effect of the display screen located below it in the display module, thereby ensuring the optical properties of the touch screen such as transmittance and visibility.
[0043] Furthermore, in an optional embodiment of the present application, not only can the arrangement of electrodes on the first metal layer 101 be consistent with the arrangement of electrodes on the second metal layer 103, but the shape of the first electrode d1 on the first metal layer 101 can also be consistent with the shape of the first electrode d1 on the second metal layer 103, and the shape of the second electrode d2 on the first metal layer 101 can be consistent with the shape of the second electrode d2 on the second metal layer 103; and / or the size of the first electrode d1 on the first metal layer 101 can be consistent with the size of the first electrode d1 on the second metal layer 103, and the size of the second electrode d2 on the first metal layer 101 can be consistent with the size of the second electrode d2 on the second metal layer 103.
[0044] The first electrode d1 on the first metal layer 101 and the second metal layer 103 have the same shape and / or size, and the second electrode d2 has the same shape and / or size, which can further ensure that the positive projection areas of the electrodes on the first metal layer 101 and the second metal layer 103 overlap, avoiding reducing the area of the light-transmitting area of the touch screen, so that the touch screen has less impact on the display effect of the display screen located below it in the display module, thereby ensuring the optical properties of the touch screen such as transmittance and visibility.
[0045] In practical applications, the shapes of the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2 may be a diamond shape, a cross shape, a stripe shape, etc. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the shapes of the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2.
[0046] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , which shows a schematic diagram of an optional arrangement and shape of the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2 in different metal layers.
[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, different metal layers may include a plurality of touch control units 201 arranged in an array, wherein any two adjacent touch control units 201 are electrically connected. Figure 3 , which gives a schematic diagram of a single touch unit 201, such as Figure 3 As shown, the touch control unit 201 includes a plurality of first electrodes d1 and a plurality of second electrodes d2 arranged in a staggered manner along a first direction f1. The first electrodes d1 are strip-shaped. The length direction of the first electrodes d1 is a second direction f2 perpendicular to the first direction f1. The second electrodes d2 include a plurality of segment electrodes jd arranged in a separated manner along the second direction f2. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, it includes segment electrodes jd1, segment electrodes jd2 and segment electrodes jd3), the segment electrodes jd are strip-shaped, and the length direction of the segment electrodes jd is the second direction f2.
[0048] In an optional embodiment of the present application, the first direction f1 can be the x-axis direction in the plane coordinate system, which is commonly known as the lateral direction. In this case, the second direction f2 can be the y-axis direction in the plane coordinate system, which is commonly known as the longitudinal direction. In addition, in an optional embodiment of the present application, the first direction f1 can also be the y-axis direction in the plane coordinate system, which is commonly known as the longitudinal direction. In this case, the second direction f2 can be the x-axis direction in the plane coordinate system, which is commonly known as the lateral direction. The embodiment of the present application is only illustrated by taking the first direction f1 as the x-axis direction in the plane coordinate system and the second direction f2 as the y-axis direction in the plane coordinate system as an example.
[0049] It should be pointed out that the partition setting mentioned above means that two adjacent segment electrodes jd are separated by a partition area.
[0050] Furthermore, in an optional embodiment of the present application, in order to ensure that the orthographic projection areas of the electrodes on the first metal layer 101 and the second metal layer 103 overlap, the first electrode d1 on the first metal layer 101 can be set within the orthographic projection area of the first metal layer 101, and the second electrode d2 on the first metal layer 101 can be set within the orthographic projection area of the second metal layer 103 on the first metal layer 101.
[0051] As described above, the electrodes on the first metal layer 101 (the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2) and the electrodes on the second metal layer 103 (the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2) are both made of metal grids. In this case, the width of the metal traces in the metal grid of the electrodes on the second metal layer 103 can be greater than or equal to the width of the metal traces in the metal grid of the electrodes on the first metal layer 101.
[0052] Please refer to Figure 4 , which is a top view of the metal traces on the first metal layer 101 and the metal traces on the second metal layer 103. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the width of the metal traces on the second metal layer 103 is greater than the width of the metal traces on the first metal layer 101.
[0053] Considering that in actual applications, the width of the metal traces often deviates from the design value to a certain extent due to the influence of the exposure accuracy during the preparation process, in order to avoid the manufacturing deviation causing the metal traces on the first metal layer 101 to deviate from the orthographic projection area of the metal traces on the second metal layer 103, that is, to avoid the metal traces on the first metal layer 101 and the metal traces on the second metal layer 103 from being misaligned, the width of the metal traces on the second metal layer 103 can be made greater than or equal to the width of the metal traces in the metal grid of the electrode on the first metal layer 101. In this way, it can be ensured that the metal traces on the first metal layer 101 are located in the orthographic projection area of the metal traces on the second metal layer 103, that is, it can be ensured that the metal traces on the first metal layer 101 and the metal traces on the second metal layer 103 are not misaligned, thereby avoiding the reduction of the area of the light-transmitting area of the touch screen, so that the touch screen has less influence on the display effect of the display screen located below it in the display module, thereby ensuring the optical properties of the touch screen such as light transmittance and visibility.
[0054] As described above, in the touch screen provided in the embodiment of the present application, the first electrodes d1 in different metal layers are electrically connected to each other, and at the same time, the second electrodes d2 in different metal layers are electrically connected to each other. An exemplary electrical connection method is given below.
[0055] Please refer back to Figure 1 ,like Figure 1 As shown, the multiple first electrodes d1 on the first metal layer 101 can be electrically connected to the multiple first electrodes d1 on the second metal layer 103 through the vias k in the first inorganic functional layer 102, and the multiple second electrodes d2 on the first metal layer 101 can be electrically connected to the multiple second electrodes d2 on the second metal layer 103 through the vias k in the first inorganic functional layer 102.
[0056] In an optional embodiment of the present application, the via holes k are evenly distributed in the first inorganic functional layer 102. Optionally, the via holes k can be arranged in an array in the first inorganic functional layer 102 in the form of rows and columns.
[0057] The via holes k are evenly distributed in the first inorganic functional layer 102, so that the optical properties of the touch screen in different regions are uniform, and the optical properties of the touch screen in different regions are not uniform due to the presence of dense and sparse distribution of the via holes k, which causes the naked eye to detect that the touch screen is provided with via holes. Therefore, the optical performance of the touch screen can be guaranteed by evenly distributing the via holes k in the first inorganic functional layer 102.
[0058] Further, in an optional embodiment of the present application, the distance between any two adjacent via holes k in the longitudinal direction is equal, and the distance between any two adjacent via holes k in the transverse direction is equal. In other words, the distribution of the via holes k in both the longitudinal and transverse directions is uniform, and in an optional embodiment of the present application, the distance between two adjacent via holes k in the longitudinal direction and the distance between two adjacent via holes k in the transverse direction may also be equal to each other.
[0059] Furthermore, in an optional embodiment of the present application, the distance between two adjacent vias k in the vertical direction may be greater than or equal to the size of M target sub-pixels (English: Subpixels), and the distance between two adjacent vias k in the horizontal direction may be greater than or equal to the size of N target sub-pixels, wherein M and N are both positive integers greater than or equal to 1, and the target sub-pixel is a sub-pixel in the display screen arranged below the touch screen in the display module.
[0060] It should be pointed out that in an optional embodiment of the present application, M and N may be equal or unequal, ensuring that the distance between two adjacent vias k in the horizontal and vertical directions is at least the size of a sub-pixel in the display screen, thereby ensuring that the distribution of the vias k will not affect the display of the display screen, thereby avoiding affecting the display effect of the display screen.
[0061] As described above, in the embodiment of the present application, the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2 on the first metal layer 101 and the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2 on the second metal layer 103 are both made of metal grids. In this case, the via k can be electrically connected to the intersection nodes of the metal routing of the metal grid.
[0062] Please refer to Figure 5 , which shows a schematic diagram of a cross node JC of a metal routing in a metal grid, as shown Figure 5 As shown, the width of the metal routing in the metal grid is generally small, while the width at the intersection node JC is larger than that of the metal routing. In order to reduce the manufacturing difficulty and ensure the effectiveness of the electrical connection, the via k can be electrically connected to the relatively large intersection node JC in the metal grid.
[0063] Below, the embodiments of the present application provide specific examples of two optional first metal layers 101 and second metal layers 103 .
[0064] The first one, please refer to Figure 6 In addition to the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2, the first metal layer 101 also includes a plurality of bridges b (English: Bridge). The plurality of first electrodes d1 on the first metal layer 101 are insulated from each other in the first direction f1, and the plurality of second electrodes d2 on the first metal layer 101 are continuously connected in the second direction f2 through the plurality of bridges b. It should be noted that Figure 6Only one touch control unit in the first metal layer 101 is schematically shown. In actual applications, the first metal layer 101 includes a plurality of touch control units arranged in an array.
[0065] Please refer to Figure 7 In addition to the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2, the second metal layer 103 also includes a plurality of connecting electrodes 1d. The plurality of first electrodes d1 on the second metal layer 103 are continuously connected in the first direction f1 through the plurality of connecting electrodes 1d. The plurality of second electrodes d2 on the second metal layer 103 are connected to the plurality of connecting bridges b through the vias k in the first inorganic functional layer 102 ( Figure 7 (not shown) to be continuously conductive in the second direction f2. As described above, the first direction f1 is perpendicular to the second direction f2. In addition, the connecting bridge b is arranged within the orthographic projection area of the connecting electrode 1d on the first metal layer 101. It should be noted that Figure 7 Only one touch control unit in the second metal layer 103 is schematically shown. In actual applications, the second metal layer 103 includes a plurality of touch control units arranged in an array.
[0066] Of course, the electrode arrangement of the first metal layer 101 and the electrode arrangement of the second metal layer 103 can be interchanged, that is, the second metal layer 103 includes a plurality of connection bridges b in addition to the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2, the plurality of first electrodes d1 on the second metal layer 103 are insulated from each other in the first direction f1, and the plurality of second electrodes d2 on the second metal layer 103 are continuously connected in the second direction f2 through the plurality of connection bridges b. The first metal layer 101 includes a plurality of connection electrodes ld in addition to the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2, the plurality of first electrodes d1 on the first metal layer 101 are continuously connected in the first direction f1 through the plurality of connection electrodes ld, and the plurality of second electrodes d2 on the first metal layer 101 are connected to the plurality of connection bridges b through the vias k in the first inorganic functional layer 102, so as to be continuously connected in the second direction f2.
[0067] It should be pointed out that, similar to the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2, the connecting bridge b and the connecting electrode ld can also be made of a metal grid. In this case, the metal grid of the connecting electrode ld and the metal grid of the first electrode d1 connected thereto can be connected as one. In other words, the connecting electrode ld can be regarded as a part of the first electrode d1.
[0068] It should also be pointed out that the via k set at the connecting bridge b is mainly used to electrically connect the second electrode d2 and the connecting bridge b. Therefore, there is a difference in the setting position of the via k set at the connecting bridge b and the first electrode d1 mainly used to connect different metal layers, and the via k mainly used to connect different metal layers. Therefore, the spacing between the via k set at the connecting bridge b and the adjacent via k may be different from that described above. For example, the lateral spacing between the via k set at the connecting bridge b and the adjacent via k may be the width of P target sub-pixels, and the longitudinal spacing between the via k set at the connecting bridge b and the adjacent via k may be the width of Q target sub-pixels, wherein P is not equal to N, and Q is not equal to M.
[0069] In this arrangement, in order to ensure insulation between the connection bridge b and the connection electrode 1d, the connection bridge b may be separately arranged on one metal layer, and the connection electrode 1d may be separately arranged on another metal layer.
[0070] For the second one, please refer to Figure 8 In addition to the first electrode d1 and the second electrode d2, the first metal layer 101 also includes a plurality of first connection bridges b1 and a plurality of first connection electrodes ld1. The plurality of first electrodes d1 on the first metal layer 101 are continuously connected in a first direction f1 through the plurality of first connection electrodes ld1, and the plurality of second electrodes d2 on the first metal layer 101 are continuously connected in a second direction f2 through the plurality of first connection bridges b1. A break or a virtual electrode ( Figure 8 (not shown) to ensure that the first connection bridge b1 and the first connection electrode ld1 are insulated from each other. It should be noted that: Figure 8 Only one touch control unit in the first metal layer 101 is schematically shown. In actual applications, the first metal layer 101 includes a plurality of touch control units arranged in an array.
[0071] Please refer to Fig. 9 The second metal layer 103 further includes a plurality of second connection bridges b2 and a plurality of second connection electrodes ld2. The plurality of first electrodes d1 on the second metal layer 103 are continuously connected in the first direction f1 through the plurality of second connection electrodes ld2. The plurality of second electrodes d2 on the second metal layer 103 are continuously connected in the second direction f2 through the plurality of second connection bridges b2. A break or a virtual electrode ( Fig. 9 (not shown) to ensure that the second connection bridge b2 and the second connection electrode ld2 are insulated from each other. It should be noted that, Fig. 9 Only one touch control unit in the second metal layer 103 is shown schematically. In actual applications, the second metal layer 103 includes a plurality of touch control units arranged in an array.
[0072] In this arrangement, each metal layer is provided with a connection bridge and a connection electrode. In order to avoid a short circuit between the connection bridge and the connection electrode, a break or a virtual electrode may be provided between the connection bridge and the connection electrode.
[0073] Of course, there are other configurations, for example, connecting electrodes are provided in both metal layers, and a connecting bridge is provided in one of the metal layers, wherein, in the metal layer provided with both the connecting electrode and the connecting bridge, a break or a virtual electrode is provided between the connecting electrode and the connecting bridge, and the connecting bridge is electrically connected to the second electrode in the other metal layer through a via hole, so that the second electrode in the other metal layer is continuously conductive in the longitudinal direction. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.
[0074] In addition, although not shown in the figure, it should be pointed out that the first electrodes and the second electrodes in the two metal layers need to be connected to the control IC of the touch screen through metal wiring.
[0075] Based on the touch screen described above, the present application embodiment also provides a touch screen preparation method, please refer to Fig.10 , the touch screen preparation method comprises the following steps:
[0076] Step 1001: Prepare a first metal layer, and prepare a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes on the first metal layer.
[0077] Optionally, the second inorganic functional layer may be prepared first, and then the first metal layer may be prepared on the second inorganic functional layer.
[0078] Optionally, a physical vapor deposition method may be used to form a whole-surface metal layer as the first metal layer, wherein the first metal layer may be made of Ti, Al, Mo, Cu, Ag or an alloy thereof.
[0079] After the entire metal layer is prepared, the entire metal layer can be patterned by a process such as yellow light etching, so as to prepare a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes on the first metal layer.
[0080] in the above text Figure 6 Taking the example of the first metal layer shown as an example, the multiple first electrodes prepared in step 1101 are insulated from each other in the first direction. At the same time, during the patterning process, multiple connecting bridges can also be prepared to enable multiple second electrodes to be continuously conductive in the second direction.
[0081] In addition, during the patterning process, an edge metal wiring connecting the first electrode and the second electrode can be prepared, and in a subsequent preparation process, the edge metal wiring can be connected to the control IC of the touch screen.
[0082] The diagram after the first metal layer is prepared can be referred to Figure 6 or Figure 8 , the embodiments of the present application are not shown here.
[0083] Step 1002: Prepare a first inorganic functional layer on the first metal layer, and prepare a plurality of vias on the first inorganic functional layer.
[0084] Optionally, a transparent insulating layer can be formed on the first metal layer by chemical vapor deposition to serve as the first inorganic functional layer. The material of the first inorganic functional layer can be SiN x , SiO2, etc.
[0085] After preparing a whole-surface transparent insulating layer, the whole-surface transparent insulating layer can be patterned by processes such as yellow light etching, so as to prepare multiple vias on the first inorganic functional layer, wherein the multiple vias include vias connecting the first electrodes in two metal layers, vias connecting the second electrodes in two metal layers, vias connecting the connecting bridge and the second electrode in another metal layer, and vias connecting edge metal routings.
[0086] Please refer to Fig.11 , which is a diagram after the first inorganic functional layer is prepared.
[0087] Step 1003: prepare a second metal layer on the first inorganic functional layer, and prepare a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes on the second metal layer.
[0088] Optionally, a physical vapor deposition method is used to prepare a whole-surface metal layer on the first inorganic functional layer as the second metal layer, wherein the second metal layer can be made of Ti, Al, Mo, Cu, Ag or alloys thereof.
[0089] After the entire metal layer is prepared, the entire metal layer can be patterned by a process such as yellow light etching, so as to prepare a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes on the second metal layer.
[0090] in the above text Figure 7 Taking the example of the second metal layer shown as an example, in step 1103, during the patterning process, a plurality of connecting electrodes can also be prepared to enable the plurality of first electrodes to be continuously conductive in the first direction through the plurality of connecting electrodes. At the same time, the plurality of second electrodes are longitudinally insulated on the second metal layer and connected to the via holes connecting the connecting bridges in the first inorganic functional layer, thereby being connected to the connecting bridges in the first metal layer, so that the plurality of second electrodes are connected and conductive in the longitudinal direction through the connecting bridges.
[0091] In addition, during the patterning process, an edge metal wiring connecting the first electrode and the second electrode can be prepared, and in a subsequent preparation process, the edge metal wiring can be connected to the control IC of the touch screen.
[0092] The diagram after the second metal layer is prepared can be referred to Figure 7 or Fig. 9 , the embodiments of the present application are not shown here.
[0093] The embodiment of the present application also provides a display module, wherein the display module includes a display screen and a touch screen provided in the above embodiment, wherein the touch screen and the display screen are bonded to each other. In an optional embodiment of the present application, the display screen can be an OLED display screen, or an AMOLED display screen. It should be noted that the orthographic projection of the metal grid of each electrode in the touch screen can be located at the gap between the pixels of the display screen, so as to avoid affecting the display of the display screen.
[0094] An embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device, which includes the display module provided in the above embodiment. Optionally, the electronic device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a smart TV, a wearable device, etc. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of electronic device.
[0095] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.
[0096] The above-described embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the present application. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the attached claims.
Claims
1. A touch screen, characterized in that: The touch screen comprises a first metal layer, a first inorganic functional layer and a second metal layer in a thickness direction, wherein the first inorganic functional layer is located between the first metal layer and the second metal layer; The first metal layer and the second metal layer are both provided with a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes, wherein the plurality of first electrodes on the first metal layer are electrically connected to the plurality of first electrodes on the second metal layer, and the plurality of second electrodes on the first metal layer are electrically connected to the plurality of second electrodes on the second metal layer, and one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a driving electrode, and the other is a sensing electrode.
2. The touch screen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The arrangement of the electrodes on the first metal layer is consistent with the arrangement of the electrodes on the second metal layer.
3. The touch screen according to claim 2, characterized in that: The shape of the first electrode on the first metal layer is consistent with the shape of the first electrode on the second metal layer, and the shape of the second electrode on the first metal layer is consistent with the shape of the second electrode on the second metal layer; and / or, The size of the first electrode on the first metal layer is consistent with the size of the first electrode on the second metal layer, and the size of the second electrode on the first metal layer is consistent with the size of the second electrode on the second metal layer.
4. The touch screen according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first electrode on the first metal layer is arranged within the orthographic projection area of the first electrode on the second metal layer on the first metal layer; the second electrode on the first metal layer is arranged within the orthographic projection area of the second electrode on the second metal layer on the first metal layer.
5. The touch screen according to claim 4, characterized in that: The electrodes on the first metal layer and the electrodes on the second metal layer are both made of metal grids, and the width of the metal traces in the metal grids of the electrodes on the second metal layer is greater than or equal to the width of the metal traces in the metal grids of the electrodes on the first metal layer.
6. The touch screen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multiple first electrodes on the first metal layer are electrically connected to the multiple first electrodes on the second metal layer through the vias in the first inorganic functional layer, and the multiple second electrodes on the first metal layer are electrically connected to the multiple second electrodes on the second metal layer through the vias in the first inorganic functional layer.
7. The touch screen according to claim 6, characterized in that: The via holes are uniformly distributed in the first inorganic functional layer.
8. The touch screen according to claim 7, characterized in that: The distance between any two adjacent via holes in the longitudinal direction is equal, and the distance between any two adjacent via holes in the transverse direction is equal.
9. The touch screen according to claim 8, characterized in that: The distance between two adjacent via holes in the longitudinal direction is greater than or equal to the size of M target sub-pixels, and the distance between two adjacent via holes in the transverse direction is greater than or equal to the size of N target sub-pixels; Wherein, M and N are both positive integers greater than or equal to 1, and the target sub-pixel is a sub-pixel in a display screen disposed below the touch screen in a display module.
10. The touch screen according to claim 7, characterized in that: The electrodes on the first metal layer and the electrodes on the second metal layer are both made of metal grids, and the vias are electrically connected to intersection nodes of metal wirings of the metal grids.
11. The touch screen according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The first metal layer further includes a plurality of connection bridges, the plurality of first electrodes on the first metal layer are insulated from each other in a first direction, and the plurality of second electrodes on the first metal layer are continuously connected in a second direction through the plurality of connection bridges; The second metal layer further includes a plurality of connecting electrodes, the plurality of first electrodes on the second metal layer are continuously conductive in the first direction through the plurality of connecting electrodes, and the plurality of second electrodes on the second metal layer are connected to the plurality of connecting bridges through via holes in the first inorganic functional layer to be continuously conductive in the second direction; The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, and the connecting bridge is arranged within the orthographic projection area of the connecting electrode on the first metal layer.
12. The touch screen according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The first metal layer further includes a plurality of first connection bridges and a plurality of first connection electrodes, the plurality of first electrodes on the first metal layer are continuously connected in a first direction through the plurality of first connection electrodes, and the plurality of second electrodes on the first metal layer are continuously connected in a second direction through the plurality of first connection bridges; The second metal layer further includes a plurality of second connection bridges and a plurality of second connection electrodes, the plurality of first electrodes on the second metal layer are continuously connected in the first direction through the plurality of second connection electrodes, and the plurality of second electrodes on the second metal layer are continuously connected in the second direction through the plurality of second connection bridges; The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, a break or a virtual electrode is provided between the first connection bridge and the first connection electrode, and a break or a virtual electrode is provided between the second connection bridge and the second connection electrode.
13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The touch screen further includes a second inorganic functional layer and an organic protective layer in the thickness direction, wherein the second inorganic functional layer is located on a side of the first metal layer away from the first inorganic functional layer, and the organic protective layer is located on a side of the second metal layer away from the inorganic functional layer.
14. A method for preparing a touch screen, characterized in that: The method comprises: Prepare a first metal layer, and prepare a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes on the first metal layer; Preparing a first inorganic functional layer on the first metal layer, and preparing a plurality of via holes on the first inorganic functional layer; Preparing a second metal layer on the first inorganic functional layer, and preparing a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes on the second metal layer; The via is electrically connected to a first electrode on the first metal layer and a first electrode on the second metal layer, or is electrically connected to a second electrode on the first metal layer and a second electrode on the second metal layer, so that a plurality of second electrodes on the first metal layer are electrically connected to a plurality of second electrodes on the second metal layer, one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a driving electrode, and the other is a sensing electrode.
15. A display module, characterized in that: The display module comprises a display screen and a touch screen as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the touch screen and the display screen are bonded to each other.
16. An electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic device comprises the display module as claimed in claim 15.