Touch module, control method and display device

Abstract

The invention discloses a touch module, a control method and a display device.The touch module comprises a touch substrate, a plurality of touch electrodes and a plurality of touch wires, the touch electrodes and the touch wires are arranged on the touch substrate, the touch electrodes are distributed on the touch substrate in an array mode, each touch electrode is at least electrically connected with one touch wire, and the touch wires are arranged on the touch substrate. Each touch wire is correspondingly connected with one touch electrode; a plurality of switch control lines and a plurality of touch units distributed in an array mode are arranged on the touch substrate, a control switch and a plurality of touch electrodes are arranged in each touch unit, the touch electrodes are electrically connected through the control switches, and the switch control lines are connected with the control ends of the control switches and used for controlling the control switches to be turned on or turned off. Therefore, each touch electrode in each touch unit can independently realize a touch function, so that the accuracy of touch recognition is improved; in addition, the multiple touch electrodes can achieve the touch function together, so that the touch recognition precision is reduced, and the application scenarios of the touch module are increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of touch control technology, and in particular to a touch control module, a control method, and a display device. Background Art

[0002] Liquid crystal display panels have the advantages of good image quality, small size, light weight, low driving voltage, low power consumption, no radiation and relatively low manufacturing cost, and they dominate the field of flat panel displays. With the rapid development of display technology, touch display panels have been widely accepted and used by people, such as smart phones and tablet computers. Touch display panels use embedded touch technology to combine touch panels and liquid crystal display panels into one, and embed the touch panel function into the liquid crystal display panel, so that the liquid crystal display panel has the functions of displaying and sensing touch input at the same time.

[0003] According to the different ways of setting the touch sensing layer in the display panel, the touch display panel is divided into external (Out-cell), embedded (In-cell) and external (On-cell) structures. The embedded touch screen integrates the touch function into the display screen, which can effectively reduce the thickness of the entire display and simplify the production process, making the product lighter and thinner, and the production cost is lower, thus it is widely popular.

[0004] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the touch module in the prior art. Figure 1 As shown, the existing touch module includes a touch substrate 10 and a plurality of touch electrodes 11 and a plurality of touch traces 12 arranged on the touch substrate 10. The plurality of touch electrodes 11 are distributed in an array on the touch substrate 10. Each touch electrode 11 is connected to the touch chip 200 through at least one touch trace 12, and each touch trace 12 is connected to a touch electrode 11. The touch module is touched by a finger or a stylus, so that the capacitance value on the corresponding touch electrode 11 changes to identify the position touched by the finger or the stylus. However, when the touch module leaves the factory, the size of the touch electrode 11 on the touch substrate 10 is fixed, and the touch accuracy of the touch module is also fixed. Depending on the application of the touch display panel, the design of the touch electrode will also be different. For example, when applied to an active pen (stylus), the size of the touch electrode 11 needs to be less than 4 mm, that is, a higher touch accuracy is required; and when applied to a glove or a finger, the size of the touch electrode 11 needs to be greater than 5 mm, that is, a lower touch accuracy is required. Due to different application scenarios and the fact that the size of the touch electrode 11 cannot be adjusted after leaving the factory, the same touch module cannot support the use of an active pen or gloves at the same time, or touch abnormalities may occur when supporting the use of an active pen and gloves, which greatly limits the application scenarios of the touch module. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to overcome the shortcomings and deficiencies in the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a touch module and a control method, and a display device to solve the problem in the prior art that the size of the touch electrode cannot be adjusted, resulting in significant limitations on the application scenarios of the touch module.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions: The present invention provides a touch module, comprising a touch substrate and a plurality of touch electrodes and a plurality of touch traces arranged on the touch substrate, wherein the plurality of touch electrodes are distributed in an array on the touch substrate, each of the touch electrodes is electrically connected to at least one of the touch traces, and each of the touch traces is correspondingly connected to one of the touch electrodes; The touch substrate is provided with a plurality of switch control lines and a plurality of touch control units distributed in an array, each of the touch control units is provided with a control switch and a plurality of the touch control electrodes, the plurality of the touch control electrodes are electrically connected through the control switch, and the switch control line is connected to the control end of the control switch and is used to control the control switch to be turned on or off.

[0007] Further, the plurality of touch electrodes in each of the touch control units are arranged in a row, the plurality of switch control lines include a first switch control line extending in a row direction, the control switch includes a first control switch located between two upper and lower adjacent touch electrodes, the first switch control line is connected to a control end of the first control switch and is used to control the first control switch to be turned on or off; Alternatively, the plurality of touch electrodes in each of the touch units are arranged in a row, the plurality of switch control lines include a second switch control line extending along a column direction, the control switch includes a second control switch located between two adjacent touch electrodes on the left and right, and the second switch control line is connected to a control end of the second control switch and is used to control the second control switch to be turned on or off.

[0008] Furthermore, the multiple touch electrodes in each touch unit are arranged in an array, the multiple switch control lines include a first switch control line extending in a row direction and a second switch control line extending in a column direction, the control switch includes a first control switch located between two adjacent touch electrodes above and below and a second control switch located between two adjacent touch electrodes left and right, the first switch control line is connected to the control end of the first control switch and is used to control the first control switch to be turned on or off, and the second switch control line is connected to the control end of the second control switch and is used to control the second control switch to be turned on or off.

[0009] Furthermore, the first switch control line and the second switch control line are insulated from each other and cross-arranged; Alternatively, the first switch control line and the second switch control line are conductively connected to each other at a crossing position.

[0010] Furthermore, four adjacent touch electrodes are electrically connected to each other through two first control switches and two second control switches; or four adjacent touch electrodes are electrically connected to each other via one first control switch and two second control switches; Or four adjacent touch electrodes are electrically connected to each other through two first control switches and one second control switch.

[0011] Furthermore, a connecting wire is provided at the edge of the touch control substrate, and the plurality of switch control lines are electrically connected to the connecting wire at the edge of the touch control substrate.

[0012] The present application also provides a display device, comprising the touch module as described above.

[0013] The present application also provides a control method of a touch module, which is used for the touch module as described above, and the control method includes: In the first touch control mode, a first control signal is applied to all switch control lines to control all control switches to be turned on and to make all touch control electrodes in each touch control unit conductively connected to each other; In the second touch control mode, a second control signal is applied to all the switch control lines to control all the control switches to be closed and to disconnect any two touch control electrodes in each touch control unit from being electrically connected to each other.

[0014] Further, the plurality of touch electrodes in each touch unit are arranged in an array, the plurality of switch control lines include a first switch control line extending in a row direction and a second switch control line extending in a column direction, the first switch control line and the second switch control line are insulated from each other and cross-arranged, the control switch includes a first control switch located between two upper and lower adjacent touch electrodes and a second control switch located between two left and right adjacent touch electrodes, the first switch control line is connected to a control end of the first control switch and is used to control the first control switch to be turned on or off, the second switch control line is connected to a control end of the second control switch and is used to control the second control switch to be turned on or off, and the control method includes: In the third touch control mode, a first control signal is applied to all the first switch control lines, and a second control signal is applied to all the second switch control lines, so that all the first control switches are controlled to be turned on and any two touch electrodes adjacent to each other in each touch control unit are electrically connected to each other, and all the second control switches are controlled to be turned off and any two touch electrodes adjacent to each other in each touch control unit are electrically disconnected from each other; Or, in the third touch mode, a first control signal is applied to all the second switch control lines, and a second control signal is applied to all the first switch control lines, so that all the second control switches are controlled to be turned on and any two adjacent touch electrodes on the left and right in each touch unit are conductively connected to each other, and all the first control switches are controlled to be turned off and any two adjacent touch electrodes on the top and bottom in each touch unit are electrically disconnected from each other.

[0015] Furthermore, the control method includes: Get the touch mode switching instruction; Switch to the corresponding touch mode according to the touch mode switching instruction.

[0016] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that: by electrically connecting the multiple touch electrodes in each touch unit through a control switch, and then using a switch control line to connect to the control end of the control switch and to control the control switch to be turned on or off, each touch electrode in each touch unit can independently realize the touch function to improve the accuracy of touch recognition; it is also possible to enable multiple touch electrodes to jointly realize the touch function to reduce the accuracy of touch recognition, thereby increasing the application scenarios of the touch module, which can support both the use of an active pen and the use when wearing gloves. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a touch module in the prior art.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the touch module in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the touch control unit in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of a control method of a touch module in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 4 is a waveform diagram of the first control signal and the second control signal in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 64 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the touch module in the first touch mode in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the touch module in the second touch mode in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the touch module in the third touch mode in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 9 This is the second structural schematic diagram of the touch module in the third touch mode in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig.10 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the touch control unit in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Fig.11 This is the second structural schematic diagram of the touch control unit in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Fig.12 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the touch control unit in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Fig.13 This is the second structural schematic diagram of the touch control unit in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Fig.14 It is a structural schematic diagram of the touch module in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Fig.15 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the touch control unit in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Fig.16 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the touch module in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Fig.17 This is the second structural diagram of the touch module in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Fig.18 It is a schematic structural diagram of the display device in the present invention in a dark state.

[0035] Fig.19 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the display device in the present invention when it is in a bright state.

[0036] Fig. 20 It is one of the planar structural schematic diagrams of the display device in the present invention.

[0037] Fig.21 This is the second schematic diagram of the planar structure of the display device in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In order to further explain the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the predetermined invention purpose, the specific implementation methods, structures, features and effects of the touch module and control method, and the display device proposed according to the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments: [Example 1] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the touch module in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the touch control unit in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a touch module provided by the first embodiment of the present invention includes a touch substrate 10 and a plurality of touch electrodes 11 and a plurality of touch wires 12 arranged on the touch substrate 10. The plurality of touch electrodes 11 are distributed in an array on the touch substrate 10. Each touch electrode 11 is electrically connected to at least one touch wire 12, and each touch wire 12 is correspondingly connected to one touch electrode 11. Each touch electrode 11 can be electrically connected to one touch wire 12, that is, each touch electrode 11 is controlled by one touch wire 12. Of course, each touch electrode 11 can also be electrically connected to multiple touch wires 12, that is, each touch electrode 11 is controlled by multiple touch wires 12, and the multiple touch wires 12 are arranged in parallel, thereby reducing the impedance of the touch drive to reduce the touch delay. One end of the touch control wire 12 away from the touch control electrode 11 is electrically connected to the touch control chip 200 , so that the touch control chip 200 applies a touch signal to the corresponding touch control electrode 11 through the touch control wire 12 .

[0040] A plurality of switch control lines 14 and a plurality of touch control units C distributed in an array are provided on the touch control substrate 10. A control switch 13 and a plurality of touch control electrodes 11 are provided in each touch control unit C. The plurality of touch control electrodes 11 are electrically connected through the control switch 13. The switch control line 14 is connected to the control end of the control switch 13 and is used to control the control switch 13 to be turned on or off. When the switch control line 14 controls the control switch 13 to be turned on, the touch control electrodes 11 electrically connected through the control switch 13 are mutually conductive, so that the plurality of touch electrodes 11 are jointly applied with a touch signal and jointly implement a touch function, so as to reduce the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the use scenario when wearing gloves; when the switch control line 14 controls the control switch 13 to be turned off, the touch control electrodes 11 electrically connected through the control switch 13 are mutually disconnected, so that the plurality of touch electrodes 11 are respectively applied with a corresponding touch signal and independently implement a touch function, so as to improve the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the use scenario of an active pen. The switch control line 14 controls the control switch 13 to be turned on or off, so that the touch module can support the use of an active pen as well as the use when wearing gloves, thereby increasing the application scenarios of the touch module.

[0041] In this embodiment, the multiple touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are arranged in an array, that is, the multiple touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are arranged in multiple rows and columns. The multiple switch control lines 14 include a first switch control line 141 extending in the row direction and a second switch control line 142 extending in the column direction. The control switch 13 includes a first control switch 131 located between two upper and lower adjacent touch electrodes 11 and a second control switch 132 located between two left and right adjacent touch electrodes 11. The first switch control line 141 is connected to the control end of the first control switch 131 and is used to control the first control switch 131 to be turned on or off. The second switch control line 142 is connected to the control end of the second control switch 132 and is used to control the second control switch 132 to be turned on or off. Among them, a first switch control line 141 is connected to the control end of a row of first control switches 131, and simultaneously controls the opening or closing of a row of first control switches 131; a second switch control line 142 is connected to the control end of a column of second control switches 132, and simultaneously controls the opening or closing of a column of second control switches 132. Optionally, 4 touch electrodes 11 are provided in each touch unit C, and the 4 touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are arranged in 2 rows and 2 columns; the size of each touch electrode 11 can be 3*3mm, and the size of each touch unit C is approximately 6*6mm. Of course, in other embodiments, 9 touch electrodes 11 can also be provided in each touch unit C, and the 9 touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are arranged in 3 rows and 3 columns. It can be understood that the number, size and arrangement of the touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C can be set according to actual needs, and are not limited thereto.

[0042] In this embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, four adjacent touch electrodes 11 are electrically connected to each other through two first control switches 131 and two second control switches 132, any two touch electrodes 11 adjacent to each other in each touch unit C are electrically connected through one first control switch 131, and any two touch electrodes 11 adjacent to each other in each touch unit C are electrically connected through one second control switch 132. That is, the four control switches 13 are used to control the mutual conductive connection or disconnection between the four touch electrodes 11.

[0043] In this embodiment, the first switch control line 141 and the second switch control line 142 are insulated from each other and cross-arranged, so that a control signal can be applied separately between the first switch control line 141 and the second switch control line 142, that is, the first control switch 131 and the second control switch 132 can be independently controlled to open or close without interfering with each other.

[0044] Further, a connecting wire 15 is provided at the edge of the touch control substrate 10, and the plurality of switch control wires 14 are electrically connected to the connecting wire 15 at the edge of the touch control substrate 10. Optionally, the connecting wire 15 includes a first connecting wire 151 and a second connecting wire 152, all the first switch control wires 141 are electrically connected to the first connecting wire 151, and all the second switch control wires 142 are electrically connected to the second connecting wire 152. The first connecting wire 151 and the second connecting wire 152 are further connected to the touch control chip 200, so that the touch control chip 200 can control the opening or closing of the first control switch 131 and the second control switch 132 through the first connecting wire 151 and the second connecting wire 152.

[0045] Optionally, the first control switch 131 and the second control switch 132 are both thin film transistors, so that the mutual conductive connection or disconnection between two adjacent touch electrodes 11 is controlled by thin film transistors. Among them, it includes a gate, an active layer, a drain and a source. The gate and the switch control line 14 are located in the same layer and are electrically connected. The gate and the active layer are separated by an insulating layer. The source is electrically connected to one of the touch electrodes 11, and the drain is electrically connected to the other touch electrode 11. Of course, in other embodiments, the first control switch 131 and the second control switch 132 can also use triodes, such as NMOS tubes or PMOS tubes.

[0046] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of a control method of a touch module in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 4 is a waveform diagram of the first control signal and the second control signal in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the touch module in the first touch mode in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the touch module in the second touch mode in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the touch module in the third touch mode in the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 FIG. 2 is a second structural diagram of the touch module in the third touch mode in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figures 4 to 9 As shown, the present application also provides a control method of a touch module, which is used for the touch module as described above. The control method includes: Get the touch mode switching instruction. Specifically, the touch mode switching instruction can be obtained through the touch mode switching button. For example, the touch mode switching button includes a first touch mode switching button, a second touch mode switching button and a third touch mode switching button. When the user presses the first touch mode switching button, the system will obtain the first touch mode switching instruction; when the user presses the second touch mode switching button, the system will obtain the second touch mode switching instruction; when the user presses the third touch mode switching button, the system will obtain the third touch mode switching instruction. Of course, it is also possible to repeatedly press a touch mode switching button to cycle between the first touch mode switching instruction, the second touch mode switching instruction and the third touch mode switching instruction. Alternatively, the touch mode switching button is a virtual button, and the first touch mode switching instruction, the second touch mode switching instruction and the third touch mode switching instruction are obtained by sliding the virtual button.

[0047] Switch to the corresponding touch mode according to the touch mode switching instruction. For example, when the touch mode switching instruction is the first touch mode switching instruction, the corresponding control touch module switches to the first touch mode; when the touch mode switching instruction is the second touch mode switching instruction, the corresponding control touch module switches to the second touch mode; when the touch mode switching instruction is the third touch mode switching instruction, the corresponding control touch module switches to the third touch mode. Among them, the second touch mode can be set as the default touch mode at startup. At this time, a low-level signal is applied to the switch control line 14, and the power consumption is minimized.

[0048] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, in the first touch mode, the first control signal (high level signal VGH) is applied to all the switch control lines 14, all the control switches 13 (first control switch 131, second control switch 132) are controlled to be turned on and all the touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are conductively connected to each other, that is, all the touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C together form a touch point, so that the touch signal is applied jointly between the multiple touch electrodes 11 and the touch function is realized jointly, so as to reduce the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the usage scenarios when wearing gloves or bare fingers.

[0049] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 7As shown, in the second touch mode, the second control signal (low level signal VGL) is applied to all the switch control lines 14, all the control switches 13 (first control switch 131, second control switch 132) are controlled to be closed and any two touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are electrically disconnected from each other, that is, all the touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are each a touch point, so that corresponding touch signals are applied between the multiple touch electrodes 11 and the touch function is realized separately, so as to improve the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the use scenario of the active pen.

[0050] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 8 As shown, in the third touch mode, the first control signal (high level signal VGH) is applied to all the first switch control lines 141, and the second control signal (low level signal VGL) is applied to all the second switch control lines 142, so that all the first control switches 131 are controlled to be turned on and any two touch electrodes 11 adjacent to each other in each touch unit C are conductively connected to each other, and all the second control switches 132 are controlled to be turned off and any two touch electrodes 11 adjacent to each other in each touch unit C are electrically disconnected from each other, that is, the two touch electrodes 11 adjacent to each other in each touch unit C together form a touch point, and the two touch electrodes 11 adjacent to each other in the left and right are each a touch point, so as to reduce the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the use scenario of bare fingers. It can be understood that the touch sensitivity of the third touch mode is between the touch sensitivity of the first touch mode and the second touch mode.

[0051] In another embodiment, if Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Fig. 9 As shown, in the third touch mode, the first control signal (high level signal VGH) can also be applied to all the second switch control lines 142, and the second control signal (low level signal VGL) can be applied to all the first switch control lines 141, so that all the second control switches 132 are controlled to be turned on and any two adjacent touch electrodes 11 on the left and right in each touch unit C are conductively connected to each other, and all the first control switches 131 are controlled to be turned off and any two adjacent touch electrodes 11 on the top and bottom in each touch unit C are electrically disconnected from each other, that is, the two adjacent touch electrodes 11 on the left and right in each touch unit C together form a touch point, and the two adjacent touch electrodes 11 on the top and bottom are each a touch point, so as to reduce the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the usage scenario of bare fingers.

[0052] [Example 2] Fig.10 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the touch control unit in the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig.11FIG. 2 is a second structural diagram of a touch control unit in the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, the touch module and control method provided in the second embodiment of the present invention are similar to those in the first embodiment ( Figures 2 to 9 ) are basically the same, except that: In this embodiment, if Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, four adjacent touch electrodes 11 are electrically connected to each other via a first control switch 131 and two second control switches 132, that is, the four adjacent touch electrodes 11 are controlled by three control switches 13, so that the touch module can realize four touch modes to increase the use scenarios of the touch module.

[0053] This embodiment also provides a control method of a touch module, which is used for the touch module as described above. The control method includes: refer to Figures 4 to 6 As shown, in the first touch mode, the first control signal (high level signal VGH) is applied to all the switch control lines 14, all the control switches 13 (first control switch 131, second control switch 132) are controlled to be turned on and all the touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are conductively connected to each other, that is, all the touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C together form a touch point, so that the touch signal is applied jointly between the multiple touch electrodes 11 and the touch function is realized jointly, so as to reduce the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the usage scenarios when wearing gloves or bare fingers.

[0054] refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 7 As shown, in the second touch mode, the second control signal (low level signal VGL) is applied to all the switch control lines 14, all the control switches 13 (first control switch 131, second control switch 132) are controlled to be closed and any two touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are electrically disconnected from each other, that is, all the touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are each a touch point, so that corresponding touch signals are applied between the multiple touch electrodes 11 and the touch function is realized separately, so as to improve the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the use scenario of the active pen.

[0055] refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Fig. 9As shown, in the third touch mode, the first control signal (high level signal VGH) is also applied to all the second switch control lines 142, and the second control signal (low level signal VGL) is applied to all the first switch control lines 141, so that all the second control switches 132 are controlled to be turned on and any two adjacent touch electrodes 11 on the left and right in each touch unit C are conductively connected to each other, and all the first control switches 131 are controlled to be turned off and any two adjacent touch electrodes 11 on the top and bottom in each touch unit C are electrically disconnected from each other, that is, the two adjacent touch electrodes 11 on the left and right in each touch unit C together form a touch point, and the two adjacent touch electrodes 11 on the top and bottom are each a touch point, so as to reduce the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the usage scenario of bare fingers.

[0056] In the fourth touch mode, the first control signal (high level signal VGH) is applied to all the first switch control lines 141, and the second control signal (low level signal VGL) is applied to all the second switch control lines 142, so that all the first control switches 131 are controlled to be turned on and the two upper and lower adjacent touch electrodes 11 corresponding to the first control switch 131 in each touch unit C are electrically connected to each other, and all the second control switches 132 are controlled to be turned off and the electrical connection between any two left and right adjacent touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C is disconnected, that is, the upper and lower adjacent touch electrodes 11 corresponding to the first control switch 131 in each touch unit C together form a touch point, and the upper and lower adjacent touch electrodes 11 and the left and right adjacent touch electrodes 11 of the first control switch 131 are not set as a touch point, so as to reduce the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the use scenario of bare fingers. It can be understood that the touch sensitivity of the fourth touch mode is between the touch sensitivity of the second touch mode and the third touch mode.

[0057] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the rest of the structure and working principle of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0058] [Example 3] Fig.12 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the touch control unit in the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig.13 This is the second structural diagram of the touch control unit in the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig.12 and Fig.13 As shown, the touch module and control method provided in the third embodiment of the present invention are similar to those in the first embodiment ( Figures 2 to 9 ) are basically the same, except that: In this embodiment, if Fig.12 and Fig.13As shown, four adjacent touch electrodes 11 are electrically connected to each other through two first control switches 131 and one second control switch 132, that is, the four adjacent touch electrodes 11 are controlled by three control switches 13, so that the touch module can realize four touch modes to increase the use scenarios of the touch module.

[0059] This embodiment also provides a control method of a touch module, which is used for the touch module as described above. The control method includes: refer to Figures 4 to 6 As shown, in the first touch mode, the first control signal (high level signal VGH) is applied to all the switch control lines 14, all the control switches 13 (first control switch 131, second control switch 132) are controlled to be turned on and all the touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are conductively connected to each other, that is, all the touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C together form a touch point, so that the touch signal is applied jointly between the multiple touch electrodes 11 and the touch function is realized jointly, so as to reduce the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the usage scenarios when wearing gloves or bare fingers.

[0060] refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 7 As shown, in the second touch mode, the second control signal (low level signal VGL) is applied to all the switch control lines 14, all the control switches 13 (first control switch 131, second control switch 132) are controlled to be closed and any two touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are electrically disconnected from each other, that is, all the touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are each a touch point, so that corresponding touch signals are applied between the multiple touch electrodes 11 and the touch function is realized separately, so as to improve the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the use scenario of the active pen.

[0061] refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 8 As shown, in the third touch mode, the first control signal (high level signal VGH) is applied to all the first switch control lines 141, and the second control signal (low level signal VGL) is applied to all the second switch control lines 142, so that all the first control switches 131 are controlled to be opened and any two adjacent touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are conductively connected to each other, and all the second control switches 132 are controlled to be closed and any two adjacent touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are electrically disconnected from each other, that is, the two adjacent touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C together constitute a touch point, and the two adjacent touch electrodes 11 in the left and right are each a touch point, so as to reduce the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the usage scenario of bare fingers.

[0062] In the fourth touch mode, the first control signal (high level signal VGH) is applied to all the second switch control lines 142, and the second control signal (low level signal VGL) is applied to all the first switch control lines 141, so that all the second control switches 132 are controlled to be turned on and the two adjacent touch electrodes 11 corresponding to the second switch control line 142 in each touch unit C are electrically connected to each other, and all the first control switches 131 are controlled to be turned off and the electrical connection between any two adjacent touch electrodes 11 above and below in each touch unit C is disconnected, that is, the two adjacent touch electrodes 11 corresponding to the second switch control line 142 in each touch unit C together form a touch point, and the two adjacent touch electrodes 11 between the left and right touch electrodes 11 and the two adjacent touch electrodes 11 above and below that are not set as a touch point, so as to reduce the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the use scenario of bare fingers. It can be understood that the touch sensitivity of the fourth touch mode is between the touch sensitivity of the second touch mode and the third touch mode.

[0063] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the rest of the structure and working principle of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0064] [Example 4] Fig.14 It is a structural schematic diagram of the touch module in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig.15 Schematic diagram of the structure of the touch unit in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig.14 and Fig.15 As shown, the touch module and control method provided in the fourth embodiment of the present invention are similar to those in the first embodiment ( Figures 2 to 9 )、Example 2 ( Fig.10 and Fig.11 )、Example 3 ( Fig.12 and Fig.13 ) are basically the same, except that: In this embodiment, the first switch control line 141 and the second switch control line 142 are conductively connected to each other at the intersection, so that the first switch control line 141 and the second switch control line 142 simultaneously apply the same control signal to control all the control switches 13 (first control switch 131, second control switch 132) to be turned on or off at the same time. Therefore, the touch module in this embodiment can only realize two touch modes, but the impedance of the switch control line 14 can be reduced.

[0065] This embodiment also provides a control method of a touch module, which is used for the touch module as described above. The control method includes: refer to Figures 4 to 6As shown, in the first touch mode, the first control signal (high level signal VGH) is applied to all the switch control lines 14, all the control switches 13 (first control switch 131, second control switch 132) are controlled to be turned on and all the touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are conductively connected to each other, that is, all the touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C together form a touch point, so that the touch signal is applied jointly between the multiple touch electrodes 11 and the touch function is realized jointly, so as to reduce the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the usage scenarios when wearing gloves or bare fingers.

[0066] refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 7 As shown, in the second touch mode, the second control signal (low level signal VGL) is applied to all the switch control lines 14, all the control switches 13 (first control switch 131, second control switch 132) are controlled to be closed and any two touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are electrically disconnected from each other, that is, all the touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are each a touch point, so that corresponding touch signals are applied between the multiple touch electrodes 11 and the touch function is realized separately, so as to improve the accuracy of touch recognition, which can be applied to the use scenario of the active pen.

[0067] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the rest of the structure and working principle of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2, and Embodiment 3, and will not be described in detail here.

[0068] [Example 5] Fig.16 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the touch module in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig.17 FIG. 2 is a second structural diagram of the touch module in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig.16 and Fig.17 As shown, the touch module and control method provided in the fifth embodiment of the present invention are similar to those in the first embodiment ( Figures 2 to 9 ) are basically the same, except that: In this embodiment, if Fig.16As shown, the multiple touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are arranged in a row, the multiple switch control lines 14 include a first switch control line 141 extending in the row direction, the control switch 13 includes a first control switch 131 located between two upper and lower adjacent touch electrodes 11, and the two upper and lower adjacent touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are electrically connected through the first control switch 131. The first switch control line 141 is connected to the control end of the first control switch 131 and is used to control the first control switch 131 to be turned on or off. Optionally, two touch electrodes 11 are provided in each touch unit C, and the two touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are arranged in one row. Of course, in other embodiments, three touch electrodes 11 may also be provided in each touch unit C, and the three touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are arranged in one row. It can be understood that the number of touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C can be set according to actual needs, and is not limited thereto.

[0069] In another embodiment, if Fig.17 As shown, the multiple touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are arranged in a row, the multiple switch control lines 14 include a second switch control line 142 extending in the column direction, the control switch 13 includes a second control switch 132 located between two adjacent touch electrodes 11 on the left and right, and the two adjacent touch electrodes 11 on the left and right in each touch unit C are electrically connected through the second control switch 132. The second switch control line 142 is connected to the control end of the second control switch 132 and is used to control the second control switch 132 to be turned on or off. Optionally, two touch electrodes 11 are provided in each touch unit C, and the two touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are arranged in one row. Of course, in other embodiments, three touch electrodes 11 may also be provided in each touch unit C, and the three touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are arranged in one row. It can be understood that the number of touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C can be set according to actual needs, and is not limited thereto.

[0070] Since the touch electrodes 11 in each touch unit C are arranged in a row or a column in this embodiment, the touch module in this embodiment can only realize two touch modes, but the number of control switches 13 and switch control lines 14 can be reduced.

[0071] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the rest of the structure and working principle of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0072] Fig.18 It is a schematic structural diagram of the display device in the present invention in a dark state. Fig.19 Schematic diagram of the structure of the display device in the present invention when it is in the bright state. Fig.18 and Fig.19As shown, the present application also provides a display device, including an array substrate, a color film substrate 20 arranged opposite to the array substrate, and a liquid crystal layer 30 located between the array substrate and the color film substrate 20, that is, in this embodiment, the display device adopts a liquid crystal display device; of course, in other embodiments, the display device may also adopt a self-luminous display device. Among them, the display device also includes a touch module as described above, and the setting method of the touch module can be external (Out-cell), embedded (In-cell) and external (On-cell). The external type is to set the touch module externally on the surface of the glass cover plate of the display device, the external type is to stick the touch module on the surface of the color film substrate 20 of the display device, and the internal type is to reuse the touch module as an array substrate. This application is explained with the internal type as an example: An upper polarizer 41 is provided on the color filter substrate 20, and a lower polarizer 42 is provided on the array substrate. The light transmission axis of the upper polarizer 41 is perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the lower polarizer 42. The liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30 are positive liquid crystal molecules (liquid crystal molecules with positive dielectric anisotropy). In the initial state, the positive liquid crystal molecules are in a lying posture, and the alignment direction of the positive liquid crystal molecules close to the color filter substrate 20 is parallel to the alignment direction of the positive liquid crystal molecules close to the array substrate. It can be understood that the array substrate and the color filter substrate 20 are also provided with an alignment layer in a layer facing the liquid crystal layer 30, so as to align the positive liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 30.

[0073] In this embodiment, a black matrix 21 and a color resist layer 22 are provided on the color filter substrate 20, and the black matrix 21 separates the plurality of color resist layers 22. The color resist layer 22 includes color resist materials of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and correspondingly forms sub-pixels of red (R), green (G), and blue (B).

[0074] On the side of the array substrate facing the liquid crystal layer 30, a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of data lines are insulated and crossed to form a plurality of pixel units, each of which is provided with a pixel electrode 16 and a thin film transistor, and the pixel electrode 16 is electrically connected to the data line of the adjacent thin film transistor through the thin film transistor, and a common electrode is also provided on the side of the array substrate facing the liquid crystal layer 30. Among them, the touch control electrode 11 is reused as the common electrode.

[0075] In this embodiment, Fig.18 As shown, the common electrode (touch electrode 11) and the pixel electrode 16 are located in different layers and are insulated and isolated by an insulating layer. The common electrode can be located above or below the pixel electrode 16 ( Fig.18, the common electrode is shown to be located below the pixel electrode 16). Preferably, the common electrode is a block electrode, and the pixel electrode 16 is a block electrode arranged as a whole in each pixel unit or a slit electrode having a plurality of electrode strips to form a fringe field switching mode (Fringe Field Switching, FFS). Of course, in other embodiments, the pixel electrode 16 and the common electrode are located on the same layer, but the two are insulated and isolated from each other. The pixel electrode 16 and the common electrode may each include a plurality of electrode strips, and the electrode strips of the pixel electrode 16 and the electrode strips of the common electrode are alternately arranged to form an in-plane switching mode (In-Plane Switching, IPS). Among them, the thin film transistor includes a gate, an active layer, a drain and a source. The gate and the scan line are located on the same layer and are electrically connected. The gate and the active layer are isolated by an insulating layer, the source is electrically connected to the data line, and the drain is electrically connected to the pixel electrode 16 through a contact hole. For a more detailed introduction to the array substrate, please refer to the prior art, which will not be repeated here.

[0076] Furthermore, the display device further includes a backlight module 50 , which is located below the array substrate and is used to provide a backlight source for the display device.

[0077] The backlight module 50 includes a backlight source 51 and an anti-peep layer 52, and the anti-peep layer 52 is used to narrow the range of the light emission angle. A brightness enhancement film 53 is also provided between the backlight source 51 and the anti-peep layer 52, and the brightness enhancement film 53 increases the brightness of the backlight module 50. Among them, the anti-peep layer 52 is equivalent to a miniature shutter structure, which can block light with a larger incident angle and allow light with a smaller incident angle to pass through, so that the angle range of light passing through the anti-peep layer 52 becomes smaller. The anti-peep layer 52 includes a plurality of parallel light-blocking walls and a light-transmitting hole located between two adjacent light-blocking walls, and light-absorbing materials are provided on both sides of the light-blocking walls. Of course, the backlight source 51 can also be a light-collecting backlight source, so there is no need to set the anti-peep layer 52, but the light-collecting backlight source is more expensive than the conventional backlight source.

[0078] The backlight module 50 can be an edge-type backlight module or a direct-type backlight module. Preferably, the backlight module 50 adopts a collimated backlight (CBL) mode, which can collect light and ensure the display effect.

[0079] Fig. 20 and Fig.21 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a planar structure of a display device in an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 20 and Fig.21 The display device is provided with a touch mode switching button 60 for the user to send a viewing angle switching request to the display device. The touch mode switching button 60 may be a physical button (such as Fig. 20As shown), it can also be a software control or application (APP) to implement the switching function (such as Fig.21 As shown, for example, the touch mode is set by a slide bar). When the user needs to switch between multiple touch modes, the user can send a touch mode switching request to the display device by operating the touch mode switching button 60, and finally the driving chip 70 controls the electrical signal applied to the switch control line 14 to control the opening or closing of the control switch 13. The display device can realize the switching between multiple touch modes. When switching to the first touch mode, its driving method adopts the driving method corresponding to the first touch mode, and when switching to the second touch mode, its driving method adopts the driving method corresponding to the second touch mode. Therefore, the display device of the embodiment of the present invention has strong operational flexibility and convenience, and can realize touch switching in various usage scenarios.

[0080] In this document, the directional words such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are defined by the positions of the structures in the drawings and the positions of the structures relative to each other, just for the sake of clarity and convenience in expressing the technical solution. It should be understood that the use of the directional words should not limit the scope of protection claimed in this application. It should also be understood that the terms "first" and "second" used in this document are only used to distinguish names and are not used to limit quantity and order.

[0081] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any form. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment as above, it is not used to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with this profession can make some changes or modifications to the technical contents disclosed above without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, which are equivalent embodiments of equivalent changes. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention still fall within the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A touch module, characterized in that: The invention comprises a touch control substrate (10), and a plurality of touch control electrodes (11) and a plurality of touch control traces (12) arranged on the touch control substrate (10), wherein the plurality of touch control electrodes (11) are distributed in an array on the touch control substrate (10), each of the touch control electrodes (11) is electrically connected to at least one of the touch control traces (12), and each of the touch control traces (12) is connected to a corresponding touch control electrode (11); The touch control substrate (10) is provided with a plurality of switch control lines (14) and a plurality of touch control units (C) distributed in an array, each of the touch control units (C) is provided with a control switch (13) and a plurality of touch control electrodes (11), the plurality of touch control electrodes (11) are electrically connected to each other through the control switch (13), and the switch control line (14) is connected to a control end of the control switch (13) and is used to control the control switch (13) to be turned on or off.

2. The touch module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of touch electrodes (11) in each touch unit (C) are arranged in a row, the plurality of switch control lines (14) include a first switch control line (141) extending in a row direction, the control switch (13) includes a first control switch (131) located between two upper and lower adjacent touch electrodes (11), the first switch control line (141) being connected to a control end of the first control switch (131) and used for controlling the first control switch (131) to be turned on or off; Alternatively, the plurality of touch electrodes (11) in each touch unit (C) are arranged in a row, the plurality of switch control lines (14) include a second switch control line (142) extending in a column direction, the control switch (13) includes a second control switch (132) located between two adjacent touch electrodes (11) on the left and right, and the second switch control line (142) is connected to a control end of the second control switch (132) and is used to control the second control switch (132) to be turned on or off.

3. The touch module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of touch electrodes (11) in each touch unit (C) are arranged in an array; the plurality of switch control lines (14) include a first switch control line (141) extending in a row direction and a second switch control line (142) extending in a column direction; the control switch (13) includes a first control switch (131) located between two upper and lower adjacent touch electrodes (11) and a second control switch (132) located between two left and right adjacent touch electrodes (11); the first switch control line (141) is connected to a control end of the first control switch (131) and is used to control the first control switch (131) to be turned on or off; and the second switch control line (142) is connected to a control end of the second control switch (132) and is used to control the second control switch (132) to be turned on or off.

4. The touch module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first switch control line (141) and the second switch control line (142) are insulated from each other and arranged crosswise; Alternatively, the first switch control line (141) and the second switch control line (142) are conductively connected to each other at a cross position.

5. The touch module according to claim 3, characterized in that: Four adjacent touch electrodes (11) are electrically connected to each other via two first control switches (131) and two second control switches (132); Or the four adjacent touch electrodes (11) are electrically connected to each other via one first control switch (131) and two second control switches (132); Or four adjacent touch electrodes (11) are electrically connected to each other via two first control switches (131) and one second control switch (132).

6. The touch module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: A connecting wire (15) is provided at the edge of the touch control substrate (10), and the plurality of switch control lines (14) are electrically connected to the connecting wire (15) at the edge of the touch control substrate (10).

7. A display device, characterized in that: It comprises the touch module as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A control method for a touch module, characterized in that: For the touch module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the control method comprises: In a first touch control mode, a first control signal is applied to all switch control lines (14), so that all control switches (13) are controlled to be turned on and all touch control electrodes (11) in each touch control unit (C) are electrically connected to each other; In the second touch control mode, a second control signal is applied to all the switch control lines (14) to control all the control switches (13) to be closed and to disconnect any two touch control electrodes (11) in each touch control unit (C) from being electrically connected to each other.

9. The control method of the touch module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The plurality of touch electrodes (11) in each touch unit (C) are arranged in an array, the plurality of switch control lines (14) include a first switch control line (141) extending in a row direction and a second switch control line (142) extending in a column direction, the first switch control line (141) and the second switch control line (142) are insulated from each other and arranged crosswise, the control switch (13) includes a first control switch (131) located between two upper and lower adjacent touch electrodes (11) and a second control switch (132) located between two left and right adjacent touch electrodes (11), the first switch control line (141) is connected to a control end of the first control switch (131) and is used to control the first control switch (131) to be turned on or off, the second switch control line (142) is connected to a control end of the second control switch (132) and is used to control the second control switch (132) to be turned on or off, and the control method includes: In the third touch control mode, a first control signal is applied to all the first switch control lines (141), and a second control signal is applied to all the second switch control lines (142), so that all the first control switches (131) are controlled to be turned on and any two touch electrodes (11) adjacent to each other in each touch control unit (C) are electrically connected to each other, and all the second control switches (132) are controlled to be turned off and any two touch electrodes (11) adjacent to each other in each touch control unit (C) are electrically disconnected from each other; Alternatively, in the third touch control mode, a first control signal is applied to all the second switch control lines (142), and a second control signal is applied to all the first switch control lines (141), so that all the second control switches (132) are controlled to be turned on and any two of the touch electrodes (11) adjacent to each other on the left and right in each touch control unit (C) are electrically connected to each other, and all the first control switches (131) are controlled to be turned off and any two of the touch electrodes (11) adjacent to each other on the top and bottom in each touch control unit (C) are electrically disconnected from each other.

10. The control method of the touch module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The control method comprises: Get the touch mode switching instruction; Switch to the corresponding touch mode according to the touch mode switching instruction.

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