Touch display device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024124646
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-12-28
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-09
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-09-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing touch display devices face issues with touch routing wiring defects during the manufacturing process, which can lead to short circuits and degrade the performance of both touch sensing and image display.
The solution involves arranging touch electrodes and routing wirings in a specific configuration with a planarization layer and insulating layers to control the inclination angles of overlapping surfaces, reducing the risk of defects and short circuits, while maintaining image display quality.
This configuration improves touch sensing performance by preventing defects in touch routing wirings, ensuring reliable operation without degrading image display performance.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a touch display device. [Background technology]
[0002] In order to provide the user with various functions, the display device recognizes touches made by the user's finger or pen on the display panel and performs input processing based on the recognized touch.
[0003] For example, the display device may include a plurality of touch electrodes disposed on a display panel, and the display device may sense a user's touch by driving the plurality of touch electrodes and detecting a change in capacitance that occurs when a user touches the display panel.
[0004] The display device may include various components for displaying an image in addition to the components for touch sensing. A method for implementing a touch electrode on a display panel is desired so as to improve touch sensing performance without deteriorating image display performance of the display device. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] The embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a solution for preventing defects in touch routing wiring during a process of disposing touch routing wiring for driving a touch electrode. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] An embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a touch display device including a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in an active area of a display panel, an encapsulation layer arranged on the plurality of light-emitting elements, a plurality of touch electrodes arranged on the encapsulation layer, a plurality of touch routing wirings electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes and arranged to extend to a pad area located outside the encapsulation layer, a touch insulation layer arranged in at least a portion of an area below the plurality of touch routing wirings, and a planarization layer located between the active area and the pad area and below the touch insulation layer, wherein a tilt angle of a first side of the planarization layer facing the pad area overlapping with the plurality of touch routing wirings is smaller than a tilt angle of a second side located in at least a portion of an area other than the area where the plurality of touch routing wirings are arranged.
[0007] An embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a touch display device, including: a plurality of touch electrodes disposed in an active area of a display panel; a plurality of touch routing wirings electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes and arranged to extend to a pad area located outside the active area; a plurality of display signal lines arranged to extend to the pad area outside the active area; and a planarization layer arranged outside the active area to overlap with the plurality of touch routing wirings and at least a portion of the plurality of display signal lines, the planarization layer overlapping with the plurality of touch routing wirings and having a tilt angle of a first side facing the pad area that overlaps with the plurality of display signal lines and is smaller than a tilt angle of a second side facing the pad area. Effect of the Invention
[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by adjusting the inclination of an insulating layer located under a touch routing wiring in an area where the touch routing wiring is extended to a pad area, it is possible to prevent a short circuit between touch routing wiring caused by a process defect in placing the touch routing wiring. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit structure of a sub-pixel included in a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a touch sensor structure included in a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a touch sensor structure included in a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a touch sensor structure included in a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a touch electrode included in a touch sensor structure of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the touch sensor structure shown in FIG. 5 is implemented using the touch electrode structure shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating examples of electrode structures constituting a touch sensor structure of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement relationship between electrodes constituting a touch sensor structure and components included in a subpixel in a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure taken along the line AA' shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example in which a touch sensor structure of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented in an active area of a display panel. [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example in which a touch sensor structure of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented in an active area of a display panel. [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example in which a touch sensor structure of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented in an active area of a display panel. [Figure 14]1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example in which a touch sensor structure of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented in a peripheral region of a boundary between an active region and a non-active region of a display panel. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example in which a touch sensor structure of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented between an active area and a dam in a non-active area of a display panel. [Figure 16] 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example in which a touch sensor structure of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented in a non-active area including a pad area of a display panel. [Figure 17] 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example in which a touch sensor structure of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented in a non-active area including a pad area of a display panel. [Figure 18] 17A and 17B are diagrams illustrating examples of cross-sectional structures of a CC' portion and a DD' portion shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 19] 17A and 17B are diagrams illustrating examples of cross-sectional structures of a CC' portion and a DD' portion shown in FIG. 16. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to exemplary drawings. When a reference symbol is added to a component in each drawing, the same component is assigned the same symbol as much as possible even if it is displayed on a different drawing. In addition, in the description of the present disclosure, if it is determined that a specific description of a related publicly known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description may be omitted. When "including", "having", "consisting of", etc. are used in this specification, other parts may be added unless "only" is used. When a component is expressed in the singular, it may include a case where a plurality is included unless otherwise explicitly stated.
[0011] In addition, when describing components of the present disclosure, terms such as 1, 2, A, B, (a), (b), etc. are used. These terms are merely used to distinguish the components from other components, and do not limit the nature, order, sequence, number, etc. of the corresponding components.
[0012] In a description of the positional relationship of components, when two or more components are described as being "coupled", "coupled" or "connected", it should be understood that the two or more components may be directly "coupled", "coupled" or "connected", but that the two or more components may be "coupled", "coupled" or "connected" through another component. Here, the other component may be included in one or more of the two or more components that are "coupled", "coupled" or "connected" to each other.
[0013] In describing the relationship of a time flow relating to components, a method of operation, or a method of production, for example, when a time sequence or flow sequence is described using "after," "following," "next to," "before," etc., non-consecutive cases may also be included, unless "immediately" or "directly" is used.
[0014] On the other hand, when a numerical value or its corresponding information (e.g., a level, etc.) for a component is mentioned, the numerical value or its corresponding information may be interpreted as including an error range that may occur due to various factors (e.g., process factors, internal or external impacts, noise, etc.) unless otherwise explicitly stated.
[0015] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0016] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit structure of a sub-pixel SP included in the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0017] 1, the touch display device 100 may include a display panel 110, a gate driving circuit 120 for driving the display panel 110, a data driving circuit 130, and a controller 140. The touch display device 100 may further include a configuration for touch sensing in addition to a configuration for driving the display.
[0018] The display panel 110 may include an active area AA in which a plurality of sub-pixels SP are arranged, and a non-active area NA located outside the active area AA. A plurality of gate lines GL and a plurality of data lines DL may be arranged in the display panel 110. A plurality of sub-pixels SP may be located in an area where the gate lines GL and the data lines DL intersect.
[0019] The gate driving circuit 120 may be controlled by a controller 140. The gate driving circuit 120 may sequentially output scan signals to a plurality of gate lines GL arranged on the display panel 110 to control driving timing of a plurality of sub-pixels SP.
[0020] The gate driving circuit 120 may include one or more gate driver integrated circuits (GDICs). The gate driving circuit 120 may be located on only one side of the display panel 110 or on both sides according to a driving method.
[0021] Each gate driver integrated circuit (GDIC) may be connected to a bonding pad of the display panel 110 by a tape automated bonding (TAB) method or a chip on glass (COG) method. Alternatively, each gate driver integrated circuit (GDIC) may be implemented as a GIP (Gate In Panel) type and directly disposed on the display panel 110. Alternatively, each gate driver integrated circuit (GDIC) may be integrated and disposed on the display panel 110. Alternatively, each gate driver integrated circuit (GDIC) may be implemented as a chip on film (COF) method mounted on a film connected to the display panel 110.
[0022] The data driving circuit 130 receives image data DATA from the controller 140 and converts the image data DATA into an analog data voltage Vdata. The data driving circuit 130 outputs the data voltage Vdata to each data line DL in accordance with a timing when a scan signal is applied through a gate line GL, so that each sub-pixel SP can express brightness according to the image data.
[0023] The data driving circuit 130 may include one or more source driver integrated circuits (SDICs). Each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) may include a shift register, a latch circuit, a digital-to-analog converter, and an output buffer.
[0024] Each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) may be connected to a bonding pad of the display panel 110 by a tape automated bonding (TAB) method or a chip on glass (COG) method. Alternatively, each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) may be directly disposed on the display panel 110. Alternatively, each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) may be integrated and disposed on the display panel 110. Alternatively, each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) may be embodied by a chip on film (COF) method. In this case, each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) may be mounted on a film connected to the display panel 110 and electrically connected to the display panel 110 through wiring on the film.
[0025] The controller 140 can supply various control signals to the gate driving circuit 120 and the data driving circuit 130 to control the driving of the gate driving circuit 120 and the data driving circuit 130 .
[0026] The controller 140 may be implemented on a printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit, and may be electrically coupled to the gate driver circuit 120 and the data driver circuit 130 through the printed circuit board or the flexible printed circuit.
[0027] The controller 140 can control the gate driving circuit 120 to output a scan signal according to a timing set in each frame. The controller 140 can convert image data received from an external device (e.g., a host system) into a data signal format used by the data driving circuit 130, and output the converted image data DATA to the data driving circuit 130.
[0028] The controller 140 can receive various timing signals including a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC, a horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC, an input data enable signal (DE: Data Enable), and a clock signal CLK from an external source (eg, a host system) along with the video data DATA.
[0029] The controller 140 can generate various control signals using various timing signals received from the outside and output the generated control signals to the gate driving circuit 120 and the data driving circuit 130 .
[0030] As an example, the controller 140 can output various gate control signals GCS, including a gate start pulse (GSP), a gate shift clock (GSC), and a gate output enable signal (GOE), to the gate driving circuit 120 to control the gate driving circuit 120.
[0031] The gate start pulse GSP can control the operation start timing of one or more gate driver integrated circuits (GDIC) constituting the gate driving circuit 120. The gate shift clock GSC is a clock signal commonly input to one or more gate driver integrated circuits (GDIC) and can control the shift timing of the scan signal. The gate output enable signal GOE can specify timing information of one or more gate driver integrated circuits (GDIC).
[0032] In addition, the controller 140 can output various data control signals DCS, including a source start pulse (SSP), a source sampling clock (SSC), and a source output enable signal (SOE), to the data driving circuit 130 in order to control the data driving circuit 130.
[0033] The source start pulse SSP can control the data sampling start timing of one or more source driver integrated circuits (SDICs) constituting the data driving circuit 130. The source sampling clock SSC can be a clock signal that controls the data sampling timing in each of the one or more source driver integrated circuits (SDICs). The source output enable signal SOE can control the output timing of the data driving circuit 130.
[0034] The touch display device 100 may further include a power management integrated circuit that supplies or controls various voltages or currents to the display panel 110, the gate driving circuit 120, the data driving circuit 130, and the like.
[0035] Each sub-pixel SP may be an area defined by the intersection of a gate line GL and a data line DL, and may have a liquid crystal layer or a light-dissipating element disposed thereon depending on the type of the touch display device 100.
[0036] For example, when the touch display device 100 is an organic light emitting display device, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) and various circuit elements may be arranged in a plurality of sub-pixels SP. The current supplied from the organic light emitting diode (OLED) is controlled by the various circuit elements, so that brightness corresponding to image data can be displayed in each sub-pixel SP.
[0037] Alternatively, in some cases, a light emitting diode (LED), a micro light emitting diode (μLED), or a quantum dot light emitting diode (QLED) may be disposed in the subpixel SP.
[0038] 2, each of the sub-pixels SP may include a light-emitting element ED, and the sub-pixels SP may include a driving transistor DRT for controlling a driving current supplied to the light-emitting element ED.
[0039] The sub-pixel SP may include at least one circuit element in addition to the light-emitting element ED and the driving transistor DRT for driving the sub-pixel SP.
[0040] For example, the subpixel SP may include a first transistor T1, a second transistor T2, a third transistor T3, a fourth transistor T4, a fifth transistor T5, and a storage capacitor Cstg.
[0041] 2 illustrates a 6T1C structure in which six transistors and one capacitor are arranged, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Although the example of FIG. 2 illustrates a case in which the transistors are P-type, at least a part of the transistors arranged in the subpixel SP may be N-type.
[0042] In addition, the transistors arranged in the subpixels SP may include, for example, a semiconductor layer made of low temperature polysilicon (LTPS) or a semiconductor layer made of an oxide semiconductor. In some cases, the subpixels SP may include a mixture of transistors including a semiconductor layer made of low temperature polysilicon and transistors including a semiconductor layer made of an oxide semiconductor.
[0043] The first transistor T1 may be electrically connected between the data line DL and a first node N1. The first transistor T1 may be controlled by a first scan signal Scan1 provided through a first gate line GL1. The first transistor T1 may control a data voltage Vdata to be applied to the first node N1.
[0044] The second transistor T2 may be electrically connected between the second node N2 and the third node N3. The second node N2 may be a gate node of the driving transistor DRT. The third node N3 may be a drain node or a source node of the driving transistor DRT. The second transistor T2 may be controlled by a second scan signal Scan2 supplied through a second gate line GL2. The second transistor T2 may perform an operation of compensating for a change in a threshold voltage of the driving transistor DRT.
[0045] The third transistor T3 may be electrically connected between a line to which a reference voltage Vref is supplied and the first node N1. The third transistor T3 may be controlled by an emission control signal EM supplied through an emission control line EML. The third transistor T3 may control whether the first node N1 is discharged or the reference voltage Vref is applied to the first node N1.
[0046] The fourth transistor T4 may be electrically connected between the third node N3 and a fifth node N5. The fifth node N5 may be a node electrically connected to the light emitting element ED. The fourth transistor T4 may be controlled by an emission control signal EM provided through an emission control line EML. The fourth transistor T4 may control the timing at which a driving current is provided to the light emitting element ED.
[0047] The fifth transistor T5 may be electrically connected between a line to which a reference voltage Vref is supplied and a fifth node N5. The fifth transistor T5 may be controlled by a second scan signal Scan2 supplied through a second gate line GL2. The fifth transistor T5 may control whether the fifth node N5 is discharged or the reference voltage Vref is applied to the fifth node N5.
[0048] The driving transistor DRT may be electrically connected between a fourth node N4 and a third node N3. The fourth node N4 may be electrically connected to a line to which a first driving voltage VDD is supplied. The first driving voltage VDD may be, for example, a high potential driving voltage. The fourth node N4 may be a source node or a drain node of the driving transistor DRT.
[0049] The driving transistor DRT may be controlled by a difference between the voltage of the second node N2 and the voltage of the fourth node N4. The driving transistor DRT may control a driving current supplied to the light emitting element ED.
[0050] The driving transistor DRT may include a backgate electrode electrically connected to the fourth node N4. The backgate electrode electrically connected to the source node of the driving transistor DRT may allow a current of the driving transistor DRT to be stably output. For example, the backgate electrode may be disposed using a metal layer for blocking external light from being incident on a channel of the driving transistor DRT.
[0051] The light emitting element ED may be electrically connected between the fifth node N5 and a line to which a second driving voltage VSS is supplied. The second driving voltage VSS may be, for example, a low potential driving voltage.
[0052] The light emitting element ED may include a first electrode E1 electrically connected to a fifth node N5, a second electrode E2 to which a second driving voltage VSS is applied, and an emitting layer EL disposed between the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2.
[0053] The light emitting element ED may exhibit brightness according to a driving current supplied by the driving transistor DRT. The driving timing of the light emitting element ED may be controlled by a fourth transistor T4.
[0054] 2, a second scan signal Scan2 having a turn-on level may be supplied through the second gate line GL2. Since the transistor disposed in the subpixel SP is a P-type transistor, the turn-on level may be a low level.
[0055] The second transistor T2 and the fifth transistor T5 may be turned on by the second scan signal Scan2 at a turn-on level.
[0056] Since the second transistor T2 is turned on, the second node N2 may be electrically connected to the third node N3. A voltage in which the threshold voltage of the driving transistor DRT is reflected in the first driving voltage VDD may be applied to the second node N2 through the second transistor T2. Through this process, a change in the threshold voltage of the driving transistor DRT may be compensated for.
[0057] Since the fifth transistor T5 is turned on, the reference voltage Vref may be applied to the fifth node N5, and the fifth node N5 may be initialized.
[0058] Thereafter, a first scan signal Scan1 of a turn-on level may be supplied through the first gate line GL1.
[0059] The first transistor T1 may be turned on by the first scan signal Scan1 at a turn-on level.
[0060] Since the first transistor T1 is turned on, the data voltage Vdata can be applied to the first node N1.
[0061] The data voltage Vdata and the first driving voltage VDD reflecting the threshold voltage of the driving transistor DRT may be applied to both ends of the storage capacitor Cstg.
[0062] Thereafter, an emission control signal EM of a turn-on level may be supplied through an emission control line EML.
[0063] The third transistor T3 and the fourth transistor T4 may be turned on.
[0064] Since the third transistor T3 is turned on, the voltage of the first node N1 may be changed to the reference voltage Vref. The voltage of the second node N2 coupled to the first node N1 may be changed according to the change in the voltage of the first node N1.
[0065] The second node N2 may be applied with a voltage that reflects the first driving voltage VDD, the threshold voltage of the driving transistor DRT, and the data voltage Vdata, and the fourth node N4 may be applied with the first driving voltage VDD. A difference between the voltage of the second node N2 and the voltage of the fourth node N4 may be a voltage that reflects the data voltage Vdata and the threshold voltage of the driving transistor DRT. A driving current corresponding to the data voltage Vdata may be supplied by the driving transistor DRT.
[0066] Since the fourth transistor DRT is turned on, the driving current provided by the driving transistor DRT can be supplied to the light emitting element ED.
[0067] The light emitting element ED represents brightness according to a driving current, and the sub-pixel SP including the light emitting element ED can display an image corresponding to image data.
[0068] In addition, the embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a function of sensing a user's touch on the display panel 110 by implementing a touch sensor structure on the display panel 110 that displays an image.
[0069] 3 to 5 are diagrams illustrating examples of touch sensor structures included in the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0070] 3, the touch display device 100 may include a plurality of touch electrode lines TEL and a plurality of touch routing lines TL arranged on a display panel 110. The touch display device 100 may include a touch driving circuit 150 that drives the plurality of touch electrode lines TEL and the plurality of touch routing lines TL.
[0071] Each of the touch electrode lines TEL may be electrically connected to the touch driving circuit 150 through a touch routing wiring TL. The touch driving circuit 150 may be disposed separately, or may be disposed integrally with a circuit for driving a display, depending on the case. For example, the touch driving circuit 150 may be disposed integrally with the data driving circuit 130.
[0072] Each of the plurality of touch electrode lines TEL may include a plurality of touch electrodes TE electrically connected to each other along one direction, and each of the plurality of touch electrode lines TEL may include a plurality of touch electrode connecting patterns CL electrically connecting the plurality of touch electrodes TE to each other.
[0073] As an example, each of the plurality of X-touch electrode lines X-TEL may include a plurality of X-touch electrodes X-TE arranged along a first direction and a plurality of X-touch electrode connection patterns X-CL electrically connecting the plurality of X-touch electrodes X-TE to each other.
[0074] Each of the plurality of Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL may include a plurality of Y-touch electrodes Y-TE arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a plurality of Y-touch electrode connecting patterns Y-CL electrically connecting the plurality of Y-touch electrodes Y-TE to each other.
[0075] The X-touch electrode line X-TEL and the Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL may be disposed on different layers. Or, the X-touch electrode X-TE and the Y-touch electrode Y-TE may be disposed on the same layer. In this case, either the X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL or the Y-touch electrode connecting pattern Y-CL may be disposed on a different layer from the touch electrode TE.
[0076] The touch electrode TE may be, for example, rectangular, but is not limited to this.
[0077] The touch electrode TE is made of a transparent conductive material and may be disposed without interfering with the image display function of the display panel 110.
[0078] Alternatively, the touch electrode TE may be made of an opaque metal. In this case, the touch electrode TE may have an opening in a region corresponding to a light emitting region of the light emitting element ED arranged on the display panel 110. As an example, the touch electrode TE may be embodied in a mesh shape and may be arranged to avoid the light emitting region.
[0079] In a structure in which a plurality of X-touch electrode lines X-TEL and a plurality of Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL are arranged to cross each other, the touch driving circuit 150 may perform touch sensing while driving the touch electrode lines TEL through the touch routing wirings TL.
[0080] For example, one of the X-touch electrode line X-TEL and the Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL may be a touch driving electrode to which a touch driving signal is applied, and the other of the X-touch electrode line X-TEL and the Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL may be a touch sensing electrode to which a touch sensing signal is detected.
[0081] The touch driving circuit 150 may detect a change in mutual capacitance that occurs when a user touches the touch electrode line X-TEL and the Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL in a state where different signals are applied to the X-touch electrode line X-TEL and the Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL.
[0082] The touch driving circuit 150 may transmit sensing data corresponding to the detected change in mutual capacitance to the touch controller. The touch controller may detect whether a touch has occurred on the display panel 110 and the touch coordinates based on the sensing data received from the touch driving circuit 150.
[0083] The touch electrode lines TEL arranged on the display panel 110 may be arranged in a plurality of divided regions in the active area AA.
[0084] Since the touch electrode lines TEL are divided and arranged according to the regions, the load of the touch electrode lines TEL may be reduced. When the area of the display panel 110 is increased, the load of the touch electrode lines TEL may be reduced, and the performance of touch sensing may be improved.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 4, an active area AA of a display panel 110 may include a plurality of sub-areas SAA that are divided by a boundary in a first direction and a boundary in a second direction.
[0086] The active area AA may include at least two sub-areas SAA separated by a first boundary BL1 along a first direction, and the active area AA may include at least two sub-areas SAA separated by a second boundary BL2 along a second direction.
[0087] For example, a first sub-region SAA1 and a second sub-region SAA2 may be separated by a first boundary BL1, and a third sub-region SAA3 and a fourth sub-region SAA4 may be separated by the first boundary BL1.
[0088] The first sub-area SAA1 and the third sub-area SAA3 may be separated by a second boundary BL2, and the second sub-area SAA2 and the fourth sub-area SAA4 may be separated by a second boundary BL2.
[0089] Although FIG. 4 shows an example in which the active area AA is divided into four sub-areas SAA, the active area AA may be divided into a plurality of sub-areas SAA by a first boundary BL1 and a second boundary BL2.
[0090] The touch electrode lines TEL arranged in each of the plurality of sub-areas SAA may be arranged separately from the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in the other sub-areas SAA.
[0091] The touch electrode lines TEL arranged in each of the multiple sub-areas SAA may be driven independently.
[0092] For example, the first X-touch electrode line X-TEL-1 arranged in the first sub-region SAA1 may be electrically connected to the first touch driving circuit 151 through the first X-touch routing wiring X-TL-1. The first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 may be electrically connected to the first touch driving circuit 151 through the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1.
[0093] The second X-touch electrode line X-TEL-2 arranged in the second sub-region SAA2 may be electrically connected to the second touch driving circuit 152 through a second X-touch routing wiring X-TL-2. The second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 may be electrically connected to the second touch driving circuit 152 through a second Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-2.
[0094] The first X-touch electrode line X-TEL-1 and the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 may be driven by a first touch driving circuit 151. The second X-touch electrode line X-TEL-2 and the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 may be driven by a second touch driving circuit 152. The touch electrode lines TEL in the third sub-region SAA3 and the fourth sub-region SAA4 may be arranged in a similar structure to the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in the first sub-region SAA1 and the second sub-region SAA2 and may be driven in a similar manner.
[0095] Since the touch electrode line TEL arranged in the first sub-region SAA1 and the touch electrode line TEL arranged in the second sub-region SAA2 are electrically separated and driven by different touch driving circuits 150, the load for touch sensing may be reduced and the performance of touch sensing may be improved.
[0096] In addition, in some cases, the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in two or more sub-regions SAA may be driven by the same touch driving circuit 150. As an example, the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in the first sub-region SAA1 and the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in the second sub-region SAA2 may be driven by the same touch driving circuit 150. The touch electrode lines TEL arranged in the third sub-region SAA3 and the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in the fourth sub-region SAA4 may be driven by the same touch driving circuit 150. Or, as another example, the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in the first sub-region SAA1, the second sub-region SAA2, the third sub-region SAA3, and the fourth sub-region SAA4 may be driven by the same touch driving circuit 150. In this case, too, since the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in each sub-region SAA are arranged in a structure separated from each other, the load of the touch electrode lines TEL may be reduced, and the touch sensing performance may be improved.
[0097] In this manner, in a structure in which the touch electrode lines TEL are arranged separately in each of the multiple sub-areas SAA, a part of the touch routing wiring TL may be arranged in the active area AA.
[0098] As an example, a first X-touch routing wiring X-TL-1 electrically connected to the first X-touch electrode line X-TEL-1 of the first sub-area SAA1 and a second X-touch routing wiring X-TL-2 electrically connected to the second X-touch electrode line X-TEL-2 of the second sub-area SAA2 may be arranged in the non-active area NA.
[0099] The second Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-2 electrically connected to the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 in the second sub-area SAA2 may be disposed in the non-active area NA.
[0100] A portion of the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 electrically connected to the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 in the first sub-area SAA1 may be disposed in the active area AA.
[0101] A portion of the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 may be disposed in the second sub-area SAA2. The first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 may be electrically coupled to the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 disposed in the first sub-area SAA1 via the second sub-area SAA2.
[0102] Since a portion of the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 is disposed in the second sub-region SAA2, at least one of the second X-touch electrode line X-TEL-2 and the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 disposed in the second sub-region SAA2 may be disposed separately in the region where the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 is disposed. Fig. 4 shows an example in which the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 is disposed separately in the second sub-region SAA2 due to the arrangement of the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1.
[0103] When the touch electrode line TEL is divided and arranged for each sub-area SAA, the number of touch routing wirings TL connected to the touch electrode line TEL may increase. As the number of touch routing wirings TL increases, the non-active area NA may increase due to the arrangement of the touch routing wirings TL. However, since the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 is electrically connected to the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 of the first sub-area SAA1 through the active area AA, it is not necessary to add a separate area for the arrangement of the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 in the non-active area NA. It is possible to implement a touch sensor structure divided into sub-areas SAA without increasing the non-active area NA due to the addition of the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1.
[0104] The touch sensor structure divided into a plurality of sub-areas SAA may be divided into an upper touch sensor portion and a lower touch sensor portion based on a first boundary BL1. Also, the touch sensor structure may be divided into a left touch sensor portion and a right touch sensor portion based on a second boundary BL2. Here, the lower touch sensor portion may be located closer to a pad to which the touch routing line TL is connected than the upper touch sensor portion. That is, the distance between the lower touch sensor portion and an area in which the pad to which the touch routing line TL is connected is disposed may be smaller than the distance between the upper touch sensor portion and an area in which the pad is disposed.
[0105] In addition, although the area of the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 is reduced by the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1, the area of the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 can be made the same or similar to the area of the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 to prevent sensitivity deviation of touch sensing.
[0106] Referring to FIG. 5, at least one first dummy electrode DME1 separated from the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 may be arranged in at least a portion of the first sub-region SAA1 corresponding to the region in which the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 is arranged in the second sub-region SAA2.
[0107] The first dummy electrode DME1 may be electrically isolated from the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1.
[0108] The width of the region where the first dummy electrode DME1 is arranged may be the same as or similar to the width of the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1. Or, the width of the region where the first dummy electrode DME1 is arranged may be the same as or similar to the width of the region where the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 is not arranged in the second sub-region SAA2. Also, the interval between two portions of the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 arranged on both sides of the first dummy electrode DME1 may be the same as or similar to the interval between two portions of the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 arranged on both sides of the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1.
[0109] An area of the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 arranged in the first sub-region SAA1 may be substantially the same as an area of the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 arranged in the second sub-region SAA2.
[0110] Even if the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 is arranged through the first sub-region SAA1, it is possible to prevent or reduce deviation between the touch sensitivity due to the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 in the first sub-region SAA1 and the touch sensitivity due to the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 in the second sub-region SAA2.
[0111] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the active area AA is divided into a plurality of sub-areas SAA, and a touch electrode line TEL is arranged in each of the plurality of sub-areas SAA to sense touch, thereby reducing the load on the touch electrode line TEL and improving the touch sensing performance even if the area of the active area AA is increased.
[0112] In addition, the areas of the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in each sub-area SAA may be made the same or similar, thereby preventing deviation in touch sensitivity due to the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in each sub-area SAA.
[0113] Each of the plurality of touch electrodes TE included in the touch electrode line TEL may be rectangular as in the above example, but may have various structures to improve touch sensing performance.
[0114] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a touch electrode TE included in the touch sensor structure of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0115] 6 shows an example of the shape of an X-touch electrode X-TE included in an X-touch electrode line X-TEL and a Y-touch electrode Y-TE included in a Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL. Fig. 6 illustrates an example of the structure of the touch electrode TE, in which the X-touch electrode line X-TEL and the Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL cross each other and the X-touch electrode X-TE and the Y-touch electrode Y-TE are disposed in the same layer.
[0116] The X-touch electrode X-TE and the Y-touch electrode Y-TE may have a similar form.
[0117] Taking the X-touch electrode X-TE as an example of the configuration of the touch electrode TE, the X-touch electrode X-TE may include at least one body portion X-TE-a and a plurality of wing portions X-TE-b.
[0118] The body portion X-TE-a of the X-touch electrode X-TE may be arranged along the first direction or the second direction, and FIG. 6 shows an example in which the body portion X-TE-a of the X-touch electrode X-TE is arranged along the second direction.
[0119] The wing portion X-TE-b of the X-touch electrode X-TE may be arranged along a direction intersecting the body portion X-TE-a, and FIG. 6 shows an example in which the wing portion X-TE-b of the X-touch electrode X-TE is arranged along the first direction.
[0120] The width of the body portion X-TE-a of the X-touch electrode X-TE may be the same as the width of the wing portion X-TE-b of the X-touch electrode X-TE, or the width of the body portion X-TE-a of the X-touch electrode X-TE may be larger than the width of the wing portion X-TE-b of the X-touch electrode X-TE.
[0121] The body portions X-TE-a of the X-touch electrodes X-TE may be alternately arranged with the body portions Y-TE-a of the Y-touch electrodes Y-TE in the first direction.
[0122] The wing portions X-TE-b of the X-touch electrodes X-TE may be alternately arranged with the wing portions Y-TE-b of the Y-touch electrodes Y-TE in the second direction.
[0123] The wing portion X-TE-b of the X-touch electrode X-TE and the wing portion Y-TE-b of the Y-touch electrode Y-TE may be arranged in an interdigitated shape. The area where the outer contour of the X-touch electrode X-TE faces the outer contour of the Y-touch electrode Y-TE may be increased. In addition, the length of the boundary between the X-touch electrode X-TE and the Y-touch electrode Y-TE may be increased. Touch sensing performance based on a change in mutual capacitance between the X-touch electrode X-TE and the Y-touch electrode Y-TE may be improved.
[0124] The X-touch electrode X-TE and the Y-touch electrode Y-TE may be arranged using electrodes arranged in the same layer. Either the X-touch electrode X-TE or the Y-touch electrode Y-TE may be connected to the touch electrode TE by an electrode arranged in the same layer, and the other may be connected to the touch electrode TE by an electrode arranged in a different layer.
[0125] As an example, the Y-touch electrodes Y-TE connected along the second direction may be connected by an electrode disposed in the same layer as the touch electrode TE.
[0126] The X-touch electrodes X-TE connected along the first direction may be electrically connected to the touch electrodes TE through an X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL disposed in a layer different from that of the touch electrodes TE.
[0127] For example, the X-touch electrode X-TE and the Y-touch electrode Y-TE may be disposed using a first touch sensor metal TSM1, and the X-touch electrode connection pattern X-CL may be disposed using a second touch sensor metal TSM2.
[0128] The second touch sensor metal TSM2 may be disposed on a different layer than the first touch sensor metal TSM1.
[0129] The X-touch electrode X-TE and the X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL may be electrically connected to each other through a contact hole CH.
[0130] In this manner, the touch electrode line TEL may be implemented using a layer on which the first touch sensor metal TSM1 is arranged and a layer on which the second touch sensor metal TSM2 is arranged.
[0131] The touch electrode TE has a structure including a body part TE-a and a wing part TE-b, which increases the boundary between the X-touch electrode X-TE and the Y-touch electrode Y-TE and improves the sensitivity of touch sensing. In addition, the touch electrode line TEL is arranged separately for each sub-area SAA of the active area AA, which reduces the load and improves the performance of touch sensing.
[0132] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the touch sensor structure illustrated in Fig. 5 is implemented using the structure of the touch electrode TE illustrated in Fig. 6. Fig. 7 illustrates an example of the touch sensor structure implemented in an area indicated by 501 in Fig. 5.
[0133] 6 and 7, the active area AA may be divided into four sub-areas SAA1, SAA2, SAA3, and SAA4 by a first boundary BL1 and a second boundary BL2, for example. Touch electrode lines TEL arranged in each of the four sub-areas SAA1, SAA2, SAA3, and SAA4 may be arranged separately from each other.
[0134] The touch electrode lines TEL arranged in each sub-area SAA may include a plurality of X-touch electrode lines X-TEL and a plurality of Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL.
[0135] Each of the plurality of X-touch electrode lines X-TEL may include a plurality of X-touch electrodes X-TE. Each of the plurality of Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL may include a plurality of Y-touch electrodes Y-TE. The X-touch electrodes X-TE and the Y-touch electrodes Y-TE may constitute one sensing unit SU.
[0136] A plurality of X-touch electrodes X-TE included in the X-touch electrode line X-TEL may be electrically connected by an X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL.
[0137] For example, the plurality of X-touch electrodes X-TE may be formed of a first touch sensor metal TSM1, and the X-touch electrode connection pattern X-CL may be formed of a second touch sensor metal TSM2 disposed on a layer different from the layer on which the first touch sensor metal TSM1 is disposed.
[0138] The X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL may be disposed along a first direction and electrically connected to the X-touch electrode X-TE through a contact hole CH. A plurality of X-touch electrodes X-TE may be electrically connected along the first direction to form an X-touch electrode line X-TEL.
[0139] For example, the X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL may be disposed in an area overlapping with the wing portion X-TE-b of the X-touch electrode X-TE. The X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL may not be disposed in an area overlapping with the wing portion Y-TE-b of the Y-touch electrode Y-TE. A portion of the X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL may overlap with the body portion Y-TE-a of the Y-touch electrode Y-TE.
[0140] A width Wa1 of a wing portion X-TE-b of the X-touch electrode X-TE located in an area overlapping with the X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL may be larger than a width Wa2 of a wing portion X-TE-b of the X-touch electrode X-TE located in an area not overlapping with the X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL.
[0141] A width Wa1 of a wing portion X-TE-b of the X-touch electrode X-TE located in an area overlapping with the X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL may be larger than a width Wa3 of a wing portion Y-TE-b of the Y-touch electrode Y-TE.
[0142] Since the X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL is arranged to overlap the wider wing portion X-TE-b of the X-touch electrode X-TE, the width or number of the X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL may be increased, and the X-touch electrode X-TE may be electrically connected while reducing the resistance of the X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL.
[0143] In an area where the X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL is not arranged, the width of the wing portion X-TE-b of the X-touch electrode X-TE and the width of the wing portion Y-TE-b of the Y-touch electrode Y-TE are relatively small, so that a structure in which the boundary between the X-touch electrode X-TE and the Y-touch electrode Y-TE is increased can be maintained, and touch sensing performance can be improved.
[0144] The X-touch electrode line X-TEL may be electrically connected to the X-touch electrode contact pad X-CP at the boundary between the active area AA and the non-active area NA.
[0145] For example, an X-touch electrode X-TE made of a first touch sensor metal TSM1 may be extended and disposed in the non-active area NA. An X-touch electrode contact pad X-CP made of a second touch sensor metal TSM2 may be disposed in an area overlapping with the extended X-touch electrode X-TE. The extended X-touch electrode X-TE and the X-touch electrode contact pad X-CP may be electrically connected through a contact hole CH.
[0146] Alternatively, the extended portion of the X-touch electrode X-TE arranged in the non-active area NA and the X-touch electrode contact pad X-CP consisting of the second touch sensor metal TSM2 can be collectively referred to as the X-touch electrode contact pad X-CP.
[0147] The X-touch electrode contact pad X-CP may be electrically connected to the X-touch routing wiring X-TL in the non-active area NA. The X-touch electrode line X-TEL may be electrically connected to the X-touch routing wiring X-TL through the X-touch electrode contact pad X-CP. The X-touch routing wiring X-TL may be composed of at least one of a first touch sensor metal TSM1 and a second touch sensor metal TSM2.
[0148] The Y-touch electrodes Y-TE included in the Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL may be directly connected to each other.
[0149] For example, the Y-touch electrodes Y-TE may be formed of the first touch sensor metal TSM1, and the Y-touch electrodes Y-TE may be connected along the second direction to form a Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL.
[0150] Among the multiple Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL, the Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL arranged in the second sub-region SAA2 and the fourth sub-region SAA4 may be electrically connected to the Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL arranged in the non-active area NA at the boundary between the active area AA and the non-active area NA.
[0151] For example, the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 may be electrically connected to the second Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-2 at the boundary between the active area AA and the non-active area NA. The second Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-2 may be composed of at least one of the first touch sensor metal TSM1 and the second touch sensor metal TSM2.
[0152] Among the plurality of Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL, the Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL arranged in the first sub-area SAA1 and the third sub-area SAA3 may be electrically connected to the Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL in the active area AA.
[0153] For example, the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 may be electrically connected to the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 in the active area AA.
[0154] The first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 may be disposed in the non-active area NA and the second sub-area SAA2. The first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 may be electrically connected to the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 disposed in the first sub-area SAA1 via the second sub-area SAA2.
[0155] The first Y-touch routing line Y-TL-1 may be formed of a first touch sensor metal TSM1, for example. In some cases, a second touch sensor metal TSM2 may be disposed in an area overlapping the first Y-touch routing line Y-TL-1 and electrically connected to the first Y-touch routing line Y-TL-1 through a contact hole CH, thereby reducing the resistance of the first Y-touch routing line Y-TL-1.
[0156] Since the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 is arranged in the second sub-region SAA2, the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 arranged in the second sub-region SAA2 may be arranged separately on both sides of the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1.
[0157] The two portions of the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 may be electrically connected to each other by being connected to the second Y-touch routing wire Y-TL-2 at the boundary between the active area AA and the non-active area NA.
[0158] In addition, two portions of the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 may be electrically connected to each other by a second Y-touch electrode connecting pattern Y-CL-2 disposed in the active area AA.
[0159] For example, the second Y-touch electrode connecting pattern Y-CL-2 may be formed of the second touch sensor metal TSM2.
[0160] Two portions of the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 may be electrically connected to each other by at least one second Y-touch electrode connecting pattern Y-CL-2. For example, the second Y-touch electrode connecting pattern Y-CL-2 may be disposed in a region adjacent to an upper boundary of the sensing unit SU and a region adjacent to a lower boundary of the sensing unit SU, and may be electrically connected to the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2.
[0161] Since two portions of the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 arranged separately from each other are connected at multiple points by the second Y-touch electrode connecting pattern Y-CL-2, an increase in load due to the separated structure of the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 can be prevented.
[0162] The first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 may be electrically connected to the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 in the first sub-area SAA1 through the second sub-area SAA2.
[0163] Since the first Y-touch routing wire Y-TL-1 is extended through the second sub-area SAA2 into the first sub-area SAA1, a portion of the first Y-touch routing wire Y-TL-1 may be disposed at the first boundary BL1.
[0164] A point where the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 is connected to the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 may be located inside the first sub-area SAA1. A point where the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 is connected to the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 may not be located at the boundary between the first sub-area SAA1 and the second sub-area SAA2.
[0165] Since the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 is electrically connected to the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 arranged in the first sub-region SAA1 through the second sub-region SAA2, the touch routing wiring TL can be arranged without increasing the non-active area NA in a structure in which the touch electrode line TEL is divided and arranged in multiple sub-regions SAA.
[0166] Since the area of the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 is reduced by arranging the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 in the second sub-region SAA2, the area of the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 located in the region corresponding to the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 may be made the same or similar to the area of the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2.
[0167] For example, the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 may be arranged separately into two parts similarly to the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2.
[0168] The two portions of the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 may be electrically connected to each other by the first Y-touch electrode connecting pattern Y-CL-1. The first Y-touch electrode connecting pattern Y-CL-1 may prevent a load increase due to a structure in which the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 is separated.
[0169] At least one first dummy electrode DME1 may be disposed between the two portions of the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1.
[0170] The first dummy electrode DME1 may be disposed electrically separated from the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 and the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1.
[0171] The boundary between the first dummy electrode DME1 and the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 may be different from the boundary between the first sub-area SAA1 and the second sub-area SAA2. The boundary between the first dummy electrode DME1 and the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 may be located inside the first sub-area SAA1.
[0172] The first dummy electrode DME1 may be disposed in the first sub-area SAA1 to correspond to a portion of the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 disposed in the second sub-area SAA2. The width of the first dummy electrode DME1 may be the same as or similar to the width of the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1.
[0173] The area of the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 arranged in the first sub-region SAA1 may be reduced to correspond to the degree to which the area of the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 is reduced due to the arrangement of the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 in the second sub-region SAA2. As the area of the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 is reduced, an electrode located in the remaining region may become the first dummy electrode DME1.
[0174] A structure in which the touch sensitivity of the touch electrode line TEL arranged in the first sub-region SAA1 and the touch sensitivity of the touch electrode line TEL arranged in the second sub-region SAA2 are maintained the same or similar and a portion of the touch routing line TL is arranged in the active area AA may be implemented.
[0175] Since the Y-touch routing line Y-TL is disposed along the second direction, a portion of the Y-touch routing line Y-TL may be located on the first boundary BL1.
[0176] The second boundary BL2, which is the boundary in the second direction, divides the first sub-region SAA1 from the third sub-region SAA3, and the second sub-region SAA2 from the fourth sub-region SAA4, so that the Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL arranged along the second direction does not need to be arranged at the second boundary BL2.
[0177] The first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 may be extended into the non-active area NA at the boundary between the active area AA and the non-active area NA and may intersect with the second Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-2. In the area where the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 and the second Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-2 intersect with each other, they may be disposed on different layers.
[0178] As described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch sensor structure can be provided in which the touch electrode line TEL is divided and arranged in a plurality of sub-areas SAA, thereby reducing the load caused by the touch electrode line TEL. Also, a part of the touch routing line TL is arranged in the active area AA, thereby improving the touch sensing performance without increasing the non-active area NA due to the arrangement of the touch routing line TL.
[0179] The touch electrode TE constituting the touch electrode line TEL may be made of a transparent conductive material or an opaque metal material as in the above-mentioned example. When the touch electrode TE is made of an opaque metal material, the touch electrode TE may have an opening in an area corresponding to a light emitting area of the sub-pixel SP so as not to deteriorate the image display performance of the display panel 110. The shape of the touch electrode TE including the opening may vary depending on the type of the sub-pixel SP.
[0180] 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electrode structure constituting a touch sensor structure of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an electrode structure constituting a touch sensor structure in an area indicated by 701 in FIG.
[0181] 8 shows an example of a specific structure of electrodes constituting the body portion TE-a and the wing portion TE-b of the touch electrode TE described above. The electrodes shown in FIG. 8 may be cut in a certain direction to form the body portion TE-a and the wing portion TE-b of the touch electrode TE. In addition, the structure of the touch routing wiring TL electrically connected to the touch electrode TE may also be the same as the structure of the electrodes shown in FIG. 8.
[0182] 8, a structure in which display signal lines DSL for supplying a signal for driving a display to a display panel 110 and a structure in which touch electrodes TE are arranged are exemplarily shown.
[0183] The display signal lines DSL may include a plurality of first display signal lines DSL1 arranged in a first direction and a plurality of second display signal lines DSL2 arranged in a second direction.
[0184] The first display signal line DSL1 may be, for example, a gate line GL or a light emission control line EML, and the second display signal line DSL2 may be, for example, a data line DL or a line supplying at least one of a first driving voltage VDD, a reference voltage Vref, and a second driving voltage VSS.
[0185] The touch electrode TE may, for example, include a first portion TE_f arranged along a first direction, a second portion TE_s arranged along a second direction, and a third portion TE_t arranged along a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction.
[0186] The electrodes constituting the touch electrode TE may be cut in a first direction as shown in the portion indicated by 801, or in a second direction as shown in the portion indicated by 802, in order to form an X-touch electrode X-TE or a Y-touch electrode Y-TE.
[0187] An electrode including a first portion TE_f, a second portion TE_s and a third portion TE_t can be cut in a first direction or a second direction to form a body portion TE-a or a wing portion TE-b of the above-mentioned touch electrode TE.
[0188] Similarly to the touch electrode TE, the touch routing line TL may include at least a first portion TE_f, a second portion TE_s, and a third portion TE_t, and may be cut in a first direction or a second direction.
[0189] The touch electrode TE may include a plurality of open portions, since the touch electrode TE includes the first portion TE_f, the second portion TE_s, and the third portion TE_t arranged in different directions. The shape of the open portion of the touch electrode TE may vary and may be determined according to the shape of the light emitting region of the subpixel SP arranged on the display panel 110.
[0190] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement relationship between electrodes constituting a touch sensor structure and components included in a subpixel SP in a touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 illustrates an example of the structure of electrodes constituting a touch sensor structure in a region indicated by 702 in Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the cross-sectional structure of a portion A-A' illustrated in Fig. 9.
[0191] 9 and 10, a light emitting region of the light emitting element ED arranged in the sub-pixel SP may be located in a region overlapping with the open portion of the touch electrode TE.
[0192] The light-emitting region of the light-emitting element ED may refer to a region where the light-emitting layer EL and the second electrode E2 are arranged overlapping on the first electrode E1 of the light-emitting element ED, or may refer to a region where the bank BNK is not arranged among the regions where the first electrode E1 of the light-emitting element ED is arranged.
[0193] FIG. 9 shows an example of an arrangement of the light-emitting regions of the red sub-pixel SP_r, the green sub-pixel SP_g, and the blue sub-pixel SP_b, but the shape and size of the sub-pixel SP constituting one pixel may vary depending on the display panel 110.
[0194] The first portion TE_f, the second portion TE_s, and the third portion TE_t of the touch electrode TE may be arranged so as to avoid the light emitting region of the sub-pixel SP.
[0195] The touch electrode TE is located between light emitting areas of adjacent sub-pixels SP, and can prevent or minimize the influence of the touch electrode TE on an image viewed depending on a viewing angle.
[0196] The touch electrode TE is disposed to avoid the light emitting region of the sub-pixel SP, so that the touch electrode TE may be disposed to overlap with the specific structure located in the sub-pixel SP.
[0197] As an example, the first portion TE_f of the touch electrode TE arranged along the first direction may be arranged to overlap at least a portion of the contact hole CH for electrical connection between the first electrode E1 of the light-emitting element ED and the thin film transistor TFT in the subpixel SP.
[0198] In FIG. 9 and FIG. 10<EX 1> 2, a multi-buffer layer MB may be disposed on a substrate SUB. The substrate SUB may include, for example, a first polyimide layer PI1, an interlayer polyimide layer IPD, and a second polyimide layer PI2. The multi-buffer layer MB may have a structure in which a plurality of insulating layers are stacked.
[0199] A light-shielding metal layer BSM may be disposed on the multi-buffer layer MB. The light-shielding metal layer BSM may constitute a display signal line DSL or may constitute a part of a storage capacitor Cstg disposed in the sub-pixel SP.
[0200] An active buffer layer AB may be disposed on the light-shielding metal layer BSM.
[0201] An active layer ACT may be arranged on the active buffer layer AB. The active layer ACT may consist of a semiconductor material.
[0202] The active layer ACT can constitute a channel of a thin film transistor TFT, and can be conductorized to constitute a part of a display signal line DSL or a storage capacitor Cstg.
[0203] A gate insulating layer GI may be disposed on the active layer ACT.
[0204] A gate metal layer GAT may be disposed on the gate insulating layer GI. The gate metal layer GAT may constitute a gate electrode of a thin film transistor TFT, or may constitute a display signal line DSL, etc.
[0205] A first interlayer insulating layer ILD1 may be disposed on the gate metal layer GAT.
[0206] A display auxiliary electrode layer TM may be disposed on the first interlayer insulating layer ILD1. The display auxiliary electrode layer TM may be used in various ways, such as to form a part of a display signal line DSL or a storage capacitor Cstg.
[0207] A second interlayer insulating layer ILD2 may be disposed on the display auxiliary electrode layer TM.
[0208] A source-drain metal layer SD may be disposed on the second interlayer insulating layer ILD2. The source-drain metal layer SD may form a source electrode and a drain electrode of a thin film transistor TFT, or may form a display signal line DSL or the like.
[0209] A planarization layer PLN may be disposed on the source-drain metal layer SD.
[0210] A first electrode E1 of the light emitting element ED may be disposed on the planarization layer PLN. The first electrode E1 of the light emitting element ED may be electrically connected to a thin film transistor TFT located under the planarization layer PLN through a contact hole CH formed in the planarization layer PLN. The thin film transistor TFT electrically connected to the first electrode E1 of the light emitting element ED may be, for example, a driving transistor DRT, or may be a transistor that controls the emission timing of the light emitting element ED as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0211] A bank BNK may be disposed on the planarization layer PLN and the first electrode E1 of the light-emitting element ED. The bank BNK may be disposed so as to cover an edge portion of the first electrode E1 of the light-emitting element ED.
[0212] The light emitting layer EL and the second electrode E2 of the light emitting element ED may be disposed on a portion of the first electrode E1 exposed by the bank BNK and on the bank BNK. The portion of the first electrode E1 exposed by the bank BNK may correspond to a light emitting region.
[0213] An encapsulation layer ENCAP may be disposed on the second electrode E2 of the light-emitting element ED. The encapsulation layer ENCAP may include multiple layers. The encapsulation layer ENCAP may include at least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer.
[0214] As an example, the encapsulation layer ENCAP may include a first inorganic encapsulation layer PAS1, an organic encapsulation layer PCL, and a second inorganic encapsulation layer PAS2.
[0215] The inorganic sealing layers PAS1 and PAS2 are, for example, made of silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon oxynitride (SiON), or aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 The organic encapsulation layer PCL may be made of an inorganic insulating material that can be deposited at a low temperature, such as acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyimide, polyethylene, or silicon oxycarbonate (SiOC).
[0216] The encapsulation layer ENCAP can seal the light-emitting element ED and protect the light-emitting element ED from external moisture and air.
[0217] A touch sensor structure for touch sensing may be implemented on the encapsulation layer ENCAP.
[0218] As an example, a touch buffer layer TBUF may be disposed on the encapsulation layer ENCAP. The touch buffer layer TBUF may be an inorganic layer. In some cases, the touch buffer layer TBUF may not be disposed, but may be disposed on the encapsulation layer ENCAP to facilitate the placement of the touch sensor metal TSM.
[0219] A touch insulation layer TILD may be disposed on the touch buffer layer TBUF.
[0220] Although not shown in the example of FIG. 10, a second touch sensor metal TSM2 constituting the touch electrode connecting pattern CL and the like may be disposed between the touch buffer layer TBUF and the touch insulating layer TILD.
[0221] The touch insulation layer TILD may be an inorganic layer, or the touch insulation layer TILD may be an organic layer.
[0222] When the touch insulation layer TILD is an organic layer, the thickness of the touch insulation layer TILD may be greater than the thickness of the touch buffer layer TBUF.
[0223] In addition, when the touch insulating layer TILD is an organic layer,<EX 2> As shown in FIG. 1, a touch insulation buffer layer TIBUF may be further disposed between the touch insulation layer TILD and the touch buffer layer TBUF. In this manner, two or more buffer layers may be disposed between the encapsulation layer ENCAP and the touch insulation layer TILD.
[0224] The touch insulation buffer layer TIBUF may be disposed between the touch insulation layer TILD and the second touch sensor metal TSM2. The touch insulation buffer layer TIBUF may be an inorganic layer. The touch insulation buffer layer TIBUF may be made of the same material as the touch buffer layer TBUF.
[0225] At least a portion of the touch insulation layer TILD may be disposed in contact with an upper surface of the touch insulation buffer layer TIBUF.
[0226] Since the touch insulation buffer layer TIBUF made of an inorganic layer is disposed between the touch insulation layer TILD and the second touch sensor metal TSM2, adhesion of the touch insulation layer TILD which is an organic layer may be made easier.
[0227] The thickness of the touch insulation buffer layer TIBUF may be smaller than the thickness of the touch insulation layer TILD and may be similar to the thickness of the touch buffer layer TBUF.
[0228] The touch electrode TE may be disposed on the touch insulation layer TILD. A first touch sensor metal TSM1 may be disposed on the touch insulation layer TILD to form the touch electrode TE. Also, the first touch sensor metal TSM1 may be disposed on the touch insulation layer TILD to form the touch routing wiring TL.
[0229] Fig. 10 exemplarily illustrates a cross-sectional structure of a portion where the first portion TE_f of the touch electrode TE illustrated in Fig. 9 is arranged. The first portion TE_f of the touch electrode TE may be arranged on the touch insulation layer TILD.
[0230] The first portion TE_f of the touch electrode TE may be disposed to avoid a light emitting region of the light emitting element ED. The first portion TE_f of the touch electrode TE may be disposed in a region overlapping with at least a portion of a contact hole CH for electrical connection between the first electrode E1 of the light emitting element ED and the thin film transistor TFT.
[0231] The first portion TE_f of the touch electrode TE is arranged in a first direction and may be disposed between adjacent display signal lines DSL or overlap a portion of the display signal line DSL.
[0232] Since the touch electrode TE is located in an area overlapping the contact hole CH and is disposed to avoid the light emitting area of the light emitting element ED, a touch sensor structure can be implemented without impeding the image display function of the display panel 110.
[0233] The touch protection layer TPAS is disposed on the touch electrode TE made of the first touch sensor metal TSM1 and can protect the touch electrode TE.
[0234] In this manner, each portion of the electrode constituting the touch electrode TE or the touch routing line TL is disposed in an area that does not overlap with the light-emitting area of the light-emitting element ED disposed in the subpixel SP, and is disposed in a position that minimizes interference with the viewing angle of the light-emitting area, thereby realizing a touch sensor structure that prevents or minimizes degradation of the image display performance of the display panel 110.
[0235] 5 is realized by the touch electrode TE and the touch routing line TL having the above-described electrode structure. As described above, the touch electrode TE may have various structures other than the above-described electrode structure, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to any of the various electrode structures.
[0236] 11 to 13 are diagrams illustrating a specific example in which a touch sensor structure of a touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented in an active area AA of a display panel 110. FIG.
[0237] Fig. 11 shows an example of the structure of the touch electrode TE arranged in an area into which the sub-area SAA is divided in the active area AA of the display panel 110. Fig. 12 shows an example of the structure of the touch routing wiring TL and the dummy electrode DME arranged in the active area AA. Fig. 13 shows an example of the boundary between the touch routing wiring TL and the dummy electrode DME in the active area AA.
[0238] 11, an active area AA of a display panel 110 may be divided into a plurality of sub-areas SAA by a first boundary BL1 and a second boundary BL2. Touch electrode lines TEL arranged in each of the sub-areas SAA may be arranged separately from each other. For convenience of illustration, the schematic diagram showing the overall structure of the display panel 110 in FIG. 11 shows only a portion including a first touch sensor metal TSM1.
[0239] Some of the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in the plurality of sub-areas SAA may be electrically connected to the touch routing lines TL arranged in the non-active area NA at the boundary between the active area AA and the non-active area NA.
[0240] Other parts of the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in the plurality of sub-areas SAA may be electrically connected in the active area AA to touch routing lines TL arranged from the non-active area NA through the active area AA.
[0241] The touch electrode TE constituting the touch electrode line TEL may include at least one body portion TE-a and a plurality of wing portions TE-b.
[0242] The touch electrode line TEL and the touch routing line TL may be implemented by cutting an electrode including a first portion TE_f, a second portion TE_s, and a third portion TE_t along a certain direction.
[0243] For example, the electrodes may be cut at the boundary between the X-touch electrode line X-TEL and the Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL, the electrodes may be cut at the boundary between the touch routing wiring TL, the dummy electrode DME and the touch electrode line TEL, or the electrodes may be cut at the boundary between the sub-areas SAA.
[0244] 11, an electrode may be cut along a first direction at a first boundary BL1, and along a second direction at a second boundary BL2.
[0245] The electrodes may be cut at the first boundary BL1 and the second boundary BL2, and the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in each of the first sub-region SAA1, the second sub-region SAA2, the third sub-region SAA3, and the fourth sub-region SAA4 may be divided.
[0246] The X-touch electrode lines X-TEL and the Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL arranged in each of the sub-areas SAA may also be implemented by cutting the electrodes in the first direction or the second direction.
[0247] The intervals between the touch electrodes TE at the boundaries of the sub-areas SAA may be the same or similar to the intervals between the touch electrodes TE inside the sub-areas SAA. By making the intervals between the cut electrodes substantially the same, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of variations in visibility due to the regions of the display panel 110.
[0248] The touch routing lines TL and the dummy electrodes DME may also be implemented by cutting the electrodes in a similar manner to that of the touch electrode lines TEL.
[0249] 12, a portion indicated by 1201 shows an example of an area in which the first dummy electrodes DME1 are arranged in the first sub-area SAA1, and a portion indicated by 1202 shows an example of an area in which the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 is arranged in the second sub-area SAA2.
[0250] The electrodes arranged in the second sub-area SAA2 may be cut, and the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 may be arranged.
[0251] The first Y-touch routing wire Y-TL-1 may be located between two portions of the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 in the second sub-area SAA2.
[0252] The electrodes arranged in the first sub-region SAA1 may be cut and at least one first dummy electrode DME1 may be arranged. The at least one first dummy electrode DME1 may be located in a region in the first sub-region SAA1 corresponding to a region in which the first Y-touch routing line Y-TL-1 is arranged in the second sub-region SAA2.
[0253] The first dummy electrode DME1 may be located between the first Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL-1 in the first sub-region SAA1. The first dummy electrode DME1 may be separated into a plurality of pieces as illustrated in FIG. 12 so that a defect does not occur even if a part of the first dummy electrode DME1 is short-circuited.
[0254] A first dummy electrode DME1 electrically isolated from the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 may be located between the first Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL-1 in the first sub-region SAA1. A first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 electrically isolated from the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 may be located between the second Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL-2 in the second sub-region SAA2.
[0255] The first dummy electrode DME1 and the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 may be arranged to correspond to each other. The width of the area where the first dummy electrode DME1 is arranged may be the same as or similar to the width of the area where the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 is arranged. That is, the lower touch sensor unit may have an area through which the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 of the upper touch sensor unit passes, and the upper touch sensor unit may be provided with the first dummy electrode DME1 in an area corresponding to the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 arranged in the lower touch sensor unit.
[0256] In the second sub-area SAA2, an electrode portion between the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 and the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 may be cut, and at least one second dummy electrode DME2 may be disposed.
[0257] The second dummy electrode DME2 may be disposed electrically separated from the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 and the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2.
[0258] The first dummy electrode DME1 may be located in a portion of the first sub-region SAA1 corresponding to a region in the second sub-region SAA2 in which the second dummy electrode DME2 is arranged. A portion of the first dummy electrode DME1 may be arranged to correspond to the second dummy electrode DME2.
[0259] The second dummy electrode DME2 may be arranged to prevent or reduce a decrease in visibility due to the arrangement of the touch electrode line TEL, or to prevent a short circuit between the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 and the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2.
[0260] A first dummy electrode DME1 may be arranged in a corresponding region in the first sub-region SAA1 and the second sub-region SAA2, or a first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 and a second dummy electrode DME2 may be arranged. The areas of the regions in which the Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL are arranged in each of the first sub-region SAA1 and the second sub-region SAA2 may be the same or similar. A distance between two portions of the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 arranged separately on both sides of the first dummy electrode DME1 in the first sub-region SAA1 may be the same or similar to a distance between two portions of the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 arranged separately on both sides of the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 in the second sub-region SAA2.
[0261] The first dummy electrode DME1 and the second dummy electrode DME2 may be arranged by cutting the electrodes similarly to the touch electrode line TEL or the touch routing wiring TL. The dummy electrode DME may be arranged by cutting the electrodes in a first direction or a second direction similarly to the touch electrode line TEL.
[0262] Alternatively, at least one of the first dummy electrode DME1 and the second dummy electrode DME2 may be arranged by cutting the electrode in a direction different from the direction in which the touch electrode line TEL and the touch routing line TL are cut.
[0263] For example, the touch electrode line TEL and the touch routing wiring TL may be arranged with the electrodes cut in the first direction or the second direction as in the above example. Meanwhile, the first dummy electrode DME1 and the second dummy electrode DME2 may be arranged with the electrodes cut along a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction. Both sides of each of the first dummy electrode DME1 and the second dummy electrode DME2 may be cut along a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction.
[0264] As an example, the electrode may be cut in a diagonal direction at the boundary between the dummy electrode DME and the touch electrode line TEL or the touch routing wiring TL, and the dummy electrode DME may be arranged. Both sides of the dummy electrode DME may be cut along the diagonal direction. When the boundary of the dummy electrode DME is cut in a diagonal direction, the area of the end of the dummy electrode DME may be larger than the area of the end of the touch electrode line TEL or the end of the touch routing wiring TL.
[0265] A boundary between the touch electrode lines TEL and a boundary between the touch electrode line TEL and the touch routing line TL may be in a form in which the electrode is cut along the first direction or the second direction.
[0266] The boundary between the dummy electrode DME and the touch electrode line TEL, the boundary between the dummy electrode DME and the touch routing line TL, and the boundary between the dummy electrodes DME may be cut along a third direction (e.g., a diagonal direction) different from the first direction and the second direction.
[0267] At a boundary of the dummy electrode DME, the dummy electrode DME may have a shape in which the electrode is cut in a diagonal direction. At a boundary between the dummy electrode DME and the touch electrode line TEL or the touch routing line TL, the touch electrode line TEL or the touch routing line TL may include a protruding portion protruding toward the dummy electrode DME and having a shape in which the electrode is cut in a diagonal direction.
[0268] By making the cutting direction of the boundary of the dummy electrode DME different from the cutting direction of the boundary of the touch electrode line TEL or the touch routing line TL, it is possible to facilitate a repair process in an inspection process of the touch sensor structure.
[0269] As an example, if there is a short circuit between electrodes at a boundary where an electrode is cut in a first or second direction, the area in question is a boundary between touch electrode lines TEL or a boundary between a touch electrode line TEL and a touch routing wiring TL, so a repair process is required to disconnect the short circuited portion.
[0270] In the case where there is a short-circuit between electrodes at a boundary where the electrodes are cut in the diagonal direction, at least one of the short-circuited electrodes is a dummy electrode DME, so that the structure of the touch sensor can be prevented from being affected by not disconnecting the short-circuited portion. Therefore, the inspection process can be completed without performing a repair process. In this case, the dummy electrode DME may be disposed in the active area AA in a structure connected to the touch electrode line TEL or the touch routing wiring TL.
[0271] In this way, by arranging the dummy electrodes DME, the area of the touch electrode lines TEL can be made uniform and the visibility can be improved. Also, by making the cutting direction at the boundary of the dummy electrodes DME different from the cutting direction at the boundary of the touch electrode lines TEL, etc., the efficiency of the inspection process can be improved.
[0272] Although the above example describes the case where the dummy electrodes DME are disposed in the region corresponding to the touch routing line TL or around the touch routing line TL, the dummy electrodes DME may be disposed inside the touch electrode line TEL or in the boundary region between the touch electrode lines TEL, and in this case, the dummy electrodes DME may be uniformly disposed in each region.
[0273] The boundary between the first dummy electrode DME1 arranged in the first sub-region SAA1 and the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 electrically connected to the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 in the first sub-region SAA1 may also be cut in a similar manner.
[0274] Referring to FIG. 13, 1301 indicates the boundary between the first Y-touch routing line Y-TL-1 and the first dummy electrode DME1.
[0275] The boundary between the first Y-touch routing line Y-TL-1 and the first dummy electrode DME1 may be in a form in which the electrode is cut in a diagonal direction.
[0276] Alternatively, in some cases, the boundary between the first Y-touch routing line Y-TL-1 and the first dummy electrode DME1 may be cut along the first direction. Since the first dummy electrode DME1 is arranged in a plurality of separate pieces, only the boundary between the first Y-touch routing line Y-TL-1 and the first dummy electrode DME1 closest to the first dummy electrode DME1 does not have to be cut in the diagonal direction.
[0277] Since the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 is electrically connected to the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 arranged in the first sub-region SAA1, a boundary between the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 and the first dummy electrode DME1 may be different from a boundary between the first sub-region SAA1 and the second sub-region SAA2. For example, the boundary between the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 and the first dummy electrode DME1 may be located inside the first sub-region SAA1.
[0278] The first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 may be directly connected to the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 inside the first sub-area SAA1. Since the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 and the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 are both made of the first touch sensor metal TSM1, they may be directly connected to each other.
[0279] Alternatively, the first Y-touch routing wire Y-TL-1 may be electrically connected to the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 by a first Y-touch electrode connection pattern Y-CL-1 formed of the second touch sensor metal TSM2.
[0280] The first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 and the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 may be electrically connected to each other by a first Y-touch electrode connecting pattern Y-CL-1 located above the first boundary BL1. Two portions of the second Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-2 arranged in the second sub-region SAA2 may be electrically connected to each other by a second Y-touch electrode connecting pattern Y-CL-2 located below the first boundary BL1.
[0281] When the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 and the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 are connected by the first Y-touch electrode connection pattern Y-CL-1, the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 and the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 may be connected to or separated from each other in the layer in which the first touch sensor metal TSM1 is disposed.
[0282] When the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 and the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 are disposed separately on a layer on which the first touch sensor metal TSM1 is disposed, a boundary between the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 and the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 may have a diagonal shape. Even if the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 made of the first touch sensor metal TSM1 and the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 are short-circuited, a repair process for disconnection is not required, so for process convenience, in a process of cutting the dummy electrode DME, the boundary between the first Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL-1 made of the first touch sensor metal TSM1 and the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 may be cut in a diagonal direction.
[0283] In this manner, the first Y-touch routing wire Y-TL-1 and the first Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL-1 may be electrically connected to each other in various forms in the first sub-area SAA1.
[0284] 14 is a diagram illustrating a specific example in which a touch sensor structure of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented in a peripheral region of a boundary between an active area AA and a non-active area NA of a display panel 110. FIG 14 illustrates a specific structure in which a second touch sensor metal TSM2 is disposed in the region indicated by 703 in FIG 7 .
[0285] Referring to FIG. 14, an example of the structure of the second touch sensor metal TSM2 disposed in an area including one sensing unit SU at one side boundary of the active area AA is shown.
[0286] An X-touch electrode connection pattern X-CL for connecting the X-touch electrode X-TE may be disposed in the active area AA. The X-touch electrode connection pattern X-CL may be connected to an X-touch electrode contact pad X-CP located outside the active area AA. The X-touch electrode contact pad X-CP may be connected to an X-touch routing wiring X-TL.
[0287] At least one Y-touch electrode connecting pattern Y-CL made of a second touch sensor metal TSM2 may be disposed in an area adjacent to an upper boundary and a lower boundary of the sensing unit SU.
[0288] The Y-touch electrode connection pattern Y-CL may electrically connect two portions of the Y-touch electrode line Y-TEL separated by the Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL or the first dummy electrode DME1 to each other.
[0289] Two or more Y-touch electrode connecting patterns Y-CL may be arranged in one sensing unit SU, and may be arranged at various positions. The Y-touch electrode connecting pattern Y-CL connects the separated Y-touch electrodes Y-TE on the upper and lower sides of each sensing unit SU, thereby making the Y-touch electrode Y-TE similar to a structure in which it is not separated.
[0290] Since the Y-touch electrode connection patterns Y-CL are located at the upper and lower boundaries of the sensing units SU, the separated points of the X-touch electrode contact pads X-CP connected to the X-touch electrode lines X-TEL may be located between the adjacent Y-touch electrode connection patterns Y-CL.
[0291] As an example, as shown by 1401, the boundary between the X-touch electrode contact pads X-CP may be the same as the boundary of the sensing unit SU.
[0292] Since the Y-touch electrode connecting patterns Y-CL are arranged on both sides of the boundary of the sensing unit SU, the boundary between the X-touch electrode contact pads X-CP may be located between the adjacent Y-touch electrode connecting patterns Y-CL.
[0293] In the layer where the second touch sensor metal TSM2 is arranged, a Y-auxiliary routing pattern Y-TLP may be arranged in an area other than the area where the X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL and the Y-touch electrode connecting pattern Y-CL are arranged.
[0294] The Y-sub-routing pattern Y-TLP may be disposed separately from the X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL and the Y-touch electrode connecting pattern Y-CL. The Y-sub-routing pattern Y-TLP is electrically connected to the Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL that overlaps it, and can reduce the resistance of the Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL disposed in the active area AA.
[0295] The second touch sensor metal TSM2 arranged in the area overlapping with the first dummy electrode DME1 may be arranged in a similar form to the first dummy electrode DME1 to configure a dummy pattern DMP.
[0296] In the layer where the second touch sensor metal TSM2 is arranged, a dummy pattern DMP may be arranged in an area other than the area where the X-touch electrode connecting pattern X-CL, the Y-touch electrode connecting pattern Y-CL, and the Y-auxiliary routing pattern Y-TLP are arranged. By arranging the dummy pattern DMP in the area overlapping with the touch electrode line TEL, it is possible to prevent the variation in visibility between the area where the touch routing wiring TL and the auxiliary routing pattern TLP are arranged to overlap.
[0297] Since only the X-touch routing wiring X-TL for driving the X-touch electrode line X-TEL arranged in the corresponding sub-area SAA is arranged in the boundary regions on both sides of the active area AA, the arrangement of the X-touch routing wiring X-TL may be facilitated. The X-touch routing wiring X-TL may be formed of at least one of the first touch sensor metal TSM1 and the second touch sensor metal TSM2, and may be embodied in a form that reduces wiring resistance.
[0298] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a specific example in which a touch sensor structure of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented between the active area AA and the dam DM of the non-active area NA of the display panel 110. As shown in FIG.
[0299] 15, at least one dam DM may be disposed in a non-active area NA of the display panel 110. The at least one dam DM may be disposed to surround the active area AA. The at least one dam DM may be located on the outer periphery of the encapsulation layer ENCAP. The at least one dam DM may be a part of the encapsulation layer ENCAP.
[0300] The touch routing wirings TL may be located inside at least one dam DM in the non-active area NA. The touch routing wirings TL may be located between the active area AA and at least one dam DM in an area other than the pad area PA.
[0301] Since the plurality of touch routing lines TL are located inside at least one dam DM, the touch routing lines TL can be arranged while minimizing an increase in the non-active area NA.
[0302] At least one shield line SHL may be disposed surrounding at least a portion of the plurality of touch routing lines TL. The shield line SHL may be located between an outermost touch routing line TL of the plurality of touch routing lines TL and a dam DM.
[0303] The shield line SHL may be made of the same material as the touch routing line TL. For example, the shield line SHL may be made of at least one of a first touch sensor metal TSM1 and a second touch sensor metal TSM2.
[0304] The shield line SHL may be grounded, or a signal different from the signal supplied through the touch routing line TL may be supplied to the shield line SHL.
[0305] Since the shield line SHL is disposed surrounding the outside of the touch routing line TL, it is possible to block external noise and prevent or reduce the influence of external noise on the signal of the touch routing line TL.
[0306] At least one guard line GUL may be disposed between the touch routing line TL and the shield line SHL.
[0307] The guard line GUL may be made of the same material as the touch routing line TL. For example, the guard line GUL may be made of at least one of the first touch sensor metal TSM1 and the second touch sensor metal TSM2.
[0308] Since the guard line GUL is located between the touch routing line TL and the shield line SHL, it is possible to prevent parasitic capacitance from being formed between the touch routing line TL and the shield line SHL. Since the parasitic capacitance between the touch routing line TL and the shield line SHL is blocked, it is possible to prevent fluctuations in the signal or voltage state of the shield line SHL from affecting the touch routing line TL.
[0309] The guard line GUL may be supplied with a signal corresponding to a signal applied to a touch routing line TL located closest to the guard line GUL among the plurality of touch routing lines TL. The guard line GUL may be supplied with a signal corresponding to a signal applied to a touch routing line TL located at the outermost edge of the plurality of touch routing lines TL.
[0310] A signal corresponding to a signal applied to the touch routing line TL may mean a signal having at least one of the frequency, amplitude, and phase of the signal applied to the touch routing line TL that is the same as that of the signal applied to the touch routing line TL.
[0311] For example, the guard line GUL may be supplied with the same signal at the same timing as the signal applied to the touch routing line TL located closest to the guard line GUL. Parasitic capacitance is not formed between the touch routing line TL located closest to the guard line GUL and the guard line GUL. Indirect noise due to the shield line SHL may be blocked by the guard line GUL.
[0312] In this way, the shield line SHL may block external noise from having a direct effect on the touch routing line TL. Also, the guard line GUL may block indirect noise from the shield line SHL from having an effect on the touch routing line TL. The shield line SHL and the guard line GUL may prevent or reduce noise in a signal detected through the touch routing line TL, and may also prevent or reduce signal deviation due to the position of the touch routing line TL.
[0313] At least one of the shield line SHL and the guard line GUL may be arranged separately in the non-active area NA.
[0314] As an example, the shield line SHL and the guard line GUL may be arranged separately on an extension of the second boundary BL2, as in the portion indicated by 1501.
[0315] The touch electrode lines TEL arranged in the first sub-region SAA1 and the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in the third sub-region SAA3 may be arranged separately from each other and driven independently. There may be a slight difference in driving timing of the touch routing lines TL that supply signals to the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in the first sub-region SAA1 and the third sub-region SAA3.
[0316] A guard line GUL to which a signal corresponding to a signal applied to the touch routing line TL is supplied may be arranged separately in accordance with the sub-area SAA driven by the touch routing line TL.
[0317] As an example, the guard lines GUL located on the first sub-region SAA1 and second sub-region SAA2 side of the display panel 110 are closest to the touch routing line TL that drives the first sub-region SAA1, and therefore may be arranged to surround the outside of the first sub-region SAA1.
[0318] The guard lines GUL located on the third sub-region SAA3 and fourth sub-region SAA4 side of the display panel 110 are closest to the touch routing line TL that drives the third sub-region SAA3, and therefore may be arranged to surround the outside of the third sub-region SAA3.
[0319] Each of the guard lines GUL located on both sides of the display panel 110 may be supplied with a signal corresponding to the signal applied to the touch routing line TL in accordance with the timing at which a signal is applied to the adjacent touch routing line TL.
[0320] Since the touch electrode lines TEL arranged in the active area AA are divided into the sub-areas SAA and driven, noise to the touch routing lines TL driving each sub-area SAA can be more accurately blocked.
[0321] The above example is an example in which the guard lines GUL are separated in a structure in which the active area AA is divided into four sub-areas SAA, but the guard lines GUL may be separated and arranged in various ways depending on the separation structure of the sub-areas SAA.
[0322] Furthermore, the shield lines SHL positioned outside the guard lines GUL may also be arranged separately in accordance with the structure in which the guard lines GUL are separated.
[0323] As one example, the shield line SHL may be arranged so as to be separated on an extension line of the second boundary BL2, or in some cases, the shield line SHL may be arranged without being separated.
[0324] The grounded shield line SHL is disposed to surround the wiring disposed in the non-active area NA to block external noise. The guard line GUL disposed adjacent to the touch routing line TL is disposed separately to correspond to the touch routing line TL or the sub-area SAA driven by the touch routing line TL to block parasitic capacitance between the wirings to enhance the effect of blocking noise.
[0325] At least some of the touch routing lines TL, the guard lines GUL, and the shield lines SHL arranged in the non-active area NA are electrically connected to pads arranged in the pad area PA and can receive signals.
[0326] 16 and 17 are diagrams illustrating a specific example in which a touch sensor structure of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented in a non-active area NA including a pad area PA of a display panel 110. FIGS. 18 and 19 are diagrams illustrating examples of cross-sectional structures of portions CC' and DD' shown in FIG. 16.
[0327] 16 and 17, a pad area PA in which a plurality of pads are arranged may be located on at least one side of a display panel 110.
[0328] A plurality of display pads DSP electrically connected to wiring that supplies signals for driving the display, and a plurality of touch pads TP electrically connected to wiring that supplies signals for touch sensing may be arranged in the pad area PA.
[0329] A plurality of touch routing lines TL may extend from the active area AA to the non-active area NA and pass over the dam DM. The touch routing lines TL may pass over the dam DM and be electrically connected to the touch pads TP disposed in the pad area PA.
[0330] A plurality of display signal lines DSL may be arranged extending from the active area AA to the non-active area NA. The display signal lines DSL may be arranged under the dam DM since they are located under the encapsulation layer ENCAP. In FIG. 16, the portion indicated by 1601 is an area where a plurality of display signal lines DSL are densely arranged. The display signal lines DSL may be electrically connected to display pads DSP arranged in the pad area PA.
[0331] Between the dam DM and the pad area PA, various wirings or patterns made of the same material as the display signal lines DSL or the touch routing wiring TL may be arranged.
[0332] For example, a test line DEL for testing the display signal line DSL may be disposed between the dam DM and the pad area PA. The test line DEL may be made of at least a part of the same material as that constituting the display signal line DSL. The test line DEL can detect whether or not there is a defect in the display signal line DSL.
[0333] A wiring protection pattern LP may be disposed between the dam DM and the pad area PA. The wiring protection pattern LP may be made of at least a part of the same material as that constituting the touch electrode TE or the touch routing wiring TL. For example, the wiring protection pattern LP may be disposed on a wiring or pattern that supplies various power sources (e.g., VDD, VSS, Vref, etc.) for driving the display, and may protect the wiring or pattern. The wiring protection pattern LP may also constitute a part of the wiring or pattern that supplies various power sources for driving the display.
[0334] At least a portion of each of the display pads DSP and the touch pads TP may be disposed using the material constituting the touch electrodes TE and the touch routing lines TL. At least a portion of each of the display pads DSP and the touch pads TP may be disposed using the material constituting the display signal lines DSL.
[0335] A pad portion made of a material forming the touch electrode TE and the touch routing line TL and a pad portion made of a material forming the display signal line DSL are electrically connected in a pad area PA to form various pads.
[0336] In the pad area PA, a pad portion made of a material constituting the touch routing line TL and the like and a pad portion made of a material constituting the display signal line DSL may be electrically connected through a contact hole CH. Alternatively, various insulating layers may not be disposed in the pad area PA for electrical connection between both pad portions.
[0337] As an example, the portion indicated by 1602 is a region between the first touch sensor metal TSM1 and the second touch sensor metal TSM2 where the touch insulation layer TILD is not disposed. The touch sensor metal TSM may be in contact with a pad portion made of the same material as the display signal line DSL in the region where the touch insulation layer TILD is not disposed, thereby forming a touch pad TP.
[0338] The planar structure in which the display pad and the touch pad TP are arranged may vary depending on the position of the pad area PA.
[0339] 17, the pad area PA may be divided corresponding to the sub-area SAA of the active area AA. For example, the pad area PA may include four pad areas PA1, PA2, PA3, and PA4.
[0340] A gate pad GP for supplying signals or voltages related to driving the gate driving circuit 120, a data pad DP for supplying signals or voltages related to driving the data driving circuit 130, and a touch pad TP may be arranged in the first pad area PA1.
[0341] The touch pad TP arranged in the first pad area PA1 may be electrically connected to an X-touch routing wiring X-TL that drives the X-touch electrode lines X-TEL arranged in the first sub-area SAA1 and the second sub-area SAA2. In some cases, a part of the touch pad TP arranged in the first pad area PA1 may be electrically connected to a Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL that drives the Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL arranged in the first sub-area SAA1 and the second sub-area SAA2.
[0342] At least a portion of the touch pad TP arranged in the first pad area PA1 may be arranged symmetrically with the display pad DSP. As an example, the touch pad TP may be arranged symmetrically with the gate pad GP. In this case, the touch routing line TL connected to the touch pad TP may be arranged symmetrically with the display signal line DSL connected to the gate pad GP. Thus, the intervals between adjacent touch routing lines TL may be different, as indicated by 1603 in FIG. 16 .
[0343] A data pad DP and a touch pad TP that supply signals or voltages related to driving the data driving circuit 130 may be arranged in the second pad area PA2 and the third pad area PA3.
[0344] The touch pads TP arranged in the second pad area PA2 and the third pad area PA3 may be arranged symmetrically. A data pad DP may be arranged between a part and the rest of the symmetrically arranged touch pads TP.
[0345] The touch pad TP arranged in the second pad area PA2 may be electrically connected to a Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL that drives the Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL arranged in the first sub-area SAA1 and the second sub-area SAA2. The touch pad PA arranged in the third pad area PA3 may be electrically connected to a Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL that drives the Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL arranged in the third sub-area SAA3 and the fourth sub-area SAA4.
[0346] In some cases, a portion of the touch pad TP disposed in the second pad area PA2 may be electrically connected to a Y-touch routing line Y-TL that drives the third sub-area SAA3 and the fourth sub-area SAA4, and a portion of the touch pad TP disposed in the third pad area PA3 may be electrically connected to a Y-touch routing line Y-TL that drives the first sub-area SAA1 and the second sub-area SAA2.
[0347] In some cases, a portion of the touch pad TP arranged in the second pad area PA2 may be electrically connected to an X-touch routing wiring X-TL that drives the X-touch electrode lines X-TEL arranged in the first sub-area SAA1 and the second sub-area SAA2. A portion of the touch pad TP arranged in the third pad area PA3 may be electrically connected to an X-touch routing wiring X-TL that drives the X-touch electrode lines X-TEL arranged in the third sub-area SAA3 and the fourth sub-area SAA4.
[0348] A touch pad TP, a data pad DP, and a gate pad GP may be arranged in the fourth pad area PA4. The pads arranged in the fourth pad area PA4 may be arranged symmetrically to the pads arranged in the first pad area PA1.
[0349] The touch pad TP arranged in the fourth pad area PA4 may be electrically connected to the X-touch routing wiring X-TL that drives the X-touch electrode lines X-TEL arranged in the third sub-area SAA3 and the fourth sub-area SAA4. In some cases, a part of the touch pad TP arranged in the fourth pad area PA4 may be electrically connected to the Y-touch routing wiring Y-TL that drives the Y-touch electrode lines Y-TEL arranged in the third sub-area SAA3 and the fourth sub-area SAA4.
[0350] When the gate driving circuits 120 are arranged on both sides of the display panel 110, the gate pads GP may be arranged in the first pad area PA1 and the fourth pad area PA4.
[0351] The data pads DP and the touch pads TP may be distributed in different regions inside the gate pad GP and may be electrically connected to the data lines DL or the touch routing lines TL arranged in the active area AA.
[0352] In addition to the above examples, the pads arranged in the pad area PA may be arranged in various structures for efficient connection with the display signal lines DSL and the touch routing wiring TL.
[0353] The various pads disposed in the pad area PA may be disposed with materials disposed in two or more metal layers connected to each other to reduce resistance.
[0354] The touch routing line TL may be electrically connected to the auxiliary routing pattern TLP at at least one point and may be extended to the pad area PA.
[0355] Since the touch insulation layer TILD is not disposed in the pad area PA, the touch routing wiring TL may be disposed along the inclined surface of the touch insulation layer TILD in an area adjacent to the pad area PA. The touch insulation layer TILD may be made of an organic layer and have a constant thickness, and the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the touch insulation layer TILD may be large.
[0356] The embodiment of the present disclosure can prevent defects from occurring in the touch routing wiring TL arranged on the inclined surface of the touch insulation layer TILD by adjusting the inclination angle of the side surface of the touch insulation layer TILD in an area adjacent to the pad area PA.
[0357] Referring to Figure 18, an example of a cross-sectional structure of a CC' portion where the touch routing line TL and the touch pad TP are arranged in the planar structure shown in Figure 16, and an example of a cross-sectional structure of a D-D' portion where the touch routing line TL is not arranged and a display pad DSP is arranged are shown.
[0358] A first planarization layer PLN1, a touch buffer layer TBUF, and a touch insulation layer TILD may be disposed in an area adjacent to an area where the touch pad TP is disposed.
[0359] A touch routing line TL may be disposed on the touch insulation layer TILD. Since the touch routing line TL is disposed along an inclined surface of the touch insulation layer TILD and connected to the touch pad TP, a certain interval may exist between an area where the touch insulation layer TILD is disposed and an area where the touch pad TP is disposed.
[0360] As an example, the distance between the touch insulation layer TILD overlapping the touch routing line TL and the pad area PA may be larger than the distance between the touch insulation layer TILD located in an area other than the area where the touch routing line TL is arranged and the pad area PA. By increasing the distance between the touch insulation layer TILD and the pad area PA, a structure may be provided in which the touch routing line TL arranged on the touch insulation layer TILD can be arranged along a gentler inclined surface of the touch insulation layer TILD.
[0361] A second planarization layer PLN2, a touch buffer layer TBUF, and a touch insulation layer TILD may be disposed in an area adjacent to an area where the display pad DSP is disposed. A wiring protection pattern LP may be disposed on the touch insulation layer TILD.
[0362] Since the touch routing wiring TL is not disposed on the touch insulation layer TILD, the touch insulation layer TILD may be disposed up to an area very close to the display pad DSP. The touch insulation layer TILD may be located on the display signal line DSL connected to the display pad DSP.
[0363] The inclination angle of the side surface of the first planarization layer PLN1 located in a region where the touch routing line TL is arranged and the inclination angle of the side surface of the second planarization layer PLN2 located in a region where the touch routing line TL is not arranged may be different from each other.
[0364] As an example, the inclination angle θ1 of a first side surface of the first planarization layer PLN1 facing the touch pad TP may be smaller than the inclination angle θ2 of a second side surface of the second planarization layer PLN2 facing the display pad DSP.
[0365] The touch insulation layer TILD disposed on the first planarization layer PLN1 and the touch insulation layer TILD disposed on the second planarization layer PLN2 may be disposed by the same process. As an example, the touch insulation layer TILD disposed in two regions may be disposed by a full-tone mask process. In this case, the touch insulation layer TILD disposed on the first planarization layer PLN1 and the second planarization layer PLN2 may be disposed with a constant thickness.
[0366] For example, the thickness Th1 of the touch insulation layer TILD disposed on the first planarization layer PLN1 may be the same as or similar to the thickness Th2 of the touch insulation layer TILD disposed on the second planarization layer PLN2. The thickness Th1 of the touch insulation layer TILD overlapping the first planarization layer PLN1 may be the same as or similar to the thickness Th3 of the touch insulation layer TILD located outside the first planarization layer PLN1.
[0367] Since the touch insulation layer TILD is disposed on the first planarization layer PLN1 with a constant thickness, the inclination angle θ3 of the side of the touch insulation layer TILD disposed on the first planarization layer PLN1 may be greater than or equal to the inclination angle θ1 of the first side of the first planarization layer PLN1.
[0368] Even if the inclination angle θ3 of the side surface of the touch insulation layer TILD is equal to or larger than the inclination angle θ1 of the first side surface of the first planarization layer PLN1, the inclination angle θ1 of the first side surface of the first planarization layer PLN1 is smaller than the inclination angle θ2 of the second side surface of the second planarization layer PLN2, so that the inclination angle of the inclination surface of the touch insulation layer TILD determined by the inclination angle of the inclination surface of the planarization layer PLN may be small. As an example, the inclination angle of the inclination surface of the touch insulation layer TILD overlapping with the first side surface of the first planarization layer PLN1 may be small. In addition, the inclination angle of the inclination surface of the touch insulation layer TILD located outside the first side surface of the first planarization layer PLN1 may also be small. As a result, the inclination angle θ3 of the side surface of the touch insulation layer TILD may be smaller than the inclination angle θ2 of the second side surface of the second planarization layer PLN2.
[0369] Since the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the touch insulation layer TILD is reduced, the inclined surface of the touch insulation layer TILD on which the touch routing line TL is disposed may become gentler. A residual film of a photoresist may be prevented from being generated during processing due to a steeply inclined surface of the touch insulation layer TILD. A short circuit failure of the touch routing line TL disposed on the inclined surface of the touch insulation layer TILD due to a residual film of the photoresist may be prevented. A disconnection or crack failure of the touch routing line TL may also be prevented from being generated due to a steeply inclined surface of the touch insulation layer TILD.
[0370] In addition, the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the pad protective layer PCP adjacent to the touch pad TP and the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the pad protective layer PCP adjacent to the display pad DSP may be different from each other.
[0371] As an example, the inclination angle θ4 of the inclined surface of the pad protection layer PCP arranged on the edge portion of the touch pad TP may be smaller than the inclination angle θ5 of the inclined surface of the pad protection layer PCP arranged on the edge portion of the display pad DSP.
[0372] Since the inclination of the pad protective layer PCP disposed at the edge of the touch pad TP is gentle, the occurrence of defects in the touch routing line TL connected to the touch pad TP through the pad protective layer PCP can be prevented.
[0373] The pad protection layer PCP arranged at the edge portion of the display pad DSP is arranged in an area where the touch insulation layer TILD is not arranged, and can protect the display signal line DSL located under the pad protection layer PCP.
[0374] As an example, at least a portion of the pad protection layer PCP may be disposed in a region between the touch insulation layer TILD and the pad area PA on the display signal line DSL. The touch insulation layer TILD may be disposed in a region between the second planarization layer PLN2 and the pad protection layer PCP on the display signal line DSL. The display signal line DSL, which is disposed extending from under the second planarization layer PLN2 to the pad area PA, may be protected by the touch insulation layer TILD and the pad protection layer PCP.
[0375] The touch pad TP and the display pad DSP may be arranged using one or more metal layers including a first touch sensor metal TSM1 constituting the touch routing wiring TL. For example, each of the touch pad TP and the display pad DP may be arranged such that the first touch sensor metal TSM1, the source drain metal layer SD, and the gate metal layer GAT are electrically connected to each other.
[0376] Each of the touch pad TP and the display pad DSP may be electrically connected to a pad on the film COF on which the touch driving circuit 150 and the data driving circuit 130 are mounted, and may be electrically connected to each driving circuit.
[0377] Since the touch pad TP and the display pad DSP are each disposed in an area where the touch insulation layer TILD is not disposed, the step between the touch pad TP and the surrounding area is small, and therefore the efficiency of the process of bonding the touch pad TP and the display pad DSP to the pads on the film COF can be improved.
[0378] In this manner, the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the planarization layer PLN located under the touch insulation layer TILD in which the touch routing line TL is disposed can be adjusted, thereby preventing defects in the touch routing line TL.
[0379] Moreover, the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the touch insulation layer TILD can be reduced, and the inclination surface of the touch insulation layer TILD on which the touch routing wiring TL is arranged can be made gentler.
[0380] Referring to FIG. 19, the inclination angle θ1 of the first side of the first planarization layer PLN1 located under the touch routing line TL may be smaller than the inclination angle θ2 of the second side of the second planarization layer PLN2 located in an area where the touch routing line TL is not arranged.
[0381] A touch insulation layer TILD may be disposed between the first planarization layer PLN1 and the touch routing wiring TL. The touch insulation layer TILD may be disposed along the inclined surface of the first planarization layer PLN1.
[0382] At least a portion of the touch insulation layer TILD located outside the first planarization layer PLN1 may be disposed by a half-tone mask process.
[0383] For example, a full-tone mask may be applied to a region overlapping with the first planarization layer PLN1, and a half-tone mask may be applied to a region outside the first planarization layer PLN1.
[0384] The thickness of the portion of the touch insulation layer TILD formed by the half-tone mask process may be gradually reduced. As an example, in the touch insulation layer TILD disposed on the first planarization layer PLN1, the thickness Th3 of the portion disposed by applying the half-tone mask may be smaller than the thickness Th1 of the portion disposed by applying the full-tone mask. Since the touch insulation layer TILD disposed on the second planarization layer PLN2 is disposed by applying the full-tone mask, the thickness Th2 may be the same as or similar to the thickness Th1 of the touch insulation layer TILD overlapping the first planarization layer PLN1 and may be larger than the thickness Th3 of the touch insulation layer TILD located in the outer region of the first planarization layer PLN1. Since the touch insulation layer TILD is disposed with a reduced thickness outside the first planarization layer PLN1, the touch insulation layer TILD may be disposed in a gently inclined structure. The inclination angle θ3 of the inclined surface of the touch insulation layer TILD located outside the first planarization layer PLN1 may be smaller than the inclination angle θ1 of the first side surface of the first planarization layer PLN1.
[0385] By reducing the inclination angle of the first side surface of the first planarization layer PLN1 and the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the touch insulation layer TILD located outside the first planarization layer PLN1, the inclination surface of the touch insulation layer TILD located under the touch routing line TL can become gentler overall.
[0386] The touch routing line TL arranged along the inclined surface of the touch insulating layer TILD and connected to the touch pad TP of the pad area PA can be prevented from being short-circuited with the adjacent touch routing line TL or from being defective.
[0387] The above-described embodiment of the present disclosure can be briefly described as follows.
[0388] The touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of light-emitting elements ED arranged in an active area AA of a display panel 110, an encapsulation layer ENCAP arranged on the plurality of light-emitting elements ED, a plurality of touch electrodes TE arranged on the encapsulation layer ENCAP, a plurality of touch routing wirings TL electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes TE and extended to a pad area PA located outside the encapsulation layer ENCAP, a touch insulation layer TILD arranged in at least a portion of an area below the plurality of touch routing wirings TL, and a planarization layer PLN located between the active area AA and the pad area PA and below the touch insulation layer TILD.
[0389] Among the side surfaces of the planarization layer PLN facing the pad area PA, the inclination angle of a first side surface overlapping with the multiple touch routing lines TL may be smaller than the inclination angle of a second side surface located in at least a portion of an area other than the area in which the multiple touch routing lines TL are arranged.
[0390] The inclination angle of the side surface of the touch insulation layer TILD overlapping the first side surface of the planarization layer PLN and facing the pad area PA may be equal to or larger than the inclination angle of the first side surface of the planarization layer PLN. The inclination angle of the side surface of the touch insulation layer TILD overlapping the first side surface of the planarization layer PLN and facing the pad area PA may be smaller than the inclination angle of the second side surface of the planarization layer PLN.
[0391] Alternatively, the inclination angle of the side surface of the touch insulation layer TILD that overlaps the first side surface of the planarization layer PLN and faces the pad area PA may be smaller than the inclination angle of the first side surface of the planarization layer PLN.
[0392] The distance between the touch insulation layer TILD arranged overlapping the first side of the planarization layer PLN and the pad area PA may be larger than the distance between the touch insulation layer TILD arranged overlapping the second side of the planarization layer PLN and the pad area PA.
[0393] The touch insulation layer TILD may be disposed surrounding the planarization layer PLN in the area between the active area AA and the pad area PA.
[0394] The touch insulation layer TILD may be disposed in an area other than the pad area PA.
[0395] The touch display device 100 may further include a pad protection layer PCP disposed so as to surround edge portions of the pads disposed in the pad area PA.
[0396] The pad protection layer PCP may be made of the same material as the planarization layer PLN.
[0397] At least a portion of the pad protection layer PCP may be disposed under the multiple touch routing lines TL.
[0398] At least a portion of the pad protection layer PCP may be located below the planarization layer PLN and disposed over a plurality of display signal lines DSL arranged to extend into the pad area PA.
[0399] At least a portion of the pad protection layer PCP may be disposed covering the multiple display signal lines DSL in the area between the touch insulation layer TILD and the pad area PA.
[0400] A touch insulation layer TILD may be disposed on portions of the plurality of display signal lines DSL disposed in the area between the planarization layer PLN and the pad protection layer PCP.
[0401] The touch display device 100 may further include a touch buffer layer TBUF disposed between the planarization layer PLN and the touch insulation layer TILD.
[0402] The touch display device 100 may further include a touch insulation buffer layer TIBUF disposed between the touch buffer layer TBUF and the touch insulation layer TILD.
[0403] The thickness of the touch insulation layer TILD may be greater than the thickness of the touch buffer layer TBUF and the thickness of the touch insulation buffer layer TIBUF.
[0404] The touch insulation layer TILD may be an organic layer, and the touch buffer layer TBUF and the touch insulation buffer layer TIBUF may be inorganic layers.
[0405] The touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a plurality of touch electrodes TE arranged in an active area AA of a display panel 110; a plurality of touch routing wirings TL electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes TE and arranged to extend to a pad area PA located outside the active area AA; a plurality of display signal lines DSL arranged to extend from outside the active area AA to the pad area PA; and a planarization layer PLN arranged outside the active area AA overlapping with at least a portion of the plurality of touch routing wirings TL and the plurality of display signal lines DSL, the planarization layer PLN overlapping with the plurality of touch routing wirings TL and having a tilt angle of a first side surface facing the pad area PA that overlaps with the plurality of display signal lines DSL and is smaller than a tilt angle of a second side surface facing the pad area PA.
[0406] The touch display device 100 may further include a touch insulation layer TILD located between the planarization layer PLN and the multiple touch routing lines TL, overlapping the touch routing lines TL, and having a tilt angle of a side surface facing the pad area PA that is smaller than the tilt angle of a second side surface of the planarization layer PLN.
[0407] The above description is merely an illustrative description of the technical idea of the present disclosure, and a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present disclosure. In addition, the examples shown in the present disclosure are for the purpose of illustrating, not limiting, the technical idea of the present disclosure, and such examples do not limit the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure. The scope of protection of the present disclosure should be interpreted by the appended claims, and any technical idea within the equivalent range should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the rights of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A plurality of light emitting elements disposed in an active area of a display panel; an encapsulation layer disposed over the plurality of light emitting devices; a plurality of touch electrodes disposed on the encapsulation layer; a plurality of touch routing lines electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes and extending to a pad region located outside the encapsulation layer; a touch insulation layer disposed under at least a portion of the touch routing traces; and a planarization layer located between the active area and the pad area and below the touch insulation layer; Among the side surfaces of the planarization layer facing the pad region and not overlapping the sealing layer, a first side surface overlapping the plurality of touch routing wirings has an inclination angle smaller than a second side surface located in at least a part of an area other than an area in which the plurality of touch routing wirings are arranged; A touch display device, wherein a tilt angle of a side of the touch insulation layer that overlaps the first side of the planarization layer, does not overlap the sealing layer, and faces the pad area is greater than or equal to a tilt angle of the first side of the planarization layer and smaller than a tilt angle of the second side of the planarization layer.
2. 2 . The touch display device according to claim 1 , wherein a distance between the touch insulating layer arranged to overlap the first side surface of the planarization layer and the pad area is greater than a distance between the touch insulating layer arranged to overlap the second side surface of the planarization layer and the pad area.
3. The touch display device according to claim 1 , wherein the touch insulation layer is disposed surrounding the planarization layer in the area between the active area and the pad area.
4. The touch display device according to claim 1 , wherein the touch insulation layer is disposed in an area other than the pad area.
5. The touch display device according to claim 1 , further comprising a pad protection layer disposed around an edge portion of the pad disposed in the pad area.
6. The touch display device as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the pad protection layer is made of the same material as the planarization layer.
7. The touch display device according to claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the pad protection layer is disposed under the plurality of touch routing lines.
8. The touch display device as claimed in claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the pad protection layer is located under the planarization layer and disposed on a plurality of display signal lines extending to the pad area.
9. The touch display device according to claim 8 , wherein the at least a portion of the pad protection layer is disposed to cover the plurality of display signal lines in an area between the touch insulation layer and the pad area.
10. The touch display device according to claim 8 , wherein the touch insulation layer is disposed on portions of the plurality of display signal lines disposed in an area between the planarization layer and the pad protection layer.
11. The touch display device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a touch buffer layer disposed between the planarization layer and the touch insulation layer.
12. The touch display device of claim 11 , further comprising a touch insulation buffer layer disposed between the touch buffer layer and the touch insulation layer.
13. The touch display device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein a thickness of the touch insulation layer is greater than a thickness of the touch buffer layer and a thickness of the touch insulation buffer layer.
14. The touch display device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the touch insulating layer is an organic layer, and the touch buffer layer and the touch insulating buffer layer are inorganic layers.
15. a plurality of touch electrodes disposed in an active area of a display panel; a plurality of touch routing lines electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes and extending to a pad area located outside the active area; a plurality of display signal lines arranged to extend to the pad area outside the active area; a planarization layer disposed outside the active area overlapping the plurality of touch routing traces and at least a portion of the plurality of display signal lines, the planarization layer having a first side that overlaps the plurality of touch routing traces, does not overlap an encapsulation layer, and faces the pad area with a smaller inclination angle than a second side that overlaps the plurality of display signal lines, does not overlap the encapsulation layer, and faces the pad area; and a touch insulating layer located between the planarization layer and the plurality of touch routing wirings, the touch insulating layer overlapping the plurality of touch routing wirings, not overlapping the sealing layer, and having a side surface facing the pad region with an inclination angle that is equal to or larger than the inclination angle of the first side surface of the planarization layer and smaller than the inclination angle of the second side surface of the planarization layer; A touch display device comprising: