Touch panel and display device

Abstract

To provide a touch panel and a display device capable of accurately detecting a touch position.SOLUTION: A touch panel includes a plurality of touch electrodes arranged in a matrix in a first direction and in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The touch electrode has a length of at least 1.5 times a distance between itself and other touch electrode adjacent to it in the first direction or the second direction. The length is in a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction at the touch electrode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a touch panel and a display device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, tablet terminals, smartphones, etc. are provided with a touch panel that detects the position of a touch by a user by detecting a change in capacitance. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a capacitive touch sensor that detects a touch position with high accuracy. This touch sensor includes a plurality of conductive sensor elements, and each sensor element has a plurality of main branch portions and a plurality of sub-branch portions. In order to improve the detection accuracy between two adjacent sensor elements, the sub-branch portions of two adjacent sensor elements among the plurality of sensor elements are alternately arranged.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Even in the touch sensor described in Patent Document 1, the detection accuracy of the touch position is not always sufficient.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a touch panel and a display device capable of improving the detection accuracy of a touch position.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch panel including a plurality of touch electrodes arranged in a matrix in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the touch electrodes have a length that is 1.5 times or more the distance from other adjacent touch electrodes in the first direction or the second direction, and the length is the length in the direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction at the touch electrodes.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch panel including a plurality of first touch electrodes each extending in a first direction and a plurality of second touch electrodes each extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the width of the first touch electrodes in the second direction is longer than the distance from other adjacent first touch electrodes, and the width of the second touch electrodes in the first direction is longer than the distance from other adjacent second touch electrodes.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device including the touch panel and a display panel provided on the back side of the touch panel.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] The touch panel and the display device according to the present invention can increase the number of touch electrodes included in the touch area, and as a result, can accurately detect the touch position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Elements having the same functions throughout the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] [First Embodiment] The display device 1 according to the first embodiment is a so-called touch display, and is applied to, for example, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a notebook computer, a bank ATM, a ticket vending machine, an unmanned reception device, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the display device 1 includes a display panel 10, a gate driving circuit 20, a data driving circuit 30, a display controller 40, a touch panel 50, and a touch sensing circuit 60.

[0013] The display panel 10 displays information. The display panel 10 is, for example, an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) panel, but may be constituted by other display panels such as a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display). The display panel 10 has a rectangular display screen for displaying information, and is provided on the back side of the touch panel 50. The display panel 10 has a plurality of sub-pixels (not shown) of each color such as RGB. The plurality of sub-pixels are driven by the gate driving circuit 20 and the data driving circuit 30.

[0014] The gate driving circuit 20 is connected to the sub-pixels via a gate line, and selects the sub-pixels by switching the gate transistors of the sub-pixels via the gate line.

[0015] The data driving circuit 30 is connected to the sub-pixels via a data line, and causes the sub-pixels to emit light by applying a voltage to the sub-pixels via the data line.

[0016] The display controller 40 controls the gate driving circuit 20 and the data driving circuit 30. The display controller 40, for example, controls the gate driving circuit 20 to select sub-pixels, and then controls the data driving circuit 30 to cause the sub-pixels selected by the gate driving circuit 20 to emit light. Thereby, the display panel 10 displays information from the back side to the front side of the touch panel 50.

[0017] The touch panel 50 detects touches by the user. The touch panel 50 is a self-capacitance type touch panel that detects an increase in the capacitance of the touch electrodes 52 described later when touched by a conductor such as a touch pen or a human finger. The touch panel 50 is formed in a rectangular shape having the same size as the display screen of the display panel 10 and is provided on the display screen of the display panel 10. The touch panel 50 may be manufactured separately from the display panel 10 and then attached to the display panel 10, or may be laminated within the display panel 10.

[0018] Here, the horizontal direction of the touch panel 50 is referred to as the X direction (first direction), the vertical direction of the touch panel 50 is referred to as the Y direction (second direction), and the direction orthogonal to the operation surface of the touch panel 50 is referred to as the Z direction.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the touch panel 50 includes a base material 51, a plurality of touch electrodes 52, and a plurality of signal lines 53.

[0020] The base material 51 is, for example, a film-like (plate-like) member formed of a dielectric such as glass or a transparent resin. A plurality of touch electrodes 52 are formed on the base material 51.

[0021] The plurality of touch electrodes 52 detect being touched by a conductor such as a touch pen or a human finger. The plurality of touch electrodes 52 are patterned on the base material 51 by a transparent conductive thin film such as ITO (indium tin oxide) or IZO (indium zinc oxide). As a method of patterning the touch electrodes 52 on the base material 51, for example, photolithography technology, screen printing technology, inkjet printing technology, or the like can be considered. Note that in FIG. 2, for easy understanding of the invention, the schematic configuration of the touch electrodes 52 is illustrated.

[0022] The plurality of signal lines 53 electrically connect the plurality of touch electrodes 52 and the touch sensing circuit 60. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of signal lines 53 individually connect each of the touch electrodes 52 and the touch sensing circuit 60.

[0023] The touch sensing circuit 60 determines the touch position by the user, and includes a touch driving circuit 61 and a touch controller 62.

[0024] The touch driving circuit 61 is an example of a detection circuit, and detects changes in the capacitance (self-capacitance) of each of a plurality of touch electrodes 52. The touch driving circuit 61 detects, for example, a voltage change or a frequency change of the plurality of touch electrodes 52 via a signal line 53, via the signal line 53. The touch driving circuit 61 outputs the detected voltage change or frequency change to the touch controller 62.

[0025] The touch controller 62 determines the touch position by the user. The touch controller 62 determines, for example, the presence or absence and position of the touch by the user based on the output value output from the touch driving circuit 61. The touch controller 62 compares, for example, the output value output from the touch driving circuit 61 with a predetermined threshold value, and determines that a touch has been made when the output value is equal to or greater than the threshold value. On the other hand, the touch controller 62 determines that no touch has been made when the output value is less than the threshold value. The touch controller 62 outputs the position of the XY coordinates of the touch panel 50 of the touched touch electrode 52 as touch position data. In addition, the touch controller 62 can determine the touch position between a plurality of adjacent touch electrodes 52 by calculating the output values of the plurality of adjacent touch electrodes 52. Here, as long as at least three adjacent touch electrodes 52 are included in the touch area, the touch controller 62 can determine the touch position between the adjacent touch electrodes 52 in each of the X direction and the Y direction.

[0026] The display device 1 configured as described above has features in the plurality of touch electrodes 52 that make up the touch panel 50. Hereinafter, the plurality of touch electrodes 52 will be described in detail.

[0027] The touch electrode 52 is configured to include, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of spiral patterns 521 and connection patterns 522. In this example, one touch electrode 52 is configured to include four spiral patterns 521.

[0028] The four spiral patterns 521 are each formed in the same spiral shape in a plan view. Here, the plan view means visual recognition from the Z direction orthogonal to the operation surface of the touch panel 50.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the four spiral patterns 521 are arranged in respective four regions R1 to R4 obtained by equally dividing the touch electrode 52 along the X direction and the Y direction. That is, the four spiral patterns 521 are arranged in four regions R1 to R4 provided in a matrix along the X direction and the Y direction. In other words, two spiral patterns 521 are arranged side by side in each of the X direction and the Y direction.

[0030] The spiral pattern 521 is spirally wound starting from the center C. A gap G is formed between two adjacent circumferential portions 521a of the spiral pattern 521. The gap G also forms a spiral shape in the plan view. As will be described later, the spiral pattern 521 of another adjacent touch electrode 52 can be arranged in the gap G.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the line width of the spiral pattern 521 is formed thinner as the distance from the central portion M of the touch electrode 52 increases. That is, the line width of the spiral pattern 521 is formed thicker as it approaches the central portion M of the touch electrode 52. In other words, the spiral pattern 521 has a wide portion 521b in which the width of the circumferential portion 521a is widely formed, and this wide portion 521b is located on the central portion M side of the touch electrode 52. Here, the central portion M of the touch electrode 52 is the center in the X direction of the touch electrode 52 and is also the center in the Y direction of the touch electrode 52.

[0032] The connection pattern 522 connects four spiral patterns 521. The connection pattern 522 is disposed at the central portion M of the touch electrode 52 and has a first extending portion 522a and a second extending portion 522b.

[0033] The first extending portion 522a extends along the X direction and is linearly formed. The first extending portion 522a has the spiral pattern 521 of the region R2 connected to one end in the X direction and the spiral pattern 521 of the region R3 connected to the other end in the X direction.

[0034] The second extending portion 522b is integrally formed with the first extending portion 522a, extends along the Y direction, and is linearly formed. The second extending portion 522b intersects the first extending portion 522a at the central portion M and forms a + (plus) shape together with the first extending portion 522a. The second extending portion 522b has the spiral pattern 521 of the region R1 connected to one end in the Y direction and the spiral pattern 521 of the region R4 connected to the other end in the Y direction.

[0035] The line width of the connection pattern 522 is formed thinner as the distance from the central portion M of the touch electrode 52 increases. For example, the first extending portion 522a is formed thinner as the distance from the central portion M increases along the X direction. That is, the first extending portion 522a is formed thinner at the tip than at the central portion M in the X direction. The second extending portion 522b is formed thinner as the distance from the central portion M increases along the Y direction. That is, the second extending portion 522b is formed thinner at the tip than at the central portion M in the Y direction. The connection pattern 522 electrically connects the four spiral patterns 521 included in the regions R1 to R4 by the first extending portion 522a and the second extending portion 522b.

[0036] The touch electrode 52 configured as described above has a ratio of the conductive thin film occupying per unit area of the central portion M of the touch electrode 52 being larger than the ratio of the conductive thin film occupying per unit area of the peripheral portion located around the central portion M. That is, the closer to the central portion M the touch electrode 52 is, the higher the area ratio of the conductive thin film, and the farther from the central portion M, the lower the area ratio of the conductive thin film. Thereby, the touch electrode 52 can have a higher sensitivity at the central portion M than at the peripheral portion of the touch electrode 52, and as a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the spiral pattern 521 has a circumferential portion 521a extending spirally from the center C, and a gap G is provided between the inner circumferential portion 521a and the outer circumferential portion 521a. In the four regions R1 to R4, a part of the spiral pattern 521 of another adjacent touch electrode 52 is arranged in the gap G. That is, in the gap G between two adjacent circumferential portions 521a, 521a included in the spiral pattern 521, the circumferential portion 521a of another touch electrode 52 is arranged. And in the four regions R1 to R4, the circumferential portions 521a of the four spiral patterns 521 in the four touch electrodes 52 adjacent in the X direction, Y direction, and diagonal direction (the diagonal direction of the rectangular touch electrode 52) are each electrically independent. Thus, the four regions R1 to R4 include the circumferential portions 521a of the spiral patterns 521 of the four different touch electrodes 52 in a state where they are each electrically independent.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the plurality of touch electrodes 52 are each arranged in a matrix at intervals of a distance P along the X direction and the Y direction. That is, the plurality of touch electrodes 52 are arranged at intervals of a distance P along the X direction and also at intervals of the same distance P as in the X direction along the Y direction. The distance P is the interval for arranging the plurality of touch electrodes 52 along the X direction and is also the interval for arranging the plurality of touch electrodes 52 along the Y direction. The plurality of touch electrodes 52 are each electrically independent. That is, each touch electrode 52 is not electrically connected to other touch electrodes 52.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, when the length in the direction intersecting the X direction and the Y direction in the touch electrode 52 is defined as length L, the touch electrode 52 has a length L that is 1.5 times or more the distance P from another adjacent touch electrode 52 in the X direction or the Y direction. That is, in a plan view, the maximum length L in the direction intersecting the X direction and the Y direction of the touch electrode 52 is 1.5 times or more the distance P from another adjacent touch electrode 52. In other words, the touch electrode 52 has an outer shape formed in a rectangular shape, and the length L in the diagonal direction of the touch electrode 52 is 1.5 times or more the distance P from another adjacent touch electrode 52. Thus, the touch electrode 52 is formed such that the length in the diagonal direction is longer compared to the distance P from the adjacent touch electrode 52. Thereby, the touch electrode 52 can include another adjacent touch electrode 52 in a common area also in the diagonal direction of the touch electrode 52 in addition to the X direction and the Y direction. Thereby, the touch electrode 52 can increase the number of touch electrodes 52 included in the touch area, and as a result, the touch position can be accurately detected. Note that the distance P between the touch electrodes 52 adjacent in the X direction and the distance P between the touch electrodes 52 adjacent in the Y direction are typically the same distance, but are not limited thereto, and the distance P may be different in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. Also, the diagonal direction is the direction intersecting the X direction and the Y direction, and is typically the intersecting direction inclined 45° with respect to the X direction and the Y direction.

[0040] In such a touch electrode 52, each of the four regions R1 to R4 provided in a matrix along the X direction and the Y direction includes four spiral patterns 521 in four adjacent touch electrodes 52. That is, region R1 includes the spiral patterns 521 of four touch electrodes 52 adjacent to each other in the X direction, the Y direction, and the diagonal direction. That is, region R1 includes a total of four spiral patterns 521 in different touch electrodes 52. And, in region R1, the spiral patterns 521 of the four different touch electrodes 52 are included in a state where each is electrically independent of other spiral patterns 521. Similarly for regions R2 to R4, the spiral patterns 521 of the four different touch electrodes 52 are included in a state where each is electrically independent of other spiral patterns 521.

[0041] And, the plurality of spiral patterns 521 in a plurality of adjacent touch electrodes 52 share a center C. That is, in the four regions R1 to R4, the four spiral patterns 521 in four adjacent touch electrodes 52 are formed in a spiral around a common center C, and each is electrically independent. For example, in region R1, the four spiral patterns 521 in four touch electrodes 52 adjacent in the X direction, the Y direction, and the diagonal direction are formed in a spiral around the common center C included in region R1, and each is electrically independent. Similarly for regions R2 to R4, the four spiral patterns 521 in four touch electrodes 52 adjacent in the X direction, the Y direction, and the diagonal direction are formed in a spiral around the common center C included in regions R2 to R4, and each is electrically independent.

[0042] The touch panel 50 is configured such that, in the touch panel 50, by configuring a plurality of touch electrodes 52 as described above, a region including at least three different touch electrodes 52 inside a circle with a diameter of 5 mm occupies more than 1 / 2 of the entire touch panel 50. In this case, the distance P representing the interval between the touch electrodes 52 is, for example, 7 mm, and the diagonal length L of the touch electrodes 52 is, for example, 18 mm.

[0043] Next, a comparative example of the electric field strength of the touch electrode 52 according to the first embodiment and the electric field strength of the touch electrodes 91 and 92 according to the comparative example will be described.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the electric field strength of the touch electrode 52 according to the first embodiment. The four diagrams on the right side of FIG. 5 facing the paper surface are enlarged diagrams of the region E (the region E composed of vertices E1, E2, E3, and E4) with respect to the touch electrodes 52a to 52d in the diagram on the left side facing the paper surface. The region E includes four spiral patterns 521 in the four touch electrodes 52a to 52d. In the touch electrode 52a located in the upper left of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the upper left to the lower right of the region E. In the touch electrode 52b located in the upper right of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the upper right to the lower left of the region E. In the touch electrode 52c located in the lower left of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the lower left to the upper right of the region E. In the touch electrode 52d located in the lower right of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the lower right to the upper left of the region E.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the number of touch electrodes 52 in a predetermined region of the touch electrode 52 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, the number of touch electrodes 52 detectable in region E is illustrated as "1" to "4". In FIG. 6, when the number of touch electrodes 52 is one, it is illustrated as "1", when the number of touch electrodes 52 is two, it is illustrated as "2", and similarly, when there are three and four, they are illustrated as "3" and "4". The same illustration is also made for FIGS. 8, 10, 16, 24, 26, 28, and 35 below. As shown in FIG. 6, the touch electrode 52 has three to four detectable touch electrodes 52 over a wide range of region E. Thus, since the touch panel 50 according to the first embodiment includes three or more touch electrodes 52 over a wide range of region E, the touch position can be detected two-dimensionally, and thereby the touch position can be accurately detected. Note that, for example, when the number of touch electrodes included in region E is two or less, the touch position can only be detected one-dimensionally, and in this case, the detection accuracy of the touch position may decrease.

[0046] Since the touch panel 50 according to the first embodiment has a large number of touch electrodes 52 included in region E, the error between the actual touch position and the touch position data can be reduced. As a result of actually measuring the error, it can be seen that the touch panel 50 according to the first embodiment has an average error of 0.016 mm in the XY coordinates between the actual touch position and the touch position data, and the error is small. Thus, since the touch panel 50 according to the first embodiment can increase the number of touch electrodes 52 included in the touch region, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the electric field strength of the touch electrode 91 according to the comparative example. The touch electrode 91 shown in FIG. 7 is formed in a square shape and arranged in a matrix along the X direction and the Y direction. The four diagrams on the right side of FIG. 7 facing the paper surface are enlarged diagrams of the regions E with respect to the touch electrodes 91a to 91d in the diagram on the left side facing the paper surface. The region E includes a part of each of the four touch electrodes 91a to 91d. In the touch electrode 91a located in the upper left of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the upper left to the lower right of the region E. In the touch electrode 91b located in the upper right of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the upper right to the lower left of the region E. In the touch electrode 91c located in the lower left of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the lower left to the upper right of the region E. In the touch electrode 91d located in the lower right of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the lower right to the upper left of the region E.

[0048] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the number of touch electrodes 91 occupying a predetermined region according to the comparative example. As shown in FIG. 8, in the central part of the region E, the number of detectable touch electrodes 91 is 3 to 4, but in the relatively wide peripheral part of the region E, the number of touch electrodes 91 is 1 to 2. Thus, compared with the touch electrode 52 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the region where the number of touch electrodes 91 is 3 to 4 is reduced.

[0049] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the electric field strength of the touch electrode 92 according to the comparative example. The touch electrode 92 shown in FIG. 9 is formed in a diamond shape and arranged in a matrix along the X direction and the Y direction. The touch electrodes 92 adjacent in the X direction are included in a common area, and the touch electrodes 92 adjacent in the Y direction are included in a common area. The four diagrams on the right side of FIG. 9 facing the paper surface are enlarged diagrams of the region E with respect to the touch electrodes 92a to 92d in the diagram on the left side facing the paper surface. The region E includes a part of each of the four touch electrodes 92a to 92d. In the touch electrode 92 located in the upper left of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the upper left to the lower right of the region E. In the touch electrode 92 located in the upper right of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the upper right to the lower left of the region E. In the touch electrode 92 located in the lower left of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the lower left to the upper right of the region E. In the touch electrode 92 located in the lower right of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the lower right to the upper left of the region E.

[0050] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the number of touch electrodes 92 occupying a predetermined region according to the comparative example. As shown in FIG. 10, in the central part of the region E, the number of detectable touch electrodes 92 is 3 to 4, but in the peripheral part of the region E, the number of touch electrodes 92 is 1 to 2. Thus, compared with the touch electrode 52 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the region where the number of touch electrodes 92 is 3 to 4 is reduced for the touch electrode 92. Thus, in the touch panel according to the comparative example, since the number of touch electrodes 92 included in the region E is small, the error between the actual touch position and the touch position data tends to be large. As a result of actually measuring the error, it can be seen that the touch panel according to the comparative example has an average error in the XY coordinates between the actual touch position and the touch position data of 0.098 mm to 0.422 mm, which is larger than the average error (0.016 mm) of the touch electrode 52 according to the first embodiment.

[0051] As described above, the touch panel 50 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of touch electrodes 52 arranged in a matrix in the X direction and the Y direction intersecting the X direction. The touch electrode 52 has a length L that is 1.5 times or more the distance P from another adjacent touch electrode 52 in the X direction or the Y direction. This length L is the length in the direction intersecting the X direction and the Y direction in the touch electrode 52.

[0052] With this configuration, the touch panel 50 can extend the touch electrodes 52 along the direction (diagonal direction) intersecting the X direction and the Y direction. As a result, the touch panel 50 can include adjacent touch electrodes 52 in a common area also in the diagonal direction in addition to the X direction and the Y direction. Thereby, the touch panel 50 can increase the number of touch electrodes 52 included in the touch area without increasing the total number of touch electrodes 52 included in the touch panel 50. As a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0053] In the touch panel 50, the touch electrode 52 includes a pattern having a gap G in a plan view, and a part of the pattern of another adjacent touch electrode 52 is arranged in the gap G. With this configuration, the touch panel 50 can include the patterns of a plurality of touch electrodes 52 in a common area while being electrically independent of the patterns of other adjacent touch electrodes 52.

[0054] In the touch panel 50, each of the four regions R1 to R4 obtained by equally dividing the touch electrodes 52 along the X direction and the Y direction includes four patterns of four touch electrodes 52 adjacent to each other. With this configuration, the touch panel 50 can increase the number of touch electrodes 52 included in the touch area. As a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0055] In the touch panel 50, the pattern is a spiral pattern 521 extending spirally from a predetermined center C in a plan view. With this configuration, the touch panel 50 can include the patterns of a plurality of touch electrodes 52 in a common area.

[0056] In the touch panel 50, the plurality of spiral patterns 521 of a plurality of adjacent touch electrodes 52 share a center C. With this configuration, the touch panel 50 can efficiently include the patterns of the plurality of touch electrodes 52 in a common area.

[0057] In the touch panel 50, circumferential portions 521a of other touch electrodes 52 are arranged in a gap G between two adjacent circumferential portions 521a included in the spiral pattern 521. With this configuration, the touch panel 50 can include the spiral patterns 521 of the plurality of touch electrodes 52 in a common area while being electrically independent of the spiral patterns 521 of other adjacent touch electrodes 52.

[0058] In the touch panel 50, the touch electrode 52 has four spiral patterns 521 arranged in a matrix in the X direction and the Y direction, and a connection pattern 522 that is arranged at the central portion M of the touch electrode 52 and connects the four spiral patterns 521. With this configuration, the touch panel 50 can electrically connect the four spiral patterns 521 by the connection pattern 522.

[0059] In the touch panel 50, the line widths of each of the spiral pattern 521 and the connection pattern 522 are formed thinner as the distance from the central portion M increases. With this configuration, the touch panel 50 can increase the area ratio of the touch electrode 52 the closer it is to the central portion M of the touch electrode 52. Thereby, the touch panel 50 can increase the sensitivity of the central portion M compared to the peripheral portion of the touch electrode 52, and as a result, can accurately detect the touch position.

[0060] In the touch panel 50, the area including at least three touch electrodes 52 inside a circle with a diameter of 5 mm occupies more than 1 / 2 of the entire touch panel 50. With this configuration, the touch panel 50 can increase the touch area including many touch electrodes 52, and as a result, can accurately detect the touch position.

[0061] [Second Embodiment] Next, the touch panel 50A according to the second embodiment will be described. The touch panel 50A according to the second embodiment is different from the touch panel 50 according to the first embodiment in that the pattern of the touch electrodes 54 is a mosaic pattern 541.

[0062] The touch panel 50A is a self-capacitance type touch panel that detects an increase in capacitance when touched by a conductor such as a touch pen or a human finger. The touch panel 50A includes a plurality of touch electrodes 54. The touch electrodes 54 are configured to include, for example, a mosaic pattern 541 as shown in FIG. 11.

[0063] The mosaic pattern 541 is a pattern including a plurality of electrode pieces 541a having a predetermined shape. In the mosaic pattern 541, for example, the electrode pieces 541a are formed in a rectangular shape, and the respective electrode pieces 541a are arranged so as to form a predetermined pattern. The mosaic pattern 541 is formed, for example, to include a plurality of electrode pieces 541a and a plurality of gaps G in a predetermined rectangular region. And in the mosaic pattern 541, the respective electrode pieces 541a are electrically connected.

[0064] In the mosaic pattern 541, the number of electrode pieces 541a per unit area decreases as the distance from the central portion M of the mosaic pattern 541 increases. That is, in the mosaic pattern 541, the number of electrode pieces 541a per unit area increases as the distance from the central portion M of the mosaic pattern 541 decreases. In other words, the closer to the central portion M, the higher the area ratio of the conductive thin film in the mosaic pattern 541, and the farther from the central portion M, the lower the area ratio of the conductive thin film. Thereby, the touch electrode 54 having the mosaic pattern 541 can increase the sensitivity of the central portion M compared to the peripheral portion of the touch electrode 54, and as a result, the touch position can be accurately detected. Here, the central portion M is the center in the X direction of the mosaic pattern 541 and the center in the Y direction of the mosaic pattern 541.

[0065] In the four regions R1 to R4 of the mosaic pattern 541, electrode pieces 541a of the mosaic pattern 541 of other touch electrodes 54 adjacent to the gap G are arranged in the gap G. And in the four regions R1 to R4, the four mosaic patterns 541 in the four touch electrodes 54 adjacent in the X direction, the Y direction, and the diagonal direction (the diagonal direction of the rectangular touch electrode 54) are each electrically independent. That is, the mosaic patterns 541 of the four touch electrodes 54 adjacent in the X direction, the Y direction, and the diagonal direction are not electrically connected to each other. In this way, in the four regions R1 to R4, the mosaic patterns 541 of the four different touch electrodes 54 are each included in an electrically independent state.

[0066] The plurality of touch electrodes 54 are each arranged in a matrix at intervals of a distance P along the X direction and the Y direction, as shown in FIG. 12, for example. That is, the plurality of touch electrodes 54 are arranged at intervals of a distance P along the X direction, and are arranged at intervals of the same distance P as the X direction along the Y direction. The plurality of touch electrodes 54 are each electrically independent. That is, each touch electrode 54 is not electrically connected to other touch electrodes 54.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 11, when the length of the touch electrode 54 in the direction intersecting the X direction and the Y direction is defined as length L, the touch electrode 54 has a length L that is 1.5 times or more the distance P from another adjacent touch electrode 54 in the X direction or the Y direction. That is, in a plan view, the maximum length L of the touch electrode 54 in the direction intersecting the X direction and the Y direction is 1.5 times or more the distance P from another adjacent touch electrode 54. In other words, the touch electrode 54 is formed such that the electrode piece 541a and the gap G are included in a rectangular region, and the length L in the diagonal direction of the touch electrode 54 is 1.5 times or more the distance P from another adjacent touch electrode 54. Thus, the touch electrode 54 is formed to have a longer length in the diagonal direction compared to the distance P from the adjacent touch electrode 54. Thereby, the touch electrode 54 can include the adjacent touch electrode 54 in a common region also in the diagonal direction in addition to the X direction and the Y direction. Thereby, the number of touch electrodes 54 included in the touch region can be increased, and as a result, the touch position can be accurately detected. Note that the distance P between the touch electrodes 54 adjacent in the X direction and the distance P between the touch electrodes 54 adjacent in the Y direction are typically the same distance, but are not limited thereto, and the distance P may be different in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0068] In such a touch electrode 54, each of four regions R1 to R4 provided in a matrix along the X direction and the Y direction includes the mosaic pattern 541 of four touch electrodes 54 adjacent to each other. That is, the region R1 includes the mosaic pattern 541 of four touch electrodes 54 adjacent to each other in the X direction, the Y direction, and the diagonal direction. That is, the region R1 includes a total of four mosaic patterns 541 in different touch electrodes 54. And the region R1 includes the mosaic patterns 541 of four different touch electrodes 54 in a state where each is electrically independent of other mosaic patterns 541. Similarly for the regions R2 to R4, the mosaic patterns 541 of four different touch electrodes 54 are included in a state where each is electrically independent of other mosaic patterns 541.

[0069] The mosaic pattern 541 of the touch electrode 54 is wired in two layers at the intersection Q (see FIG. 12) where it intersects with the mosaic patterns 541 of other touch electrodes 54. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the intersection Q in FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 13. The plurality of mosaic patterns 541 are formed in the same layer (upper layer side) on the base material 51. That is, the mosaic pattern 541 and other mosaic patterns 541 are formed on the surface (same surface) 51a of the base material 51. At the intersection Q, the electrode pieces 541a adjacent to each other with the electrode piece 541b of another mosaic pattern 541 in between are connected via the bridge wiring 542a. This bridge wiring 542a is formed across the electrode piece 541b of another mosaic pattern 541, and electrically connects the electrode piece 541a located on one side with the electrode piece 541b in between and the electrode piece 541a located on the other side with the electrode piece 541b in between. The bridge wiring 542a is formed on the lower layer side of the base material 51 than the electrode piece 541a and is formed by bypassing the other electrode piece 541b. In this way, a plurality of adjacent electrode pieces 541a of the mosaic pattern 541 are connected to each other via the bridge wiring 542a formed in a layer different from the layer of the electrode piece 541a at the intersection Q where it intersects with another mosaic pattern 541.

[0070] By configuring the plurality of touch electrodes 54 as described above, in the touch panel 50A, a region including at least three different touch electrodes 54 inside a circle with a diameter of 5 mm occupies more than 1 / 2 of the entire touch panel 50A. In this case, the distance P representing the interval between the touch electrodes 54 is, for example, 7 mm, and the length L in the diagonal direction of the touch electrode 54 is, for example, 19.5 mm.

[0071] Next, a comparative example of the electric field strength of the touch electrode 54 according to the second embodiment and the electric field strength of the touch electrodes 91 and 92 according to the comparative example will be described.

[0072] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the electric field strength of the touch electrode 54 according to the second embodiment. The four diagrams on the right side of FIG. 15 facing the paper surface are diagrams obtained by enlarging the region E with respect to the touch electrodes 54a to 54d in the diagram on the left side facing the paper surface. The region E includes a part of the four mosaic patterns 541 in the four touch electrodes 54a to 54d. In the touch electrode 54 located at the upper left of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the upper left to the lower right of the region E. In the touch electrode 54 located at the upper right of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the upper right to the lower left of the region E. In the touch electrode 54 located at the lower left of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the lower left to the upper right of the region E. In the touch electrode 54 located at the lower right of the region E, the electric field is distributed from the lower right to the upper left of the region E.

[0073] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the number of touch electrodes 54 in a predetermined region according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the touch electrode 54 has three to four detectable touch electrodes 54 over a wide range of the region E as compared with the touch electrode 91 shown in FIG. 8 and the touch electrode 92 shown in FIG. 10. As described above, since the touch panel 50A according to the second embodiment includes three or more touch electrodes 54 over a wide range of the region E, the touch position can be detected two-dimensionally, and thus the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0074] As described above, the touch panel 50A according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of touch electrodes 54 arranged in a matrix in the X direction and the Y direction intersecting the X direction. The touch electrode 54 has a length L that is 1.5 times or more the distance P from another adjacent touch electrode 54 in the X direction or the Y direction. This length L is the length of the touch electrode 54 in the direction intersecting the X direction and the Y direction.

[0075] With this configuration, the touch panel 50A can extend the touch electrodes 54 along a direction (diagonal direction) intersecting the X direction and the Y direction. As a result, the touch panel 50A can include adjacent touch electrodes 54 in a common area not only in the X direction and the Y direction but also in the diagonal direction. Thereby, the touch panel 50A can increase the number of touch electrodes 54 included in the touch area without increasing the total number of touch electrodes 54 included in the touch panel 50A. As a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0076] In the touch panel 50A, the touch electrodes 54 include a pattern having a gap G in a plan view, and a part of the pattern of another adjacent touch electrode 54 is arranged in the gap G. With this configuration, the touch panel 50A can include the patterns of a plurality of touch electrodes 54 in a common area while being electrically independent of the patterns of other adjacent touch electrodes 54.

[0077] In the touch panel 50A, the pattern is a mosaic pattern 541 including a plurality of electrode pieces 541a having a predetermined shape. With this configuration, the touch panel 50A can include the patterns of a plurality of touch electrodes 54 in a common area.

[0078] In the touch panel 50A, the electrode pieces 541a of another adjacent touch electrode 54 are arranged in the gap G of the mosaic pattern 541. With this configuration, the touch panel 50A can include the mosaic patterns 541 of a plurality of touch electrodes 52 in a common area while being electrically independent of the mosaic pattern 541 of other adjacent touch electrodes 54.

[0079] In the touch panel 50A, a plurality of adjacent electrode pieces 541a of the mosaic pattern 541 are connected to each other via a bridge wiring 542a formed in a layer different from the layer of the electrode pieces 541a. With this configuration, the touch panel 50A can cross and wire the mosaic pattern 541 and other mosaic patterns 541.

[0080] In the touch panel 50A, the number per unit area of the electrode pieces 541a decreases as the distance from the central portion M of the touch electrode 54 increases. With this configuration, the touch panel 50A can increase the area ratio of the touch electrode 54 the closer it is to the central portion M of the touch electrode 54. As a result, the touch panel 50A can increase the sensitivity of the central portion M compared to the peripheral portion of the touch electrode 54, and as a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0081] In the touch panel 50A, the region including at least three touch electrodes 54 inside a circle with a diameter of 5 mm occupies more than 1 / 2 of the entire touch panel 50A. With this configuration, the touch panel 50A can increase the touch area including many touch electrodes 54, and as a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0082] [Third Embodiment] Next, the display device 1B according to the third embodiment will be described. The display device 1B according to the third embodiment is different from the display device 1 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a mutual capacitance type touch panel 50B that detects a decrease in the capacitance between electrodes when touched by a conductor such as a touch pen or a human finger. The display device 1B includes a touch panel 50B.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 17, the touch panel 50B includes a base material 51, a plurality of first touch electrodes 55, a plurality of second touch electrodes 56, a plurality of signal lines 53, and a touch drive circuit 61. In FIG. 17, for ease of understanding of the invention, the schematic configurations of the first touch electrode 55 and the second touch electrode 56 are illustrated.

[0084] The touch drive circuit 61 of the touch sensing circuit 60 detects a change in the capacitance (mutual capacitance) formed between the first touch electrode 55 and the second touch electrode 56. As shown in FIG. 17, the touch drive circuit 61 of the touch sensing circuit 60 is connected to the first touch electrode 55 and the second touch electrode 56 via the signal line 53. The touch drive circuit 61 detects a voltage change or a frequency change between the electrodes of the first touch electrode 55 and the second touch electrode 56 via the signal line 53 through the signal line 53.

[0085] The first touch electrode 55 includes, for example, a plurality of spiral patterns 551 and a connection pattern 552 as shown in FIG. 18.

[0086] The plurality of spiral patterns 551 are each formed in the same spiral shape in a plan view. The plurality of spiral patterns 551 are provided on both sides with the connection pattern 552 extending in the X direction interposed therebetween, and are arranged in two rows along the X direction. That is, the plurality of spiral patterns 551 are arranged in one row along the X direction on one side in the Y direction of the connection pattern 552, and are arranged in one row along the X direction on the other side in the Y direction of the connection pattern 552.

[0087] The line width of the spiral pattern 551 is formed thinner as the distance from the center line M1 of the first touch electrode 55 increases in the Y direction. That is, the line width of the spiral pattern 551 is formed thicker as it approaches the center line M1 of the first touch electrode 55. In other words, the spiral pattern 551 has a wide portion 551b in which the width of the circumferential portion 551a is widely formed, and this wide portion 551b is located on the center line M1 side of the first touch electrode 55. Here, the center line M1 of the first touch electrode 55 is a straight line extending along the X direction and passing through the center in the Y direction of the first touch electrode 55.

[0088] The connection pattern 552 connects a plurality of spiral patterns 551. The connection pattern 552 extends along the X direction and is arranged on the center line M1 between two columns of spiral patterns 551. In other words, on one side of the connection pattern 552, the spiral patterns 551 are arranged in one column along the X direction, and on the other side of the connection pattern 552, the spiral patterns 551 are arranged in one column along the X direction. And the connection pattern 552 connects two columns of a plurality of spiral patterns 551 and electrically connects each spiral pattern 551.

[0089] The first touch electrode 55 configured as described above has a ratio of the conductive thin film occupying per unit area in the central region including the center line M1 of the first touch electrode 55 larger than the ratio of the conductive thin film occupying per unit area in the peripheral portion located around the central region. That is, the first touch electrode 55 has a higher area ratio of the conductive thin film the closer it is to the center line M1, and a lower area ratio of the conductive thin film the farther it is from the center line M1. Thereby, the first touch electrode 55 can have a higher sensitivity on the side of the center line M1 than the peripheral portion of the first touch electrode 55, and as a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0090] In this example, the spiral pattern 551 of the first touch electrode 55 has a circumferential portion 551a extending spirally from the center C as shown in FIG. 18, and a gap G is provided between the inner circumferential portion 551a and the outer circumferential portion 551a. In the common region R of the first touch electrode 55, in the gap G, a part of the spiral pattern 551 of another first touch electrode 55 adjacent to the first touch electrode 55 and a part of the spiral pattern 561 of the second touch electrode 56 intersecting the first touch electrode 55 are arranged. That is, in the gap G between two adjacent circumferential portions 551a included in the spiral pattern 551, the circumferential portion 551a of another first touch electrode 55 and the circumferential portion 561a of another second touch electrode 56 are arranged.

[0091] The plurality of first touch electrodes 55 each extend along the X direction and are arranged side by side along the Y direction with an interval of distance P therebetween, as shown in FIG. 20 for example. That is, the plurality of first touch electrodes 55 are each elongated electrode patterns extending along the X direction, and these elongated electrode patterns are arranged side by side along the Y direction with an interval of distance P therebetween. The distance P is the interval for arranging the plurality of first touch electrodes 55 along the Y direction. The plurality of first touch electrodes 55 are each electrically independent. That is, each first touch electrode 55 is not electrically connected to other first touch electrodes 55 and the second touch electrode 56.

[0092] The width W of the first touch electrode 55 in the Y direction is longer than the distance P from the adjacent other first touch electrode 55. That is, the maximum width W in the Y direction including the two-row spiral pattern 551 of the first touch electrode 55 is longer than the distance P from the adjacent other first touch electrode 55. In this way, the first touch electrode 55 is formed with a longer length in the Y direction as compared with the distance P from the adjacent first touch electrode 55. Thereby, the first touch electrode 55 can include the adjacent other first touch electrodes 55 in the common region R. Thereby, the first touch electrode 55 can increase the number of first touch electrodes 55 included in the touch region, and as a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0093] Next, the plurality of second touch electrodes 56 will be described. The second touch electrode 56 is configured to include a plurality of spiral patterns 561 and a connection pattern 562, as shown in FIG. 19 for example.

[0094] The plurality of spiral patterns 561 are each formed in the same spiral shape in a plan view. The plurality of spiral patterns 561 are provided on both sides with the connection pattern 562 extending in the Y direction interposed therebetween and are arranged in two rows along the Y direction. That is, the plurality of spiral patterns 561 are arranged in one row along the Y direction on one side in the X direction of the connection pattern 562 and are arranged in one row along the Y direction on the other side in the X direction of the connection pattern 562.

[0095] The line width of the spiral pattern 561 is formed thinner as the distance from the center line M2 of the second touch electrode 56 increases in the X direction. That is, the line width of the spiral pattern 561 is formed thicker as it approaches the center line M2 of the second touch electrode 56. In other words, the spiral pattern 561 has a wide portion 561b in which the width of the circumferential portion 561a is widely formed, and this wide portion 561b is located on the center line M2 side of the second touch electrode 56. Here, the center line M2 of the second touch electrode 56 is a straight line that extends along the Y direction and passes through the center of the second touch electrode 56 in the X direction.

[0096] The connection pattern 562 connects a plurality of spiral patterns 561. The connection pattern 562 extends along the Y direction and is disposed on the center line M2 between two rows of spiral patterns 561. In other words, on one side of the connection pattern 562, the spiral patterns 561 are arranged in one row along the Y direction, and on the other side of the connection pattern 562, the spiral patterns 561 are arranged in one row along the Y direction. And the connection pattern 562 connects a plurality of spiral patterns 561 in two rows and electrically connects each spiral pattern 561.

[0097] The second touch electrode 56 configured as described above has a ratio of the conductive thin film occupying per unit area in the central region including the center line M2 of the second touch electrode 56 larger than the ratio of the conductive thin film occupying per unit area in the peripheral portion located around the central region. That is, the second touch electrode 56 has a higher area ratio of the conductive thin film the closer it is to the center line M2, and a lower area ratio of the conductive thin film the farther it is from the center line M2. Thereby, the second touch electrode 56 can increase the sensitivity on the center line M2 side compared to the peripheral portion of the second touch electrode 56, and as a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 19, the spiral pattern 561 of the second touch electrode 56 has a circumferential portion 561a extending spirally from the center C, and a gap G is provided between the inner circumferential portion 561a and the outer circumferential portion 561a. In the common region R, in the gap G, a part of the spiral pattern 561 of another second touch electrode 56 adjacent to the second touch electrode 56 and a part of the spiral pattern 551 of the first touch electrode 55 intersecting the second touch electrode 56 are arranged. That is, in the gap G between two adjacent circumferential portions 561a included in the spiral pattern 561, the circumferential portion 551a of another first touch electrode 55 and the circumferential portion 561a of another second touch electrode 56 are arranged. And the four spiral patterns 551, 561 included in the common region R are each electrically independent. Thus, in the common region R, the four spiral patterns 551, 561 are each included in a state electrically independent of the other spiral patterns 551, 561.

[0099] For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the plurality of second touch electrodes 56 each extend along the Y direction and are arranged side by side along the X direction at an interval of distance P, intersecting the plurality of first touch electrodes 55. That is, the plurality of second touch electrodes 56 are each a long electrode pattern extending along the Y direction, and these long electrode patterns are arranged side by side along the X direction at an interval of distance P. The distance P is the interval for arranging the plurality of second touch electrodes 56 along the X direction. The plurality of second touch electrodes 56 are each electrically independent. That is, each second touch electrode 56 is not electrically connected to the other second touch electrodes 56 and the first touch electrode 55.

[0100] The width W of the second touch electrode 56 in the X direction is longer than the distance P from the other adjacent second touch electrode 56. That is, the maximum width W in the X direction including the two rows of spiral patterns 561 of the second touch electrode 56 is longer than the distance P from the other adjacent second touch electrode 56. In this way, the second touch electrode 56 is formed to have a longer length in the X direction as compared with the distance P from the adjacent second touch electrode 56. Thereby, the second touch electrode 56 can include the other adjacent second touch electrodes 56 in the X direction in the common region R. Thereby, the second touch electrode 56 can increase the number of second touch electrodes 56 included in the region R, and as a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0101] Here, as described above, the first touch electrode 55 includes the other adjacent first touch electrodes 55 in the Y direction in the common region R. That is, the first touch electrode 55 includes, in the common region R, the two spiral patterns 551 in the two first touch electrodes 55 adjacent to each other in the Y direction. That is, the region R includes a total of two spiral patterns 511 in different first touch electrodes 55. And the region R includes the spiral patterns 551 of the two different first touch electrodes 55 in an electrically independent state respectively.

[0102] Also, the second touch electrode 56 includes the other adjacent second touch electrodes 56 in the X direction in the common region R. That is, the second touch electrode 56 includes, in the common region R, the two spiral patterns 561 in the two second touch electrodes 56 adjacent to each other in the X direction. That is, the common region R includes a total of two spiral patterns 561 in different second touch electrodes 56. And the common region R includes the spiral patterns 561 of the two different second touch electrodes 56 in an electrically independent state respectively.

[0103] Furthermore, the common region R includes the spiral patterns 551 of the two first touch electrodes 55 and the spiral patterns 561 of the two second touch electrodes 56 that intersect the two first touch electrodes 55. That is, the common region R includes the spiral patterns 551 of the two different first touch electrodes 55 and the spiral patterns 561 of the two different second touch electrodes 56, and includes a total of four different spiral patterns 551, 561.

[0104] The plurality of spiral patterns 551 of the first touch electrodes 55 and the plurality of spiral patterns 561 of the second touch electrodes 56 share a center C in the common region R. In other words, the two spiral patterns 551 in the two first touch electrodes 55 adjacent in the Y direction and the two spiral patterns 561 in the two second touch electrodes 56 adjacent in the X direction are spirally formed around the common center C in the common region R, and each is electrically independent. That is, the total of four spiral patterns 551, 561 of the two spiral patterns 551 of the different first touch electrodes 55 and the two spiral patterns 561 of the different second touch electrodes 56 are spirally formed around the common center C and are not electrically connected to each other.

[0105] The second touch electrode 56 is wired in two layers at the intersection Q (see FIG. 20) where it intersects the first touch electrode 55. FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the intersection Q in FIG. 20, and FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 21. The first touch electrode 55 and the second touch electrode 56 are formed in the same layer (upper layer side) on the base material 51. That is, the first touch electrode 55 and the second touch electrode 56 are formed on the surface (same surface) 51a of the base material 51. At the intersection Q, the connection patterns 562 of the second touch electrode 56 are connected to each other via the bridge wiring 562a. The bridge wiring 562a is formed across the connection pattern 552 of the first touch electrode 55, and connects the connection pattern 562 located on one side with the connection pattern 562 located on the other side with the connection pattern 552 interposed therebetween. The bridge wiring 562a is formed on the lower layer side of the base material 51 than the connection patterns 552 and 562, and is formed by detouring around the connection pattern 552.

[0106] By configuring the touch panel 50B with the first touch electrode 55 and the second touch electrode 56 as described above, in the touch panel 50B, the region including at least three first touch electrodes 55 or second touch electrodes 56 inside a circle with a diameter of 5 mm occupies more than 1 / 2 of the whole touch panel 50B. In this case, the distance P representing the interval between the first touch electrodes 55 is, for example, 7 mm, and the width W of the first touch electrode 55 is, for example, 13 mm. Also, the distance P representing the interval between the second touch electrodes 56 is, for example, 7 mm, and the width W of the second touch electrode 56 is, for example, 13 mm.

[0107] Next, a comparative example of the electric field strength between the electrodes of the first touch electrode 55 and the second touch electrode 56 according to the third embodiment and the electric field strength between the electrodes of the first touch electrodes 93 and 95 and the second touch electrodes 94 and 96 according to the comparative example will be described.

[0108] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the electric field strength between the first touch electrode 55 and the second touch electrode 56 according to the third embodiment. The four diagrams on the right side of FIG. 23 facing the paper surface are diagrams in which the region E is enlarged with respect to the electrode space between the first touch electrodes 55a and 55b and the second touch electrodes 56a and 56b in the diagram on the left side facing the paper surface. The region E includes the two spiral patterns 551 of the two first touch electrodes 55a and 55b and the two spiral patterns 561 of the two second touch electrodes 56a and 56b. The electrode space between the first touch electrode 55a and the second touch electrode 56a is located in the upper left part in the region E, and the electric field is distributed from the upper left to the lower right in the region E. The electrode space between the first touch electrode 55a and the second touch electrode 56b is located in the upper right part in the region E, and the electric field is distributed from the upper right to the lower left in the region E. The electrode space between the first touch electrode 55b and the second touch electrode 56a is located in the lower left part in the region E, and the electric field is distributed from the lower left to the upper right in the region E. The electrode space between the first touch electrode 55b and the second touch electrode 56b is located in the lower right part in the region E, and the electric field is distributed from the lower right to the upper left in the region E.

[0109] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the number of electrodes between the electrodes in a predetermined region of each touch electrode 55, 56 according to the third embodiment. The upper diagram facing the paper surface of FIG. 24 illustrates the boundary between the first touch electrode 55 and the second touch electrode 56. The lower diagram facing the paper surface of FIG. 24 illustrates the number of electrodes between the touch electrodes 55, 56 that can be detected in region E with numbers from "1" to "4". The number of electrodes between the touch electrodes 55, 56 is four over a wide range of region E. Thus, since the touch panel 50B according to the third embodiment includes three or more electrodes between the touch electrodes 55, 56 over a wide range of region E, the touch position can be detected two-dimensionally, thereby reducing the error between the actual touch position and the touch position data. As a result of actually measuring the error, it can be seen that the touch panel 50B according to the third embodiment has an average error of 0.026 mm in the XY coordinates between the actual touch position and the touch position data, and the error is small. Thus, since the touch panel 50B according to the third embodiment can increase the number of electrodes between the touch electrodes 55, 56 included in the touch region, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0110] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the electric field strength between the first touch electrode 93 and the second touch electrode 94 according to the comparative example. Each of the first touch electrodes 93 shown in FIG. 25 is formed in a diamond shape and extends along the X direction. Also, each of the second touch electrodes 94 shown in FIG. 25 is formed in a diamond shape and extends along the Y direction. The four diagrams on the right side of FIG. 25 facing the paper surface are enlarged diagrams of region E with respect to the electrode space between the first touch electrodes 93a and 93b and the second touch electrodes 94a and 94b in the diagram on the left side facing the paper surface. Region E includes two first touch electrodes 93a and 93b and two second touch electrodes 94a and 94b. The electrode space between the first touch electrode 93a and the second touch electrode 94a is located in the upper left part of region E, and an electric field is distributed from the upper left to the lower right in region E. The electrode space between the first touch electrode 93a and the second touch electrode 94b is located in the upper right part of region E, and an electric field is distributed from the upper right to the lower left in region E. The electrode space between the first touch electrode 93b and the second touch electrode 94a is located in the lower left part of region E, and an electric field is distributed from the lower left to the upper right in region E. The electrode space between the first touch electrode 93b and the second touch electrode 94b is located in the lower right part of region E, and an electric field is distributed from the lower right to the upper left in region E.

[0111] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the number of electrodes between the electrodes in a predetermined region of each touch electrode 93, 94 according to the comparative example. The upper diagram facing the paper surface of FIG. 26 illustrates the boundary between the first touch electrode 93 and the second touch electrode 94. The lower diagram facing the paper surface of FIG. 26 illustrates the number of electrodes between the electrodes of each touch electrode 93, 94 detectable in region E with "1" to "4". In the central part of region E, the number of electrodes between the electrodes of each touch electrode 93, 94 is 3 to 4, but in the relatively wide peripheral part of region E, the number of electrodes between the electrodes of each touch electrode 93, 94 is 1 to 2. For this reason, each touch electrode 93, 94 has fewer regions where the number of electrodes between the electrodes of each touch electrode 93, 94 is 3 to 4 compared to each touch electrode 55, 56 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 24. Thus, in the touch panel according to the comparative example, since the number of electrodes between the electrodes of each touch electrode 93, 94 included in region E is small, the error between the actual touch position and the touch position data tends to increase. As a result of actually measuring the error, it can be seen that the touch panel according to the comparative example has an average error of 1.663 mm in the XY coordinates between the actual touch position and the touch position data, which is larger compared to the average error (0.026 mm) of each touch electrode 55, 56 according to the third embodiment.

[0112] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the electric field strength between the first touch electrode 95 and the second touch electrode 96 according to the comparative example. Each of the first touch electrodes 95 shown in FIG. 27 is formed in a predetermined curved shape and extends along the X direction. Also, each of the second touch electrodes 96 shown in FIG. 27 is formed in a predetermined curved shape and extends along the Y direction. The four diagrams on the right side of FIG. 27 facing the paper surface are enlarged diagrams of region E with respect to the electrode gaps between the first touch electrodes 95a and 95b and the second touch electrodes 96a and 96b in the diagram on the left side facing the paper surface. Region E includes two first touch electrodes 95a and 95b and two second touch electrodes 96a and 96b. The electrode gap between the first touch electrode 95a and the second touch electrode 96a is located in the upper left part of region E, and the electric field is distributed from the upper left to the lower right in region E. The electrode gap between the first touch electrode 95a and the second touch electrode 96b is located in the upper right part of region E, and the electric field is distributed from the upper right to the lower left in region E. The electrode gap between the first touch electrode 95b and the second touch electrode 96a is located in the lower left part of region E, and the electric field is distributed from the lower left to the upper right in region E. The electrode gap between the first touch electrode 95b and the second touch electrode 96b is located in the lower right part of region E, and the electric field is distributed from the lower right to the upper left in region E.

[0113] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the number of electrode gaps in a predetermined region of each touch electrode 95 and 96 according to the comparative example. The upper diagram in FIG. 28 facing the paper surface shows the boundary between the first touch electrode 95 and the second touch electrode 96. The lower diagram in FIG. 28 facing the paper surface shows the number of electrode gaps between the touch electrodes 95 and 96 that can be detected in region E as "1" to "4". In the central part of region E, the number of electrode gaps between each of the touch electrodes 95 and 96 is 3 to 4, but in the relatively wide peripheral part of region E, the number of electrode gaps between each of the touch electrodes 95 and 96 is 1 to 2. For this reason, compared with each of the touch electrodes 55 and 56 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 24, each of the touch electrodes 95 and 96 has fewer regions where the number of electrode gaps between each of the touch electrodes 95 and 96 is 3 to 4. Therefore, it is considered difficult to accurately detect the touch position.

[0114] As described above, the touch panel 50B according to the third embodiment includes a plurality of first touch electrodes 55 each extending in the X direction, and a plurality of second touch electrodes 56 each extending in the Y direction intersecting the X direction. The width W of the first touch electrode 55 in the Y direction is longer than the distance P from the other adjacent first touch electrode 55. The width W of the second touch electrode 56 in the X direction is longer than the distance P from the other adjacent second touch electrode 56.

[0115] With this configuration, the touch panel 50B can include adjacent first touch electrodes 55 in a common region R, and can include adjacent second touch electrodes 56 in a common region R. As a result, the touch panel 50B can increase the number of first and second touch electrodes 55 and 56 included in the touch region without increasing the total number of touch electrodes 55 and 56 included in the touch panel 50B. As a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0116] In the touch panel 50B, each of the first touch electrode 55 and the second touch electrode 56 includes a pattern having a gap G in plan view. In the gap G of the first touch electrode 55, a part of the pattern of the other first touch electrode 55 adjacent to the first touch electrode 55 and a part of the pattern of the second touch electrode 56 intersecting the first touch electrode 55 are arranged. In the gap G of the second touch electrode 56, a part of the pattern of the other second touch electrode 56 adjacent to the second touch electrode 56 and a part of the pattern of the first touch electrode 55 intersecting the second touch electrode 56 are arranged. With this configuration, the touch panel 50B can include the patterns of the plurality of first touch electrodes 55 and the patterns of the plurality of second touch electrodes 56 in a common region R while being electrically independent of each other.

[0117] In the touch panel 50B, the patterns are spiral patterns 551 and 561 extending spirally from a predetermined center C in plan view. With this configuration, the touch panel 50B can include the patterns of the plurality of first touch electrodes 55 and the patterns of the plurality of second touch electrodes 56 in a common region R.

[0118] In the touch panel 50B, a plurality of spiral patterns 551 and 561 of adjacent first touch electrodes 55 and second touch electrodes 56 share a center C. With this configuration, the touch panel 50B can efficiently include the patterns of the touch electrodes 55 and 56 in a common region R.

[0119] In the touch panel 50B, circumferential portions 551a and 561a of other first touch electrodes 55 and other second touch electrodes 56 are arranged in a gap G between two adjacent circumferential portions 551a included in the spiral pattern 551. Also, circumferential portions 551a and 561a of other first touch electrodes 55 and other second touch electrodes 56 are arranged in a gap G between two adjacent circumferential portions 561a included in the spiral pattern 561. With this configuration, the touch panel 50B can include the spiral pattern 551 of the first touch electrode 55 and the spiral pattern 561 of the second touch electrode 56 in a common region R while keeping them electrically independent.

[0120] In the touch panel 50B, the first touch electrode 55 has a plurality of spiral patterns 551 arranged in two rows, and a connection pattern 552 that is arranged on a center line M1 between the two rows and connects the plurality of spiral patterns 551 in the two rows. The second touch electrode 56 has a plurality of spiral patterns 561 arranged in two rows, and a connection pattern 562 that is arranged on a center line M2 between the two rows and connects the plurality of spiral patterns 561 in the two rows. With this configuration, the touch panel 50B can electrically connect the plurality of spiral patterns 551 by the connection pattern 552, and can electrically connect the plurality of spiral patterns 561 by the connection pattern 562.

[0121] In the touch panel 50B, the line width of the spiral pattern 551 is formed to be thinner as the distance from the center line M1 increases, and the line width of the spiral pattern 561 is formed to be thinner as the distance from the center line M2 increases. With this configuration, the touch panel 50B can increase the area ratio of the first touch electrode 55 as it gets closer to the center line M1 of the first touch electrode 55, and can increase the area ratio of the second touch electrode 56 as it gets closer to the center line M2 of the second touch electrode 56. As a result, the touch panel 50B can increase the sensitivity on the side of the center lines M1 and M2 compared to the peripheral portions of the first touch electrode 55 and the second touch electrode 56, and as a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0122] In the touch panel 50B, the area including at least three first touch electrodes 55 or second touch electrodes 56 inside a circle with a diameter of 5 mm occupies more than 1 / 2 of the entire touch panel 50B. With this configuration, the touch panel 50B can increase the touch area including many touch electrodes 55 and 56, and as a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0123] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, the touch panel 50C according to the fourth embodiment will be described. The touch panel 50C according to the fourth embodiment is different from the touch panel 50B according to the third embodiment in that the patterns of the touch electrodes 55 and 56 are mosaic patterns.

[0124] The touch panel 50C is a mutual capacitance type touch panel that detects a decrease in capacitance between electrodes when touched by a conductor such as a touch pen or a human finger. The touch panel 50C includes a plurality of first touch electrodes 57 and a plurality of second touch electrodes 58. The first touch electrode 57 is configured to include, for example, a mosaic pattern 571 as shown in FIG. 29.

[0125] The mosaic pattern 571 is a pattern including a plurality of electrode pieces 571a of a predetermined shape. The mosaic pattern 571 is, for example, a pattern in which the electrode pieces 571a are formed in a rectangular shape and the respective electrode pieces 571a are arranged so as to form a predetermined pattern. The mosaic pattern 571 includes a plurality of electrode pieces 571a and a plurality of gaps G, and the respective electrode pieces 571a are electrically connected. In the gaps G of the mosaic pattern 571, electrode pieces 571a of other adjacent first touch electrodes 57 and electrode pieces 581a of other second touch electrodes 58 are arranged.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 31, each of the plurality of first touch electrodes 57 extends along the X direction and is arranged side by side along the Y direction with an interval of distance P therebetween. That is, the plurality of first touch electrodes 57 are each a long electrode pattern extending along the X direction, and the long electrode patterns are arranged side by side along the Y direction with an interval of distance P therebetween. The distance P is an interval for arranging the plurality of first touch electrodes 57 along the Y direction. The plurality of first touch electrodes 57 are each electrically independent. That is, each first touch electrode 57 is not electrically connected to other first touch electrodes 57 and second touch electrodes 58.

[0127] The width W of the first touch electrode 57 in the Y direction is longer than the distance P from the adjacent other first touch electrode 57. That is, the maximum width W in the Y direction including the mosaic pattern 571 of the first touch electrode 57 is longer than the distance P from the adjacent other first touch electrode 57. Thus, the first touch electrode 57 is formed to be longer in the Y direction as compared with the distance P from the adjacent first touch electrode 57. Thereby, the first touch electrode 57 can include the adjacent other first touch electrodes 57 in a common region R. Thereby, the first touch electrode 57 can increase the number of first touch electrodes 57 included in the touch region, and as a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0128] The mosaic pattern 571 is such that the number per unit area of the electrode pieces 571a decreases as the distance from the center line M1 of the mosaic pattern 571 increases in the Y direction. That is, in the mosaic pattern 571, the number per unit area of the electrode pieces 571a increases as the distance from the center line M1 of the mosaic pattern 571 decreases. In other words, the closer the mosaic pattern 571 is to the center line M1, the higher the area ratio of the conductive thin film, and the farther it is from the center line M1, the lower the area ratio of the conductive thin film. Thereby, the first touch electrode 57 having the mosaic pattern 571 can have higher sensitivity on the center line M1 side than the peripheral portion of the first touch electrode 57, and as a result, the touch position can be accurately detected. Here, the center line M1 is a straight line extending along the X direction and passing through the center of the first touch electrode 57 in the Y direction.

[0129] Next, a plurality of second touch electrodes 58 will be described. The second touch electrode 58 includes, for example, a mosaic pattern 581 as shown in FIG. 30.

[0130] The mosaic pattern 581 is a pattern including a plurality of electrode pieces 581a having a predetermined shape. In the mosaic pattern 581, for example, the electrode pieces 581a are formed in a rectangular shape, and the respective electrode pieces 581a are arranged so as to form a predetermined pattern. The mosaic pattern 581 includes a plurality of electrode pieces 581a and a plurality of gaps G, and the respective electrode pieces 581a are electrically connected. In the gaps G of the mosaic pattern 581, the electrode pieces 581a of other adjacent second touch electrodes 58 and the electrode pieces 571a of other first touch electrodes 57 are arranged.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 31, the plurality of second touch electrodes 58 each extend along the Y direction and are arranged side by side along the X direction with an interval of distance P therebetween. That is, the plurality of second touch electrodes 58 are each elongated electrode patterns extending along the Y direction, and these elongated electrode patterns are arranged side by side along the X direction with an interval of distance P therebetween. The distance P is the interval for arranging the plurality of second touch electrodes 58 along the X direction. The plurality of second touch electrodes 58 are each electrically independent. That is, each second touch electrode 58 is not electrically connected to other second touch electrodes 58 and the first touch electrode 57.

[0132] The width W of the second touch electrode 58 in the X direction is longer than the distance P from the adjacent other second touch electrode 58. That is, the maximum width W in the X direction including the mosaic pattern 581 of the second touch electrode 58 is longer than the distance P from the adjacent other second touch electrode 58. Thus, the second touch electrode 58 is formed to have a longer length in the Y direction as compared with the distance P from the adjacent second touch electrode 58. Thereby, the second touch electrode 58 can include the adjacent other second touch electrodes 58 in the common region R. Thereby, the second touch electrode 58 can increase the number of second touch electrodes 58 included in the touch region, and as a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0133] The mosaic pattern 581 has the number of electrode pieces 581a per unit area decreasing as the distance from the center line M2 of the mosaic pattern 581 increases in the X direction. That is, in the mosaic pattern 581, the number of electrode pieces 581a per unit area increases as the distance from the center line M2 of the mosaic pattern 581 decreases. In other words, the closer the mosaic pattern 581 is to the center line M2, the higher the area ratio of the conductive thin film, and the farther it is from the center line M2, the lower the area ratio of the conductive thin film. As a result, the second touch electrode 58 having the mosaic pattern 581 can have higher sensitivity on the center line M2 side than the peripheral portion of the second touch electrode 58, and thus the touch position can be accurately detected. Here, the center line M2 is a straight line extending along the Y direction and passing through the center of the second touch electrode 58 in the X direction.

[0134] Here, as described above, the first touch electrode 57 has other first touch electrodes 57 adjacent in the Y direction included in the common region R. That is, the first touch electrode 57 includes, in the common region R, two mosaic patterns 571 in two first touch electrodes 57 adjacent to each other in the Y direction. That is, the region R includes a total of two mosaic patterns 571 in different first touch electrodes 57. And the region R includes the mosaic patterns 571 of two different first touch electrodes 57 in an electrically independent state.

[0135] Similarly, the second touch electrode 58 has other second touch electrodes 58 adjacent in the X direction included in the common region R. That is, the second touch electrode 58 includes, in the common region R, two mosaic patterns 581 in two second touch electrodes 58 adjacent to each other in the X direction. That is, the region R includes a total of two mosaic patterns 581 in different second touch electrodes 58. And the region R includes the mosaic patterns 581 of two different second touch electrodes 58 in an electrically independent state.

[0136] Furthermore, the common region R includes the mosaic pattern 571 of the two first touch electrodes 57 and the mosaic pattern 581 of the two second touch electrodes 58 that intersect the two first touch electrodes 57. That is, the common region R includes the mosaic pattern 571 of the two different first touch electrodes 57 and the mosaic pattern 581 of the two different second touch electrodes 58, and includes a total of four different mosaic patterns 571, 581. At this time, in the gap G of the mosaic pattern 571 of the first touch electrode 57, the electrode pieces 571a of the other adjacent first touch electrodes 57 and the electrode pieces 581a of the other second touch electrodes 58 are arranged. Also, in the gap G of the mosaic pattern 581 of the second touch electrode 58, the electrode pieces 581a of the other adjacent second touch electrodes 58 and the electrode pieces 571a of the other first touch electrodes 57 are arranged. And in the common region R, the four mosaic patterns 571, 581 are each electrically independent. That is, the four mosaic patterns 571, 581 are not electrically connected to each other. In this way, in the common region R, the four mosaic patterns 571, 581 are included in a state where they are each electrically independent.

[0137] In the intersection Q (see Fig. 31) where the mosaic pattern 581 of the second touch electrode 58 intersects with the mosaic pattern 571 of the first touch electrode 57, it is wired in two layers. Fig. 32 is an enlarged view of the intersection Q in Fig. 31, and Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in Fig. 32. The mosaic pattern 571 and the mosaic pattern 581 are formed in the same layer (upper layer side) on the base material 51. That is, the mosaic pattern 571 and the mosaic pattern 581 are formed on the surface (same surface) 51a of the base material 51. In the intersection Q, the adjacent electrode pieces 581a of the mosaic pattern 581 sandwiching the electrode piece 571a of the mosaic pattern 571 are connected via the bridge wiring 582a. The bridge wiring 582a is formed across the electrode piece 571a of the mosaic pattern 571, and electrically connects the electrode piece 581a located on one side sandwiching the electrode piece 571a and the electrode piece 581a located on the other side sandwiching the electrode piece 571a. The bridge wiring 582a is formed on the lower layer side of the base material 51 rather than the electrode pieces 571a and 581a, and is formed by detouring around the electrode piece 571a. In this way, a plurality of adjacent electrode pieces 581a of the mosaic pattern 581 are connected to each other via the bridge wiring 582a formed in a layer different from the layer of the electrode piece 581a at the intersection Q where it intersects with another mosaic pattern 571.

[0138] By configuring the first touch electrode 57 and the second touch electrode 58 as described above, in the touch panel 50C, the region including at least three first touch electrodes 57 or second touch electrodes 58 inside a circle with a diameter of 5 mm occupies more than 1 / 2 of the whole touch panel 50C. In this case, the distance P representing the interval between the first touch electrodes 57 is, for example, 7 mm, and the width W of the first touch electrode 57 is, for example, 13 mm. Also, the distance P representing the interval between the second touch electrodes 58 is, for example, 7 mm, and the width W of the second touch electrode 58 is, for example, 13 mm.

[0139] Next, a comparative example of the electric field strength between the first touch electrode 57 and the second touch electrode 58 according to the fourth embodiment and the electric field strength between the first touch electrodes 93, 95 and the second touch electrodes 94, 96 according to the comparative example will be described.

[0140] FIG. 34 is a diagram showing the electric field strength between the first touch electrode 57 and the second touch electrode 58 according to the fourth embodiment. The four diagrams on the right side of FIG. 34 facing the paper surface are enlarged diagrams of region E with respect to the electric field between the first touch electrodes 57a, 57b and the second touch electrodes 58a, 58b in the diagram on the left side facing the paper surface. Region E includes the two mosaic patterns 571 of the two first touch electrodes 57a, 57b and the two mosaic patterns 581 of the two second touch electrodes 58a, 58b. The electric field between the first touch electrode 57a and the second touch electrode 58a is located in the upper left part of region E, and the electric field is distributed from the upper left to the lower right in region E. The electric field between the first touch electrode 57a and the second touch electrode 58b is located in the upper right part of region E, and the electric field is distributed from the upper right to the lower left in region E. The electric field between the first touch electrode 57b and the second touch electrode 58a is located in the lower left part of region E, and the electric field is distributed from the lower left to the upper right in region E. The electric field between the first touch electrode 57b and the second touch electrode 58b is located in the lower right part of region E, and the electric field is distributed from the lower right to the upper left in region E.

[0141] FIG. 35 is a diagram showing the number of electrodes between the touch electrodes 57 and 58 in a predetermined region of each of the fourth embodiment. The upper diagram in FIG. 35 facing the paper surface illustrates the boundary between the first touch electrode 57 and the second touch electrode 58. The lower diagram in FIG. 35 facing the paper surface illustrates the number of electrodes between the touch electrodes 57 and 58 detectable in region E as "1" to "4". The touch electrodes 57 and 58 have three or four electrodes between them over a wide range of region E as compared with the touch electrodes 93, 94, 95, and 96 shown in FIGS. 26 and 28. Thus, since the touch panel 50C according to the fourth embodiment has three or more electrodes between the touch electrodes 57 and 58 over a wide range of region E, the touch position can be detected two-dimensionally, and thereby the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0142] As described above, the touch panel 50C according to the fourth embodiment includes a plurality of first touch electrodes 57 each extending in the X direction and a plurality of second touch electrodes 58 each extending in the Y direction intersecting the X direction. The width W of the first touch electrode 57 in the Y direction is longer than the distance P from the other adjacent first touch electrode 57. The width W of the second touch electrode 58 in the X direction is longer than the distance P from the other adjacent second touch electrode 58.

[0143] With this configuration, the touch panel 50C can include adjacent first touch electrodes 57 in a common region R and can include adjacent second touch electrodes 58 in a common region R. Thereby, the touch panel 50C can increase the number of the touch electrodes 57 and 58 included in the touch region without increasing the total number of the touch electrodes 57 and 58 included in the touch panel 50C. As a result, the touch position can be accurately detected.

[0144] In the touch panel 50C, the pattern is a mosaic pattern 571, 581 including a plurality of electrode pieces 571a, 581a of a predetermined shape. With this configuration, the touch panel 50C can include the patterns of the plurality of first touch electrodes 57 and the patterns of the plurality of second touch electrodes 58 in the common region R.

[0145] In the touch panel 50C, electrode pieces 571a of another first touch electrode 57 adjacent to the gap G of the mosaic pattern 571 and electrode pieces 581a of another second touch electrode 58 are arranged. With this configuration, the touch panel 50C can include the mosaic pattern 571 of the first touch electrodes 57 and the mosaic pattern 581 of the second touch electrodes 58 in the common region R in an electrically independent state.

[0146] In the touch panel 50C, a plurality of adjacent electrode pieces 581a of the mosaic pattern 581 are connected to each other via a bridge wiring 582a formed in a layer different from the layer of the electrode pieces 581a. With this configuration, the touch panel 50C can cross-wire the mosaic pattern 581 and the mosaic pattern 571.

[0147] In the touch panel 50C, the number of electrode pieces 571a per unit area decreases as the distance from the center line M1 of the first touch electrode 57 increases. Also, the number of electrode pieces 581a per unit area decreases as the distance from the center line M2 of the second touch electrode 58 increases. With this configuration, the touch panel 50C can increase the area ratio of the first touch electrode 57 the closer it is to the center line M1 of the first touch electrode 57, and can increase the area ratio of the second touch electrode 58 the closer it is to the center line M2 of the second touch electrode 58. As a result, the touch panel 50C can increase the sensitivity on the side of the center lines M1, M2 compared to the peripheral portions of the first touch electrode 57 and the second touch electrode 58, and as a result, can accurately detect the touch position.

[0148] In the touch panel 50C, the region including at least three first touch electrodes 57 or second touch electrodes 58 inside a circle with a diameter of 5 mm occupies more than 1 / 2 of the entire touch panel 50C. With this configuration, the touch panel 50C can increase the touch region including many respective touch electrodes 57 and 58, and as a result, can accurately detect the touch position.

[0149] In the above description, in the touch panel 50, the example in which the touch electrode 52 is equally divided into four regions R1 to R4 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it may be equally divided into a number of regions different from four.

[0150] Also, in the touch panel 50, the example in which a plurality of spiral patterns 521 share the center C has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and they may not share the center C.

[0151] Also, in the touch panel 50, the example in which the line widths of the spiral pattern 521 and the connection pattern 522 are formed thinner as the distance from the central portion M increases has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, they may have the same line width.

[0152] Also, in the touch panel 50A, the example in which a plurality of electrode pieces 541a are connected to each other via bridge wirings 542a formed in a layer different from the layer of the electrode pieces 541a has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and they may be connected by a method different from the bridge wirings 542a.

[0153] Also, in the touch panel 50A, the example in which the number of electrode pieces 541a per unit area decreases as the distance from the central portion M of the touch electrode 54 increases has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the number may be the same regardless of the distance from the central portion M.

[0154] In addition, in the touch panel 50B, although an example has been described in which a plurality of spiral patterns 551 and 561 of adjacent first touch electrodes 55 and second touch electrodes 56 share the center C, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, they may not share the center C.

[0155] In addition, in the touch panel 50B, an example has been described in which the line width of the spiral pattern 551 is formed thinner as the distance from the center line M1 increases, and the line width of the spiral pattern 561 is formed thinner as the distance from the center line M2 increases. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, they may be formed with the same line width.

[0156] In addition, in the touch panel 50C, although an example has been described in which a plurality of adjacent electrode pieces 581a of the mosaic pattern 581 are connected to each other via bridge wirings 582a formed in a layer different from the layer of the electrode pieces 581a, the present invention is not limited to this, and they may be connected by a method different from the bridge wirings 582a.

[0157] In addition, in the touch panel 50C, an example has been described in which the number of electrode pieces 571a per unit area decreases as the distance from the center line M1 of the first touch electrode 57 increases, and the number of electrode pieces 581a per unit area decreases as the distance from the center line M2 of the second touch electrode 58 increases. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, they may be made to have the same number regardless of the distance from the center lines M1 and M2.

[0158] Note that the configurations and control contents of each part described in each embodiment are not limited to those described above, and can be changed according to the use and purpose. In addition, configurations and controls combining each embodiment are also all included in the present invention. That is, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified based on the technical idea of the present invention. For example, the present invention includes configurations in which the above-described embodiments are organically combined.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0159] 1, 1B Display device 50, 50A, 50B, 50C Touch Panels 52, 54 Touch Electrodes 521, 551, 561 Spiral Patterns 521a, 551a, 561a Circumferential Parts 541, 571, 581 Mosaic Patterns 542a, 562a, 582a Bridge Wires (Wiring) 541a, 571a, 581a Electrode Pieces 55 First Touch Electrode 552, 562 Connection Patterns 56 Second Touch Electrode 61 Touch Drive Circuit (Detection Circuit) C Center G Gap L Length M Central Part M1, M2 Central Lines P Distance R, R1, R2, R3, R4 Regions

Claims

1. A touch panel comprising a plurality of touch electrodes arranged in a matrix in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the touch electrode has a length that is 1.5 times or more the distance from another touch electrode adjacent thereto in the first direction or the second direction, and the length is the length of the touch electrode in a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, characterized in that it is a touch panel.

2. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the touch electrode includes a pattern having voids in a plan view, and a part of the pattern of another adjacent touch electrode is arranged in the voids.

3. The touch panel according to claim 2, wherein each of four regions obtained by equally dividing the touch electrode along the first direction and the second direction includes four patterns of four touch electrodes adjacent to each other.

4. The touch panel according to claim 2, wherein the pattern is a spiral pattern extending spirally from a predetermined center in a plan view.

5. The touch panel according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of spiral patterns of a plurality of adjacent touch electrodes share the center.

6. The touch panel according to claim 5, wherein circumferential portions of other touch electrodes are arranged in voids between two adjacent circumferential portions included in the spiral pattern.

7. The touch electrode is four spiral patterns arranged in a matrix in the first direction and the second direction, and a connection pattern arranged at a central portion of the touch electrode and connecting the four spiral patterns, characterized in that it is a touch panel according to claim 6.

8. The touch panel according to claim 7, wherein the line widths of the spiral pattern and the connection pattern are each formed thinner as the distance from the central portion increases.

9. The touch panel according to claim 2, wherein the pattern is a mosaic pattern including a plurality of electrode pieces having a predetermined shape.

10. The touch panel according to claim 9, wherein electrode pieces of other adjacent touch electrodes are arranged in the voids of the mosaic pattern.

11. The touch panel according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of adjacent electrode pieces of the mosaic pattern are connected to each other via wiring formed in a layer different from the layer of the electrode pieces.

12. The touch panel according to claim 9, wherein the number of the electrode pieces per unit area decreases as the distance from the central portion of the touch electrode increases.

13. The touch panel according to claim 2, wherein a region including at least three of the touch electrodes inside a circle having a diameter of 5 mm occupies more than 1 / 2 of the entire touch panel.

14. The touch panel according to claim 2, further comprising a detection circuit that detects a change in capacitance of each of the plurality of touch electrodes.

15. A plurality of first touch electrodes each extending in a first direction, and a plurality of second touch electrodes each extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein a width of the first touch electrode in the second direction is longer than a distance from another adjacent first touch electrode, and a width of the second touch electrode in the first direction is longer than a distance from another adjacent second touch electrode.

16. Each of the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode includes a pattern having a gap in a plan view, wherein a part of the pattern of another first touch electrode adjacent to the first touch electrode and a part of the pattern of the second touch electrode intersecting the first touch electrode are arranged in the gap of the first touch electrode, and a part of the pattern of another second touch electrode adjacent to the second touch electrode and a part of the pattern of the first touch electrode intersecting the second touch electrode are arranged in the gap of the second touch electrode.

17. The touch panel according to claim 16, wherein the pattern is a spiral pattern extending spirally from a predetermined center in a plan view.

18. The touch panel according to claim 17, wherein a plurality of the spiral patterns of the adjacent first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes share the center.

19. In the gaps between two adjacent circumferential portions included in the spiral pattern, circumferential portions of the other first touch electrodes and the other second touch electrodes are arranged, and the touch panel according to claim 18 is characterized in that.

20. Each of the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode A plurality of the spiral patterns arranged in two columns; The touch panel according to claim 19, further comprising a connection pattern that is arranged on a center line between the two columns and connects the plurality of spiral patterns in the two columns.

21. The line width of the spiral pattern is formed thinner as the distance from the center line increases, and the touch panel according to claim 20 is characterized in that.

22. The touch panel according to claim 16, wherein the pattern is a mosaic pattern including a plurality of electrode pieces having a predetermined shape.

23. In the gaps of the mosaic pattern, electrode pieces of the other first touch electrode and the other second touch electrode adjacent thereto are arranged, and the touch panel according to claim 22 is characterized in that.

24. The touch panel according to claim 22, wherein a plurality of adjacent electrode pieces of the mosaic pattern are connected to each other via a wiring formed in a layer different from the layer of the electrode pieces.

25. The touch panel according to claim 22, wherein the number of the electrode pieces per unit area decreases as the distance from the center line of the first touch electrode or the second touch electrode increases.

26. A region including at least three of the first touch electrodes or the second touch electrodes inside a circle with a diameter of 5 mm occupies more than 1 / 2 of the entire touch panel, and the touch panel according to claim 16 is characterized in that.

27. The touch panel according to claim 16, further comprising a detection circuit that detects a change in capacitance formed between the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode.

28. A touch panel according to any one of claims 1 to 27; A display device, comprising: a display panel provided on the back side of the touch panel.

Images