Capacitive touch panel

Abstract

To provide a capacitive touch panel that includes sensor electrodes formed in a lattice pattern, capable of preventing a decrease in sensitivity caused by disconnection while suppressing the visibility of the sensor electrodes .SOLUTION: The capacitive touch panel includes an X-axis electrode 3 having a plurality of X-axis lattices x1 and x2 arranged in the X-axis direction, and a Y-axis electrode 5 having a plurality of Y-axis lattices y1 and y2 arranged in the Y-axis direction. The X-axis lattices x1 and x2 and the Y-axis lattices y1 and y2 are each formed of a plurality of fine lattices. Each lattice in the X-axis electrode 3 and the Y-axis electrode 5 is connected to an adjacent lattice by at least two connection wirings 12A, 12B, 16A, and 16B formed along sides parallel to the lattice sides of the fine lattices. Each lattice has a missing portion in which at least a part of the lattice side of the fine lattice is omitted, at a position overlapping, in a lamination direction, with the connection wirings 12A, 12B, 16A, and 16B of the opposite electrode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a capacitive touch panel that detects the approach of a user's finger or the like to any position on the touch surface (XY plane) by a change in capacitance, and in particular to a capacitive touch panel having sensor electrodes provided on a glass substrate. [Background technology]

[0002] Projected capacitive touch panels are used as one of the input means for home appliances, AV equipment, PCs / OA equipment, industrial machinery, and other electronic devices. Projected capacitive touch panels are devices that detect touch position by reading changes in capacitance using sensor electrodes formed in specific patterns in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0003] For example, a known sensor electrode pattern is one in which diamond-shaped lattices are arranged vertically (Y) and horizontally (X) (hereinafter referred to as a diamond pattern). In this touch panel, when viewed from the touch surface in a plan view, lattices arranged in the X-axis direction (X-axis lattice) and lattices arranged in the Y-axis direction (Y-axis lattice) are arranged in a matrix. The X-axis lattice and the Y-axis lattice are each formed from a metal thin film consisting of finer lattices. In this touch panel, the X-axis electrodes and the Y-axis electrodes are stacked with a transparent insulating layer in between to electrically insulate the intersections of the X-axis electrodes and the Y-axis electrodes.

[0004] In a projection-type touch panel, since it is placed in front of a liquid crystal display, it is necessary to make the wiring of the sensor electrodes less visible. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technology that makes it less visible when the X-axis electrode and the Y-axis electrode are overlapped, at the connection part between adjacent X-axis lattices in the X-axis direction and at the connection part between adjacent Y-axis lattices in the Y-axis direction (see Patent Document 1).

[0005] The configuration of the connection portion in Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows an enlarged schematic diagram of X-axis electrode 21 and Y-axis electrode 22 superimposed on each other. As shown in FIG. 7, X-axis lattices x1 and x2 and Y-axis lattices y1 and y2 are formed of a plurality of fine lattices. X-axis lattice x1 and X-axis lattice x2 are connected via connection portion 23 formed by sides parallel to the lattice sides of the fine lattices. Y-axis lattice y1 and Y-axis lattice y2 are connected via connection portion 25 formed by sides parallel to the lattice sides of the fine lattices.

[0006] Furthermore, X-axis lattices x1 and x2 have missing portions 24, where a portion of a lattice edge of the fine lattice is missing, at locations where they overlap with connection portions 25 of Y-axis electrode 22 in the stacking direction. Y-axis lattices y1 and y2 have missing portions 26, where a portion of a lattice edge of the fine lattice is missing, at locations where they overlap with connection portions 23 of X-axis electrode 21 in the stacking direction. By forming missing portions (blank areas) in this way and passing the wiring for the connection portions through them, the wiring pattern is made uniform, achieving more uniform transmittance and reflectance throughout the entire sensor unit and reducing visibility. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-166705 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, in the conventional connection configuration in which X-axis gratings are connected to each other and Y-axis gratings are connected to each other, there is a risk of sensitivity decreasing due to disconnections in the wiring, and it is believed that there is room for further improvement.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a capacitive touch panel having sensor electrodes formed in a grid pattern, which can reduce the visibility of the sensor electrodes while preventing a decrease in sensitivity due to breakage, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The capacitive touch panel of the present invention is a capacitive touch panel in which X-axis electrodes, each having a plurality of X-axis grids arranged in the X-axis direction, and Y-axis electrodes, each having a plurality of Y-axis grids arranged in the Y-axis direction intersecting the X-axis direction, are stacked via an insulating layer, and are arranged in a matrix pattern in a planar view from the touch surface of the capacitive touch panel, wherein the X-axis grids and the Y-axis grids are formed of a plurality of fine grids, and each grid in the X-axis electrode and the Y-axis electrode is connected to an adjacent grid by two or more connection wirings formed on sides parallel to the grid sides of the fine grids, and each grid has a missing portion where at least a part of the grid side of the fine grid is missing at a location where it overlaps with the connection wiring in the opposing electrode in the stacking direction.

[0011] In the present invention, being connected to adjacent lattices by two or more connection wiring means that two or more non-overlapping conductive paths (excluding intersections) are secured as wiring patterns connecting X-axis lattices and Y-axis lattices.

[0012] The connection wiring of the X-axis electrode and the Y-axis electrode is characterized in that it is provided so as to overlap with and cross over the lattice sides of the fine lattice of the counter electrode in the stacking direction, without overlapping with them.

[0013] In the X-axis electrode and the Y-axis electrode, the two or more connection wires are provided symmetrically with respect to a center line in the arrangement direction of the grids of the electrodes.

[0014] In one of the X-axis electrode and the Y-axis electrode, the two or more connection wirings are provided so as to connect opposing vertices of adjacent lattices in a lattice pattern.

[0015] At the vertex, a pair of frame lines that form the outer periphery of each grid and are arranged close to each other have ends that are not connected to each other but are spaced apart, and the end of one of the pair of frame lines is connected to one of the two or more connection wires, and the end of the other frame line is connected to the other connection wire.

[0016] At the vertex, the connection boundary between the end of one frame line and the one connecting wiring, and the connection boundary between the end of the other frame line and the other connecting wiring are formed in an arc-shaped curve so as to face each other and approach each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The capacitive touch panel of the present invention is a capacitive touch panel in which an X-axis electrode having a plurality of X-axis grids arranged in the X-axis direction and a Y-axis electrode having a plurality of Y-axis grids arranged in the Y-axis direction are stacked via an insulating layer, and the X-axis grid and the Y-axis grid are formed of a plurality of fine grids, and each grid in the X-axis electrode and the Y-axis electrode is connected to an adjacent grid by two or more connection wirings formed on sides parallel to the grid sides of the fine grid, and each grid has a missing portion where at least a part of the grid side of the fine grid is missing at a location where it overlaps with the connection wiring in the opposing electrode in the stacking direction, thereby making it possible to reduce the visibility of the sensor electrode while preventing a decrease in sensitivity due to disconnections, etc.

[0018] The connection wiring in the X-axis electrode and the Y-axis electrode is arranged so that it does not overlap parallel to the lattice sides of the fine lattice in the stacking direction, but rather crosses and overlaps with them. This prevents, for example, a decrease in sensitivity due to the connection wiring and the lattice sides of the fine lattice overlapping in parallel, while also taking measures to prevent disconnection.

[0019] In the X-axis electrode and Y-axis electrode, two or more connecting wires are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line in the arrangement direction of each grid of the electrode. This makes it easier to achieve more uniform transmittance and reflectance throughout the sensor unit while taking measures to prevent wire breakage, making it easier to further reduce visibility.

[0020] In one of the X-axis electrode and Y-axis electrode, two or more connection wires are arranged to connect opposing vertices between adjacent lattices in a lattice pattern, and at the vertices, the ends of a pair of frame lines in each lattice are not connected to each other and are spaced apart, and of the pair of frame lines, the end of one frame line is connected to one of the two or more connection wires, and the end of the other frame line is connected to the other connection wire.As a result, the two or more connection wires do not intersect at the vertices, and each is independently connected to adjacent lattices, which is even more effective in preventing breakage.

[0021] Furthermore, at the vertex, one connection boundary and the other connection boundary, which are spaced apart from each other, are formed in an arc-shaped curve so that they face each other and approach each other, making it easier to reduce visibility compared to when they are formed in a straight line along the X-axis or Y-axis direction, for example. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are a plan view and a side view showing an example of a capacitive touch panel of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged cross section of the touch panel of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a wiring pattern of an X-axis electrode in the capacitive touch panel of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a wiring pattern of a Y-axis electrode in the capacitive touch panel of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the vertices of the Y-axis lattice in the Y-axis electrode. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which X-axis electrodes and Y-axis electrodes are overlapped in a capacitive touch panel of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which X-axis electrodes and Y-axis electrodes are overlapped in a conventional capacitive touch panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] An example of a capacitive touch panel of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1(a) is a schematic plan view of the capacitive touch panel, and FIG. 1(b) is its side view. As shown in FIG. 1(b), the capacitive touch panel 1 includes a light-transmitting first glass substrate 2 having an X-axis electrode 3 for detecting the X-axis direction and a light-transmitting second glass substrate 4 having a Y-axis electrode 5 for detecting the Y-axis direction, and has a laminated structure in which the first glass substrate 2 and the second glass substrate 4 are bonded together. The surface of the first glass substrate 2 forms a touch surface 2a, and the X-axis electrode 3 is provided on the surface 2b opposite the touch surface 2a. In addition, the Y-axis electrode 5 is provided on one surface of the second glass substrate 4. The X-axis electrode 3 and the Y-axis electrode 5 are sandwiched between the two glass substrates, facing each other. Because no glass substrate is interposed between the two electrodes, the gap between the electrodes is significantly smaller than when a glass substrate is interposed.

[0024] The X-axis electrode 3 and the Y-axis electrode 5 are connected to terminals 8 via lead wiring 7 for electrical connection with external wiring. For example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 9 is connected as the external wiring, and a control unit (not shown) that performs touch detection is connected via the FPC 9. Furthermore, to improve environmental resistance, a metal lead frame may be provided instead of the FPC 9. The capacitive touch panel of the present invention utilizes the change in the capacitance of the electrode caused by electrostatic coupling between the sensor electrode and the finger, and the specific detection procedure in the control unit can be a known procedure.

[0025] An enlarged cross-sectional view of the panel is shown in Fig. 2. While Fig. 2 shows an example of a structure in which two glass substrates are stacked and each sensor unit is sandwiched between them, the present invention is not limited to this structure, and the X-axis electrode and the Y-axis electrode may be formed on a single glass substrate.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the X-axis electrode 3 has an intermediate layer 3b formed on the surface opposite the touch surface 2a of the first glass substrate 2, and a sensor electrode 3a made of a thin metal film formed thereon. The Y-axis electrode 5 has a sensor electrode 5a made of a thin metal film formed on one surface (the first glass substrate side) of the second glass substrate 4, and an intermediate layer 5b formed thereon. When viewed from the touch surface 2a, both electrodes are formed so that the thin metal film is located below the intermediate layer. This reduces the reflectance of visible light and ensures visibility.

[0027] The metal thin film constituting the sensor electrodes 3a and 5a is formed by a known thin film forming method using materials such as aluminum (Al), Al alloy, niobium, molybdenum, gold, silver, copper, etc. Among these, it is preferable to use an Al thin film because of its excellent environmental resistance and low cost.

[0028] The intermediate layers 3b and 5b are (1) thin films containing at least one metal selected from Cr, Mo, and W. The intermediate layers 3b and 5b are layers (black layers) that appear black by absorbing incident light through visible light interference. From the touch surface 2a, the switch section appears black, suppressing reflection. The intermediate layers can be formed by sputtering, similar to the formation of the Al thin film described above. The intermediate layers preferably contain a predetermined amount of (2) at least one oxide selected from an oxide of Al (e.g., Al2O3) and an oxide of Ti (e.g., TiO2). By including a predetermined amount of these oxides, reflectance can be further reduced. A mixed layer of Mo and Al2O3 is more preferable as the intermediate layer. The thickness of the intermediate layer is preferably 5 nm to 500 nm, more preferably 20 nm to 200 nm.

[0029] The first glass substrate 2 and the second glass substrate 4 are light-transmitting insulating substrates, and may be made of soda-lime glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, or alkali-free glass containing no alkali components. Soda-lime glass is preferred because it has high transmittance, is commonly used as window glass in general buildings, and is very inexpensive. Each glass substrate has a thickness of approximately 0.5 to 5 mm, preferably 0.5 to 3.0 mm.

[0030] In Figure 2, an insulating layer 6 is formed between the X-axis electrode 3 and the Y-axis electrode 5, specifically between the X-side sensor electrode 3a and the Y-side intermediate layer 5b, to insulate the sensor electrodes. The appropriate thickness of the insulating layer is 50 μm to 500 μm. If the insulating layer thickness exceeds 500 μm, the gap between the sensor electrodes becomes large, resulting in a difference in sensitivity between the X-axis electrode and the Y-axis electrode.

[0031] In FIG. 2, the X-axis electrodes are provided on the first glass substrate on the touch surface side, but the Y-axis electrodes may be provided on the first glass substrate and the X-axis electrodes may be provided on the second glass substrate.

[0032] In Figure 1(a), the electrodes 3 and 5 are patterned in a diamond pattern. Specifically, the X-axis electrode 3 has multiple diamond-shaped X-axis lattices x1 and x2 (see Figure 3) arranged in a straight line in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the Y-axis electrode 5 has multiple diamond-shaped Y-axis lattices y1 and y2 (see Figure 4) arranged in a straight line in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The X-axis electrode 3 and the Y-axis electrode 5 are arranged in positions that do not overlap when viewed in the XY plane (in a planar view), and the X-axis lattices and the Y-axis lattices are arranged in a matrix.

[0033] Hereinafter, the details of each sensor electrode in the capacitive touch panel of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows an example of the wiring pattern of the X-axis electrodes. The X-axis lattices x1 and x2 have four frame lines Gx that form their outer periphery, and within the area surrounded by these frame lines Gx, a plurality of finer lattice-like portions (fine lattices) are formed. For example, in the X-axis lattice x1, of the four frame lines Gx, 1A and border Gx 1B are a pair of frame lines facing the X-axis lattice x2, and are arranged close to each other. In the X-axis lattices x1 and x2, the frame lines Gx and their internal wiring are formed by each lattice side of the fine lattice.

[0035] In the fine lattice, the lattice-like portion is formed by stacking the above-mentioned sensor electrodes and intermediate layers in the above order. The spaces between the lattices are openings, and no sensor electrodes or intermediate layers are formed in these areas. Because the lattice-like portion is an extremely fine lattice, it becomes a translucent portion that appears transparent to the naked eye at first glance. The lattice-like portion typically has a line width W of 3 μm to 50 μm and a line pitch P of about 0.2 mm to 1 mm.

[0036] In FIG. 3, X-axis gratings x1 and x2 have protrusions 11 that protrude outward from the four frame lines Gx of each of the four sides. The protrusions 11 are provided as extensions of the grid sides of the fine grid, and are formed parallel to the grid sides of the fine grid. The protrusions 11 are provided so as to fill the gaps formed between the grid line Gx of the X-axis grating and the grid line Gy of the Y-axis grating (see FIG. 6). This makes the transmittance of the gaps and that of each diamond grid substantially the same, making the gaps less noticeable.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, X-axis lattice x1 and X-axis lattice x2, which are adjacent in the X-axis direction, are connected by two connection wires 12A and 12B. Connection wires 12A and 12B are formed with sides (e.g., two sides) parallel to the lattice sides of the fine lattice. In FIG. 3, an extension line of the lattice side of the fine lattice of X-axis lattice x1 is connected to an extension line of the lattice side of the fine lattice of X-axis lattice x2. In this case, a portion of connection wires 12A and 12B can also be considered as a protrusion. Note that protrusion 11 and connection wires 12A and 12B (as well as 14A, 14B, 16A, 16B, 17A, and 17B, described below) are made of a metal thin film, similar to the configuration of the fine lattice. Specifically, they are made of the sensor electrode and intermediate layer described above.

[0038] The connection wiring 12A has one end that is aligned with the frame line Gx of the X-axis grid x1. 1A The other end is connected to the frame line Gx of the X-axis grid x2. 2A One end of the connection wiring 12B is connected to the frame line Gx of the X-axis grid x1. 1B The other end is connected to the frame line Gx of the X-axis grid x2. 2B In this case, in each of the X-axis grids x1 and x2, the frame line Gx 1A , Gx 1B , Gx 2A , Gx 2B Therefore, even if a break occurs in one of the connection wirings 12A and 12B, the other connection wiring can provide electrical continuity from X-axis grid x1 to X-axis grid x2, preventing a decrease in sensitivity.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, in X-axis electrode 3, connection wires 12A and 12B are provided symmetrically with respect to center line Ox in the arrangement direction (X-axis direction) of X-axis lattices x1 and x2.

[0040] Furthermore, the X-axis lattices x1 and x2 have a missing portion 13 where a part of the lattice edge of the fine lattice is missing at the location where they overlap with the connection wiring 14A and 14B (see FIG. 4) of the counter electrode (Y-axis electrode). In the embodiment of FIG. 3, two missing portions 13 are provided in each of the X-axis lattices x1 and x2, and the missing portions 13 are provided at the vertices facing each other between adjacent lattices. In this case, the frame line Gx 1A and border Gx 1B The borders are not connected at their ends.

[0041] Next, FIG. 4 shows an example of the wiring pattern of the Y-axis electrode. The Y-axis lattices y1 and y2 have four frame lines Gy that form their outer periphery, and multiple fine lattices are formed within the area surrounded by these frame lines Gy. For example, in the Y-axis lattice y1, among the four frame lines Gy, 1A and border Gy 1B are a pair of frame lines facing the Y-axis lattice y2, and are arranged close to each other. In the Y-axis lattices y1 and y2, the frame line Gy and its internal wiring are formed by each lattice side of the fine lattice.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 4, the Y-axis lattice y1 and the Y-axis lattice y2, which are adjacent in the Y-axis direction, are connected by two connection wirings 14A and 14B. The connection wirings 14A and 14B are formed on sides (for example, two sides) parallel to the lattice sides of the fine lattice. In Fig. 4, the connection wiring 14A is connected to the frame line Gy of the Y-axis lattice y1. 1B The extension line of the Y-axis grid y2 and the border Gy 2B The connection wiring 14B is formed by connecting the extension lines of the frame line Gy of the Y-axis grid y1. 1A The extension line of the Y-axis grid y2 and the border Gy 2A It is formed by connecting the extension lines of the above.

[0043] In the Y-axis electrode 5, the connection wirings 14A and 14B are provided so as to connect the opposing vertices T1 and T2 between the Y-axis grid y1 and the Y-axis grid y2 in a grid pattern. 1A , Gy 1B are connected at their ends, and at the vertex T2, a pair of frame lines Gy2A , Gy 2B The ends of the Y-axis grids y1 and y2 are connected to each other. 1A , Gy 1B , Gy 2A , Gy 2B Therefore, even if a break occurs in one of the connection wirings 14A and 14B, the other connection wiring can provide electrical continuity from the Y-axis grid y1 to the Y-axis grid y2, preventing a decrease in sensitivity.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, in Y-axis electrode 5, connection wires 14A and 14B are provided symmetrically with respect to center line Oy in the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) of Y-axis lattices y1 and y2.

[0045] Furthermore, the Y-axis lattices y1 and y2 have missing portions 15, where a portion of a lattice edge of the fine lattice is missing, at locations where they overlap with the connection wiring 12A and 12B (see FIG. 3) of the counterpart electrode (X-axis electrode). In the embodiment of FIG. 4, two missing portions 15 are provided in each of the Y-axis lattices y1 and y2. The missing portions 15 form blank spaces between the two sides of the fine lattice and the intersections where they connect.

[0046] 4, the connection wirings 14A and 14B intersect with each other at vertices T1 and T2. However, these intersections where four wirings intersect are relatively prone to breakage due to, for example, the touch panel assembly process or static electricity. Therefore, it is preferable to form the connection configuration of the connection wiring at the vertices in consideration of breakage at such intersections.

[0047] 5(a) and 5(b) show enlarged views of the connection wiring to explain such a connection topology. In these connection topology, two or more connection wirings are provided to connect opposing vertices T1 and T2 to each other in a grid pattern, while the two or more connection wirings do not intersect at the vertices T1 and T2, and each is independently connected to an adjacent grid.

[0048] Specifically, in FIG. 5(a), a pair of frame lines Gy 1A , Gy 1B The ends of the two frames are not connected and are spaced apart. 1A The end of the frame Gy is connected to the connection wiring 16A. 1B The ends of the frame lines Gy are connected to the connection wiring 16B. 2A , Gy 2B The ends of the two frames are not connected and are spaced apart. 2A is connected to the connection wiring 16A, and the other frame line Gy 2B is connected to the connection wiring 16B. The same applies to the connection wirings 17A and 17B in FIG.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 5(a) and (b), one of the frame lines (for example, the frame line Gy 1A ) and one of the connection wirings (for example, the connection wiring 16A), and the other frame line (for example, the frame line Gy 1B The connection boundary (e.g., part Q) between the end of one connection boundary (e.g., part P) and the other connection boundary (e.g., part Q) is spaced apart from each other. The separation distance CL between one connection boundary (e.g., part P) and the other connection boundary (e.g., part Q) is not particularly limited, but is, for example, about 30 μm to 50 μm. By setting the separation distance CL within this range, it is possible to facilitate the formation of wiring to some extent, and it is also possible to prevent the gap from being noticeable while effectively preventing short circuits. Note that when the separation distance CL varies, it refers to the minimum separation distance.

[0050] 5(a) and 5(b) show different connection wirings at the vertices. In FIG. 5(a), at the vertex T1, the connection boundary P and the connection boundary Q are formed in an arc-like curved shape so that they face each other and approach each other. In this case, the curvature of the arc is set appropriately depending on the separation distance CL, etc., and may be constant or may vary. On the other hand, in FIG. 5(b), at the vertex T1, the connection boundary P and the connection boundary Q are formed in a linear shape that is parallel to each other along the Y-axis direction.

[0051] While either the configuration shown in Figure 5(a) or (b) can be used, the configuration shown in Figure 5(a) is preferable from the viewpoint of eliminating the continuity of the connection boundary. If the connection boundary is provided in a straight line, that part will stand out and there is a risk of moire occurring.

[0052] Figure 6 shows an example of a state in which the X-axis electrode shown in Figure 3 and the Y-axis electrode having the connection wiring shown in Figure 5(a) are overlapped. As shown in Figure 6, in both the X-axis electrode 3 and the Y-axis electrode 5, adjacent gratings are connected with two or more connection wirings 12A and 12B, and 16A and 16B, thereby taking measures to prevent disconnection and configuring the X-axis electrode 3 and the Y-axis electrode 5 so that they overlap as little as possible in the stacking direction, thereby improving detection accuracy and achieving more uniform transmittance and reflectance throughout the sensor unit.

[0053] In the present invention, from the viewpoint of making the wiring pattern of the connection wiring redundant, the number of wires constituting the connection wiring may be further increased, and three or more connection wires may be provided to connect adjacent lattices.

[0054] On the other hand, as the number of connection wires increases, they are more likely to overlap with the wires of the counterpart electrode (the edges of the fine lattice or connection wires) in the stacking direction. In this case, the capacitive coupling between the electrodes becomes stronger, raising concerns about the impact on touch sensitivity. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, it is preferable that the connection wires 12A and 12B, 16A and 16B of the X-axis electrode 3 and the Y-axis electrode 5 are arranged so that they do not overlap with the edges of the fine lattice of the counterpart electrode in the stacking direction but intersect with them. In Figure 6, when viewed in the XY plane, four adjacent lattices (x1, x2, y1, y2) intersect only at the four points surrounded by dotted circles, minimizing the impact of increased capacitance at the intersections.

[0055] Furthermore, it is preferable that the connection wires 12A and 12B of the X-axis electrode 3 and the connection wires 16A and 16B of the Y-axis electrode 5 do not overlap each other.

[0056] The X-axis electrode and Y-axis electrode, which are each a sensor element, are made of a thin metal film. For example, if the thin metal film is an Al thin film, the Al thin film is formed by a vacuum process, such as sputtering or vacuum deposition, using an Al solid target (evaporation material). The wiring 7 (see Figure 1(a)) is also formed integrally with each electrode at the same time. Sputtering is a more preferable vacuum process because it allows for the formation of a uniform film. Sputtering is a method in which accelerated argon ions collide with a solid target, causing atoms or molecules that are ejected from the target surface to adhere to a glass substrate.

[0057] Although there are no particular limitations on the method for processing the Al thin film into a predetermined shape such as a grid, it is preferable to use a known photoresolution technique, as this allows for the precise formation of wiring connected to each electrode and the fine grid portion described above. For example, after forming the Al thin film by sputtering or vacuum deposition, a mask layer with an etching pattern is formed by screen printing using a resist material, and then wet etching is performed using a predetermined etching solution to form fine wiring. The thickness of the Al thin film is preferably 100 nm to 5000 nm.

[0058] The configuration of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the drawings. For example, while protrusions 11 are formed on X-axis grids x1 and x2 in Figures 3 to 6, protrusions may be formed on Y-axis grids y1 and y2. Furthermore, the form of the connecting wiring between the X-axis electrode 3 and the Y-axis electrode 5 may be interchanged.

[0059] The two or more connecting wires may be formed on sides parallel to the grid sides of the fine grid and may connect adjacent grids, and their configuration is not limited. For example, in FIG. 4, the opposing vertices of adjacent grids are connected in a single grid pattern, but the opposing vertices of adjacent grids may be connected in a series of multiple grid patterns. Furthermore, the two or more connecting wires may be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the center line in the arrangement direction of each grid of the electrode. [Industrial Applicability]

[0060] The capacitive touch panel of the present invention is a touch panel having sensor electrodes formed in a grid pattern, which can reduce the visibility of the sensor electrodes while preventing a decrease in sensitivity due to wire breakage, etc., and can therefore be suitably used as an input means for various devices such as home appliances, AV equipment, PC / OA equipment, industrial machinery, and other electronic devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 Capacitive touch panel 2. First glass substrate 3 X-axis electrode 4 Second glass substrate 5 Y-axis electrode 6 insulating layer 7 Wiring 8 External connection terminal 9 Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC) 11 Protrusion 12A, 12B connection wiring 13 Defective area 14A, 14B connection wiring 15 Defective area 16A, 16B connection wiring 17A, 17B connection wiring x1, x2 X-axis grid y1, y2 Y-axis grid P, Q connection boundary Gx, Gy border Gx 1A , Gx 1B , Gx 2A , Gx 2B Border Gy 1A , Gy 1B , Gy 2A , Gy 2B Border

Claims

1. A capacitive touch panel in which X-axis electrodes, each having a plurality of X-axis grids arranged in an X-axis direction, and Y-axis electrodes, each having a plurality of Y-axis grids arranged in a Y-axis direction intersecting the X-axis direction, are stacked via an insulating layer, and are arranged in a matrix pattern in a plan view seen from the touch surface of the capacitive touch panel, the X-axis grating and the Y-axis grating are formed of a plurality of fine gratings, A capacitive touch panel characterized in that each grid in the X-axis electrode and the Y-axis electrode is connected to an adjacent grid by two or more connection wirings formed on sides parallel to the grid sides of the fine grid, and each grid has a missing portion in which at least a part of the grid side of the fine grid is missing at a location where it overlaps with the connection wiring in the opposing electrode in the stacking direction.

2. The capacitive touch panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection wiring in the X-axis electrode and the Y-axis electrode is arranged so as to intersect and overlap with the lattice sides of the fine lattice in the opposing electrode in the stacking direction, without overlapping with them.

3. 3. The capacitive touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the two or more connection wirings in the X-axis electrode and the Y-axis electrode are arranged symmetrically with respect to a center line in the arrangement direction of each grid of the electrodes.

4. 3. The capacitive touch panel according to claim 1, wherein in one of the X-axis electrode and the Y-axis electrode, the two or more connection wirings are arranged so as to connect opposing vertices between adjacent grids in a grid pattern.

5. The capacitive touch panel of claim 4, characterized in that at the vertices, a pair of frame lines that form the outer periphery of each grid and are arranged close to each other have ends that are not connected to each other but are spaced apart, and the end of one of the pair of frame lines is connected to one of the two or more connection wirings, and the end of the other frame line is connected to the other connection wiring.

6. The capacitive touch panel of claim 5, characterized in that at the vertices, the connection boundary between the end of one frame line and one of the connecting wirings, and the connection boundary between the end of the other frame line and the other connecting wiring, are formed in an arc-shaped curve so as to face each other and approach each other.

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