Display Module

Abstract

A display module that includes an antenna capable of transmitting and receiving in a 5G band, wherein the loss of magnetic waves at a frequency used by the antenna is suppressed. A display module 1 comprises a transparent antenna 100 provided with a transparent substrate 101 and a mesh-shaped metal thin line layer 110, which has a porosity of at least 80%, on the upper side of the transparent substrate 101, and a display panel 220, wherein: the display module 1 has at least one good reflector 230 between the transparent antenna 100 and the display panel 220, or on the surface of the display panel 220; and, at a frequency used by the transparent antenna between 2 GHz < f < 50 GHz, the good reflector 230 has a magnetic wave reflection amplitude that is greater than the transmission amplitude, and a reflection coefficient S11 of at least -1dB.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display module comprising a transparent antenna and a display panel. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the fifth generation mobile communication system (5G) or the sixth generation mobile communication system (6G) has been developed as a communication technology for mobile communication devices such as smartphones, tablets, mobile phones, and laptops.

[0003] Here, millimeter waves, known as the fifth generation mobile communication system (5G), are highly directional, have a relatively short reach, and are easily blocked by metal, etc., so technology has been proposed to place transparent antennas on displays (OLED, LCD, LED) and touch panels (including display-integrated metal thin-line panels) as 5G antennas (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-5013 [Patent Document 2] US Publication No. 2019 / 0058264 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when an antenna is placed on a display or touch panel, if the resistance of the display or touch panel is high, the radio waves are absorbed rather than reflected, resulting in large losses in transmission and reception by the antenna.

[0006] Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a display module including an antenna capable of transmitting and receiving in the 5G band and suppressing electromagnetic wave loss at the frequency used by the antenna.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, in one aspect of the present invention, a display module including a transparent substrate and a transparent antenna provided with a mesh-shaped metal fine wire layer having an aperture ratio of 80% or more on the upper side of the transparent substrate, and a display panel, has at least one good reflector between the transparent antenna and the display panel or on the surface of the display panel, and the good reflector has a reflection amplitude of electromagnetic wave > transmission amplitude and a reflection coefficient S11 of -1 dB or more at the frequency f used by the transparent antenna between 2 GHz < f < 50 GHz.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect, in a display module including an antenna capable of transmitting and receiving in the 5G band, electromagnetic wave loss at the frequency used by the antenna can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an overall view of an electronic device equipped with a display and the position of a transparent antenna. [Diagram 2] A cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the electronic device in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] Schematic configuration (Part 1) of the display module of the present invention. [Figure 4] Schematic diagram of a sensor pattern of a projection type capacitance method. [Diagram 5] A diagram showing the detailed structure of a sensor pattern of a general touch panel. [Figure 6] Explanation diagram of a floating conductor of a sensor pattern. [Figure 7] Partial enlarged view of the corner, extension part, and jumper of the electrode in FIG. 5. [Figure 8]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a typical projected capacitive touch panel. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a pseudo display module for measurement purposes, including a transparent antenna. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 shows a typical touch panel included in a pseudo display module used for measurement. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the S11 and S12 parameters of horizontally polarized waves and vertically polarized waves when a pseudo display module including the general touch panel of FIG. 10 is made. [Figure 12] A diagram showing examples of frequency bands used in 5G. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of a sensor pattern of the touch panel according to the first configuration example of the present invention. [Figure 14] 14 is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the S11 and S21 parameters when a pseudo display module is formed including the touch panel configuration of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a partial enlarged view of a sensor pattern of a touch panel according to a second configuration example of the present invention. [Figure 16] 16 is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the S11 parameter when a pseudo display module is formed including the touch panel configuration of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a partial enlarged view of a sensor pattern of a touch panel according to a third configuration example of the present invention. [Figure 18] 18 is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the S11 parameter when a pseudo display module is formed by including the touch panel configuration of FIG. 17. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged view of a sensor pattern of a touch panel according to a fourth configuration example of the present invention. [Figure 20] 20 is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the S11 parameter when a pseudo display module is formed including the touch panel configuration of FIG. 19. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged view of a sensor pattern of a touch panel according to a fifth configuration example of the present invention. [Figure 22]22 is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the S11 and S21 parameters of horizontally polarized waves and vertically polarized waves when a pseudo display module is formed including the touch panel configuration of FIG. 21. [Diagram 23] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a touch panel according to a sixth configuration example of the present invention. [Figure 24] 24 is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the S11 and S21 parameters when a pseudo display module is formed including the touch panel configuration of FIG. 23. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a touch panel according to a seventh configuration example of the present invention. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a display module of the present invention (part 2). [Figure 27] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a display module of the present invention (part 3). [Figure 28] Schematic diagram of a typical OLED display panel. [Figure 29] 1 is a schematic diagram of an OLED display panel of the present invention. [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a mask for the pattern electrode of FIG. 29. [Diagram 31] 31A to 31C are diagrams showing a mask patterning method for forming a pattern electrode using the mask of FIG. 30. [Diagram 32] 30 is a diagram showing the mask pattern method of FIG. 29 using a resist pattern. [Diagram 33] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a display module according to the present invention. [Diagram 34] An example of the electrode configuration of the touch panel above the transparent antenna. [Diagram 35] An example of the electrode configuration of the touch panel above the transparent antenna. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations may be omitted. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention using a transparent antenna will be described.

[0011] The transparent antenna 100 of the present invention is applicable, for example, to a fifth generation mobile communication system (5G) or a sixth generation mobile communication system (6G).

[0012] The display module according to the present invention will be described in the following order: 1. Electronic device, 2. Schematic configuration of the display module 1 according to the present invention (part 1), 2-1. General sensor pattern and characteristics of a projected capacitive touch panel, 3-1. Sensor pattern and characteristics of a touch panel according to a first configuration example of the present invention, 3-2. Sensor pattern and characteristics of a touch panel according to a second configuration example of the present invention, 3-3. Sensor pattern and characteristics of a touch panel according to a third configuration example of the present invention, 3-4. Sensor pattern and characteristics of a touch panel according to a fourth configuration example of the present invention, 3-5. Sensor pattern and characteristics of a touch panel according to a fifth configuration example of the present invention, 3-6. Other modified examples of the sensor pattern of the touch panel according to the present invention, 3-7. Cross section of a touch panel according to a sixth configuration example of the present invention FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display module 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display module 3 according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display module 4 according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display module 5 according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] (1. Electronic device equipped with a display module) The configuration of an electronic device 200, which is an example of a communication device equipped with a display module D including a transparent antenna 100 of the present invention, will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is an overall view of the electronic device 200 equipped with the display module D of the present invention and a diagram showing the position of the transparent antenna 100. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the A-side of the electronic device 200 in Figure 1.

[0014] 1 and 2, the X direction indicates the horizontal direction of the electronic device 200, the Y direction indicates the vertical direction of the electronic device 200, and the Z direction indicates the height direction of the electronic device 200. In the following, the XYZ coordinate system is defined and described. Also, in the following, for convenience of explanation, a planar view refers to an XY plane view, and the explanation is given using a vertical direction with the +Z direction side being the upper side and the -Z direction side being the lower side, and a horizontal direction (side) with respect to the vertical direction, but these do not represent universal vertical and horizontal directions.

[0015] In addition, in the directions of parallel, right-angled, orthogonal, horizontal, vertical, up-down, left-right, etc., deviations that do not impair the effects of the disclosure in the embodiments are permitted. In addition, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction respectively represent directions parallel to the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are perpendicular to each other. The XY plane, the YZ plane, and the ZX plane respectively represent imaginary planes parallel to the X direction and the Y direction, imaginary planes parallel to the Y direction and the Z direction, and imaginary planes parallel to the Z direction and the X direction.

[0016] The electronic device 200 is, for example, an information processing terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), etc. In addition, the electronic device 200 is not limited to these, and may be, for example, a structure such as a pillar or a wall, a digital signage, an electronic device including a display panel in a train, or an electronic device including various display panels in a vehicle.

[0017] 1 and 2, a display module D capable of performing a display function is disposed on the entire top surface or at least a part of the top surface of the electronic device 200. The transparent antenna 100 of the present invention is disposed above a touch panel 230 on a display panel 220. The transparent antenna 100 of the present invention is visible from outside the electronic device 200 through a transparent cover 240, and is transparent so that the display panel 220 can be viewed from the outside through the transparent antenna 100.

[0018] 2, in electronic device 200, display panel 220, touch panel 230, transparent antenna 100, and transparent cover 240 are collectively referred to as display module 1 (also referred to as display module).

[0019] In addition to the display module 1, the electronic device 200 includes a housing 210, a wiring board 250, electronic components 260A, 260B, 260C, and 260D, a battery 270, and the like.

[0020] 1 and 2 show an example in which the electronic device 200 in which the transparent antenna 100 is mounted is a smartphone, but the electronic device in which the transparent antenna of the present invention is mounted may have another configuration as long as it includes a housing 210, a transparent cover 240, and a display panel 220. In addition, the electronic device 200 may not be provided with a touch panel 230.

[0021] Housing 210 is, for example, a case made of metal and / or resin, and covers the bottom and side surfaces of electronic device 200. Housing 210 has opening end 211 which is the upper end of the peripheral wall, and transparent cover 240 is attached to opening end 211. Housing 210 has storage section 212 which is an internal space communicating with opening end 211, and storage section 212 stores wiring board 250, electronic components 260A to 260D, battery 270, etc.

[0022] Transparent cover 240, which is an example of a cover glass, is a transparent glass plate provided on the top surface and has a size that matches open end 211 of housing 210 in a plan view. In this example, transparent cover 240 is an example of a glass plate that is mostly flat and has both ends in the horizontal direction (+-X direction) that are gently curved downward, but it may be a flat glass plate in the horizontal direction. Alternatively, transparent cover 240 may also have both ends in the vertical direction (Y direction) of electronic device 200 that are gently curved downward. Here, a form in which transparent cover 240 is made of glass will be described, but transparent cover 240 may be made of resin.

[0023] The transparent cover 240 covers the opening of the housing 210. By attaching to the end 211, the storage section 212 of the housing 210 is sealed.

[0024] The upper surface of the transparent cover 240 is an example of the outer surface of the transparent cover 240, and the lower surface of the transparent cover 240 is an example of the inner surface of the transparent cover 240. The transparent antenna 100 and the touch panel 230 are provided on the inner surface side of the transparent cover 240. Since the transparent cover 240 is transparent, the touch panel 230 and the display panel 220 provided inside can be seen through the transparent cover 240 from the outside of the electronic device 200.

[0025] Electronic components 260A to 260C are mounted on the wiring board 250. A power feed line extending from a power feed area 120 (see FIG. 5) of the transparent antenna is connected to the wiring board 250. The wiring board 250 and the power feed area 120 of the transparent antenna 100 may be connected using a connector, an ACF (Anisotropic Conductive Film), or the like, or may be connected using other components.

[0026] As an example, the electronic component 260A is a communication module that is connected to the power supply unit 120 of the transparent antenna 100 via wiring on the wiring board 250 and processes signals transmitted or received via the transparent antenna 100. The central electronic component 260B is, for example, a camera.

[0027] As an example, electronic components 260C and 260D are components that perform information processing related to the operation of electronic device 200, and are realized by a computer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an input / output interface, and an internal bus.

[0028] The battery 270 is a rechargeable secondary battery, and supplies the power required for the operation of the display module 1, the electronic components 260A to 260D, and the like.

[0029] (2. Schematic Configuration of Display Module (Part 1)) Next, the configuration of the display module 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the display module 1.

[0030] 2, the display module 1 has an inner adhesive layer 281, a polarizing plate 282, and an outer adhesive layer 283 between the touch panel 230 and the transparent cover 240, as shown in FIG. 3. The inner adhesive layer 281 and the outer adhesive layer 283 are made of a transparent optical adhesive OCA (Optical Clear Adhesive).

[0031] The transparent antenna 100 of this embodiment is provided between the inner adhesive layer 281 and the polarizing plate 282. Note that, instead of the configuration of FIG. 3, the transparent antenna may be provided between the touch panel 230 and the inner adhesive layer 281, or between the polarizing plate 282 and the outer adhesive layer 283, as shown by the dotted arrow in FIG. 3.

[0032] Moreover, touch panel 230 is a "thin metal wire layer for an on-cell touch panel." Here, "on-cell" refers to a structure in which an electrode layer is formed directly on the surface of display panel 220, rather than attaching a touch panel formed on a substrate independent of display panel 220. Alternatively, touch panel 230 formed on an independent substrate may be bonded to display panel 220, and may be a thin metal wire (wiring layer) for a touch panel that is not an on-cell.

[0033] The display panel 220 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, an organic EL (Electro-luminescence) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display panel. In either configuration, it is disposed at the bottom of the display module 1.

[0034] Since the transparent antenna 100 is provided partially in the display module 1, the touch panel 230, the inner adhesive layer 281, the polarizing plate 282, and / or the outer adhesive layer 283 may be made thinner in the area where the transparent antenna 100 is provided than in other areas, or the inner adhesive layer 281, the polarizing plate 282, and / or the outer adhesive layer 283 may not be provided. This makes it possible to prevent only the transparent antenna 100 from rising in the display module 1.

[0035] However, it has been found that if the transparent antenna 100 is too thick, problems arise in that the edges of the transparent antenna are visible and air is easily mixed into the boundaries with the adhesive layers 281, 283. The thickness of the transparent antenna 100 is preferably 200 μm or less, more preferably 150 μm or less, and particularly preferably 100 μm or less. From the viewpoint of ease of handling, the thickness of the transparent antenna 100 is preferably 10 μm or more, and more preferably 50 μm or more.

[0036] 1 and 2 show an example in which both ends in the +Y direction of the display module 1 are gently curved, but the display module D may have a planar shape with no curved ends. In that case, the transparent antenna 100 may also have a planar shape. Note that when the transparent antenna 100 is partially curved, the power supply region described below has a curved shape.

[0037] Here, in the touch panel 230 provided under the transparent antenna 100, if the absorption of electromagnetic waves is large, i.e., the reflection amplitude is small and the resistance value is high, the antenna loss becomes high. Therefore, the touch panel 230 and the display panel 220 that can suppress the antenna loss will be described below. Note that the adhesive layers 281 and 283 and the polarizing plate 282 are layers through which electromagnetic waves can pass.

[0038] (2-1. General Sensor Pattern and Characteristics of a Projected Capacitive Touch Panel) First, the configuration of a sensor pattern in a projected capacitive touch panel (also called a touch sensor) will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 7. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a sensor pattern of a general projected capacitive touch panel 230.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, the touch panel 230 has a plurality of first electrodes 31 and a plurality of second electrodes 32 provided on a substrate, and has a plurality of first wirings 38 connected to the plurality of first electrodes 31, and a plurality of second wirings 39 connected to the plurality of second electrodes 32.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 4, in the sensor pattern of the projected capacitive touch panel 230, multiple electrodes 31, 32 are arranged in a matrix, and adjacent electrodes are capacitively coupled to each other. When a conductive material such as a finger approaches an electrode, capacitive coupling occurs between the finger and the electrode, and the part where the capacitive coupling value between the electrodes changes is detected as the touch position. With such a projected capacitive touch panel, multiple positions on the touch panel 230 can be detected simultaneously.

[0041] In the touch panel 230, the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 may be provided on different surfaces or different layers, or may be provided on the same surface. Specific examples are shown below. For example, (1) the first electrode 31 is provided on one surface of one glass substrate, and the second electrode 32 is provided on the other surface. (2) In a structure in which glass (printed circuit boards) are stacked in two layers, the first electrode 31 is provided on the upper glass substrate, and the second electrode 32 is provided on the lower glass substrate. (3) The first electrode 31 is provided on one surface of one film, and the second electrode 32 is provided on the other surface. (4) In a structure in which films are stacked in two layers, the first electrode 31 is provided on the upper film, and the second electrode 32 is provided on the lower film. (5) A diamond-shaped electrode portion of the first electrode 31 is provided on the same surface as the second electrode 32, and the diamond-shaped electrodes are connected by a bridge electrode provided on a different layer. (1) to (4) are provided on different surfaces or different layers, and (5) is provided on the same layer.

[0042] 4, the first electrodes 31 are connected in a skewer shape in the horizontal direction (X direction), and the second electrodes 32 are connected in a skewer shape in the vertical direction (Y direction). The contours of the first electrodes 31 and the second electrodes 32 are rhombus or square formed by a common first straight line L1 and a second straight line perpendicular to the first straight line.

[0043] In the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32, whose four sides are formed using a plurality of parallel straight lines L1 and a plurality of parallel straight lines L2, adjacent sides are spaced apart by a distance d.

[0044] The smaller the distance d, the less visible the gap between the electrodes, which is preferable, but if the distance d is too wide, areas where the electrodes 31 and 32 are not present may be visible. However, the smaller the distance d, the more difficult it is to adjust the positions between different layers, and the more complicated the manufacturing process becomes. The size of the gap d may be, for example, greater than 0 and less than 10 mm, preferably greater than 1 μm and less than 5 mm, more preferably greater than 3 μm and less than 1 mm, and more preferably greater than 5 μm and less than 500 μm.

[0045] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a sensor pattern of a general touch panel 230X. In Fig. 5, two types of electrodes 31 and 32 are periodically arranged, and Fig. 5 shows an arrangement of a plurality of periodic structures.

[0046] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a grid of thin metal wires that constitute the electrodes. Fig. 7 is a partial enlarged view of the corners, extensions, and jumpers of the electrodes of the sensor pattern of touch panel 230X in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the portion surrounded by solid line α in Fig. 5, and is an enlarged view of the intersections of the periodic structure.

[0047] 5 to 7, the electrodes 31 and 32 are formed of metal wires in a lattice (mesh) pattern. In detail, the electrode 31 has a contour side 311 parallel to the straight line L1 and a contour side 312 parallel to the straight line L2, and has a plurality of partition lines 313 parallel to the straight line L1 direction and a plurality of partition lines 314 parallel to the straight line L2 direction. The electrode 32 has a contour side 321 parallel to the straight line L1 and a contour side 322 parallel to the straight line L2, and has a plurality of partition lines 323 parallel to the straight line L1 direction and a plurality of partition lines 324 parallel to the straight line L2 direction.

[0048] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the portion surrounded by the square γ in Fig. 5, which is an enlarged view of the grid of thin metal wires that constitute the electrode. As shown in Fig. 6, the partition lines 313, 314, which are metal wire lines (lines that constitute the grid) that constitute the mesh of the electrode, are composed of a plurality of even thinner thin metal wires W. Here, for example, the pitch between the thin metal wires W is about 34 μm, the thickness of the thin metal wires is about 300 nm, and the width of the thin metal wires is about 3 μm. These thin metal wires are processed to be thin enough that they are not visible to the user, so that high conductivity can be obtained in the touch panel 230X even when processed into a grid shape.

[0049] 6, the insides of the partition lines 313, 314, shown by thick lines and diagonal lines, are connected by ladder-shaped thin metal wires W, but the thin metal wires protruding from the areas of the partition lines 313, 314 are interrupted halfway. The thin metal wires in the space partitioned by the partition lines 313, 314 (the dark parts shown by F) are not electrically connected to the partition lines 313, 314. The substantially square part surrounded by the inside is not electrically connected to the surrounding area, and constitutes a so-called floating conductor (float) F. In this configuration, a substantially uniform gap G is provided between the end of the thin metal wire on the side of the partition lines 313, 314, where the thin metal wires W are interrupted, and the end of the thin metal wire on the side of the floating conductor F.

[0050] In the space partitioned by the lattice-like thin metal wires in the floating conductor F and in the space between the ladder-like lines of the partition lines 313 and 314, the light-emitting layers (light-emitting elements) 25R, 25G, and 25B (see FIG. 28) of the underlying display panel 220 are exposed so as not to interfere with light emission. This makes it possible to prevent the high visibility of the display panel 220 from being impaired even if the touch panel 230 is provided as an on-cell.

[0051] 6 shows an enlarged view of partition lines 313 and 314 of electrode 31, but partition lines 323 and 324 of electrode 32 have a similar configuration. Similarly, in the space surrounded by partition lines 313 and 314, including contour sides 311 and 312 which are corners of electrode 31, the inside of the partitioned space is a floating conductor F. The same is true for electrode 32.

[0052] In this way, by cutting or bridging parts of the thin metal wires, it is possible to create any desired pattern shape. By connecting and disconnecting these wires to form wiring suitable for position detection, the thin metal wire layer can function as a touch panel. do.

[0053] The width of the thinnest part of the metal thin wire W of the electrodes 31 and 32 is preferably 30 nm to 100 μm, preferably 50 nm to 50 μm, more preferably 50 nm to 20 μm. In particular, a conductive film having a pattern width of 10 μm or less is preferable because it is extremely difficult for the user to visually recognize it. Conductive nanowires may also be used for the electrodes 31 and 32. By dispersing the adjacent nanowires at an appropriate density so that they contact each other, a two-dimensional network is formed, and the conductive film can function as a highly transparent conductive film. For example, nanowires having an average diameter of 1 nm to 100 nm, preferably 5 nm to 50 nm, more preferably 5 nm to 25 nm can be used. As the nanowires, metal nanowires such as Ag nanowires, Cu nanowires, and Al nanowires, or carbon nanotubes can be used.

[0054] Also, Fig. 7 is a simplified simulation diagram within a reasonable range for electromagnetic waves in the frequency band of interest. Each side of the diamond constituting the electrodes 31 and 32 is about 4 mm. In the figure, the dark and light colored parts are not electrically connected, and the dark colors (32) are shorted by a bridge electrode or the like so that the dark colors (32) are electrically connected to each other and the light colors (31) are electrically connected to each other. That is, the wires 311, 312, 313, and 314 constituting the electrode 31 and the extensions 331, 332, 333, and 334 shown in Figs. 5 and 7 are electrically connected. The wires 321, 322, 323, and 324 constituting the electrode 32 are electrically connected to the extensions 341, 342, 343, and 344.

[0055] The boundary between electrodes 31 and 32, shown as a linear blank space in Fig. 7, is made up of slits S1 and S2. For example, the distance d between the contours of electrodes 31 and 32 is 30 um. Note that in Fig. 7, for example, the floating conductor F in Fig. 6 is replaced as if it does not exist within the diamond shape of electrodes 31 and 32. It has been confirmed that this is still appropriate in the GHz band, which is the frequency band for 5G.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, extensions (331, 332, 333, 334), (341, 342, 343, 344) extend from the sides of the electrodes 31, 32 that face each other across the distance d between the electrodes 31, 32.

[0057] This configuration can reduce the distance between the electrodes 31 and 32 without changing the positions of the diamond-shaped outlines of the electrodes 31 and 32. Furthermore, this configuration can prevent the area at the distance d where the electrodes 31 and 32 are not present from being visually recognized.

[0058] Here, the boundary between extension 331 of first electrode 31 extending perpendicular to sides 311, 321 parallel to straight line L1 and extension 341 of second electrode 32 becomes slit S1. Moreover, the boundary between extension 332 of first electrode 31 extending perpendicular to sides 312, 322 parallel to straight line L2 and extension 342 of second electrode 32 becomes slit S2.

[0059] As shown in Figs. 5 and 7, at the intersections, the first electrodes 31 are in contact with each other by contacting the corner extensions 334, which are conductive extensions adjacent to each other in the X direction, but the extensions 343 of the second electrodes 32 are not in contact with each other. Therefore, wiring of jumpers 35 is formed to connect the corner extensions 343 of the second electrodes 32 in the Y direction. The jumpers 35 are provided at the intersections of the Y and X axes. On the other hand, at the intersections of the extensions 333 and 344 (see Fig. 5) that are not intersections of the axes, the corner extensions 333 are connected to each other to form the first electrodes 31 continuously in the X axis direction, but the electrodes 32 are not connected in the Y axis direction because no jumpers are provided.

[0060] Fig. 8 is an example of a cross-sectional view of a touch panel 230X. Fig. 8 shows a configuration example in which the diamond-shaped electrode portion of the first electrode 31 is provided in the same plane as the second electrode 32 described above (5), and the diamond-shaped electrodes are connected by bridge electrodes provided in different layers.

[0061] 8, the touch panel 230X has an electrode layer 301, an insulating layer 302, a bridge layer 303, and an insulating protective layer 304. The electrode layer 301 is partitioned by an insulating hole 306 to form electrodes 31 and 32. In this example, the insulating hole 306 that separates the electrodes 31 and 32 corresponds to the slits S1 and S2. The insulating hole 306 and the insulating protective layer 304 are integrally formed.

[0062] A through hole 305 is formed in the insulating layer 302, penetrating vertically, and the electrode layer 301 and the bridge layer 303 are electrically connected via the through hole 305. The bridge layer 303 and the through hole 305 function as a jumper .

[0063] The electrode layer 301, the bridge layer 303, and the through hole 305 are made of, for example, a metal such as Ti or Al. The insulating layer 302 is made of, for example, SiNx. The insulating protection layer 304 and the insulating hole 306 do not have a conductor and are made of, for example, acrylic.

[0064] Here, the inventors of the present application measured the characteristics of the pseudo display module SD including the touch panel 230X and the transparent antenna 100 shown in FIGS.

[0065] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a pseudo display module SD including a transparent antenna In the present invention, a monopole antenna is used as an example of the transparent antenna 100.

[0066] The transparent antenna 100 includes a transparent substrate 101, and an antenna pattern 110 and a planar power supply section 120, which is a wiring region, are provided on the upper surface of the transparent substrate 101. The antenna pattern in the transparent antenna 100 of the present invention is not limited to a monopole antenna, and it is preferable that the antenna pattern is an antenna type that does not have a background on the lower surface side, since this allows the antenna thickness to be thin.

[0067] The antenna pattern 110 and the planar power supply unit 120 are formed, for example, by a metal thin-wire layer that is a mesh-shaped transparent conductor. When the transparent conductor is formed in a mesh shape, the thickness of the transparent conductor may be 1 to 40 μm. By forming the transparent conductor in a mesh shape, the visible light transmittance can be increased even if the transparent conductor 30 is thick. The thickness of the transparent conductor is more preferably 5 μm or more, and even more preferably 8 μm or more. Moreover, the thickness of the transparent conductor is more preferably 30 μm or less, even more preferably 20 μm or less, and particularly preferably 15 μm or less.

[0068] In addition, the pseudo display module SD used for the measurement did not include the display panel 220, and a layer simulating the touch panel 230X was set as the bottom layer.

[0069] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sensor pattern of a touch panel in the pseudo display module for measurement in Fig. 9. Fig. 10 shows the portion surrounded by the dotted line β in Fig. 5, and the touch panel 230X in the pseudo display module SD includes one each of partially cut-out electrodes 31 and 32 (two divided parts), and is centered around a corner having a jumper 35.

[0070] In this measurement, the dimensions of each part of the transparent antenna 100 of the pseudo display module SD including the transparent antenna 100 shown in Figure 9, in mm, are as follows: L110: 1.4 L120: 6 X101: 8 Y101: 8 Antenna width: 0.2 Coplanar waveguide signal line width: 0.2 Coplanar waveguide ground width: 0.24

[0071] Furthermore, the thicknesses of each part of the layers shown in Figure 9, in µm, are as follows: Thickness of transparent cover 240: 500 Thickness of outer adhesive layer 283: 150 Thickness of polarizing plate 282: 150 Thickness of metal wire layers 110, 120: 1 Thickness of transparent substrate 101: 75 Thickness of inner adhesive layer 281: 150 Width of slits S1, S2: 10.

[0072] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of S11 and S21 parameters of horizontally polarized waves and vertically polarized waves obtained by simulating electromagnetic waves for the pseudo display module SD of Fig. 9. In Fig. 11, the horizontal axis shows frequency (GHz) and the vertical axis shows parameter value (dB). This value is an amount that can be actually measured by a known electromagnetic wave measurement method such as the free space method.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 11, at 28 GHz, the reflection coefficient S11, which indicates the reflection amplification, is low at -3.45 dB. That is, in the pseudo display module SD of Fig. 9, the loss rate of the electromagnetic wave from the antenna is large in the 28 GHz band. Therefore, when the touch panel 230X having the configuration of Fig. 8 is used in the electronic device 200 in the 28 GHz band, the radio wave loss of the transparent antenna 100 in the display module 1 becomes large.

[0074] The reflection coefficient S11 is preferably −1 dB or more, more preferably −0.8 dB or more, further preferably −0.6 dB or more, and particularly preferably −0.4 dB or more.

[0075] Generally, it is possible to show that there is a correlation between the sheet resistance [Ω / sq] of a conductor plate and the reflection coefficient by using the so-called Schelkunoff formula, or by using the transfer matrix method when the interference within the plate thickness cannot be ignored. The sheet resistance [Ω / sq] of a good reflector (touch panel 230 in this example) calculated in this way is preferably 5Ω / sq or less, more preferably 3Ω / sq or less, and particularly preferably 1Ω / sq.

[0076] Also, as shown in FIG. 11, in S11 and S21, the horizontally polarized wave and the vertically polarized wave have almost the same frequency characteristics, and there is no difference in the characteristics.

[0077] Therefore, a method for adjusting the frequency band of interest to increase S11 will be described below.

[0078] <Examples of 5G Frequency Bands and Operating Bands of the Transparent Antenna of the Present Invention> FIG. 12 is a diagram showing frequency bands allocated to the fifth generation mobile communication system (5G) in each country.

[0079] 12, in the 5G band, one frequency band is 24.2 to 29.5 GHz, a second frequency band is 37.3 to 40 GHz, and a third frequency band is 1.0 to 5.0 GHz. Therefore, the transparent antenna 100 of the present invention is set to resonate in one of the above three frequency bands in the 5G band.

[0080] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, since 24.2 to 29.5 GHz (for example, with a center frequency of 28 GHz) is a band used in many countries, it is more preferable to resonate in this frequency band.

[0081] For example, the pseudo display module SD with the configuration of Figure 9 is suitable for use at 37.3 to 40 GHz and 1.0 to 5.0 GHz because the reflection coefficient is -1 dB or more as shown in Figure 11, but is not suitable for use at 24.2 to 29.5 GHz because the reflection coefficient is -3.45 dB, which means there is little reflection and the electromagnetic waves are absorbed.

[0082] (3-1. Sensor Pattern and Characteristics of Touch Panel According to First Configuration Example of the Present Invention) Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of a sensor pattern of touch panel 230 according to a first configuration example of the present invention. In the configuration shown in Fig. 13, compared to the configuration shown in Fig. 6, slit SA, which is a boundary portion between extensions 331, 333 extending from side 311 of first electrode 31 and extensions 341, 343 extending from side 321 of second electrode 32, is narrower than slit S1. Similarly, slit SB, which is a boundary portion between extension 332 extending from side 312 of first electrode 31 and extension 342 extending from side 322 of second electrode 32, is narrower than slit S2.

[0083] By narrowing the slits SA and SB in this manner, the effective distance between the first electrode 31, which is a horizontal electrode, and the second electrode 32, which is a vertical electrode, is narrowed, and it is expected that the peak characteristics will be changed by increasing the parallel capacitance.

[0084] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of the S11 and S21 parameters when a pseudo display module is formed by including in the bottom layer the configuration of the touch panel 230 of Fig. 13. In this measurement, the width of the slits SA and SB of the touch panel 230 is set to 2 μm, and the other dimensions are the same as those of the pseudo display module SD described above.

[0085] 14 and 11, the position of the peak has shifted to the lower frequency side, and the peak value of S11 has become larger. Therefore, in the characteristics of the pseudo display module having the configuration of the touch panel 230 of FIG. 14, the characteristics of the pseudo display module having the configuration of the touch panel 230 of FIG. 14 are different at any of the frequencies of 24.2 to 29.5 GHz, 37.3 to 40 GHz, and 1.0 to 5.0 GHz. In the above example, the reflection coefficient S11 is −1 dB, and the relationship of reflection coefficient S11>transmission coefficient S21 is satisfied in all bands.

[0086] Therefore, the touch panel 230 of this configuration, which is the bottom layer in the pseudo display module, has a reflection amplitude>transmission amplitude of electromagnetic waves, and serves as a good reflector for the transparent antenna 100.

[0087] In this way, by changing the width of the slits in the sensor pattern of the touch panel, the position of the peak can be shifted, and the touch panel can be optimized so as not to interfere with radio waves of the frequency of the antenna used.

[0088] 1 and 2, the transparent antenna 10 is provided in a part of the display module 1. Therefore, it is preferable that at least the region of the touch panel 230 provided under the antenna be configured as a "good reflector" at the frequency at which the antenna is used, as shown in FIG.

[0089] (3-2. Sensor Pattern and Characteristics of Touch Panel According to Second Configuration Example of the Present Invention) Fig. 15 is an enlarged view of a sensor pattern of touch panel 230A according to a second configuration example of the present invention. In the configuration shown in Fig. 15, compared to the configuration shown in Fig. 6, slit SC, which is a boundary portion between extensions 331, 333 extending from side 311 of first electrode 31 and extensions 341, 343 extending from side 321 of second electrode 32, is thicker than slit S1. Similarly, slit SD, which is a boundary portion between extensions 332, 334 extending from side 312 of first electrode 31 and extensions 342, 344 extending from side 322 of second electrode 32, is thicker than slit S2.

[0090] By widening the slits SC and SD in this way, the effective distance between the first electrode 31, which is a horizontal electrode, and the second electrode 32, which is a vertical electrode, is increased, which is expected to reduce the parallel capacitance and change the peak characteristics.

[0091] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the frequency characteristics of the S11 parameter when a pseudo display module is made including the configuration of the touch panel 230A in Fig. 15. In this measurement, the width of the slits SC and SD of the touch panel 230A is set to 20 μm, and the other dimensions are the same as those of the pseudo display module SD described above.

[0092] It can be seen that the position of the peak in the waveform shown in FIG. 16 is shifted to the higher frequency side, as compared with the graph in FIG.

[0093] Here, the slit interval in the actual on-cell thin metal wire layer can be adjusted by changing the cutting interval G shown in Fig. 6. For example, it is preferable that the cutting interval on the outer periphery constituting the floating conductor is different from the cutting interval in the slit S1 region.

[0094] (3-3. Sensor Pattern and Characteristics of Touch Panel According to Third Configuration Example of the Present Invention) FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a sensor pattern of touch panel 230B according to a third configuration example of the present invention. In this configuration example, the length per side of the contours of electrodes 31B, 32B is shorter than that in FIG. 11. Also, when comparing the size with the scale in the figure, the size per grid remains the same, and while FIG. 10 is composed of nine grids per side including the invisible parts, FIG. 17 is composed of seven grids per side. In this way, the position of the peak is shifted by shortening the side length of the electrode, reducing the periodic size, and shortening the outline length of the geometric pattern.

[0095] Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the frequency characteristics of the S11 parameter when a pseudo display module is formed including the configuration of touch panel 230B of Fig. 17. It can be seen that the position of the peak is shifted to the higher frequency side in the waveform shown in Fig. 18 compared to the graph of Fig. 10.

[0096] 19 is an enlarged view of a sensor pattern of a touch panel 230C according to a fourth configuration example of the present invention. In this configuration example, the length per side of the contour of electrodes 31C and 32C is even shorter than that in FIG.

[0097] Comparing the size to the scale in the figures, the size of each grid remains the same, and while Fig. 17 is made up of seven grids per side including the parts that are not visible, Fig. 19 is made up of five grids per side. In this way, by further shortening the side length of electrodes 31 and 32, reducing the periodic size, and shortening the outer length of the diamond, the peak is shifted to a higher frequency range.

[0098] Fig. 20 is a diagram showing the frequency characteristics of the S11 parameter when a pseudo display module is formed including the configuration of touch panel 230C of Fig. 19. It can be seen that the position of the peak in the waveform shown in Fig. 20 is shifted to the higher frequency side compared to the graphs of Fig. 11 and Fig. 18.

[0099] (3-5. Sensor Pattern and Characteristics of Touch Panel According to Fifth Configuration Example of the Present Invention) Fig. 21 is an enlarged view of a sensor pattern of touch panel 230D according to a fifth configuration example of the present invention. The configuration shown in Fig. 21 differs from the configuration shown in Fig. 6 in that jumpers 35 are not provided. As a result, in the portion where jumpers 35 are not provided, the vertical skewer shapes are not connected, and the connection of second electrodes 32 is in a floating state.

[0100] Fig. 22 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of the parameters S11 and S21 of vertically polarized waves and horizontally polarized waves when a pseudo display module is made including the configuration of touch panel 230D in Fig. 21. In the waveform shown in Fig. 22, the position of the peak of the horizontally polarized wave is almost the same as that of the waveform in Fig. 11, but the characteristics of the vertically polarized wave change.

[0101] In detail, by removing the jumper 35, the resistance increases, and the contribution of capacitive contact becomes greater in the electrical contact between the skewer-shaped electrodes 32 of the same type that were connected on the Y axis via the jumper 35, instead of conductive contact, and the resonant frequency is lowered. In this way, the peak for the polarization on the side for which the jumper 35 is adjusted can be adjusted.

[0102] In addition, in FIG. 21, an example has been described in which the characteristics are changed by removing the jumper 35 at the intersection connecting the second electrodes 32 which are vertical electrodes. However, the polarization characteristics may also be changed by connecting the jumpers 35 as thick as possible (wider width, thicker conductor, more number of wires, etc.).

[0103] (3-6. Other Modifications of Touch Panel Sensor Pattern) Although not shown in the figures, another modification may be such that the conductor width of the thin metal wires W (see FIG. 6) constituting the lattice lines of the mesh of the electrodes 31 and 32 is widened to the limit so as not to overlap the light-emitting pixels of the display panel (OLED) 220. This can reduce the transmittance of radio waves in the blocking region and is expected to improve the reflection characteristics.

[0104] In still another configuration, the spacing between the metal wires (grids) constituting the grids of the electrodes 31 and 32 may be narrowed. That is, the outlines of the electrodes 31 and 32 are the same size, and the metal wires of the same line width are arranged more densely. With this configuration, it is expected that the peak characteristics will change by increasing the parallel capacitance. In this configuration, it is preferable to position the metal wires so as not to interfere with light emission by aligning the openings of the grids in the display panel 220 located below with the positions of the light-emitting layers 25R, 25G, and 25B.

[0105] In addition, as a sensor pattern arrangement, it is also possible to change the position of the reflection peak by connecting the floating conductor F in the electrode spacing grid to the outer contour edge.

[0106] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 22, by finely adjusting the configuration of the sensor pattern of the touch panel, the position of the reflection peak can be shifted and the characteristics of the touch panel can be optimized so as not to interfere with radio waves of the frequency of the antenna being used.

[0107] (3-7. Cross-sectional view and characteristics of a touch panel according to a sixth configuration example of the present invention) Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel 230E according to a sixth configuration example of the present invention. In this configuration, compared to the cross-sectional view of touch panel 230 shown in Fig. 8, the insulating protective layer 304E on electrode layer 301 and the insulating material constituting insulating hole 306E are different.

[0108] Generally, glass, film, acrylic, etc. are used as insulating materials, but in this configuration, it is composed of a resin material with a dielectric constant different from acrylic, for example, a material containing polycarbonate resin or fluororesin, which can reduce the permeability of radio waves in the blocking range.

[0109] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing frequency characteristics of the S11 and S21 parameters when a pseudo display module is formed including the configuration of touch panel 230E in FIG.

[0110] Comparing the graph in Fig. 24 with the graph in Fig. 11, the peak position shifts to the lower frequency side, and the peak value of S11 becomes larger. Therefore, in the pseudo display module having the touch panel configuration in Fig. 23, the reflection coefficient is -1 dB at all frequencies of 24.2 to 29.5 GHz, 37.3 to 40 GHz, and 1.0 to 5.0 GHz.

[0111] The touch panel 230E at the bottom layer in the pseudo display module has an electromagnetic wave reflection amplitude that is greater than the transmission amplitude, making it a good reflector in all 5G bands.

[0112] In this way, by changing the material of the touch panel substrate, the position of the peak can be shifted and the touch panel can be optimized so as not to interfere with the radio waves of the antenna frequency being used.

[0113] (3-8. Cross-sectional view and characteristics of a touch panel according to a seventh configuration example of the present invention) Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel 230F according to a seventh configuration example of the present invention. In this configuration, the thickness of the electrode layer 301F is greater than that of the cross-sectional view of the touch panel 230 shown in Fig. 8. By thickening the conductor in this way, it is expected that the transmittance of radio waves in the blocking area can be reduced.

[0114] (4. Schematic Configuration of the Display Module of the Present Invention (Part 2)) FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of a display module 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Unlike FIG. 3, the display module 2 of this embodiment is provided with an on-cell thin metal wire layer 300 rather than a touch panel 230. This thin metal wire layer 300 can be used for a specific purpose by creating any desired pattern shape by cutting or bridging parts of the thin metal wires W as shown in FIG. 6.

[0115] The on-cell metallic thin wire layer 300 is a thin wire layer for a non-contact touch panel (touchless touch panel) that operates the touch panel without touching the screen, for example, by ultrasonic technology, sensor technology, etc. Alternatively, the on-cell metallic thin wire layer 300 may be wiring for other applications than a touch panel.

[0116] The position where the transparent antenna 100 is provided is not limited to immediately above the on-cell thin metallic wire layer 300 shown in FIG. 26, but may be provided at the position indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG.

[0117] In such a configuration, it is preferable that the on-cell metal thin-wire layer 300 provided on the underside of the transparent antenna 100 functions as a good reflector in which the reflection amplitude of the electromagnetic wave is greater than the transmission amplitude at any frequency f in the 5 GHz band with which the transparent antenna 100 communicates, and the reflection coefficient S11 is -1 dB or more.

[0118] (5. Schematic Configuration of the Display Module of the Present Invention (Part 3)) Fig. 27 is a schematic configuration diagram of a display module 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, unlike Figs. 3 and 26, there is no touch panel or other thin line layers below the transparent antenna 100, and the transparent antenna 100 is provided above a display panel 220A.

[0119] Therefore, in the display module 3 having such a configuration, it is preferable to make the cathode portion, which is the uppermost layer (surface) of the display panel 220, have a low resistance so that it functions as a good reflector for the transparent antenna 100.

[0120] (5-1. Configuration of a General OLED Display Panel) Fig. 28 is a schematic diagram of an OLED display panel 220, which is an example of a general display panel. In Fig. 28, (a) is a cross-sectional view, and (b) is a plan view (top view).

[0121] As shown in FIG. 28(a), an OLED display panel 220 includes a substrate 21, a backplane 22, a lower reflective electrode 23, an aperture insulating film 24, light-emitting layers 25R, 25G, and 25B, and a transparent electrode 26. The substrate 21 is, for example, a glass substrate. The backplane 22 is a TFT (Thin Film Transistor).

[0122] The light-emitting layers 25R, 25G, and 25B are composed of laminated thin films, and the lower reflective electrode 23, the aperture insulating film 24, the light-emitting layers (laminated thin films) 25R, 25G, and 25B, and the transparent electrode 26 form OLED elements (organic light-emitting diodes) 27R, 27G, and 27B of each color.

[0123] The uppermost transparent electrode 26 is made of a metal such as Al or an alloy of Mg and Ag, thin enough that light can pass through, or made of a metal oxide such as ITO. Therefore, it has high resistance, and when the transparent antenna 100 is in contact with the upper part as shown in Fig. 27, the power input to the transparent antenna 100 is consumed by the transparent electrode 26. In this case, the sheet resistance of the transparent electrode is 2 to 100 Ω / □.

[0124] On the other hand, if the metal of the transparent electrode 26 is made thicker, the resistance can be reduced, but then the light from the OLED elements 27R, 27G, and 27B of the OLED display panel 220 will not be transmitted, and the display will not function. Therefore, in the present invention, a pattern electrode 28 is provided on the upper side of the transparent electrode 26.

[0125] (5-2. OLED Display Panel According to a Configuration Example of the Present Invention) Fig. 29 is a schematic diagram of an OLED display panel 220A according to the present invention, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view and (b) is a plan view.

[0126] In the configuration of the OLED display panel 220A of the present invention, a pattern electrode 28 is disposed in the portion other than the upper portion of the light-emitting layers 25R, 25G, and 25B composed of laminated thin films in order to reduce resistance. The pattern electrode 28 may be made of any material as long as the material and film thickness are selected so as to reduce resistance. Specifically, the pattern electrode 28 may be a metal film or a metal oxide film such as Al, Ag, an alloy of Ag and Mg, Cr, Ti, Cu, Au, ITO, SnO, or ZnO.

[0127] FIG. 29(b) shows a plan view of the pattern electrode 28 formed by the mask pattern method shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, which will be described later.

[0128] The pattern electrode 28 may be formed by using a material having a lower resistivity than the transparent electrode 26 and depositing the material on the transparent electrode 26 except for the upper portions of the light-emitting layers 25R, 25B, and 25G by a mask pattern method or other film deposition method, or by forming a thick film on the portions of the transparent electrode 26 except for the upper portions of the light-emitting layers 25R, 25G, and 25B.

[0129] (5-3. Mask Film Formation Example of Pattern Electrode of OLED Panel of the Present Invention) FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a mask example of the pattern electrode of FIG. 29. FIG. 30(a) shows a first mask M1, and FIG. 30(b) shows a second mask M2. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a mask pattern method of the pattern electrode of FIG. 29 using the mask of FIG. 30.

[0130] In this method, two different types of masks are combined to form the pattern electrode 28. For example, two masks are used: a first mask M1 connected vertically and horizontally as shown in Fig. 30(a) and a second mask M2 connected diagonally as shown in Fig. 30(b).

[0131] In the method using a mask, two masks are required because a single mask is not sufficient to form a pattern in which the light-emitting layers 25R, 25G, and 25B are left isolated as dots as shown in Fig. 29(b). In this way, by using two masks made of the material of the pattern electrode 28 to be formed, the pattern electrode 28 can be formed on the transparent electrode 26 of a general OLED display panel 220. This makes it possible to form the mask-like pattern electrode 28 with holes without using any other material.

[0132] (5-4. Example of forming patterned electrodes on an OLED display panel using a material that repels patterned electrode material) Fig. 32 is a diagram showing a method of forming the patterned electrodes of Fig. 29 when using a resist. In Fig. 32, (a) shows the cross-sectional shape of a typical OLED display panel 220, (b) shows the state in which a resist mask R is applied on (a), and (c) shows the shape of the patterned electrode 28 after it has been formed.

[0133] In FIG. 32(b), a material pattern R that repels the pattern electrode material is formed only on the light-emitting layers 25R, 25G, and 25B shown in FIG. 32(a), and then, when forming the pattern electrode material shown in FIG. 32(c), a pattern electrode 28 is formed in the portion other than the material pattern R that repels the pattern electrode material.

[0134] The material that repels the pattern electrode that becomes the material pattern R may be, for example, a material constituting a nucleation inhibiting coating described in U.S. Patent 10,270,033 B2 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-533183). Alternatively, a fluorine material described in the non-patent document "Material Horizon, 2020, 7, P143-148" may be used.

[0135] As the fluorine material, the following fluorine-containing polymer (1) or fluorine-containing polymer (2) may be used.

[0136] Fluorine-containing polymer (1): A fluorine-containing polymer having no aliphatic ring in the main chain and having a repeating unit derived from a fluoroolefin.

[0137] Fluorine-containing polymer (2): A fluorine-containing polymer having an aliphatic ring in the main chain.

[0138] Examples of the fluorine-containing polymer (1) include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) / hexafluoropropylene copolymer (EPA), ethylene / tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), and ethylene / chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (ECTFE).

[0139] Examples of the fluorine-containing polymer (2) include a cyclized polymer of perfluoro(3-butenyl vinyl ether) (manufactured by AGC: Cytop (registered trademark)), a tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoro(4-methoxy-1,3-dioxole) copolymer (manufactured by Solvay: Algoflon (registered trademark) AD), a tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoro(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole) copolymer (manufactured by Chemours: Teflon (registered trademark) AF), and a perfluoro(4-methyl-2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane) polymer.

[0140] 32, the patterned electrode-repelling material pattern R composed of a fluorine material or a nucleation inhibitor coating remains on the light-emitting layers 25R, 25G, and 25B even after the formation of the patterned electrodes 28. These fluorine materials or nucleation inhibitor coatings transmit light and therefore do not affect the display function of the underlying OLED display panel 220.

[0141] This method covers the light-emitting layers 25R, 25G, and 25B with a fluorine material or nucleation inhibitor coating, while depositing the patterned electrode 28 on the uncovered portions, improving the alignment accuracy of the patterned electrode 28. Also, the thickness of the patterned electrode 28 is the same everywhere.

[0142] Whichever method is used, the pattern electrode 28 formed on the display panel in this configuration is a low resistance film (eg, a metal film), and the display surface of the OLED display panel 220A, including this low resistance film, is a good reflector.

[0143] Specifically, the sheet resistance of the upper electrode including the pattern electrode is smaller than 2Ω / □. For a good reflector, 1Ω / □ or less is preferable, and 0.5Ω / □ is even more preferable. Therefore, in the display panel 220A including the pattern electrode, in the state of the display module 3 including the upper transparent antenna 100, the reflection amplitude of the electromagnetic wave is greater than the transmission amplitude, and the reflection coefficient S11 is -1dB or more.

[0144] (6. Schematic Configuration of the Display Module of the Present Invention (Part 4)) Fig. 33 is a schematic configuration diagram of a display module 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the example of Fig. 3 above, the touch panel 230 is an on-cell metal wire layer and is provided immediately on the display panel 220, but in the display module 4 of the present invention, the touch panel 400 may be provided on the transparent antenna 100.

[0145] In this case, the touch panel 400 is a panel separate from the display panel 220, and is referred to herein as an out-cell touch panel.

[0146] (6-1. Configuration Example of Touch Panel Having Good Transmittance Plate) Fig. 34 shows an example of the configuration of electrodes of a touch panel 400 provided above a transparent antenna 100. As shown in Fig. 34(a), the touch panel 400 has a sensor pattern in which a plurality of first electrodes 41 and a plurality of second electrodes 42 are arranged in a matrix, similar to Fig. 4. Note that this example is also a projected capacitive touch panel.

[0147] In touch panel 400, the basic configuration shown in FIG. 34(a) is similar to the basic configuration of the touch panel provided on the lower side shown in FIG. 4, but the structure of each of electrodes 41, 42 is adapted to transmit radio waves.

[0148] For example, in the electrode 41 shown in FIG. 34(b), the grid is formed only on the outside, and no grid is provided in the center. In the electrode 41A shown in FIG. 34(c), the grid within the outline is cut at the portions other than the intersections, making it discontinuous. Various combinations other than (b) and (c) are possible. For example, discontinuous wiring as in (c) may be provided in the center of (b), or a portion of (b) may be cut. However, the upper and lower ends must be electrically connected. In the case of electrode 42, the right and left ends must be electrically connected.

[0149] Fig. 35 shows another example of the configuration of the electrodes of the touch panel provided above the transparent antenna. The electrode 41 may have a shape other than a lattice base, but the upper end and the lower end must be electrically connected. In addition, the right end and the left end of the electrode 42 must be electrically connected.

[0150] Electrode 41B shown in Fig. 35(a) has a triple frame structure in which three lines are provided that are bent in the direction of connection with the same electrode, while electrode 41C shown in Fig. 35(b) has a structure in which a rectangular slit is provided in a diamond shape.

[0151] Electrode 41D shown in Fig. 35(c) is configured with a frame line that is partially cut off and has an outline of a roughly C-shape. Electrode 41E shown in Fig. 35(d) is configured with lines that meander in a curved, single stroke, and has an outline that is roughly rectangular. Electrode 41F shown in Fig. 35(e) is configured with lines that meander in a zigzag, single stroke, and has an outline that is roughly rectangular.

[0152] Alternatively, the squares constituting the electrodes may be made smaller. In any of the configurations of electrodes 41 to 41F, the metal wires constituting the frame or lines of electrode 41 are provided to avoid being located directly above light-emitting layers 25R, 25G, and 25B so as not to interfere with light emission from the underlying display panel 220.

[0153] The touch panel configured as shown in Figures 34 and 35 has fewer thin metal wires and a sparser configuration than the configuration in Figure 5, in which electrodes are formed over the entire surface in a rectangular shape using thin metal wires in a lattice pattern. For example, the proportion of the thin metal wires in the electrodes is less than 10%.

[0154] Touch panel 400 configured to include such electrodes functions as a "good transmission plate" in which the reflected amplitude of electromagnetic waves is smaller than the transmitted amplitude at the frequency used by the antenna.

[0155] Although the electrodes 41 to 41F in Fig. 34 and Fig. 35 are shown in schematic diagrams of the external appearance of the electrodes, the conductor parts of these linear, frame-shaped, or filled-in electrodes may be formed of ladder-shaped thin metal wires W as shown in Fig. 6. In that case, a conductive structure such as that of the electrodes 41 to 41F can be created by cutting a part of the thin metal wire as shown in Fig. 6. In this case, a floating conductor indicated by F in Fig. 6 may remain around the structure of the electrodes 41 to 41F, but this does not affect the radio wave transparency that is currently of interest. Therefore, the floating conductor may or may not be present.

[0156] In FIG. 32, an example has been described in which the touch panel 400 serving as a good transmission plate is provided above the transparent antenna 100. However, the touch panel 400 is It may be provided on the same plane as the transparent antenna.

[0157] Alternatively, the touch panel 400 serving as a good transmission plate may be provided above the display panel 220A serving as a good reflection plate and below the transparent antenna 100, as shown in Fig. 26. The sparsely configured touch panel 400 allows radio waves reflected by the display panel 220A to pass through and not interfere.

[0158] Furthermore, the transparent antenna of the present invention is capable of transmitting and receiving with just one transparent antenna, but in order to further improve characteristics, a plurality of transparent antennas may be arranged in an array (antenna array).

[0159] Although a transparent antenna according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0160] This international application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-078661, filed on April 27, 2020, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-129321, filed on July 30, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0161] 1 Display module 2 Display module 3 Display module 4 Display module 25R, 25G, 25B Light-emitting layer (light-emitting portion) 26 Transparent electrode (cathode) 28 Pattern electrode (metal film) 31 First electrode 32 Second electrode 331, 332, 341, 342 Extension portion 35 Jumper 38 First wiring 39 Second wiring 41 First electrode 42 Second electrode 100 Transparent antenna 101 Transparent substrate 110 Antenna pattern (metal thin wire layer) 120 Planar power supply portion (power supply area, metal thin wire layer) 200 Electronic device 210 Housing 220, 220A Display panel (OLED display panel) 230, 230A, 230B, 230C, 230D, 230E, 230F, 230G Touch panel (metal thin wire layer for on-cell touch panel, on-cell metal thin wire layer) 240 Transparent cover (cover glass) 250 Wiring board 260A, 260B, 260C, 260D Electronic component 270 Battery 300 On-cell metal thin wire layer 301 Electrode layer 302 Insulation layer 303 Bridge layer (jumper) 304 Insulation protection layer 305 Through hole (jumper) 306 Insulation holes S1, S2 Slit SD Pseudo display module

Claims

1. a transparent antenna including a transparent substrate and a mesh-like thin metal wire layer having an opening ratio of 80% or more on the upper side of the transparent substrate; A display module comprising: a display panel, At least one good reflector is provided between the transparent antenna and the display panel or on the surface of the display panel; The good reflector has the following characteristics: at a frequency f in the range of 2 GHz<f<50 GHz, the transparent antenna is used; The reflected amplitude of the electromagnetic wave is greater than the transmitted amplitude, and the reflection coefficient S11 is -1 dB or more. The display module, wherein the good reflector is an on-cell metal wire layer disposed on the display panel.

2. The surface resistance of the good reflector is 5 Ω / sq or less. The display module of claim 1 .

3. The on-cell thin metal wire layer is a thin metal wire layer for a projected capacitive on-cell touch panel, in which a sensor pattern is formed in which a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes are arranged in a matrix shape and are aligned in a skewer shape in two directions, A plurality of extensions are provided from a side of the first electrode to approach a side of the second electrode adjacent to the first electrode, A plurality of extensions are provided from a side of the second electrode to approach a side of the first electrode that is adjacent to and opposed to the second electrode, a boundary between a plurality of extension portions extending from a side of the first electrode and a plurality of extension portions extending from a side of the second electrode is a slit, By adjusting the width of the slit, the position of the peak of the reflection coefficient S11 is shifted, At the frequency f at which the transparent antenna is used, the reflection coefficient S11 is set to -1 dB or more. The display module of claim 1 .

4. The on-cell thin metal wire layer is a thin metal wire layer for a projected capacitive on-cell touch panel, in which a sensor pattern is formed in which a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes are arranged in a matrix shape and are aligned in a skewer shape in two directions, By adjusting the lengths of the sides of the first electrode and the second electrode, the position of the peak of the reflection coefficient S11 is shifted, At the frequency f at which the transparent antenna is used, the reflection coefficient S11 is set to -1 dB or more. The display module of claim 1 .

5. The on-cell thin metal wire layer is a thin metal wire layer for a projected capacitive on-cell touch panel, in which a sensor pattern is formed in which a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes are arranged in a matrix shape and are aligned in a skewer shape in two directions, The insulating material of the metal thin wire layer for the on-cell touch panel is made of a material containing polycarbonate resin or fluorine resin. The display module of claim 1 .

6. The on-cell thin metal wire layer is a thin metal wire layer for a projected capacitive on-cell touch panel, in which a sensor pattern is formed in which a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes are arranged in a matrix shape and are aligned in a skewer shape in two directions, a plurality of extensions are provided from a side of the first electrode to approach a side of the second electrode adjacent to the first electrode, and the extensions of the corners of the first electrode are connected to the extensions of the corners of other first electrodes; a plurality of extensions are provided from a side of the second electrode to approach a side of the first electrode adjacent to the side of the first electrode, and the extensions of the corners of the second electrode are spaced apart from the extensions of the corners of other second electrodes; Among the plurality of second electrodes, adjacent second electrodes can be connected by jumpers that connect extensions of corner portions to each other, By adjusting the jumper, the reflection coefficient S11 is set to -1 dB or more for horizontally or vertically polarized waves of the frequency used. The display module of claim 1 .

7. The good reflector is an on-cell metal thin line layer provided on the display panel other than the touch panel. The display module of claim 1 .

8. a transparent antenna including a transparent substrate and a mesh-like thin metal wire layer having an opening ratio of 80% or more on the upper side of the transparent substrate; A display module comprising: a display panel, At least one good reflector is provided between the transparent antenna and the display panel or on the surface of the display panel; The good reflector has the following characteristics: at a frequency f in the range of 2 GHz<f<50 GHz, the transparent antenna is used; The reflected amplitude of the electromagnetic wave is greater than the transmitted amplitude, and the reflection coefficient S11 is -1 dB or more. the display panel is an OLED display panel; forming a low resistance film on a cathode on a surface of the OLED display panel; The good reflector is a surface of the OLED display panel that includes the low resistance film.

9. The low resistance film is formed by forming a metal film on the cathode of the surface of the OLED display panel except for the light emitting portion.

9. The display module of claim 8.

10. In the cathode on the surface of the OLED display panel, a material containing fluorine is formed in the light-emitting portion.

10. The display module of claim 9.

11. The display module further comprises at least one touch panel; The touch panel is a "good transmission plate" in which the reflected amplitude of an electromagnetic wave is less than the transmitted amplitude at the operating frequency of the transparent antenna; The touch panel is disposed above, below, or flush next to the transparent antenna. A display module according to any one of claims 1, 2, 8, 9 and 10.

12. The high transmission plate includes a linear or band-shaped metal wire, The good transmission plate has a ratio of the metal wires of less than 10%. The display module of claim 11.

13. The frequency f at which the transparent antenna is used is any one of 24.2 to 29.5 GHz, 37.3 to 40 GHz, or 1.0 to 5.0 GHz. A display module according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. the transparent antenna has an antenna pattern and a wiring area; The antenna pattern is of the type that does not have a background on the bottom side. A display module according to any one of the preceding claims.

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