Touch Sensor

Abstract

In the present invention, individual first electrode sections (11) constituting a transmission electrode (10) include a first main line (12) and a plurality of first auxiliary lines (13). In the present invention, individual second electrode sections (21) constituting a reception electrode (20) include a second main line (22) and a plurality of second auxiliary lines (23). In a state in which a plurality of transmission electrodes (10) and a plurality of reception electrodes (20) overlap one another, cell regions assume a non-closed form, surrounded by any two or more thin lines from the group consisting of the first main line (12), the first auxiliary lines (13), the second main line (22), and the second auxiliary lines (23), the first main line (12) and the second main line (22) intersecting at one location.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to touch sensors. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, capacitive touch sensors that allow touch operations are known, such as those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a key input device including a liquid crystal display panel (liquid crystal display) and a panel switch (touch sensor) arranged above the liquid crystal display panel. The panel switch has a lower substrate arranged closer to the liquid crystal display panel and an upper substrate arranged above the lower substrate. A plurality of thin metal wires extending in a first direction are formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate. A plurality of thin metal wires extending in a second direction are formed on the lower surface of the upper substrate.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a capacitive touch sensor including a display panel and a touch sensor electrode disposed above the display panel. The touch sensor electrode includes a lower substrate disposed closer to the display panel and an upper substrate disposed above the lower substrate. A plurality of drive electrodes extending in a second direction are formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate. A plurality of sensing electrodes extending in a first direction are formed on the upper surface of the upper substrate.

[0005] Each of the drive electrodes is provided with a plurality of drive grids. Each drive grid has a closed square shape formed by a plurality of drive electrode lines extending along a first intersecting direction and a plurality of drive electrode lines extending along a second intersecting direction. The first intersecting direction intersects with the first direction and the second intersecting direction, and the second intersecting direction is perpendicular to the first intersecting direction.

[0006] Each of the sensing electrodes is provided with a plurality of sensing grids, each of which has a closed square shape made up of a plurality of sensing electrode lines extending along a first intersecting direction and a plurality of sensing electrode lines extending along a second intersecting direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 4-31231 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-227983 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Conventional touch sensors, such as those described in Patent Document 1, have a problem with visible moire due to interference with the pixel arrangement pattern of a liquid crystal display. The pixel arrangement pattern of a display refers to, for example, an arrangement pattern of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color filters, or a black matrix, which is an inverted pattern of such a pattern. For example, when multiple thin metal wires formed on each substrate overlap the black matrix, the amplitude of spatial frequency interference increases. As a result, moire occurs, adversely affecting the visibility of the touch sensor. To suppress the moire, it is effective to further reduce the line width of each metal wiring to reduce the amplitude of the spatial frequency. However, further reducing the line width of the thin metal wires poses manufacturing challenges. Furthermore, further reducing the line width increases the relative resistance of each thin metal wire. This increase in resistance is detrimental to enlarging the size of the touch sensor.

[0009] On the other hand, in another conventional touch sensor such as that disclosed in Patent Document 2, the drive electrode lines and the sensing electrode lines extend in a direction that intersects with the black matrix of the liquid crystal display, which makes it difficult for moire to occur and facilitates good visibility. However, each square grid has four intersections between the thin metal wires, and when multiple drive electrodes and multiple sensing electrodes are overlapped, the number of intersections between each drive grid and each sensing grid increases, which increases the coupling capacitance generated between the thin metal wires.

[0010] To suppress this increase in coupling capacitance, it is effective to reduce the total number of grids and increase the spacing between the thin metal wires (increase the outer dimensions of each grid) to reduce the overall coupling capacitance of the touch sensor. However, if the outer dimensions of the drive grid and the sensing grid are increased, the display on the operation surface is likely to become uneven when the user looks at the touch sensor from the viewing side. Furthermore, the thin metal wires that make up each of the drive grid and the sensing grid are easily visible from the operation surface of the touch sensor. In other words, this adversely affects the visibility of the touch sensor. Furthermore, if the outer dimensions of the drive grid and the sensing grid are increased, the sensitivity of the touch position when the user operates the touch sensor may vary greatly, resulting in a decrease in positional accuracy.

[0011] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points, and has an object to improve the detection accuracy of the touch position while obtaining good visibility and suppressing an increase in the coupling capacitance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To achieve the above object, a touch sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a capacitive touch sensor having an active area, the touch sensor including: a plurality of transmitting electrodes arranged on the active area and extending along a first direction; and a plurality of receiving electrodes arranged on the active area and extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each of the plurality of transmitting electrodes has a plurality of first electrode portions formed of thin lines. Each of the plurality of first electrode portions includes a first main line extending in a zigzag pattern along the first direction and a plurality of first sub-lines branching from the first main line in a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction. Each of the plurality of receiving electrodes has a plurality of second electrode portions formed of thin lines. Each of the plurality of second electrode portions includes a second main line extending in a zigzag pattern along the second direction and a plurality of second sub-lines branching from the second main line in a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction. When multiple transmitting electrodes and multiple receiving electrodes are overlapped, the first main line and the second main line intersect at one point, and the cell area surrounded by any two or more types of thin lines consisting of the first main line, the first secondary line, the second main line, and the group of the second secondary lines is non-occluded. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the touch position while obtaining good visibility and suppressing an increase in the coupling capacitance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a touch sensor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of a lower substrate, a plurality of transmitting electrodes, and a plurality of first wiring portions. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of an upper substrate, a plurality of receiving electrodes, and a plurality of second wiring portions. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view schematically illustrating the first electrode unit shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view schematically illustrating the second electrode unit shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing an overlapping portion between the transmitting electrode on the upper side of the paper and the receiving electrode on the left side of the paper shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic view showing the overlapping state of the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 7 showing the overlapping state of the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion in the first modification. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 7 showing an overlapping state between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion in the second modification. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 7 showing the overlapping state of the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion in the third modification. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 7 showing the overlapping state of the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion in the fourth modification. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 7 showing the overlapping state of the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion in the fifth modification. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 7 showing the overlapping state of the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion in the sixth modification. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 7 showing the overlapping state of the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion in the seventh modification. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 7 showing the overlapping state of the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion in the eighth modification. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view showing a part of the lower right portion of the touch sensor according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a view corresponding to FIG. 16, showing a partially enlarged right portion of a touch sensor according to a modification of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description of each embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its applications, or its uses.

[0016] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 shows an entire touch sensor 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The touch sensor 1 is a capacitive sensor-type input device that can be touched. The touch sensor 1 is used as an input device for, for example, in-vehicle devices such as car navigation systems, display devices for personal computers, mobile phones, personal digital assistants, portable game machines, copy machines, ticket machines, automated teller machines, watches, and the like. A liquid crystal display (LCD), not shown, is provided on the back side of the touch sensor 1 (below the lower side of a lower substrate 2a, which will be described later).

[0017] In the following description, the direction from the left side to the right side of each drawing will be defined as a "first direction D1," while the direction from the bottom to the top of each drawing will be defined as a "second direction D2." Also, for convenience of illustration, in Figures 1 to 7, first main lines 12 and first secondary lines 13, which will be described later, are shown thicker than second main lines 22 and second secondary lines 23, which will be described later.

[0018] (lower and upper boards) As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the touch sensor 1 includes a lower substrate 2a and an upper substrate 2b. Each of the lower substrate 2a and the upper substrate 2b is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view. Grooves (not shown) are formed on the upper surfaces of each of the lower substrate 2a and the upper substrate 2b. These grooves are used to embed conductive material that will form thin wires, which will be described later.

[0019] The lower substrate 2a and the upper substrate 2b are each made of a transparent resin material, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), polycarbonate, COP (cycloolefin polymer), or COC (cycloolefin copolymer).

[0020] Each of the lower substrate 2a and the upper substrate 2b is provided with an active area A1 and a non-active area A2. The active area A1 is configured as an area capable of detecting the position of an external conductor such as a user's finger or a touch pen (not shown). The active area A1 has a generally rectangular shape in a plan view. The non-active area A2 is configured as an outer area other than the active area A1 in a plan view.

[0021] The upper substrate 2b is laminated on the lower surface of a cover member (not shown), for example, via an adhesive layer (not shown). The lower substrate 2a is laminated on the lower surface of the upper substrate 2b, for example, via an adhesive layer (not shown). Here, the cover member is made of, for example, a cover glass or a plastic cover lens. The adhesive layer is made of, for example, an optically transparent optical adhesive (OCA: Optica Cear Adhesive).

[0022] (flexible wiring board) As shown in FIG. 1, touch sensor 1 includes flexible wiring board 3. Flexible wiring board 3 is configured to be flexible and to maintain its electrical characteristics even when deformed. Flexible wiring board 3 is made of a flexible insulating film such as polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). Flexible wiring board 3 is configured to be electrically connected to a plurality of first wiring portions 15 and a plurality of second wiring portions 25, which will be described later, while being fixed to lower substrate 2a and upper substrate 2b with an anisotropic conductive adhesive.

[0023] (transmitting and receiving electrodes) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the touch sensor 1 includes a plurality of transmitting electrodes 10 and a plurality of receiving electrodes 20 that employ a capacitance method.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of transmitting electrodes 10 and a plurality of receiving electrodes 20 are arranged in an active area A1. The touch sensor 1 is capable of detecting a touch operation by a user's finger (detection target) that touches an operation surface (not shown) through the transmitting electrodes 10 and receiving electrodes 20 located within the active area A1. The transmitting electrodes 10 and receiving electrodes 20 are insulated from each other via an upper substrate 2b. In the embodiment, the width of each transmitting electrode 10 in the second direction D2 and the width of the plurality of receiving electrodes 20 in the first direction D1 are configured to be the same size.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, each transmitter electrode 10 is disposed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 2a. Each transmitter electrode 10 is connected to a drive circuit provided in a control circuit (not shown) via a flexible wiring board 3. Each transmitter electrode 10 is configured to radiate an electric field to the surroundings by this drive circuit. Each transmitter electrode 10 extends along a first direction D1. The multiple transmitter electrodes 10 are arranged side by side in a second direction D2.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, each receiving electrode 20 is disposed on the upper surface of the upper substrate 2b. Each receiving electrode 20 is configured to receive an electric field radiated from each transmitting electrode 10. Each receiving electrode 20 extends along the second direction D2. The multiple receiving electrodes 20 are arranged side by side at intervals in the first direction D1. Each receiving electrode 20 is connected via the flexible wiring board 3 to a detection circuit (not shown) provided in the control circuit.

[0027] (1st electrode part) 4, each transmitting electrode 10 has a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) first electrode portions 11. The plurality of first electrode portions 11 are electrically connected to each other by first electrode end portions 14, which will be described later. Each first electrode portion 11 is made up of a plurality of thin wires.

[0028] The thin wires are conductive. Specifically, the thin wires are made of a conductive material buried in a groove (not shown) located on the upper surface of the lower substrate 2a. A conductive metal is suitable as this conductive material. Specifically, copper, silver, copper alloy, etc. are suitable as the conductive metal material. The thin wires have a line width of, for example, several μm. The line width of the thin wires constituting each of the first main lines 12 and the first sub-lines 13 is preferably set to 0.5 μm to 4.0 μm, more preferably 0.5 μm to 3.0 μm, and particularly preferably 0.5 μm to 2.0 μm. Note that, in addition to conductive metal, conductive resin or the like may also be used as the conductive material.

[0029] (1st main line) As shown in FIG. 6, each first electrode portion 11 includes a first main line 12. The first main line 12 extends in a zigzag pattern along a first direction D1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the first main line 12 is composed of a plurality of inclined lines 12a and a plurality of inclined lines 12b. Note that in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first main line 12 is surrounded by a dashed line to distinguish it from first sub-lines 13, which will be described later.

[0030] FIG. 7 shows the first electrode unit 11 and the second electrode unit 21 (described later) superimposed on a plurality of squares constituting a virtual grid. This virtual grid is a convenient element for designing the configurations of the first electrode unit 11 and the second electrode unit 21. In this embodiment, each square has a square shape. The plurality of squares are aligned along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, respectively. Each square has the same size.

[0031] 7 has a plurality of imaginary first reference lines R1. Each first reference line R1 extends linearly along the first direction D1. In this embodiment, adjacent first reference lines R1, R1 are spaced four squares apart in the second direction D2 on the grid.

[0032] Each of the inclined lines 12a and 12b extends in a direction intersecting with the first reference line R1. Specifically, in this embodiment, the angle θ1 between the inclined line 12a and the first reference line R1 is set to 45°, while the angle θ2 between the inclined line 12b and the first reference line R1 is set to 135°. Each of the inclined lines 12a and 12b is located on the diagonal of two adjacent squares. Furthermore, each of the inclined lines 12a and 12b intersects with the first reference line R1 at the midpoint.

[0033] The inclined lines 12a and the inclined lines 12b are arranged alternately along the first reference line R1. Specifically, the inclined lines 12a and the inclined lines 12b are configured so that their ends on the upper side of the paper in FIG. 7 are continuous and their ends on the lower side of the paper are continuous. In other words, the first main line 12 has one continuous current path.

[0034] (1st subline) As shown in FIG. 6, each first electrode portion 11 includes a plurality of first sublines 13. Each of the first sublines 13 branches off from the first main line 12. As shown in FIG. 7, two first sublines 13 branch off from each corner of the first main line 12 (the connection between the inclined line 12a and the inclined line 12b). Specifically, one of the first sublines 13 extends in the same direction as the extension direction of the inclined line 12a. The other first subline 13 extends in the same direction as the extension direction of the inclined line 12b. Each of the first sublines 13 is configured so that its length is shorter than the length of the diagonal line in one square.

[0035] (2nd electrode part) As shown in Fig. 5, each receiving electrode 20 has a plurality of second electrode portions 21. The plurality of second electrode portions 21 are electrically connected to one another via second electrode ends 24, which will be described later. Each second electrode portion 21 is made up of a plurality of thin wires. The thin wires constituting each second electrode portion 21 are made of, for example, a conductive material embedded in a groove (not shown) located on the upper surface of the upper substrate 2b.

[0036] (2nd main line) As shown in Fig. 6, each second electrode portion 21 includes a second main line 22. The second main line 22 extends in a zigzag pattern along the second direction D2. Specifically, the second main line 22 is composed of a plurality of inclined lines 22a and a plurality of inclined lines 22b. Note that in Figs. 6 and 7, the second main line 22 is surrounded by a dashed line to distinguish it from second sub-lines 23, which will be described later.

[0037] 7 has a plurality of imaginary second reference lines R2. Each second reference line R2 extends linearly along the second direction D2. In this embodiment, adjacent second reference lines R2, R2 are spaced four squares apart in the first direction D1 on the grid.

[0038] Each of the inclined lines 22a and 22b extends in a direction intersecting the second reference line R2. Specifically, in this embodiment, the angle θ3 between the inclined line 22a and the second reference line R2 is set to 45°, while the angle θ4 between the inclined line 22b and the second reference line R2 is set to 135°. Each of the inclined lines 22a and 22b is located on the diagonal of two adjacent squares. Furthermore, each of the inclined lines 22a and 22b intersects with the second reference line R2 at the midpoint.

[0039] The inclined lines 22a and the inclined lines 22b are arranged alternately along the second reference line R2. Specifically, the inclined lines 22a and the inclined lines 22b are configured so that their ends on the left side of the paper in Fig. 7 are continuous and their ends on the right side of the paper are continuous. In other words, the second main line 22 has one continuous current path.

[0040] (2nd subline) As shown in FIG. 6, each second electrode portion 21 includes a plurality of second sublines 23. Each second subline 23 branches off from the second main line 22. As shown in FIG. 7, two second sublines 23 branch off from each corner of the second main line 22 (the connection between the inclined line 22a and the inclined line 22b). Specifically, one second subline 23 extends in the same direction as the extension direction of the inclined line 22a. The other first subline 23 extends in the same direction as the extension direction of the inclined line 22b. Each second subline 23 is configured so that its length is shorter than the length of the diagonal line in one square.

[0041] (Intersection of the first and second main lines) 6 and 7, when the plurality of transmitting electrodes 10 and the plurality of receiving electrodes 20 are overlapped, the first main line 12 and the second main line 22 intersect at one point. In this embodiment, the intersection of the first main line 12 and the second main line 22 (see the broken circle in FIG. 6) overlaps with the intersection of the first reference line R1 and the second reference line R2.

[0042] (cell area) 6 and 7, when a plurality of transmitting electrodes 10 and a plurality of receiving electrodes 20 are overlapped, a plurality of cell regions are formed. Each cell region is surrounded by two or more types of thin lines selected from the group consisting of first main lines 12, first sub-lines 13, second main lines 22, and second sub-lines 23. Each cell region is configured to be non-occluded.

[0043] In this embodiment, the plurality of cell regions includes a first pattern surrounded by first main lines 12, first sub-lines 13, and second main lines 22, and a second pattern surrounded by first main lines 12, second main lines 22, and second sub-lines 23. That is, the plurality of cell regions includes at least one of the first sub-lines 13 and the second sub-lines 23.

[0044] The end of at least one of the first sub-lines 13 and the second sub-lines 23 is in an unconnected state with a predetermined gap between it and the end or midpoint of any one of the thin lines of the group. Specifically, in the cell region consisting of the first pattern, the end of the first sub-line 13 is in a state of being spaced apart from the midpoint of the second main line 22. Furthermore, in the cell region consisting of the second pattern, the end of the second sub-line 23 is in a state of being spaced apart from the midpoint of the first main line 12. In other words, each cell region is in an unblocked state with a portion of the thin line missing. Here, the gap is preferably set in the range of 5 μm to 80 μm.

[0045] In the first embodiment, the plurality of cell regions are arranged to fill the entire active area A1 with the plurality of transmitting electrodes 10 and the plurality of receiving electrodes 20 overlapping each other, so there is no need to provide dummy electrodes (not shown) in the first embodiment.

[0046] (1st electrode end) As shown in Figures 2 and 4, one end of each transmitting electrode 10 is provided with a first electrode end 14 for connection to a first wiring section 15, which will be described later. Specifically, the first electrode end 14 is electrically connected to one end of each first main line 12 (the end located on the left side of the paper in Figure 2). The first electrode end 14 is made up of, for example, a single thin wire. The line width of the thin wire constituting the first electrode end 14 is preferably set to, for example, 8.0 µm.

[0047] (2nd electrode end) As shown in Figures 3 and 5, one end of each receiving electrode 20 is provided with a second electrode end 24 for connection to a second wiring section 25, which will be described later. Specifically, the second electrode end 24 is electrically connected to one end of each second main line 22 (the end located on the upper side of the paper in Figure 3). The second electrode end 24 is made up of, for example, a single thin wire. The line width of the thin wire constituting the second electrode end 24 is preferably set to, for example, 8.0 µm.

[0048] (First and second wiring sections) 1 to 3, the touch sensor 1 includes a plurality of first wiring portions 15 and a plurality of second wiring portions 25. The plurality of first wiring portions 15 are elements for electrically connecting the plurality of transmitting electrodes 10 to a drive circuit of the control circuit. The plurality of second wiring portions 25 are elements for electrically connecting the plurality of receiving electrodes 20 to a detection circuit of the control circuit.

[0049] The first wiring portion 15 and the second wiring portion 25 are arranged in the inactive area A2. The first wiring portion 15 and the second wiring portion 25 are overlapped with a substantially frame-shaped decorative portion (not shown) formed on the periphery of the lower surface of the cover member (not shown), so that the first wiring portion 15 and the second wiring portion 25 cannot be seen by the user from the viewing side of the touch sensor 1.

[0050] 2, each first wiring portion 15 is formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 2a. One end of each first wiring portion 15 is electrically connected to a corresponding electrode end portion 14. The other ends of the multiple first wiring portions 15 converge at approximately the center in the first direction D1 on the upper side of the paper surface of FIG.

[0051] 3, each second wiring portion 25 is formed on the upper surface of the upper substrate 2b. One end of each second wiring portion 25 is electrically connected to each electrode end portion 24. The other end of each second wiring portion 25 is converged at approximately the center in the first direction D1 on the upper side of the paper surface of FIG.

[0052] Each of the first and second wiring parts 15, 25 is formed, for example, by a single thin wire. The line width of the thin wire constituting the first and second wiring parts 15, 25 is preferably thicker than the line width of the thin wire constituting the transmitting electrode 10 and the receiving electrode 20. The line width of each of the first and second wiring parts 15, 25 is set to, for example, 8.0 μm.

[0053] [Effects of the first embodiment] As described above, each first electrode unit 11 includes a first main line 12 extending in a zigzag pattern along the first direction D1 and a plurality of first sub-lines 13 branching from the first main line 12 in a direction intersecting the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. Each second electrode unit 21 includes a second main line 22 extending in a zigzag pattern along the second direction D2 and a plurality of second sub-lines 23 branching from the second main line 22 in a direction intersecting the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. Specifically, each of the first main line 12, the first sub-line 13, the second main line 22, and the second sub-line 23 is configured so as not to overlap with the black matrix of a liquid crystal display (not shown). This avoids interference with the black matrix and prevents the amplitude of spatial frequency interference from increasing. As a result, moire patterns are suppressed, improving the visibility of the touch sensor 1.

[0054] Furthermore, by providing the first sub-lines 13 and the second sub-lines 23, the proportion of thin lines in the active area A1 increases. This reduces the likelihood of display unevenness when the user looks at the touch sensor 1 from the viewing side. Furthermore, the thin lines that make up each of the first electrode portion 11 and the second electrode portion 21 are less likely to be visible from the viewing side of the touch sensor 1. In this way, by preventing display unevenness and line visibility, the visibility of the touch sensor 1 is improved.

[0055] Furthermore, when the plurality of transmitting electrodes 10 and the plurality of receiving electrodes 20 are overlapped, the first main line 12 and the second main line 22 intersect at one point. This minimizes the number of intersections between the first main line 12 and the second main line 22. As a result, an increase in the overall coupling capacitance in the active area A1 is suppressed.

[0056] When the plurality of transmitting electrodes 10 and the plurality of receiving electrodes 20 are overlapped, each cell area is non-occluded. This allows the number of intersections between the first main line 12 and the second main line 22 to be kept at one, without increasing the number of intersections between the thin lines that make up the cell area, thereby suppressing an increase in coupling capacitance between the thin lines. Furthermore, when a large number of such non-occluded cell areas are provided in the active area A1, sensor characteristics similar to those of a planar sensor matrix are easily obtained. As a result, the detection accuracy of the touch position when the user operates the touch sensor 1 is improved. In addition, it is also easy to obtain improved sensitivity at the touch position.

[0057] Therefore, the touch sensor 1 according to the first embodiment can obtain good visibility, suppress an increase in coupling capacitance, and reduce sensitivity variations among touch positions, thereby improving positional accuracy.

[0058] The cell region shown in the first embodiment includes at least one of the first subline 13 and the second subline 23, and the end portion of at least one of the first subline 13 and the second subline 23 is in an unconnected state with a gap between the end portion or the middle portion of any one of the thin lines of the above group. This gap makes it easy to form the cell region in an unblocked state. Furthermore, by making the cell region unblocked by the gap, it is possible to suppress an increase in coupling capacitance between the thin lines without increasing the number of intersections between the thin lines that make up the cell region, while maintaining the number of intersections between the first main line 12 and the second main line 22 at one.

[0059] Furthermore, if the gap is set in the range of 5 μm to 80 μm, it becomes possible to form the first sub-lines 13 and / or the second sub-lines 23 relatively long. As a result, the display unevenness and line visibility are suppressed, and good visibility can be obtained.

[0060] [Modification of the first embodiment] Modifications 1 to 8 of the first embodiment will be described below. In the following modifications 1 to 8, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0061] (Variation 1) In the first embodiment, the configuration of each of the first electrode unit 11 and the second electrode unit 21 has been described using a virtual grid consisting of a plurality of square-shaped cells, but the shape of each cell is not limited to the square. For example, as in Modification 1 shown in Fig. 8, each cell may have a rectangular shape with its long sides extending in the first direction D1 and its short sides extending in the second direction D2.

[0062] When the virtual grid consisting of rectangular squares is used, the angle θ1 between the inclined line 12a and the first reference line R1 is smaller than 30°, while the angle θ2 between the inclined line 12b and the first reference line R1 is larger than 150°. Also, the angle θ3 between the inclined line 22a and the second reference line R2 is larger than 60°, while the angle θ4 between the inclined line 22b and the second reference line R2 is smaller than 120°.

[0063] In this way, by appropriately changing the angle between the inclined line 12a and the first reference line R1 and the angle between the inclined line 12b and the first reference line R1, it is possible to adjust the angle so that it does not overlap with the black matrix of the liquid crystal display (not shown). Note that other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0064] (Variation 2) 9, each square used in Modification 2 has a rectangular shape with long sides extending in the second direction D2 and short sides extending in the first direction D1. When a virtual grid consisting of such squares is used, the angle θ1 between the inclined line 12a and the first reference line R1 is greater than 60°, while the angle θ2 between the inclined line 12b and the first reference line R1 is less than 120°. Furthermore, the angle θ3 between the inclined line 22a and the second reference line R2 is greater than 30°, while the angle θ4 between the inclined line 22b and the second reference line R2 is less than 150°.

[0065] In the second modification, the second reference lines R2, R2 adjacent to each other are spaced apart by eight squares in the first direction D1 in the grid, and each of the inclined lines 12a, 12b is located on the diagonal of each of the four squares adjacent to each other on the diagonal of the corresponding square.

[0066] In the first embodiment, the two first secondary lines 13 branch off from each corner of the first main line 12 (the connection between the inclined line 12a and the inclined line 12b), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in Modification 2, at least one first secondary line 13 may branch off from the middle of each of the inclined line 12a and the inclined line 12b.

[0067] Specifically, in the first main line 12, two first sublines 13 branch off from the middle of the inclined line 12a, while six first sublines 13 branch off from the middle of the inclined line 12b. In addition, two first sublines 13 branch off from the first subline 13 that is continuous with the middle of the inclined line 12b. In the second main line 22, two second sublines 23 branch off from the corners of the second main line 22, while two first sublines 13 branch off from the middle of the inclined line 22a.

[0068] Thus, in variant example 2, compared to the first embodiment described above, the number of first secondary lines 13 and second secondary lines 23 arranged in the active area A1 is increased relative to the number of first main lines 12 and second main lines 22.

[0069] In Modification 2, the multiple cell regions include the first and second patterns described in the first embodiment, a third pattern surrounded by first sublines 13 and second sublines 23, and a fourth pattern surrounded by first main lines 12 and first sublines 13. That is, in Modification 2, the number of patterns constituting the multiple cell regions is increased compared to the first embodiment. In particular, by including the third pattern in the multiple cell regions, it is possible to minimize the number of intersections between the first main lines 12 and the second main lines 22 without increasing the number of first main lines 12 and second main lines 22, and thereby minimize each cell region, thereby increasing the arrangement density of the multiple cell regions.

[0070] Furthermore, the plurality of cell regions in Modification 2 include the fourth pattern. This relatively increases the proportion of the first electrode unit 11 (the first main lines 12 and the first sub-lines 13) in the active area A1. That is, in Modification 2, the proportion of the plurality of transmitting electrodes 10 in the active area A1 is greater than the proportion of the plurality of receiving electrodes 20. Therefore, for example, it is possible to configure each transmitting electrode 10 so that the width in the second direction D2 is greater than the width in the first direction D1 of the plurality of receiving electrodes 20. This configuration relatively increases the number of electric field lines emitted from the plurality of transmitting electrodes 10 in the active area A1. As a result, the sensor sensitivity of the touch sensor 1 can be improved. In the present disclosure, the surface area of ​​each of the transmitting electrodes 10 and the receiving electrodes 20 corresponds to the area of ​​a collection region where the plurality of thin wires are arranged. That is, the size of the surface area of ​​each of the transmitting electrodes 10 and the receiving electrodes 20 depends on the size of the area of ​​a collection region of the plurality of thin wires.

[0071] In Modification 2, the cell area consisting of the fourth pattern surrounded by the first main lines 12 and the first sub-lines 13 is also non-blocked, but all cell areas consisting of the fourth pattern do not have to be non-blocked. This is because even if the cell area consisting of the fourth pattern were blocked, the number of intersections between the first main lines 12 and the second main lines 22 in the active area A1 would not increase.

[0072] (Variation 3) Modification 3 shown in Fig. 10 is a further modification of Modification 2. When minimizing and densifying each cell region as in Modification 2 is not required, the number of first sublines 13 and second sublines 23 may be appropriately reduced as in Modification 3. Note that the multiple cell regions shown in Modification 3 do not include the fourth pattern.

[0073] (Variation 4) Variation 4 shown in FIG. 11 is a further variation of Variation 2. Variation 4 differs from Variation 2 in the shape of each square. Specifically, each square in Variation 4 has a square shape, similar to the first embodiment. That is, the angle θ1 between the inclined line 12a and the first reference line R1 is 45°, while the angle θ2 between the inclined line 12b and the first reference line R1 is 135°. Furthermore, the angle θ3 between the inclined line 22a and the second reference line R2 is 45°, while the angle θ4 between the inclined line 22b and the second reference line R2 is 135°.

[0074] (Variation 5) Modification 5 shown in Fig. 12 is a further modification of Modification 4. When minimizing and densifying each cell region as in Modification 4 is not required, the number of first sublines 13 and second sublines 23 may be appropriately reduced as in Modification 5. Note that the multiple cell regions shown in Modification 5 do not include the fourth pattern.

[0075] (Variation 6) Variation 6 shown in FIG. 13 is a further variation of Variation 2. Variation 6 differs from Variation 2 in the shape of each square. Specifically, each square in Variation 6 has a rectangular shape with its long sides extending in the first direction D1 and its short sides extending in the second direction D2. As a result, the angle θ1 between the inclined line 12a and the first reference line R1 is smaller than 30°, while the angle θ2 between the inclined line 12b and the first reference line R1 is larger than 150°. Furthermore, the angle θ3 between the inclined line 12a and the second reference line R2 is larger than 60°, while the angle θ4 between the inclined line 12b and the first reference line R1 is smaller than 120°.

[0076] (Variation 7) Variation 7 shown in Fig. 14 is a further variation of Variation 6. Variation 7 differs from Variation 6 mainly in the configuration of second electrode portion 21. Specifically, second main line 22 is composed of a plurality of inclined lines 22a, a plurality of inclined lines 22b, a plurality of inclined lines 22c, and a plurality of inclined lines 22d.

[0077] The inclined lines 22a are located on the diagonal lines of three adjacent squares on the diagonal line of each square, and intersect with the second reference line R2.

[0078] The upper end of the inclined line 22b is continuous with the lower end of the inclined line 22a. The inclined line 22b is located on the diagonal of two adjacent squares. The inclined line 22b intersects with the second reference line R2.

[0079] The upper end of the inclined line 22c is continuous with the lower end of the inclined line 22b. The inclined line 22c extends in a direction parallel to the inclined line 22a. The inclined line 22c is located on the diagonal of one square. The lower end of the inclined line 22c is arranged so that it contacts the second reference line R2.

[0080] The upper end of inclined line 22d is continuous with the lower end of inclined line 22c. Inclined line 22d, it extends in a direction parallel to inclined line 22b. In two adjacent squares, inclined line 22d is located on the diagonal of the two squares. Inclined line 22d, it intersects with first reference line R1. Inclined line 22d, it is positioned so that its upper end is in contact with second reference line R2. Inclined line 22d, it is continuous with the upper end of inclined line 22a.

[0081] In Modification 7, patterns in which the intersections of the first main lines 12 and the second main lines 22 are located on the first reference line R1 and patterns in which the intersections of the first main lines 12 and the second main lines 22 are located on the second reference line R2 are arranged alternately along the second direction D2. That is, as in Modification 7, the intersections of the first main lines 12 and the second main lines 22 do not have to overlap with the intersections of the first reference line R1 and the second reference line R2 as in the first embodiment.

[0082] (Variation 8) Modification 8 shown in Fig. 15 is a further modification of Modification 6. Modification 8 is configured so that the proportion of the first sub-lines 13 in the active area A1 is greater than the proportion of the second sub-lines 23. Specifically, as in Modification 8, the number of first sub-lines 13 may be relatively increased. Alternatively, each second sub-line 23 may be shorter than each first sub-line 13.

[0083] [Second embodiment] FIG. 16 shows a portion of a touch sensor 1 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. In the second embodiment, a new configuration is added compared to the first embodiment. The main configuration of the touch sensor 1 according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the touch sensor 1 according to the first modification of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0084] 16, the inactive area A2 is provided with a plurality of first wire connections 31 and a plurality of second wire connections 32. Each of the first wire connections 31 and the second wire connections 32 is made of a thin wire and has a substantially V-shape.

[0085] The first connection portion 31 is electrically connected to each of the adjacent first electrode portions 11, 11. One end of the first connection portion 31 is continuous with the first main line 12 that constitutes one of the first electrode portions 11. The other end of the first connection portion 31 is continuous with the first sub-line 13 that constitutes the other first electrode portion 11.

[0086] The second connection portion 32 is electrically connected to each of the adjacent second electrode portions 21, 21. One end of the second connection portion 32 is continuous with the second main line 22 that constitutes one of the second electrode portions 21. The other end of the second connection portion 32 is continuous with the second sub-line 23 that constitutes the other second electrode portion 21.

[0087] As described above, in the touch sensor 1 according to the second embodiment, adjacent first electrode portions 11, 11 are brought into a conductive state by the first connection portion 31. As a result, even if one of the first main wires 12 is broken, as long as the other first main wire 12 is not broken, the other first main wire 12 can compensate for the broken state of the one first main wire 12 through the first connection portion 31. The second connection portion 32 also provides the same effects as those of the first connection portion 31 described above.

[0088] In the second embodiment, the plurality of first wire connection parts 31 and second wire connection parts 32 are arranged in the inactive area A2, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, at least one of the plurality of first wire connection parts 31 and second wire connection parts 32 may be arranged in the active area A1.

[0089] [Modification of the second embodiment] In the second embodiment, the first wire connection portion 31 and the second wire connection portion 32 are provided, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, only the second wire connection portion 32 may be provided. The shape of the second wire connection portion 32 is not limited to the approximate V-shape shown in the second embodiment. For example, as in this modification, the second wire connection portion 32 may have a folded line-shaped uneven portion. The main configuration of the touch sensor 1 according to this modification is the same as the configuration of the touch sensor 1 according to Modification 2 of the first embodiment.

[0090] [Other embodiments] In each of the above embodiments, the direction from the left side to the right side of each drawing is defined as the "first direction D1," and the direction from the bottom to the top of each drawing is defined as the "second direction D2." However, this is not limiting. In other words, the direction from the left side to the right side of each drawing may be defined as the "second direction D2," and the direction from the bottom to the top of each drawing may be defined as the "first direction D1."

[0091] In the above-described embodiments, the lower substrate 2a and the upper substrate 2b are used, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a single substrate (not shown) may be used instead of the lower substrate 2a and the upper substrate 2b. Specifically, a plurality of transmitting electrodes 10, a plurality of first electrode end portions 14, and a plurality of first wiring portions 15 may be provided on one surface of the substrate, and a plurality of receiving electrodes 20, a plurality of second electrode end portions 24, and a plurality of second wiring portions 25 may be provided on the other surface of the substrate.

[0092] In the above-described embodiments, the thin wires are made of a conductive material and embedded in grooves (not shown) in the substrates. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the thin wires may be formed on the surface of the substrates without forming the grooves in the substrates.

[0093] In the above-described embodiments, the first and second wiring portions 15, 25 are each formed of a single thin wire, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, although not shown, the first and second wiring portions 15, 25 may each be formed of two thin wires extending parallel to each other.

[0094] In the above-described embodiments, the touch sensor 1 is shown in a state in which the flexible wiring board 3 is attached to the lower substrate 2a and the upper substrate 2b, but is not limited to this configuration. That is, the concept of the touch sensor 1 according to the present disclosure includes a state before the flexible wiring board 3 and the like are attached to the lower substrate 2a and the upper substrate 2b. Furthermore, the concept of the touch sensor 1 according to the present disclosure also includes a configuration in which the transmitter electrodes 10 and the receiver electrodes 20 that can achieve the above-described effects are formed on a long base material (for example, a long hoop-shaped member not shown) in a state before the multiple substrates are individually formed.

[0095] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0096] The present disclosure is industrially applicable as a touch sensor that allows touch operations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1: Touch sensor 10: Transmitting electrode 11:First electrode part 12:1st main line 13: 1st sub line 14: 1st electrode end 15: 1st wiring section 20: Receiving electrode 21:Second electrode part 22:Second main line 23:Second sub line 24: 2nd electrode end 25: 2nd wiring section 31: First wiring section 32: Second wiring section A1: Active Area A2: Inactive Area D1: First direction D2: Second direction R1: First reference line R2: Second reference line

Claims

1. A capacitive touch sensor having an active area, a plurality of transmitting electrodes disposed in the active area and extending along a first direction; a plurality of receiving electrodes disposed in the active area and extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; each of the plurality of transmitting electrodes has a plurality of first electrode portions formed of thin wires; Each of the plurality of first electrode portions is a first main line extending in a zigzag pattern along the first direction; a plurality of first sub-lines branching from the first main line in a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, each of the plurality of receiving electrodes has a plurality of second electrode portions formed by thin wires; Each of the plurality of second electrode portions is a second main line extending in a zigzag pattern along the second direction; a plurality of second sub-lines branching from the second main line in a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, In a state where the plurality of transmitting electrodes and the plurality of receiving electrodes are overlapped, the first main line and the second main line intersect at one point, and a cell area surrounded by any two or more types of thin lines consisting of a group of the first main line, the first sub-line, the second main line, and the second sub-line is non-occluded, A touch sensor, wherein a proportion of the active area occupied by the plurality of transmitting electrodes is greater than a proportion of the active area occupied by the plurality of receiving electrodes.

2. The touch sensor according to claim 1 , the cell region includes at least one of the first sub-line and the second sub-line, A touch sensor in which an end portion of at least one of the first sub-line and the second sub-line is in an unconnected state with a gap between it and an end portion or a middle portion of any one of the thin lines of the group.

3. The touch sensor according to claim 2, The touch sensor, wherein the gap is set in the range of 5 μm to 80 μm.

4. The touch sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The cell area includes a pattern surrounded by the first sub-line and the second sub-line.

5. The touch sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The touch sensor, wherein adjacent first electrode portions are provided with first connection portions that are electrically connected to the respective first electrode portions.

6. The touch sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The touch sensor, wherein the adjacent second electrode portions are provided with second connection portions that are electrically connected to the respective second electrode portions.

7. A transmitting electrode extending along a first direction; a receiving electrode disposed on the transmitting electrode at a distance from the transmitting electrode, overlapping the transmitting electrode in a top view, and extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; Equipped with The transmitting electrode is a first main line that is formed of a thin wire and extends in a zigzag pattern along the first direction; a plurality of first sub-lines formed of thin lines and branching from the first main line in a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction; and The receiving electrode is a second main line that is formed of a thin wire and extends in a zigzag pattern along the second direction; a plurality of second sub-lines formed of thin lines and branching from the second main line in a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction; and When viewed from above, the first main line intersects with the second main line at one point, a cell area surrounded by any two or more types of thin lines consisting of the first main line, the plurality of first sub-lines, the second main line, and the group of the plurality of second sub-lines is non-occluded in a top view; The touch sensor, wherein the width of the transmitting electrode in the second direction is greater than the width of the receiving electrode in the first direction.

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