Touch panel, display panel and display device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a touch panel, a display panel, and a display device. The touch panel includes a touch area and a peripheral area disposed around the touch area. The touch panel includes a metal layer and at least two insulating layers stacked along a first direction. Among the at least two insulating layers, at least one insulating layer comprises an organic material and at least one insulating layer comprises an inorganic material. A plurality of touch electrodes and metal wiring connected to the touch electrodes are formed in the metal layer. The touch electrodes are disposed in the touch area, and the metal wiring is disposed in the peripheral area. Here, in the peripheral area, the orthographically projected area along the first direction of at least one insulating layer is smaller than the orthographically projected area along the first direction of the peripheral area.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202011313897.5, filed on November 20, 2020, with the title of the invention "Touch panel, display panel and display device"; Chinese patent application No. 202011388552.6, filed on December 2, 2020, with the title of the invention "Touch panel, display panel and display device"; and Chinese patent application No. 202111048711.2, filed on September 8, 2021, with the title of the invention "Touch panel, display panel and display device", all contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to touch panels, display panels, and display devices. Background Technology

[0003] Due to advancements in display technology and the popularization of electronic products, people's demands for the functionality of display panels are increasing. Foldable display panels are currently a trend in the display industry and market, and foldable touch panels, most of which have integrated touch functions, are also emerging.

[0004] Conventional foldable touch panels generally use organic materials for the entire insulating layer to ensure folding performance and improve resistance to folding; however, this also affects the formation of the metal wiring, resulting in a low yield.

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a touch panel, a display panel, and a display device, wherein the touch panel can integrate folding and touch functions, does not affect the formation of metal wiring within the touch panel, and can improve the yield of the touch panel.

[0006] In one embodiment, an embodiment of the present invention provides a touch panel comprising a touch area and a peripheral area disposed around the touch area, wherein the touch panel comprises a metal layer and at least two insulating layers stacked along a first direction, wherein at least one insulating layer among the at least two insulating layers comprises an organic material and at least one insulating layer comprises an inorganic material, wherein a plurality of touch electrodes and metal wiring connected to the plurality of touch electrodes are formed in the metal layer, wherein the touch electrodes are disposed in the touch area and the metal wiring is disposed in the peripheral area, wherein in the peripheral area, the orthographic projected area along the first direction of at least one insulating layer is smaller than the orthographic projected area along the first direction of the peripheral area.

[0007] In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention also provide a display panel, wherein the display panel includes a touch panel provided in any of the embodiments described above.

[0008] In another aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a display device, wherein the display device includes a display panel provided in the above-described embodiment.

[0009] In the touch panel, display panel, and display device of the embodiments of the present invention, the touch panel includes a touch area and a peripheral area disposed around the touch area, and the touch panel includes a metal layer stacked along a first direction and at least two insulating layers, wherein at least one insulating layer among the two insulating layers includes an organic material and at least one insulating layer includes an inorganic material. A plurality of touch electrodes and metal wiring connected to the plurality of touch electrodes are formed in the metal layer. It is possible to ensure the foldability of the touch panel while satisfying protection requirements for the metal layer. Furthermore, in the peripheral area, the orthographic projection area along the first direction of at least one insulating layer is smaller than the orthographic projection area along the first direction of the peripheral area, and by removing part or all of the layer structure of at least one insulating layer in the peripheral area, the adverse effect of the insulating layer on the metal wiring forming process is reduced, and the process yield of the metal wiring in the touch panel is improved, thereby improving the yield of the touch panel. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0010] The features, advantages, and technical effects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings, wherein the drawings are not drawn to actual proportions. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a touch panel provided in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along BB of FIG. 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along BB of FIG. 1 in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the W portion of FIG. 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along BB of FIG. 1 in another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of section D of Figure 1. FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view of the peripheral area of ​​a touch panel provided in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged view of the peripheral area of ​​a touch panel provided in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged view of the peripheral area of ​​a touch panel provided in another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along CC of Figure 1. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the peripheral area of ​​a touch panel provided in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the peripheral area of ​​a touch panel provided in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the W portion of FIG. 1 of another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view along BB of FIG. 1 in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view following CC of FIG. 1 in another embodiment. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the peripheral area of ​​a touch panel provided in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the peripheral area of ​​a touch panel provided in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view of a touch panel provided in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view along EE of FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view of a touch panel provided in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a display panel provided in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a display panel provided in another embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0011] The features of each aspect of the present invention and exemplary embodiments are described in detail below. In the detailed description below, many specific details are presented to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be implemented without some of these specific details. The description of the embodiments below is intended merely to provide a better understanding of the present invention by presenting examples of the present invention. In the drawings and the description below, at least some known structures and technologies are not shown to avoid unnecessary ambiguity regarding the present invention, and the size of some structures may be exaggerated for clarity. Additionally, the features, structures, or characteristics described below may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0012] To better understand the present invention, the touch panel, display panel, and display device provided in the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 22.

[0013] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, an embodiment of the present invention provides a touch panel (100), wherein the touch panel (100) comprises a touch area (100a) and a peripheral area (100b) disposed around the touch area (100a). The touch panel (100) comprises a metal layer (2) stacked along a first direction (X) and at least two insulating layers (1), wherein at least one insulating layer (1) among the at least two insulating layers (1) comprises an organic material, and at least one insulating layer (1) among the two or more insulating layers (1) comprises an inorganic material. A plurality of touch electrodes (21) and metal wiring (22) connected to the plurality of touch electrodes (21) are formed in the metal layer (2), the touch electrodes (21) are disposed in the touch area (100a), and the metal wiring (22) is disposed in the peripheral area (100b). In the surrounding area (100b), the orthographic area along the first direction (X) of at least one insulating layer (1) is smaller than the orthographic area along the first direction (X) of the surrounding area (100b).

[0014] In the touch panel (100) provided in the embodiment of the present invention, the touch panel (100) comprises a metal layer (2) stacked along a first direction (X) and two or more insulating layers (1), wherein at least one insulating layer (1) among the two or more insulating layers (1) comprises an organic material, and at least one insulating layer (1) comprises an inorganic material. A plurality of touch electrodes (21) and metal wiring (22) connected to the plurality of touch electrodes (21) are formed in the metal layer (2). This satisfies the protection requirements for the metal layer (2) while ensuring the foldability of the touch panel (100). In addition, in the surrounding area (100b), the orthographic projection area along the first direction (X) of at least one insulating layer (1) is smaller than the orthographic projection area along the first direction (X) of the surrounding area (100b), and by removing part or all of the layer structure of at least one insulating layer (1) in the surrounding area (100b), the adverse effect of the insulating layer (1) on the forming process of the metal wiring (22) is reduced, and the process yield of the metal wiring (22) in the touch panel (100) is improved, thereby improving the yield of the touch panel (100).

[0015] Optionally, the first direction (X) may be the stacking direction of the metal layer (2) and the insulating layer (1), and the number of insulating layers (1) is not limited and may include one or more layers of organic material, and may also include one or more layers of inorganic material. In the surrounding area (100b), the orthographic projection area along the first direction (X) of at least one insulating layer (1) is smaller than the orthographic projection area along the first direction (X) of the surrounding area (100b), that is, at least part of the orthographic projection in the first direction (X) of at least one insulating layer (1) and the orthographic projection in the first direction (X) of the surrounding area (100b) do not overlap, or the orthographic projection in the first direction (X) of at least one insulating layer (1) and all of the orthographic projection in the first direction (X) of the surrounding area (100b) do not overlap. The orthographic projection area in the first direction (X) of at least one insulating layer (1) containing organic material may be set smaller than the orthographic projection area in the first direction (X) of the surrounding area (100b), and the orthographic projection area in the first direction (X) of the insulating layer (1) containing inorganic material may be set smaller than the orthographic projection area in the first direction (X) of the surrounding area (100b), and any setting method may be selected as needed.

[0016] It should be explained that the touch panel (100) has a touch surface, and the orthographic projection along the first direction (X) of the insulating layer (1) or the surrounding area (100b) described herein may be an orthographic projection on the touch surface along the first direction (X) of the insulating layer (1) or the surrounding area (100b), or an orthographic projection on a plane in which at least one metal layer (2) is located along the first direction (X) of the insulating layer (1) or the surrounding area (100b), and when the entire metal layer (2) represents a plane, the plane in which the metal layer (2) is located is parallel to the touch surface or overlaps with the touch surface.

[0017] Optionally, there are various ways to set the orthographic area along the first direction (X) of at least one insulating layer (1) in the surrounding area (100b) to be smaller than the orthographic area along the first direction (X) of the surrounding area (100b), and any appropriate setting method can be selected. For example, at least one insulating layer (1) may be placed only in the touch area (100a) and not in the surrounding area (100b), or at least one insulating layer (1) may be placed in both the touch area (100a) and the surrounding area (100b), or pattern processing may be performed on the surrounding area (100b) so that the orthographic area along the first direction (X) is smaller than the orthographic area of ​​the surrounding area (100b).

[0018] Optionally, the material of the insulating layer (1) may be partially organic or entirely organic, and when the material of the insulating layer (1) includes organic material, the insulating layer (1) is an organic material layer. Likewise, the material of the insulating layer (1) may be partially inorganic or entirely inorganic, and when the material of the insulating layer (1) includes inorganic material, the insulating layer (1) is an inorganic material layer.

[0019] Optionally, two or more insulating layers (1) may be disposed on one side along the first direction (X) of the metal layer (2), or at least one insulating layer (1) may be disposed on each side along the first direction (X) of the metal layer (2).

[0020] In some embodiments, the number of insulating layers (1) is three or more layers, including a first insulating layer (11) and a second insulating layer (12), wherein the first insulating layer (11) includes an organic material and the second insulating layer (12) includes an inorganic material. In other words, the first insulating layer (11) is an organic material layer and the second insulating layer (12) is an inorganic material layer.

[0021] Optionally, the number of layers of the insulating layer (1) may be three or four or more layers. In an embodiment in which the number of layers of the insulating layer (1) is three layers, the three layers of insulating layer (1) may include one layer of first insulating layer (11) and two layers of second insulating layer (12), or two layers of first insulating layer (11) and one layer of second insulating layer (12). All three layers of insulating layer (1) may be arranged along one side of the first direction (X) of the metal layer (2), so that the second insulating layer (12), two layers of first insulating layer (11), and the metal layer (2) may be arranged sequentially along the first direction (X). The three insulating layers (1) may be arranged on both sides along the first direction (X) of the metal layer (2), that is, the second insulating layer (12), the first insulating layer (11), the metal layer (2), and the first insulating layer (11) may be arranged sequentially along the first direction (X).

[0022] In an embodiment where the number of layers of the insulating layer (1) is four, one layer of the second insulating layer (12) and three layers of the first insulating layer (11) may be arranged, and the second insulating layer (12), two layers of the first insulating layer (11), the metal layer (2) and the first insulating layer (11) may be arranged sequentially along the first direction (X).

[0023] Since organic materials can improve the folding performance of the touch panel (100) and inorganic materials can block external water and oxygen from entering the interior of the touch panel (100), if the touch panel (100) includes the first insulating layer (11) and the second insulating layer (12) simultaneously, the folding performance of the touch panel (100) can be secured while the ability to block water and oxygen of the touch panel (100) can be improved, and the risk of the metal wiring (22) inside the touch panel (100) being short-circuited or disconnected can be reduced.

[0024] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the number of layers of the first insulating layer (11) is at least two layers, and the first insulating layer (11) of at least two layers includes at least one interlayer insulating layer (111) and an edge insulating layer (112). On one side far from the metal layer (2) of the edge insulating layer (112), a structure such as a cover plate may be added, or no other structure may be placed. The orthographic projection along the first direction (X) of the at least one interlayer insulating layer (111) and the orthographic projection of the surrounding area (100b) are arranged offset from each other. The orthographic projection along the first direction (X) of the edge insulating layer (112) covers the orthographic projection of the touch area (100a) and the orthographic projection of the surrounding area (100b).

[0025] Optionally, the number of layers of the interlayer insulation layer (111) may be one layer or two layers. The edge insulation layer (112) is placed in the touch area (100a) and the surrounding area (100b), and at least one layer of the interlayer insulation layer (111) is placed only in the touch area (100a) and not in the surrounding area (100b), so the process of etching the metal wiring (22) in the first insulation layer (11) can be reduced, the risk of the metal wiring (22) being short-circuited or disconnected can be reduced, and the process yield of the metal wiring (22) can be improved.

[0026] In some optional embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the first direction (X), the metal layer (2) and the interlayer insulating layer (111) are positioned between the edge insulating layer (112) and at least one second insulating layer (12), and the orthographic projection of each interlayer insulating layer (111) in the first direction (X) and the orthographic projection of the surrounding area (100b) are offset from each other.

[0027] Specifically, the interlayer insulating layer (111) is positioned between the second insulating layer (12) and the metal layer (2), and the edge insulating layer (112) is positioned on one side of the metal layer (2) far from the second insulating layer (12). The projection along the first direction (X) of the interlayer insulating layer (111) and the projection along the first direction (X) of the surrounding area (100b) are positioned out of alignment, that is, the interlayer insulating layer (111) is positioned only in the touch area (100a) and not in the surrounding area (100b). This avoids the process of etching the metal wiring (22) into the organic material, secures the folding performance of the touch panel (100), further reduces the risk of the metal wiring (22) being short-circuited or disconnected, and improves the process yield of the metal wiring (22). In addition, since the second insulating layer (12) is placed on the outermost layer of the touch panel (100), it can better block water and oxygen from entering the touch panel (100), thereby better protecting the internal circuit of the touch panel (100).

[0028] Optionally, since the interlayer insulating layer (111) is positioned offset from the surrounding area (100b), the insulating layer (1) positioned in the same layer as the surrounding area (100b) and the interlayer insulating layer (111) may include an inorganic material, and after forming the metal wiring (22), an organic material positioned in the same layer as the interlayer insulating layer (111) may be formed in the surrounding area (100b).

[0029] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the edge insulating layer (112) comprises an insulating body (1121) and a protrusion (1122) disposed on the insulating body (1121), the protrusion (1122) protrudes toward one side toward the metal layer (2) in the insulating body (1121) along a first direction (X), and adjacent metal wiring (22) of the same layer is disposed to be insulated through the protrusion (1122). Since the protrusion (1122) isolates two adjacent metal wirings (22), the risk of the metal wiring (22) being short-circuited or disconnected can be reduced.

[0030] Specifically, after the metal wiring (22) is formed by processing on the second insulating layer (12), and after the processing process of the metal wiring (22) is completed, an edge insulating layer (112) is formed by depositing on the metal wiring (22), and the protrusions (1122) of the edge insulating layer (112) are formed between metal wirings (22) that are adjacent to each other on the same layer to insulate the adjacent metal wirings (22).

[0031] It should be explained that the protrusion (1122) may be placed only in the portion located in the surrounding area (100b) of the insulating body (1121), or it may be placed in both the touch area (100a) and the surrounding area (100b) of the insulating body (1121), so any appropriate placement method can be selected.

[0032] The above embodiment represents a technical solution in which the orthographic projection area along the first direction (X) of the first insulating layer (11) in the surrounding area (100b) is smaller than the orthographic projection area along the first direction (X) of the surrounding area (100b). Below, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment in which the orthographic projection area along the first direction (X) of the second insulating layer (12) is smaller than the orthographic projection area along the first direction (X) of the surrounding area (100b) is described.

[0033] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the second insulating layer (12) comprises a first insulating area (121) located in a touch area (100a) and a second insulating area (122) located in a surrounding area (100b), and an orthographic projection along the first direction (X) of the first insulating area (121) covers the touch area (100a), and an orthographic projection along the first direction (X) of the second insulating area (122) covers an orthographic projection along the first direction (X) of the metal wiring (22).

[0034] The first insulating region (121) of the second insulating layer (12) covers the touch region (100a), and the second insulating region (122) covers the metal wiring (22). Thus, each touch electrode (21) can be protected through the first insulating region (121), and the metal wiring (22) can be protected through the second insulating region (122). This prevents the touch electrode (21) and the metal wiring (22) from being corroded by water and oxygen. Furthermore, the blockage of water and oxygen can reduce metal residue during the molding of the touch electrode (21) and the metal wiring (22), and effectively prevent the problem of touch failure caused by a short circuit of the touch panel (100).

[0035] When a display panel with a touch panel (100) is in a high temperature and high humidity environment during a reliability test, the second insulating layer (12) further ensures that the metal layer (2) is not easily peeled off without being affected by water and oxygen, prevents heat generation due to increased resistance, and ensures a touch effect.

[0036] In some optional embodiments, a first via hole (122a) is disposed in a second insulating region (122) of the second insulating layer (12), optionally, the first via hole (122a) is disposed penetrating the second insulating layer (12) along a first direction (X), and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the projection along the first direction (X) of the first via hole (122a) formed to surround it and the projection along the first direction (X) of the metal wiring (22) are offset from each other, that is, the projection along the first direction (X) of the hole wall formed to surround the first via hole (122a) and the projection along the first direction (X) of the metal wiring (22) are offset from each other. Specifically, the orthographic projection along the first direction (X) of the hole wall formed to surround the first via hole (122a) and the orthographic projection along the first direction (X) of the metal wiring (22) do not overlap, that is, the two do not overlap in each direction perpendicular to the first direction (X).

[0037] By arranging the first via hole (122a), stress can be effectively relieved through the first via hole (122a) when a layer structure, such as the second insulating layer (12), is formed, and the stress between the second insulating layer (12) and the first insulating layer (11) and / or the metal layer (2) can be matched to ensure they are closely bonded, furthermore, connection adhesion can be secured, and the phenomenon of the touch panel (100) swelling during molding and low-temperature environmental changes can be prevented. At the same time, since the first via hole (122a) and the metal wiring (22) are arranged in an offset manner, a protective effect for the metal wiring (22) can be secured, and it can be prevented from being easily corroded by water and oxygen.

[0038] Optionally, when the second insulating layer (12) is stacked in multiple layers, the first via hole (122a) may be positioned to penetrate only one layer of the second insulating layer (12) among them, or it may be positioned to penetrate multiple layers of the second insulating layer (12), and in both cases, the effect of relieving stress can be obtained.

[0039] In some optional embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the boundary of the orthographic projection along the first direction (X) of the first via hole (122a) and the boundary of the orthographic projection along the first direction (X) of the metal wiring (22) form a gap from each other in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (X). That is, the second insulating region (122) completely covers the metal wiring (22) located in the surrounding region (100b), thereby ensuring that the metal wiring (22) located in the surrounding region (100b) is completely covered by the second insulating region (122) of the second insulating layer (12), and effectively block water and oxygen, thereby effectively preventing the problem of metal residue being generated around the metal wiring (22) during the process of the metal layer (2) being patterned to form the metal wiring (22) and causing a short circuit between the metal wiring (22), and improving the safety performance of the touch panel (100).

[0040] In some optional embodiments, the number of first via holes (122a) is multiple, and the multiple first via holes (122a) are spaced apart along a direction perpendicular to the first direction (X) in the surrounding area (100b). Specifically, the multiple first via holes (122a) may be spaced apart along multiple directions within a plane perpendicular to the first direction (X), and the spaced arrangement may represent a rectangular array, a circular array, or other arrangement. By arranging the multiple first via holes (122a) to be spaced apart, the requirements for stress relief at different locations within the surrounding area (100b) of the second insulating layer (12) can be satisfied, and phenomena such as the touch panel (100) swelling due to stress action during molding and operation can be prevented.

[0041] In some other optional embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the orthographic projection in the first direction (X) of the side wall formed to surround the first via hole (122a) is a broken line or a curve, and optionally, the side wall of the first via hole (122a) may be positioned along the extended trajectory of the metal wiring (22).

[0042] In some embodiments, the orthographic projection in the first direction (X) of the side wall formed to surround the first via hole (122a) may be a curve, such as a circular arc curve and an elliptical arc curve, and of course, a wave shape formed by joining a plurality of arc shapes as shown in FIG. 7.

[0043] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, in some other examples, the orthographic projection in the first direction (X) of the side wall formed to surround the first via hole (122a) may be circular and elliptical, and of course, in some embodiments, may be polygonal such as square and pentagon.

[0044] The number of first via holes (122a) between two adjacent metal wires (22) may be one or multiple, provided that the protection requirements for the metal wires (22) are met and that swelling caused by stress action during the molding process of the touch panel (100) or the reliability test process of the applied display panel is prevented.

[0045] As a partial optional embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a tangential terminal (23) is further formed in the metal layer (2) and disposed in a peripheral area (100b), and the tangential terminal (23) is connected to one end of the metal wiring (22) that is far from the touch electrode (21). By placing the tangential terminal (23), it is easy to connect the driving IC (Integrated Circuit Chip) corresponding to the touch electrode (21) and easy to control the touch electrode (21) and collect the touch position. In addition, by placing the tangential terminal (23) and the metal wiring (22) in the same layer, the molding process of the touch panel can be simplified, and at the same time, the connection strength between the tangential terminal (23) and the metal wiring (22) corresponding to it can be secured.

[0046] In some optional embodiments, in the first direction (X), the orthographic projection of the second insulating region (122) covers the orthographic projection of the tangent terminal (23). Since the tangent terminal (23) is also formed by patterning the metal layer (2) and is used for connecting the metal wiring (22) and the driving IC, it is very important to consider how to reduce the probability of a short circuit occurring between the tangent terminals (23). The touch panel (100) provided in the embodiment of the present invention blocks water and oxygen on one side of the second insulating layer (12), such as the packaging layer (230), by having the orthographic projection of the second insulating region (122) cover the orthographic projection of the tangent terminal (23) in the stacking direction, i.e., the first direction (X), thereby preventing a short circuit between adjacent tangent terminals (23) caused by metal residue formed around the tangent terminal (23), and further prevents the touch panel (100) from having a touch failure problem due to a short circuit.

[0047] As a partial optional embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the second insulating region (122) has a second via hole (122a') formed in the region between two adjacent tangent terminals (23) in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (X). Through the above-described arrangement, the stress relief requirements during the molding process of the touch panel (100) can be further optimized.

[0048] In order to ensure strength requirements of the touch panel (100) and to be advantageous for the molding process, optionally, the second via hole (122a') may be filled by the first insulating layer (11). The first via hole (122a) and the second via hole (122a') may be connected as one via hole or as two via holes.

[0049] The above embodiment illustrates a technical solution in which the projection of the second insulating region (122) of the second insulating layer (12) in the first direction (X) covers the projection of the metal wiring (22).

[0050] In some other embodiments, the orthographic projection of the second insulating region (122) in the first direction (X) covers at least partially the surrounding region (100b) and is positioned offset from the orthographic projection of the metal wiring (22). That is, the region between the second insulating region (122) and the adjacent metal wiring (22) is positioned oppositely to protect the region between the adjacent metal wiring (22) and prevent erosion by water and oxygen.

[0051] In some optional embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 17, in the first direction (X), a first recess (122b) is disposed in the second insulating region (122) facing each metal wire (22), and the projection of the metal wire (22) in the first direction (X) is located within the first recess (122b) facing it, and in the first direction (X), the projection of the second insulating region (122) covers the area between two adjacent metal wires (22) distributed in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (X).

[0052] The first insulating layer (11) ensures the foldability of the touch panel (100), while the second insulating layer (12) is arranged to include a first insulating region (121) and a second insulating region (122), and the touch electrode (21) is protected through the first insulating region (121) to prevent erosion of water and oxygen from the packaging structure of the display structure (200). Since the area between the two metal wires (22) is covered by the second insulating region (122), water and oxygen from one side of the second insulating layer (12), such as the packaging layer (230) side, are blocked, and a short circuit between the two adjacent metal wires (22) caused by metal residue formed in this area is prevented, and furthermore, the problem of the touch function of the touch panel (100) being rendered ineffective due to a short circuit can be prevented.

[0053] When a display panel with a touch panel (100) is in a high temperature and high humidity environment during a reliability test, the second insulating layer (12) further ensures that the metal layer (2) is not easily peeled off without being affected by water and oxygen, prevents heat generation due to increased resistance, and ensures a touch effect.

[0054] In one optional embodiment, in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (X), as shown in FIG. 13, the groove width (MM) of the first concave groove (122b) is larger than the line width (mm) of the metal wiring (22) positioned oppositely. Optionally, there is a gap between the boundary of the orthographic projection of the metal wiring (22) in the first direction (X) and the boundary of the orthographic projection of the groove wall of the first concave groove (122b) positioned oppositely in the first direction (X). Through the above-described arrangement, when a layer structure such as the second insulating layer (12) is formed, stress can be effectively relieved through the first concave groove (122b), and the stress between the second insulating layer (12) and the first insulating layer (11) and / or the metal layer (2) can be matched to ensure close contact between them, further ensuring adhesive connection, and preventing the touch panel (100) from swelling when molded or changed in a high or low temperature environment.

[0055] Optionally, the metal wiring (22) provided in the embodiment of the present invention may be used to connect a wire between the touch electrode (21) and the driving IC, and may, of course, include a ground wire, etc.

[0056] Optionally, the metal wiring (22) corresponds to the extension trajectory of the first concave groove (122b) positioned oppositely, and the size in the extension trajectory of the metal wiring (22) is the length of the metal wiring (22), and the size in the direction perpendicular to the extension trajectory and the first direction (X) is the line width (mm) of the metal wiring (22). Likewise, the width of the first concave groove (122b) in the extension trajectory of the metal wiring (22) positioned oppositely and the direction perpendicular to the first direction (X) is the groove width (MM) of the first concave groove (122b).

[0057] In one optional embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a second insulated region (122) is further formed with a second concave groove (122c) positioned opposite the tangential terminal (23), and the projection of the tangential terminal (23) in the first direction (X) is located within the second concave groove (122c) positioned opposite, and the second insulated region (122) covers the area between two adjacent tangential terminals (23). Since the tangential terminal (23) is also formed by patterning the metal layer (2) and is used for connecting the metal wiring (22) and the driving IC, it is very important to consider how to reduce the probability of a short circuit occurring between the tangential terminals (23). In the embodiment of the present invention, the touch panel (100) can satisfy stress relief when a layer structure, such as the second insulating layer (12), is formed by placing a second concave groove (122c) positioned opposite to the tangential terminal (23) in the second insulating region (122) of the second insulating layer (12). Additionally, by ensuring that the area between two adjacent tangential terminals (23) is covered by the second insulating region (122), water and oxygen from one side of the second insulating layer (12), such as the packaging layer (230), are blocked, and short circuits between two adjacent tangential terminals (23) caused by metal residue formed in this area are prevented, and furthermore, the problem of the touch function of the touch panel (100) being rendered ineffective due to a short circuit can be prevented.

[0058] As an optional embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the groove width (NN) of the second concave groove (122c) is greater than or equal to the width (nn) of the tangential terminal (23) positioned oppositely. Optionally, there is a gap between the boundary of the orthographic projection in the first direction (X) of the second concave groove (122c) and the boundary of the orthographic projection in the first direction (X) of the tangential terminal (23) positioned oppositely. Through the above-described arrangement, stress relief requirements can be satisfied when a layer structure, such as the second insulating layer (12), is formed under the premise of preventing short circuits between the tangential terminals (23), and stress between the second insulating layer (12) and the first insulating layer (11) and / or the metal layer (2) can be matched to ensure connection adhesion, and the touch panel (100) can be prevented from swelling when molded.

[0059] As an optional embodiment, in order to secure the strength of the touch panel (100) and simplify the molding process of the touch panel (100), the inside of the first concave groove (122b) and the second concave groove (122c) can be filled with the first insulating layer (11).

[0060] In one optional embodiment, in the touch panel (100) provided in each of the embodiments described above, the number of metal layers (2) may be two layers. When the number of metal layers (2) is two layers, at least one of a first insulating layer (11) and a second insulating layer (12) is disposed between the two metal layers (2) and on one side facing away from each other, respectively. That is, an insulating layer (1) is disposed between the two metal layers (2) and on one side facing away from each other, respectively. A touch electrode (21) and a metal wiring (22) are formed on one of the metal layers (2) or on two metal layers (2), respectively. Through the above-described arrangement, the touch and bending requirements of the touch panel (100) can likewise be satisfied.

[0061] For example, a plurality of touch electrodes (21) may be formed on one of the two metal layers (2), a bridge (25) may be formed on the other metal layer (2) of the two metal layers (2), and at least two touch electrodes (21) are electrically connected through the bridge (25).

[0062] In some optional embodiments, a plurality of touch electrodes (21) include two or more touch driving electrodes (21a) arranged in a matrix form and two or more touch sensing electrodes (21b) arranged in a matrix form, adjacent touch driving electrodes (21a) in the same matrix column are electrically connected through one of a connecting part (24) and a bridge (25), adjacent touch sensing electrodes (21b) in the same matrix column are electrically connected through the other of a connecting part (24) and a bridge (25), and the connecting part (24) is arranged in the same layer as the touch driving electrodes (21a) and the touch sensing electrodes (21b).

[0063] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 10, 11, 15, and 16, optionally, when the metal layer (2) is two layers, the metal wiring (22) and the tangential terminal (23) may be formed on one of the metal layers (2). Optionally, the metal wiring (22) may be placed in the same layer as a plurality of touch electrodes (21) and form the structural shape illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 15. Of course, in some embodiments, the metal wiring (22) may be placed in the same layer as a bridge (25) and form the structural shape illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 16. It is sufficient to satisfy the connection requirements between the touch electrode (21) and the driving IC. When the metal layer (2) is two layers, the touch panel (100) may be of the self-capacitance type or the mutual capacitance type.

[0064] Of course, when the metal layer (2) is two layers, arranging the metal wiring (22) and the tangential terminal (23) and one of the metal layers (2) together is merely an optional embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 12 and FIGS. 17, in some embodiments, the two metal layers (2) can be overlapped in a predetermined area to form the metal wiring (22) and the tangential terminal (23). Through the above-described arrangement, the resistance of the metal wiring (22) can be reduced, and the touch effect of the touch panel (100) can be optimized.

[0065] For example, when the metal layer (2) is two layers, the touch electrode (21) is not limited to being formed on one layer of the metal layer (2). As illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, in some embodiments, a plurality of touch electrodes (21) may be formed on two layers of the metal layer (2). Likewise, a plurality of touch electrodes (21) may include a touch driving electrode (21a) and a touch sensing electrode (21b), and the touch electrode (21) is formed on one layer of the metal layer (2) of the two layers of the metal layer (2), and the touch sensing electrode (21b) is formed on the other layer of the metal layer (2) of the two layers of the metal layer (2).

[0066] For example, one of the two metal layers (2) may include a plurality of longitudinal electrodes, and the plurality of longitudinal electrodes are spaced apart along the transverse direction, and the other of the two metal layers (2) may include a plurality of transverse electrodes, and the plurality of transverse electrodes are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction, and a capacitance may be formed at the location where the transverse electrodes and the longitudinal electrodes intersect, and at the location where the transverse electrodes and the longitudinal electrodes intersect, a touch driving electrode (21a) is formed at one and a touch sensing electrode (21b) is formed at the other. A metal wiring (22) may be connected to each of the touch driving electrode (21a) and the touch sensing electrode (21b), and when an excitation signal is applied to the touch driving electrode (21a) through the metal wiring (22), the touch sensing electrode (21b) may detect and receive this excitation signal due to the presence of mutual capacitance, and the magnitude and phase shift of the received signal are related to the frequency of the excitation signal and the magnitude of the mutual capacitance, in other words, the determination of the touch position may be determined by the capacitance between the touch driving electrode (21a) and the touch sensing electrode (21b). Through the above-described arrangement, the requirements for the touch function and bending function of the touch panel (100) can likewise be satisfied.

[0067] It is to be explained that in the touch panel (100) provided in the embodiment of the present invention, when the metal layer (2) is two layers, the second insulating layer (12) included may be one layer, and when it is one layer, the second insulating layer (12) may be located on one side opposite to one of the two metal layers (2) and, of course, may be located between the two metal layers (2).

[0068] For example, if the metal layer (2) is two layers, the second insulating layer (12) may be one layer and the first insulating layer (11) may be three layers, and the arrangement of each layer in the first direction (X) may be the second insulating layer (12), the first insulating layer (11), the metal layer (2), the second insulating layer (12), the metal layer (2), and the second insulating layer (12). Of course, this is one arrangement, and in some embodiments, the position of the second insulating layer (12) may be adjusted as needed, and for example, in some embodiments, the arrangement of each layer of the touch panel (100) in the first direction (X) may be the first insulating layer (11), the second insulating layer (12), the metal layer (2), the first insulating layer (11), the metal layer (2), and the first insulating layer (11).

[0069] Of course, the arrangement method of the second insulating layer (12), the first insulating layer (11), and the metal layer (2) described above is merely an optional embodiment, and the second insulating layer (12) is not limited to one layer, nor is the first insulating layer (11) limited to three layers. The number of layers of the second insulating layer (12) and the first insulating layer (11), and the arrangement method with the metal layer (2) can be set according to the bending performance requirements of the touch panel (100), the number of layers of the metal layer (2), and the protection level against water and oxygen, and are not individually exemplified or explained here.

[0070] In the touch panel (100) provided in each of the above-described embodiments, the number of metal layers (2) being two layers is merely an optional embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20, in some embodiments, the number of metal layers (2) is one layer, and the number of touch electrodes (21) is a plurality and arranged in the same layer, and each touch electrode (21) has one metal wiring (22) connected to it. A second insulating layer (12) is disposed on one side of the metal layer (2) in the first direction (X), and a first insulating layer (11) is disposed on the other side of the metal layer (2) in the first direction (X). That is, the touch panel (100) can use a magnetic capacitive touch type, and each of each touch electrode (21) is connected to a driving IC through a metal wiring (22), and the metal wiring (22) is used to transmit a touch driving signal emitted from the driving IC to each touch electrode (21), and to transmit a touch detection signal generated from the touch electrode (21) to the driving IC through the same metal wiring (22), thereby implementing the touch function requirements of the touch panel (100). Optionally, if the metal layer (2) is a single layer, the metal wiring (22), the tangential terminal (23), and the touch electrode (21) are arranged on the same layer.

[0071] In one optional embodiment, in the touch panel (100) provided in each of the embodiments described above, the inorganic material of the second insulating layer (12) may be manufactured using one or more combination materials of silicon nitride, silicon oxide, and silicon dioxide, the organic material of the first insulating layer (11) may be manufactured using materials such as OC gel, and the metal layer (2) may be manufactured using materials such as molybdenum, aluminum, copper, or other metals or alloys.

[0072] As illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, in another embodiment, the embodiment of the present invention also provides a display panel, wherein the display panel includes a touch panel (100) provided in each of the above embodiments, so as to satisfy the touch and bending requirements of the display panel and prevent failure of the display panel due to a short circuit of the touch panel during reliability testing or operation of the display panel.

[0073] In some optional embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, the display panel provided in the embodiment of the present invention further comprises a display structure (200), the display structure (200) comprises a stacked array substrate (210), a light-emitting layer (220), and a packaging layer (230), the packaging layer (230) is stacked on the touch panel (100), and a second insulating layer (12) is disposed between the metal layer (2) and the packaging layer (230). Through the above-described arrangement, water and oxygen within the packaging layer (230) can be blocked through the second insulating layer (12), thereby preventing short circuits caused by metal residue or swelling between adjacent metal wiring (22) during molding of the touch panel (100) or reliability testing of the display panel, and optimizing the performance of the display panel.

[0074] In some optional embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the array substrate (210) of the display structure (200) has a plurality of pixel driving circuits distributed in an array form for driving a light-emitting layer (220), and the pixel driving circuits include transistors. For example, the array substrate (210) may include a substrate (211) and a device layer disposed on the substrate (211), and the device layer includes a stacked active layer (212), a first interlayer insulating layer (213), a first conductor layer, a second interlayer insulating layer (215), a second conductor layer, a third interlayer insulating layer (217), a third conductor layer, and a planarization layer (219). The active layer (212) is used to form the active region of each transistor, the first conductive layer (214) is used to form the gate of each transistor, the second conductive layer (216) and the first conductive layer (214) together form the storage capacity of the array substrate (210), and the third conductive layer (218) is used to form the source and drain of each transistor.

[0075] The light-emitting layer (220) may include a plurality of subpixels, and each subpixel includes an anode, a light-emitting material, and a cathode. Since the light-emitting layer (220) is placed on the flattening layer (219) and the anode is connected to a transistor, it is convenient to drive each subpixel through the array substrate (210) to satisfy the display requirements of the display panel.

[0076] Optionally, the packaging layer (230) may be a film packaging layer (230) and is positioned on one side far from the array substrate (210) of the light-emitting layer (220), and the touch panel (100) is laminated on the packaging layer (230). In some optional embodiments, a second insulating layer (12) and a first insulating layer (11) may be laminated between the packaging layer (230) and the metal layer (2) of the touch panel (100), and the second insulating layer (12) may be positioned close to one side of the packaging layer (230) and laminated on the packaging layer (230). Of course, in some embodiments, the second insulating layer (12) may be positioned far from the packaging layer (230) so that the first insulating layer (11) is positioned between the second insulating layer (12) and the packaging layer (230), thereby blocking water and oxygen from the packaging layer (230), so that water and oxygen from within the packaging layer (230) on one side close to the packaging layer (230) in the first direction (X) and water and oxygen from the external environment on one side far from the packaging layer (230) simultaneously act on the metal layer (2) of the touch panel (100), and the probability of a short circuit between the metal wiring (22) located in the surrounding area (100b) is reduced.

[0077] In some optional embodiments, the display structure (200) may include a display area (AA) and a foldable area (NA), and the touch area (100a) of the touch panel (100) is positioned opposite the display area (AA), and the peripheral area (100b) is positioned opposite the foldable area (NA). The peripheral area (100b) may be folded according to the folding requirements. Optionally, the metal wiring (22) may be connected to a connecting line on a third conductive layer (218) formed on the array substrate (210) directly or through a tangential terminal (23), which satisfies binding requirements and is convenient for connecting to a driving IC, and ensures control of the array substrate (210) and the touch panel (100) of the display panel.

[0078] As an optional embodiment, the embodiments of the present invention also provide a display device, wherein the display device comprises a display panel provided in each of the embodiments described above. The display device may be a product or component having any display function, such as a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, digital photo frame, or navigation system, and may incorporate a photosensitive component such as a camera. Since the display device provided in the embodiments of the present invention includes a display panel of any of the embodiments described above, it has advantages such as being resistant to short circuits and having high safety.

[0079] A person skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments are all exemplary and not limiting. Other technical features appearing in different embodiments may be combined to achieve beneficial effects. A person skilled in the art can understand and implement other modified embodiments of the disclosed embodiments based on a study of the drawings, specification, and claims. The functions of the parts appearing in the claims may be implemented by a single hardware or software module. The fact that certain technical features appear in different dependent claims does not mean that such technical features cannot be combined to achieve beneficial effects.

Claims

Claim 1 A touch panel comprises a touch area and a peripheral area disposed around the touch area, wherein the touch panel has a touch surface, and the touch panel comprises a metal layer and at least two insulating layers stacked along a first direction, wherein in the at least two insulating layers, at least one insulating layer comprises an organic material and at least one insulating layer comprises an inorganic material, wherein the at least one insulating layer comprising the organic material is located on one side adjacent to the touch surface in the at least one insulating layer comprising the inorganic material, and wherein a plurality of touch electrodes and metal wiring connected to the plurality of touch electrodes are formed in the metal layer, wherein the touch electrodes are disposed in the touch area and the metal wiring is disposed in the peripheral area, and a portion of the metal layer extends in a direction away from the touch surface, wherein in the peripheral area, the orthographic projected area along the first direction of at least one insulating layer is smaller than the orthographic projected area along the first direction of the peripheral area, and a portion of the metal layer sequentially extends in a direction away from the touch surface to at least one insulating layer comprising the organic material and at least one insulating layer comprising the inorganic material Passing touch panel. Claim 2 A touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the number of insulating layers is three or more and includes a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer, wherein the first insulating layer includes the organic material and the second insulating layer includes the inorganic material. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, the number of layers of the first insulating layer is at least two layers, and the first insulating layer of the at least two layers includes at least one interlayer insulating layer and an edge insulating layer; the orthographic projection along the first direction of the at least one interlayer insulating layer and the orthographic projection of the surrounding area are offset from each other, and the orthographic projection along the first direction of the edge insulating layer covers the orthographic projection of the touch area and the orthographic projection of the surrounding area, a touch panel. Claim 4 In paragraph 3, in the first direction, the metal layer and the interlayer insulating layer are positioned between the edge insulating layer and at least one second insulating layer, and the orthographic projection of each interlayer insulating layer in the first direction and the orthographic projection of the surrounding area are arranged offset from each other; or, the edge insulating layer comprises an insulating body and a protrusion disposed on the insulating body, the protrusion protrudes from the insulating body along the first direction, and the metal wiring that is in the same layer and adjacent to each other is arranged to be insulated by the protrusion, a touch panel. Claim 5 A touch panel according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second insulating layer comprises a first insulating region located in the touch area and a second insulating region located in the surrounding area, wherein the orthographic projection along the first direction of the first insulating region covers the orthographic projection along the first direction of the touch area, and the orthographic projection along the first direction of the second insulating region covers the orthographic projection along the first direction of the metal wiring. Claim 6 A touch panel according to claim 5, wherein a first via hole penetrating along the first direction is disposed in the second insulating region, and the orthographic projection along the first direction of the hole wall formed to surround the first via hole and the orthographic projection along the first direction of the metal wiring are offset from each other, and the boundary of the orthographic projection along the first direction of the first via hole and the boundary of the orthographic projection along the first direction of the metal wiring form a gap from each other in a direction perpendicular to the first direction; the number of the first via holes is a plurality, and the plurality of the first via holes are spaced apart and distributed along a direction perpendicular to the first direction in the surrounding region; or, the orthographic projection in the first direction of the side wall formed to surround the first via hole is a broken line or a curve. Claim 7 In claim 6, the metal layer further has a tangential terminal disposed in the peripheral region, and the tangential terminal is connected to one end of at least one metal wiring far from the touch electrode, and in the first direction, the orthographic projection of the second insulating region also covers the orthographic projection of the tangential terminal; or, the second insulating region has a second via hole formed in the region between adjacent tangential terminals in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, a touch panel. Claim 8 A touch panel according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second insulating layer comprises a first insulating region located in the touch area and a second insulating region located in the surrounding area, wherein the orthographic projection along the first direction of the first insulating region covers the touch area, and the orthographic projection along the first direction of the second insulating region covers at least a portion of the surrounding area but is positioned offset from the orthographic projection of the metal wiring. Claim 9 A touch panel according to claim 8, wherein in the first direction, a first concave groove is disposed in the second insulating region facing each of the metal wires, and the orthographic projection of the metal wire in the first direction is located within the first concave groove facing each other, and in the first direction, the orthographic projection of the second insulating region covers the area between two adjacent metal wires distributed along a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and in the direction perpendicular to the first direction, the groove width of the first concave groove is greater than the line width of the metal wire facing each other; or, a tangential terminal is further formed in the metal layer facing the surrounding region, and the tangential terminal is connected to one end of at least one of the metal wires far from the touch electrode, and in the first direction, a second concave groove is further disposed in the second insulating region facing the tangential terminal, and the orthographic projection of the tangential terminal in the first direction is located within the second concave groove facing each other. Claim 10 A display panel comprising a touch panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Claim 11 delete Claim 12 delete Claim 13 delete Claim 14 delete Claim 15 delete Claim 16 delete Claim 17 delete Claim 18 delete Claim 19 delete Claim 20 delete

Images