JP7161850B2 - Wiring structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to wiring structures.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, there is known a wiring structure in which conductive wires serving as electrodes (for touch detection) are wired within a panel area visually recognized by a person, such as a touch panel. In such a wiring structure, there has been proposed a technique of separating each electrode by linearly disconnecting the conducting wire (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-38589 A

However, in the prior art, for example, when a conductive wire made of an opaque material is used, if the conductive wire is cut in a straight line, the broken area appears to exist as a straight line, which is a so-called bone appearance. There was a risk that the appearance of the product would be impaired. Such bone appearance is particularly conspicuous in conductors made of opaque material, but it can also occur in conductors made of transparent material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a wiring structure capable of suppressing occurrence of visible bones.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, a wiring structure according to the present invention comprises a plurality of wiring regions and isolation regions. A plurality of conductive wires are arranged in the plurality of wiring regions. The separation region separates the two wiring regions by separating the ends of the conductive wires in each of the two adjacent wiring regions among the plurality of wiring regions. Further, in the isolation region, the ends of the conductor wires in each of the two wiring regions are arranged in a straight line.

According to the present invention, the occurrence of visible bones can be suppressed.

1A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a touch panel according to an embodiment; FIG. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the conductive film according to the embodiment. FIG. 1C is an enlarged view of the conductive film according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of two adjacent ends. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the conductive film according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing part of the conductive film according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a wiring structure according to a modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the wiring structure disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by embodiment shown below.

Further, in the following embodiments, the wiring structure of an electrode substrate for touch detection in a touch panel will be described as an example, but the target of the wiring structure is not limited to the touch panel. It may be a pattern, as long as it is a wiring structure of conductors provided in a region visually recognized by a person.

First, an outline of a touch panel to which a wiring structure according to an embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1C. 1A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a touch panel according to an embodiment; FIG. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the conductive film according to the embodiment. FIG. 1C is an enlarged view of the conductive film according to the embodiment. To facilitate understanding of the explanation, a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system is attached to a plurality of drawings including FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a touch panel 1 according to the embodiment includes a panel 2, a conductive film 3, and a display device 4. As shown in FIG. The touch panel 1 can be used, for example, as a navigation device mounted on a vehicle, a touch panel of a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a PC (Personal Computer), an electronic blackboard, a wearable terminal, or the like.

The touch panel 1 according to the embodiment is a so-called capacitive touch panel that detects a touch position based on a potential difference of signals output from a control circuit (not shown). Furthermore, the touch panel 1 is a one-layer circuit touch panel in which an X electrode 31 (to be described later) and a Y electrode 32 (to be described later) are provided in the same layer.

It should be noted that the touch panel 1 is not limited to the capacitive type, and may be of another type such as a resistive film type, as long as it uses conducting wires. Moreover, the touch panel 1 is not limited to a one-layer circuit, and may be a two-layer circuit in which the X electrodes 31 and the Y electrodes 32 are provided in different layers.

The panel 2 is a plate-shaped member having optical transparency, and can be made of materials such as glass and transparent resin, for example. The display device 4 displays arbitrary images such as moving images, still images, and text documents, for example. The conductive film 3 is a film-like member provided with electrodes for detecting a touch position on the touch panel 1 . Such electrodes are formed, for example, in a predetermined pattern in which a plurality of conducting wires are arranged.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the conductive film 3 in which a plurality of conductors are arranged includes a plurality of X electrode regions 31 (an example of a wiring region), a plurality of Y electrode regions 32, a ground region 33, and a signal line region. 34 , an isolation region 35 and a dummy region 36 . Note that the X electrode region 31 and the Y electrode region 32 may be referred to as the X electrode 31 and the Y electrode 32 below.

The X electrode 31 is, for example, a drive electrode, receives a signal output from a control circuit (not shown) through a signal line in the signal line area 34 and outputs the signal to the Y electrode 32 .

Also, the X electrode 31 is formed by, for example, a mesh pattern (see FIG. 1C) in which a plurality of conductors intersect. Also, the X electrode 31 has a projecting portion projecting toward the Y electrode 32 side, and a signal is output from the projecting portion toward the Y electrode 32 . Although FIG. 1B shows the case where the X electrode 31 has one projecting portion, it may have two or more projecting portions. That is, it can be said that the X electrode 31 having two or more protrusions has a comb shape.

Also, the plurality of X electrodes 31 are arranged in the first direction, which is the X-axis direction. Specifically, two adjacent X electrodes 31 are arranged so as to sandwich the isolation region 35 . Although FIG. 1B shows the case where five X electrodes 31 are arranged in the X-axis direction, the number may be four or less, or six or more. Also, the region size of each of the plurality of X electrodes 31 may be different. The X electrodes 31 having different area sizes will be described later with reference to FIG.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1B, the plurality of X electrodes 31 are arranged in a second direction, which is the Y-axis direction. Specifically, a pair of X electrodes 31 are provided so as to sandwich the signal line region 34 . Although FIG. 1B shows the case where three pairs of X electrodes 31 are provided, the number may be two pairs or less or four pairs or more.

The Y electrodes 32 are, for example, sensing regions, receive signals input from the X electrodes 31, and output the signals to a control circuit (not shown). Also, the Y electrode 32 is a region in which conductive wires are arranged in a mesh like the X electrode 31 . One Y electrode 32 has a comb-like shape with a plurality of protruding portions protruding toward the X electrode 31, and extends in the X-axis direction, which is the first direction. A pair of Y electrodes 32 are provided so as to sandwich a pair of X electrodes 31 and a signal line region 34 .

The ground area 33 is an area that functions as a ground (earth) and serves as a reference potential point for a control circuit (not shown). The ground region 33 is provided on the opposite side of the Y electrode 32 from the X electrode 31 with a dummy region 36 interposed therebetween.

The signal line region 34 is a region where signal lines connecting the X electrodes 31 and a control circuit (not shown) are formed. Specifically, the signal lines of the signal line region 34 are connected to each of the plurality of X electrodes 31 except for the pair of X electrodes 31 at the upper end on the Y-axis positive direction side. Note that only one signal line is connected to the pair of X electrodes 31 at the upper end on the Y-axis positive direction side.

In the signal line region 34, the plurality of conductors 10 extend in the X-axis direction, which is the first direction, and are independent of each other. Also, each conductor 10 in the signal line region 34 is formed in a zigzag pattern (see FIG. 3).

The dummy region 36 is a region that separates the X electrode 31 and the Y electrode 32 and separates the Y electrode 32 and the ground region 33 . The dummy region 36 is a region in which a plurality of conductors 10 are formed in a mesh like the X electrodes 31 and the Y electrodes 32 .

For example, the dummy region 36 formed between the X electrode 31 and the Y electrode 32 is formed by forming the ends of the conductors 10 of the dummy region 36 with a gap from the X electrode 31 and the Y electrode 32 respectively. The electrodes 31 and the Y electrodes 32 are separated.

The separation region 35 is a region that separates two adjacent X electrodes 31 in the X-axis direction, which is the first direction. Here, the isolation region 35 will be further described with reference to FIG. 1C. FIG. 1C shows an enlarged view of the isolation region 35 and its periphery. FIG. 1C also shows two X electrodes 31a and 31b in which a mesh pattern including a plurality of conductors 10 and a closed region 20 surrounded by the plurality of conductors 10 is formed. Also, in FIG. 1C, the two adjacent X electrodes 31a and 31b are separated by the separation region 35. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the separation region 35 separates the ends 31a1 to 31a3 of the conductive wire 10 in the X electrode 31a from the ends 31b1 to 31b3 of the conductive wire 10 in the X electrode 31b, thereby separating the two adjacent X electrodes. 31a and 31b are separated.

In the example shown in FIG. 1C, the plurality of conductors 10 are orthogonal to each other, but they do not necessarily have to be orthogonal, and it is sufficient if the plurality of conductors 10 intersect.

Here, a conventional wiring structure will be described. In the conventional wiring structure, the ends of the conductive wires in each X electrode separate two adjacent X electrodes by separating them in the X-axis direction, which is the first direction.

For this reason, for example, when a conductive wire made of an opaque material is used, a separation region appears to exist as a straight line between adjacent X electrodes due to the so-called optical illusion effect (a type of Ehrenstein illusion). There was a risk of visibility. Such bone appearance is particularly conspicuous in conductive wires made of opaque material, but it may also occur in conductive wires made of transparent material, which is one of the factors that impair the appearance of touch panel products.

Therefore, in the wiring structure according to the embodiment, the separation regions 35 are formed so that the ends 31a1 to 31a3 and 31b1 to 31b3 of the conductors 10 of the two adjacent X electrodes 31a and 31b are aligned in a straight line. In other words, the separation region 35 separates the ends 31a1 to 31a3 and 31b1 to 31b3 of the conductor 10 in the Y-axis direction, which is the direction perpendicular to the first direction.

In other words, the ends 31a1 to 31a3 of the conductive wire 10 in the X electrode 31a and the ends 31b1 to 31b3 of the conductive wire 10 in the X electrode 31b are not separated in the X-axis direction, which is the first direction. Therefore, in the wiring structure according to the embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of visible bones between the two adjacent X electrodes 31a and 31b.

Specifically, one X electrode 31b is arranged to be shifted in a second direction (Y-axis direction in FIG. 1C) different from the first direction with respect to the other X electrode 31a. As shown in FIG. 1C, the X electrode 31b is arranged with a distance D1 in the second direction, which is the positive Y-axis direction, with respect to the X electrode 31a.

As a result, there is no need to change the mesh shape forming each of the two X electrodes 31a and 31b, so it is possible to suppress the occurrence of visible bones without increasing the manufacturing cost.

Also, in the example shown in FIG. 1C, the distance D1 is approximately half the length D2 between the diagonals in the closed region 20 (corresponding to one pitch of the mesh). That is, the X electrode 31b is arranged with a 1/2 pitch shift with respect to the X electrode 31a.

As a result, for example, the distance between one end 31b1 of the conductive wire 10 in the X electrode 31b and the two ends 31a1 and 31a2 of the conductive wire 10 in the adjacent X electrode 31a becomes equal. That is, it is possible to reliably suppress the appearance of bones due to narrowing or widening of the distance between the end portion 31b1 and the end portions 31a1 and 31a2. Note that the shift distance D1 is not limited to 1/2 pitch, and may be set to any length.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1C, the ends 31a1 to 31a3 and 31b1 to 31b3 of the conductors 10 in the X electrodes 31a and 31b are preferably intersections of the conductors 10. As shown in FIG. As a result, the number of the ends 31a1 to 31a3 and 31b1 to 31b3 can be minimized, thereby facilitating the design.

Next, the wiring structure according to the embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of two adjacent ends 31a2 and 31b1. As shown in FIG. 2, the conductor 10 is assumed to have a predetermined width D3. FIG. 2 also shows tips Pa1 and Pb1 of the conductor wire 10 at the ends 31a2 and 31b1 and centers Pa2 and Pb2 of the conductor wire 10 in the width direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the X electrode 31a and the X electrode 31b are arranged such that the respective centers Pa2 and Pb2 of two adjacent ends 31a2 and 31b1 are aligned. In other words, the tip Pa1 of the end portion 31a2 of one X electrode 31a enters the other X electrode 31b toward the X-axis positive direction by a width D3 from the tip Pb1 of the end portion 31b1 of the other X electrode 31b. . As a result, occurrence of visible bones can be reliably suppressed.

It should be noted that the centers Pa2 and Pb2 are not limited to being arranged in a straight line. It can be shifted.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the two centers Pa2 and Pb2 are lined up in a straight line. You can line up. In other words, there should be no gap in the X-axis direction between the two tips Pa1 and Pb1.

Next, the wiring structure according to the embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the conductive film 3 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 3, the X electrode 31b on the positive side of the X-axis, which is the lower side, is displaced from the X electrode 31a on the negative side of the X-axis, which is the upper side, in the positive direction of the Y-axis, which is the second direction side. It is assumed that

As shown in FIG. 3, when the X electrode 31b is shifted in the positive direction of the Y-axis, the signal line region 34 is located in the positive direction of the Y-axis, which is the second direction side of the X-electrode 31a. There is a risk that a gap will be created between them and bones will be visible.

Therefore, in the wiring structure according to the embodiment, a dummy wiring DM is provided independently (separated from) the X electrode 31a on the second direction side of the X electrode 31a. Specifically, the dummy wiring DM is a conducting wire and has a zigzag pattern like the signal line region 34 . As a result, it is possible to prevent a gap from being generated between the X electrode 31a and the signal line region 34, thereby suppressing occurrence of visible bones.

In FIG. 3, the dummy wiring DM is formed in a zigzag pattern in accordance with the signal line region 34, but is not limited to the zigzag pattern. Any pattern may be used as long as it is possible to prevent the occurrence of gaps that cause visible bones.

Next, the dummy wiring DM will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing part of the conductive film 3 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 4, it is assumed that the X electrode 31b is displaced from the X electrodes 31a and 31c in the second direction, which is the Y-axis positive direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the dummy wiring DM is provided on the Y-axis positive direction side, which is the second direction side of the X electrodes 31a and 31c. The dummy wiring DM is provided on the Y-axis negative direction side, which is the second direction side, of the X electrode 31d that forms a pair with the X electrode 31b.

In other words, the dummy wiring DM is provided on the signal line region 34 side of one of the pair of X electrodes 31 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, as the X electrode 31b is shifted in the second direction, a gap is formed at a position corresponding to the X electrode 31b on the side of the conductive film 3 on the Y-axis negative direction side. is generated (indicated by a dashed line), but the dummy wiring DM is not provided in such a gap.

This is because the edge of the conductive film 3 is covered with the edge of the panel 2 (see FIG. 1) and cannot be visually recognized by humans. In other words, by not providing the dummy wirings DM on the edges of the conductive film 3, unnecessary dummy wirings DM can be omitted, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be prevented.

As described above, the wiring structure according to the embodiment includes wiring regions (X electrodes 31) and separation regions 35. FIG. A plurality of conducting wires 10 are arranged in the wiring area. The isolation region 35 separates two adjacent wiring regions by separating the ends 31a1 to 31a3 and 31b1 to 31b3 of the conductors 10 in each of the two adjacent wiring regions. In the isolation region 35, the ends 31a1 to 31a3 and 31b1 to 31b3 of the conductors 10 in each of the two wiring regions are arranged linearly. As a result, occurrence of visible bones can be suppressed.

In the above-described embodiment, for the two X electrodes 31a and 31b adjacent in the X-axis direction, which is the first direction, one X electrode 31b is shifted in the second direction with respect to the other X electrode 31a. has been described as an example, but for example, the two X electrodes 31a and 31b may have different sizes. This point will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a wiring structure according to a modification. As shown in FIG. 5, one X electrode 31b is made smaller in size than the other X electrode 31a. Specifically, the X electrode 31b is shorter in the Y-axis direction, which is the second direction, than the X electrode 31a.

More specifically, both sides of the X electrode 31b in the second direction are made shorter than the X electrode 31a by a length D4. Note that the length D4 corresponds to the length of approximately 1/2 pitch of the mesh pattern. That is, the X electrode 31b is shorter than the X electrode 31a by one pitch in the second direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, dummy wirings DM are provided on both sides of the X electrode 31b.

That is, the one X electrode 31b is made shorter than the other X electrode 31a, and the dummy wiring DM is provided in the gap caused by the shortening. As a result, the center axes (X-axis direction) of the two X electrodes 31a and 31b are aligned, so that the appearance of the touch panel 1 can be improved and bone appearance can be suppressed.

In FIG. 5, both sides of the X electrode 31b are shortened by the same length D4, but the lengths to be shortened may be different on both sides of the X electrode 31b.

Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the broader aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments so shown and described. Accordingly, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 touch panel 2 panel 3 conductive film 4 display device 10 conducting wire 20 closed region 31 X electrode region (X electrode)
32 Y electrode area (Y electrode)
33 ground area 34 signal line area 35 isolation area 36 dummy area DM dummy wiring

Claims (3)

a plurality of wiring regions in which a plurality of conductors are intersected and arranged;
Separation that separates the two wiring regions by separating the ends of the conductor wires in each of the two adjacent wiring regions among the plurality of wiring regions, the end portions being the intersections of the plurality of conductor wires being spaced apart. area and
a dummy wiring provided independently of the wiring region;
with
The separation area is
the points of intersection in each of the two wiring areas are aligned in a straight line, and a tip of the point of intersection in one of the wiring areas enters the other wiring area;
The two adjacent wiring regions are
arranged in a first direction, one being shifted from the other in a second direction different from the first direction;
The dummy wiring is
A wiring structure provided on the second direction side in the wiring region. The centers of the crossing points in the width direction in each of the two wiring regions are aligned in a straight line.
The wiring structure according to claim 1, characterized by: The two adjacent wiring regions are
3. The wiring structure according to claim 1, wherein the wires are arranged in a first direction and have different lengths in a second direction different from the first direction.

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