U.S. patent application number 16/509508 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-29 for touch panel.
This patent application is currently assigned to Wistron Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Wistron Corporation. Invention is credited to Kung-Chieh Huang, Chia-Cheng Su.
Application Number | 20200341612 16/509508 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004244491 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-29 |
![](/patent/app/20200341612/US20200341612A1-20201029-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20200341612/US20200341612A1-20201029-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20200341612/US20200341612A1-20201029-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20200341612/US20200341612A1-20201029-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20200341612/US20200341612A1-20201029-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20200341612/US20200341612A1-20201029-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20200341612/US20200341612A1-20201029-D00006.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20200341612 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huang; Kung-Chieh ; et
al. |
October 29, 2020 |
TOUCH PANEL
Abstract
A touch panel including a substrate, a plurality of sensing
electrodes, a bridge line, a connection line and an island
insulator is provided. The sensing electrodes are disposed on the
substrate in parallel. The bridge line is disposed on the substrate
and connected between two of the sensing electrodes. The connection
line is disposed on the substrate and connected between another two
of the sensing electrodes. The bridge line intersects the
connection line. The island insulator is disposed on the substrate
and covers the bridge line. The bridge line is completely
encapsulated between the island insulator and the substrate. The
island insulator includes a central portion and a distal portion
extended from the central portion. A width of the distal portion is
gradually reduced outwardly from the central portion.
Inventors: |
Huang; Kung-Chieh; (New
Taipei City, TW) ; Su; Chia-Cheng; (New Taipei City,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wistron Corporation |
New Taipei City |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
Wistron Corporation
New Taipei City
TW
|
Family ID: |
1000004244491 |
Appl. No.: |
16/509508 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H03K 17/96 20130101;
G06F 3/04164 20190501; H03K 2017/9602 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041; H03K 17/96 20060101 H03K017/96 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 25, 2019 |
TW |
108114433 |
Claims
1. A touch panel, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of sensing
electrodes, disposed on the substrate in parallel; a bridge line,
disposed on the substrate and connected between two of the sensing
electrodes; a connection line, disposed on the substrate and
connected between another two of the sensing electrodes, the bridge
line intersecting the connection line; and an island insulator,
disposed on the substrate and covering the bridge line, the bridge
line being completely encapsulated between the island insulator and
the substrate, wherein the island insulator comprises a central
portion and a distal portion extended from the central portion, and
a width of the distal portion is gradually reduced outwardly from
the central portion.
2. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein an extending
direction of the island insulator is substantially identical to an
extending direction of the bridge line.
3. The touch panel according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of
a contour of the distal portion obliquely intersects the extending
direction of the bridge line.
4. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the width of the
distal portion is gradually reduced outwardly from the central
portion in a direction, a contour of the distal portion has an end
and a side edge connected between the end and the central portion,
a distance between two ends of the side edge in the direction is L,
a distance between the bridge line and the end in the direction is
r, a line width of the bridge line is w, a width of the central
portion is h, an included angle of the side edge with respect to
the direction is .THETA., and L=(h-w)/2-r.times.tan
(.THETA./2).
5. The touch panel according to claim 4, wherein .THETA. is from 30
degrees to 60 degrees.
6. The touch panel according to claim 4, wherein r is from 5 .mu.m
to 30 .mu.m.
7. The touch panel according to claim 4, wherein the bridge line
extends in the direction.
8. The touch panel according to claim 4, wherein an overall length
of the island insulator in the direction is Loc, an overall length
of the bridge line in the direction is Lbr, and r=(Loc-Lbr)/2.
9. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the central
portion has a zigzag edge or a step-like edge.
10. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of
the central portion is reduced outwardly from a center of the
central portion.
11. The touch panel according to claim 10, wherein the thickness of
the central portion at a reference point is one half a maximum
thickness of the central portion, and a distance from the reference
point extending outwardly to an outer edge of the central portion
is from 5 .mu.m to 10 .mu.m.
12. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the width of the
distal portion is gradually reduced outwardly from the central
portion at an inconstant rate.
13. The touch panel according to claim 1 further comprising a
separation insulator, the separation insulator being disposed
between the bridge line and the connection line.
14. The touch panel according to claim 13, wherein an exceeding
width of the separation insulator exceeding outwardly from a
lateral edge of the bridge line is from 5 .mu.m to 30 .mu.m.
15. The touch panel according to claim 13, wherein the island
insulator covers the separation insulator, and an exceeding width
of the island insulator exceeding from a lateral edge of the
separation insulator is from 5 .mu.m to 30 .mu.m.
16. The touch panel according to claim 13, wherein the separation
insulator is completely encapsulated between the island insulator
and the substrate.
17. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the connection
line is integrally formed with the another two of the sensing
electrode.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan
application serial no. 108114433, filed on Apr. 25, 2019. The
entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby
incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this
specification.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to an electronic device, and more
particularly, to a touch panel.
2. Description of Related Art
[0003] Touch panels have been widely applied to products in various
fields to provide intuitive and convenient input operation
interfaces. In many products, the touch panel realizes a touch
sensing function by a serial electrode array in which a plurality
of horizontal electrode strings intersecting a plurality of
vertical electrode strings are arranged. In addition, a bridging
structure (e.g., a bridge line and an insulation layer for separate
the bridge line from another string) may be used at intersections
between the horizontal electrode strings and the vertical electrode
strings to avoid short circuit between two strings. However, the
visibility of the bridge line is often a phenomenon that should be
avoided when designing the touch panel. In particular, when the
touch panel is applied to a display panel or a display device, the
visibility of the bridge line that can reduce a displaying quality
is expected to be as low as possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention provides a touch panel that helps to reduce
the visibility of the members to improve applicability of the touch
panel.
[0005] The touch panel of the invention includes a substrate, a
plurality of sensing electrodes, a bridge line, a connection line
and an island insulator. The sensing electrodes are disposed on the
substrate in parallel. The bridge line is disposed on the substrate
and connected between two of the sensing electrodes. The connection
line is disposed on the substrate and connected between another two
of the sensing electrodes. The bridge line intersects the
connection line. The island insulator is disposed on the substrate
and covers the bridge line. The bridge line is completely
encapsulated between the island insulator and the substrate. The
island insulator includes a central portion and a distal portion
extended from the central portion. A width of the distal portion is
gradually reduced outwardly from the central portion.
[0006] In an embodiment of the invention, at least a part of the
distal portion obliquely intersects an extending direction of the
bridge line.
[0007] In an embodiment of the invention, an extending direction of
the island insulator is substantially identical to an extending
direction of the bridge line.
[0008] In an embodiment of the invention, the width of the distal
portion is gradually reduced outwardly from the central portion in
a direction. A contour of the distal portion has an end and a side
edge connected between the end and the central portion. A distance
between two ends of the side edge in the direction is L, a distance
between the bridge line and the end in the direction is r, a line
width of the bridge line is w, an extending length of the end is h,
an included angle of the side edge with respect to the direction is
.THETA., and L=(h-w)/2-r.times.tan (.THETA./2).
[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, .THETA. is from 30
degrees to 60 degrees.
[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, r is from 5 .mu.m to 30
.mu.m.
[0011] In an embodiment of the invention, the bridge line extends
in the direction.
[0012] In an embodiment of the invention, an overall length of the
island insulator in the direction is Loc, an overall length of the
bridge line in the direction is Lbr, and r=(Loc-Lbr)/2.
[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, the central portion has a
zigzag edge or a step-like edge.
[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, a thickness of the
central portion is reduced outwardly from a center of the central
portion.
[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, a thickness of the
central portion at a reference point is 1/2 of a maximum thickness
of the central portion, a distance from the reference point
extending outwardly to an outer edge of the central portion is from
5 .mu.m to 10 .mu.m.
[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the width of the distal
portion is gradually reduced outwardly from the central portion at
a constant rate.
[0017] In an embodiment of the invention, the touch panel further
includes a separation insulator. The separation insulator is
disposed between the bridge line and the connection line.
[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, an exceeding width of the
separation insulator exceeding outwardly from a lateral edge of the
bridge line is from 5 .mu.m to 30 .mu.m.
[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, the island insulator
covers the separation insulator. An exceeding width of the island
insulator exceeding from a lateral edge of the separation insulator
is from 5 .mu.m to 30 .mu.m.
[0020] In an embodiment of the invention, the separation insulator
is completely encapsulated between the island insulator and the
substrate.
[0021] In an embodiment of the invention, the connection line is
integrally formed with said another two of the sensing
electrode.
[0022] Based on the above, according to the embodiments of the
invention, the touch panel is disposed with the island insulator
covering the bridge line, and the contour of the island insulator
has a non-rectangular shape. In this way, the reflective light
generated in accordance with the contour of the island insulator
can be emitted towards diverging directions, so as to help reducing
the visibility of the island insulator and the members covered by
the island insulator. Accordingly, when being applied to the
display panel or the display device, the touch panel according to
the embodiments of the invention facilitates to maintain an ideal
displaying quality.
[0023] To make the above features and advantages of the disclosure
more comprehensible, several embodiments accompanied with drawings
are described in detail as follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate
embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a top view of a touch panel in an embodiment of
the invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel of FIG.
1 along line I-I.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel of FIG.
1 along line II-II.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a partially-enlarged schematic diagram of a region
R of a touch panel of FIG. 1 in an embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows contours of an island insulator 150 and a
bridge line 130 and a separation insulator 160 covered by the
island insulator 150 in a top view.
[0030] FIG. 6 shows contours of an island insulator 250 and the
bridge line 130 and the separation insulator 160 covered by the
island insulator 250 in another embodiment of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows contours of an island insulator 350 and the
bridge line 130 and the separation insulator 160 covered by the
island insulator 350 in yet another embodiment of the
invention.
[0032] FIG. 8 shows contours of an island insulator 450 and the
bridge line 130 and the separation insulator 160 covered by the
island insulator 450 in still another embodiment of the
invention.
[0033] FIG. 9 shows contours of an island insulator 550 and the
bridge line 130 and the separation insulator 160 covered by the
island insulator 550 in yet another embodiment of the
invention.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a partial sectional schematic view of a touch
panel according to still another embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description
to refer to the same or like parts.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a top view of a touch panel in an embodiment of
the invention. In FIG. 1, a touch panel 100 includes a substrate
110, a plurality of sensing electrodes 120, a plurality of bridge
lines 130 and a plurality of connection lines 140. The sensing
electrodes 120 are disposed on the substrate 110 in parallel and
arranged in an array. In this embodiment, each of the sensing
electrodes 120 is substantially in shape of rhombus. However, in
other embodiments, shape, size and layout of each of the sensing
electrodes 120 may be adjusted based on design requirements. The
bridge lines 130 and the connection lines 140 are disposed on the
substrate 110, and configured to connect the sensing electrodes 120
into a plurality of sensing electrode strings. Among them, the
sensing electrode strings connected by the bridge lines 130 and the
sensing electrode strings connected by the connection lines 140
respectively extend in different directions. Although FIG. 1 shows
a plurality of bridge lines 130 and a plurality of connecting lines
140, the following description is provided with use of one of the
bridge lines 130 and one of the connection lines 140 as an example
since the connection relationships of the bridge lines 130 and the
connecting lines 140 with respect to the sensing electrodes 120
substantially follow the same rule. The bridge line 130 is
configured to be connected between two of the sensing electrodes
120, such as a sensing electrode 120A and a sensing electrode 120B.
The connection line 140 is configured to be connected between
another two of the sensing electrodes 120, such as a sensing
electrode 120C and a sensing electrode 120D. Each of the bridge
lines 130 intersects the corresponding connection line 140.
[0037] Specifically, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the touch
panel of FIG. 1 along line I-I, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional
view of the touch panel of FIG. 1 along line II-II. Referring to
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 together, in addition to the sensing electrodes
120, the bridge lines 130 and the connection line 140, the touch
panel 100 further includes an island insulator 150 and a separation
insulator 160. The island insulator 150 is disposed on the
substrate 110 and covers the bridge line 130, and the bridge line
130 is completely encapsulated between the island insulator 150 and
the substrate 110. Accordingly, the bridge line 130 may be
encapsulated by the island insulator 150 without being easily
damaged to thereby help improving the quality of the touch panel
100. Further, in order to isolate the bridge line 130 from the
connection line 140, the separation insulator 160 is disposed
between the bridge line 130 and the connection line 140. The
separation insulator 160 may also be completely encapsulated
between the island insulator 150 and the substrate 110.
[0038] In this embodiment, the sensing electrode 120 and the
connection line 140 may be made by the same film layer and
material. Therefore, as shown by FIG. 3, the sensing electrode
120C, the sensing electrode 120D are integrally formed with the
connection line 140. In other words, no structural/physical
boundary exists between the sensing electrode 120C and the
connection line 140, and no structural/physical boundary exists
between the sensing electrode 120D and the connection line 140.
Nonetheless, in other embodiments, the connection line 140 may be
made by adopting a film layer or a material different from those of
the sensing electrode 120. Accordingly, the physical boundary may
exist between the sensing electrode 120C and the connection line
140 and between the sensing electrode 120D and the connection line
140. In addition, the bridge line 130 is made by a film layer
different from that of the sensing electrode 120. In this
embodiment, the sensing electrode 120 and the connection line 140
may be made before the separation insulator 160 is made, and the
bridge line 130 may be made after the separation insulator 160 is
made. Nonetheless, in other embodiments, the bridge line 130 may be
made before the separation insulator 160 is made, and the sensing
electrode 120 and the connection line 140 may be made after the
separation insulator 160 is made. In certain embodiments, a
material of the bridge line 130 may be identical to a material of
the sensing electrode 120 or different from the material of the
sensing electrode 120. For instance, the material of the sensing
electrode 120 includes transparent and conductive organic or
inorganic materials, such as ITO, IZO, and the like. The material
of the bridge line 130 may include the transparent and conductive
organic or inorganic materials, or solid metal with ideal
conductivity, such as Al, Mo, Cu, Ag, and the like.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a partially-enlarged schematic diagram of a region
R of a touch panel of FIG. 1 in an embodiment. FIG. 5 shows
contours of an island insulator 150 and a bridge line 130 and a
separation insulator 160 covered by the island insulator 150 in a
top view. In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, an extending direction of the
bridge line 130 is a direction D1, and the island insulator 150 and
the separation insulator 160 also extend in the direction D1 in
accordance with the bridge line 130. Here, substantially, a contour
of the separation insulator 160 forms a rectangular shape and a
contour of the island insulator 150 forms a non-rectangular
shape.
[0040] Specifically, the island insulator 150 includes a central
portion 150A and a distal portion 150B extended from the central
portion 150A. In this embodiment, a width h of the central portion
150A is substantially fixed, a width h1 of the distal portion 150B
is varied, and the width h1 of the distal portion 150B is not
greater than the width h of the central portion 150A. The central
portion 150A of the island insulator 150 substantially extends in
the extending direction (the direction D1) of the bridge line 130,
and the width h of the distal portion 150B is gradually reduced
outwardly from the central portion 150A in the direction D1, for
example. Accordingly, at least a part of the contour of the distal
portion 150B obliquely intersects the extending direction (the
direction D1) of the bridge line 130.
[0041] In this embodiment, the width h1 of the distal portion 150B
is reduced outwardly at a constant rate from the central portion
150A, for example. The contour of the distal portion 150B has an
end E150B and a side edge S150B connected between the end E150B and
the central portion 150A. A distance between two ends of the side
edge S150B in the direction D1 is L, a distance between the bridge
line 130 and the end E150B in the direction D1 is r, a line width
of the bridge line 130 is w, a width of the central portion 150A is
h, and L=(h-w)/2-r.times.tan(.THETA./2) when an included angle of
the side edge S150B with respect to the direction D1 is .THETA.. In
certain embodiments, .THETA. may be from 30 degrees to 60 degrees
or may even be selected as 45 degree, but not limited thereto.
[0042] An overall length of the island insulator 150 in the
direction D1 is Loc, an overall length of the bridge line 130 in
the direction D1 is Lbr, and a relationship between Loc, Lbr and r
can be: r=(Loc-Lbr)/2. In certain embodiments, r may be set to an
allowable distance of process error. In this way, after r and Lbr
are determined, a desired size of Loc may then be obtained, but not
limited thereto. In some embodiments, r is, for example, from 5
.mu.m to 30 .mu.m, but not limited thereto. In addition, in order
to avoid short circuit between the bridge line 130 and the
connection line 140, a width of the separation insulator 160 is
greater than the line width w of the bridge line 130, and a width
of the island insulator 150 is greater than the width of the
separation insulator 160. For instance, an exceeding width EXW1 of
the separation insulator 160 exceeding outwardly from a lateral
edge of the bridge line 130 may be from 5 .mu.m to 30 .mu.m, and an
exceeding width EXW2 of the island insulator 150 exceeding from a
lateral edge of the separation insulator 160 may be from 5 .mu.m to
30 .mu.m. In certain embodiments, sizes of the exceeding widths
EXW1 and EXW2 may be equal to a size of the distance r, or may be
adjusted according to conditions such as a process capability, a
touch panel size, and a touch control resolution. However, the
width of each member needs to be sufficient to avoid short circuit
between the bridge line 130 and the connecting line 140.
[0043] In FIG. 5, the width h1 of the distal portion 150B is, for
example, reduced outwardly at a constant rate in the direction D1
from the central portion 150A until the end E150B. In this case, a
difference between a maximum width and a minimum width (a width
measured at the end E150B) of the width h1 of the distal portion
150B is, for example, less than one half of the width h of the
central portion 150A, but not limited thereto. FIG. 6 shows
contours of an island insulator 250 and the bridge line 130 and the
separation insulator 160 covered by the island insulator 250 in
another embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 6, a relative
configuration relationship of the island insulator 250, the bridge
line 130 and the separation insulator 160 is substantially
identical to that of the island insulator 150, the bridge line 130
and the separation insulator 160 described above. Therefore,
arrangement positions, materials and stacking relationship of the
island insulator 250, the bridge line 130 and the partition
insulator 160 in the touch panel may be understood with reference
to the foregoing description. In this embodiment, the island
insulator 250 differs from the island insulator 150 described above
in that, the island insulator 250 includes the central portion 150A
and a distal portion 250B. Here, a width h1 of the distal portion
250B is, for example, reduced outwardly from the central portion
150A at a constant rate and reduced to be substantially zero. In
this way, an end of the distal portion 250B is substantially in
shape of a sharp corner.
[0044] FIG. 7 shows contours of an island insulator 350 and the
bridge line 130 and the separation insulator 160 covered by the
island insulator 350 in yet another embodiment of the invention. In
FIG. 7, a relative configuration relationship of the island
insulator 350, the bridge line 130 and the separation insulator 160
is substantially identical to that of the island insulator 150, the
bridge line 130 and the separation insulator 160 described above.
Therefore, arrangement positions, materials and stacking
relationship of the island insulator 350, the bridge line 130 and
the partition insulator 160 in the touch panel may be understood
with reference to the foregoing description. In this embodiment,
the island insulator 350 differs from the island insulator 150
described above in that, the island insulator 350 includes the
central portion 150A and a distal portion 350B. Here, a width h1 of
the distal portion 350B is, for example, gradually reduced
outwardly at an inconstant rate from the central portion 150A. In
this way, an included angle .THETA. of the distal portion 350B with
respect to the direction is varied, and the contour of the distal
portion 350B is substantially in curved shape. In other words, the
island insulator 350 substantially includes a contour of
oblong.
[0045] Regardless of what rate of variation the width h1 has, a
light reflected by the distal portion 150B, 250B or 350B and a
light reflected by the central portion 150A will travel in
different directions. Therefore, when the user uses the touch panel
100, the visibility of the island insulator 150, 250 or 350 is
reduced. In addition, the configuration of the distal portion 150B,
250B and 350B can result in an oblique reflective light to also
help reducing the visibility of the bridge line 130 or the
separation insulator 160. Therefore, the island insulator 150, 250
or 350 with the varied width disposed in the touch panel 100 can
help improving the displaying quality for the touch panel 100. In
other words, when the touch panel 100 is used in combination with
the display device or the display panel, the displaying quality
will not be easily deteriorated due to the visibility of the bridge
line 130 and its corresponding structure.
[0046] FIG. 8 shows contours of an island insulator 450 and the
bridge line 130 and the separation insulator 160 covered by the
island insulator 450 in still another embodiment of the invention.
In FIG. 8, a relative configuration relationship of the island
insulator 450, the bridge line 130 and the separation insulator 160
is substantially identical to that of the island insulator 150, the
bridge line 130 and the separation insulator 160 described above.
Therefore, arrangement positions, materials and stacking
relationship of the island insulator 450, the bridge line 130 and
the partition insulator 160 in the touch panel may be understood
with reference to the foregoing description. In this embodiment,
the island insulator 450 differs from the island insulator 150
described above in that, the island insulator 450 includes a
central portion 450A and the distal portion 150B. Here, the contour
of the distal portion 150B may also be modified to similar contours
of the distal portion 250B or 350B. The central portion 450A has a
step-like edge in this embodiment. Specifically, the central
portion 450A has a plurality of side edge patterns 452, and the
side edge patterns 452 are spaced apart from each other by a gap
G452. Each of the side edge patterns 452 may be a rectangular or
square pattern, but not limited thereto. A width of each of the
side edge patterns 452 in the direction D1 is, for example, from 10
.mu.m to 20 .mu.m and a size of each gap G452 is, for example, from
10 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m. However, the invention is not limited in this
regard.
[0047] FIG. 9 shows contours of an island insulator 550 and the
bridge line 130 and the separation insulator 160 covered by the
island insulator 550 in yet another embodiment of the invention. In
FIG. 9, a relative configuration relationship of the island
insulator 550, the bridge line 130 and the separation insulator 160
is substantially identical to that of the island insulator 150, the
bridge line 130 and the separation insulator 160 described above.
Therefore, arrangement positions, materials and stacking
relationship of the island insulator 550, the bridge line 130 and
the partition insulator 160 in the touch panel may be understood
with reference to the foregoing description. In this embodiment,
the island insulator 550 differs from the island insulator 150
described above in that, the island insulator 550 includes a
central portion 550A and the distal portion 150B. Here, the contour
of the distal portion 150B may also be modified to similar contour
of the distal portions 250B or 350B. The central portion 550A has a
zigzag edge in this embodiment. Specifically, the central portion
550A has a plurality of side edge patterns 552, and the side edge
patterns 552 are spaced apart from each other by a gap G552. Here,
a width of the side edge pattern 552 measured in the direction D1
is reduced outwardly, and a width of the gap G552 measured in the
direction D1 is increased outwardly. In this embodiment, the width
of the side edge pattern 552 in the direction D1 is reduced
outwardly at a constant rate to include a sharp corner contour.
Nevertheless, in this embodiment, the width of the side edge
pattern 552 in the direction D1 may also be reduced outwardly at an
inconstant rate to include a curve contour.
[0048] In the embodiments of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in addition to the
distal portion 150B having an inconstant width, the island
insulators 450 and 550 also include the central portions 450A and
550A having an inconstant width. The light reflected by the island
insulators 450 and 550 can travel in various directions without
being concentrated in a specific direction to help reducing the
visibility of the island insulators 450 and 550. Further, the
configuration of the island insulators 450 and 550 may result in
multi-directional reflective light which can also help to reduce
the visibility of the bridge line 130 or the separation insulator
160. Therefore, by applying the touch panel 100 having the island
insulators 450 and 550 to the display device or the display panel,
display quality cannot be easily deteriorated.
[0049] The island insulators 150, 250, 350, 450 and 550 can utilize
outer contour shapes to achieve an improvement in the displaying
quality, but not limited thereto. In certain embodiments, the
varied thicknesses of the island insulators 150, 250, 350, 450 and
550 may change traveling directions of the reflective light. For
instance, FIG. 10 is a partial sectional schematic view of a touch
panel according to still another embodiment of the invention. Here,
the section of FIG. 10 corresponds to, for example, the line II-II
in FIG. 1. For instance, a section structure of FIG. 10 may be one
approach for implementing of the touch panel 100 of FIG. 1.
Accordingly, the same member in FIG. 10 and FIG. 1 is marked by the
same reference number and not repeatedly described hereinafter. In
FIG. 10, the sensing electrodes 120 and the connection line 140 are
disposed on the substrate 110, the separation insulator 160 is
disposed on the connection line 140, the bridge line 130 is
disposed on the separation insulator 160, and an island insulator
650 covers the bridge line 130 and the separation insulator 160. In
this embodiment, the island insulator 650 can include a central
portion 652 and a distal portion (not illustrated in FIG. 0.10) as
any one of those shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7. A maximum thickness of
the central portion 652 is TA1, and when a thickness TA2 of the
central portion 652 at a reference point P652 is one half the
maximum thickness TA1, a distance ED from the reference point P652
extending outwardly in a width direction to an outer edge of the
central portion 652 is, for example, from 5 .mu.m to 10 .mu.m.
Accordingly, a periphery of the central portion 62 has a side slope
with a gentle slope.
[0050] When light irradiates onto the island insulator 650, the
gentle side slope can reflect the light in different directions,
and can thus help to reduce the visibility of the island insulator
650. Therefore, both the design of the thickness with the gentle
side slope and the design of the contour with the varied width can
help to improve the displaying quality of the touch panel 100. The
gentle side slope of the island insulator 650 is applicable to the
central portions or the distal portions of one or many of the
island insulators 150, 250, 350, 450 and 550 in the foregoing
embodiments to reduce the visibility of the island insulator.
[0051] In summary, according to the embodiments of the invention,
the island insulator is disposed on the bridge line to protect the
bridge line from damages. Meanwhile, the island insulator according
to the embodiments of the invention has the varied width, the
gentle side slope or both. Accordingly, the reflective light caused
by the island insulator being less likely to concentrate in a
specific direction can help to reduce the visibility of the island
insulator and the member encapsulated therein. As a result, the
quality of the touch panel may be improved, and applicability of
the touch panel may also be improved.
[0052] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the
present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the
present invention cover modifications and variations of this
invention provided they fall within the scope of the following
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *