Touch sensor including sensing lines with different widths

This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0032800, filed Mar. 21, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

Exemplary embodiments generally relate to a touch sensing, and more particularly, to a touch sensor.

Discussion

A touch sensor is an input device that enables a user to, for instance, select instruction content displayed on a screen of a display device or the like with a human hand or an object, e.g., stylus, etc., and to input one or more user instructions. A touch sensor typically includes sensing electrodes, sensing lines connected to the sensing electrodes, and a pad portion connected to the sensing lines. Accordingly, the touch sensor is able to recognize a touch event occurring in a sensing area as an input signal. To reduce line resistance of the sensing lines, each of “n” sensing lines (where “ ”n” is a natural number greater than zero) may be configured to have a double-layer structure such that a lower metal layer and an upper metal layer are connected to each other through contact holes. It is noted, however, that as display devices having such touch sensors trend toward a reduction in the size of a non-display area, space for the sensing lines disposed in the non-display area may be reduced.

The above information disclosed in this section is only for understanding the background of the inventive concepts, and, therefore, may contain information that does not form prior art.

Some exemplary embodiments provide a touch sensor capable of preventing (or at least reducing the potential of) a short circuit between sensing lines.

Additional aspects will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and, in part, will be apparent from the disclosure, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concepts.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a touch sensor includes a substrate, sensing electrodes, and sensing lines. The substrate includes a sensing area, and a peripheral area outside the sensing area. The sensing electrodes overlap the sensing area. The sensing lines overlap the peripheral area and are respectively connected to the sensing electrodes. The sensing lines include first sensing lines alternatingly arranged with second sensing lines. Each of the first sensing lines and the second sensing lines includes: a first metal layer on the substrate; a first insulating layer on the first metal layer, the first insulating layer including a first contact hole exposing a portion of the first metal layer; and a second metal layer on the first insulating layer, the second metal layer being connected to the first metal layer through the first contact hole. A width of the first metal layer of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines is different from a width of the first metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines. A width of the second metal layer of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines is different from a width of the second metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines.

In some exemplary embodiments, the width of the first metal layer of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines may be smaller than the width of the first metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines, and the width of the second metal layer of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines may be greater than the width of the second metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines.

In some exemplary embodiments, the width of the second metal layer of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines may be equal to the width of the first metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines.

In some exemplary embodiments, a sum of the width of the second metal layer of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines and the width of the second metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines may be equal to a sum of the width of the first metal layer of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines and the width of the first metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines.

In some exemplary embodiments, the width of the first metal layer of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines may be greater than the width of the first metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines, and the width of the second metal layer of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines may be smaller than the width of the second metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines.

In some exemplary embodiments, the width of the first metal layer of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines may be equal to the width of the second metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines.

In some exemplary embodiments, a sum of the width of the second metal layer of each first sensing line of the sensing lines and the width of the second metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines may be equal to a sum of the width of the first metal layer of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines and the width of the first metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines.

In some exemplary embodiments, each of the sensing electrodes may include a plurality of first conductive lines extending along a first direction and a plurality of second conductive lines extending along a second direction crossing the first direction.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a touch sensor includes a substrate, sensing electrodes, and sensing lines. The substrate includes a sensing area, and a peripheral area outside the sensing area. The sensing electrodes overlap the sensing area. The sensing lines overlap the peripheral area and are respectively connected to the sensing electrodes. The sensing lines include first sensing lines alternatingly arranged with second sensing lines. Each of the first sensing lines and the second sensing lines includes: a first metal layer on the substrate; a first insulating layer on the first metal layer, the first insulating layer including a first contact hole exposing a portion of the first metal layer; and a second metal layer on the first insulating layer, the second metal layer being connected to the first metal layer through the first contact hole. A width of the first metal layer of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines is equal to a width of the first metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines, and a width of the second metal layer of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines is different from a width of the second metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines; or a width of the second metal layer of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines is equal to a width of the second metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines, and a width of the first metal layer of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines is different from a width of the first metal layer of each second sensing line of the second sensing lines.

In some exemplary embodiments, a common width of the first metal layers of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines and each second sensing line of the second sensing lines may be equal to a greater value among the width of the second metal layers of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines and each second sensing line of the second sensing lines, or a common width of the second metal layers of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines and each second sensing line of the second sensing lines may be equal to a greater value among the width of the first metal layers of each first sensing line of the first sensing lines and each second sensing line of the second sensing lines.

In some exemplary embodiments, each of the sensing electrodes may include a plurality of first conductive lines extending along a first direction and a plurality of second conductive lines extending along a second direction crossing the first direction.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a touch sensor includes a substrate, sensing electrodes, and n sensing lines. The substrate includes a sensing area, and a peripheral area outside the sensing area. The sensing electrodes overlap the sensing area. The n sensing lines overlap the peripheral area and are respectively connected to the sensing electrodes, n being a natural number. Each of the n sensing lines includes: a first metal layer on the substrate; a first insulating layer on the first metal layer, the first insulating layer including a first contact hole exposing a portion of the first metal layer; and a second metal layer on the first insulating layer, the second metal layer being connected to the first metal layer through the first contact hole. The n sensing lines include iterations of 1 sensing lines as a unit, 1 being a natural number greater than or equal to two and less than or equal to n. In the unit, a width of the first metal layer of a k th sensing line is different from a width of the first metal layer of a (k+1) th sensing line adjacent to the k th sensing line, k being a natural number less than or equal to 1-1. In the unit, a width of the second metal layer of the k th sensing line is different from a width of the second metal layer of the (k+1) th sensing line. A distance between the first metal layer of the k th sensing line and the first metal layer of the (k+1) th sensing line is equal to a distance between the second metal layer of the k th sensing line and the second metal layer of the (k+1) th sensing line.

In some exemplary embodiments, a width of an overlapping region of the first metal layer of the k th sensing line and the second metal layer of the k th sensing line may be equal to a width of an overlapping region of the first metal layer of the (k+ 1 ) th sensing line and the second metal layer of the (k+1) th sensing line.

In some exemplary embodiments, a sum of the width of the first metal layer of the k th sensing line and the width of the second metal layer of the k th sensing line may be equal to a sum of the width of the first metal layer of the (k+1) th sensing line and the width of the second metal layer of the (k+1) th sensing line.

In some exemplary embodiments, each of the sensing electrodes may include a plurality of first conductive lines extending along a first direction and a plurality of second conductive lines extending along a second direction crossing the first direction.

In some exemplary embodiments, the n sensing lines may be adjacent to one another in a first direction, and a layer structure of the k th sensing line may have mirror symmetry with a layer structure of a (k+2) th sensing line with respect to an imaginary line extending in the first direction, the imaginary line bisecting the k th sensing line and the (k+2) th sensing line.

In some exemplary embodiments, a layer structure of the (k+1) th sensing line may have mirror symmetry with a layer structure of a (k+3) th sensing line with respect to an imaginary line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

In some exemplary embodiments, a width of the second metal layer of the (k+1) th sensing line may be equal to a width of the second metal layer of the (k+3) th sensing line, and a width of the second metal layer of the (k+2) th sensing line may be smaller than the width of the second metal layer of the (k+1) th sensing line.

In some exemplary embodiments, a width of the second metal layer of the (k+1) th sensing line may be equal to a width of the second metal layer of the (k+3) th sensing line, and a width of the second metal layer of the (k+2) th sensing line may be greater than the width of the second metal layer of the (k+1) th sensing line.

In some exemplary embodiments, the n sensing lines may be adjacent to one another in a first direction, and a layer structure of the (k+1) th sensing line may have mirror symmetry with a layer structure of a (k+3) th sensing line with respect to an imaginary line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the claimed subject matter.

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the inventive concepts, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts, and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the inventive concepts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a plan view for of a display panel of the display device of FIG. 1 according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a touch sensor of the display device of FIG. 1 according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of portion E 1 of FIG. 3 according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor of FIG. 3 taken along sectional line I-I′ shown in FIG. 4 according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged plan view of portion E 2 of FIG. 3 according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 6B is an enlarged plan view of portion E 3 of FIG. 6A according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor of FIG. 3 taken along sectional line II-II′ in FIG. 6A according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor of FIG. 3 taken along sectional line III-III′ in FIG. 6A according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of portion E 1 of FIG. 3 according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor of FIG. 3 taken along sectional line IV-IV′ in FIG. 9 according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of portion E 1 of FIG. 3 according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor of FIG. 3 taken along sectional line V-V′ in FIG. 11 according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of portion E 1 of FIG. 3 according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor of FIG. 3 taken along sectional line VI-VI′ in FIG. 13 according to some exemplary embodiments.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments. It is apparent, however, that various exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring various exemplary embodiments. Further, various exemplary embodiments may be different, but do not have to be exclusive. For example, specific shapes, configurations, and characteristics of an exemplary embodiment may be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment without departing from the inventive concepts.

Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated exemplary embodiments are to be understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of some exemplary embodiments. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, aspects, etc. (hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as an “element” or “elements”), of the various illustrations may be otherwise combined, separated, interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the inventive concepts.

The use or absence of cross-hatching and/or shading in the accompanying drawings is generally provided to clarify boundaries between adjacent elements. As such, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonalities between illustrated elements, and/or any other characteristic, attribute, property, etc., of the elements, unless specified. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the size and relative sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity and/or descriptive purposes. As such, the sizes and relative sizes of the respective elements are not necessarily limited to the sizes and relative sizes shown in the drawings. When an exemplary embodiment may be implemented differently, a specific process order may be performed differently from the described order. For example, two consecutively described processes may be performed substantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to the described order. Also, like reference numerals denote like elements.

When an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. When, however, an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other terms and/or phrases used to describe a relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion, e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” “on” versus “directly on,” etc. Further, the term “connected” may refer to physical, electrical, and/or fluid connection. Also, the DR 1 -axis, the DR 2 -axis, and the DR 3 -axis are not limited to three axes of a rectangular coordinate system, and may be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the DR 1 -axis, the DR 2 -axis, and the DR 3 -axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may represent different directions that are not perpendicular to one another. For the purposes of this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as, for instance, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “under,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” “over,” “higher,” “side” (e.g., as in “sidewall”), and the like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and, thereby, to describe one element's relationship to another element(s) as illustrated in the drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of an apparatus in use, operation, and/or manufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the apparatus in the drawings is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Furthermore, the apparatus may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and, as such, the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” and other similar terms, are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and, as such, are utilized to account for inherent deviations in measured, calculated, and/or provided values that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to sectional and/or exploded illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions, but are to include deviations in shapes that result from, for instance, manufacturing. In this manner, regions illustrated in the drawings may be schematic in nature and shapes of these regions may not reflect the actual shapes of regions of a device, and, as such, are not intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

As customary in the field, some exemplary embodiments are described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in terms of functional blocks, units, and/or modules. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these blocks, units, and/or modules are physically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits, such as logic circuits, discrete components, microprocessors, hard-wired circuits, memory elements, wiring connections, and the like, which may be formed using semiconductor-based fabrication techniques or other manufacturing technologies. In the case of the blocks, units, and/or modules being implemented by microprocessors or other similar hardware, they may be programmed and controlled using software (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussed herein and may optionally be driven by firmware and/or software. It is also contemplated that each block, unit, and/or module may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions. Also, each block, unit, and/or module of some exemplary embodiments may be physically separated into two or more interacting and discrete blocks, units, and/or modules without departing from the inventive concepts. Further, the blocks, units, and/or modules of some exemplary embodiments may be physically combined into more complex blocks, units, and/or modules without departing from the inventive concepts.

Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 2 is a plan view for of a display panel of the display device of FIG. 1 according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a touch sensor of the display device of FIG. 1 according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 , the display device according to some exemplary embodiments may be provided in various forms, for example, in the form of a rectangular plate having two pairs of parallel sides. In the case where the display device is provided in the form of a rectangular plate, one of the two pairs of sides may be longer than the other. It is contemplated, however, that any suitable shape may be utilized in association with exemplary embodiments. A display device having a rectangular form with a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides is illustrated as an example in FIG. 1 for the sake of explanation. The direction in which the short sides extend refers to a first direction DR 1 , and the direction in which the long sides extend refers to a second direction DR 2 . A third direction DR 3 may cross (e.g., may be perpendicular to) the first direction DR 1 and the second direction DR 2 . The third direction DR 3 may be a thickness direction of the display device.

The display device may include a display panel 100 provided with display elements (not shown) configured to display an image, and a touch sensor 200 configured to recognize a input interaction, e.g., touch, near touch, approach, hovering, etc., and/or one or more aspects of the touch interaction, e.g., location, pressure, size, etc. For convenience, a touch interaction will be described in association with a touch.

The display device may include a display area DA on (or in) which an image generated from the display panel 100 is displayed, a non-display area NDA provided on at least one side of the display area DA, a sensing area SA configured to sense a touch of a user and/or the pressure of the touch on the touch sensor 200 , and a peripheral area PA provided on at least one side of the sensing area SA. The sensing area SA may overlap the display area DA. The area of the sensing area SA may be substantially equal to or greater than that of the display area DA; however, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The display panel 100 may display arbitrary visual information, e.g., text, video, photograph, and two-dimensional or three-dimensional content. Hereinafter, the arbitrary visual information will be referred to as an “image.” The type of the display panel 100 is not limited so long as it can display an image.

The display panel 100 may include a substrate BS 1 having the display area DA and the non-display area NDA. The display area DA may be disposed in a central portion of the display panel 100 and have an area greater than that of the non-display area NDA.

The display area DA may include a plurality of pixel areas, each of which is provided with one or more pixels PXL. The non-display area NDA is provided around the display area DA. According to some exemplary embodiments, the non-display area NDA may be formed on at least one side of the display area DA, or may be formed along a periphery of the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may be provided with one or more pad units (not illustrated) in which pads (not shown) of signal lines (not depicted) are provided, and a driver (e.g., data driver) DDV configured to provide data signals to the pixels PXL. The driver DDV may provide the data signals to the respective pixels PXL through data lines (not shown). The driver DDV may be disposed in a lateral portion of the non-display area NDA and extend a predetermined length in a transverse direction of the non-display area NDA; however, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

Although not shown, the display device may include a scan driver, a light-emitting driver, and/or a timing controller. The scan driver, the light-emitting driver, and/or the timing controller may be provided in the non-display area NDA.

The substrate BS 1 may be a flexible substrate, for example, a film substrate or and a plastic substrate including a polymeric organic material. For example, the flexible substrate may be made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate, polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyarylate (PAR), polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), triacetate cellulose (TAC), and cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. In some exemplary embodiments, the substrate BS 1 may be a single layer structure or a multilayer structure including at least two layers made of at least one of the aforementioned materials.

In some exemplary embodiments, the substrate BS 1 may be a rigid substrate. The rigid substrate may be one of a glass substrate, a quartz substrate, a glass ceramic substrate, and a crystalline glass substrate, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The substrate BS 1 may have a flat surface, and may be formed in a polygonal, circular, elliptical, etc., shape. However, the shape of the substrate BS 1 is not limited thereto, and may be modified based on an application.

The substrate BS 1 may include a plurality of signal lines (not shown) connected to the plurality of pixels PXL, and a plurality of thin-film transistors (not shown) connected to the plurality of signal lines.

Each of the plurality of pixels PXL may be an organic light-emitting element including an organic layer, but other types of elements may be used. For example, the pixel PXL may be embodied in various forms, such as a liquid crystal element, an electrophoretic element, an electrowetting element, etc. The plurality of pixels PXL may be provided in the display area DA of the substrate SUB, and each pixel PXL may be provided as a minimum unit for displaying an image. The pixel PXL may include an organic light-emitting element which emits white light and/or color light. Each pixel PXL may emit any one color of red, green, blue, and white, or any other suitable color. For example, the pixel PXL may emit a color, such as cyan, magenta, or yellow. Each pixel PXL may include a thin-film transistor (not shown) connected to a line unit (not shown), and an organic light-emitting element connected to the thin-film transistor (not shown).

The touch sensor 200 may be provided on a surface of the display panel 100 on which an image is displayed or otherwise conveyed to a user. Alternatively, the touch sensor 200 may be integrally formed with the display panel 100 . As seen in FIG. 1 , the touch sensor 200 is provided on a top surface of the display panel 100 .

The touch sensor 200 may include a base substrate (or base layer) BS including the sensing area SA and the peripheral area PA. The base substrate BS may be formed of a flexible material or a rigid material. The base substrate BS may be provided in a substantially identical shape corresponding to the shape of the substrate BS 1 . The base substrate BS may have the same area as the substrate BS 1 or may have a greater area than the substrate BS 1 ; however, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The sensing area SA may correspond to the display area DA of the display panel 100 . The peripheral area PA may be disposed adjacent to the sensing area SA. The peripheral area PA may correspond to the non-display area NDA of the display panel 100 .

The touch sensor 200 may include sensing electrodes SE provided in the sensing area SA, sensing lines SL disposed in the peripheral area PA and respectively connected to the sensing electrodes SE, and one or more pad units TP connected to the sensing lines SL.

The sensing lines SL may be used to connect, for instance, the driver DDV (or any other suitable driving unit), which drives the sensing electrodes SE, to the sensing electrodes SE. The sensing lines SL may be provided in the peripheral region PA. The sensing lines SL may transmit a sensing input signal from the driver DDV to first sensing electrodes SE 1 and/or second sensing electrodes SE 2 , or may transmit a sensing output signal from the first sensing electrodes SE 1 and/or the second sensing electrodes SE 2 to the driver DDV. The sensing lines SL may be connected to the sensing electrodes SE. In a plan view, the sensing lines SL may be bent one or more times (e.g., several times) in the peripheral area PA.

The pad unit TP may be provided to transmit a signal between the sensing electrodes SE and the driver DDV. The pad unit TP may be provided in the peripheral area PA and connected to ends of the sensing lines SL. As seen in FIG. 3 , the pad unit TP is shown to be separated into sub-units; however, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For instance, the pad unit TP may be embodied as one pad unit in the peripheral area PA.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of portion E 1 of FIG. 3 according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor of FIG. 3 taken along sectional line I-I′ shown in FIG. 4 according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , the sensing lines SL may include a plurality of first sensing lines SL_ 1 and a plurality of second sensing lines SL 1 _ 2 disposed in an alternating fashion with the plurality of first sensing lines SL_ 1 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , each of the first sensing lines SL_ 1 and the second sensing lines SL 1 _ 2 may be provided as a first metal layer MTL 1 on the base substrate BS.

The first metal layer MTL 1 may be made of a conductive material. The conductive material may include at least one of a metal, an alloy thereof, a conductive polymer, a conductive metal oxide, a nano-conductive material, and/or the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the metal may be selected from the group consisting of copper, silver, gold, platinum, palladium, nickel, tin, aluminum, cobalt, rhodium, iridium, iron, ruthenium, osmium, manganese, molybdenum, tungsten, niobium, tantalum, titanium, bismuth, antimony, lead, and the like. The conductive polymer may include at least one of a polythiophene type compound, a polypyrrole type compound, a polyaniline type compound, a polyacetylene type compound, a polyphenylene type compound, and/or a mixture thereof. For instance, among polythiophene type compounds, a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) compound may be used. The conductive metal oxide may include at least one of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), antimony zinc oxide (AZO), indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), and tin oxide (SnO 2 ), and the like. The nano-conductive compound may include at least one of silver nanowires (AgNW), carbon nano tubes, graphene, and the like.

A first insulating layer IL 1 may be provided on the first metal layer MTL 1 . The first insulating layer IL 1 may be an inorganic insulating layer made of an inorganic material or an organic insulating layer made of an organic material. The inorganic material may be an inorganic insulating material, such as at least one of polysiloxane, silicon nitride, silicon oxide, and silicon oxynitride, and/or the like. The organic material may be an organic insulating material, such as at least one of a polyacrylic compound, a polyimide compound, a fluorocarbon compound (such as Teflon), a benzocyclobutene compound, and/or the like.

The first insulating layer IL 1 may include a contact hole CH that exposes at least a portion of the first metal layer MTL 1 .

A second metal layer MTL 2 may be provided on the first insulating layer IL 1 . The second metal layer MTL 2 may be made of an identical material to the first metal layer MTL 1 ; however, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The first metal layer MTL 1 and the second metal layer MTL 2 may be connected through the contact hole CH. For the sake of convenience, each of the sensing lines SL_ 1 and SL 1 _ 2 is illustrated to include the first contact hole CH, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of contact holes CH may be provided in a corresponding one of the sensing lines SL_ 1 and SL 1 _ 2 .

A second insulating layer IL 2 may be provided on the second metal layer MTL 2 and the first insulating layer IL 1 . The second insulating layer IL 2 may be an inorganic insulating layer made of an inorganic material or an organic insulating layer made of an organic material.

A width d 11 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the first sensing lines SL_ 1 may be different from a width d 13 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the second sensing lines SL 1 _ 2 . A width d 12 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the first sensing line SL_ 1 may be different from a width d 14 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the second sensing line SL 1 _ 2 . In some exemplary embodiments, the width d 11 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the first sensing line SL_ 1 is smaller than the width d 13 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the second sensing line SL 1 _ 2 , and the width d 12 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the first sensing line SL 1 _ 1 may be greater than the width d 14 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the second sensing line SL 1 _ 2 .

The metal layers having a larger width may have the same width. For example, the width d 12 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the first sensing line SL_ 1 may be equal to the width d 13 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the second sensing line SL 1 _ 2 . In some exemplary embodiments, the width d 11 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the first sensing line SL 1 _ 1 may be equal to the width d 14 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the second sensing line SL 1 _ 2 . Exemplary embodiments, however, are not limited thereto.

As previously mentioned, the relationship between the widths of the respective metal layers is not limited to as previously described. For example, the width d 11 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the first sensing line SL_ 1 may be greater than the width d 13 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the second sensing line SL 1 _ 2 , and the width d 12 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the first sensing line SL 1 _ 1 may be smaller than the width d 14 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the second sensing line SL 1 _ 2 .

Among the metal layers, metal layers having a smaller width, the width d 1 of the first metal layer of the first sensing line SL_ 1 may be equal to the width d 14 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the second sensing line SL 1 _ 2 . In this case, the width d 12 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the first sensing line SL_ 1 may be equal to the width d 13 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the second sensing line SL 1 _ 2 . However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The widths of the first and second metal layers MTL 1 and MTL 2 of the first and second sensing lines SL_ 1 and SL 1 _ 2 may be adjusted within a range that does not significantly change the cross-sectional area values of the first and second sensing lines SL_ 1 and SL 1 _ 2 as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As the size of the peripheral area PA of the touch sensor 200 is reduced, the distance between the sensing lines SL may be reduced, thereby increasing the possibility that the sensing lines SL are short-circuited. To reduce such a possibility, according to some exemplary embodiments, the widths of the first and second metal layers MTL 1 and MTL 2 of the first and second sensing lines SL_ 1 and SL 1 _ 2 may be adjusted within a range that does not significantly change the cross-sectional area values of the sensing lines SL_ 1 and SL 1 _ 2 . In this manner, a sufficient distance between the first metal layers MTL 1 and the second metal layers MTL 2 of the first and second sensing lines SL_ 1 and SL 1 _ 2 may be ensured, and it is possible to prevent a short circuit between the first and second sensing lines SL_ 1 and SL 1 _ 2 .

The sensing electrodes SE may recognize a touch event of the finger of the user or a separate touch input device on the display device. In some exemplary embodiments, the sensing electrodes SE may be operated by a mutual capacitance method in which a change in capacitance by interaction between adjacent sensing and driving electrodes is sensed. In addition (or alternatively), the sensing electrodes SE may be operated by a self-capacitance method. The self-capacitance method is conducted using sensing electrodes SE arranged in a matrix form and sensing lines SL connected to the respective sensing electrodes SE, and sensing a change in capacitance of a sensing electrode SE of a touched area when a touch of the user is generated. It is contemplated, however, that any other suitable sensing method may be utilized in association with exemplary embodiments.

The sensing electrodes SE may include a plurality of the first sensing electrodes SE 1 extending in the first direction DR 1 of the base substrate BS and applied with a sensing voltage, and a plurality of the second sensing electrodes SE 2 extending in the second direction DR 2 intersecting with the first direction DR 1 . The first sensing electrodes SE 1 may be electrostatically coupled to the second sensing electrodes SE 2 , and a voltage may be changed by the electrostatic coupling.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged plan view of portion E 2 of FIG. 3 according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 6B is an enlarged plan view of portion E 3 of FIG. 6A according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor of FIG. 3 taken along sectional line II-II′ in FIG. 6A according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor of FIG. 3 taken along sectional line III-III′ in FIG. 6A according to some exemplary embodiments.

Each of the first sensing electrodes SE 1 may include a plurality of first sensing patterns SP 1 arranged in the first direction DR 1 and a plurality of first bridges BR 1 connecting the first sensing patterns SP 1 adjacent to each other. The first sensing patterns SP 1 may be provided in various shapes, such as a polygonal shape including square shapes, e.g., rods, rhombuses, or the like. The first sensing patterns SP 1 and the first bridges BR 1 may be provided in the form of a plate shape or a mesh shape composed of fine lines.

Each of the second sensing electrodes SE 2 may include a plurality of second sensing patterns SP 2 arranged in the second direction DR 2 and a plurality of second bridges BR 2 connecting the second sensing patterns SP 2 adjacent to each other. The second sensing patterns SP 2 may also be provided in various shapes, such as polygonal shape including square shapes, e.g., rods, rhombuses, or the like. The second sensing patterns SP 2 and the second bridges BR 2 may be provided in the form of a plate shape or a mesh shape composed of fine lines.

The second sensing patterns SP 2 are provided in a mesh form, they may include a plurality of conductive lines CFL 1 and CFL 2 , as shown is FIG. 6B . For example, the second sensing patterns SP 2 may include a plurality of first conductive fine lines CFL 1 extending in the first direction DR 1 and parallel to each other, and a plurality of second conductive fine lines CF 2 extending in the second direction DR 2 and parallel to each other. The first conductive fine lines CFL 1 and the second conductive fine lines CFL 2 may form the mesh shape. The mesh shape may include a plurality of openings, for example, regions formed by the crossing of the first conductive fine lines CFL 1 and the second conductive fine lines CFL 2 . Each of the second sensing patterns SP 2 has the mesh shape in the drawing, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, each of the first sensing patterns SP 1 , the first bridges BR 1 , and the second bridges BR 2 may include the plurality of conductive fin lines. At least one the first and second conductive lines CFL 1 and CFL 2 may have the same structure and material as the first and second metal layers MTL 1 and MTL 2 of the sensing lines SL, respectively. When the first sensing patterns SP 1 and the second sensing patterns SP 2 have the mesh shape, an area in which the first sensing patterns SP 1 and the second sensing patterns SP 2 overlap the display panel 100 may be reduced due to the openings. When the area in which the first sensing patterns SP 1 and the second sensing patterns SP 2 overlap the display panel 100 is reduced, an electromagnetic interference between the first sensing patterns SP 1 and the second sensing patterns SP 2 and the display panel 100 may be prevented. Accordingly, the touch sensitivity of the touch sensor 200 may be improved.

The first sensing patterns SP 1 and the second sensing patterns SP 2 may be alternately arranged in a matrix form on the base substrate BS.

The first sensing patterns SP 1 and the second sensing patterns SP 2 may be insulated from each other. In FIGS. 3 and 6 , the first bridges BR 1 and the second bridges BR 2 have been illustrated as intersecting with each other, but actually the first and second bridges BR 1 and BR 2 are insulated from each other by a third insulating layer IL 3 interposed therebetween, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 . The first sensing electrodes SE 1 and the second sensing electrodes SE 2 may be provided on different layers. In some exemplary embodiments, the first sensing patterns SP 1 and the second sensing patterns SP 2 may be provided on the same layer, and the first bridges BR 1 and the second bridges BR 2 may be provided on different layers. One of the first bridges BR 1 and the second bridges BR 2 may be provided on the same layer as the first metal layer MTL 1 and may include the same material as the first metal layer MTL 1 . The other of the first bridges BR 1 and the second bridges BR 2 may be provided on the same layer as the second metal layer MTL 2 and may include the same material as the second metal layer MTL 2 .

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of portion E 1 of FIG. 3 according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor of FIG. 3 taken along sectional line IV-IV′ in FIG. 9 according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 , the sensing lines SL may include a plurality of first sensing lines SL 2 _ 1 and a plurality of second sensing lines SL 2 _ 2 disposed in an alternating fashion with the plurality of first sensing lines SL 2 _ 1 . It is noted that the configuration of the first sensing lines SL 2 _ 1 and the second sensing lines SL 2 _ 2 may be similar to the configurations of the first sensing lines SL_ 1 and the second sensing lines SL 1 _ 2 , and, therefore, exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 9 and 10 will be mainly described with respect to the differences from previous exemplary embodiments, and the omitted descriptions can be understood based on the preceding descriptions.

A width d 21 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the first sensing lines SL 2 _ 1 may be equal to a width d 23 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the second sensing lines SL 2 _ 2 . A width d 22 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the first sensing lines SL 2 _ 1 may be different from a width d 24 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the second sensing lines SL 2 _ 2 . Further, one of the width d 22 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the first sensing lines SL 2 _ 1 and the width d 24 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the second sensing lines SL 2 _ 2 may be equal to the width d 21 and d 23 of the first metal layer MTL 1 . For instance, as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the width d 21 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the first sensing lines SL 2 _ 1 , the width d 22 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the first sensing lines SL 2 _ 1 , and the width d 23 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the second sensing lines SL 2 _ 2 may be equal to one another and different from the width d 24 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the second sensing lines SL 2 _ 2 .

FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of portion E 1 of FIG. 3 according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor of FIG. 3 taken along sectional line V-V′ in FIG. 11 according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 , the sensing lines SL may include a plurality of first sensing lines SL 3 _ 1 and a plurality of second sensing lines SL 3 _ 2 disposed in an alternating fashion with the plurality of first sensing lines SL 3 _ 1 . It is noted that the configuration of the first sensing lines SL 3 _ 1 and the second sensing lines SL 3 _ 2 may be similar to the configurations of the first sensing lines SL_ 1 and the second sensing lines SL 1 _ 2 , and, therefore, exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12 will be mainly described with respect to the differences from previous exemplary embodiments, and the omitted descriptions can be understood based on the preceding descriptions.

A width d 31 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the first sensing lines SL 3 _ 1 may be different from a width d 33 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the second sensing lines SL 3 _ 2 . A width d 32 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the first sensing lines SL 3 _ 1 may be equal to a width d 34 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the second sensing lines SL 3 _ 2 . Further, one of the width d 31 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the first sensing lines SL 3 _ 1 and the width d 33 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the second sensing lines SL 3 _ 2 may be equal to the width d 32 and d 34 of the second metal layer MTL 2 . For instance, as seen in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the width d 23 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the first sensing lines SL 3 _ 1 , the width d 33 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the second sensing lines SL 3 _ 2 , and the width d 34 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the second sensing lines SL 3 _ 2 may be equal to one another and different from the width d 31 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the first sensing lines SL 3 _ 1 .

FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of portion E 1 of FIG. 3 according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor of FIG. 3 taken along sectional line VI-VI′ in FIG. 13 according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 , the sensing lines SL may include n sensing lines (where “n” is a natural number). It is noted that the configuration of the n sensing lines may be similar to the configurations of the first sensing lines SL_ 1 and the second sensing lines SL 1 _ 2 , and, therefore, exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 13 and 14 will be mainly described with respect to the differences from previous exemplary embodiments, and the omitted descriptions can be understood based on the preceding descriptions.

The n sensing lines may include iterations of 1 sensing lines as a single unit (where “1” is a natural number of 2 or more and “n” or less). There is no limitation on the numbers of n and 1. In FIGS. 13 and 14 , it is assumed that 1 is four (4) for the sake of convenience, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Among the 1 sensing lines as one unit, if a k th sensing line is referred to as SL 4 _ k (where “k” is a natural number equal to or less than (1-1)), a (k+1) th sensing line adjacent thereto may be referred to as SL 4 _ k +1.

A width d 41 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the k th sensing line SL 4 _ k may be different from a width d 44 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the (k+1) th sensing line SL 4 _ k +1. A width d 42 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the k th sensing line SL 4 _ k may be different from a width d 45 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the (k+1) th sensing line SL 4 _ k +1. Further, a distance d 47 between the first metal layer MTL 1 of the k th sensing line SL 4 _ k and the first metal layer MTL 1 of the (k+1) th sensing line SL 4 _ k +1 may be equal to a distance d 48 between the second metal layer MTL 2 of the k th sensing line SL 4 _ k and the second metal layer MTL 2 of the (k+1) th sensing line SL 4 _ k +1. It is noted, however, that distances d 47 and d 48 may be offset from one another in the first direction DR 1 , as will become more apparent below.

A width d 43 of an overlapping region of the first metal layer MTL 1 and the second metal layer MTL 2 of the k th sensing line SL 4 _ k may be equal to a width d 46 of an overlapping region of the first metal layer MTL 1 and the second metal layer MTL 2 of the (k+1) th sensing line SL 4 _ k +1. In addition, a sum of the width d 41 of the first metal layer MTL 1 and the width d 42 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the k th sensing line SL 4 _ k may be equal to a sum of the width d 44 of the first metal layer MTL 1 and the width d 45 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the (k+1) th sensing line SL 4 _ k+ 1. As such, an offset between the distances d 47 and d 48 in the first direction DR 1 may be equal to half a difference between the width d 42 of the second metal layer MTL 2 of the k th sensing line SL 4 _ k and the width d 41 of the first metal layer MTL 1 of the k th sensing line SL 4 _ k.

As seen in FIG. 14 , first iterations of the n sensing lines may have mirror symmetry with respect to an imaginary line extending in the first direction DR 1 . For instance, the k th sensing line SL 4 _ k may have mirror symmetry with the (k+2) th sensing line SL 4 _ k+ 2 with respect to an imaginary line extending in the first direction DR 1 , the imaginary line bisecting the k th sensing line SL 4 _ k and the (k+2) th sensing line SL 4 _ k+ 2. Further, second iterations of the n sensing lines may have mirror symmetry with respect to imaginary lines extending in the third direction DR 3 between adjacent ones of the n sensing lines grouped in the second iterations. For instance, the (k+1) th sensing line SL 4 _ k+ 1 may have mirror symmetry with the (k+3) th sensing line SL 4 _ k+ 3 with respect to an imaginary line extending in the third direction DR 3 between the (k+1) th sensing line SL 4 _ k+ 1 and the (k+3) th sensing line SL 4 _ k+ 3.

According to various exemplary embodiments, a touch sensor may be configured to prevent a short circuit between sensing lines by adjusting the width of the sensing lines and securing a distance between the sensing lines without reducing the resistance of the sensing lines.

Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from this description. Accordingly, the inventive concepts are not limited to such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the accompanying claims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.