JP6610053B2 - Touch panel sensor, touch panel device, and display device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel sensor having detection electrodes, a touch panel device including a touch panel sensor, and a display device including a touch panel sensor.

  Today, touch panel devices are widely used as input means. In many cases, the touch panel device is a variety of devices in which an image display mechanism such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display is incorporated (for example, a ticket vending machine, ATM, cash register, kiosk terminal, mobile phone, tablet terminal, game machine, etc.). Is used together with an image display mechanism. In such a device, the touch panel sensor is disposed on the display surface of the image display mechanism, and thus the touch panel device enables a very direct input to the display device. An area of the touch panel sensor that faces the display area of the image display mechanism is transparent, and this area of the touch panel sensor constitutes an active area that can detect a contact position (approach position).

  The touch panel device can be classified into various types based on the principle of detecting a contact position (approach position) on the touch panel sensor. In recent years, a projected capacitive coupling type touch panel device has been widely used due to various advantages. The projected capacitive touch panel device includes a pair of detection electrode groups arranged in an active area. For example, in the touch panel sensor disclosed in Patent Document 1, the detection electrode located in the active area is formed of a conductive wire made of a metal material. In this touch panel sensor, since the electrical conductivity of the metal material is high, the surface resistivity (unit: Ω / □) can be sufficiently reduced. On the other hand, a metal material excellent in conductivity is opaque. Therefore, each detection electrode is configured as a conductive mesh in which metal conductors are arranged in a mesh pattern that defines a large number of opening regions, and ensures the visible light transparency of the touch panel sensor in the active area. However, such a conductive mesh is known to cause problems such as moire and shading unevenness. Various studies have been conducted to eliminate such problems.

Patent No. 5224203

  Moire is a phenomenon in which bright and dark streaks become visible. Regularity of the pattern of the conductive mesh (periodicity) and regularity of the pattern of other members overlaid on the conductive mesh (for example, images) This is caused by interference with the regularity of the pixel arrangement of the display mechanism. For this reason, it has been generally considered that making the pattern of the conductive mesh irregular is effective for making the moire invisible.

  On the other hand, shading unevenness is a phenomenon in which the amount of light transmitted through the conductive mesh and the amount of external light reflected from the conductive mesh are not uniform within the surface, and a brightly observed portion is locally present. The occurrence of shading unevenness is considered to be caused by local nonuniformity of the pattern of the conductive mesh.

  That is, making the conductive mesh pattern irregular is effective for making the moire invisible, and making the conductive mesh pattern regular is effective for making the shading uneven. For this reason, in the prior art, there is no conductive mesh that can cope with both moire and shading unevenness. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel sensor including a conductive mesh that makes both moire and shading unevenness inconspicuous. Another object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel device and a display device including the touch panel sensor.

The touch panel sensor according to the present invention includes:
Comprising a sensing electrode comprising a conductive mesh defining a plurality of open areas;
The conductive mesh is composed of conductive fine wires arranged in a pattern defining hexagonal opening regions arranged at a constant pitch in each of a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to each other.

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, the arrangement pitch of the hexagonal opening areas in the first direction and the arrangement pitch of the hexagonal opening areas in the second direction may be the same. .

  In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, a plurality of detection electrodes are provided, and the conductive mesh included in the plurality of detection electrodes is a hexagonal shape arranged at a constant pitch in each of the first direction and the second direction orthogonal to each other. May be formed by conductive thin wires arranged in a pattern in which a broken portion is provided in a reference pattern that defines

  A touch panel device according to the present invention includes the touch panel sensor described above.

  A display device according to the present invention includes the touch panel sensor described above.

  According to the present invention, both moire and shading unevenness can be made inconspicuous.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view schematically showing a touch panel device together with an image display device. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the touch panel sensor. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a touch panel sensor of the touch panel device. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a first electrode on the touch panel sensor of FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a second electrode on the touch panel sensor of FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a reference pattern for producing a conductive mesh of the touch panel sensor. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a reference pattern for determining a standard pattern, for explaining a method for determining a standard pattern. FIG. 8 is a plan view for explaining the determination method of the standard pattern, showing the standard pattern together with the reference pattern. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing the standard pattern and the reference pattern in FIG. 8 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method for producing a conductive mesh of the touch panel sensor of FIG. 3. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a conductive mesh of the touch panel sensor manufactured by the manufacturing method of FIG. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing only the first electrode and the first wiring in the conductive mesh of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view showing only the second electrode and the second wiring in the conductive mesh of FIG. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view showing only the dummy electrode in the conductive mesh of FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing a touch panel sensor. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing a touch panel sensor. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing a touch panel sensor. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing a touch panel sensor. FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing a touch panel sensor. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing a touch panel sensor.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings attached to the present specification, for the sake of illustration and ease of understanding, the scale, the vertical / horizontal dimension ratio, and the like are appropriately changed and exaggerated from those of the actual product.

  In this specification, the terms “plate”, “sheet”, and “film” are not distinguished from each other only based on the difference in designation. For example, a “transparent substrate sheet” is a concept that includes a member that can be called a plate or a film. Therefore, a “transparent substrate sheet” is a “transparent substrate sheet (transparent substrate)” or a “transparent substrate”. It cannot be distinguished from a member called “material film” only by the difference in designation.

  In addition, “sheet surface (plate surface, film surface)” means a target sheet-like member (plate-like) when the target sheet-like (plate-like, film-like) member is viewed as a whole and globally. It refers to the surface that coincides with the plane direction of the member or film-like member.

  Furthermore, the shape and geometric conditions used in the present specification and the degree thereof are specified. For example, terms such as “parallel”, “orthogonal”, “identical”, length and angle values, etc. are strictly Without being bound by meaning, it should be interpreted including the extent to which similar functions can be expected.

  FIGS. 1-19 is a figure for demonstrating one Embodiment by this invention. 1 schematically shows the touch panel device and the image display device, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the touch panel sensor of the touch panel device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the touch panel sensor.

  The touch panel device 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured as a capacitive coupling method, and is configured to be able to detect a contact position of an external conductor (for example, a human finger) to the touch panel device 20. In addition, when the detection sensitivity of the capacitively coupled touch panel device 20 is excellent, it is possible to detect which region of the touch panel device the external conductor is approaching just by approaching the external conductor. Can do. Along with such a phenomenon, the “contact position” used here is a concept including an approach position that is not actually in contact but can be detected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel device 20 is used in combination with an image display mechanism (for example, a liquid crystal display device) 12 to constitute a display device 10. The illustrated image display mechanism 12 is configured as a flat panel display as an example, more specifically as a liquid crystal display device. The image display mechanism 12 includes a display area A1 that can display an image, and a non-display area (also referred to as a frame area) A2 that is disposed outside the display area A1 so as to surround the display area A1. Yes. The display control unit 13 processes information regarding the image to be displayed and controls the image display mechanism 12 based on the image information. The image display mechanism 12 displays a predetermined image on the display surface 12a according to a control signal from the display control unit 13. That is, the image display mechanism 12 plays a role as an output device that outputs information such as characters and drawings as video.

  Next, the touch panel device 20 will be described. The touch panel device 20 includes a touch panel sensor 30 and a detection control unit 21 connected to the touch panel sensor 30. The touch panel sensor 30 is disposed at a position facing the display surface 12 a of the image display mechanism 12. As described above, the touch panel device 20 is configured as a capacitively coupled touch panel device, and plays a role as an input device for inputting information.

  The detection control unit 21 of the touch panel device 20 is connected to the touch panel sensor 30 and processes information input to the touch panel sensor 30. Specifically, the detection control unit 21 is configured to be able to specify the contact position of the external conductor to the touch panel device 20 when the external conductor (for example, a human finger) is in contact with the touch panel device 20. Circuit (detection circuit). Further, the detection control unit 21 is connected to the display control unit 13 of the image display mechanism 12 and can also transmit the processed input information to the display control unit 13. At this time, the display control unit 13 can create video information based on the input information and cause the image display mechanism 12 to display a video corresponding to the input information.

  Next, the touch panel sensor 30 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the touch panel sensor 30 includes a transparent base sheet 32 and a detection electrode 40 provided on the transparent base sheet 32. In addition, as an actual touch panel device, a touch panel sensor is laminated with a bonding layer including an adhesive or an adhesive material, a transparent cover formed of a glass plate or a resin film, and the like from the detection electrode side. Often used as a laminated structure.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the touch panel sensor 30 includes a display area A3 through which image light emitted from the image display mechanism 12 is transmitted, and a non-display area A4 adjacent to the display area A3. In particular, in the illustrated example, the display area A3 of the touch panel sensor 30 occupies an area corresponding to the display area A1 of the image display mechanism 12. In the illustrated example, the display area A3 of the touch panel sensor 30 corresponds to a so-called active area where the touch position can be detected by the touch panel sensor 30. On the other hand, the non-display area A4 is formed in a frame shape so as to surround the periphery of the rectangular display area A3 from the four sides. The non-display area A4 is formed in an area corresponding to the non-display area A2 of the image display mechanism 12.

  The transparent substrate sheet 32 functions as a substrate that supports the detection electrode 40. The transparent substrate sheet 32 is transparent or translucent so that the image of the image display mechanism 12 can be observed through the display area Va1. The transparent substrate sheet 32 preferably has a transmittance in the visible light region of 80% or more, and more preferably 84% or more. The visible light transmittance of the transparent base sheet 32 was measured within a measurement wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm using a spectrophotometer (“UV-3100PC” manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, JIS K 0115 compliant product). Is specified as an average value of transmittance at each wavelength.

  The transparent base sheet 32 can be composed of, for example, a glass, resin plate, sheet or film. As the resin film, various resin films used as the base material of the optical member can be suitably used. As an example, a cellulose ester resin typified by triacetyl cellulose can be used as the transparent substrate sheet 32. As another example, a polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) that is inexpensive and excellent in stability can be used as the transparent base sheet 32. The polyester resin film has an advantage that it has low hygroscopicity and hardly undergoes deformation even in a high temperature and high humidity environment.

  Next, the detection electrode 40 provided on the transparent substrate sheet 32 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the detection electrode 40, the dummy electrode 48, and the terminal portion 49 are provided on one surface side (one surface side) of the transparent base sheet 32. The detection electrode 40 includes a plurality of first electrodes 41, a plurality of second electrodes 42, a plurality of first wirings 45, and a plurality of second wirings 46. The first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, and the dummy electrode 48 are provided in the display area A3 on the transparent base sheet 32. The first wiring 45 extends from the first electrode 41 in the display area A3 to the terminal portion 49 in the non-display area A4. Similarly, the second wiring 46 extends from the second electrode 42 in the display area A3 to the terminal portion 49 in the non-display area A4. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the terminal unit 49 is connected to the detection control unit 21 via the flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 22.

  FIG. 4 shows the first electrode 41, the first wiring 45, and the terminal portion 49 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the second electrode 42, the second wiring 46, and the terminal portion 49 shown in FIG. 3 to 5, the first detectors 43 of the first electrodes 41 and the second detectors 44 of the second electrodes 42 are illustrated by simple rectangles in order to avoid making the figure difficult to see. Yes. Similarly, in order to avoid making the figure difficult to see, in FIGS. 3 to 5, the dummy electrode 48 is illustrated only by its outer shape. Detailed shapes of the detection units 43 and 45 and the dummy electrode 48 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 3, each first detection unit 43 of the first electrode 41 is hatched in order to distinguish and easily understand the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42. Further, in FIG. 4, in order to distinguish some of the first electrodes 41 from other first electrodes 41 for easy understanding, the first detection units 43 of some of the first electrodes 41 are hatched. . Furthermore, in FIG. 5, in order to distinguish some of the second electrodes 42 from the other second electrodes 42 for easy understanding, the second detection units 44 of some of the second electrodes 42 are hatched. .

  In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of first electrodes 41 are arranged in the first direction (X) in the display area A <b> 3 on the transparent base sheet 32. Each first electrode 41 includes a plurality of first detection units 43 arranged along a second direction (Y) that is non-parallel to the first direction (X). In particular, in the illustrated example, the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) are orthogonal.

  First, the first electrode 41 and the first wiring 45 that form part of the detection electrode 40 will be described. A first wiring 45 is provided corresponding to each first electrode 41. In the example shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, each first wiring 45 is connected to the first electrode 41 having a group of first detection units 43 arranged along the second direction (Y), and the display area It extends from A3 to the non-display area A4. Further, the first wiring 45 extends in the second direction (Y) along the row of the plurality of first detection units 43 of the corresponding first electrode 41. Therefore, a plurality of first wires 45 are arranged in the first direction (X) corresponding to the plurality of first electrodes 41 arranged in the first direction (X), and each first wire 45 is arranged in the second direction ( Y). The first wiring 45 is connected to the terminal portion 49 in the non-display area A4.

  Next, the second electrode 42 and the second wiring 46 that form part of the detection electrode 40 will be described. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a plurality of second electrodes 42 are arranged in the second direction (Y) in the display area A <b> 3 on the transparent base sheet 32. Each second electrode 42 has a plurality of second detection units 44 arranged along the first direction (X).

  A second wiring 46 is provided corresponding to each second electrode 42. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, each second wiring 46 is connected to each second detection unit 44 arranged along the first direction (X) of the second electrode 42. The second wiring 46 corresponding to one second electrode 42 includes a plurality of extraction wirings 461 extending from each second detection unit 44 in the display area A3 to the non-display area A4, and each extraction wiring in the non-display area A4. 461 and a connection wiring 462 for connecting the terminal portion 49.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, each lead-out wiring 461 of the second wiring 46 includes one or more first portions 461 a extending along the second direction (Y). Furthermore, the lead-out wiring 461 including a plurality of first portions 461a includes one or a plurality of second portions 461b that connect the adjacent first portions 461a and extend along the first direction (X). In the illustrated example, the lead wiring 461 including a plurality of first portions 461a includes a first portion 461a extending in one direction in the second direction (Y) along the second direction (Y), and the first portion 461a. A second portion 461b that is connected and extends to one side of the first direction (X) along the first direction (X) is repeatedly arranged. The lead wires 461 are separated from each other and extend along the second direction (Y) as a whole. A plurality of lead wirings 461 and a plurality of connection wirings 462 provided corresponding to one second detection unit 44 are connected to each other on the flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 22.

  In this example, the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 that form the detection electrode 40 are used to detect a change in capacitance that occurs when an external conductor (for example, a human finger) approaches the touch panel sensor 30. . That is, when the external conductor approaches the touch panel sensor 30, the capacitance between the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 corresponding to the approached location changes. Therefore, by specifying the first electrode 41 and the second electrode 42 whose capacitance has changed, it is possible to specify the position of the touch panel sensor 30 where the external conductor has approached.

  The detection electrode 40 is required to be conductive enough to allow a current resulting from a change in capacitance to flow at a detectable level. As a material for constituting such a detection electrode 40, a metal material having excellent conductivity, for example, gold, silver, copper, platinum, aluminum, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, titanium, palladium, indium, and these One or more of these alloys can be used.

  On the other hand, these metal materials have a light shielding property against visible light. Therefore, the detection electrode 40 includes a conductive mesh 50 in which the conductive thin wires 51 are arranged in a mesh pattern that defines a large number of opening regions 52. The conductive mesh 50 is arranged in a pattern that defines hexagonal opening regions 52 arranged at a constant pitch in each of the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) orthogonal to each other. The thin thin wire 51 is provided.

  A mesh-like conductor that forms a plurality of detection electrodes 40 is formed by conductive thin wires 51 provided in a pattern in which a disconnection portion 53 is provided in a reference pattern that extends in the display area A3. The disconnection point 53 is provided corresponding to the outline of each detection electrode 40, and a part of the mesh-like conductor partitioned from the other part by the disconnection point 53 constitutes the conductive mesh 50 of each detection electrode 40. Yes. Here, each conductive mesh 50 defines a large number of opening regions 52. The conductive mesh 50 includes a number of connecting elements 55 that extend between the two branch points 54 and define an open region 52. In other words, the branch point 54 is a point where one end of the three or more connection elements 55 is joined.

  By the way, pixels for forming an image are regularly arranged in the display area of the image display mechanism arranged to overlap the touch panel sensor. In general, pixels are arranged at a constant pitch in both the horizontal direction and the direction orthogonal to the horizontal direction (for example, the vertical direction) in the installed state of the image display mechanism. In the image display mechanism having this pixel arrangement, for example, a regular lattice-shaped conductivity in which an opening region is defined by a connecting element extending along a horizontal direction and a connecting element extending along a direction orthogonal to the horizontal direction. When a touch panel sensor having a mesh is stacked, a striped pattern caused by a regular (periodic) pattern of pixels and a regular arrangement pattern of connecting elements of a conductive mesh, that is, moire may be visually recognized. There is.

  In general, it has been considered that making the pattern of the conductive mesh irregular is effective for making the moire invisible. However, when the present inventors have studied, it is possible to make the moire inconspicuous by largely disrupting the regularity of the arrangement of the connection elements of the conductive mesh, that is, by irregularly arranging the connection elements. However, on the other hand, it has been found that shading unevenness due to the variation in the density of the connecting elements is visually recognized. Conventionally, various measures for invisibility of moire or shading unevenness have been studied, but both moire and shading unevenness have not been effectively made inconspicuous.

  On the other hand, the inventors of the present invention have made extensive studies focusing on the arrangement of connecting elements that define the opening region. As a result, the inventors have made the moire inconspicuous very effectively by imposing constraints on the irregularity of the arrangement of connecting elements, and making the shading unevenness inconspicuous very effectively, It has been found that it is possible to achieve both. Such an effect simply performs pattern irregularity as a moiré invisibility, while simply pattern regularization as a shading invisibility, resulting in both moire and shading unevenness. It can be said that this is a remarkable effect that exceeds the predicted range from the state of the art that could not be made invisible.

FIG. 6 shows a reference pattern 60 for producing the conductive mesh 50. In the illustrated example, the reference pattern 60, the opening region 62 of the hexagonal shape that are arranged at a constant pitch P _y in the first are arranged in a direction (X) at a constant pitch P _x and the second direction (Y) It has a pattern that defines The first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) are orthogonal to each other. Further, in the illustrated example, the arrangement pitch P _y of the arrangement pitch P _x in the first direction of the hexagonal shape of the opening area 62 (X), the second direction of the hexagonal shape of the opening area 52 (Y) Are the same. The reference pattern 60 includes a number of connecting elements 65 that extend between two branch points 64 to define a hexagonal open area 62.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of hexagonal opening regions 62 of the reference pattern 60 have the same shape and the same area, respectively. That is, the reference pattern 60, and are arranged at a constant pitch P _x in a first direction (X) are arranged at a constant pitch P _y in the second direction (Y), six having the same shape and the same area It has a pattern that defines a square-shaped opening region 62. Therefore, the reference pattern 60 is formed by regularly arranging the hexagonal opening regions 62 in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y), in other words, the first direction (X) and the second direction. (Y) has a pattern arranged with periodicity.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the two opening regions 621 and 622 adjacent to each other in the first direction (X) of the reference pattern 60 have two branch points (641, 642) and two branch points (641, 642). One connecting element 651 extending between the two is shared. In addition, the two open regions (621, 623) adjacent in the second direction (Y) have one connecting element 652 extending between the two branch points (643, 644) and the two branch points (643, 644). Share. In particular, in the illustrated example, the two opening regions 621 and 622 adjacent in the first direction (X) of the reference pattern 60 have two branch points (641, 642) and two branch points (641, 642). Two open regions (621, 623) sharing one connecting element 651 extending between them and adjacent in the second direction (Y) are divided into two branch points (643, 644) and two branch points (643). , 644) share one connecting element 652.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of hexagonal opening regions 62 of the reference pattern 60 each form a so-called parallel hexagon in which three sets of opposite sides are parallel to each other. In particular, in the illustrated example, each of the plurality of hexagonal opening regions 62 is a parallelogram having three sets of opposite sides each having the same length.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the sizes of all inner angles of the plurality of hexagonal opening regions 62 of the reference pattern 60 are each less than 180 °. That is, the opening area 62 of the reference pattern 60 has a so-called convex polygon (convex hexagon) shape. In particular, in the illustrated example, each of the open regions 62 has an inner angle greater than 90 ° and less than 180 °.

  Next, an example of the method for determining the reference pattern 60 described above will be described. In the method described below, first, a reference mesh pattern 70 formed from a plurality of line segments 75 extending between two intersection points 74 and defining an open area 72 is determined, and then the intersection points 74 of the reference mesh pattern 70 are determined. The position of the branch point 64 of the standard pattern 60 is determined on the basis of the reference pattern 60. Thereafter, the position of the connection element 65 of the standard pattern 60 is determined based on the branch point 64 of the standard pattern 60 and the line segment 75 of the reference mesh pattern 70 determined. decide. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the reference pattern 70, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the reference pattern 60 and the reference pattern 70 in an overlapping manner.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the reference pattern 70 is formed from a plurality of line segments 75 that extend between two intersection points 74 and define an open region 72. In the reference pattern 70, the opening regions 72 having a fixed shape are regularly arranged in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y). In particular, in the illustrated example, the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) are orthogonal to each other.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the illustrated reference pattern 70, a constant rectangular opening region 72 is a pattern that is spread without a gap. The opening regions 72 are arranged at a constant pitch in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) orthogonal to each other. Especially, the reference pattern 70 shown comprises a plurality of first linear 70a group arranged at a fixed pitch P ₁ in a straight line in the extension and the first direction (X) in the second direction (Y), the first direction (X) are defined and a second straight line 70b group arranged at a predetermined pitch P ₂ in a straight line in the extension and the second direction (Y), by the. Especially in the illustrated example, the arrangement pitch P ₁ of the first straight line 70a group and the arrangement pitch P ₂ of the second straight line 70b group, are the same. As a result, all the opening regions 72 included in the reference pattern 70 are formed in the same quadrangular shape, particularly a square shape.

  Next, the position of the branch point 64 of the standard pattern 60 is determined based on the intersection 74 and the line segment 75 of the reference pattern 70. Specifically, for the line segment 751 extending in the first direction (X) and connecting the intersection point 741 and the intersection point 742 among the plurality of line segments 75 that define the square-shaped opening region 721 of the reference pattern 70, the reference pattern The positions of two branch points 641 and 642 of 60 are determined.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining the positions of the branch points 64 and the connection elements 65 of the reference pattern 60. First, the branch point 641 is arranged in the vicinity area A1 of the intersection point 741 that is one side in the second direction (Y) with respect to the line segment 751. Here, the region A1 has a second direction (Y) in the second direction (Y) with respect to the line segment 751 in the second direction (on the intersection 741 side from the middle point M1 of the intersection point 741 and the intersection point 742). Y) indicates an area of the intersection point 743 adjacent from one side and the intersection point 741 side from the midpoint M2. In other words, the area A1 passes through the center of gravity G1 of the rectangular opening area 721 and extends in the first direction (X), and the line L2 extends through the center of gravity G1 of the opening area 721 and extends in the second direction (Y). And the area | region containing the intersection 741 among the four area | regions of the opening area | region 721 divided | segmented by these.

  Next, a branch point 642 is arranged in the vicinity area A2 of the intersection point 742 on the other side in the second direction (Y) with respect to the line segment 751. Here, the region A2 has a second direction (Y) in the second direction (Y) with respect to the line segment 751, the intersection point 742 side from the middle point M1 of the intersection point 741 and the intersection point 742, and the intersection point 742 and the intersection point 742 in the second direction ( Y) refers to the area of the intersection 744 adjacent from the other side and the intersection 742 side of the midpoint M3. In other words, the area A2 passes through the center of gravity G2 of the rectangular opening area 722 and extends in the first direction (X), and the line L4 extends through the center of gravity G2 of the opening area 722 and extends in the second direction (Y). The region including the intersection 742 among the four regions of the opening region 722 divided by. The above procedure is performed for all the line segments 75, and the positions of all the branch points 64 are determined.

  Next, a plurality of connecting elements 65 extending between the two branch points 64 are formed so that each hexagonal opening area 62 of the standard pattern 60 is formed corresponding to each opening area 72 of the reference pattern 70. Deploy. Specifically, the plurality of connection elements 65 are arranged so as to connect the branch points 641 -642 -643 -644 -645 -646 -641 in order. The above procedure is performed for all the opening regions 72, and the positions of all the connecting elements 65 that define the opening region 62 of the reference pattern 60 are determined.

In the example shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the arrangement pitch P _x of the opening regions 62 of the standard pattern 60 in the first direction (X) and the first direction (X) of the first straight line 70 a of the reference pattern 70. the arrangement pitch P ₁ to, are the same. Further, the arrangement pitch _{P y} in the second direction of the opening area 62 of the reference pattern 60 (Y), and the arrangement pitch _{P 2} in the second direction of the second straight line 70b of the reference pattern 70 (Y) are the same It has become. In a particularly embodiment illustrated, the array pitch P _x in the first direction of the opening area 62 of the reference pattern 60 (X), and the arrangement pitch P _y in the second direction of the opening area 62 of the reference pattern 60 (Y) , the arrangement pitch _{P 1} in the first direction of the first straight line 70a of the reference pattern 70 (X), the arrangement pitch _{P 2} in the second direction of the second straight line 70b of the reference pattern 70 (Y) is, All are the same.

  The pattern of the conductive mesh 50 is a plurality of mesh-like patterns partitioned by disconnecting the reference pattern 60 determined as described above at the disconnection point 53. Includes a number of connecting elements 55 that extend between two branch points 54 and define an open region 52.

  With reference to FIGS. 10-14, the conductive mesh 50 which comprises each detection electrode 40 is demonstrated. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing the conductive mesh 50 of the touch panel sensor 30 shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the conductive mesh 50 of the touch panel sensor 30 manufactured by the manufacturing method of FIG. FIG. 12 shows the first electrode 41 of the conductive mesh 50 shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the second electrode 42 in the conductive mesh 50 illustrated in FIG. 11. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the dummy electrode 48 in the conductive mesh 50 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, the first electrode 41 is illustrated by a thicker line than the second electrode 42 and the dummy electrode 48 in order to distinguish and understand the second electrode 42 and the dummy electrode 48. In FIG. 13, some of the second electrodes 42 are illustrated with thicker lines than the other second electrodes 42 in order to distinguish them from the other second electrodes 42 for easy understanding. These are all for helping the understanding of the figure and do not reflect the actual thickness of the pattern.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the mesh-shaped conductor having the reference pattern 60, a broken portion 53 is provided along the contour 68 of the region that should be the detection electrode 40. The regions surrounded by the plurality of disconnection points 53 forming the contour 68 are the detection electrodes 40, respectively. In addition, a dummy electrode 48 is formed in a region other than the portion that becomes the detection electrode 40. In other words, the dummy electrode 48 is formed so as to be adjacent to the detection electrode 40 via a plurality of disconnection points 53 forming the contour 68.

  The first electrode 41 that forms part of the detection electrode 40 will be described. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of first electrodes 41 are arranged in the first direction (X) in the display area A <b> 3 on the transparent base sheet 32. Each first electrode 41 has a plurality of first detectors 43 arranged along a second direction (Y) that is non-parallel to the first direction (X). In particular, in the illustrated example, the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) are orthogonal.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, each first detection unit 43 includes a first trunk element 43a extending from the first wiring 45 and a plurality of first branch elements extending from the first trunk element 43a. 43b and a plurality of first twig elements 43c extending from the first branch element 43b. In particular, in the illustrated example, the first trunk element 43a extends from the first wiring 45 in the first direction (X), and the first branch element 43b extends from the first trunk element 43a in the second direction (Y). The first twig element 43c extends from the first branch element 43b in the first direction (X). Further, the extending direction of the first trunk element 43a, the first branch element 43b, and the first twig element 43c is not limited to this example, and is a direction inclined with respect to the first direction (X) or the second direction (Y). It may extend to. In this specification, an element extending from “wiring” is referred to as “trunk element”, an element extending from “trunk element” is referred to as “branch element”, and an element extending from “branch element” is referred to as “twig element”. Call. That is, the terms “trunk element”, “branch element”, and “twig element” do not indicate the size of each element. Therefore, the “branch element” may be larger than the “trunk element”, and the “twig element” may be larger than the “trunk element” or the “branch element”.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, each first trunk element 43a of each first detection unit 43 has the same length and extends from the first wiring 45 in the first direction (X). It extends to one side in the first direction (X). In particular, in the illustrated example, all the first trunk elements 43 a extend on the same side (one side) in the first direction (X) with respect to the first wiring 45. In addition, the plurality of first trunk elements 43a of each first detection unit 43 are arranged along the second direction (Y) with the same interval. A plurality of first branch elements 43b extend from each first trunk element 43a along the second direction (Y) to one side and the other side of the second direction (Y). In particular, in the illustrated example, the first branch elements 43b are arranged along the first direction (X) with the same interval.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, a plurality of elements are respectively provided on one side and the other side in the first direction (X) along the first direction (X) from each first branch element 43 b of each first detection unit 43. The first twig element 43c extends. In particular, in the illustrated example, the first twig elements 43c are arranged along the second direction (Y) with the same interval.

  A first wiring 45 is provided corresponding to each first electrode 41. In the example shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, each first wiring 45 is connected to the first electrode 41 having a group of first detection units 43 arranged along the second direction (Y), and the display area It extends from A3 to the non-display area A4. Further, the first wiring 45 extends in the second direction (Y) along the row of the plurality of first detection units 43 of the corresponding first electrode 41. Therefore, a plurality of first wires 45 are arranged in the first direction (X) corresponding to the plurality of first electrodes 41 arranged in the first direction (X), and each first wire 45 is arranged in the second direction ( Y). The first wiring 45 is connected to the terminal portion 49 in the non-display area A4.

  Next, the second electrode 42 that forms part of the conductive mesh 50 will be described. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a plurality of second electrodes 42 are arranged in the second direction (Y) in the display area A <b> 3 on the transparent base sheet 32. Each second electrode 42 has a plurality of second detection units 44 arranged along the first direction (X).

  In the example shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, each second detection unit 44 includes a second trunk element 44 a extending from the second wiring 46 and a plurality of second branch elements extending from the second trunk element 44 a. 44b and a plurality of second twig elements 44c extending from the second branch element 44b. In particular, in the illustrated example, the second trunk element 44a extends from the second wiring 46 in the first direction (X), and the second branch element 44b extends from the second trunk element 44a in the second direction (Y). The second twig element 44c extends from the second branch element 44b in the first direction (X). The extending direction of the second trunk element 44a, the second branch element 44b, and the second twig element 44c is not limited to this example, and is a direction inclined with respect to the first direction (X) or the second direction (Y). It may extend to.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, each second trunk element 44 a of each second detection unit 44 has the same length and extends from the second wiring 46 in the first direction (X). It extends. As described above, each first trunk element 43a of each first detection unit 43 extends from the first wiring 45 along the first direction (X) to one side in the first direction (X). On the other hand, each second trunk element 44a of each second detection unit 44 extends from the second wiring 46 along the first direction (X) to the other side opposite to the one side in the first direction (X). . In particular, in the illustrated example, all the second trunk elements 44 a extend on the same side (the other side) in the first direction (X) with respect to the second wiring 46. The plurality of second stem elements 44a of each second detection unit 44 are arranged along the first direction (X) with the same interval. A plurality of second branch elements 44b extend from each second trunk element 44a along one direction and the other side in the second direction (Y) along the second direction (Y). In particular, in the illustrated example, the second branch elements 44b are arranged along the first direction (X) with the same interval.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13, a plurality of elements are respectively provided on one side and the other side in the first direction (X) along the first direction (X) from each second branch element 44 b of each second detection unit 44. The second twig element 44c extends. In particular, in the illustrated example, the second twig elements 44c are arranged along the second direction (Y) with the same interval.

  A second wiring 46 is provided corresponding to each second electrode 42. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, each second wiring 46 is connected to each second detection unit 44 arranged along the first direction (X) of the second electrode 42. The second wiring 46 corresponding to one second electrode 42 includes a plurality of lead lines 461 extending from each second detection unit 44 in the display area A3 to the non-display area A4, and each lead line 461 in the non-display area A4. And a connection wiring 462 for connecting the terminal portion 49.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, each lead-out wiring 461 of the second wiring 46 includes one or more first portions 461 a extending along the second direction (Y). Furthermore, the lead-out wiring 461 including a plurality of first portions 461a includes one or a plurality of second portions 461b that connect the adjacent first portions 461a and extend along the first direction (X). In the illustrated example, the lead wiring 461 including a plurality of first portions 461a includes a first portion 461a extending in one direction in the second direction (Y) along the second direction (Y), and the first portion 461a. A second portion 461b that is connected and extends to one side of the first direction (X) along the first direction (X) is repeatedly arranged. The lead wires 461 are separated from each other and extend along the second direction (Y) as a whole.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, the first trunk elements 43a of the first detection unit 43 and the second trunk elements 44a of the second detection unit are alternately arranged in the second direction (Y). The first branch elements 43b of the first detection unit 43 and the second branch elements 44b of the second detection unit are alternately arranged in the first direction (X).

  Each first wiring 45 connected to each first electrode 41 includes a plurality of lead wires 45a, and each second wiring 46 connected to each second electrode 42 includes a plurality of lead wires 46a. In the example shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, each first wiring 45 includes two lead conductors 45 a, and each second wiring 46 includes two lead conductors 46 a. The plurality of lead wires 45a are spaced apart from each other at least in the display region A3, and the plurality of lead wires 46a are separated from each other at least in the display region A3. That is, they are arranged so as not to cross or contact each other.

  Each first wiring 45 further includes at least one connecting conductor 45b that connects at least two of the plurality of lead conductors 45a at least in the display area A3, and each second wiring 46 is at least in the display area A3. , Further includes at least one connecting wire 46b for connecting at least two of the plurality of lead wires 46a. In particular, in the example shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, each first wiring 45 is provided with a large number of connecting conductors 45 b that connect two lead conductors 45 a, and each second wiring 46 has two leads. A number of connecting conductors 46b that connect the conductors 46a are provided. The plurality of connecting conductors 45b are separated from each other, and the plurality of connecting conductors 46b are respectively separated from each other. That is, they are arranged so as not to cross or contact each other.

  In addition, the part arrange | positioned in non-display area | region A4 in the wiring 45 and 46 does not necessarily need to include the some lead-out conductors 45a and 46a. Since it is not necessary to make the wirings 45 and 46 invisible in the non-display area A4, the wirings 45 and 46 may be formed with a solid metal pattern wider than the lead wires 45a and 46a. Use of a solid metal pattern is effective in reducing the resistance value.

  Each first trunk element 43a includes a plurality of trunk conductors 43a1, and each second trunk element 44a includes a plurality of trunk conductors 44a1. In the example shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, each first trunk element 43 a includes two trunk conductors 43 a 1, and each second trunk element 44 a includes two trunk conductors 44 a 1. The plurality of trunk conductors 43a1 are separated from each other, and the plurality of trunk conductors 44a1 are respectively separated from each other. That is, they are arranged so as not to cross or contact each other.

  Each first trunk element 43a further includes at least one connecting conductor 43a2 that connects at least two of the plurality of trunk conductors 43a1, and each second trunk element 44a includes at least two of the plurality of trunk conductors 44a1. It further includes at least one connecting wire 44a2 connecting the two. In particular, in the example shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, each first trunk element 43 a is provided with a plurality of connecting conductors 43 a 2 that connect two trunk conductors 43 a 1, and each second trunk element 44 a has two A number of connecting conductors 44a2 for connecting the main conductors 44a1 are provided. Further, the plurality of connecting conductors 43a2 are separated from each other, and the plurality of connecting conductors 44a2 are respectively separated from each other. That is, they are arranged so as not to cross or contact each other.

  According to such an example, the wiring (45, 46) and the trunk element (43a, 44a) are provided with a plurality of lead conductors (45a, 46a) or trunk conductors (43a1, 44a1), respectively. Even if a disconnection or the like occurs in a part of the lead conductor or the trunk conductor, conduction is ensured by the other lead conductor or the trunk conductor. Further, by providing a connecting conductor (45b, 46b, 43a2, 44a2) for connecting a plurality of lead conductors or trunk conductors, even if a disconnection or the like occurs in the plurality of leader conductors or trunk conductors, the connection conductors are routed. Thus, conduction can be ensured by bypassing a portion such as disconnection of the lead conductor or the trunk conductor. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the detection electrode does not function due to disconnection of the lead conductor or the trunk conductor, and thereby to provide stability of detection sensitivity and detection accuracy to the touch panel sensor 30 on which the detection electrode is arranged. Can do.

  Next, the dummy electrode 48 will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of dummy electrodes 48 are arranged in the first direction (X) in the display area A <b> 3 on the transparent base sheet 32. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the dummy electrode 48 is formed by providing the reference pattern 60 with a broken portion 53 along the outline 68 of the region where the dummy electrode 48 is formed.

  Next, the cross-sectional shape of the conductive mesh 50 will be described. FIG. 2 shows the touch panel sensor 30 in a cross section along the thickness direction. Here, the thickness direction refers to a cross section along the normal direction to the sheet surface (film surface, plate surface, panel surface) of the touch panel sensor 30 having a sheet shape (film shape, plate shape, panel shape). Point to. Here, the sheet surface (film surface, plate surface, panel surface) is the target sheet when the target sheet-like (film shape, plate shape, panel shape) member is viewed as a whole and globally. It refers to the surface that matches the planar direction of the member. And in this Embodiment, the transparent base material sheet 32 has a sheet-like shape which has a pair of main surface. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cross section along the thickness direction coincides with the cross section along the normal direction to the surface of the transparent base sheet 32.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a conductive mesh 50 is formed on the transparent base sheet 32. The conductive mesh 50 includes a conductive metal layer 80 provided on the transparent base sheet 32 and a dark color layer 81 provided on the conductive metal layer 80. In other words, the dark color layer 81 covers the conductive metal layer 80 from the upper side, that is, from the side opposite to the transparent base sheet 32 in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the connecting element 55 constituting the conductive mesh 50.

  Here, the conductive metal layer 80 is a layer formed using a metal material having high conductivity, and is gold, silver, copper, platinum, aluminum, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, titanium, palladium, indium, and A layer composed of one or more of these alloys. The conductive metal layer 80 does not have to be a single layer, and may be configured as a plurality of layers made of different materials or the same material.

  The conductive metal layer 80 made of a metal material has excellent conductivity, but exhibits a relatively high reflectance. When external light is reflected by the conductive metal layer 80 that forms the conductive mesh 50 of the touch panel sensor 30, the image contrast of the image display mechanism 12 that is observed through the display area A3 of the touch panel device 20 decreases. End up. Therefore, the dark color layer 81 is disposed on the viewer side of the conductive metal layer 80. The dark color layer 81 can improve the contrast of the image and improve the visibility of the image displayed by the image display mechanism 12. That is, the dark color layer 81 is a dark color layer such as black and has a lower reflectance than the adjacent conductive metal layer 80. The dark color layer 81 can be formed not only on the upper surface of the conductive metal layer 80 but also on both side surfaces of the conductive metal layer 80. In this case, reflection of external light from the inclined direction can be effectively prevented.

  As the dark color layer 81, various known layers can be used. A part of the material forming the conductive metal layer 80 is darkened (blackened) to form a dark layer 81 made of a metal oxide or metal sulfide from the part of the conductive metal layer 80. May be. Moreover, you may make it provide the dark color layer 81 on the electroconductive metal layer 80 like the coating film of a dark color material, plating layers, such as nickel and chromium. The dark color layer 81 used here includes not only a darkened (blackened) layer but also a roughened layer. Note that the dark color layer 81 is not necessarily provided in a portion of the first wiring 45 and the second wiring 46 that are disposed in the non-display area A4.

  In the conductive mesh 50 having such a configuration, the width (maximum width) W of the connection element 55, that is, the width (maximum width) W along the sheet surface of the transparent base sheet 32 is 1 μm or more and 5 μm or less, and The height (thickness) H, that is, the height (thickness) H along the normal direction to the sheet surface of the transparent base sheet 32 is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 3 μm or less. According to the conductive mesh 50 having such dimensions, since the connecting element 55 is sufficiently thinned, the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42, and the dummy electrode 48 forming the conductive mesh 50 are extremely effective. Can be made invisible. At the same time, the cross-sectional shape has a sufficient height, that is, the aspect ratio (H / W) of the cross-sectional shape of the connecting element 55 is sufficiently large and has high conductivity.

  Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the touch panel sensor 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 20 are cross-sectional views sequentially illustrating an example of the manufacturing method of the touch panel sensor 30.

  First, as shown in FIG. 15, a transparent base sheet 32 is prepared. The transparent substrate sheet 32 is, for example, a glass, resin plate, sheet or film.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16, a conductive metal layer 80 is formed on the transparent substrate sheet 32. As described above, the conductive metal layer 80 is a layer made of one or more of gold, silver, copper, platinum, aluminum, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, titanium, palladium, indium, and alloys thereof. The conductive metal layer 80 can be formed by a known method. For example, a method of attaching a metal foil such as copper foil, a plating method including electroplating and electroless plating, a sputtering method, a CVD method, a PVD method, an ion plating method, or a method in which two or more of these are combined is adopted. can do.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17, a dark color layer 81 is formed on the conductive metal layer 80. The dark color layer 81 is made of, for example, a metal oxide or metal sulfide from a part of the conductive metal layer 80 which is darkened (blackened) on a part of the material of the conductive metal layer 80. A dark color layer 81 can be formed. Moreover, you may make it provide the dark color layer 81 on the electroconductive metal layer 80 like the coating film of a dark color material, plating layers, such as nickel and chromium. Alternatively, the dark color layer 81 may be provided by roughening the surface of the conductive metal layer 80.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, a resist pattern 82 is formed on the dark color layer 81. Finally, the resist pattern 82 is formed only on the portions to be the first electrode 41, the second electrode 42 and the dummy electrode 48, and the portions to be the terminal portions 49 that form the conductive mesh 50. The resist pattern 82 can be formed by patterning using a known photolithography technique.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the conductive metal layer 80 is etched using the resist pattern 82 as a mask. By this etching, the conductive metal layer 80 is patterned into a pattern substantially the same as the resist pattern 82. The etching method is not particularly limited, and a known method can be employed. Known methods include, for example, wet etching using an etchant, plasma etching, and the like.

  Finally, as shown in FIG. 20, the resist pattern 82 is removed. Thereby, the touch panel sensor 30 which has the electroconductive mesh 50 and the terminal part 49 which were formed of the electroconductive metal layer 80 patterned on the transparent base material sheet 32 can be obtained.

  In addition, although the example which forms each metal conducting wire by what is called a subtracting method which patterned by etching the conductive metal layer 80 was shown above, each metallic conducting wire is not limited to this method, and an additive method or a semi-additive method is used. May be formed.

  As described above, the touch panel sensor 30 according to the present embodiment includes the detection electrode 40 including the conductive mesh 50 that defines the plurality of opening regions 52, and the conductive mesh 50 is in the first direction orthogonal to each other ( X) and conductive thin wires 51 arranged in a pattern defining hexagonal opening regions 52 arranged at a constant pitch in each of the second direction (Y). According to such a touch panel sensor 30, the conductive mesh 50 includes the conductive thin wires 51 including the connection elements 55 that are inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the opening regions 52, and thus is disposed along the arrangement direction of the opening regions. The regularity (periodicity) of the pattern of the conductive mesh including a large number of connecting elements and the regularity of the pattern of other members overlaid on the conductive mesh (for example, the regularity of the pixel arrangement of the image display mechanism) Moire caused by interference can be effectively suppressed. In addition, the conductive mesh 50 has a uniform pattern as a whole, not a non-uniform pattern as in the so-called Voronoi mesh. Therefore, the density generated by the local non-uniformity of the pattern of the conductive mesh. Unevenness can be effectively suppressed.

  The touch panel sensor 30 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of detection electrodes 40, and the conductive mesh 50 included in the plurality of detection electrodes 40 includes a first direction (X) and a second direction (Y ) Are formed by conductive thin wires 51 arranged in a pattern in which a disconnection portion 53 is provided in a reference pattern 60 that defines a hexagonal shape arranged at a constant pitch. According to such a touch panel sensor 30, each of the electrodes 41 and 42 forming the detection electrode 40 is formed in the same pattern, so that the presence of the detection electrode 40 is effectively prevented from being visually recognized. be able to. Further, when the conductive mesh 50 included in the plurality of detection electrodes 40 and the dummy electrodes 48 is formed by the conductive thin wires 51 arranged in a pattern in which the disconnection portion 53 is provided in the reference pattern 60, the detection electrode 40. Since the electrodes 41 and 42 and the dummy electrode 48 forming the same are all formed in the same pattern, it is possible to effectively prevent the presence of the detection electrode 40 and the dummy electrode 48 from being visually recognized.

  Note that various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment.

  In the above-described embodiment, the disconnection point 53 is formed in the middle portion of each connection element 55, that is, the portion other than the end portion. In other words, one connection element 55 is divided at the disconnection point 53 and one connection element 55 is connected. The two twig elements 43c and 44c are formed from the above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the disconnection point 53 is formed at the end of each connection element 55, and one twig element 43c or 44c is formed from one connection element 55. You may do it.

  In the above-described embodiment, the mesh conductor having the reference pattern 60 corresponds to the outline of each detection electrode 40, and the broken portions 53 are linearly arranged on the conductive thin wires 51 forming the mesh conductor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least one of the three or more adjacent disconnection locations 53 is connected to the other two or more disconnection locations 53. You may make it arrange | position in the position which shifted | deviated from the straight line. That is, three or more adjacent disconnection points 53 may not be aligned on a straight line.

  When the conductive metal layer 60 is patterned by wet etching using an etchant in the patterning process of the conductive metal layer 60 shown in FIG. When an attempt is made to produce the conductive mesh 50 in which three or more locations 53 are arranged in a straight line, the flow of the etching solution passing through the plurality of disconnected portions 53 arranged in a straight line is faster than the flow of the etching solution passing through other portions. That is, in a region having a plurality of disconnection points 53 arranged in a straight line, etching proceeds greatly compared to the other regions, and the conductive wire around the disconnection point 53 becomes thin. As a result, there is a problem in that shading unevenness occurs between a region having a plurality of disconnection points 53 arranged in a straight line and other regions.

  On the other hand, by arranging so that three or more adjacent disconnection locations 53 do not line up in a straight line, the flow rate of the etching solution passing through the three or more adjacent disconnection locations 53 is suppressed, and a plurality of adjacent disconnection locations 53 are arranged. It is possible to prevent the connection element 54 around the disconnection point 53 from being thinned by appropriately controlling the progress of etching in the region having the. Therefore, the shading unevenness which arises between the area | region which has a some adjacent disconnection location, and another area | region can be suppressed effectively.

  A plurality of broken portions may be provided inside the dummy electrode 48. As a result, it is possible to prevent the dummy electrode 48 from appearing black (dark) as a whole, as compared with the case where the broken portion is not provided inside the dummy electrode 48. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the shading unevenness that occurs between the dummy electrode 48 and the region where a large number of disconnection points 53 are formed between the adjacent detection electrodes 40.

  In the above-described embodiment, the wiring (45, 46) and the trunk element (43a, 44a) are each provided with two lead wires (45a, 46a) or two trunk wires (43a1, 44a1). The wirings (45, 46) and the trunk elements (43a, 44a) may include three or more lead wires (45a, 46a) or trunk wires (43a1, 44a1), respectively.

  Further, the branch elements (43b, 44b) and the twig elements (43c, 44c) may each include a plurality of conductors. In this case, the branch elements (43b, 44b) and twigs further including a plurality of conductors. You may make it provide the 1 or more connection conducting wire which connects the said some conducting wire of an element (43c, 44c).

  In addition, although the some modification with respect to embodiment mentioned above was demonstrated above, naturally, it is also possible to apply combining several modifications suitably.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Display apparatus 12 Image display mechanism 13 Display control part 20 Touch panel apparatus 21 Detection control part 22 Flexible printed circuit board 30 Touch panel sensor 32 Transparent base material sheet 40 Detection electrode 41 1st electrode 42 2nd electrode 43 1st detection part 43a 1st trunk Element 43b First branch element 43c First branch element 44 Second detector 44a Second trunk element 44b Second branch element 44c Second branch element 45 First wire 45a Lead wire 45b Link wire 46b Second wire 46a Lead wire 46b Link Conductive wire 48 Dummy electrode 50 Conductive mesh 51 Conductive thin wire 52 Opening region 53 Disconnected point 54 Branch point 55 Connection element 60 Reference pattern 62 Opening region 64 Branch point 65 Connection element 68 Contour 70 Reference pattern 72 Opening region 74 Intersection 75 Line segment 80 Conductive metal layer 81 Dark color layer 82 Resist pattern

Claims (5)

Comprising a sensing electrode comprising a conductive mesh defining a plurality of open areas;
The conductive mesh, Ri Do the first and second directions of the arranged conductive fine line in the pattern defining an opening region hexagonal shape are arranged at a constant pitch in each orthogonal,
The centers of the plurality of opening regions arranged in the first direction are arranged in parallel to the first direction,
The centers of the plurality of opening regions arranged in the second direction are arranged in parallel to the second direction,
The pattern includes a plurality of connecting elements extending between two branch points to define the open area;
The two open regions adjacent in the first direction share one first connecting element extending between the two branch points, and the two open regions adjacent in the second direction are A touch panel sensor sharing one second connection element extending between the two branch points .   The touch panel sensor according to claim 1, wherein an arrangement pitch of the hexagonal opening areas in the first direction and an arrangement pitch of the hexagonal opening areas in the second direction are the same. A plurality of detection electrodes are provided;
The conductive mesh included in the plurality of detection electrodes is a pattern in which a disconnection portion is provided in a reference pattern that defines a hexagonal shape arranged at a constant pitch in each of a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to each other. The touch panel sensor according to claim 1, wherein the touch panel sensor is formed by the conductive thin wires arranged.   A touch panel device comprising the touch panel sensor according to claim 1.   The display apparatus provided with the touch-panel sensor as described in any one of Claims 1-3.

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