JP2012059168A - Panel type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a panel type input device in which making an instruction input unit flat and thin improves adhesion between the instruction input unit and a light-guiding plate, makes the whole input device thin, and improves light guiding performance, and which has a complex instruction function.SOLUTION: A panel type input device includes a sensor unit 12 having plural sensor electrodes 17, and a light-guiding unit 13 placed above the sensor unit 12. The sensor unit 12 is formed by placing the plural sensor electrodes 17 on a substrate 16 in a flat manner, where the undersurface of the light-guiding unit 13 is adhered, covering the sensor electrodes 17.

Description

  The present invention relates to a panel type input device mounted on a mobile phone, a portable information terminal or the like.

  Conventionally, sheet-shaped input devices are often used for thin electronic devices such as cellular phones. Many of such input devices include an instruction input unit (key switch unit) having a substrate having a fixed contact electrode formed on the surface and a dome-shaped movable contact electrode at a position facing the fixed contact electrode. ing. Moreover, it can be set as the structure provided with the illumination function by arrange | positioning a light-guide plate on the said key switch part, and arrange | positioning a light emitting element toward the side surface of this light-guide plate (patent documents 1, 2).

  In such a conventional input device, the overall thickness of the input device is reduced by thinly forming the substrate, the movable contact electrode, or the light guide plate.

JP 2010-340008 A JP 2009-21114 A

  The conventional key switch unit is configured to ensure a certain stroke by using a dome-shaped movable contact electrode. However, since there is a possibility that the fixed contact electrode and the movable contact electrode may be short-circuited and a sufficient click feeling cannot be obtained, there is a limit to reducing the thickness.

  In addition, since the upper surface of the key switch portion is uneven due to the dome-shaped movable contact electrode, there is a problem in that the light guide plate cannot be disposed closely. As described above, when the key switch portion and the light guide plate are not in close contact with each other and an air layer is interposed between them, the light guided through the light guide plate is absorbed by the air layer, and the light emission luminance may be reduced. there were. In addition, there is a problem in that light that is guided through the light guide plate is irregularly refracted or reflected by the air layer, causing unevenness in light emission.

  Further, since the key switch unit selects a single instruction by clicking a predetermined key switch, the instruction function is limited. Therefore, in order to form a highly functional input device having a plurality of instruction functions, the number of key switches must be increased, and there is a problem that the input device cannot be reduced in size.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to increase the adhesion with the light guide plate by making the instruction input section flat and thin, thereby reducing the thickness of the entire input device and improving the light guide function, and also providing a complicated instruction function. It is providing the panel type input device which can have.

  In order to solve the above problems, a panel-type input device of the present invention includes a sensor unit having a plurality of sensor electrodes and a light guide unit disposed above the sensor unit, and the sensor unit is mounted on a substrate. The sensor electrode is formed in a plurality of planes, and the lower surface of the light guide unit is in close contact so as to cover the sensor electrode.

  According to the panel-type input device according to the present invention, the sensor unit is constituted by a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a plane on the substrate, so that it can be formed thin and flat. As a result, the light guide unit can be disposed so as to be in close contact with the sensor unit, so that the overall thickness can be reduced and the light guide efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, since the capacitive touch sensor can be configured by the sensor electrode, it is possible to provide a complicated and various input function while being thin.

It is sectional drawing of the panel type input device of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a top view of the sensor unit which comprises the said panel type input device. It is sectional drawing of the panel type input device of 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a top view of the sensor unit which comprises the said panel type input device. It is sectional drawing of the panel type input device of 3rd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a top view of the sensor unit which comprises the said panel type input device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a panel type input device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional configuration of a main part of a panel type input device 11 according to the first embodiment. The panel type input device 11 includes a sensor unit 12, a light guide unit 13 disposed on the sensor unit 12, and a display sheet 14 disposed on the light guide unit 13. .

  FIG. 2 shows a planar configuration of the sensor unit 12. The sensor unit 12 is a projected capacitive touch panel, and includes a substrate 16 and a plurality of touch-type sensor electrodes 17 formed on substantially the entire surface of the substrate 16. The substrate 16 is made of glass, PET, polyimide, glass epoxy, etc., and is thin and flat. A touch input unit 18 on which the sensor electrodes 17 are arranged and leads on which lead patterns drawn from the sensor electrodes 17 are formed. Part 19.

  Each of the sensor electrodes 17 is formed in a square shape by a transparent electrode (ITO), copper, silver paste, a conductive polymer electrode (PEDOT), or the like. The sensor electrodes 17 are arranged so as to be connected in a line in a direction orthogonal to the X axis of the touch input unit 18 provided on the substrate 16 to form an X axis electrode 21, and a direction orthogonal to the Y axis. The Y-axis electrodes 22 are configured by arranging them in a row.

  The X-axis electrode 21 is electrically connected in the Y-axis direction, and the Y-axis electrode 22 is electrically connected in the X-axis direction through a jumper 23 so as to straddle a part of the portion to which the X-axis electrode 21 is connected. Has been. Each of the touch electrode pieces is formed in a rectangular size smaller than the fingertip to be touched, and a plurality of touch electrode pieces are arranged in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction according to the size of the touch input unit 18.

  The X-axis electrode 21 and the Y-axis electrode 22 are planarly formed in a matrix formed of X-axis coordinates and Y-axis coordinates by etching, printing, vapor deposition, sputtering, or the like. One end of the X-axis electrode 21 and the Y-axis electrode 22 formed in this manner is drawn out to a lead portion 19 provided as a lead pattern so as to protrude from one end of the substrate 16 for measuring the capacitance. Connected to a control unit (not shown).

  By touching a predetermined position on the touch input unit 18 where the X-axis electrode 21 and the Y-axis electrode 22 are arranged in a matrix with a fingertip, the capacitance of the sensor electrode 17 at the touched portion changes. By this change, the touched position coordinates can be detected, and various instructions set at the touch position can be executed.

  In the sensor unit 12 composed of such capacitive sensor electrodes 17, when the fingertip touches, the sensor unit 12 is touched by measuring the capacitance ratio of the plurality of sensor electrodes 17 in the vicinity thereof. It is possible to accurately determine the position coordinates. Further, since each touch electrode piece is detected at multiple points by the fingertip to be touched, more complicated and various instruction commands can be performed by the movement of the fingertip.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the light guide unit 13 includes a light emitting element 15 disposed on the sensor unit 12 and a light guide plate 31. A plurality of the light emitting elements 15 are provided along the outer peripheral portion of the touch input unit 18, and are arranged so that light is irradiated to the side surface of the light guide plate 31. The light guide plate 31 is disposed so as to cover the X-axis electrode 21 and the Y-axis electrode 22 arranged in a matrix. The light guide plate 31 is formed of a material excellent in light guide properties such as acrylic resin, silicon resin, polycarbonate resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin.

  Further, on the upper and lower surfaces of the light guide plate 31, transparent resin films 32 and 33 and reflection films 34 and 35 can be provided on the inner or outer surfaces of the transparent resin films 32 and 33 as needed. Instead of the reflection films 34 and 35, a transparent member having an uneven surface such as a prism may be provided. By adding the transparent resin films 32 and 33, the amount of light emitted from the light guide plate 31 toward the sensor unit 12 or the display sheet 14 can be finely adjusted. Thereby, it can adjust to the brightness which is easy to visually recognize so that the display sheet 14 may not be too dazzling or too dark. The transparent resin films 32 and 33 are formed of an acrylic resin having a light refractive index lower than that of the light guide plate 31, and the upper or lower surface or both upper and lower surfaces of the light guide plate 31 using a transparent adhesive or a transparent double-sided tape. To be joined.

  Further, by providing the reflective film 35, absorption of light emitted from below the light guide plate 31 to the sensor unit 12 and irregular reflection by the plurality of sensor electrodes 17 can be suppressed, so that the display sheet 14 can be made uniform and uniform. Can be illuminated.

  The display sheet 14 is formed of a thin glass material or a plastic sheet, and numbers, symbols, and the like corresponding to the instruction function set at each coordinate position of the touch input unit 18 of the sensor unit 12 are translucent windows 36. Printed on. By lightly touching or moving the vicinity of the window 36 with a fingertip, an instruction set for each coordinate of the touch input unit 18 can be executed.

  As described above, the sensor unit 12 is disposed below the light guide unit 13 and the display sheet 14 is disposed above the light guide unit 13, so that the light guided from the light emitting element 15 by the light guide unit 13 is the sensor unit 12. The display sheet 14 can be illuminated brightly over a wide range without being blocked.

  FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional configuration of a main part of the panel-type input device 41 in the second embodiment. The panel-type input device 41 includes a sensor unit 42, a light guide unit 43 disposed on the sensor unit 42, and a display sheet 44 disposed on the light guide unit 43. .

  The sensor unit 42 includes a substrate 46 and a plurality of sensor electrodes (a first touch electrode 47 and a second touch electrode 48) disposed on the substrate 46. Each of the touch electrodes 47 and 48 is formed by combining a pair of comb-shaped minute electrode fingers (47a, 47a) and (48a, 48b) having different polarities. In the present embodiment, the first touch electrode 47 is formed in a quadrangular shape so as to correspond to the numeric keypad, and the second touch electrode 48 is formed in a circular shape so as to correspond to the cursor key. Can be set arbitrarily. The electrode fingers having different polarities are formed so that the contour portion is intertwined through an insulating line, and the input instruction is switched by detecting the capacitance ratio on the electrode finger touched with the fingertip. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the sensor unit 42 is formed in a planar shape by the first touch electrode 47 and the second touch electrode 48, and one end of the first touch electrode 47 and the second touch electrode 48 is a lead. As a pattern, it is drawn out to a lead portion 49 provided so as to protrude from one end of the substrate 46, and is connected to a control portion (not shown) for measuring capacitance.

  Further, since the first touch electrode 47 and the second touch electrode 48 are arranged on the substrate 46 with a certain gap, the light emitting element 45 can be disposed on the gap. In this way, a plurality of light emitting elements 45 can be scattered on the substrate 46, and the first touch electrode 47 and the second touch electrode 48 can be irradiated closer to each other, thereby further improving the visibility and operability of the input position. Can be made.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the light guide unit 43 includes the light emitting element 45 and a light guide plate 51 that has a hole 50 that exposes the light emitting element 45 and is placed on the sensor unit 42. Prepare. The hole 50 is formed with a certain gap along the outer periphery of the light emitting element 45. Further, as in the first embodiment, transparent resin films 52 and 53 having a light refractive index lower than that of the light guide plate 51 are attached to the upper or lower surface of the light guide plate 51 as necessary. Furthermore, by providing the reflection films 54 and 55 directly on the lower surface of the light guide plate 51 or via the transparent electrode film 53, the upper part of the first touch electrode 47 and the second touch electrode 48 can be illuminated more brightly.

  Since the first touch electrode 47 and the second touch electrode 48 are disposed in close contact with the light guide plate 51, a change in capacitance ratio corresponding to a touch operation on the upper surface of the light guide plate 51 is easily detected. be able to. Further, since the sensor unit 42 is disposed on the lower surface of the light guide plate 51 via the reflective film 55, the light irradiated from the light guide plate 51 is not blocked, and the display sheet 44 disposed above is brightly illuminated. Can be made.

  The display sheet 44 is placed on the light guide plate 51 so as to cover the hole 50 where the light emitting element 45 is exposed. The display sheet 44 is formed of the same members as in the first embodiment, and numbers, symbols, and the like representing instruction functions assigned to the first touch electrode 47 and the second touch electrode 48 that constitute the sensor unit 42. Is described in the window part 56 which has translucency. By touching lightly with the fingertip around the window portion 56 or moving it so as to trace, the input operation set for the first touch electrode 47 and the second touch electrode 48 can be performed.

  In the sensor unit 42 of the present embodiment, all the input areas are formed by the touch electrodes by the first touch electrode 47 and the second touch electrode 48. For example, the first touch electrode 47 or the second touch electrode 48 Either one may be constituted by a click-type electrode such as a thin tact switch or a membrane switch. As described above, by appropriately combining the touch-type electrode and the click-type electrode, it is possible to perform an input operation suitable for the input function of the electronic device to be mounted.

  5 and 6 show a cross-sectional configuration of the panel type input device 61 of the third embodiment. The panel-type input device 61 includes a sensor unit 62, a light guide unit 63 disposed on the sensor unit 62, and a key sheet 64 disposed on the light guide unit 63. .

  The sensor unit 62 includes a flexible substrate 66 composed of a lower surface 66a and an upper surface 66b facing each other so as to be folded, and a pair of sensor electrodes (planar electrodes) 67 and 68 disposed to face the lower surface 66a and the upper surface 66b. Configured. The flexible substrate 66 is formed by a thin rectangular film member having elasticity, and is folded so as to bisect the longitudinal direction so that the upper surface 66b faces the lower surface 66a. The folded lower surface 66a and upper surface 66b are maintained with a slight gap so that the pair of flat electrodes 67 and 68 do not contact each other via a double-sided tape 69 or the like having a certain thickness and sticking. This gap is a space for switching, and the upper planar electrode 68 is brought into contact with the lower planar electrode 67 by lightly pressing the portion where the planar electrode 68 is formed from the outside with a finger. Thus, electrical continuity is achieved. When the finger is released from this state, the upper planar electrode 68 returns to the original horizontal position due to the elasticity of the flexible substrate 66, and the electrical continuity is released.

  The light guide unit 63 illuminates the light guide plate 71 placed so as to be in close contact with the upper surface of the flexible substrate 66 formed so as to be folded through a transparent double-sided tape or the like, and the side surface of the light guide plate 71. And the light emitting element 65 disposed in the. Further, by arranging a reflective film 72 on the lower surface of the light guide plate 71 and bringing it into close contact with the sensor unit 62, the key sheet 64 can be illuminated more brightly.

  The key sheet 64 is formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and numbers, symbols, and the like indicating input operations on the pair of planar electrodes 67 and 68 are described. Further, a translucent window 73 is provided at a part of the key sheet 64 corresponding to the planar electrodes 67 and 68, and a reflection film 74 is formed on the upper surface of the light guide plate 71 facing the window 73. By doing so, the clicked position can be illuminated more brightly.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the clickability can be improved by providing a click sheet 76 having a pressing protrusion 75 on the lower surface of the key sheet 64. The click sheet 76 is formed of a light-transmitting resin material having flexibility, and can be bonded to the lower surface of the key sheet 64 using an adhesive or a double-sided tape. The pressing protrusion 75 is formed with a thick resin and is provided at a position corresponding to the planar electrodes 67 and 68.

  As described above, in the panel type input device of the present invention, the sensor unit is formed as a thin click type switch formed by folding a capacitive touch sensor or a flexible substrate. Since the light guide unit is disposed in close contact with each other, an illumination effect with high light guide efficiency can be obtained while being thin.

  In the above embodiment, a capacitive touch panel is used as a sensor constituting the sensor unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a touch panel using another method such as a resistive film type is used. May be.

11 Panel type input device.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Sensor unit 13 Light guide unit 14 Display sheet 15 Light emitting element 16 Board | substrate 17 Sensor electrode 18 Touch input part 19 Lead part 21 X-axis electrode 22 Y-axis electrode 23 Jumper 31 Light guide plate 32, 33 Transparent resin film 34, 35 Reflective film 36 Window part 41 Panel type input device.
42 sensor unit 43 light guide unit 44 display sheet 45 light emitting element 46 substrate 47 first touch electrode 47a, 47b electrode finger 48 second touch electrode 48a, 48b electrode finger 49 lead part 50 hole part 51 light guide plate 52, 53 transparent resin film 54,55 Reflective film 56 Window 61 Panel type input device.
62 Sensor unit 63 Light guide unit 64 Key sheet 65 Light emitting element 66 Flexible substrate 66a Lower surface 66b Upper surface 67, 68 Planar electrode 69 Double-sided tape 71 Light guide plate 72 Reflective film 73 Window part 74 Reflective film 75 Press projection 76 Click sheet

Claims (7)

A sensor unit having a plurality of sensor electrodes;
A light guide unit disposed above the sensor unit,
The sensor unit is formed by arranging a plurality of sensor electrodes on a substrate in a plane, and the lower surface of the light guide unit is in close contact so as to cover the sensor electrodes. Input device.   The sensor electrode is formed in a square shape, and is configured by arranging an X-axis electrode connected in the Y-axis direction and a Y-axis electrode connected in the X-axis direction in a matrix on the substrate. 2. The panel type input device according to 1.   The panel-type input device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor electrode is formed such that a plurality of comb-like electrode fingers having different polarities are interleaved and arranged at a predetermined position on the substrate.   The panel type input device according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is formed of a foldable flexible substrate, and a pair of planar electrodes are provided so as to be opposed to the top and bottom of the folded inner surface.   The panel-type input according to claim 1, wherein the light guide unit includes a light guide plate formed to have substantially the same planar shape as the sensor unit, and a light emitting element arranged toward a side surface of the light guide plate. apparatus.   The panel type input device according to claim 5, wherein a transparent resin film having a lower refractive index than that of the light guide plate is formed on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the light guide plate.   The panel-type input device according to claim 5, wherein the light guide plate is closely disposed on the sensor unit via a reflective film.

Images