JP2013125287A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device which allows the reduction of input load of an input part.SOLUTION: An input device 1 includes a first transparent substrate 10, a first electrode layer 11 formed on the first transparent substrate 10, a second transparent substrate disposed so as to face the input surface side of the first transparent substrate 10, and a second electrode layer 21 formed on the second transparent substrate 20. The first transparent substrate 10 and the second transparent substrate 20 are arranged so that the first electrode layer 11 and the second electrode layer 21 face each other with a space therebetween, and an input part 31 allowing an input with depressing operation is formed on the first transparent substrate 10 and the second transparent substrate 20. The first electrode layer 11 and the second electrode layer 21 are formed in the input part 31 and on the outer periphery of the input part 31, and a distance between the first electrode layer 11 and the second electrode layer 21 in the input part 31 is shorter than that on the outer periphery of the input part 31.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly, to an input device in which a pair of transparent base materials are bonded together with a space.

  Currently, as a display unit of a portable electronic device or the like, a translucent input device for performing coordinate input by operating with a finger while visually recognizing a menu item or an object of a display image is used. There are various methods for operating such an input device. For example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose a resistance film type input device.

  The input devices described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are used by being overlapped on a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and a translucent region in which an image of the display device can be visually recognized and a frame-like non-circular surrounding the translucent region A translucent region is formed. A touch input unit capable of inputting input position information while visually recognizing an image of the display device is formed in the light transmitting region of the input device, and a switch input unit is formed in a part of the non-light transmitting region. . The switch input unit is an input unit that can input operations such as a call function.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional resistance film type input device 101. FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing the problem of the input device 101 of the conventional example. The input device 101 of the conventional example is configured to include a first transparent base material 110 and a second transparent base material 120, and the first transparent base material 110 and the second transparent base material 120 include a wiring part 146. Through which a space is provided. A decorative film 150 is provided on the input surface side of the second transparent substrate 120, and a light-transmitting region and a non-light-transmitting region are separated by a colored decorative layer 151.

  Moreover, the 1st electrode layer 111 and the 2nd electrode layer 121 are each formed in the surface where the 1st transparent base material 110 and the 2nd transparent base material 120 oppose. When an arbitrary position on the surface of the touch input unit 131 is pressed, the second transparent base material 120 and the decorative film 150 are deformed to the first transparent base material 110 side, and a pair of electrode layers come into contact with each other. The input position information can be detected by reading the resistance value change at the contact point. Similarly, in the switch input unit 132, when the switch input unit 132 is pressed, the second transparent substrate 120 is deformed to the first transparent substrate 110 side, and the first electrode layer 111 and the second electrode layer 121 are deformed. And contact. Thereby, the input information of the switch input unit 132 can be detected.

International Publication No. 2011/021406 International Publication No. 2009/025269

  Since the resistance film type input device 101 performs an input operation by pressing and bringing the electrode layers into contact with each other, an input load that at least deforms the second transparent substrate 120 and the decorative film 150 is required. . Further, since the touch input unit 131 may perform a continuous input operation such as handwritten character input, it is preferable that a smoother and more comfortable input operation can be realized. Therefore, it is desired to reduce the input load.

  In addition, the switch input unit 132 has a very small area compared to the touch input unit 131 and is formed with an area that can be pressed with a finger or the like. Therefore, during the input operation of the switch input unit 132, in order to deform the second transparent substrate 120 and bring the opposing electrode layers into contact with each other, a large input load is applied so as to bend the second transparent substrate 120 more greatly. is necessary. Therefore, the switch input unit 132 is also required to further reduce the input load.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the interelectrode distance between the first electrode layer 111 and the second electrode layer 121 is regulated by the height of the wiring part 146 disposed around the touch input part 131 and the switch input part 132. Yes. As a method of reducing the input load of the touch input unit 131 and the switch input unit 132, it is effective to reduce the distance between the first electrode layer 111 and the second electrode layer 121 by reducing the height of the wiring unit 146. It is. However, the wiring unit 146 includes each wiring layer for extracting input signals from the touch input unit 131 and the switch input unit 132, a resist layer for ensuring electrical insulation between the wiring layers, the first transparent substrate 110 and the first transparent substrate 110. 2 A structure in which an adhesive layer or the like for bonding the transparent substrate 120 is laminated (not shown in FIG. 7). Therefore, if the wiring portion 146 is lowered in height, each wiring layer must be thinned, and the connection reliability is lowered due to an increase in resistance value or occurrence of disconnection. Further, when the resist layer is thinned, there arises a problem that insulation between wiring layers cannot be secured. For this reason, it is difficult to reduce the input load by reducing the height of the wiring portion 146.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide an input device capable of reducing an input load of an input unit.

  An input device according to the present invention includes a first transparent base material, a first electrode layer formed on the first transparent base material, and a second transparent base material disposed opposite to the input surface side of the first transparent base material. And a second electrode layer formed on the second transparent substrate, and the first transparent substrate and the first transparent substrate so that the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer face each other with a space provided therebetween. The second transparent base material is disposed, and the first transparent base material and the second transparent base material are provided with an input portion that can be input by a pressing operation, and the first electrode layer and the second transparent base material The second electrode layer is formed on the outer periphery of the input unit and the input unit, and the second electrode layer in the input unit with respect to the distance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer on the outer periphery of the input unit. The distance between one electrode layer and the second electrode layer is small.

  According to this, since the distance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer in the input unit can be reduced, the amount of deformation of the second transparent substrate disposed on the input surface side can be reduced during the input operation. can do. Therefore, the input load of the input unit can be reduced.

  According to the input device of the present invention, a wiring part is provided between the first transparent base material and the second transparent base material on an outer periphery of the input part, and the wiring part is provided with the first part. A first wiring layer connected to the electrode layer; a second wiring layer connected to the second electrode layer; and an adhesive layer for bonding the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate together. Preferably, the distance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer in the input portion is smaller than the thickness of the wiring portion. According to this, it is possible to reduce the input load by reducing the distance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer without reducing the height of the wiring portion. That is, the thickness of each wiring layer constituting the wiring portion can be maintained to prevent an increase in resistance value of each wiring layer and the occurrence of disconnection, and the distance between the wiring layers can be maintained to ensure insulation between the wiring layers. it can. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the input load of the input part and to ensure the electrical reliability of the wiring part.

  According to the input device of the present invention, the input portion of the first transparent substrate is formed with a protruding surface that protrudes toward the second transparent substrate, and at least the first electrode is formed on the protruding surface. It is preferred that a layer is formed. According to this, it is possible to reduce the distance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer in the input portion by forming the protruding surface. Further, the distance between the electrode layers can be reduced without changing the configuration of the second transparent substrate side disposed on the input surface side. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the input load without reducing the rigidity of the second transparent base material, and it is possible to prevent deterioration of the appearance and durability of the input device.

  According to the input device of the present invention, the protruding surface and the base surface of the first transparent base material are connected by an inclined surface, and the first electrode layer includes the protruding surface, the inclined surface, and the It is preferable that the first transparent substrate is formed over the base surface. If it carries out like this, the connection reliability of a 1st electrode layer can be obtained reliably from the base surface of the 1st transparent base material in which the protrusion surface is not formed to a protrusion surface. Moreover, in the manufacturing process of the first electrode layer, it is easy to form the first electrode layer in the same process over the base surface and the protruding surface of the first transparent base material on which the protruding surface is not formed, This leads to a reduction in manufacturing costs.

  In the input device of the present invention, the distance between the first electrode layer formed on the projecting surface and the second electrode layer facing the projecting surface is the base surface of the first transparent base material. It is preferable that the distance is smaller than the distance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer facing the base surface. According to this, the second transparent base material is deformed by the pressing operation at the time of the input operation, and the first electrode layer formed on the protruding surface and the second electrode layer facing the protruding surface are in contact with each other. Is detected. Therefore, the distance between the first electrode layer formed on the protruding surface in the input portion and the second electrode layer facing the protruding surface can be reduced, and the input load can be reduced.

  According to the input device of the present invention, it is preferable that the protruding surface has a flat surface substantially parallel to the second transparent base material. According to this, it becomes possible to provide the distance between electrodes in an input part uniformly, and can suppress the dispersion | variation in the input load in the operation surface of an input part.

  According to the input device of the present invention, it is preferable that the wiring portion is provided so as to surround the input portion. According to this, the distance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer is held by the wiring portion at the peripheral portion of the input portion. Therefore, even when the electrode interlayer distance is reduced, the input load can be kept constant over the periphery of the input portion.

  According to the input device of the present invention, the first transparent base material and the second transparent base material are formed with a frame-shaped non-light-transmitting region and an inner light-transmitting region of the non-light-transmitting region. Preferably, the input unit is a switch input unit formed in a part of the non-light-transmitting region. Since the switch input part is formed with a small area and it is necessary to bend the second transparent base material more greatly during the input operation, it is possible to effectively reduce the input load and perform the switch input operation. .

  According to the input device of the present invention, the first transparent base material and the second transparent base material are formed with a frame-shaped non-light-transmitting region and an inner light-transmitting region of the non-light-transmitting region. Preferably, the input unit is a touch input unit formed in the light-transmitting region. According to this, it is possible to provide a resistance film type input device capable of reducing input load of the touch input unit and smoothly performing various input operations such as handwritten character input.

  According to the input device of the present invention, since the distance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer in the input unit can be reduced, the second transparent base material disposed on the input surface side during the input operation can be used. The amount of deformation can be reduced. Therefore, the input load of the input unit can be reduced.

It is a perspective view of the input device in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the 1st transparent substrate which constitutes the input device of an embodiment. It is a top view of the 2nd transparent substrate which constitutes the input device of an embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the input device cut | disconnected in the location corresponding to the IV-IV line | wire of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the input device cut | disconnected in the location corresponding to the VV line | wire of FIG. It is the elements on larger scale of the switch input part vicinity which show the modification of the input device of embodiment. It is a schematic cross section for demonstrating the subject of the input device of a prior art example.

  In FIG. 1, the perspective view of the input device 1 in embodiment of this invention is shown. In the drawings, the ratio of dimensions is appropriately changed for the sake of explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the input device 1 of the present embodiment, a first transparent base material 10 and a second transparent base material 20 are laminated via a first adhesive layer (not shown). And the decoration film 50 is affixed on the input surface side of the 2nd transparent base material 20 through the 2nd adhesion layer (not shown).

  A colored decorative layer 51 is formed in a frame shape on the decorative film 50, and the light-transmitting region 43 and the non-light-transmitting region 44 are divided by the decorative layer 51. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1, the input device 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a frame-shaped non-translucent area 44 and a translucent area 43 inside the non-translucent area 44. The input device 1 is stacked on the display surface side of a display device (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display or an OLED panel, and an operator passes a display image or character information from the display device through a light-transmitting region 43 of the input device 1. It can be visually recognized. In the input device 1 of the present embodiment, the touch input unit 31 is formed in a region that substantially overlaps the light-transmitting region 43 in plan view. The input device 1 is a so-called resistive film type touch panel, and when an arbitrary position on the surface of the touch input unit 31 is pressed, input position information is detected at that position.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a switch input unit 32 is formed in a part of the non-light-transmissive region 44. The switch input unit 32 is, for example, an input unit that operates a call function of a mobile phone device, and can perform an input operation independently of the touch input unit 31. The area of the switch input unit 32 is such that it can be pressed with a finger or a pen-like input instrument, and the switch input unit 32 is formed with a smaller area than the touch input unit 31. In this embodiment, the switch input unit 32 is formed at two places in the non-input area 44 on the Y2 side, but the position and number are not particularly limited, and one or more than three places are provided. There is also.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the first transparent substrate 10, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the second transparent substrate 20. 2 and FIG. 3 are views as viewed from the input surface side, and each electrode layer, wiring layer, etc. in FIG. 3 are shown through the second transparent substrate 20. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first electrode layer 11 (11 a, 11 b) is formed on the touch input unit 31 and the switch input unit 32 of the first transparent substrate 10. Further, in the non-light-transmitting region 44 of the first transparent base material 10, a first wiring layer 12 a for extracting input information of the touch input unit 31 and a first wiring layer for extracting input information of the switch input unit 32. 12b is routed. The first electrode layer 11 (11a, 11b) is also formed on the outer periphery of the touch input unit 31 and the outer periphery of the switch input unit 32 in order to connect to the first wiring layer 12 (12a, 12b).

  The first wiring layer 12a is formed so as to surround the light transmitting region 43, and the first wiring layer 12a disposed in the non-light transmitting region 44 on the X1 side and the non-light transmitting region 44 on the X2 side includes the first electrode. The layer 11a is disposed so as to sandwich the X1-X2 direction and is connected to the first electrode layer 11a. Then, the first wiring layer 12 a is drawn out to the non-light-transmitting region 44 on the Y1 side and connected to the first connection portion 13. The first wiring layer 12a disposed in the non-light-transmitting region 44 on the Y2 side and extending in the X1-X2 direction has a constant inter-substrate distance between the first transparent substrate 10 and the second transparent substrate 20. This is a dummy wiring layer provided for the purpose. Further, the first wiring layer 12 b for drawing out the input information of the switch input unit 32 is routed to the non-light-transmissive region 44. The first wiring layer 12 b is connected to the first electrode layer 11 b of the switch input unit 32, and is connected to the first connection unit 13 by being routed through the non-light-transmitting regions 44 on the X1 side and the X2 side.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, the second electrode layer 21a is formed on the touch input portion 31 and the outer periphery thereof of the second transparent substrate 20, and the second electrode layer is formed on the switch input portion 32 and the outer periphery thereof. 21b is formed. Then, in the non-light-transmissive region 44 of the second transparent substrate 20, a second wiring layer 22a connected to the second electrode layer 21a and a second wiring layer 22b connected to the second electrode layer 21b are formed. ing. The second wiring layer 22a disposed in the non-light-transmitting region 44 on the Y1 side and the Y2 side is disposed so as to sandwich the second electrode layer 21a in the Y1-Y2 direction, and is connected to the second electrode layer 21a. . The second wiring layer 22a connected to the second electrode layer 21a in the non-light-transmitting region 44 on the Y2 side is routed through the non-light-transmitting region 44 on the X2 side and connected to the second connection portion 23. The second wiring layer 22a on the Y1 side is connected to the second electrode layer 21a and to the second connection layer 23. The second wiring layer 22b for extracting the input information of the switch input unit 32 is connected to the second electrode layer 21b, and is routed through the non-light-transmitting region 44 on the X1 side to the second connection unit 23. It is connected.

  The first transparent substrate 10 shown in FIG. 2 is formed of a transparent resin material, and for example, a resin material such as PC (polycarbonate) or PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate resin) can be used. The first transparent base material 10 is formed with a thickness of about 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm so as to have rigidity capable of supporting a pressing force during an input operation. Moreover, the 2nd transparent base material 20 arrange | positioned at the input surface side shown in FIG. 3 uses the film-form resin material which has flexibility, for example, transparent resin films, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) Is used. The thickness is about 50 μm to 200 μm.

The first electrode layer 11 (11a, 11b) and the second electrode layer 21 (21a, 21b) are both transparent conductive materials such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), SnO ₂ , and ZnO that are transparent to visible light. Is used. The first electrode layer 11 and the second electrode layer 21 can be formed by a thin film method such as sputtering or vapor deposition. In addition to the thin film method, a transparent conductive film is formed by preparing a film on which a transparent conductive film is formed in advance and transferring the transparent conductive film to a substrate, or applying and drying a liquid raw material. Examples thereof include a coating method.

  The first electrode layer 11a and the first electrode layer 11b shown in FIG. 2 can be formed using different materials in different steps, but are formed in the same step using a common transparent conductive material. It is preferable that the manufacturing cost be reduced. In this case, a transparent conductive material is formed on the surface of the first transparent substrate 10 by a thin film method or a transfer method, and then unnecessary portions are removed by laser trimming, etching, or the like, whereby the first electrode layer 11a. And the first electrode layer 11b are separated. Similarly, the second electrode layer 21a and the second electrode layer 21b shown in FIG. 3 can be formed in the same process.

  Moreover, the 1st wiring layer 12 and the 2nd wiring layer 22 can be formed by the screen printing method, the inkjet printing method, etc. using the printing ink containing electroconductive materials, such as Ag and Cu.

<Touch input section>
4 shows a cross-sectional view of the input device 1 cut at a location corresponding to the line IV-IV in FIG. 1, and particularly shows a cross-sectional view of the touch input unit 31. FIG. In this specification, the touch input unit 31 is a region that substantially overlaps the light-transmitting region 43 in plan view, and the first electrode layer 11a and the second electrode layer 21a surrounded by the wiring unit 46 are spaces. To provide a region oppositely disposed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the input device 1 of this embodiment, the 1st transparent base material 10 and the 2nd transparent base material 20 provide the space, and are opposingly arranged, and the 1st electrode layer 11a and the 2nd electrode It arrange | positions so that the layer 21a may oppose. Further, the first transparent substrate 10 and the second transparent substrate 20 are bonded together via a first adhesive layer 53 and a resist layer 52 provided in the non-light-transmitting region 44.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first wiring layers 12 a and 12 b formed on the first transparent base material 10 and the second wiring layers 22 a and 22 b formed on the second transparent base material 20 overlap in plan view. Is arranged. As a result, the area of the non-transparent region 44 of the input device 1 can be reduced, which is effective for narrowing the frame of the input device 1. The resist layer 52 is provided in order to reliably obtain electrical insulation between the wiring layers formed on the first transparent substrate 10 and the second transparent substrate 20. Further, the first transparent base material 10 and the second transparent base material 20 are bonded together by the first adhesive layer 53 disposed so as to overlap the resist layer 52. Note that two or more resist layers 52 may be provided as necessary.

  Between the 1st transparent base material 10 and the 2nd transparent base material 20, the wiring part 46 comprised by having each wiring layer, the resist layer 52, and the 1st adhesion layer 53 is interposing, and a wiring part The total thickness of 46 determines the distance between the first transparent substrate 10 and the second transparent substrate 20. For example, in the present embodiment, the total thickness of the wiring portion 46 is formed to be about 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.1 and FIG.4, the decorating film 50 is laminated | stacked through the 2nd adhesion layer 54 at the input surface side of the 2nd transparent base material 20. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the operator can perform an input operation by directly pressing the surface of the decorative film 50. A colored decorative layer 51 is formed on the decorative film 50, and the decorative layer 51 can prevent the operator from directly viewing the wiring portion 46 and the like. A transparent resin film such as PET is used for the decorative film 50 as in the second transparent substrate 20.

  In an input operation of the touch input unit 31, when an arbitrary portion of the translucent region 43 of the decorative film 50 is pressed, the decorative film 50 and the second transparent base material 20 are flexed integrally with the first transparent base material 10 side. Thus, the first electrode layer 11a and the second electrode layer 21a are in contact with each other. A voltage is applied to each of the first electrode layer 11a and the second electrode layer 21a, and the input position coordinates are detected by the voltage division ratio generated according to the contact position.

  In the present embodiment, the touch input portion 31 of the first transparent base material 10 is formed with a convex portion 35 that protrudes toward the second transparent base material 20, and the first electrode layer 11 a protrudes from the convex portion 35. The surface 37a and the projecting surface 37a are formed over the base surface 37b of the first transparent substrate 10 on which the surface 37a and the protruding surface 37a are not formed. Moreover, the 2nd electrode layer 21a is formed in the 2nd transparent base material 20 so that the 1st electrode layer 11a may be opposed. Therefore, the distance between the first electrode layer 11a formed on the protruding surface 37a and the second electrode layer 21a facing the protruding surface 37a is the first electrode layer formed on the base surface 37b of the first transparent base material 10. 11a and the distance between the second electrode layer 21a facing the base surface 37b. That is, the distance between the electrode layers in the touch input unit 31 is smaller than the distance between the electrode layers in the outer periphery of the touch input unit 31. Thereby, at the time of input operation, the deformation amount of the 2nd transparent base material 20 and the decorating film 50 can be made small, and it becomes possible to reduce the input load of the touch input part 31. FIG. In addition, the input device 1 that can comfortably perform various input operations such as handwritten character input in the input operation of the touch input unit 31 can be provided.

  In addition, the distance between the first electrode layer 11a and the second electrode layer 21a in the touch input unit 31 is made smaller than the thickness of the wiring unit 46 formed so as to surround the touch input unit 31. ing. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the distance between the pair of electrode layers in the touch input unit 31 without reducing the height of the wiring unit 46. In other words, the thickness of the first wiring layer 12 (12a, 12b) and the second wiring layer 22a constituting the wiring portion 46 is maintained, and an increase in resistance value and disconnection of each wiring layer are prevented to ensure electrical connection reliability. In addition, the thickness of the resist layer 52 and the first adhesive layer 53 can be ensured and the insulation between the wiring layers can be ensured. Thereby, while reducing the input load of the touch input part 31, the electrical reliability of the wiring part 46 is securable.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the first wiring layer 12 (12a, 12b) and the second wiring layer 22 (22a, 22b) can each have a thickness of about 10 μm to 20 μm, and the electrical connection reliability is high. Secured. Further, the resist layer 52 can be formed with a thickness of about 20 μm to 30 μm, and electrical insulation between the opposing wiring layers can be reliably obtained.

  Moreover, as a method of reducing the input load, a method of reducing the rigidity by changing the thickness or material of the second transparent base material 20 may be used. However, in this case, the sagging or dent of the second transparent base material 20 occurs, and the input device 1 cannot be maintained and the distance between the first electrode layer 11a and the second electrode layer 21a cannot be maintained, thereby realizing the input function. There is a risk that it will not be possible. In the present embodiment, the distance between the electrode layers can be reduced without changing the configuration of the second transparent base material 20 and the decorative film 50 arranged on the input surface side or changing to a material with low rigidity. Further, it is possible to prevent the durability and environmental resistance of the input device 1 from being lowered and the appearance from being deteriorated.

  In the present embodiment, the protruding surface 37a and the base surface 37b of the first transparent base material 10 where the protruding surface 37a is not formed are connected by an inclined surface 37c. And the 1st electrode layer 11a is formed over the protrusion surface 37a, the inclined surface 37c, and the base surface 37b of a 1st transparent base material. In the present embodiment, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 37c can be formed to about 5 ° to 20 °. By so doing, the base surface 37b and the projecting surface 37a of the first transparent substrate 10 are gently connected, so that the occurrence of cracks and disconnections in the first electrode layer 11a can be prevented. Moreover, when forming the 1st electrode layer 11, the 1st electrode layer 11 is formed in the same process over the base surface 37b of the 1st transparent base material 10 in which the protrusion surface 37a and the protrusion surface 37a are not formed. It is easy to do and leads to reduction of manufacturing cost.

  Further, the protruding surface 37 a is formed to have a flat surface that faces the second transparent substrate 20 substantially in parallel. Therefore, the distance between the electrodes can be provided uniformly within the area of the touch input unit 31, and variations in the input load within the operation surface are suppressed.

  Although the height of the convex part 35 in the touch input part 31 is not specifically limited, For example, it can form in about 1/2 with respect to the thickness of the wiring part 46. FIG. By doing so, the electrode interlayer distance in the touch input unit 31 is reduced to about ½, and the input load is sufficiently reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the touch input unit 31 substantially overlaps the translucent region 43 in plan view has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this aspect, and the touch input unit 31 is formed in a part of the non-translucent region 44. The same effect is achieved even when

<Switch input section>
FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the input device 1 cut at a location corresponding to the line VV in FIG. 1, and shows a partially enlarged cross-sectional view in the vicinity of the switch input portion 32. As shown in FIG. 1, there are cases where the switch input unit 32 is provided at a plurality of locations, but since all have the same configuration, only one switch input unit 32 will be described. In the present specification, the switch input unit 32 is a region surrounded by the wiring units 46 and 47 and in which the first electrode layer 11b and the second electrode layer 21b are arranged to face each other with a space.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the switch input unit 32, the first electrode layer 11 b formed on the first transparent substrate 10 and the second electrode layer 21 b formed on the second transparent substrate 20 divide the space. It is provided and opposed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a first wiring layer 12b and a second wiring layer 22b for extracting input information of the switch input unit 32 are formed. The first wiring layer 12b and the second wiring layer 22b are stacked so as to substantially overlap each other on the opposing surfaces of the first transparent substrate 10 and the second transparent substrate 20 in plan view. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first wiring layer 12b is formed so as to surround the switch input portion 32 and is connected to the first electrode layer 11b. Similarly, the second wiring layer 22b is connected to the second electrode layer 21b.

  Around the switch input unit 32, a wiring unit 47 is provided between the first transparent substrate 10 and the second transparent substrate 20. In addition, the wiring part 47 includes the first wiring layers 12a and 12b, the second wiring layers 22a and 22b, the resist layer 52, the adhesive layer 53, and the like. As shown in FIG. 5, the wiring unit 47 is configured by a partly common member with the wiring unit 46 of the touch input unit 31, and the wiring unit 46 of the touch input unit 31 is in the vicinity of the switch input unit 32. Is arranged. The total thickness of the wiring part 47 is formed with a thickness equivalent to that of the wiring part 46 of the touch input unit 31.

  In the input operation of the switch input unit 32, when the surface of the switch input unit 32 is pressed, the decorative film 50 and the second transparent base material 20 are bent toward the first transparent base material 10 to face the first electrode layer 11b facing each other. And the second electrode layer 21b come into contact with each other. Input information is detected by contact between the electrode layers.

  The area of the switch input unit 32 is such that it can be pressed with a finger or the like, and is formed with an area smaller than that of the touch input unit 31. The switch input unit 32 includes the first transparent substrate 10 and the second transparent substrate 20 that are common to the touch input unit 31. Therefore, in the input device 101 of the conventional example, compared with the touch input unit 131, it is necessary to bend the second transparent base material 120 and the decorative film 150 more greatly during the input operation of the switch input unit 132, which is larger. There was a problem that an input load was necessary.

  In the present embodiment, like the touch input unit 31, the switch input unit 32 is formed with a convex portion 36 that protrudes toward the second transparent substrate 20. The first electrode layer 11b is formed on the projecting surface 38a of the convex portion 36 and the base portion 38b of the first transparent base material 10 where the projecting surface 38a is not formed, and the second electrode facing the projecting surface 38a and the base portion 38b. A second electrode layer 21 b is formed on the transparent substrate 20. Thereby, since the distance between the electrode layers in the switch input unit 32 is smaller than the distance between the electrode layers on the outer periphery of the switch input unit 32, the second transparent substrate 20 is input during the input operation of the switch input unit 32. And the deformation amount of the decorative film 50 can be made small. Therefore, even in an input unit with a small area such as the switch input unit 32, it is possible to effectively reduce the input load during the input operation.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the distance between the first electrode layer 11b and the second electrode layer 21b in the switch input unit 32 can be reduced with respect to the total thickness of the wiring portion 47. That is, the distance between the electrodes in the switch input unit 32 can be reduced without reducing the height of the wiring unit 47. In the present embodiment, the first wiring layers 12a and 12b and the second wiring layers 22a and 22b can each have a thickness of about 10 μm to 20 μm, thereby preventing an increase in resistance value and disconnection of each wiring layer. Thus, electrical connection reliability is ensured. Further, the resist layer 52 can be formed with a thickness of about 20 μm to 30 μm, and electrical insulation between opposing wiring layers can be obtained with certainty.

  As a method of reducing the input load of the switch input unit 32, for example, a method of reducing the rigidity such as increasing the area of the switch input unit 32 or thinning the second transparent base material 20 and the decorative film 50 has been studied. However, it is not preferable to increase the area of the switch input unit 32 because it is contrary to downsizing and narrowing of the input device 1. Further, when the rigidity of the second transparent base material 20 and the decorative film 50 is reduced, the second transparent base material 20 is bent and bent due to the repeated input operation of the switch input unit 32, and the appearance defect and the input There is a risk of functional failures.

  In the input device 1 of the present embodiment, the first transparent base material 10 is provided with the projecting surface 38a, and the distance between the electrode layers facing each other in the switch input unit 32 is reduced, so that the electrical reliability in the wiring units 46 and 47 is achieved. The input load at the switch input unit 32 can be reduced while ensuring the performance. Therefore, the input load of the switch input unit 32 can be reduced without increasing the area of the switch input unit 32 and reducing the rigidity of the second transparent base material 20. According to this, narrowing of the frame of the input device 1 can be realized, deterioration of the second transparent base material 20 due to repeated input can be suppressed, durability of the input device 1 and deterioration of environmental resistance, Occurrence of defects in appearance and deterioration of aesthetics can be suppressed.

  The height of the convex portion 36 in the switch input portion 32 is not particularly limited, but can be formed to be about ½ of the thickness of the wiring portion 47, for example. By doing so, the electrode interlayer distance in the switch input section 32 can be reduced to about ½, so that the input load is effectively reduced in the switch input section 32 having a small input area.

  Similarly to the touch input unit 31 shown in FIG. 4, also in the switch input unit 32, the projecting surface 38a and the base surface 38b of the first transparent base material 10 on which the projecting surface 38a is not formed are inclined surfaces 38c. The first electrode layer 11b is formed across the base surface 38b, the inclined surface 38c, and the protruding surface 38a of the first transparent substrate 10 on which the protruding surface 38a is not formed. By providing the inclined surface 38c, it is possible to reliably perform electrical connection while suppressing the occurrence of cracks and disconnections in the first electrode layer 11b.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the protruding surface 38a is formed as a flat surface substantially parallel to the second transparent substrate 20. The wiring part 47 is formed so as to surround the switch input part 32. As a result, the distance between the electrodes can be kept uniform within the area of the switch input section 32, and variations in input sensitivity within the operation surface are suppressed. Further, by forming the wiring part 47 around, the voltage distribution in the area of the switch input part 32 can be reduced, and the variation in input sensitivity can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the wiring portion 47 of this embodiment, the first adhesive layer 53 is laminated so as to have a step with the resist layer 52. The inner end portion of the first adhesive layer 53 is provided at a position farther from the switch input portion 32 than the inner end portion of the resist layer 52. Since the switch input part 32 is formed with a small area, it is necessary to deform the decorative film 50 and the second transparent base material 20 in the switch input part 32 in the vicinity of the wiring part 47, and the input load increases. Tend. According to the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the thickness of the wiring portion 47 in the vicinity of the switch input portion 32 can be reduced. Therefore, even in the vicinity of the wiring portion 47 of the switch input portion 32, an input operation is performed with a reduced input load. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to increase the area where the switch input unit 32 can be effectively used. Even in such a configuration, the configuration of the first wiring layers 12a and 12b, the second wiring layers 22a and 22b, and the resist layer 52 is not thinned or narrowed. And insulation is ensured.

  Such a configuration of the wiring portion 47 can also be applied to the touch input unit 31 shown in FIG. 4, and the input load at the peripheral portion of the touch input unit 31 is similarly reduced.

  In the input device 1 of the present embodiment, the first transparent substrate 10 can be formed by injection molding using a resin material such as PC or PMMA. Therefore, the convex part 35 and the convex part 36 are formed by the injection molding method in the same process as the base part of the first transparent substrate 10. By forming by the injection molding method, it is easy to control the protruding amount and shape of the convex portion 35 and the convex portion 36, and appropriately control the distance between the electrode layers in the touch input portion 31 and the switch input portion 32. Can do. In addition, by forming by the injection molding method, it is possible to easily form the convex portions 35 and the convex portions 36 by changing the mold, and the other manufacturing processes do not require major changes and are the same as the conventional ones. It can be manufactured by the process. Thereby, the increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

<Modification of switch input unit>
FIG. 6 shows a modified example of the input device 1 of the present embodiment, and particularly shows a partially enlarged sectional view of the switch input unit 32. In the present embodiment, the third electrode layer 39 is laminated on the first electrode layer 11 b of the switch input unit 32. Even in such a configuration, the distance between the electrode layers facing each other in the switch input unit 32 can be reduced with respect to the distance between the electrode layers in the outer periphery of the switch input unit 32, and thus the input load can be reduced. . In addition, since the input load at the switch input unit 32 is reduced without reducing the height of the wiring unit 47, the electrical reliability of the wiring unit 47 can be ensured.

  In FIG. 6, the third electrode layer 39 is formed on the first transparent substrate 10 side, but may be formed on both the first transparent substrate 10 and the second transparent substrate 20. In this case, since the distance between the electrode layers in the switch input unit 32 is further reduced, the input load is further reduced.

  The third electrode layer 39 can be formed by using a printing ink containing a conductive material, for example, by a screen printing method or an inkjet printing method. Further, the distance between the electrode layers in the touch input unit 31 can be reduced by applying the transparent conductive material to the touch input unit 31.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input device 10 1st transparent base material 11, 11a, 11b 1st electrode layer 12, 12a, 12b 1st wiring layer 20 2nd transparent base material 21, 21a, 21b 2nd electrode layer 22, 22a, 22b 2nd wiring Layer 31 Touch input unit 32 Switch input unit 35, 36 Protruding part 37a, 38a Projecting surface 37b, 38b Base surface 37c, 38c Inclined surface 39 Third electrode layer 43 Translucent region 44 Non-transparent region 46, 47 Wiring unit 50 Addition Decorative film 52 Resist layer 53 First adhesive layer 54 Second adhesive layer

Claims (9)

A first transparent substrate;
A first electrode layer formed on the first transparent substrate;
A second transparent substrate disposed opposite to the input surface side of the first transparent substrate;
A second electrode layer formed on the second transparent substrate,
The first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate are arranged so that the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are opposed to each other with a space,
The first transparent base material and the second transparent base material are formed with an input portion that can be input by a pressing operation,
The first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are formed on the outer periphery of the input unit and the input unit,
For the distance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer on the outer periphery of the input unit,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer in the input unit is small. In the outer periphery of the input part, a wiring part is provided between the first transparent base material and the second transparent base material,
The wiring portion includes a first wiring layer connected to the first electrode layer, a second wiring layer connected to the second electrode layer, the first transparent base material, and the second transparent base material. An adhesive layer for bonding, and a laminated body comprising
The input device according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer in the input unit is smaller than a thickness of the wiring unit.   The input portion of the first transparent substrate is formed with a protruding surface protruding toward the second transparent substrate, and at least the first electrode layer is formed on the protruding surface. The input device according to claim 2.   The projecting surface and the base surface of the first transparent substrate are connected by an inclined surface, and the first electrode layer includes the projecting surface, the inclined surface, and the base surface of the first transparent substrate. The input device according to claim 3, wherein the input device is formed over the entire area.   The distance between the first electrode layer formed on the projecting surface and the second electrode layer facing the projecting surface is the same as the distance between the first electrode layer formed on the base surface of the first transparent substrate and the base. The input device according to claim 3, wherein the input device is smaller than a distance to the second electrode layer facing the surface.   The input device according to claim 3, wherein the projecting surface is formed to have a flat surface substantially parallel to the second transparent base material.   The input device according to claim 2, wherein the wiring unit is provided so as to surround the input unit. The first transparent base material and the second transparent base material are formed with a frame-shaped non-light-transmitting region and an inner light-transmitting region of the non-light-transmitting region,
The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the input unit is a switch input unit formed in a part of the non-light-transmitting region. The first transparent base material and the second transparent base material are formed with a frame-shaped non-light-transmitting region and an inner light-transmitting region of the non-light-transmitting region,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is a touch input unit formed in the translucent region.