EP3291377B1 - Wiring connection structural body and capacitive input device - Google Patents
Wiring connection structural body and capacitive input device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3291377B1 EP3291377B1 EP17184719.7A EP17184719A EP3291377B1 EP 3291377 B1 EP3291377 B1 EP 3291377B1 EP 17184719 A EP17184719 A EP 17184719A EP 3291377 B1 EP3291377 B1 EP 3291377B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- elastically deformable
- plane
- restricting
- insulator
- reinforcing board
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Links
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 80
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 claims description 50
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 24
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000010409 thin film Substances 0.000 description 2
- BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silver Chemical compound [Ag] BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005489 elastic deformation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/50—Fixed connections
- H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
- H01R12/62—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/50—Fixed connections
- H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
- H01R12/65—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/70—Coupling devices
- H01R12/7076—Coupling devices for connection between PCB and component, e.g. display
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/02—Contact members
- H01R13/22—Contacts for co-operating by abutting
- H01R13/24—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
- H01R13/665—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit
- H01R13/6683—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit with built-in sensor
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a wiring connection structural body used to connect a sheet-like wiring member and to a capacitive input device that uses the wiring connection structural body.
- a connector for FPC use is mounted on the circuit board (for example, see Fig. 10 in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-206814 ).
- US 5,707,241 A discloses a slide locking connector for making an electrical connection between a flexible circuit and a printed circuit board.
- the printed circuit board or semi-conductor device has contact pads for mating with the electrical traces of the flexible circuit.
- a mounting bar is provided and a leaf spring(s) secured thereto.
- the electrical traces of the flexible circuit that are aligned and overlie the leaf spring(s).
- Posts extend upward from the mounting bar, and the printed circuit board has slotted through holes formed therein for receiving the post.
- WO 2010/018973 A2 discloses a slidable hinge assembly and a slide-type personal digital assistant, capable of being manufactured through simplified manufacturing and assembling processes.
- the slidable hinge assembly includes a first slidable hinge unit coupled to a main body, a second slidable hinge unit coupled to a slidable unit, and mounted to be slidable relative to the first slidable hinge unit, a first connector fixed at the first slidable hinge unit, a second connector fixed at the second slidable hinge unit, and a flexible connecting member interposed between the first slidable hinge unit and the second slidable hinge unit, and which has one end thereof connected to the first connector and the other end thereof connected to the second connector.
- US 2005/026494 A1 discloses a connector for connecting a connection object which has a wiring portion, a protruding portion protruding from the wiring portion on one side thereof, and a wiring pattern extending from the wiring portion to the protruding portion.
- a housing has a main body portion provided with a receiving surface for receiving the wiring portion.
- the housing further has a side portion disposed at one side of the main body portion.
- the side portion has a receiving groove for receiving the protruding portion. A contact is held by the side portion so as to be connected to said wiring pattern of the protruding portion.
- US 2004/082211 A1 discloses a connector for connecting a contact pad of a flexible printed circuit board against terminals of an electronic component comprises a body and a reinforcing plate, wherein the body is combined with the electronic component and two parallel sliding channels are mounted on the body corresponding to two sides of the terminals of the electronic component, and the reinforcing plate is combined with the contact pad of the flexible printed circuit board so as to increase the stiffness of the contact pad, and two sides of the reinforcing plate cooperate with the two parallel sliding channels of the body, thereby connecting the contact pad of the flexible printed circuit board against the terminals of the electronic component.
- the present invention relates to a wiring connection structural body and a capacitive input device according to the appended claims.
- a connector used to connect a sheet-like wiring member such as an FPC has, for example, a mechanism in which the sheet-like wiring member is interposed and secured. Therefore, the structure of the connector is complex and large in size. This is disadvantageous in that when this type of connector is mounted on a circuit board as a part, a wide space on the circuit board is occupied by the connector. Another disadvantage is that since the mechanism of the connector has a complex structure, the connector is more expensive in relation to other parts.
- the present invention addresses the above situation by providing a simple, inexpensive wiring connection structural body and a capacitive input device having the wiring connection structural body.
- a wiring connection structural body includes a wiring member that includes an insulator, which is flexible and is formed like a sheet, and a wire formed on the insulator, at least part of the wire being exposed from the insulator; a circuit board; a conductive leaf spring mounted on the component-side surface of the circuit board; and a holding member that holds at least part of the wiring member to the circuit board so that the wire exposed from the insulator is retained at a position at which the wire is pressed by the leaf spring.
- the leaf spring and holding member are independent of cach other.
- the leaf spring mounted on the component-side surface and the holding member that holds the wiring member to the circuit board are members that are independent of each other; the leaf spring and holding member are not formed integrally. Therefore, the structure is simplified when compared with an ordinary connector in which electrodes forming contact points and a mechanism that secures wires are integrated as a single member.
- the wiring connection structural body according to the invention has a base that supports the circuit board.
- the holding member is preferably formed integrally with the base.
- the holding member is formed integrally with the base, so a part that secures the holding member to the circuit board does not need to be provided separately. Therefore, the structure is simplified.
- the wiring connection structural body according to the invention has a reinforcing board secured to the insulator.
- the holding member preferably holds the reinforcing board to the circuit board.
- the reinforcing board secured to the insulator is held to the circuit board, so the insulator is stably held to the circuit board together with the reinforcing board.
- the holding member includes: a plane disposed so as to face the component-side surface, one surface of the reinforcing board abutting the plane; a fist restricting part extending uprightly around the reinforcing board on the plane, the fist restricting part restricting the displacement of the reinforcing board in a direction along the plane; and a second restricting part disposed between the reinforcing board and the component-side surface, the second restricting part restricting the displacement of the reinforcing board in a direction away from the plane.
- the reinforcing board preferably includes an elastically deformable part that can be elastically deformed in a direction away from the plane to a position at which the restriction by the fist restricting part is cancelled, outside a range within which the displacement of the reinforcing board is restricted by the second restricting part.
- the displacement of the reinforcing board is restricted by the first restricting part in a direction along the plane and is also restricted by the second restricting part in a direction away from the plane. Therefore, the reinforcing board is stably held at a position at which the reinforcing board faces the component-side surface. If the reinforcing board is attached at a position at which the reinforcing board is restricted by both the first restricting part and the second restricting part, when the elastically deformable part is elastically deformed in the middle of the attachment, the reinforcing board can be placed in a state in which the restriction by the first restricting part is cancelled. Therefore, a work operation to attach the reinforcing board is simplified.
- the reinforcing board includes a fixed part secured to the insulator and a linking part that links the fixed part and elastically deformable part together.
- the elastically deformable part is linked to the fixed part through the linking part; the elastically deformable part is not secured directly to the insulator. Therefore, even if the elastically deformable part is elastically deformed, the insulator is not deformed. Therefore, a work operation to attach the reinforcing board is simplified.
- Part of the elastically deformable part is interposed between the second restricting part and the plane.
- the linking part elastically links the fixed part and part of the elastically deformable part interposed between the second restricting part and the plane together.
- a hole is preferably formed in at least part of an area that faces the second restricting part with part of the elastically deformable part intervening between the plane and the second restricting part.
- part of the elastically deformable part interposed between the plane and the second restricting part is elastically linked to the fixed part through the linking part. If another portion, of the elastically deformable part, that is not interposed between the plane and the second restricting part is elastically deformed in a direction away from the plane, the linking part is elastically deformed. In this case, part of the elastically deformable part interposed between the second restricting part and the component-side surface is inclined toward the hole. As a result, the elastically deformable part is further likely to be deformed in a direction away from the plane. Therefore, a work operation to attach the reinforcing board is further simplified.
- the insulator is preferably a band-like member.
- the fixed part is preferably secured to an end of the band-like member in its longitudinal direction.
- the elastically deformable part preferably extends in a brachial shape along the longitudinal direction of the band-like member.
- the linking part preferably links an end of the elastically deformable part and an end of the fixed part in the longitudinal direction of the band-like member together.
- the reinforcing board preferably includes two elastically deformable parts arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the band-like member with the fixed part intervening between the two elastically deformable parts and also includes two linking parts, each of which links one of the two elastically deformable parts to the fixed part.
- the two elastically deformable parts extending in a brachial shape along the longitudinal direction of the band-like member are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the band-like member with the fixed part intervening between the two elastically deformable parts, so the shape of the reinforcing board can be made compact. Since an end of the fixed part in the longitudinal direction of the band-like member and an end of the elastically deformable part are linked together by the linking part, it is possible to largely elastically deform the elastically deformable part extending in a brachial shape in a direction away from the plane.
- the wire of the wiring member is preferably a carbon ink layer formed on the insulator.
- the wire is formed by printing a carbon ink on the insulator, so the wire can be inexpensively formed on the insulator in a simple process.
- a capacitive input device in a second aspect of the present invention has the wiring connection structural body in the above first aspect, a sensor unit formed integrally with the wiring member, the sensor unit including a detection electrode the capacitance of which changes depending on the proximity of an object, and a capacitance detecting circuit that detects the capacitance of the detection electrode according to charges accumulated in the detection electrode.
- the detection electrode is connected to the leaf spring through the wire of the wiring member.
- the circuit board includes a wire that interconnects the leaf spring and capacitance detecting circuit.
- the sensor unit is formed integrally with the wiring member, so the structure is simplified.
- a capacitive input device that can be easily assembled can be provided while precision with which an input operation is detected is maintained.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the capacitive input device in an embodiment of the present invention.
- X three directions that mutually orthogonal
- Y three directions that mutually orthogonal
- Z three directions that mutually orthogonal
- X1 and X2 directions that are included in the X direction and are mutually opposite
- Y1 and Y2 directions that are included in the Y direction and are mutually opposite
- Z1 and Z2 directions that are included in the Z direction and are mutually opposite
- the capacitive input device in this embodiment has an outer envelope 10, on which an operation surface 14 used by the user to perform a touch operation is formed, a circuit board 40, on which electronic parts are mounted, and a base 70, which supports the outer envelope 10 and circuit board 40.
- the outer envelope 10 and circuit board 40 are secured to the base 70 with screws, snap fasteners, or the like.
- the outer envelope 10 is positioned substantially on the Z1 side with respect to the base 70.
- the circuit board 40 is positioned on the Z2 side of the base 70.
- the operation surface 14 of the outer envelope 10 faces the Z1 side, and expands in the X direction and Y direction as a whole.
- the circuit board 40 has a component-side surface 41 parallel to an XY plane.
- the base 70 disposed opposite to the component-side surface 41, has a floor part 72 substantially parallel to the XY plane.
- a plurality of light-emitting areas 82 are formed on the operation surface 14 of the outer envelope 10. Light emitted from light-emitting elements 80 mounted on the circuit board 40 passes through the light-emitting areas 82. The light-emitting element 80 will be described later.
- a light guiding member 81 having translucency is provided between each light-emitting element 80 on the circuit board 40 and its corresponding light-emitting area 82 on the outer envelope 10. Each light guiding member 81 is supported by a support member 71 provided on the base 70 and is secured to the outer envelope 10 and circuit board 40.
- Fig. 2 illustrates internal main members (a sensor unit 24, a wiring member 20, a reinforcing board 30, and the circuit board 40, which will be described later) in the perspective cross-sectional view illustrated in Fig. 1 .
- the capacitive input device in this embodiment has a sensor unit 24 in which capacitances changes depending on the proximity of a finger or another object and also has capacitance detecting circuits 90 that detect capacitances in the sensor unit 24.
- the sensor unit 24 is disposed on the inner surface of the outer envelope 10, the inner surface facing the operation surface 14.
- the capacitive input device also has a holding member 60 and leaf springs 50.
- the wiring member 20, reinforcing board 30, holding member 60, leaf springs 50, and circuit board 40 constitute a wiring connection structural body, in this embodiment, that electrically interconnects the sensor unit 24 and capacitance detecting circuits 90.
- the sensor unit 24 is a sheet-like member as illustrated in Fig. 2 .
- the sensor unit 24 is disposed along the inner surface of the outer envelope 10, the inner surface facing the operation surface 14.
- the sensor unit 24 has an insulator 26, which is made of, for example, a flexible, thin resin, and also has a plurality of detection electrodes 25 formed like a thin film on a surface of the insulator 26 by using conductors made of a sliver paste, a carbon ink, or the like.
- a conductive path is formed so as to transfer charges accumulated in the detection electrode 25 to the capacitance detecting circuit 90, according to the capacitance of the detection electrode 25.
- the sensor unit 24 has openings 27, through which light from the light guiding members 81 passes, at positions at which the openings 27 face the relevant light-emitting areas 82 on the operation surface 14.
- One detection electrode 25 is formed around each opening 27.
- a plurality of light-emitting elements 80 are mounted in correspondence to a plurality of light-emitting areas 82 on the operation surface 14, as illustrated in Fig. 2 .
- Each light-emitting element 80 is driven by a light emitting element driving circuit (not illustrated) so as to be turned on to emit light or turned off according to a result of the detection of the capacitance of the detection electrode 25 disposed close to its corresponding light-emitting area 82.
- the wiring member 20, formed integrally with sensor unit 24, includes an insulator 21, which is made of, for example, a flexible resin in a sheet shape, and also includes wires 22 formed on the insulator 21.
- the insulator 21 of the wiring member 20 and the insulator 26 of the sensor unit 24 are integrated together, forming a single sheet-like insulator.
- the wires 22 on the wiring member 20 and the detection electrodes 25 of the sensor unit 24 are formed on this common sheet-like insulator as conductive thin films formed with a silver paste, a carbon ink, or the like.
- the insulator 21 of the wiring member 20 is formed like a band.
- One end of the wiring member 20 is linked to the end of the sensor unit 24 on the X1 side.
- the holding member 60 holds the other end of the wiring member 20 toward the component-side surface 41.
- the holding member 60 is formed integrally with the base 70.
- the holding member 60 extends uprightly from the Z2-side surface of the floor part 72 of the base 70 toward the component-side surface 41.
- the tip of the holding member 60 holds the other end of the wiring member 20 formed like a band.
- Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a state in which the reinforcing board 30 is held by the holding member 60.
- Fig. 4 is a drawing in which the wiring member 20 and reinforcing board 30 illustrated in the enlarged perspective view in Fig. 3 are eliminated.
- Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view in which the tip of the wiring member 20 with the reinforcing board 30 secured is illustrated.
- the Z1 side is viewed from the Z2 side (the upper side of the perspective views in Figs. 1 and 2 is viewed from the lower side).
- the wiring member 20 has a plurality of wires 22 extending along the longitudinal direction of the wiring member 20. At an end of the wiring member 20 in its longitudinal direction, each wire 22 has a contact electrode 23 exposed from the insulator 21.
- the contact electrode 23 is brought into contact with one leaf spring 50 mounted on the component-side surface 41 of the circuit board 40, electrically interconnecting the sensor unit 24 and capacitance detecting circuit 90.
- the holding member 60 holds an end of the wiring member 20 to the circuit board 40 so that the contact electrode 23, exposed from the insulator 21, of each wire 22 is retained at a position at which the contact electrode 23 is pressed by the leaf spring 50.
- the reinforcing board 30 is secured to an end of the insulator 21, the contact electrodes 23 being exposed at the end.
- the reinforcing board 30 is a plate-like member formed by an insulative material such a resin.
- the reinforcing board 30 is thicker than the insulator 21.
- the holding member 60 holds the reinforcing board 30 to the circuit board 40.
- the holding member 60 has a plane 61, a first restricting part 62, and second restricting parts 64 and 65.
- the plane 61 is disposed so as to face the component-side surface 41 of the circuit board 40 and is parallel to the XY plane.
- One surface of the reinforcing board 30 abuts the plane 61.
- the first restricting part 62 extends uprightly around an area, on the plane 61, that the reinforcing board 30 abuts.
- the first restricting part 62 restricts the displacement of the reinforcing board 30 in directions along the plane 61.
- the first restricting part 62 is substantially C-shaped.
- the first restricting part 62 encloses the circumference of the edges of the reinforcing board 30, except the edges of part of the reinforcing board 30 on the X1 side, the insulator 21 in a band shape extending through the part.
- the second restricting parts 64 and 65 are disposed between the reinforcing board 30 and the component-side surface 41. They restrict the displacement of the reinforcing board 30 in a direction away from the plane 61.
- the second restricting parts 64 and 65 are disposed at the tip of the first restricting part 62 on the same side as the component-side surface 41 (on the Z2 side).
- the second restricting parts 64 and 65 protrude from the tip of the first restricting part 62 so as to overlap the reinforcing board 30 in a plan view toward the plane 61.
- the reinforcing board 30 has a fixed part 31, which is secured to the insulator 21, elastically deformable parts 32A and 32B, which can be elastically deformed in the Z direction, a linking part 33A that links the fixed part 31 and elastically deformable part 32A together, and a linking part 33B that links the fixed part 31 and elastically deformable part 32B together.
- the fixed part 31 has a substantially rectangular shape and is secured to an end of the insulator 21 (band-like member) in its longitudinal direction, the contact electrodes 23 being exposed at the end.
- the elastically deformable parts 32A and 32B extend in a brachial shape along the longitudinal direction of the insulator 21 (band-like member), and are arranged in the Y direction with the fixed part 31 intervening between the elastically deformable parts 32A and 32B.
- the linking part 33A links an end 35A of the elastically deformable part 32A and an end 34 of the fixed part 31 in the longitudinal direction of the insulator 21 (band-like member) together.
- the linking part 33B links an end 35B of the elastically deformable part 32B and the end 34 of the fixed part 31 in the longitudinal direction of the insulator 21 (band-like member) together.
- an end 321A of the elastically deformable part 32A is interposed between the second restricting part 64 and the plane 61.
- the linking part 33A elastically links the end 321A and fixed part 31 together.
- An end 321B of the elastically deformable part 32B is interposed between the second restricting part 65 and the plane 61.
- the linking part 33B elastically links the end 321B and fixed part 31 together.
- a hole 66 is formed in an area opposite to the second restricting part 64 with the end 321A of the elastically deformable part 32A intervening between the plane 61 and the second restricting part 64 and a hole 67 is formed in an area opposite to the second restricting part 65 with the end 321B of the elastically deformable part 32B intervening between the plane 61 and second restricting part 65.
- the reinforcing board 30 has a concave part 36 substantially at the center of the end 34 of the fixed part 31 in the direction in which the elastically deformable parts 32A and 32B are arranged (in the Y direction).
- the concave part 36 engages a convex part 63 formed as part of the first restricting part 62.
- the reinforcing board 30 When the reinforcing board 30 is to be attached to the holding member 60, the reinforcing board 30 is first inserted from the X1 side toward the X2 direction so that the end 321A of the elastically deformable part 32A is interposed between the second restricting part 64 and the plane 61 and the end 321B of the elastically deformable part 32B is interposed between the second restricting part 65 and the plane 61. At that time, the reinforcing board 30 is slightly inclined in the Z1 direction so that part of the end 321A drops into the hole 66 in the plane 61 and part of the end 321B drops into the hole 67 in the plane 61.
- the elastically deformable parts 32A and 32B move onto the tip of the first restricting part 62 on the Z2 side and is elastically deformed in the Z2 direction.
- the concave part 36 of the reinforcing board 30 engages the convex part 63 of the first restricting part 62, determining the position of the reinforcing board 30 in the Y direction.
- the elastically deformable parts 32A and 32B come off the tip of the first restricting part 62 on the Z2 side and their elastic deformation is restored to the original shape, making the elastically deformable parts 32A and 32B flat as a whole. Accordingly, the reinforcing board 30 is placed in a state in which its displacement is restricted by the first restricting part 62 in directions parallel to the plane 61 and is also restricted by the second restricting parts 64 and 65 in a direction away from the plane 61.
- Figs. 6A and 6B illustrate an example of the leaf spring 50; Fig. 6A is a perspective view and Fig. 6B is a plan view.
- the leaf spring 50 is an elastic member formed by bending a plate-like metallic body.
- the leaf spring 50 has band-like members 52 and 53 and a rectangular plate member 51, to which one end of the band-like member 52 and one end of the band-like member 53 are connected.
- the band-like members 52 and 53 are bent spirally around a center line L perpendicular to the XY plane in the same direction.
- the rectangular plate member 51 is substantially square in a plan view in the Z direction. A point at which the band-like member 52 and rectangular plate member 51 are mutually connected and a point at which the band-like member 53 and rectangular plate member 51 are mutually connected are symmetric with respect to the center of the square (center line L).
- the band-like members 52 and 53 extend from diagonally opposite corners of the square along opposite edges of the square. As illustrated in Fig. 6A , the band-like members 52 and band-like member 53 are gradually displaced away from the rectangular plate member 51 in the Z1 direction and the diameter of the turn of the spiral is gradually reduced, starting from their one ends at which they are connected to the rectangular plate member 51 until their other ends are reached.
- a contact part 55 is provided that is brought into contact with one contact electrode 23 of the wiring member 20.
- a protrusion 56 extending in the Z1 direction is formed at a position corresponding to the center of the turn of the spiral.
- the other end of the band-like member 53 is positioned on the Z2 side of the contact part 55.
- the leaf spring 50 produces an elastic force with which the contact electrode 23 in contact with the contact part 55 is pressed in the Z1 direction.
- Fig. 7 illustrates an example of a structure, in the capacitive input device in this embodiment, that is involved in the detection of a capacitance.
- the capacitance detecting circuit 90 provided in the capacitive input device in this embodiment detects a capacitance depending on the proximity of an object 100 (such a finger) to the operation surface 14, according to charges accumulated in the relevant detection electrode 25 of the sensor unit 24.
- the capacitance detecting circuit 90 periodically applies a pulse voltage with a certain amplitude to the detection electrode 25 and detects charges accumulated across the detection electrode 25 and a reference potential (ground) on the basis of the pulse voltage.
- the charges detected by the capacitance detecting circuit 90 are substantially proportional to the capacitance across the detection electrode 25 and the object 100 close to the operation surface 14.
- the capacitance detecting circuit 90 which includes, for example, an analog-to-digital convertor, outputs detected data Dout with a predetermined bit length, the detected data Dout indicating the amount of charges detected.
- the capacitance detecting circuit 90 is formed by one or a plurality of electronic parts and is mounted on the circuit board 40 or another board.
- the holding member 60 that holds the wiring member 20 to the circuit board 40 is provided so that the contact electrodes 23 of the wires 22, the contact electrodes 23 being exposed from the insulator 21, which is flexible and is formed like a sheet, are retained at positions at which the contact electrodes 23 are pressed by the relevant leaf springs 50 mounted on the circuit board 40.
- the holding member 60 is independent of the leaf springs 50; the holding member 60 and leaf springs 50 are not formed integrally.
- electrodes forming contact points and a mechanism that secures wires are integrated as a single member.
- a structure in which the leaf springs 50 and holding member 60 are integrated together is eliminated. Therefore, the structure of the wiring connection structural body is simplified and its size can be reduced when compared with a case in which an ordinary connector is used.
- the simplified structure enables the wiring connection structural body to be manufactured at a cost lower than the cost of an ordinary connector.
- the holding member 60 and the base 70 supporting the circuit board 40 are formed integrally, so a part that secures the holding member 60 to the circuit board 40 does not need to be provided separately. This further simplifies the structure of the wiring connection structural body.
- the reinforcing board 30 is secured to the insulator 21 and is held to the circuit board 40 by the holding member 60. Therefore, the insulator 21 having flexibility can be stably held to the circuit board 40 together with the reinforcing board 30.
- the displacement of the reinforcing board 30 is restricted by the first restricting part 62 in directions along the plane 61 and is also restricted by the second restricting parts 64 and 65 in a direction away from the plane 61. Therefore, the reinforcing board 30 can be stably held at a position at which the reinforcing board 30 faces the component-side surface 41.
- the reinforcing board 30 is attached at a position at which the reinforcing board 30 is restricted by both the first restricting part 62 and the second restricting parts 64 and 65, when the elastically deformable parts 32A and 32B are elastically deformed in the middle of the attachment, the reinforcing board 30 can be placed in a state in which the restriction by the first restricting part 62 is cancelled. This simplifies a work operation to attach the reinforcing board 30 to the holding member 60.
- the elastically deformable part 32A is linked to the fixed part 31 through the linking part 33A and the elastically deformable part 32B is linked to the fixed part 31 through the linking part 33B; the elastically deformable parts 32A and 32B are not secured directly to the insulator 21. Therefore, even if the elastically deformable parts 32A and 32B are elastically deformed, the insulator 21 is not deformed. This simplifies the work operation to attach the reinforcing board 30 to the holding member 60.
- the end 321A, interposed between the second restricting part 64 and the plane 61, of the elastically deformable part 32A is elastically linked to the fixed part 31 through the linking part 33A
- the end 321B, interposed between the second restricting part 65 and the plane 61, of the elastically deformable part 32B is elastically linked to the fixed part 31 through the linking part 33B. Therefore, if another portion, of the elastically deformable part 32A, that is not interposed between the second restricting part 64 and the plane 61 is elastically deformed in a direction away from the plane 61, the linking part 33A is elastically deformed.
- the two elastically deformable parts 32A and 32B extending in a brachial shape along the longitudinal direction of the insulator 21 (band-like member) are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the insulator 21 (band-like member) with the fixed part 31 intervening between the elastically deformable parts 32A and 32B. Therefore, the shape of the reinforcing board 30 can be made compact.
- the end 34 of the fixed part 31 and the end 35A of the elastically deformable part 32A are linked together by the linking part 33A, and the end 34 of the fixed part 31 and the end 35B of the elastically deformable part 32B are linked together by the linking part 33B. Therefore, the elastically deformable parts 32A and 32B extending in a brachial shape can be largely elastically deformed in a direction away from the plane 61.
- the wires 22 are formed by printing a carbon ink on the insulator 21, so the wires 22 can be inexpensively formed on the insulator 21 in a simple process.
- the sensor unit 24 is formed integrally with the wiring member 20 in the wiring connection structural body described above, so a connector or the like is not needed to interconnect the sensor unit 24 and wiring member 20. Therefore, the structure of the wiring connection structural body is simplified.
- two elastically deformable parts denoted 32A and 32B are provided on the reinforcing board 30.
- one elastically deformable part or three or more elastically deformable parts may be provided.
- one elastically deformable part may be pressed by a plurality of second restricting parts, or a plurality of elastically deformable parts may be pressed by a single second restricting part.
- the second restricting part may press not only the elastically deformable part but also the fixed part.
Description
- The present invention relates to a wiring connection structural body used to connect a sheet-like wiring member and to a capacitive input device that uses the wiring connection structural body.
- To connect flexible printed circuits (FPC) to a wiring pattern on a circuit board, a connector for FPC use is mounted on the circuit board (for example, see Fig. 10 in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2014-206814 -
US 5,707,241 A discloses a slide locking connector for making an electrical connection between a flexible circuit and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board or semi-conductor device has contact pads for mating with the electrical traces of the flexible circuit. A mounting bar is provided and a leaf spring(s) secured thereto. The electrical traces of the flexible circuit that are aligned and overlie the leaf spring(s). Posts extend upward from the mounting bar, and the printed circuit board has slotted through holes formed therein for receiving the post. -
WO 2010/018973 A2 discloses a slidable hinge assembly and a slide-type personal digital assistant, capable of being manufactured through simplified manufacturing and assembling processes. The slidable hinge assembly includes a first slidable hinge unit coupled to a main body, a second slidable hinge unit coupled to a slidable unit, and mounted to be slidable relative to the first slidable hinge unit, a first connector fixed at the first slidable hinge unit, a second connector fixed at the second slidable hinge unit, and a flexible connecting member interposed between the first slidable hinge unit and the second slidable hinge unit, and which has one end thereof connected to the first connector and the other end thereof connected to the second connector. -
US 2005/026494 A1 discloses a connector for connecting a connection object which has a wiring portion, a protruding portion protruding from the wiring portion on one side thereof, and a wiring pattern extending from the wiring portion to the protruding portion. In the connector, a housing has a main body portion provided with a receiving surface for receiving the wiring portion. The housing further has a side portion disposed at one side of the main body portion. The side portion has a receiving groove for receiving the protruding portion. A contact is held by the side portion so as to be connected to said wiring pattern of the protruding portion. -
US 2004/082211 A1 discloses a connector for connecting a contact pad of a flexible printed circuit board against terminals of an electronic component comprises a body and a reinforcing plate, wherein the body is combined with the electronic component and two parallel sliding channels are mounted on the body corresponding to two sides of the terminals of the electronic component, and the reinforcing plate is combined with the contact pad of the flexible printed circuit board so as to increase the stiffness of the contact pad, and two sides of the reinforcing plate cooperate with the two parallel sliding channels of the body, thereby connecting the contact pad of the flexible printed circuit board against the terminals of the electronic component. - The present invention relates to a wiring connection structural body and a capacitive input device according to the appended claims.
- However, a connector used to connect a sheet-like wiring member such as an FPC has, for example, a mechanism in which the sheet-like wiring member is interposed and secured. Therefore, the structure of the connector is complex and large in size. This is disadvantageous in that when this type of connector is mounted on a circuit board as a part, a wide space on the circuit board is occupied by the connector. Another disadvantage is that since the mechanism of the connector has a complex structure, the connector is more expensive in relation to other parts. The present invention addresses the above situation by providing a simple, inexpensive wiring connection structural body and a capacitive input device having the wiring connection structural body.
- A wiring connection structural body according to the present invention includes a wiring member that includes an insulator, which is flexible and is formed like a sheet, and a wire formed on the insulator, at least part of the wire being exposed from the insulator; a circuit board; a conductive leaf spring mounted on the component-side surface of the circuit board; and a holding member that holds at least part of the wiring member to the circuit board so that the wire exposed from the insulator is retained at a position at which the wire is pressed by the leaf spring. The leaf spring and holding member are independent of cach other.
- In this structure, the leaf spring mounted on the component-side surface and the holding member that holds the wiring member to the circuit board are members that are independent of each other; the leaf spring and holding member are not formed integrally. Therefore, the structure is simplified when compared with an ordinary connector in which electrodes forming contact points and a mechanism that secures wires are integrated as a single member.
- The wiring connection structural body according to the invention has a base that supports the circuit board. The holding member is preferably formed integrally with the base.
- In this structure, the holding member is formed integrally with the base, so a part that secures the holding member to the circuit board does not need to be provided separately. Therefore, the structure is simplified.
- The wiring connection structural body according to the invention has a reinforcing board secured to the insulator. The holding member preferably holds the reinforcing board to the circuit board.
- In this structure, the reinforcing board secured to the insulator is held to the circuit board, so the insulator is stably held to the circuit board together with the reinforcing board.
- The holding member includes: a plane disposed so as to face the component-side surface, one surface of the reinforcing board abutting the plane; a fist restricting part extending uprightly around the reinforcing board on the plane, the fist restricting part restricting the displacement of the reinforcing board in a direction along the plane; and a second restricting part disposed between the reinforcing board and the component-side surface, the second restricting part restricting the displacement of the reinforcing board in a direction away from the plane. The reinforcing board preferably includes an elastically deformable part that can be elastically deformed in a direction away from the plane to a position at which the restriction by the fist restricting part is cancelled, outside a range within which the displacement of the reinforcing board is restricted by the second restricting part.
- In this structure, the displacement of the reinforcing board is restricted by the first restricting part in a direction along the plane and is also restricted by the second restricting part in a direction away from the plane. Therefore, the reinforcing board is stably held at a position at which the reinforcing board faces the component-side surface. If the reinforcing board is attached at a position at which the reinforcing board is restricted by both the first restricting part and the second restricting part, when the elastically deformable part is elastically deformed in the middle of the attachment, the reinforcing board can be placed in a state in which the restriction by the first restricting part is cancelled. Therefore, a work operation to attach the reinforcing board is simplified.
- The reinforcing board includes a fixed part secured to the insulator and a linking part that links the fixed part and elastically deformable part together.
- In this structure, the elastically deformable part is linked to the fixed part through the linking part; the elastically deformable part is not secured directly to the insulator. Therefore, even if the elastically deformable part is elastically deformed, the insulator is not deformed. Therefore, a work operation to attach the reinforcing board is simplified.
- Part of the elastically deformable part is interposed between the second restricting part and the plane. Preferably, the linking part elastically links the fixed part and part of the elastically deformable part interposed between the second restricting part and the plane together. In the plane, a hole is preferably formed in at least part of an area that faces the second restricting part with part of the elastically deformable part intervening between the plane and the second restricting part.
- In this structure, part of the elastically deformable part interposed between the plane and the second restricting part is elastically linked to the fixed part through the linking part. If another portion, of the elastically deformable part, that is not interposed between the plane and the second restricting part is elastically deformed in a direction away from the plane, the linking part is elastically deformed. In this case, part of the elastically deformable part interposed between the second restricting part and the component-side surface is inclined toward the hole. As a result, the elastically deformable part is further likely to be deformed in a direction away from the plane. Therefore, a work operation to attach the reinforcing board is further simplified.
- The insulator is preferably a band-like member. The fixed part is preferably secured to an end of the band-like member in its longitudinal direction. The elastically deformable part preferably extends in a brachial shape along the longitudinal direction of the band-like member. The linking part preferably links an end of the elastically deformable part and an end of the fixed part in the longitudinal direction of the band-like member together. The reinforcing board preferably includes two elastically deformable parts arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the band-like member with the fixed part intervening between the two elastically deformable parts and also includes two linking parts, each of which links one of the two elastically deformable parts to the fixed part.
- In this structure, the two elastically deformable parts extending in a brachial shape along the longitudinal direction of the band-like member are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the band-like member with the fixed part intervening between the two elastically deformable parts, so the shape of the reinforcing board can be made compact. Since an end of the fixed part in the longitudinal direction of the band-like member and an end of the elastically deformable part are linked together by the linking part, it is possible to largely elastically deform the elastically deformable part extending in a brachial shape in a direction away from the plane.
- The wire of the wiring member is preferably a carbon ink layer formed on the insulator.
- In this structure, the wire is formed by printing a carbon ink on the insulator, so the wire can be inexpensively formed on the insulator in a simple process.
- A capacitive input device in a second aspect of the present invention has the wiring connection structural body in the above first aspect, a sensor unit formed integrally with the wiring member, the sensor unit including a detection electrode the capacitance of which changes depending on the proximity of an object, and a capacitance detecting circuit that detects the capacitance of the detection electrode according to charges accumulated in the detection electrode. The detection electrode is connected to the leaf spring through the wire of the wiring member. The circuit board includes a wire that interconnects the leaf spring and capacitance detecting circuit.
- In this structure, the sensor unit is formed integrally with the wiring member, so the structure is simplified.
- In the present invention, a capacitive input device that can be easily assembled can be provided while precision with which an input operation is detected is maintained.
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Fig. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view illustrating a capacitive input device of the present invention; -
Fig. 2 illustrates a sensor unit, a wiring member, a reinforcing board, and a circuit board in the perspective cross-sectional view illustrated inFig. 1 ; -
Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a state in which the reinforcing board is held by a holding member; -
Fig. 4 is a drawing in which the wiring member and reinforcing board illustrated are eliminated from the enlarged perspective view inFig. 3 ; -
Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view in which the tip of the wiring member with the reinforcing board secured is illustrated; -
Figs. 6A and 6B illustrate an example of a leaf spring,Fig. 6A being a perspective view,Fig. 6B being a plan view; and -
Fig. 7 illustrates an example of a structure, in a capacitive input device, that is involved in the detection of a capacitance. - A capacitive input device in an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawing. The capacitive input device in this embodiment is used in operation panels of various devices such as, for example, an operation panel used for air conditioning in a vehicle. The capacitive input device detects an input operation (such as a touch operation) on the operation panel.
Fig. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the capacitive input device in an embodiment of the present invention. - In this description, three directions that mutually orthogonal will be denoted X, Y, and Z. Directions that are included in the X direction and are mutually opposite will be denoted X1 and X2. Directions that are included in the Y direction and are mutually opposite will be denoted Y1 and Y2. Directions that are included in the Z direction and are mutually opposite will be denoted Z1 and Z2.
- As illustrated in
Fig. 1 , the capacitive input device in this embodiment has anouter envelope 10, on which anoperation surface 14 used by the user to perform a touch operation is formed, acircuit board 40, on which electronic parts are mounted, and abase 70, which supports theouter envelope 10 andcircuit board 40. Theouter envelope 10 andcircuit board 40 are secured to the base 70 with screws, snap fasteners, or the like. - In the example in
Fig. 1 , theouter envelope 10 is positioned substantially on the Z1 side with respect to thebase 70. Thecircuit board 40 is positioned on the Z2 side of thebase 70. Theoperation surface 14 of theouter envelope 10 faces the Z1 side, and expands in the X direction and Y direction as a whole. Thecircuit board 40 has a component-side surface 41 parallel to an XY plane. Thebase 70, disposed opposite to the component-side surface 41, has afloor part 72 substantially parallel to the XY plane. - A plurality of light-emitting
areas 82 are formed on theoperation surface 14 of theouter envelope 10. Light emitted from light-emittingelements 80 mounted on thecircuit board 40 passes through the light-emittingareas 82. The light-emittingelement 80 will be described later. Alight guiding member 81 having translucency is provided between each light-emittingelement 80 on thecircuit board 40 and its corresponding light-emittingarea 82 on theouter envelope 10. Eachlight guiding member 81 is supported by asupport member 71 provided on thebase 70 and is secured to theouter envelope 10 andcircuit board 40. -
Fig. 2 illustrates internal main members (asensor unit 24, a wiring member 20, a reinforcingboard 30, and thecircuit board 40, which will be described later) in the perspective cross-sectional view illustrated inFig. 1 . The capacitive input device in this embodiment has asensor unit 24 in which capacitances changes depending on the proximity of a finger or another object and also hascapacitance detecting circuits 90 that detect capacitances in thesensor unit 24. As illustrated inFigs. 1 and2 , thesensor unit 24 is disposed on the inner surface of theouter envelope 10, the inner surface facing theoperation surface 14. The capacitive input device also has a holdingmember 60 and leaf springs 50. The wiring member 20, reinforcingboard 30, holdingmember 60,leaf springs 50, andcircuit board 40 constitute a wiring connection structural body, in this embodiment, that electrically interconnects thesensor unit 24 andcapacitance detecting circuits 90. - The
sensor unit 24 is a sheet-like member as illustrated inFig. 2 . Thesensor unit 24 is disposed along the inner surface of theouter envelope 10, the inner surface facing theoperation surface 14. Thesensor unit 24 has an insulator 26, which is made of, for example, a flexible, thin resin, and also has a plurality ofdetection electrodes 25 formed like a thin film on a surface of the insulator 26 by using conductors made of a sliver paste, a carbon ink, or the like. When, on theoperation surface 14, a finger or another object comes in contact with an area opposite to adetection electrode 25, the capacitance of thedetection electrode 25 changes as the result of the contact of the object (the proximity of the object with theouter envelope 10 intervening between the object and the detection electrode 25). In the wiring connection structural body in this embodiment, a conductive path is formed so as to transfer charges accumulated in thedetection electrode 25 to thecapacitance detecting circuit 90, according to the capacitance of thedetection electrode 25. - As illustrated in
Fig. 2 , thesensor unit 24 hasopenings 27, through which light from thelight guiding members 81 passes, at positions at which theopenings 27 face the relevant light-emittingareas 82 on theoperation surface 14. Onedetection electrode 25 is formed around eachopening 27. - On the component-
side surface 41 of thecircuit board 40, a plurality of light-emittingelements 80 are mounted in correspondence to a plurality of light-emittingareas 82 on theoperation surface 14, as illustrated inFig. 2 . Each light-emittingelement 80 is driven by a light emitting element driving circuit (not illustrated) so as to be turned on to emit light or turned off according to a result of the detection of the capacitance of thedetection electrode 25 disposed close to its corresponding light-emittingarea 82. - The wiring member 20, formed integrally with
sensor unit 24, includes an insulator 21, which is made of, for example, a flexible resin in a sheet shape, and also includeswires 22 formed on the insulator 21. The insulator 21 of the wiring member 20 and the insulator 26 of thesensor unit 24 are integrated together, forming a single sheet-like insulator. Thewires 22 on the wiring member 20 and thedetection electrodes 25 of thesensor unit 24 are formed on this common sheet-like insulator as conductive thin films formed with a silver paste, a carbon ink, or the like. - As illustrated in
Figs. 1 and2 , the insulator 21 of the wiring member 20 is formed like a band. One end of the wiring member 20 is linked to the end of thesensor unit 24 on the X1 side. The holdingmember 60 holds the other end of the wiring member 20 toward the component-side surface 41. As illustrated inFig. 1 , the holdingmember 60 is formed integrally with thebase 70. The holdingmember 60 extends uprightly from the Z2-side surface of thefloor part 72 of the base 70 toward the component-side surface 41. The tip of the holdingmember 60 holds the other end of the wiring member 20 formed like a band. -
Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a state in which the reinforcingboard 30 is held by the holdingmember 60.Fig. 4 is a drawing in which the wiring member 20 and reinforcingboard 30 illustrated in the enlarged perspective view inFig. 3 are eliminated.Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view in which the tip of the wiring member 20 with the reinforcingboard 30 secured is illustrated. InFigs. 3 to 5 , the Z1 side is viewed from the Z2 side (the upper side of the perspective views inFigs. 1 and2 is viewed from the lower side). - As illustrated in
Fig. 5 , the wiring member 20 has a plurality ofwires 22 extending along the longitudinal direction of the wiring member 20. At an end of the wiring member 20 in its longitudinal direction, eachwire 22 has acontact electrode 23 exposed from the insulator 21. Thecontact electrode 23 is brought into contact with oneleaf spring 50 mounted on the component-side surface 41 of thecircuit board 40, electrically interconnecting thesensor unit 24 andcapacitance detecting circuit 90. The holdingmember 60 holds an end of the wiring member 20 to thecircuit board 40 so that thecontact electrode 23, exposed from the insulator 21, of eachwire 22 is retained at a position at which thecontact electrode 23 is pressed by theleaf spring 50. - As illustrated in
Fig. 5 , the reinforcingboard 30 is secured to an end of the insulator 21, thecontact electrodes 23 being exposed at the end. The reinforcingboard 30 is a plate-like member formed by an insulative material such a resin. The reinforcingboard 30 is thicker than the insulator 21. The holdingmember 60 holds the reinforcingboard 30 to thecircuit board 40. - As illustrated in
Figs. 3 and4 , the holdingmember 60 has aplane 61, a first restrictingpart 62, and second restrictingparts plane 61 is disposed so as to face the component-side surface 41 of thecircuit board 40 and is parallel to the XY plane. One surface of the reinforcingboard 30 abuts theplane 61. - The first restricting
part 62 extends uprightly around an area, on theplane 61, that the reinforcingboard 30 abuts. The first restrictingpart 62 restricts the displacement of the reinforcingboard 30 in directions along theplane 61. In the example inFigs. 3 and4 , the first restrictingpart 62 is substantially C-shaped. The first restrictingpart 62 encloses the circumference of the edges of the reinforcingboard 30, except the edges of part of the reinforcingboard 30 on the X1 side, the insulator 21 in a band shape extending through the part. - The second restricting
parts board 30 and the component-side surface 41. They restrict the displacement of the reinforcingboard 30 in a direction away from theplane 61. In the example inFigs. 3 and4 , the second restrictingparts part 62 on the same side as the component-side surface 41 (on the Z2 side). The second restrictingparts part 62 so as to overlap the reinforcingboard 30 in a plan view toward theplane 61. - As illustrated in
Fig. 5 , the reinforcingboard 30 has a fixedpart 31, which is secured to the insulator 21, elasticallydeformable parts part 33A that links the fixedpart 31 and elasticallydeformable part 32A together, and a linkingpart 33B that links the fixedpart 31 and elasticallydeformable part 32B together. In the example inFig. 5 , the fixedpart 31 has a substantially rectangular shape and is secured to an end of the insulator 21 (band-like member) in its longitudinal direction, thecontact electrodes 23 being exposed at the end. The elasticallydeformable parts part 31 intervening between the elasticallydeformable parts part 33A links anend 35A of the elasticallydeformable part 32A and anend 34 of the fixedpart 31 in the longitudinal direction of the insulator 21 (band-like member) together.
The linkingpart 33B links anend 35B of the elasticallydeformable part 32B and theend 34 of the fixedpart 31 in the longitudinal direction of the insulator 21 (band-like member) together. - As illustrated in
Figs. 3 and5 , anend 321A of the elasticallydeformable part 32A is interposed between the second restrictingpart 64 and theplane 61. The linkingpart 33A elastically links theend 321A and fixedpart 31 together. Anend 321B of the elasticallydeformable part 32B is interposed between the second restrictingpart 65 and theplane 61. The linkingpart 33B elastically links theend 321B and fixedpart 31 together. - As illustrated in
Fig. 4 , in theplane 61, ahole 66 is formed in an area opposite to the second restrictingpart 64 with theend 321A of the elasticallydeformable part 32A intervening between theplane 61 and the second restrictingpart 64 and ahole 67 is formed in an area opposite to the second restrictingpart 65 with theend 321B of the elasticallydeformable part 32B intervening between theplane 61 and second restrictingpart 65. - As illustrated in
Fig. 5 , the reinforcingboard 30 has aconcave part 36 substantially at the center of theend 34 of the fixedpart 31 in the direction in which the elasticallydeformable parts concave part 36 engages aconvex part 63 formed as part of the first restrictingpart 62. - When the reinforcing
board 30 is to be attached to the holdingmember 60, the reinforcingboard 30 is first inserted from the X1 side toward the X2 direction so that theend 321A of the elasticallydeformable part 32A is interposed between the second restrictingpart 64 and theplane 61 and theend 321B of the elasticallydeformable part 32B is interposed between the second restrictingpart 65 and theplane 61. At that time, the reinforcingboard 30 is slightly inclined in the Z1 direction so that part of theend 321A drops into thehole 66 in theplane 61 and part of theend 321B drops into thehole 67 in theplane 61. The elasticallydeformable parts part 62 on the Z2 side and is elastically deformed in the Z2 direction. When the reinforcingboard 30 is further inserted in the X direction, theconcave part 36 of the reinforcingboard 30 engages theconvex part 63 of the first restrictingpart 62, determining the position of the reinforcingboard 30 in the Y direction. The elasticallydeformable parts part 62 on the Z2 side and their elastic deformation is restored to the original shape, making the elasticallydeformable parts board 30 is placed in a state in which its displacement is restricted by the first restrictingpart 62 in directions parallel to theplane 61 and is also restricted by the second restrictingparts plane 61. -
Figs. 6A and 6B illustrate an example of theleaf spring 50;Fig. 6A is a perspective view andFig. 6B is a plan view. - The
leaf spring 50 is an elastic member formed by bending a plate-like metallic body. Theleaf spring 50 has band-like members rectangular plate member 51, to which one end of the band-like member 52 and one end of the band-like member 53 are connected. The band-like members rectangular plate member 51 is substantially square in a plan view in the Z direction. A point at which the band-like member 52 andrectangular plate member 51 are mutually connected and a point at which the band-like member 53 andrectangular plate member 51 are mutually connected are symmetric with respect to the center of the square (center line L). The band-like members Fig. 6A , the band-like members 52 and band-like member 53 are gradually displaced away from therectangular plate member 51 in the Z1 direction and the diameter of the turn of the spiral is gradually reduced, starting from their one ends at which they are connected to therectangular plate member 51 until their other ends are reached. At the other end of the band-like member 52, which is not connected to therectangular plate member 51, acontact part 55 is provided that is brought into contact with onecontact electrode 23 of the wiring member 20. On thecontact part 55, aprotrusion 56 extending in the Z1 direction is formed at a position corresponding to the center of the turn of the spiral. The other end of the band-like member 53 is positioned on the Z2 side of thecontact part 55. Theleaf spring 50 produces an elastic force with which thecontact electrode 23 in contact with thecontact part 55 is pressed in the Z1 direction. -
Fig. 7 illustrates an example of a structure, in the capacitive input device in this embodiment, that is involved in the detection of a capacitance. Thecapacitance detecting circuit 90 provided in the capacitive input device in this embodiment detects a capacitance depending on the proximity of an object 100 (such a finger) to theoperation surface 14, according to charges accumulated in therelevant detection electrode 25 of thesensor unit 24. For example, thecapacitance detecting circuit 90 periodically applies a pulse voltage with a certain amplitude to thedetection electrode 25 and detects charges accumulated across thedetection electrode 25 and a reference potential (ground) on the basis of the pulse voltage. The charges detected by thecapacitance detecting circuit 90 are substantially proportional to the capacitance across thedetection electrode 25 and theobject 100 close to theoperation surface 14. Thecapacitance detecting circuit 90, which includes, for example, an analog-to-digital convertor, outputs detected data Dout with a predetermined bit length, the detected data Dout indicating the amount of charges detected. Thecapacitance detecting circuit 90 is formed by one or a plurality of electronic parts and is mounted on thecircuit board 40 or another board. - As described above, in the wiring connection structural body in this embodiment, the holding
member 60 that holds the wiring member 20 to thecircuit board 40 is provided so that thecontact electrodes 23 of thewires 22, thecontact electrodes 23 being exposed from the insulator 21, which is flexible and is formed like a sheet, are retained at positions at which thecontact electrodes 23 are pressed by therelevant leaf springs 50 mounted on thecircuit board 40. The holdingmember 60 is independent of theleaf springs 50; the holdingmember 60 andleaf springs 50 are not formed integrally. In an ordinary connector, electrodes forming contact points and a mechanism that secures wires are integrated as a single member. In the wiring connection structural body in this embodiment, however, a structure in which theleaf springs 50 and holdingmember 60 are integrated together is eliminated. Therefore, the structure of the wiring connection structural body is simplified and its size can be reduced when compared with a case in which an ordinary connector is used. In addition, the simplified structure enables the wiring connection structural body to be manufactured at a cost lower than the cost of an ordinary connector. - In the wiring connection structural body in this embodiment, the holding
member 60 and the base 70 supporting thecircuit board 40 are formed integrally, so a part that secures the holdingmember 60 to thecircuit board 40 does not need to be provided separately. This further simplifies the structure of the wiring connection structural body. - In the wiring connection structural body in this embodiment, the reinforcing
board 30 is secured to the insulator 21 and is held to thecircuit board 40 by the holdingmember 60. Therefore, the insulator 21 having flexibility can be stably held to thecircuit board 40 together with the reinforcingboard 30. - In the wiring connection structural body in this embodiment, the displacement of the reinforcing
board 30 is restricted by the first restrictingpart 62 in directions along theplane 61 and is also restricted by the second restrictingparts plane 61. Therefore, the reinforcingboard 30 can be stably held at a position at which the reinforcingboard 30 faces the component-side surface 41. - In the wiring connection structural body in this embodiment, if the reinforcing
board 30 is attached at a position at which the reinforcingboard 30 is restricted by both the first restrictingpart 62 and the second restrictingparts deformable parts board 30 can be placed in a state in which the restriction by the first restrictingpart 62 is cancelled. This simplifies a work operation to attach the reinforcingboard 30 to the holdingmember 60. - In the wiring connection structural body in this embodiment, the elastically
deformable part 32A is linked to the fixedpart 31 through the linkingpart 33A and the elasticallydeformable part 32B is linked to the fixedpart 31 through the linkingpart 33B; the elasticallydeformable parts deformable parts board 30 to the holdingmember 60. - In the wiring connection structural body in this embodiment, the
end 321A, interposed between the second restrictingpart 64 and theplane 61, of the elasticallydeformable part 32A is elastically linked to the fixedpart 31 through the linkingpart 33A, and theend 321B, interposed between the second restrictingpart 65 and theplane 61, of the elasticallydeformable part 32B is elastically linked to the fixedpart 31 through the linkingpart 33B. Therefore, if another portion, of the elasticallydeformable part 32A, that is not interposed between the second restrictingpart 64 and theplane 61 is elastically deformed in a direction away from theplane 61, the linkingpart 33A is elastically deformed. This also true for another portion, of the elasticallydeformable part 32B, that is not interposed between the second restrictingpart 65 and theplane 61. In this case, theend 321A of the elasticallydeformable part 32A is inclined toward thehole 66 in theplane 61 and theend 321B of the elasticallydeformable part 32B is inclined toward thehole 67 in theplane 61. Therefore, the elasticallydeformable parts plane 61, including the deformations of the linkingpart board 30 to the holdingmember 60. - In the wiring connection structural body in this embodiment, the two elastically
deformable parts part 31 intervening between the elasticallydeformable parts board 30 can be made compact. - In the wiring connection structural body in this embodiment, the
end 34 of the fixedpart 31 and theend 35A of the elasticallydeformable part 32A are linked together by the linkingpart 33A, and theend 34 of the fixedpart 31 and theend 35B of the elasticallydeformable part 32B are linked together by the linkingpart 33B. Therefore, the elasticallydeformable parts plane 61. - In the wiring connection structural body in this embodiment, the
wires 22 are formed by printing a carbon ink on the insulator 21, so thewires 22 can be inexpensively formed on the insulator 21 in a simple process. - In the capacitive input device in this embodiment, the
sensor unit 24 is formed integrally with the wiring member 20 in the wiring connection structural body described above, so a connector or the like is not needed to interconnect thesensor unit 24 and wiring member 20. Therefore, the structure of the wiring connection structural body is simplified. - The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. That is, a person having ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications, combinations, subcombinations, and replacements for the constituent elements in the above embodiment, without departing from the technical range of the present invention or an equivalent range of the technical range.
- For example, in the embodiment described above, two elastically deformable parts denoted 32A and 32B are provided on the reinforcing
board 30. In the present invention, however, only one elastically deformable part or three or more elastically deformable parts may be provided. In the present invention, one elastically deformable part may be pressed by a plurality of second restricting parts, or a plurality of elastically deformable parts may be pressed by a single second restricting part. The second restricting part may press not only the elastically deformable part but also the fixed part.
Claims (4)
- A wiring connection structural body comprising:a wiring member (20) that includes an insulator (21), which is flexible and is formed like a sheet, and a wire (22) formed on the insulator (21), at least part of the wire (22) being exposed from the insulator (21);a circuit board (40);a conductive leaf spring (50) mounted on a component-side surface (41) of the circuit board (40); anda holding member (60) holding at least part of the wiring member (20) to the circuit board (40) so that the wire (22) exposed from the insulator (21) is retained at a position at which the wire (22) is pressed by the leaf spring (50), wherein the leaf spring (50) and the holding member (60) are independent of each other; characterized bya base (70) that supports the circuit board (40);the holding member (60) being formed integrally with the base (70);a reinforcing board (30) secured to the insulator (21), wherein the holding member (60) holds the reinforcing board (30) to the circuit board (40),wherein the holding member (60) includes:a plane (61) disposed so as to face the component-side surface (41), one surface of the reinforcing board (30) abutting the plane (61),a first restricting part (62) extending uprightly around the reinforcing board (30) on the plane (61), the first restricting part (62) restricting a displacement of the reinforcing board (30) in a direction along the plane (61), anda second restricting part (64, 65) disposed between the reinforcing board (30) and the component-side surface (41), the second restricting part (64, 65) restricting a displacement of the reinforcing board (30) in a direction away from the plane (61),wherein the reinforcing board (30) includes an elastically deformable part (32A, 32B) that is elastically deformable in a direction away from the plane (61) to a position at which a restriction by the first restricting part (62) is cancelled, outside a range within which the displacement of the reinforcing board (30) is restricted by the second restricting part (64, 65),wherein the reinforcing board (30) further includesa fixed part (31) secured to the insulator (21), anda linking part (33A, 33B) that links the fixed part (31) and the elastically deformable part (32A, 32B) together,wherein:part (321A, 321B) of the elastically deformable part (32A, 32B) is interposed between the second restricting part (64, 65) and the plane (61);the linking part (33A, 33B) elastically links the fixed part (31) and the part (321A, 321B) of the elastically deformable part (32A, 32B) together; andin the plane (61), a hole (66, 67) is formed in at least part of an area that faces the second restricting part (64, 65) with the part (321A, 321B) of the elastically deformable part (32A, 32B) intervening between the plane (61) and the second restricting part (64, 65).
- The wiring connection structural body according to Claim 1, wherein:the insulator (21) is a band-like member;the fixed part (31) is secured to an end of the band-like member in a longitudinal direction of the band-like member;the elastically deformable part (32A, 32B) extends in a brachial shape along the longitudinal direction of the band-like member:the linking part (33A, 33B) links an end of the elastically deformable part (32A, 32B) and an end of the fixed part (31) in the longitudinal direction of the band-like member together; andthe reinforcing board (30) includestwo elastically deformable parts (32A, 32B) arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the band-like member with the fixed part (31) intervening between the two elastically deformable parts (32A, 32B), andtwo linking parts (33A, 33B), each of which links one of the two elastically deformable parts (32A, 32B) to the fixed part (31).
- The wiring connection structural body according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the wire (22) of the wiring member (20) is a carbon ink layer formed on the insulator (21).
- A capacitive input device comprising:the wiring connection structural body according to any one of Claims 1 to 3,a sensor unit (24) formed integrally with the wiring member (20), the sensor unit (24) including a detection electrode (25) the capacitance of which changes depending on a proximity of an object (100); anda capacitance detecting circuit (90) that detects the capacitance of the detection electrode (25) according to a charge accumulated in the detection electrode (25); whereinthe detection electrode (25) is connected to the leaf spring (50) through the wire (22) of the wiring member (20), andthe circuit board (40) includes a wire that interconnects the leaf spring (50) and the capacitance detecting circuit (90).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2016166896A JP6700142B2 (en) | 2016-08-29 | 2016-08-29 | Wiring connection structure and capacitance type input device |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3291377A1 EP3291377A1 (en) | 2018-03-07 |
EP3291377B1 true EP3291377B1 (en) | 2020-03-18 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP17184719.7A Active EP3291377B1 (en) | 2016-08-29 | 2017-08-03 | Wiring connection structural body and capacitive input device |
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EP (1) | EP3291377B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6700142B2 (en) |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JPH09251168A (en) * | 1996-03-15 | 1997-09-22 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Liquid crystal display device |
US5707241A (en) * | 1996-07-01 | 1998-01-13 | General Motors Corporation | Slide locking connector |
TW547805U (en) * | 2002-10-22 | 2003-08-11 | Benq Corp | Connector |
JP4030120B2 (en) * | 2003-07-30 | 2008-01-09 | 日本航空電子工業株式会社 | connector |
JP2005302705A (en) * | 2004-03-16 | 2005-10-27 | Alps Electric Co Ltd | Base board |
WO2010018973A2 (en) * | 2008-08-11 | 2010-02-18 | (주)쉘라인 | Slidable hinge assembly and slide-type personal digital assistant |
JP6071719B2 (en) * | 2013-04-11 | 2017-02-01 | 株式会社東芝 | Electronics |
JP2016076826A (en) * | 2014-10-07 | 2016-05-12 | アップサイド株式会社 | Touch sensor |
-
2016
- 2016-08-29 JP JP2016166896A patent/JP6700142B2/en active Active
-
2017
- 2017-08-03 EP EP17184719.7A patent/EP3291377B1/en active Active
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EP3291377A1 (en) | 2018-03-07 |
JP2018037155A (en) | 2018-03-08 |
JP6700142B2 (en) | 2020-05-27 |
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