EP4677636A1

EP4677636A1 - Decorative capacitive-type sensor film

Info

Publication number: EP4677636A1
Application number: EP24770093.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tomofumi OSAWA; Shingo Moriyasu; Yusuke Nozaki
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Current assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date: 2023-03-10
Filing date: 2024-03-06
Publication date: 2026-01-14
Also published as: JP2024128712A; CN120836071A; WO2024189469A1

Abstract

A decorative capacitive-type sensor film includes a decorative layer, at least one conductive layer, and a non-conductive adhesive layer. The conductive layer is disposed inside the non-conductive adhesive layer and/or on one surface or both surfaces of the non-conductive adhesive layer, and extends in an in-plane direction of the non-conductive adhesive layer. The decorative capacitive-type sensor film has no unevenness on the front surface as compared with a conventional lighting switch, can impart decorative properties, and is usable for various switches and the like.

Description

DECORATIVE CAPACITIVE-TYPE SENSOR FILM

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a decorative capacitive-type sensor film.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various kinds of capacitive-type touch sensors and the like have been developed.

[0003] Patent Document 1 (JP 2016-081582 A) describes a touch sensor that detects a pressed state in a pressing direction of a prescribed operation surface. The touch sensor includes a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer for detecting a change in capacitance, and a displacement layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer and capable of displacing a distance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer in response to pressing on the operation surface. The displacement layer is made of polymer-type silane coupling agents dispersed in a rubber-like elastic body, and includes at least a plurality of column portions able to contract in the pressing direction. The column portions and at least one of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are integrally joined. [0004]

Patent Document 2 (JP 2012-243119 A) describes a capacitive-type touch panel including: a first electrode pattern for contact sensing in which a bundle of first long patterns extending in a first direction are made to conduct with a plurality of short patterns extending in a second direction intersecting with this first direction in plan view to form a mesh structure having a substantially constant pitch, the bundle of first long patterns being disposed separately from one another along the second direction; a second electrode pattern for contact sensing in which a bundle of second long patterns extending in the second direction are made to conduct with a plurality of short patterns extending in the first direction to form a mesh structure having the same pitch as the pitch, the bundle of second long patterns being disposed separately from one another along the first direction, a mesh structure being formable with the same pitch as the pitch even when this second long pattern and the first long pattern intersect with one another in plan view without being made to conduct with one another; a dummy pattern formed as a mesh structure having the same pitch as the pitch, and embedding a space surrounded by the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern; a first pattern gap disposed between the first electrode pattern and the dummy pattern facing one another in plan view; and a second pattern gap disposed between the second electrode pattern and the dummy pattern facing one another in plan view. Respective distances of these first pattern gap and second pattern gap are set to have a length of substantially half of the pitch. Citation List

Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: JP 2016-081582 A

Patent Document 2: JP 2012-243119 A

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0006] For example, a decorative film may sometimes be applied to a wall of a room or the like in order to easily provide a suitable interior. In this case, for example, the decorative film may sometimes be applied to a switch for lighting installed on a wall surface or the like. However, since such a switch, unlike a wall surface, generally has an uneven portion, even if the decorative film is applied to the switch, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the presence of the switch is conspicuous and a suitable interior might not be obtained for the entire room.

[0007] Since the decorative film is used by being attached to a wall or an adherend having a curved face shape or the like, the decorative film generally has flexibility. On the other hand, capacitive-type touch sensors and touch panels as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are not generally used for decorative purposes, and do not have flexibility like films. Therefore, such touch sensors and touch panels cannot be used as decorative films.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a decorative capacitive-type sensor fdm that has no unevenness on the front surface as compared with, for example, a conventional lighting switch as illustrated in FIG. 6, can impart decorative properties, and is usable for various switches and the like.

Solution to Problem

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a decorative capacitive-type sensor film including a decorative layer, at least one conductive layer, and a non- conductive adhesive layer, wherein the conductive layer is disposed inside the non-conductive adhesive layer and/or on one surface or both surfaces of the non-conductive adhesive layer, and extends in an inplane direction of the non-conductive adhesive layer.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a laminate including an adherend to which the film is adhered via the non-conductive adhesive layer, and an electrode in contact with at least a part of the conductive layer.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a system including the above-described laminate, and a control circuit and a power supply connected to the electrode of the laminate, wherein a signal generated from the film of the laminate is controlled by the control circuit to drive an electric device. Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, there can be provided a decorative capacitive-type sensor fdm that has no unevenness on the front surface as compared with a conventional lighting switch or the like, can impart decorative properties, and is usable for various switches and the like.

[0013] The above description should not be construed as disclosing all embodiments of the present invention and all advantages relating to the present invention.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0014] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative capacitive-type sensor film of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative capacitive-type sensor film of another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative capacitive-type sensor film of another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative capacitive-type sensor film of another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a configuration of a laminate of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a conventional lighting switch to which the decorative film is applied.

FIG. 7 is a photograph of a laminate including the decorative capacitive-type sensor film of an embodiment of the present disclosure being caused to function as a switch.

FIG. 8 is a photograph of a system including the laminate in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is another photograph of a system including the laminate in FIG. 7.

Description of Embodiments

[0015] Hereinafter, representative embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, as necessary, for the purpose of illustration, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Regarding the reference numbers in the drawings, constituents labeled with similar numbers across different drawings are similar or corresponding constituents.

[0016] In the present disclosure, the term "substantially" means that a variation caused by a production error or the like is included, and is intended to allow a variation of approximately ±20%.

[0017] In the present disclosure, the term "(meth)acrylic" refers to acrylic or methacrylic, and the term "(meth)acrylate" refers to acrylate or methacrylate.

[0018] In the present disclosure, the term "film" encompasses articles referred to as "sheets".

[0019] In the present disclosure, "transparent" refers to an average transmittance in a visible light region (wavelength of 400 nm to 700 nm) measured in accordance with JIS K 7375 of approximately 80% or greater, and the average transmittance may be desirably approximately 85% or greater, or approximately 90% or greater. An upper limit of the average transmittance is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, approximately less than 100%, approximately 99% or less, or approximately 98% or less.

[0020] In the present disclosure, "translucent" refers to an average transmittance in a visible light region (wavelength of 400 nm to 700 nm) measured in accordance with JIS K 7375 of approximately less than 80%, and the average transmittance may be desirably approximately less than or equal to 75%, and "translucent" is intended to mean that an underlying layer is not completely hidden.

[0021] Hereinafter, the decorative capacitive-type sensor film of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings as necessary.

[0022] A decorative capacitive -type sensor film 100 in FIG. 1 includes a decorative layer 101, a non- conductive adhesive layer 103, and conductive layers 105.

[0023] Hereinafter, for the purpose of illustrating representative embodiments of the present disclosure, details of each component will be described with some reference signs omitted.

[0024] The decorative capacitive-type sensor film (sometimes simply referred to as a "sensor film") of the present disclosure includes a decorative layer, at least one conductive layer, and a non-conductive adhesive layer. The conductive layer is disposed inside the non-conductive adhesive layer and/or on one surface or both surfaces of the non-conductive adhesive layer, and extends in an in-plane direction of the non-conductive adhesive layer. Since the sensor film of the present disclosure having at least such a configuration can function as a capacitive -type sensor, it can be used as, for example, a switch without a protrusion such as a button as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0025] The sensor film of the present disclosure includes at least one conductive layer. The sensor fdm of the present disclosure may typically be used, as described later, in a state where an electrode is connected to at least a part of at least one conductive layer, and a control circuit, a power supply, and an electric device, for example, are further connected. When a finger or the like comes into contact with or comes close to the conductive layer (that is, the conductive layer connected to the electrode or a conductive reaction portion described later in contact with or in proximity to the conductive layer) of the sensor film in such a state, capacitance is generated between the finger or the like and the conductive layer. The sensor film of the present disclosure can be made to function as a capacitive-type sensor by utilizing a change here in the capacitance before and after the finger or the like comes into contact with or is brought close to the sensor film.

[0026] The number of the conductive layers may be one, but is preferably plural (e.g., two or more, or three or more). For example, at an installation site where the sensor film of the present disclosure is attached to a wall or the like, the position of the switch may be changed at short notice. In such a case, when a plurality of the conductive layers are present, the position of a site caused to react as a switch can be appropriately changed as occasion demands. When a plurality of the conductive layers are present, the conductive layers may be the same or different. From the perspective of obtaining stable quality, the conductive layers are preferably the same. Each conductive layer may have a single layer structure or a layered structure.

[0027] When a plurality of the conductive layers are present, the distances between the conductive layers may be different or may be substantially equal. From the perspective of obtaining stable reaction sensitivity of the sensor, for example, the distances between the conductive layers are preferably substantially equal distances. When the distances between the conductive layers are substantially equal distances, it is possible to obtain an advantage that post-processing of the sensor fdm becomes easy. The distance between the conductive layers can be appropriately set in consideration of the stable reaction sensitivity of the sensor, the size of the conductive reaction portion described later, post-processability, and the like.

[0028] The conductive layers may be disposed on one surface of the non-conductive adhesive layer 103 on the opposite side to the decorative layer 101 as illustrated in FIG. 1, may be disposed between the non-conductive adhesive layer 103 and the decorative layer 101, or may be disposed on both surfaces of the non-conductive adhesive layer 103. Alternatively, the conductive layers may be disposed inside the non-conductive adhesive layer as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In this case, the conductive layers may be disposed entirely across a thickness direction of the non-conductive adhesive layer as illustrated in FIG. 2, or may be disposed in a part of the thickness direction of the non-conductive adhesive layer as illustrated in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the conductive layers may be disposed inside the non-conductive adhesive layer and on one surface or both surfaces of the non-conductive adhesive layer. In particular, the conductive layers are preferably disposed only inside the non-conductive adhesive layer. With such a configuration, the unevenness caused by the thickness of the conductive layers is less likely to be reflected in the decorative layer, and thus better decorative performance can be exhibited.

[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the conductive layers extend in the in-plane direction of the non- conductive adhesive layer. Here, "extend" means that the conductive layers are present so as to be elongated in the in-plane direction of the non-conductive adhesive layer. The conductive layers may extend from one end to the other end of a sensor film 500 as illustrated in FIG. 5, or the conductive layers need not extend from one end to another end of the sensor film as long as the conductive layers and the electrode are configured to be connectable. The sensor film of the present disclosure may sometimes be cut to an appropriate size or shape at the installation site. In such a case, if the conductive layers extend from one end to another end of the sensor film, electrodes of any size or shape can be suitably connected to the conductive layers.

[0030] The shape of the arrangement of the conductive layer is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a substantially linear shape (substantially striped shape when a plurality of the conductive layers are present), a substantially wavy shape, a substantially zigzag shape, or a mixture of these shapes. From the perspectives of productivity and the reaction sensitivity of the sensor, for example, the shape of the arrangement of the conductive layer is preferably the substantially linear shape (substantially striped shape when a plurality of the conductive layers are present). The shape may be formed entirely across each conductive layer or may be formed in a part of each conductive layer. For example, in a case where one conductive layer is formed at the approximate center of the sensor film, a part near the center of the conductive layer may be configured to have a shape (for example, a substantially circular shape) like the conductive reaction portion described later, and the other parts may be configured to have a substantially linear shape. When the conductive layer has a configuration (for example, a similar shape) similar to that of the conductive reaction portion described later, that part can exhibit a function similar to that of the conductive reaction portion described later.

[0031] The thickness of the conductive layer is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately set in consideration of a raw material and the like constituting the conductive layer so as to obtain, for example, the desired reaction sensitivity in the sensor. The thickness can be, for example, approximately 0.1 micrometers or greater, approximately 0.5 micrometers or greater, approximately 1 micrometer or greater, approximately 5 micrometers or greater, approximately 10 micrometers or greater, or approximately 20 micrometers or greater, and can be approximately 100 micrometers or less, approximately 50 micrometers or less, or approximately 30 micrometers or less. Note that, regarding the thickness of each layer in the sensor film of the present disclosure, a cross section in a thickness direction of the layered structure is measured using an optical microscope or a scanning electron microscope, and the thicknesses of each layer can be defined as the average value of the thicknesses at at least any five points of the target layer in the layered structure, for example, the conductive layer.

[0032] The width of the conductive layer is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately set in consideration of the raw material and the like constituting the conductive layer so as to obtain, for example, the desired reaction sensitivity in the sensor. Here, when one conductive layer has substantially the same shape (for example, when the entire conductive layer has a substantially linear shape), the "width of the conductive layer" means, for example, a length in a lateral direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the conductive layers 105 in FIG. 1. When one conductive layer has a differently shaped portion (for example, when one conductive layer is formed at the approximate center of the sensor fdm, and near the center of the conductive layer has a substantially circular shape while the other parts have a substantially linear shape), the width of the conductive layer means a length of the parts other than the differently shaped portion among the lengths described above of the conductive layer. The size of the width of the conductive layer can be, for example, approximately 1 mm or greater, approximately 3 mm or greater, approximately 5 mm or greater, approximately 7 mm or greater, or approximately 1 cm or greater, and can be approximately 5 cm or less, approximately 4 cm or less, approximately 3 cm or less, approximately 2 cm or less, or approximately 1 cm or less. The size of the width of the conductive layer can be defined as the average value of the sizes of the widths at at least any five places in the conductive layer when measured from the adhesive layer side on the opposite side to the decorative layer using an optical microscope or a scanning electron microscope.

[0033] The conductive layer may be transparent, semitransparent, or opaque entirely or partially in a visible range in accordance with the intended use of the sensor film or the like.

[0034] The type of the conductive layer is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a conductive plating layer, a conductive vapor-deposited layer, a conductive resin layer, a conducting wire, a metal foil, and a metal alloy foil. As the conductive layer, a conductive layer having such a configuration can be used alone or in a combination of two or more. The conductive layer may be applied, for example, directly to the decorative layer and/or the non-conductive adhesive layer constituting the sensor film, or indirectly via a bonding layer or the like. The conductive plating layer and the conductive vapor-deposited layer may be directly applied to, for example, the decorative layer or the non-conductive adhesive layer constituting the sensor film using a mask or the like, or may be applied by cutting a laminate formed by plating or vapor deposition on a supporting body into an appropriate size and shape.

[0035] Conductive raw materials that may be used in preparation of the conductive layer are not particularly limited and examples thereof include metals such as nickel, chromium, palladium, aluminum, iron, copper, and silver, or metal alloys containing at least one of these metals, conductive oxides such as indium tin oxide (ITO), and carbon. These components can be used alone, or in a combination of two or more.

[0036] Among the conductive layers, the conductive resin layer is preferable, and a conductive adhesive layer is more preferable. The sensor film of the present disclosure may sometimes be applied to a large adherend such as a wall, or the fdm may sometimes be cut at the installation site. Since the conductive resin layer can be formed without using a device that is not suitable for an increase in size, such as a vapor deposition device, it is possible to increase the area of the sensor film. Since the conductive resin layer is easily cut, it can be suitably used in the sensor film of the present disclosure. Further, since the conductive adhesive layer can be formed at the same time as the non-conductive adhesive layer by using a stripe coating, for example, it is possible to improve productivity. Since the conductive layer itself exhibits adhesion performance, the conductive adhesive layer can be suitably joined to an adherend or another layer. The conductive resin layer may be in the form of a film, a nonwoven fabric, or a combination of these.

[0037] The conductive resin layer can be formed by, for example, subjecting the resin layer to metal plating and/or metal vapor deposition, or adding a conductive filler. Alternatively, a conductive resin layer having a configuration in which a resin layer blended with a conductive filler is applied to one surface or both surfaces of a resin layer subjected to metal plating and/or metal vapor deposition may be employed. The conductive filler is not particularly limited, and for example, a filler composed of the above-described conductive raw material can be used. The conductive filler can be used alone, or in a combination of two or more. The amount of the conductive filler is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately set according to, for example, the type or size of the conductive filler and the required reaction sensitivity of the sensor.

[0038] The resin raw material that can be used in the preparation of the conductive resin layer is not particularly limited. Examples of the resin raw material include thermoplastic resins such as polyolefin resins (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), polyester resins (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate), polycarbonate resins, polyamide resins, and polyphenylene sulfide resins; thermosetting resins such as epoxy resins, (meth) acrylic resins, resins having urethane bonds, silicone resins, unsaturated polyester resins, phenol resins, melamine resins, and polyimide resins; and rubberbased resins such as silicone rubbers, isoprene rubbers, butadiene rubbers, styrene-butadiene rubbers, chloroprene mbbers, ethylene-propylene rubbers, ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers, nitrile rubbers, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubbers (NBR), hydrogenated NBR, acrylic rubbers, urethane rubbers, fluorinebased rubbers, and natural rubbers. The resin raw materials can be used alone, or in a combination of two or more. Here, in the present disclosure, the term "resins having urethane bonds" may include, for example, a resin prepared using at least one selected from urethane (meth)acrylate and urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer besides a urethane resin, and the urethane resin can also include a (meth)acrylic urethane resin, and the like.

[0039] When a conductive adhesive layer is employed as the conductive resin layer, the raw material for the non-conductive adhesive layer described later can be similarly used as the resin raw material thereof.

[0040] The sensor film of the present disclosure includes a decorative layer. Examples of the decorative layer include, but are not limited to, a color layer that exhibits a paint color, for example, a light color, such as white or yellow, and a deep color, such as red, brown, green, blue, gray, orblack; a pattern layer that imparts a design pattern, such as a wood grain, a stone grain, a geometric pattern, or a leather pattern, a logo, a drawing, a character, a number, a symbol, a photograph, or a picture pattern on an article; a relief (embossed pattern) layer in which an uneven shape is provided on the surface; and combinations of these layers. The decorative layer may have a single layer structure or a layered structure.

[0041] The decorative layer can be applied to, but is not limited to, an entire surface of or a part of a layer constituting the sensor film, such as the non-conductive adhesive layer or a surface layer described later, directly or indirectly via the bonding layer or the like.

[0042] The raw material for the color layer is not limited to the following, but for example, a raw material obtained by dispersing a pigment in a binder resin, such as a (meth)acrylic resin or a resin having a urethane bond, can be used. Examples of the pigment include inorganic pigments, such as carbon black, chrome yellow, yellow iron oxide, colcothar, or red iron oxide; or organic pigments, such as a phthalocyanine pigment such as phthalocyanine blue or phthalocyanine green, an azo lake pigment, an indigo pigment, a perinone pigment, a perylene pigment, a quinophthalone pigment, a dioxazine pigment, and a quinacridone pigment such as quinacridone red. Among these, for example, from the perspective of impact resistance, a resin having a urethane bond is preferred.

[0043] The color layer can be formed using such a raw material, for example, by a coating method, such as gravure coating, roll coating, die coating, bar coating, or knife coating.

[0044] The pattern layer is not limited to the following but, for example, a pattern layer obtained by directly applying a pattern, such as a design pattern, a logo, or a picture pattern, on the non-conductive adhesive layer, the surface layer described later, or the like using a printing method, such as gravure direct printing, gravure offset printing, inkjet printing, laser printing, or screen printing, may be employed. Alternatively, for example, a film or a sheet having a design pattern, a logo, a picture pattern, or the like formed by coating, such as gravure coating, roll coating, die coating, bar coating, or knife coating, punching, or etching can be also used. For example, a raw material similar to those used in the color layer can be used for the pattern layer.

[0045] For the relief layer, a thermoplastic resin film having an uneven shape on the surface may be used, the uneven shape being obtained by a well-known method in the art, such as, for example, emboss finishing, scratch processing, laser processing, dry etching processing, or hot press processing. The relief layer can be also formed by applying a thermosetting or radiation-curable resin, such as a curable (meth)acrylic resin, on a release liner having an uneven shape, curing the resin by heat or radiation, and removing the release liner.

[0046] The thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, and radiation-curable resin used in the relief layer are not particularly limited but, for example, a fluororesin, a polyester resin such as PET or PEN, a (meth)acrylic resin, a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, a thermoplastic elastomer, polycarbonate, polyamide, an ABS resin, an acrylonitrile-styrene resin, polystyrene, vinyl chloride, or a resin having a urethane bond can be used. Among these, for example, from the perspective of impact resistance, a resin having a urethane bond is preferred. The relief layer may contain at least one of the pigments used in the color layer.

[0047] The thickness of the decorative layer is to be appropriately adjusted according to the required decorativeness or the like and is not particularly limited but, for example, can be approximately 1 micrometer or greater, approximately 3 micrometers or greater, or approximately 5 micrometers or greater, and can be approximately 200 micrometers or less, approximately 150 micrometers or less, or approximately 100 micrometers or less.

[0048] The sensor film of the present disclosure includes a non-conductive adhesive layer. The non- conductive adhesive layer is typically a layer that can be applied to an adherend. The non-conductive adhesive layer may be applied over the entire surface of the sensor film, as illustrated in FIG. 1, or may be applied partially over the sensor film, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0049] The non-conductive adhesive layer may be directly applied to the decorative layer or may be indirectly applied to the decorative layer via another layer (for example, the bonding layer).

[0050] The raw material for the non-conductive adhesive layer is not particularly limited and, for example, a typically used adhesive agent can be used, such as a solvent-type, emulsion-type, pressuresensitive, heat-sensitive, thermosetting, or ultraviolet-curable adhesive agent that is (methjacrylic -based, polyolefin-based, polyurethane-based, polyester-based, or rubber-based. In the present disclosure, "pressure-sensitive adhesive" refers to an adhesive with permanent adhesiveness at room temperature that adheres to various surfaces with light pressure and does not exhibit a phase change (from liquid to solid). The adhesive may be cross-linked by thermal cross-linking or radiation (for example, electron beams or ultraviolet light) using a crosslinking agent.

[0051] The thickness of the non-conductive adhesive layer is not particularly limited and can be, for example, approximately 5 micrometers or greater, approximately 10 micrometers or greater, or approximately 20 micrometers or greater, and approximately 100 micrometers or less, approximately 80 micrometers or less, or approximately 50 micrometers or less.

[0052] The sensor film of the present disclosure may include any additional configuration. Examples of the additional configuration include at least one selected from the group consisting of the conductive reaction portion, the surface layer, the bonding layer, a middle film layer, and the release liner. The additional configuration can be applied to the entire surface or a part of the sensor film. The additional configuration may have a three-dimensional shape such as an embossed pattern on its surface.

[0053] In some embodiments, the sensor film of the present disclosure includes one or a plurality of the conductive reaction portions. As indicated in FIG. 7, the conductive reaction portion refers to a portion or a constituent member that generates capacitance between a finger or the like and the conductive reaction portion when the finger or the like comes into contact with or comes close to a region where the conductive reaction portion of the sensor film is present, and as a result, allows the sensor film of the present disclosure to function as a capacitive-type sensor (for example, a switch). The conductive reaction portion may be configured as a separate body from the conductive layer as described below, or may be configured as a single body with the conductive layer by adjusting the shape of the conductive layer described above. It is preferable that the conductive reaction portion be configured as a separate body from the conductive layer because thereby a portion desired to be caused to react as a sensor can be freely set, for example, at the installation site.

[0054] The conductive reaction portion need only be disposed at a position where a change in capacitance can occur when a finger or the like comes into contact with or comes close to the conductive reaction portion in the sensor film. For example, the conductive reaction portion may be disposed on the outermost surface of the sensor film or may be disposed closer to the non-conductive adhesive layer side than the outermost surface. When the conductive reaction portion is disposed closer to the non-conductive adhesive layer side than the outermost surface, the conductive reaction portion may be disposed, for example, on the surface on the non-conductive adhesive layer side on the opposite side to the decorative layer (for example, a configuration like the one illustrated in FIG. 4), between the decorative layer and the non-conductive adhesive layer, between the conductive layers and the non-conductive adhesive layer in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, between any other layers constituting the sensor film, or between any other layer and the decorative layer, the conductive layer or the non-conductive adhesive layer. Here, the "outermost surface" means a surface on the opposite side to the adherend side when the sensor film is applied to the adherend.

[0055] The size of the conductive reaction portion is not particularly limited and can be appropriately set according to, for example, the intended use of the sensor film or the desired function of the conductive reaction portion in the sensor film. For example, the conductive reaction portion can have an area sized to extend beyond at least a part of at least one conductive layer 505 (for example, a width of the conductive layer) as illustrated in FIG. 5. The conductive reaction portion having the size illustrated in FIG. 5 is advantageous when used as a switch or the like that is used by intentionally bringing a finger or the like into contact with or close to the conductive reaction portion as indicated in FIG. 7. The size (for example, the maximum length) of the conductive reaction portion is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, approximately 3 cm or greater, approximately 5 cm or greater, approximately 7 cm or greater, or approximately 10 cm or greater, and can be approximately 30 cm or less, approximately 20 cm or less, approximately 15 cm or less, or approximately 10 cm or less.

[0056] The conductive reaction portion may be disposed substantially on the entire surface of the sensor film, or a plurality of the conductive reaction portions may be disposed so as to be scattered on the entire surface of the sensor film. The conductive reaction portion having such a configuration is advantageous when used as a sensor that is used unintentionally, such as, in a case where the sensor film is disposed on the ground, a sensor that reacts when someone steps on or passes over the sensor film. [0057] By adjusting the distances or the shape of the conductive layers or adjusting the size or the shape of the conductive reaction portion, the conductive reaction portion can be configured to extend over a plurality of the conductive layers or come into contact with the plurality of conductive layers. With such a configuration, even if one conductive layer were disconnected, the other conductive layers could supplement its function as a sensor.

[0058] The shape of the conductive reaction portion is not particularly limited. Examples of the shape of the conductive reaction portion exhibited when the sensor film is visually recognized as illustrated in FIG. 5 include a substantially circular shape, a substantially polygonal shape (e.g., a substantially triangular shape, a substantially square shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially regular pentagonal shape, a substantially hexagonal shape, a substantially regular octagonal shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially rhombic shape, and a substantially star-like shape), and a substantially elliptical shape.

[0059] The type of the conductive reaction portion is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a conductive plating layer, a conductive vapor-deposited layer, a conductive resin layer, a metal foil, and a metal alloy foil. Regarding these raw materials and the like, the raw materials in the conductive layer described above, for example, can be similarly employed. As the conductive reaction portion, the conductive reaction portion having such a configuration can be used alone or in combination of two or more. For example, the conductive reaction portion may be directly applied to each layer (for example, the decorative layer, the conductive layer, and the non-conductive adhesive layer) constituting the sensor fdm, or may be indirectly applied via the bonding layer or the like.

[0060] The thickness of the conductive reaction portion is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately set in consideration of the raw material constituting the conductive reaction portion and the like so as to obtain, for example, the desired reaction sensitivity in the sensor. The thickness can be, for example, approximately 0.1 micrometers or greater, approximately 0.5 micrometers or greater, approximately 1 micrometer or greater, approximately 5 micrometers or greater, approximately 10 micrometers or greater, or approximately 20 micrometers or greater, and can be approximately 100 micrometers or less, approximately 70 micrometers or less, approximately 50 micrometers or less, or approximately 30 micrometers or less.

[0061] In some embodiments, the sensor film of the present disclosure includes the surface layer. The raw material of the surface layer is not particularly limited, and for example, one type of or a blend of two or more types of (methjacrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and (methjacrylic copolymers, resins having a urethane bond (e.g., polyurethane), fluororesins such as ethylenetetrafluoroethylene copolymers (ETFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), methyl methacrylate-vinylidene fluoride copolymers (PMMA/PVDF), and tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride copolymer (THV), silicone resins, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyamides such as nylon, and copolymers such as ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers (EAA) and ionomers thereof, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVOH) can be used. The surface layer may have a single layer structure or a multi-layer structure. For example, the surface layer may be a laminate of films formed from the resins described above, or may be a multilayer coating of the resins described above. The surface layer may have a three-dimensional uneven shape such as an embossed pattern on the entirety or part of the surface thereof.

[0062] The surface layer can be formed by coating the decorative layer with a resin composition directly or via the bonding layer or the like. The coating of the surface layer can be performed before application or after application of the sensor film to the adherend. Alternatively, a surface layer film can be formed by coating the release liner with the resin composition, and the film can be laminated on the decorative layer directly or via the bonding layer or the like. For example, the surface layer film can be formed by coating a release liner with a resin raw material such as a curable (meth)acrylic resin composition or a reactive polyurethane composition by knife coating, bar coating, blade coating, doctor coating, roll coating, or cast coating, and then light or heat curing as necessary.

[0063] A surface layer formed into a film beforehand through extrusion, stretching, and the like may be used. Such a fdm can be laminated on the decorative layer directly or via the bonding layer or the like. By using a film with high flatness as the film, an article (laminate) can be given an appearance of higher surface flatness. The surface layer can be formed by multilayer extrusion with other layers. For example, a (meth)acrylic film can be used as the other layer. For example, a resin containing polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), butyl polyacrylate, (meth)acrylic copolymer, ethylene/acrylic copolymer, ethylene vinyl acetate/acrylic copolymer can be formed into a film and used as the (meth)acrylic film. The (meth)acrylic fdm is excellent in transparency and/or scratch resistance, resistant to heat and/or light, and less likely to cause discoloration and/or changes in gloss. In addition, excellent molding processability is achieved without use of a plasticizer, and excellent contamination resistance is also achieved because use of plasticizer is not required. Among these, a (meth)acrylic film having PMMA as the main component is preferred. For example, in a case where a (meth)acrylic resin having excellent scratch resistance or the like is used as such another layer and a fluororesin having excellent chemical resistance or the like, such as ETFE, PVDF, or PMMA/PVDF, as the surface layer, the formed surface layer can be a surface layer having both performances of these layers.

[0064] The surface layer of the present disclosure can contain, for example, fillers, antioxidants, UV absorbing agents, light stabilizers, heat stabilizers, hard coat material, gloss-imparting agent, dispersants, plasticizers, flow improvers, surfactants, leveling agents, silane coupling agents, catalysts, pigments, and dyes as optional components in a range that does not impair the performance (e.g., protecting performance) based on the purpose. Among these, for example, use of UV absorbing agents such as benzotriazole, Tinuvin™ 400 (available from BASF), and hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) such as Tinuvin™ 292 (available from BASF) can effectively prevent discoloration, fading, and deterioration of the layer located as a lower layer. The hard coat material may be contained in the surface layer, or may be applied as a hard coat layer by being separately coated on the surface layer.

[0065] The surface layer may be transparent, or partially translucent or opaque. From the perspective of visibility of the decorative layer, for example, the surface layer is preferably transparent. [0066] The thickness of the surface layer may vary, and, for example, may be approximately 1 micrometer or greater, approximately 5 micrometers or greater, approximately 10 micrometers or greater, approximately 20 micrometers or greater, or approximately 30 micrometers or greater, and may be approximately 200 micrometers or less, approximately less than 200 micrometers, approximately 180 micrometers or less, approximately 150 micrometers or less, approximately 130 micrometers or less, approximately 100 micrometers or less, or approximately 80 micrometers or less.

[0067] In the sensor fdm of the present disclosure, a bonding layer (sometimes referred to as a "primer layer", for example) can be used to join each layer constituting the sensor film.

[0068] The bonding layer can contain, for example, a resin having a urethane bond, a (meth)acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a phenoxy resin, or a resin blend of two or more types of these. In an embodiment, a bonding layer contains a resin blend of a resin having a urethane bond and a phenoxy resin.

[0069] The thickness of the bonding layer can be, for example, approximately 0.1 micrometers or greater, approximately 0.2 micrometers or greater, or approximately 0.5 micrometers or greater, and approximately 10 micrometers or less, approximately less than 10 micrometers, approximately 5.0 micrometers or less, approximately 2.0 micrometers or less, approximately 1.0 micrometers or less, approximately 0.5 micrometers or less, or approximately less than 0.5 micrometers.

[0070] The sensor film may optionally include, for example, a middle fdm layer interposed between the surface layer and the decorative layer, between the decorative layer and the non-conductive adhesive layer, or between the conductive layer and the decorative layer or the non-conductive adhesive layer. The middle film layer can enhance the strength of the sensor film.

[0071] As the middle film layer, for example, resin films of resins having a urethane bond, polyvinyl chlorides, polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, (methjacrylic polymers, or fluorochemical polymers can be used. The middle film layer preferably has thermoplasticity.

[0072] The thickness of the middle film layer can be, for example, approximately 5.0 micrometers or greater, approximately 10 micrometers or greater, or approximately 15 micrometers or greater, and approximately 200 micrometers or less, approximately 100 micrometers or less, or approximately 50 micrometers or less.

[0073] In the sensor fdm of the present disclosure, the release liner can be typically applied to a surface on the non-conductive adhesive layer side. Examples of the release liner include paper; a plastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester (e.g., PET), and cellulose acetate; and paper coated with such a plastic material. These liners may have a surface that has been subjected to release treatment with a release agent such as silicone.

[0074] The thickness of the release liner, generally, can be approximately 5 micrometers or greater, approximately 15 micrometers or greater, or approximately 25 micrometers or greater, and can be approximately 500 micrometers or less, approximately 300 micrometers or less, or approximately 250 micrometers or less.

[0075] The maximum thickness of the sensor film of the present disclosure excluding the release liner is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, approximately 50 micrometers or greater, approximately 70 micrometers or greater, approximately 100 micrometers or greater, approximately 150 micrometers or greater, or approximately 200 micrometers or greater, and can be approximately 500 micrometers or less, approximately 300 micrometers or less, or approximately 250 micrometers or less. Since the sensor film can exhibit flexibility when the sensor film has such a thickness, for example, it is easy to follow an adherend having unevenness or an adherend having a curved face shape, or it is possible to appropriately cut the sensor film into a necessary size at the installation site or the like where the sensor fdm is attached, which is advantageous. Here, the "maximum thickness" means the maximum thickness in a thickness direction of the sensor film, and corresponds to, for example, the length from the uppermost portion of the decorative layer 101 to the lowermost portion of the conductive layer 105 in FIG. 1, and corresponds to the length from the uppermost portion of a decorative layer 401 to the lowermost portion of a conductive reaction portion 407 in FIG. 4. The maximum thickness as such is an average value of values measured at any three positions by using a micrometer (Model: VL-50S), available from Mitutoyo Corporation.

[0076] In the sensor fdm of the present disclosure, for example, a figure or a picture pattern (for example, a switch button) by which the position of a switch or the like can be recognized may be formed in the above-described decorative layer, or the figure or the picture pattern may be formed in or on the surface layer separately from the decorative layer.

[0077] Each layer constituting the sensor film of the present disclosure can contain, for example, fdlers, reinforcing agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, UV absorbing agents, light stabilizers, heat stabilizers, dispersants, plasticizers, flow improvers, surfactants, leveling agents, silane coupling agents, tackifying resins, catalysts, crosslinking agents, pigments, and dyes as optional components in a range that does not negatively affect the effect of the present disclosure. The optional components can be used alone, or in combination of two or more types. The individual amounts and total amount of the optional components can be decided in a range that does not impair the characteristics required for each layer. [0078] The sensor film of the present disclosure may be, for example, a sheet-like article, a rolled body wound in a roll shape, or an article with a three-dimensional shape. Unlike a general touch panel, the sensor film of the present disclosure can be flexible enough to be wound in a roll shape.

[0079] The sensor film of the present disclosure may function as a contact type sensor or may function as a non-contact type sensor. A contact type or a non-contact type can be set by, for example, appropriately specifying a threshold value in a capacitance evaluation value to be detected. The capacitance evaluation value can be obtained by using software, Capacitive-Type Film Sensor: Configuration Tool Ver 1.0.5746.32822, attached to a capacitance control board (Model No. ADFCS01, available from Bit Trade One, Ltd. (Sagamihara City, Kanagawa, Japan)).

[0080] When the sensor film of the present disclosure functions as a contact type or non-contact type sensor, the sensor film may be designed such that the sensor responds to the type of object coming into contact with or being brought close to the sensor film. The sensor film of the present disclosure can exhibit, for example, a capacitance evaluation value in a range from approximately 7000 to approximately 9000 when the object making contact is a hand, a capacitance evaluation value in a range from approximately 2000 to approximately 4000 when the object making contact is a finger, a capacitance evaluation value in a range from approximately 2000 to approximately 3000 when the object making contact is a shoe, and a capacitance evaluation value of approximately 1000 to approximately 2000 when the object making contact with the sensor film is a smartphone. Thus, the sensor film of the present disclosure can detect a difference in the capacitance evaluation value according to an object coming into contact with or being brought close to the sensor film. Therefore, the sensor film of the present disclosure can also be designed such that the sensor responds to the type of object making contact or being brought close to the sensor fdm. The type of the object making contact or being brought close to the sensor film is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include parts of the human body (e.g., fingers, hands, nose, arms, elbows, nails, back, hips, legs, feet, knees, chest, and abdomen), shoes, clothes, stationery (e.g., pens), cards (e.g., entrance cards and commuter passes), mobile phones (e.g., smartphones), and tires. [0081] In addition, the sensor film of the present disclosure can also detect a difference in the capacitance evaluation value according to a length of time or the number of times that an object comes into contact with or is brought close to the sensor film. Therefore, the sensor film of the present disclosure can be designed such that the sensor responds according to at least one selected from the group consisting of the length of time and the number of times that an object comes into contact with or is brought close to the sensor film.

[0082] The capacitance evaluation value that can be exhibited when an object comes into contact with or is brought close to the sensor film is not particularly limited as long as the sensor film can function as a sensor. The sensor fdm of the present disclosure can exhibit a capacitance evaluation value of, for example, approximately 100 or greater, approximately 200 or greater, approximately 500 or greater, approximately 700 or greater, or approximately 1000 or greater, and approximately 30000 or less, 20000 or less, 15000 or less, or 10000 or less.

[0083] A manufacturing method of the sensor film of the present disclosure is not particularly limited, and the sensor film can be manufactured, for example, in accordance with the following procedure.

[0084] For example, the decorative layer and the non-conductive adhesive layer, and optionally an additional layer, are each formed on the release liner using a coating method or the like, and then a conductive layer having a prescribed size is applied on the non-conductive adhesive layer, whereby the sensor film of the present disclosure can be manufactured. Further, the release liner may be laminated on the non-conductive adhesive layer so as to cover the conductive layer. Note that, as the coating method, for example, a publicly known method, such as a knife coater, die coater, roll coater, bar coater, cast coater, notch bar coater, gravure coater, or rod coater, can be used.

[0085] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a laminate including an adherend to which the sensor film of the present disclosure is adhered via the non-conductive adhesive layer and an electrode in contact with at least a part of the conductive layer. The above-described conductive reaction portion may be applied not only to the sensor film but also to the adherend, or may be applied to both the sensor film and the adherend.

[0086] The material for the adherend is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include resin raw materials (e.g., polyolefin resins, polyester resins, (methjacrylic resins, polycarbonate resins, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers), inorganic raw materials (e.g., glass, ceramic, concrete, gypsum, calcium silicate, natural stone, and asphalt), rubber raw materials, cloth materials (e.g., woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, and nonwoven fabrics), and woody raw materials. The front surface of the adherend may be subjected to surface treatment, coating, or the like. For example, when an insulation treatment (e.g., coating) is applied to the adherend, metals or metal alloy raw materials (e.g., iron, aluminum, and stainless steel) can also be used as the raw material for the adherend.

[0087] The shape of the adherend is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a flat shape such as a film or a plate, a curved face shape, or various three-dimensional shapes.

[0088] In the laminate of the present disclosure, for example, as indicated in the center on the left side of FIG. 9, an electrode is connected to the conductive layer of the sensor film. Accordingly, when an object comes into contact with or is brought close to the sensor film, capacitance is generated, and a sensor function such as a switch can be exhibited by using this change in the capacitance.

[0089] The electrode may typically be brought into contact with the conductive layer present in a region where the change in capacitance is desired to be detected when an object comes into contact with or is brought close to the sensor film. For example, the laminate including the sensor film indicated on the left side of FIG. 8 is provided with the conductive reaction portion substantially at the center. Therefore, in the laminate, the electrode is connected to the conductive layer (conductive layer in the center) overlapping with the conductive reaction portion (the upper left photograph in FIG. 9).

[0090] The material for the electrode is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include metals or metal alloy raw materials (e.g., copper, brass, copper-tungsten alloys, and silver-tungsten alloys) and carbon-based raw materials (e.g., graphite).

[0091] The form of use of the laminate of the present disclosure is not particularly limited, and the laminate may be a movable product or an immobile product. For example, when the adherend of the laminate is a wall surface of a building or a road, the laminate can be an immobile product. Specific examples of the usage form of the laminate of the present disclosure include exterior or interior members used for vehicles (e.g., automobiles, motorcycles, and trains), aircraft, ships, and buildings and constructions (e.g., various rooms, doors, windows, floors, kitchens, lavatories in houses or buildings, bridges, and roads), furniture, electric appliances (e.g., televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators, personal computers, mobile phones, and lighting), signs, guides, signboards, advertisements, posters, and mats. [0092] The laminate of the present disclosure can also be used to construct a system. The system can include, for example, a laminate of the present disclosure, a control circuit connected to an electrode of the laminate, and a power supply, and can be configured such that a signal related to capacitance generated from the sensor film of the present disclosure configured in the laminate is controlled by the control circuit to drive an electric device. Here, in the present disclosure, "drive an electric device" includes, for example, stopping the electric device and operating the electric device, in addition to running the electric device.

[0093] Although the system of the present disclosure is not limited to the following, an example thereof will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0094] The upper left sample indicated in FIG. 8 corresponds to the laminate of the present disclosure, and the upper right sample corresponds to the electric device of the present disclosure. As indicated in FIG. 9, in the laminate of the present disclosure, an electrode is connected to the conductive layer of the sensor film constituting the laminate, and a power supply unit corresponding to the power supply, the control circuit, and a member provided with a display -type LED module corresponding to the electric device are connected to form a circuit on the whole through a lead wire applied to the electrode. When a finger or the like touches a sensor reaction portion (the portion where the conductive reaction portion is present) in the sensor film of the present disclosure configured in the laminate of the system, as indicated in FIG. 7, a signal related to the capacitance generated from the sensor film is generated, the signal is controlled by the control circuit to drive the LED module, and the LED is turned on or off.

[0095] In the system of the present disclosure, the laminate and the electric device may be configured as separate bodies as indicated in FIGS. 7 to 9, or may be configured as a single body.

[0096] The electric device is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include electric appliances (e.g., lighting, air conditioners, refrigerators, microwave ovens, telephones, televisions, personal computers, projectors, water heaters, monitors, electric locking devices, and automatic doors); various electric devices (e.g., car navigation systems and audio systems) in vehicles (e.g., automobiles, motorcycles, and trains), aircrafts, ships; and detection devices for detecting people, animals, and vehicles (e.g., automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, and wheelchairs). The sensing device can be, for example, a device including means that can sense what has been detected by at least any of five senses (visual sense, auditory sense, tactile sense, taste sense, and olfactory sense). Such means include means capable of transmitting the detection by video, sound, music, smell, and vibration. The electric device may also be connected to, for example, an internet line. In such a case, it is possible to remotely drive or operate other electric devices or machines via the Internet.

[0097] The method of using the system of the present disclosure is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method in which the system of the present disclosure is used as a switch for operating various electric devices, and a method in which the system of the present disclosure is used as a detection means for detecting a person, an animal, a vehicle, or the like coming to or passing through the place. The detection means may be configured not only to detect a person or the like but also to drive various electric products based on the detected signal. When the system of the present disclosure is used as the detection means, the laminate of the present disclosure that can have people, vehicles, and the like come into contact therewith may sometimes be required to have a large area. General touch panels and touch sensors are not suitable for an increase in size. However, the sensor film of the present disclosure can also cope with an increase in area, and thus the system of the present disclosure can also be suitably used for the detection means as described above.

Examples

[0098] In the following examples, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0099] Example 1 : Use as contact type sensor and influence of object allowed to come into contact with conductive reaction portion. With respect to a bonding layer of a decorative film (3M (trade name) DI-NOC (trade name) Film FW Series FW-1113 available from 3M Japan Limited (Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan)) including a gravure printing decorative layer having a 1.5 micrometer thickness and a non-conductive acrylic resin pressure sensitive adhesive layer having a 0.5 micrometer thickness, three strips of an electrically conductive double-sided tape (3M (trade name) Electrically Conductive Double-Sided Tape CN4490 available from 3M Japan Limited (Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan)) including conductive adhesive layers on both surfaces of a nickel-plated polyester nonwoven fabric cut to be approximately 50 micrometers in thickness and approximately 0.5 cm in width were disposed at substantially equal distances from one end to another end of the decorative film to form a conductive layer as illustrated in FIG. 5. Next, the electrically conductive double-sided tape cut in a substantially circular shape having a diameter of approximately 10 cm was attached near the approximate center of the conductive layer located in the approximate center to form a conductive reaction portion, thereby preparing a decorative capacitive-type sensor fdm.

[0100] An electrode made of copper was connected near one side end portion of the conductive layer located at the approximate center of the obtained decorative capacitive-type sensor film, a lead wire was further connected to this electrode, and then the film was attached to a gypsum board to prepare a laminate. A system was constructed by connecting the obtained laminate, a control circuit (Model No. M5Stack, available from M5Stack Technology Co., Ltd. (China)), and a power supply unit (Model No. BTF-50-5, available from BTF-LIGHTING Technology Co., Ltd. (China)) through the lead wire of the laminate such that they together constituted a circuit. The capacitance evaluation value was obtained by using the software, Capacitive-Type Film Sensor: Configuration Tool Ver 1.0.5746.32822, attached to the capacitance control board (Model No. ADFCS01, available from Bit Trade One, Ltd. (Sagamihara City, Kanagawa, Japan)).

[0101] In a state where nothing was in contact with the conductive reaction portion of the obtained system, the capacitance evaluation value was approximately 0. On the other hand, when the conductive reaction portion was touched by a hand, the capacitance evaluation value was in a range from approximately 7000 to approximately 9000, when touched by a finger, the capacitance evaluation value was in a range from approximately 2000 to 4000, when touched by a shoe sole, the capacitance evaluation value was in a range from approximately 2000 to approximately 3000, and when touched by a smartphone, the capacitance evaluation value was in a range from approximately 1000 to approximately 2000.

[0102] From the above results, it was confirmed that the sensor film of the present disclosure can be used as a contact type sensor. When the object coming into contact with the conductive reaction portion was different, the generated capacitance evaluation value was different. Therefore, it was also confirmed that the sensor can be caused to react according to the kind of object making contact.

[0103] Example 2: Influence of length of time and number of times that an object makes contact

The system of Example 1 was used to study the influence of the length of time and the number of times that an object comes into contact with the conductive reaction portion.

[0104] When the conductive reaction portion was touched with a finger once, twice, or three times, it was confirmed that the capacitance evaluation value changed according to the timing of the touch. [0105] It was confirmed that, when the length of time that the conductive reaction portion was touched with a finger was changed, the capacitance evaluation value also changed in accordance with the change.

[0106] From the above results, it was confirmed that the sensor can be caused to respond in accordance with the length of time or the number of times that the object comes into contact with the sensor.

[0107] Example 3 : Use as non-contact type sensor

The system of Example 1 was used to study whether the sensor film of the present disclosure could be used as a non-contact type sensor.

[0108] When a hand was brought close to the conductive reaction portion without being allowed to come into contact with the conductive reaction portion, it was confirmed that the capacitance evaluation value of approximately 0 changed to be in a range from approximately 200 to approximately 300.

[0109] From the above results, it was confirmed that the sensor film of the present disclosure can be used as a non-contact type sensor.

[0110] Example 4: Use as sensor (switch)

A system was constructed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a device provided with a display -type module as indicated in FIGS. 8 and 9 was employed instead of the capacitance detection device. Here, the device including the display type module was prepared as follows.

[0111] A central portion of a support raw material (white calcium silicate plate) having a size of approximately 30 cm x approximately 30 cm x approximately 6 mm was cut out in a substantially square shape having a size of approximately 16 cm x approximately 16 cm as indicated on the right side of FIG.

9. Subsequently, a transparent polyvinyl chloride plate having a size of approximately 30 cm xapproximately 30 cm x approximately 1 mm and the decorative fdm used in Example 1 were sequentially attached to one side of the support raw material. Next, a display-type module (Model No. WS2812B, available from BTF-LIGHTING Technology Co., Ltd., (China)) was installed in the cut-out portion of the support raw material, and then a heat sink was further applied thereto to prepare an electric device including the display -type module.

[0112] When a conductive reaction portion in the obtained system was touched by a hand, the LED was turned on as indicated in FIG. 7.

[0113] From the above results, it was also confirmed that the sensor film of the present disclosure can be used as a sensor (for example, a switch).

[0114] Various variations of the above-mentioned embodiments and examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the basic principle of the present invention. In addition, it is apparent for a person skilled in the art that various modifications and variations of the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Reference Signs List

[0115]

100, 200, 300, 400, 500 Decorative capacitive-type sensor film

101, 201, 301, 401 Decorative layer

103, 203, 303, 403 Non-conductive adhesive layer

105, 205, 305, 405, 505 Conductive layer

407, 507 Conductive reaction portion

509 Adherend

Claims

1. A decorative capacitive-type sensor film, comprising: a decorative layer; at least one conductive layer; and a non-conductive adhesive layer, wherein the conductive layer is disposed inside the non-conductive adhesive layer and/or on one surface or both surfaces of the non-conductive adhesive layer, and extends in an in-plane direction of the non- conductive adhesive layer.

2. The film according to claim 1, further comprising a conductive reaction portion.

3. The film according to claim 2, wherein the conductive reaction portion has an area sized to extend beyond at least a part of at least one of the conductive layers.

4. The film according to claim 2, wherein the conductive reaction portion is disposed on an outermost surface.

5. The film according to claim 2, wherein the conductive reaction portion is disposed closer to the non- conductive adhesive layer side than to the outermost surface.

6. The film according to claim 2, wherein the conductive reaction portion is applied to the non- conductive adhesive layer.

7. The film according to claim 1, wherein the conductive layer is a conductive adhesive layer.

8. The film according to claim 1, wherein the conductive layer is arranged in a substantially linear shape, a substantially wavy shape, or a substantially zigzag shape.

9. The film according to claim 1 , wherein the film is a contact type sensor.

10. The film according to claim 9, wherein the sensor responds according to a type of an object making contact.

11. The film according to claim 9, wherein the sensor responds according to at least one selected from the group consisting of a length of time and a number of times that an object makes contact.

12. The film according to claim 1, wherein the film is a non-contact type sensor.

13. A laminate, comprising: an adherend to which the film according to claim 1 is adhered via the non-conductive adhesive layer; and an electrode in contact with at least a part of the conductive layer.

14. A system, comprising: the laminate according to claim 13; and a control circuit and a power supply connected to the electrode of the laminate, wherein a signal generated from the film of the laminate is controlled by the control circuit to drive an electric device.