JP2004086626A

JP2004086626A - Touch panel switch

Info

Publication number: JP2004086626A
Application number: JP2002247689A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Chikao Nagasaka; 長坂　近夫; Yoshimasa Kunimatsu; 國松　嘉昌; Yoshifumi Motomatsu; 本松　良文
Original assignee: Polymatech Co Ltd; Tokai Rika Co Ltd
Current assignee: Polymatech Co Ltd; Tokai Rika Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-08-27
Filing date: 2002-08-27
Publication date: 2004-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2022-08-27
Also published as: JP4159325B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel switch having high quality allowing a space between opposed electrodes to be kept constant without receiving influences of the thickness of the electrodes. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of strip electrodes 12, 13 are formed in parallel on the surfaces of a first substrate 14 and a second substrate 15 constituting the touch panel switch 11. Both strip electrodes 12, 13 are formed in zigzag with bending portions 16, 17 bent at an almost right angle on the basis of a certain length. When the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are superimposed on each other with the strip electrodes 12, 13 inside thereof, the strip electrodes 12, 13 of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 extend in mutually perpendicular directions. A dot spacer 21 is provided on one bending portion 17 of the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 and arranged to have contact with the bending portion 16 of the opposite strip electrode 12 so that a space between the strip electrodes 12, 13 is determined. Contact portions 22, 23 are provided on the other bending portions 16, 17 of the strip electrodes 12, 13 of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、例えば電子機器などにおいて、座標入力を行う平面型の入力装置として使用されるタッチパネルスイッチに関するものである。さらに詳しくは、電極の厚さに影響されることなく、基板上に対向して設けられた電極間の間隔を一定に保つことができる品質の優れたタッチパネルスイッチに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、座標入力を行う装置として、平面型の入力部分を有するデジタル入力型のタッチパネルスイッチが用いられている。この種のタッチパネルスイッチの代表例としては、図２８（ａ），（ｂ）に示すように、片面に直線状の帯状電極３６，３７が平行に延びるようにして多数形成された２つの基板３８，３９を、各々の帯状電極３６，３７が直交方向に延びるように格子状に配置して構成されている。これら帯状電極３６，３７の格子間の空間部には、無荷重時に上下の帯状電極間の間隔を一定に保って絶縁するためのスペーサ４０が設けられている。
【０００３】
例えば、特開平５−１１３８４３号公報には、上部基板及び下部基板が、両基板上に設けられたストライプ状電極が直交するように配置され、下部基板上の平行な電極間に形成されたドットスペーサを介して対向配置された座標入力装置が記載されている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、上記のような従来のタッチパネルにおいては、スペーサ４０が、基板３８，３９上の帯状電極３６，３７が形成されていない位置に設けられている。このため、上下の帯状電極３６，３７間の間隔は、スペーサ４０の高さ及び上下の帯状電極３６，３７の厚さに依存することになる。
【０００５】
特に、スペーサ４０や帯状電極３６，３７が、溶剤を含んだ塗料を用いてスクリーン印刷法等によって形成された場合、時間を追って塗料中の溶剤が揮散していくため、印刷直後から経時的に厚さが減少し、上下の帯状電極３６，３７間の間隔を一定に保ち制御することは非常に困難であった。従って、この従来構成のタッチパネルスイッチは、製品毎に押圧時の接触荷重（オン荷重）がばらついてしまい、品質が安定しないという問題があった。
【０００６】
本発明は、上記のような従来技術に存在する問題点に着目してなされたものである。その目的とするところは、電極の厚さに影響されることなく、対向する電極間の間隔を一定に保つことができる品質の高いタッチパネルスイッチを提供することにある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記の目的を達成するために、請求項１に記載の発明のタッチパネルスイッチは、複数の帯状電極が表面に並列に形成された第１基板及び第２基板を備え、第１基板と第２基板とを帯状電極を内側にして重ね合せたとき第１基板の帯状電極と第２基板の帯状電極が交差する方向に延びるとともに、第１基板及び第２基板の少なくとも一方の帯状電極上にドットスペーサが設けられ、該ドットスペーサが対向する帯状電極に接触して帯状電極間の間隔を決定するように配置され、かつ第１基板の帯状電極と第２基板の帯状電極には両帯状電極が接触する方向に押圧されたとき両者が接触して電気的に導通する接点部が設けられていることを特徴とするものである。
【０００８】
請求項２に記載の発明のタッチパネルスイッチは、請求項１に記載の発明において、前記帯状電極が幹電極と該幹電極から直交して延びる枝電極とからなり、第１基板と第２基板の幹電極が各々等間隔に設けられ、第１基板の幹電極と第２基板の幹電極とが直交する位置の幹電極上にドットスペーサが設けられ、第１基板の枝電極と第２基板の枝電極とが直交する位置の枝電極に接点部が形成されているものである。
【０００９】
請求項３に記載の発明のタッチパネルスイッチは、請求項１に記載の発明において、前記帯状電極が幹電極と該幹電極から直交して延びる枝電極とからなり、第１基板と第２基板の幹電極が各々等間隔に設けられ、第１基板の枝電極と第２基板の枝電極とが直交する位置の枝電極上にドットスペーサが設けられ、第１基板の幹電極と第２基板の幹電極とが直交する位置の幹電極に接点部が形成されているものである。
【００１０】
請求項４に記載の発明のタッチパネルスイッチは、請求項１に記載の発明において、第１基板と第２基板の帯状電極が各々一定長さ毎に略直角に折れ曲がる折曲部を有するジグザグ形状に形成されるとともに、第１基板と第２基板の帯状電極が直交方向に延びているものである。
【００１１】
請求項５に記載の発明のタッチパネルスイッチは、請求項４に記載の発明において、第１基板の帯状電極と第２基板の帯状電極が、両帯状電極の交差部分で折曲部間が互いに対向した状態で第１基板と第２基板の面内方向に平行に延び、当該平行区間の第１基板又は第２基板の帯状電極上にドットスペーサが設けられ、平行区間の第１基板及び第２基板の帯状電極上に接点部が設けられているものである。
【００１２】
請求項６に記載の発明のタッチパネルスイッチは、請求項１から請求項５のいずれか一項に記載の発明において、第１基板又は第２基板上には、接点部に対向するように押圧用突起を突設した押圧用シートを一定の間隙をおいて積層したものである。
【００１３】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態を、図面を用いて詳細に説明する。
図１に示すように、タッチパネルスイッチ１１は、複数の帯状電極１２，１３がそれぞれ表面に一定間隔をおいて並列に形成された樹脂フィルムからなる第１基板１４及び第２基板１５を備えている。すなわち、第１基板１４の下面には、一定長さ毎に略直角に折れ曲がる折曲部１６を有するジグザグ形状をなす複数の帯状電極１２が一定の間隔で平行に延びるように配設されている。各帯状電極１２の一端は第１基板１４の一側部に設けられた接続部１８に集束されている。第１基板１４の下方には第１基板１４に対向するように、第２基板１５がその周囲に四角枠板２０を介して配設されている。
【００１４】
この四角枠板２０により第１基板１４と第２基板１５の間に異物や水分が浸入しないようになっている。四角枠板２０は、光硬化型液状樹脂や光硬化型インクを印刷法によって印刷後光照射して形成したり、四角枠状の樹脂フィルムを接着剤や粘着剤を用いて貼り合わせて形成したりすることにより設けられる。
【００１５】
第２基板１５の上面には第１基板１４上の帯状電極１２と同様に一定長さ毎に略直角に折れ曲がる折曲部１７を有するジグザグ形状をなす複数の帯状電極１３が第１基板１４上の帯状電極１２と直交する方向に配設され、各帯状電極１３の一端が第２基板１５の一側部に設けられた接続部１９に集束されている。
【００１６】
前記第１基板１４及び第２基板１５は前述のように樹脂フィルムから形成され、その樹脂フィルムを形成する樹脂としては公知の熱可塑性樹脂、熱硬化性樹脂、熱可塑性エラストマーなどが用いられる。熱可塑性樹脂としてはポリエチレンナフタレート樹脂、ポリエチレンテレフタレート樹脂、ポリイミド樹脂等が挙げられ、熱硬化性樹脂としてはエポキシ樹脂、フェノール樹脂等が挙げられる。また、熱可塑性エラストマーとしては、ポリエステルエラストマー等が挙げられる。さらに、第２基板１５には上記の樹脂フィルム以外に、ガラス基材等も用いることができる。第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の材質として透光性を有するものを用いた場合には、裏面側に配置された光源からのバックライト光を表面側に透過させることができる。
【００１７】
また、帯状電極１２，１３は、銀や炭素（カーボン）などの導電性粒子を含有する導電性インクを用いて、スクリーン印刷法等の印刷法によって形成することができる。
【００１８】
図２及び図３に示すように、第２基板１５上にジグザグ形状に形成された帯状電極１３が連続して略直角に折れ曲がった１つおきの折曲部１７上には断面略円弧状をなすドットスペーサ２１が設けられている。このドットスペーサ２１の頂部は、第２基板１５上に第１基板１４を重ねたとき第１基板１４の帯状電極１２に当接して両基板１４，１５の両帯状電極１２，１３間の間隔Ｄを保持するようになっている。一方、ドットスペーサ２１を設けなかった第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の両帯状電極１２，１３の折曲部１６，１７は第１基板１４をペンなどで押圧したときに第２基板１５の帯状電極１３と接触して電気的に導通する接点部２２，２３となっている。
【００１９】
ドットスペーサ２１は、熱硬化型、紫外線等による光硬化型、湿気硬化型などの合成樹脂又は合成ゴムを用い、スクリーン印刷法やメタル版印刷法等の印刷法にて形成することができるほか、合成樹脂やガラスのビーズを用いて形成することもできる。熱硬化型又は紫外線硬化型の合成樹脂としては、アクリル系樹脂、ポリエステル系樹脂、エポキシ系樹脂、ウレタン系樹脂、シリコーン系樹脂等が挙げられる。
【００２０】
このドットスペーサ２１の高さ、直径などの大きさはタッチパネルスイッチ１１に求められる接触荷重によって設定されるが、高さが１〜２００μｍ、直径が１０〜１０００μｍの大きさに形成されることが好ましい。ドットスペーサ２１がこの大きさより小さい場合、帯状電極１２，１３間の間隔Ｄが狭くなり過ぎてタッチパネルスイッチ１１の接触荷重がばらつき、品質が不安定になるおそれがある。逆に、上記の大きさより大きい場合、タッチパネルスイッチ１１の接触荷重が大きくなり過ぎて操作性が悪くなりやすい。従って例えば、１００ｇ以下の接触荷重の場合、高さは５〜２５μｍ、直径が１００〜５００μｍであることが好ましい。
【００２１】
そして、第１基板１４を四角枠板２０を介して第２基板１５上に重ね合せると、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２に第２基板１５のドットスペーサ２１が接触した状態で一体化されてタッチパネルスイッチ１１が得られるようになっている。
【００２２】
さて、図１に示すように、タッチパネルスイッチ１１はジグザグ形状をなす帯状電極１３を有する第２基板１５上に同形状の帯状電極１２を有する第１基板１４が互いの帯状電極１２，１３が直交するように重ね合わされて構成される。このとき、図３に示すように、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３上に設けられたドットスペーサ２１が対向する第１基板１４の帯状電極１２に当接して両帯状電極１２，１３間に介在される。このため、上下の帯状電極１２，１３間の間隔Ｄはドットスペーサ２１の高さに依存することになる。そして、図３の二点鎖線に示すように、第１基板１４の所定位置（図１の矢印）がペンなどで押圧されたとき、両帯状電極１２，１３の接点部２２，２３が接触して電気的に導通する。
【００２３】
また、図４及び図５に示すように、前記図１の構成に加えて、第１基板１４上には接点部２２，２３に対応する（上方に位置する）ように押圧用突起２９が下面に突設された押圧用シート３０を四角枠体３１を介して積層した構成を採用することもできる。この構成のタッチパネルスイッチ１１においては、押圧用シート３０を押圧することにより押圧用突起２９が第１基板１４を押圧し、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の接点部２２が第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の接点部２３に接触して電気的に導通する。
【００２４】
以上の実施形態により発揮される効果を以下にまとめて記載する。
・　本実施形態のタッチパネルスイッチ１１によれば、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３上にドットスペーサ２１が設けられ、第１基板１４と第２基板１５の両帯状電極１２，１３には両者が接触して導通する接点部２２，２３が設けられている。このため、ドットスペーサ２１の高さによって両帯状電極１２，１３間の間隔Ｄが決定され、帯状電極１２，１３の厚さＴに影響されることなく、対向する帯状電極１２，１３間の間隔Ｄを一定に保つことができる。
【００２５】
従って、本実施形態の構成のタッチパネルスイッチ１１は、両基板１４，１５の帯状電極１２，１３間の間隔Ｄが帯状電極１２，１３の厚みに依存しないので、製品毎に押圧時のオン荷重が一定で、電気的な動作を安定して行うことができ、タッチパネルスイッチ１１の品質を高めることができる。
【００２６】
・　第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の帯状電極１２，１３が各々一定長さ毎に略直角に折れ曲がる折曲部１６，１７を有するジグザグ形状に形成されるとともに、両帯状電極１２，１３が直交方向に延びている。ドットスペーサ２１は折曲部１７の１つおきに設けられ、接点部２２，２３はその間の折曲部１６，１７にそれぞれ設けられている。このため、後述する幹電極と枝電極とからなる帯状電極に比べ、ドットスペーサ２１と接点部２２，２３の位置を近づけるように設計することが可能であり、対向する帯状電極１２，１３間の間隔Ｄを小さく、精度良く保持することができ、低荷重化も向上させることができる。従って、タッチパネルスイッチ１１を量産する場合に容易に実施することができる。
【００２７】
・　第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３が、両帯状電極１２，１３の交差部分で折曲部１６，１７間が互いに対向した状態で両基板１４，１５の面内方向に略平行に延びる平行区間Ｐを有している。このため、両帯状電極１２，１３が平行区間Ｐを有しない場合に比べ、第１基板１４の各帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の各帯状電極１３との間隔Ｄを容易に保持できるとともに、接点部２２，２３を容易に設定することができる。
【００２８】
・　帯状電極１２，１３の形状は、本実施形態のようにジグザグ形状の場合、直線状の幹電極に枝電極が分枝した形状の場合に比べて、隣接する帯状電極１２，１３間の間隔Ｄを広くすることができる点から好ましい。その場合、帯状電極１２，１３を印刷法等にて形成したとき、にじみ等の原因によって隣接する帯状電極１２，１３間が繋がってしまうという不良発生の確率を低くすることができる。
【００２９】
・　図４及び図５に示すように、タッチパネルスイッチ１１が押圧用突起２９を有する押圧用シート３０を備えることにより、点ではなく押圧用シート３０の面を押圧すればよいので入力操作が容易になるとともに、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３に対する第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の接触荷重を均一化することができる。
【００３０】
【実施例】
以下、実施例を挙げて前記実施形態をさらに具体的に説明する。
（実施例１）
図６は本実施例１のタッチパネルスイッチ１１における帯状電極１２及び帯状電極１３の形状及び配置を示す部分平面図である。
【００３１】
第１基板１４の帯状電極１２は直角に折れ曲がった折曲部１６を有するジグザグ形状（階段状）に形成されて図中右上４５度方向に延び、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３は同じく直角に折れ曲がった折曲部１７を有するジグザグ形状に形成されて図中左上４５度方向に延びている。そして、両帯状電極１２，１３の縦方向に延びる折曲部１６，１７間が互いに対向した状態で第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の各面内方向に平行に延びる平行区間Ｐとなっている。
【００３２】
この平行区間Ｐの一端部（図中下端部）における帯状電極１３上にドットスペーサ２１が設けられ、このドットスペーサ２１により帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の電極間の間隔Ｄが保持されている。一方、平行区間Ｐの他端部（図中上端部）における帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の部分が接点部２２，２３となっている。
【００３３】
本実施例１のタッチパネルスイッチ１１は、第１基板１４及び第２基板１５がともにポリエチレンナフタレート樹脂フィルムからなり、帯状電極１２，１３が銀インク層とカーボンインク層の積層体で形成されている。前記ドットスペーサ２１は、アクリル系紫外線硬化型樹脂を用いてスクリーン印刷法により、接触荷重が１０〜３０ｇとなるように高さ５μｍ、直径１００μｍに印刷形成されている。
【００３４】
図７（ａ）は図６の７ａ−７ａ線断面図を示し、ドットスペーサ２１を介して帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３が対向しており、ドットスペーサ２１の高さが帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の電極間の間隔Ｄになっていることを表している。図７（ｂ）は図６の７ｂ−７ｂ線断面図を示し、同じくドットスペーサ２１の高さが帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の電極間の間隔Ｄであることを表し、かつ第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３が対向した状態で平行に延びていることを表している。
【００３５】
そして、帯状電極１２の接点部２２が押圧されると帯状電極１３の接点部２３に接触し、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３が電気的に導通するように構成されている。
【００３６】
本実施例１では、ドットスペーサ２１を第２基板１５の帯状電極１３上に形成することから、タッチパネルスイッチ１１を量産する場合において上下の帯状電極１２，１３の厚さＴに影響されることがなかった。従って、量産において第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の間隔Ｄを狭く、具体的にはドットスペーサ２１の高さ５μｍに設定でき、その精度を高く保つことができ、低荷重でも容易にタッチパネルスイッチ１１を動作させることができた。しかも、帯状電極１２，１３をジグザグ形状とし、かつ第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３が一部同方向に平行に対向する平行区間Ｐを有している。このため、第１基板１４の全帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の全帯状電極１３の間に必ずドットスペーサ２１を設けることができ、かつ接点部２３の位置とドットスペーサ２１の位置を近づけることができた。
（実施例２）
図８は本実施例２の帯状電極１２，１３の形状及び配置を示す部分平面図である。第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の帯状電極１２，１３がともに幹電極２４，２５と該幹電極２４，２５から直交して延びる枝電極２６，２７とからなり、第１基板１４の幹電極２４は右上４５度方向に延び、第２基板１５の幹電極２５は左上４５度方向に延びて双方の幹電極２４，２５が直交方向に延びている。両基板１４，１５の幹電極２４，２５はそれぞれ等間隔に配置され、枝電極２６，２７の先端部は互いに対向する位置となるように構成されている。そして、第１基板１４の枝電極２６の先端部と対向する第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部にドットスペーサ２１が設けられている。一方、第１基板１４の幹電極２４と第２基板１５の幹電極２５とが直交する位置が接点部２２，２３となっている。
【００３７】
本実施例２のタッチパネルスイッチ１１も第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の材質、帯状電極１２，１３の構成及びドットスペーサ２１の形成は実施例１と同様である。但し、ドットスペーサ２１は、接触荷重が３０〜５０ｇとなるように高さ１０μｍ、直径２５０μｍに形成されている。
【００３８】
図９（ａ）は図８の９ａ−９ａ線断面図を示し、図９（ｂ）は図８の９ｂ−９ｂ線断面図を示している。これらの図に示すように、ドットスペーサ２１を介して枝電極２６と枝電極２７が対向しており、ドットスペーサ２１の高さが枝電極２６と枝電極２７、延いては幹電極２４と幹電極２５の電極間の間隔Ｄになっている。従って、このドットスペーサ２１にて帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の電極間の間隔Ｄが保持されている。
【００３９】
そして、接点部２２，２３が押圧されると帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３が接触し、第１基板１４と第２基板１５が導通されるようになっている。
本実施例２は、ドットスペーサ２１を第２基板１５の枝電極２７上に形成することで、タッチパネルスイッチ１１を量産する場合において上下の帯状電極１２，１３の厚さＴに影響されることなく、ドットスペーサ２１及び接点部２２，２３を均等に配置することができた。すなわち、上下電極間の間隔Ｄをドットスペーサ２１の高さ１０μｍに容易に保つことができた。
（実施例３）
図１０は本実施例３のタッチパネルスイッチ１１における帯状電極１２，１３の形状及び配置を示す部分平面図である。本実施例３の第１基板１４と第２基板１５の帯状電極１２，１３の構成は、前記実施例２の帯状電極１２，１３の構成と同じである。ドットスペーサ２１は第１基板１４の幹電極２４と交差する第２基板１５の幹電極２５上に突設されている。第１基板１４の枝電極２６の先端部と第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部には接点部２２，２３が形成されている。そして、接点部２２が押圧されると帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３が接触して導通するように構成されている。
【００４０】
本実施例３のタッチパネルスイッチ１１も第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の材質、帯状電極１２，１３の構成及びドットスペーサ２１の形成は実施例１と同様である。但し、ドットスペーサ２１は、接触荷重が６０〜９０ｇとなるように高さ２５μｍ、直径５００μｍに形成されている。
【００４１】
図１１（ａ）に図１０の１１ａ−１１ａ線断面図を示し、図１１（ｂ）に図１０の１１ｂ−１１ｂ線断面図を示す。これらの図に示すように、ドットスペーサ２１を介して第１基板１４の幹電極２４と第２基板１５の幹電極２５が対向しており、ドットスペーサ２１の高さが第１基板１４の幹電極２４と第２基板１５の幹電極２５、延いては第１基板１４の枝電極２６と第２基板１５の枝電極２７の電極間の間隔Ｄになっている。
【００４２】
本実施例３は、ドットスペーサ２１を第２基板１５の幹電極２５上に形成することで、タッチパネルスイッチ１１を量産する場合において上下の帯状電極１２，１３の厚さＴに影響されることなく、容易に上下電極間の間隔Ｄをドットスペーサ２１の高さ２５μｍに一定に保つことができた。
（実施例４）
図１２は本実施例４のタッチパネルスイッチ１１における帯状電極１２，１３の形状及び配置を示す部分平面図である。第１基板１４に形成された帯状電極１２は直角に折れ曲がった折曲部１６を有するジグザク状（階段状）に形成されて図中４５度右上方向に延び、第２基板１５に形成された帯状電極１３は同じく直角に折れ曲がった折曲部１７を有するジグザク状に形成されて図中４５度左上方向に延びている。さらに、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３には、一部の平行区間Ｐが同方向に平行になるように対向し、その両端部にドットスペーサ２１が設けられている。一方、平行区間Ｐの中央部、又は帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の交差部が帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の接点部２２，２３になっている。そして、接点部２２が押圧されると第１基板１４の帯状電極１２が第２基板１５の帯状電極１３に接触し、導通するように構成されている。
【００４３】
本実施例４のタッチパネルスイッチ１１も第１基板１４及び第２基板１５の材質、帯状電極１２，１３の構成及びドットスペーサ２１の形成は実施例１と同様である。但し、ドットスペーサ２１は、接触荷重が４０〜６０ｇとなるように高さ１５μｍ、直径３００μｍに形成されている。
【００４４】
図１３（ａ）は図１２の１３ａ−１３ａ線断面図であり、図１３（ｂ）は図１２の１３ｂ−１３ｂ線断面図である。これらの図に示すように、ドットスペーサ２１を介して第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３とが対向しており、ドットスペーサ２１の高さが帯状電極１２と帯状電極１３の電極間の間隔Ｄになっている。
【００４５】
本実施例４は、帯状電極１２，１３をジグザグ形状に形成することで、接点部２２，２３の位置とドットスペーサ２１の位置を近づけることができるため、タッチパネルスイッチ１１を量産する場合において第１基板１４の帯状電極１２と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の間隔Ｄを精度良く制御することができた。本実施例４は、ドットスペーサ２１を上下電極間に形成することで、量産において上下電極の厚さＴに影響されることなく、容易に上下電極間の間隔Ｄをドットスペーサ２１の高さ１５μｍに一定に保つことができた。
【００４６】
なお、本発明は前記実施形態又は実施例を以下に示す別例のように変更して実施することも可能である。
・　図１４に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２は直角に折れ曲がった折曲部１６を有するジグザグ形状で横方向に延び、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３は同じく直角に折れ曲がった折曲部１７を有するジグザグ形状で縦方向に延びている。ドットスペーサ２１は第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の折曲部１７上に設けられている。すなわち、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の全ての折曲部１７にドットスペーサ２１が配置され、接点部２２，２３は折曲部１６，１７の中間（平行区間Ｐの中間）に設けられている。なお、折曲部１６の一つおきにドットスペーサ２１を配置した場合には、接点部２２はドットスペーサ２１を配置しなかった折曲部１６に位置することとなる。
【００４７】
・　図１５に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の幹電極２４は直線状をなし横方向に平行に延び、枝電極２６は幹電極２４の片側（図中下側）に一定間隔をおいて直交方向に延びている。一方、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の幹電極２５は縦方向に直線状に延びるとともに、島電極２８が幹電極２５間に幹電極２５とは分離された位置、すなわち第１基板１４と第２基板１５を重ね合せたとき第１基板１４の枝電極２６の先端部に対向する位置に設けられている。ドットスペーサ２１は第２基板１５の島電極２８上に設けられ、接点部２２，２３は第１基板１４の幹電極２４と第２基板１５の幹電極２５の交点に設けられている。ここで、上記島電極２８は幹電極２５とは分離されているが、枝電極２７に相当するものであり、本発明でいう帯状電極１３の概念に含まれるものである。この場合にも、上下に対向する帯状電極１２，１３の間隔Ｄは電極の厚さＴに影響されることがなく、実施形態と同様の効果を発揮することができる。
【００４８】
・　図１６（ａ）に示すように、帯状電極１２，１３を直線状の幹電極２４，２５の両側方に交互に枝電極２６，２７が直交して延びるように構成し、幹電極２４，２５を実線と二点鎖線に示すように直交配置し、枝電極２６，２７の先端同士が対向するように配置することも可能である。ドットスペーサ２１はこの枝電極２７の先端、又は隣接する枝電極２７の分枝元の中間にあたる帯状電極１３上に設けられる。枝電極２６の先端にドットスペーサ２１を配した場合には、接点部２２，２３は隣接する枝電極２６，２７の分枝元の中間に位置し、隣接する枝電極２６，２７の分枝元の中間にドットスペーサ２１を配した場合には、接点部２２，２３は枝電極２６，２７の先端に位置することとなる。
【００４９】
また、図１６（ｂ）に示すように、帯状電極１２，１３を半円３２が連なった形状に、図１６（ｃ）に示すように、帯状電極１２，１３を中心角４５度の円弧３３が逆向きに連なった形状に及び図１６（ｄ）に示すように、帯状電極１２，１３を半円３２が逆向きに連なった形状に形成することも可能である。
【００５０】
・　図１７（ａ）に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の幹電極２４は直線状をなし横方向に等間隔で平行に延び、枝電極２６は幹電極２４の片側（図中上側）に一定間隔をおいて直交方向に延びている。一方、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の幹電極２５は直線状をなし縦方向に等間隔で平行に延び、枝電極２７は幹電極２５の片側（図中左側）に一定間隔をおいて直交するように延びている。そして、第２基板１５の幹電極２５上で第１基板１４の幹電極２４との直交部分にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の枝電極２６の先端部と第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部には接点部２２，２３が設けられている。
【００５１】
また、図１７（ｂ）に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の幹電極２４は直線状をなし横方向に等間隔で平行に延び、枝電極２６は幹電極２４の片側（図中下側）に一定間隔をおいて直交するように延びている。一方、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の幹電極２５は直線状をなし縦方向に等間隔で平行に延び、枝電極２７は幹電極２５の片側（図中右側）に第１基板１４の幹電極２４に沿うように一定間隔をおいて直交するように延びている。そして、第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の枝電極２６の先端部と第２基板１５の幹電極２５には接点部２２，２３が設けられている。
【００５２】
・　図１８（ａ）に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２はジグザグ形状をなし横方向に等間隔で平行に延びている。一方、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の幹電極２４は直線状をなし縦方向に等間隔で平行に延び、枝電極２７は幹電極２５の片側（図中右側）に一定間隔をおいて直交方向に延びている。ここで、第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部は第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の一方の折曲部１６上に位置している。そして、第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の他方の折曲部１６とそれに対向する第２基板１５の幹電極２５には接点部２２，２３が設けられている。
【００５３】
図１８（ｂ）に示す変形例は図１８（ａ）に示す変形例と次のような点で異なり、その他の構成は同じである。すなわち、第２基板１５の枝電極２７が図中左方向に延びている。そして、第２基板１５の幹電極２５上で第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の一方の折曲部１６と交差する部分にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の他方の折曲部１６とそれに対向する第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部には接点部２２，２３が設けられている。
【００５４】
図１８（ｃ）に示す変形例は図１８（ａ）に示す変形例と次のような点で異なり、その他の構成は同じである。すなわち、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２のジグザグ形状の振幅及び波長が２倍の大きさに形成され、一方の折曲部１６が第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部に１つおきに交差している。そして、第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の折曲部１６間の直線状部分とそれに対向する第２基板１５の幹電極２５には接点部２２，２３が設けられている。
【００５５】
図１８（ｄ）に示す変形例は図１８（ｂ）に示す変形例と次のような点で異なり、その他の構成は同じである。すなわち、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２のジグザグ形状の振幅及び波長が２倍の大きさに形成され、一方の折曲部１６が第２基板１５の幹電極２５に１つおきに交差している。そして、第２基板１５の幹電極２５上の第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の折曲部１６と交差する部分にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の折曲部１６間の直線状部分とそれに対向する第２基板１５の枝電極２７の先端部には接点部２２，２３が設けられている。
【００５６】
・　図１９（ａ）に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２は直角に折れ曲がった折曲部１６を有するジグザグ形状をなし横方向に等間隔で平行に延びている。一方、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の幹電極２５は直線状をなし縦方向に等間隔で平行に延び、各幹電極２５の中間部には島電極２８が幹電極２５とは独立して一定間隔をおいて配置されている。ここで、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の一方の折曲部１６は第２基板１５の島電極２８に対向する位置にあり、他方の折曲部１６は第２基板１５の幹電極２５と交差する位置にある。そして、第２基板１５の島電極２８上にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の他方の折曲部１６とそれに対向する第２基板１５の幹電極２５には接点部２２，２３が設けられている。
【００５７】
図１９（ｂ）に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の幹電極２４は直線状をなし横方向に等間隔で平行に延び、各幹電極２４の中間部には島電極２８が幹電極２５とは独立して一定間隔をおいて配置されている。一方、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の幹電極２５は直線状をなし縦方向に等間隔で平行に延び、各幹電極２５の中間部には島電極２８ａが幹電極２５とは独立して一定間隔をおいて配置されている。ここで、第１基板１４の島電極２８と第２基板１５の島電極２８とは対向する位置にある。そして、第２基板１５の島電極２８上にドットスペーサ２１が設けられるとともに、第１基板１４の幹電極２４とそれに交差する第２基板１５の幹電極２５には接点部２２，２３が設けられている。
【００５８】
・　図２０から図２７は第１基板１４及び第２基板１５を透明樹脂で形成し、その表面に帯状電極１２，１３をジグザグ形状に形成した具体的構成を示すものである。図２０は第１基板１４と第２基板１５を重ね合せた状態の平面図、図２１はその正面図、図２２は背面図、図２３は右側面図、図２４は左側面図、図２５は第２基板１５の平面図、図２６は第１基板１４の平面図、図２７はドットスペーサ２１の部分の断面図である。
【００５９】
図２６に示すように、第１基板１４の帯状電極１２はジグザグ形状に形成され、一定間隔をおいて横方向に延び、それらの右端で２つに集束され接続部１８に接続されている。図２５に示すように、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３はジグザグ形状に形成され、一定間隔をおいて縦方向に延び、それらの下端で集束され接続部１９に接続されている。図２０及び図２１に示すように、第２基板１５上に四角枠板２０を介して第１基板１４を重ね合せたときには、各帯状電極１２，１３の折曲部１６，１７間が１つおきに重なっている。そして、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の前記重なり部分の一方の折曲部１７上にはドットスペーサ２１が設けられ、他方の折曲部１７とそれに対向する第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の折曲部１６には接点部２２，２３が設けられている。図２７に示すように、第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の折曲部１７上に設けられたドットスペーサ２１の頂部が第１基板１４の帯状電極１２に当接し、上下の帯状電極１２，１３間の間隔Ｄを規定している。
【００６０】
・　第１基板１４の帯状電極１２上にドットスペーサ２１を設けたり、場合によっては第１基板１４と第２基板１５の双方の帯状電極１３上にドットスペーサ２１を設けるように構成することも可能である。
【００６１】
・　本発明では第１基板１４及び第２基板１５は樹脂フィルムによって構成されるが、樹脂フィルムの概念は樹脂フィルムより厚みのある樹脂シートも含むものである。
【００６２】
・　ドットスペーサ２１は、断面楕円弧状、断面台形状、断面三角形状、又は平面楕円形状、平面四角形状などであってもよい。
・　第１基板１４の帯状電極１２の延びる方向と第２基板１５の帯状電極１３の延びる方向とは必ずしも直交している必要はなく、目的に応じた角度で交差していてもよい。
【００６３】
さらに、実施形態より把握される技術的思想について以下に記載する。
・　前記第１基板の各帯状電極と第２基板の各帯状電極とは、各々少なくとも２箇所で交差して対向するように構成され、一方の交差部分における第１基板又は第２基板の帯状電極上にドットスペーサが設けられ、他方の交差部分における第１基板及び第２基板の帯状電極に接点部が設けられている請求項１から請求項４のいずれか一項に記載のタッチパネルスイッチ。このように構成した場合、第１基板の各帯状電極と第２基板の各帯状電極との間の間隔を一定にできると同時に、第１基板の各帯状電極と第２基板の各帯状電極との間を電気的に導通させることができる。
【００６４】
・　前記平行区間の両端における第１基板又は第２基板の帯状電極上にドットスペーサが設けられている請求項５又は請求項６に記載のタッチパネルスイッチ。このように構成した場合、ドットスペーサの密度を高めて対向する帯状電極間の間隔について精度を向上させることができる。
【００６５】
【発明の効果】
以上詳述したように、本発明によれば次のような効果を発揮することができる。
【００６６】
請求項１に記載のタッチパネルスイッチによれば、電極の厚さに影響されることなく、対向する電極間の間隔を一定に保つことができ、品質を高めることができる。
【００６７】
請求項２又は請求項３に記載のタッチパネルスイッチによれば、請求項１に記載の発明の効果に加え、ドットスペーサ及び接点部を均等に配置することが可能であり、対向する電極間の間隔を全体として均等に保持することができる。
【００６８】
請求項４に記載のタッチパネルスイッチによれば、請求項１に記載の発明の効果に加え、帯状電極の密度を高め、ドットスペーサと接点部の位置を近づけることが可能であり、対向する電極間の間隔を精度良く保持することができる。
【００６９】
請求項５に記載のタッチパネルスイッチによれば、請求項４に記載の発明の効果に加え、両基板の各帯状電極の間隔を容易に保持できるとともに、接点部を容易に設定することができる。
【００７０】
請求項６に記載のタッチパネルスイッチによれば、請求項１から請求項５のいずれか一項に記載の発明の効果に加え、入力操作を容易にすることができるとともに、接触荷重の均一化を図ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施形態におけるタッチパネルスイッチの分解斜視図。
【図２】タッチパネルスイッチの帯状電極の配置を示す部分平面図。
【図３】図２の３−３線における断面図。
【図４】変更を加えたタッチパネルスイッチの分解斜視図。
【図５】図４のタッチパネルスイッチの縦断面図。
【図６】実施例１における帯状電極の配置を示す部分平面図。
【図７】（ａ）は図６の７ａ−７ａ線における断面図、（ｂ）は図６の７ｂ−７ｂ線における断面図。
【図８】実施例２における帯状電極の配置を示す部分平面図。
【図９】（ａ）は図８の９ａ−９ａ線における断面図、（ｂ）は図８の９ｂ−９ｂ線における断面図。
【図１０】実施例３における帯状電極の配置を示す部分平面図。
【図１１】（ａ）は図１０の１１ａ−１１ａ線における断面図、（ｂ）は図１０の１１ｂ−１１ｂ線における断面図。
【図１２】実施例４における帯状電極の配置を示す部分平面図。
【図１３】（ａ）は図１２の１３ａ−１３ａ線における断面図、（ｂ）は図１２の１３ｂ−１３ｂ線における断面図。
【図１４】本発明の別例における帯状電極の配置を示す部分平面図。
【図１５】さらに別例における帯状電極の配置を示す部分平面図。
【図１６】（ａ）から（ｄ）は帯状電極の形状の別例を示す部分平面図。
【図１７】（ａ）及び（ｂ）は別例として帯状電極の配置並びにドットスペーサ及び接点部の位置を示す部分平面図。
【図１８】（ａ）から（ｄ）は別例として帯状電極の配置並びにドットスペーサ及び接点部の位置を示す部分平面図。
【図１９】（ａ）及び（ｂ）は別例として帯状電極の配置並びにドットスペーサ及び接点部の位置を示す部分平面図。
【図２０】本発明の別例におけるタッチパネルスイッチを示す平面図。
【図２１】図２０の正面図。
【図２２】図２０の背面図。
【図２３】図２０の右側面図。
【図２４】図２０の左側面図。
【図２５】図２０に示す別例の第２基板を示す平面図。
【図２６】図２０に示す別例の第１基板を示す平面図。
【図２７】図２０の２７−２７線における断面図。
【図２８】（ａ）は従来のタッチパネルスイッチの帯状電極及びドットスペーサの配置を示す平面図、（ｂ）は（ａ）の２８ｂ−２８ｂ線における断面図。
【符号の説明】
１１…タッチパネルスイッチ、１２，１３…帯状電極、１４…第１基板、１５…第２基板、１６，１７…折曲部、２１…ドットスペーサ、２２，２３…接点部、２４，２５…幹電極、２６，２７…枝電極、Ｄ…帯状電極間の間隔、Ｐ…平行区間。[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a touch panel switch used as a flat input device for inputting coordinates in, for example, an electronic device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a touch panel switch of excellent quality that can maintain a constant interval between electrodes provided on a substrate without being affected by the thickness of the electrodes.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a digital input type touch panel switch having a flat input portion has been used as a device for inputting coordinates. As a representative example of this type of touch panel switch, as shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B, two substrates 38 each formed with a large number of linear strip electrodes 36 and 37 formed on one surface so as to extend in parallel. , 39 are arranged in a grid so that the respective strip electrodes 36, 37 extend in the orthogonal direction. Spacers 40 are provided in the spaces between the lattices of the strip-shaped electrodes 36 and 37 to keep the gap between the upper and lower strip-shaped electrodes constant and insulate when no load is applied.
[0003]
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H5-113843 discloses that an upper substrate and a lower substrate are arranged such that stripe-shaped electrodes provided on both substrates are orthogonal to each other, and dots formed between parallel electrodes on the lower substrate. It describes a coordinate input device that is disposed to face through a spacer.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional touch panel as described above, the spacers 40 are provided on the substrates 38 and 39 at positions where the strip electrodes 36 and 37 are not formed. Therefore, the interval between the upper and lower strip electrodes 36 and 37 depends on the height of the spacer 40 and the thickness of the upper and lower strip electrodes 36 and 37.
[0005]
In particular, when the spacer 40 and the strip electrodes 36 and 37 are formed by a screen printing method or the like using a paint containing a solvent, the solvent in the paint volatilizes over time, so that the solvent evaporates immediately after printing. The thickness has decreased, and it has been very difficult to control the gap between the upper and lower strip electrodes 36 and 37 to be constant. Therefore, this conventional touch panel switch has a problem that the contact load (on load) at the time of pressing varies from product to product and the quality is not stable.
[0006]
The present invention has been made by paying attention to the problems existing in the prior art as described above. An object of the present invention is to provide a high-quality touch panel switch that can maintain a constant interval between opposing electrodes without being affected by the thickness of the electrodes.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a touch panel switch according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a first substrate and a second substrate having a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes formed on a surface thereof in parallel, the first substrate and the second substrate. Are overlapped with the strip-shaped electrode inside, the strip-shaped electrode of the first substrate and the strip-shaped electrode of the second substrate extend in an intersecting direction, and a dot spacer is formed on at least one of the strip-shaped electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate. The dot spacers are arranged so as to contact the opposing strip electrodes to determine the interval between the strip electrodes, and both strip electrodes are in contact with the strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate. And a contact portion that is brought into contact with each other when pressed in the direction of electrical contact and is electrically connected.
[0008]
A touch panel switch according to a second aspect of the present invention is the touch panel switch according to the first aspect, wherein the strip-shaped electrode includes a stem electrode and a branch electrode extending orthogonally from the stem electrode. The main electrodes are provided at equal intervals, dot spacers are provided on the main electrodes at positions where the main electrodes of the first substrate and the main electrodes of the second substrate are orthogonal to each other, and the branch electrodes of the first substrate and the main electrodes of the second substrate are provided. A contact portion is formed on a branch electrode at a position orthogonal to the branch electrode.
[0009]
A touch panel switch according to a third aspect of the present invention is the touch panel switch according to the first aspect, wherein the strip-shaped electrode includes a stem electrode and a branch electrode extending orthogonally from the stem electrode. The main electrodes are provided at equal intervals, and a dot spacer is provided on the branch electrode at a position where the branch electrode of the first substrate and the branch electrode of the second substrate are orthogonal to each other. The contact portion is formed on the stem electrode at a position orthogonal to the stem electrode.
[0010]
A touch panel switch according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the touch panel switch according to the first aspect, wherein the strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate each have a zigzag shape having a bent portion that is bent at substantially a right angle at a fixed length. It is formed, and the strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate extend in the orthogonal direction.
[0011]
The touch panel switch according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the touch panel switch according to the fourth aspect, wherein the band-shaped electrodes of the first substrate and the band-shaped electrodes of the second substrate are opposed to each other at the intersection of both band-shaped electrodes. In this state, the first substrate and the second substrate extend in parallel to the in-plane direction, and dot spacers are provided on the strip electrodes of the first substrate or the second substrate in the parallel section, and the first substrate and the second substrate in the parallel section are provided. A contact portion is provided on a strip electrode of a substrate.
[0012]
A touch panel switch according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the touch panel switch according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the touch panel switch is provided on the first substrate or the second substrate for pressing so as to face the contact portion. A pressing sheet provided with projections is laminated with a certain gap.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel switch 11 includes a first substrate 14 and a second substrate 15 made of a resin film in which a plurality of strip electrodes 12 and 13 are formed in parallel on the surface at regular intervals. . That is, on the lower surface of the first substrate 14, a plurality of zigzag strip-shaped electrodes 12 each having a bent portion 16 that is bent at a substantially right angle for every fixed length are arranged so as to extend in parallel at a fixed interval. . One end of each strip electrode 12 is focused on a connection portion 18 provided on one side of the first substrate 14. A second substrate 15 is disposed below the first substrate 14 so as to face the first substrate 14 via a square frame plate 20 therearound.
[0014]
The rectangular frame plate 20 prevents foreign matter and moisture from entering between the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15. The square frame plate 20 is formed by irradiating a photocurable liquid resin or a photocurable ink with light after printing by a printing method, or by bonding a square frame-shaped resin film using an adhesive or an adhesive. Or by providing
[0015]
On the upper surface of the second substrate 15, a plurality of zigzag strip-shaped electrodes 13 having bent portions 17 that bend at a substantially right angle at regular intervals, like the strip-shaped electrodes 12 on the first substrate 14, are formed on the first substrate 14. The one end of each of the strip electrodes 13 is focused on a connection portion 19 provided on one side of the second substrate 15.
[0016]
The first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are formed of a resin film as described above, and a known thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, thermoplastic elastomer, or the like is used as a resin forming the resin film. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include polyethylene naphthalate resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, and polyimide resin. Examples of the thermosetting resin include epoxy resin and phenol resin. Examples of the thermoplastic elastomer include a polyester elastomer and the like. Further, in addition to the above resin film, a glass substrate or the like can be used for the second substrate 15. When a material having a light transmitting property is used as the material of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15, the backlight light from the light source arranged on the back side can be transmitted to the front side.
[0017]
The strip electrodes 12 and 13 can be formed by a printing method such as a screen printing method using a conductive ink containing conductive particles such as silver or carbon (carbon).
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the zigzag-shaped band-shaped electrodes 13 on the second substrate 15 are continuously bent at substantially right angles. A dot spacer 21 is provided. The top of the dot spacer 21 is in contact with the band-shaped electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 when the first substrate 14 is overlaid on the second substrate 15, and the distance D between the two band-shaped electrodes 12, 13 of both the substrates 14, 15. Is to be held. On the other hand, the bent portions 16 and 17 of both band-shaped electrodes 12 and 13 of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 on which the dot spacers 21 are not provided are formed when the first substrate 14 is pressed with a pen or the like. The contact portions 22 and 23 are in electrical contact with the band-shaped electrode 13 to be electrically conductive.
[0019]
The dot spacer 21 can be formed by a printing method such as a screen printing method or a metal plate printing method using a synthetic resin or a synthetic rubber such as a thermosetting type, a photocuring type using ultraviolet light or the like, and a moisture curing type. It can also be formed using synthetic resin or glass beads. Examples of the thermosetting or ultraviolet curable synthetic resin include an acrylic resin, a polyester resin, an epoxy resin, a urethane resin, and a silicone resin.
[0020]
The size such as the height and diameter of the dot spacer 21 is set depending on the contact load required for the touch panel switch 11, but is preferably formed to have a height of 1 to 200 μm and a diameter of 10 to 1000 μm. . If the dot spacer 21 is smaller than this size, the distance D between the strip electrodes 12 and 13 becomes too narrow, the contact load of the touch panel switch 11 varies, and the quality may become unstable. Conversely, if the size is larger than the above-mentioned size, the contact load of the touch panel switch 11 becomes too large, and the operability is likely to deteriorate. Therefore, for example, when the contact load is 100 g or less, it is preferable that the height is 5 to 25 μm and the diameter is 100 to 500 μm.
[0021]
Then, when the first substrate 14 is superimposed on the second substrate 15 via the square frame plate 20, the band electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 are integrated with the dot spacers 21 of the second substrate 15 in contact with each other. The touch panel switch 11 is obtained.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel switch 11 has a zigzag band-shaped electrode 13 on a second substrate 15 and a first substrate 14 having the same-shaped band-shaped electrodes 12 on which a band-shaped electrode 12, 13 is orthogonal to each other. It is configured to be overlapped. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the dot spacer 21 provided on the strip-shaped electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 contacts the strip-shaped electrode 12 of the opposing first substrate 14 and is interposed between the strip-shaped electrodes 12, 13. Is done. Therefore, the distance D between the upper and lower strip electrodes 12 and 13 depends on the height of the dot spacer 21. Then, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, when a predetermined position (arrow in FIG. 1) of the first substrate 14 is pressed by a pen or the like, the contact portions 22, 23 of the two strip electrodes 12, 13 come into contact. Electrical conduction.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in addition to the configuration of FIG. 1, a pressing projection 29 is provided on the first substrate 14 so as to correspond to the contact portions 22 and 23 (to be located above). Alternatively, a configuration in which the pressing sheets 30 projecting from each other are stacked via the square frame 31 may be adopted. In the touch panel switch 11 having this configuration, when the pressing sheet 30 is pressed, the pressing protrusion 29 presses the first substrate 14, and the contact portion 22 of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 is formed in a band shape of the second substrate 15. It comes into contact with the contact portion 23 of the electrode 13 to be electrically conducted.
[0024]
The effects exerted by the above embodiments will be summarized below.
According to the touch panel switch 11 of the present embodiment, the dot spacers 21 are provided on the band-shaped electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15, and the two contact the two band-shaped electrodes 12, 13 of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15. The contact portions 22 and 23 which are electrically connected to each other are provided. For this reason, the distance D between the two strip electrodes 12, 13 is determined by the height of the dot spacer 21, and the distance between the opposed strip electrodes 12, 13 is not affected by the thickness T of the strip electrodes 12, 13. D can be kept constant.
[0025]
Accordingly, in the touch panel switch 11 having the configuration of the present embodiment, the distance D between the strip electrodes 12 and 13 of both the substrates 14 and 15 does not depend on the thickness of the strip electrodes 12 and 13, so that the on-load at the time of pressing is different for each product. The electric operation can be stably performed stably and the quality of the touch panel switch 11 can be improved.
[0026]
The strip electrodes 12, 13 of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are each formed in a zigzag shape having bent portions 16, 17 that are bent at substantially a right angle at regular intervals, and both the strip electrodes 12, 13 are formed. It extends in the orthogonal direction. The dot spacers 21 are provided at every other bent portion 17, and the contact portions 22, 23 are provided at the bent portions 16, 17 therebetween. For this reason, it is possible to design so that the positions of the dot spacer 21 and the contact portions 22 and 23 are made closer to each other, as compared with a strip electrode composed of a stem electrode and a branch electrode, which will be described later. The interval D can be kept small, can be held with high accuracy, and the load reduction can be improved. Therefore, it can be easily implemented when the touch panel switch 11 is mass-produced.
[0027]
The surface of both the substrates 14 and 15 in a state where the band-shaped electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 and the band-shaped electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15 face each other at the intersection of the band-shaped electrodes 12 and 13 with the bent portions 16 and 17 facing each other. It has a parallel section P extending substantially parallel to the inward direction. For this reason, compared with the case where both the strip electrodes 12 and 13 do not have the parallel section P, the interval D between each strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and each strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 can be easily maintained, and The contact portions 22 and 23 can be easily set.
[0028]
When the zigzag shape of the strip electrodes 12 and 13 is a zigzag shape as in the present embodiment, the interval between the adjacent strip electrodes 12 and 13 is smaller than that in the case where the branch electrodes are branched from the linear stem electrode. It is preferable because D can be widened. In this case, when the strip electrodes 12 and 13 are formed by a printing method or the like, the probability of occurrence of a defect that the adjacent strip electrodes 12 and 13 are connected due to bleeding or the like can be reduced.
[0029]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, since the touch panel switch 11 includes the pressing sheet 30 having the pressing projections 29, the input operation can be easily performed because the surface of the pressing sheet 30 may be pressed instead of the point. In addition, the contact load of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 to the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 can be made uniform.
[0030]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described more specifically with reference to examples.
(Example 1)
FIG. 6 is a partial plan view showing the shape and arrangement of the strip electrodes 12 and the strip electrodes 13 in the touch panel switch 11 of the first embodiment.
[0031]
The strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 is formed in a zigzag shape (stepped shape) having a bent portion 16 bent at a right angle and extends in the upper right direction at 45 degrees in the figure, and the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 is also formed at a right angle. It is formed in a zigzag shape having a bent portion 17 and extends in the upper left direction at an angle of 45 degrees. Then, a parallel section P extending in parallel to each in-plane direction of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 is formed in a state where the bent portions 16 and 17 extending in the longitudinal direction of the two strip electrodes 12 and 13 face each other. I have.
[0032]
A dot spacer 21 is provided on the strip electrode 13 at one end (the lower end in the drawing) of the parallel section P, and the dot spacer 21 keeps a distance D between the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode 13. On the other hand, the portions of the strip-shaped electrode 12 and the strip-shaped electrode 13 at the other end (upper end in the drawing) of the parallel section P are the contact portions 22 and 23.
[0033]
In the touch panel switch 11 of the first embodiment, the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are both made of a polyethylene naphthalate resin film, and the strip electrodes 12 and 13 are formed of a laminate of a silver ink layer and a carbon ink layer. . The dot spacer 21 is formed by printing using an acrylic ultraviolet curable resin by screen printing to a height of 5 μm and a diameter of 100 μm so that the contact load is 10 to 30 g.
[0034]
FIG. 7A is a sectional view taken along the line 7a-7a of FIG. 6, in which the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode 13 face each other via the dot spacer 21, and the height of the dot spacer 21 is equal to the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode. This indicates that the distance D between the thirteen electrodes has been reached. FIG. 7B is a sectional view taken along the line 7b-7b of FIG. 6, showing that the height of the dot spacer 21 is the distance D between the strip electrodes 12 and 13 and the first substrate 14 Indicates that the band-shaped electrode 12 and the band-shaped electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 extend in parallel while facing each other.
[0035]
Then, when the contact portion 22 of the strip electrode 12 is pressed, the contact portion 23 of the strip electrode 13 comes into contact with the contact portion 23 of the strip electrode 13 so that the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 are electrically connected. It is configured.
[0036]
In the first embodiment, since the dot spacers 21 are formed on the strip electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15, the mass T of the touch panel switch 11 may be affected by the thickness T of the upper and lower strip electrodes 12, 13. Did not. Therefore, in mass production, the interval D between the strip electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 and the strip electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15 can be set narrow, specifically, the height of the dot spacer 21 can be set at 5 μm, and the accuracy can be kept high. The touch panel switch 11 could be easily operated even with a low load. Moreover, the strip electrodes 12 and 13 have a zigzag shape, and have a parallel section P in which the strip electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 and the strip electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15 partially face in parallel in the same direction. Therefore, the dot spacer 21 can be always provided between the entire band-shaped electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and the entire band-shaped electrode 13 of the second substrate 15, and the position of the contact portion 23 and the position of the dot spacer 21 are made to be close to each other. Was completed.
(Example 2)
FIG. 8 is a partial plan view showing the shape and arrangement of the strip electrodes 12 and 13 according to the second embodiment. The strip electrodes 12 and 13 of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are both composed of stem electrodes 24 and 25 and branch electrodes 26 and 27 extending orthogonally from the stem electrodes 24 and 25. Numeral 24 extends in the upper right direction at 45 degrees, the main electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 extends in the upper left direction at 45 degrees, and both main electrodes 24, 25 extend in the orthogonal direction. The stem electrodes 24 and 25 of the two substrates 14 and 15 are arranged at equal intervals, respectively, and the distal ends of the branch electrodes 26 and 27 are configured to face each other. The dot spacer 21 is provided at the tip of the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15 facing the tip of the branch electrode 26 of the first substrate 14. On the other hand, the positions where the stem electrode 24 of the first substrate 14 and the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 are orthogonal to each other are the contact portions 22 and 23.
[0037]
In the touch panel switch 11 of the second embodiment, the materials of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15, the configurations of the strip electrodes 12, 13 and the formation of the dot spacer 21 are the same as those of the first embodiment. However, the dot spacer 21 is formed to have a height of 10 μm and a diameter of 250 μm so that the contact load is 30 to 50 g.
[0038]
9A is a sectional view taken along line 9a-9a in FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B is a sectional view taken along line 9b-9b in FIG. As shown in these figures, the branch electrode 26 and the branch electrode 27 face each other with the dot spacer 21 interposed therebetween, and the height of the dot spacer 21 is set to the branch electrode 26 and the branch electrode 27, and further, the stem electrode 24 and the stem electrode 24. The distance D between the electrodes 25 is the same. Therefore, the interval D between the electrodes of the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode 13 is maintained by the dot spacer 21.
[0039]
When the contact portions 22 and 23 are pressed, the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode 13 come into contact, and the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are electrically connected.
In the second embodiment, the dot spacers 21 are formed on the branch electrodes 27 of the second substrate 15, so that when the touch panel switch 11 is mass-produced, the thickness T of the upper and lower strip electrodes 12 and 13 is not affected. And the dot spacers 21 and the contact portions 22 and 23 could be evenly arranged. That is, the interval D between the upper and lower electrodes could be easily maintained at the height of the dot spacer 21 of 10 μm.
(Example 3)
FIG. 10 is a partial plan view showing the shape and arrangement of the strip electrodes 12 and 13 in the touch panel switch 11 of the third embodiment. The configuration of the strip electrodes 12 and 13 of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 of the third embodiment is the same as the configuration of the strip electrodes 12 and 13 of the second embodiment. The dot spacer 21 protrudes from the main electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 that intersects the main electrode 24 of the first substrate 14. Contact portions 22 and 23 are formed at the tip of the branch electrode 26 of the first substrate 14 and the tip of the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15. Then, when the contact portion 22 is pressed, the strip-shaped electrode 12 and the strip-shaped electrode 13 come into contact with each other to conduct electricity.
[0040]
The material of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15, the configuration of the strip electrodes 12, 13 and the formation of the dot spacers 21 of the touch panel switch 11 of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. However, the dot spacer 21 is formed to have a height of 25 μm and a diameter of 500 μm so that the contact load is 60 to 90 g.
[0041]
FIG. 11A is a sectional view taken along line 11a-11a of FIG. 10, and FIG. 11B is a sectional view taken along line 11b-11b of FIG. As shown in these figures, the stem electrode 24 of the first substrate 14 and the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 face each other via the dot spacer 21, and the height of the dot spacer 21 is The distance D is the distance between the electrode 24 and the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15, and furthermore, the distance between the branch electrode 26 of the first substrate 14 and the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15.
[0042]
In the third embodiment, the dot spacer 21 is formed on the main electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 so that the touch panel switch 11 can be mass-produced without being affected by the thickness T of the upper and lower strip electrodes 12 and 13. Thus, the distance D between the upper and lower electrodes could be easily kept constant at the height of the dot spacer 21 of 25 μm.
(Example 4)
FIG. 12 is a partial plan view showing the shape and arrangement of the strip electrodes 12 and 13 in the touch panel switch 11 of the fourth embodiment. The strip-shaped electrode 12 formed on the first substrate 14 is formed in a zigzag shape (step-like shape) having a bent portion 16 bent at a right angle, extends in the upper right direction by 45 degrees in the drawing, and formed on the second substrate 15. The electrode 13 is also formed in a zigzag shape having a bent portion 17 bent at a right angle, and extends in the upper left direction by 45 degrees in the figure. Further, the strip-shaped electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 and the strip-shaped electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15 are opposed so that some parallel sections P are parallel in the same direction, and dot spacers 21 are provided at both ends thereof. ing. On the other hand, the central portion of the parallel section P or the intersection of the strip-shaped electrode 12 and the strip-shaped electrode 13 serves as contact portions 22 and 23 between the strip-shaped electrode 12 and the strip-shaped electrode 13. When the contact portion 22 is pressed, the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 comes into contact with the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 to conduct electricity.
[0043]
In the touch panel switch 11 of the fourth embodiment, the materials of the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15, the configurations of the strip electrodes 12, 13 and the formation of the dot spacers 21 are the same as those of the first embodiment. However, the dot spacer 21 is formed to have a height of 15 μm and a diameter of 300 μm so that the contact load is 40 to 60 g.
[0044]
13A is a sectional view taken along line 13a-13a of FIG. 12, and FIG. 13B is a sectional view taken along line 13b-13b of FIG. As shown in these figures, the strip-shaped electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and the strip-shaped electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 face each other via the dot spacer 21, and the height of the dot spacer 21 is equal to that of the strip-shaped electrode 12. The distance D between the electrodes 13 is the same.
[0045]
In the fourth embodiment, since the positions of the contact portions 22 and 23 and the positions of the dot spacers 21 can be made close to each other by forming the strip electrodes 12 and 13 in a zigzag shape, the first method is used when the touch panel switch 11 is mass-produced. The distance D between the strip electrode 12 on the substrate 14 and the strip electrode 13 on the second substrate 15 could be controlled with high accuracy. In the fourth embodiment, by forming the dot spacer 21 between the upper and lower electrodes, the interval D between the upper and lower electrodes can be easily set to 15 μm, which is not affected by the thickness T of the upper and lower electrodes in mass production. Could be kept constant.
[0046]
Note that the present invention can be implemented by modifying the above-described embodiment or example as another example shown below.
As shown in FIG. 14, the strip electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 extend in the zigzag shape having bent portions 16 bent at right angles in the lateral direction, and the strip electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15 are also bent at right angles. It has a zigzag shape having a curved portion 17 and extends in the vertical direction. The dot spacer 21 is provided on the bent portion 17 of the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15. That is, the dot spacers 21 are arranged on all the bent portions 17 of the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15, and the contact portions 22 and 23 are provided in the middle of the bent portions 16 and 17 (the middle of the parallel section P). I have. When the dot spacers 21 are arranged every other one of the bent portions 16, the contact portions 22 are located at the bent portions 16 where the dot spacers 21 are not arranged.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 15, the stem electrodes 24 of the strip electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 are linear and extend in parallel in the horizontal direction, and the branch electrodes 26 are arranged on one side (the lower side in the figure) of the stem electrodes 24 at regular intervals. At a right angle. On the other hand, the stem electrodes 25 of the strip electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15 extend linearly in the vertical direction, and the island electrodes 28 are separated from the stem electrodes 25 between the stem electrodes 25, that is, the first substrate 14 and the The first substrate 14 is provided at a position facing the tip of the branch electrode 26 when the two substrates 15 are overlapped. The dot spacer 21 is provided on the island electrode 28 of the second substrate 15, and the contact portions 22 and 23 are provided at intersections of the main electrode 24 of the first substrate 14 and the main electrode 25 of the second substrate 15. Here, the island electrode 28 is separated from the main electrode 25, but corresponds to the branch electrode 27, and is included in the concept of the strip electrode 13 in the present invention. Also in this case, the distance D between the vertically opposed strip electrodes 12 and 13 is not affected by the thickness T of the electrodes, and the same effect as in the embodiment can be exerted.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 16A, the strip electrodes 12 and 13 are configured such that the branch electrodes 26 and 27 extend orthogonally to both sides of the linear stem electrodes 24 and 25 alternately. It is also possible to arrange the electrodes 25 orthogonally as shown by a solid line and a two-dot chain line, and to arrange the branch electrodes 26 and 27 so that the tips thereof face each other. The dot spacer 21 is provided on the tip of the branch electrode 27 or on the strip electrode 13 which is located at the middle of the branching source of the adjacent branch electrode 27. When the dot spacer 21 is disposed at the tip of the branch electrode 26, the contact portions 22 and 23 are located in the middle of the branch sources of the adjacent branch electrodes 26 and 27, and the branch sources of the adjacent branch electrodes 26 and 27 are separated. When the dot spacer 21 is arranged in the middle of the above, the contact portions 22 and 23 are located at the tips of the branch electrodes 26 and 27.
[0049]
Further, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), the band-shaped electrodes 12, 13 are formed into a series of semicircles 32, and as shown in FIG. 16 (c), the band-shaped electrodes 12, 13 are formed into an arc 33 having a central angle of 45 degrees. Can be formed in a shape in which the semicircles 32 are connected in the opposite direction, as shown in FIG. 16 (d).
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 17A, the stem electrodes 24 of the strip electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 are linear and extend in parallel in the horizontal direction at equal intervals, and the branch electrodes 26 are on one side of the stem electrode 24 (in the figure). It extends in the orthogonal direction at a certain interval on the upper side. On the other hand, the stem electrodes 25 of the strip electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15 are linear and extend in parallel in the vertical direction at equal intervals, and the branch electrodes 27 are orthogonal to one side (the left side in the figure) of the stem electrodes 25 at fixed intervals. So that it extends. The dot spacer 21 is provided on the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 at a portion orthogonal to the stem electrode 24 of the first substrate 14, and the tip of the branch electrode 26 of the first substrate 14 and the Contact portions 22 and 23 are provided at the tip of the branch electrode 27.
[0051]
Also, as shown in FIG. 17B, the main electrodes 24 of the strip electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 are linear and extend in parallel in the horizontal direction at equal intervals, and the branch electrodes 26 are provided on one side of the main electrode 24 (see FIG. 17B). It extends perpendicularly to the middle and lower sides at a certain interval. On the other hand, the stem electrodes 25 of the strip electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15 are linear and extend in parallel in the longitudinal direction at equal intervals, and the branch electrodes 27 are arranged on one side (right side in the figure) of the stem electrodes 25 of the first substrate 14. It extends orthogonally at regular intervals along the electrode 24. A dot spacer 21 is provided at the tip of the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15, and contact portions 22 and 23 are provided between the tip of the branch electrode 26 of the first substrate 14 and the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15. Is provided.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 18A, the strip electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 are formed in a zigzag shape and extend in parallel in the horizontal direction at equal intervals. On the other hand, the stem electrodes 24 of the strip electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15 are linear and extend in parallel in the vertical direction at equal intervals, and the branch electrodes 27 are orthogonal to one side (the right side in the figure) of the stem electrodes 25 at a fixed interval. Extending in the direction. Here, the tip of the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15 is located on one bent portion 16 of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14. Then, the dot spacer 21 is provided at the tip of the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15, and the other bent portion 16 of the strip-shaped electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 opposed thereto are provided. Are provided with contact portions 22 and 23.
[0053]
The modification shown in FIG. 18B is different from the modification shown in FIG. 18A in the following points, and the other configuration is the same. That is, the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15 extends leftward in the figure. A dot spacer 21 is provided on a portion of the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 that intersects one of the bent portions 16 of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14, and the other of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 is provided. Contact portions 22 and 23 are provided at the tip of the bent portion 16 and the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15 facing the bent portion 16.
[0054]
The modification shown in FIG. 18C is different from the modification shown in FIG. 18A in the following points, and the other configuration is the same. That is, the amplitude and the wavelength of the zigzag shape of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 are formed to be twice as large, and one bent portion 16 is provided at every other end of the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15. Intersect. A dot spacer 21 is provided at the tip of the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15, and a linear portion between the bent portions 16 of the strip-shaped electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and a stem of the second substrate 15 opposed thereto. The electrode 25 is provided with contact portions 22 and 23.
[0055]
The modification shown in FIG. 18D is different from the modification shown in FIG. 18B in the following points, and the other configuration is the same. That is, the amplitude and the wavelength of the zigzag shape of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 are formed to be twice as large, and one bent portion 16 intersects every other stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15. I have. A dot spacer 21 is provided on a portion of the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 that intersects the bent portion 16 of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14, and the bent portion of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 is provided. Contact portions 22 and 23 are provided at the linear portion between the 16 and the tip of the branch electrode 27 of the second substrate 15 facing the straight portion.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 19A, the strip-shaped electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 has a zigzag shape having a bent portion 16 bent at a right angle, and extends horizontally at equal intervals in parallel. On the other hand, the stem electrodes 25 of the strip electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15 are linear and extend in parallel in the longitudinal direction at equal intervals, and an island electrode 28 is provided at an intermediate portion of each stem electrode 25 independently of the stem electrode 25. They are arranged at regular intervals. Here, one bent portion 16 of the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 is located at a position facing the island electrode 28 of the second substrate 15, and the other bent portion 16 is in contact with the main electrode 25 of the second substrate 15. At the intersection. The dot spacer 21 is provided on the island electrode 28 of the second substrate 15, and the other bent portion 16 of the strip-shaped electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 and the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 opposed thereto are in contact with each other. Parts 22 and 23 are provided.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 19B, the stem electrodes 24 of the strip electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 are linear and extend in parallel in the horizontal direction at equal intervals, and an island electrode 28 is provided at an intermediate portion of each stem electrode 24. Independently of the main electrode 25, they are arranged at regular intervals. On the other hand, the stem electrodes 25 of the strip electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15 are linear and extend in parallel in the longitudinal direction at equal intervals, and an island electrode 28 a is provided at an intermediate portion of each stem electrode 25 independently of the stem electrode 25. They are arranged at regular intervals. Here, the island electrode 28 of the first substrate 14 and the island electrode 28 of the second substrate 15 are located at positions facing each other. The dot spacers 21 are provided on the island electrodes 28 of the second substrate 15, and the contact portions 22, 23 are provided on the stem electrode 24 of the first substrate 14 and the stem electrode 25 of the second substrate 15 intersecting the same. ing.
[0058]
20 to 27 show a specific configuration in which the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are formed of a transparent resin, and the strip electrodes 12, 13 are formed in a zigzag shape on the surface thereof. FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a state in which the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are superimposed, FIG. 21 is a front view thereof, FIG. 22 is a rear view, FIG. 23 is a right side view, FIG. 26 is a plan view of the second substrate 15, FIG. 26 is a plan view of the first substrate 14, and FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the dot spacer 21.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 26, the strip-shaped electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 are formed in a zigzag shape, extend in the horizontal direction at a fixed interval, are focused on the right end thereof, and are connected to the connection portion 18. As shown in FIG. 25, the strip electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15 are formed in a zigzag shape, extend in the vertical direction at regular intervals, are converged at their lower ends, and connected to the connection portion 19. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, when the first substrate 14 is superimposed on the second substrate 15 via the square frame plate 20, there is one gap between the bent portions 16 and 17 of the strip electrodes 12 and 13. Every other overlaps. Then, a dot spacer 21 is provided on one bent portion 17 of the overlapping portion of the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15, and the other bent portion 17 and the band electrode 12 of the first substrate 14 opposed thereto are provided. The bent portion 16 is provided with contact portions 22 and 23. As shown in FIG. 27, the top of the dot spacer 21 provided on the bent portion 17 of the strip electrode 13 of the second substrate 15 contacts the strip electrode 12 of the first substrate 14, and the upper and lower strip electrodes 12, 13 An interval D between them is defined.
[0060]
It is also possible to provide the dot spacers 21 on the strip electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 or, in some cases, to provide the dot spacers 21 on the strip electrodes 13 of both the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15. It is.
[0061]
In the present invention, the first substrate 14 and the second substrate 15 are formed of a resin film, but the concept of the resin film includes a resin sheet having a thickness greater than that of the resin film.
[0062]
The dot spacer 21 may have an elliptical arc cross-section, a trapezoidal cross-section, a triangular cross-section, a plane ellipse, a plane square, or the like.
The direction in which the strip electrodes 12 of the first substrate 14 extend and the direction in which the strip electrodes 13 of the second substrate 15 extend need not necessarily be orthogonal to each other, and may intersect at an angle according to the purpose.
[0063]
Further, technical ideas grasped from the embodiments will be described below.
Each of the strip electrodes of the first substrate and each of the strip electrodes of the second substrate are configured to intersect and face each other at at least two places, and the strip electrode of the first substrate or the second substrate at one intersection. The touch panel switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a dot spacer is provided thereon, and a contact portion is provided on the strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate at the other intersection. With such a configuration, the interval between each strip electrode of the first substrate and each strip electrode of the second substrate can be made constant, and at the same time, each strip electrode of the first substrate and each strip electrode of the second substrate can be formed. Between them can be electrically conducted.
[0064]
7. The touch panel switch according to claim 5, wherein dot spacers are provided on the strip electrodes of the first substrate or the second substrate at both ends of the parallel section. 8. With this configuration, the density of the dot spacers can be increased to improve the accuracy of the interval between the opposing strip electrodes.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
[0066]
According to the touch panel switch of the first aspect, the distance between the opposing electrodes can be kept constant and the quality can be improved without being affected by the thickness of the electrodes.
[0067]
According to the touch panel switch according to the second or third aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the dot spacers and the contact portions can be evenly arranged, and the gap between the opposing electrodes can be provided. Can be uniformly maintained as a whole.
[0068]
According to the touch panel switch of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effects of the first aspect, it is possible to increase the density of the strip-shaped electrodes and to bring the positions of the dot spacers and the contact portions closer to each other. Can be accurately maintained.
[0069]
According to the touch panel switch of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effects of the invention of the fourth aspect, the interval between the strip electrodes on both substrates can be easily maintained, and the contact portion can be easily set.
[0070]
According to the touch panel switch described in claim 6, in addition to the effects of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 5, the input operation can be facilitated and the contact load can be made uniform. Can be planned.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a touch panel switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial plan view showing the arrangement of strip electrodes of the touch panel switch.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a touch panel switch with a change.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the touch panel switch of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a partial plan view showing the arrangement of strip electrodes in the first embodiment.
7A is a sectional view taken along line 7a-7a in FIG. 6, and FIG. 7B is a sectional view taken along line 7b-7b in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a partial plan view showing the arrangement of band electrodes in the second embodiment.
9A is a sectional view taken along line 9a-9a in FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B is a sectional view taken along line 9b-9b in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a partial plan view showing the arrangement of band electrodes in a third embodiment.
11A is a sectional view taken along line 11a-11a in FIG. 10, and FIG. 11B is a sectional view taken along line 11b-11b in FIG.
FIG. 12 is a partial plan view showing the arrangement of strip electrodes in a fourth embodiment.
13A is a sectional view taken along line 13a-13a in FIG. 12, and FIG. 13B is a sectional view taken along line 13b-13b in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a partial plan view showing the arrangement of strip electrodes in another example of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a partial plan view showing the arrangement of band electrodes in still another example.
16 (a) to (d) are partial plan views showing another example of the shape of the strip electrode.
FIGS. 17 (a) and (b) are partial plan views showing the arrangement of strip electrodes and the positions of dot spacers and contact portions as another example.
FIGS. 18 (a) to (d) are partial plan views showing arrangement of strip electrodes and positions of dot spacers and contact portions as another example.
FIGS. 19 (a) and (b) are partial plan views showing the arrangement of strip electrodes and the positions of dot spacers and contact portions as another example.
FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a touch panel switch according to another example of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a front view of FIG. 20;
FIG. 22 is a rear view of FIG. 20;
FIG. 23 is a right side view of FIG. 20.
FIG. 24 is a left side view of FIG. 20.
FIG. 25 is a plan view showing another example of the second substrate shown in FIG. 20;
FIG. 26 is a plan view showing another example of the first substrate shown in FIG. 20;
FIG. 27 is a sectional view taken along line 27-27 in FIG. 20;
28A is a plan view showing the arrangement of strip electrodes and dot spacers of a conventional touch panel switch, and FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 28b-28b of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Touch panel switch, 12 and 13 ... Strip electrode, 14 ... 1st board | substrate, 15 ... 2nd board | substrate, 16 and 17 ... Bending part, 21 ... Dot spacer, 22, 23 ... Contact part, 24, 25 ... Stem electrode , 26, 27: branch electrode, D: interval between strip electrodes, P: parallel section.

Claims

A first substrate and a second substrate having a plurality of strip electrodes formed on a surface thereof in parallel, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are overlapped with the strip electrodes inside; The strip electrodes of the substrate extend in the direction in which the strip electrodes intersect, and a dot spacer is provided on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate. The first electrode and the second electrode are provided with a contact portion that is in contact with each other when the two electrodes are pressed in a contacting direction and is electrically connected. A touch panel switch characterized by being used.

The strip-shaped electrode is composed of a stem electrode and a branch electrode extending orthogonally from the stem electrode, the stem electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate are respectively provided at equal intervals, and the stem electrode of the first substrate and the stem electrode of the second substrate are provided. 2. A dot spacer is provided on a stem electrode at a position orthogonal to the stem electrode, and a contact portion is formed at a branch electrode at a position where the branch electrode on the first substrate and the branch electrode on the second substrate are orthogonal. Touch panel switch according to 1.

The strip-shaped electrode includes a main electrode and a branch electrode extending orthogonally from the main electrode, the main electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate are respectively provided at equal intervals, and the branch electrode of the first substrate and the branch electrode of the second substrate are provided. 2. A dot spacer is provided on a branch electrode at a position orthogonal to the branch electrode, and a contact portion is formed at a position where the stem electrode of the first substrate is orthogonal to the stem electrode of the second substrate. Touch panel switch according to 1.

The strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate are each formed in a zigzag shape having a bent portion that is bent at a substantially right angle for each predetermined length, and the strip electrodes of the first substrate and the second substrate extend in the orthogonal direction. The touch panel switch according to claim 1.

The strip electrode of the first substrate and the strip electrode of the second substrate extend in parallel in the in-plane direction of the first substrate and the second substrate with the bent portions facing each other at the intersection of the two strip electrodes. The touch panel switch according to claim 4, wherein a dot spacer is provided on the strip-shaped electrode of the first substrate or the second substrate in the section, and a contact portion is provided on the strip-shaped electrode of the first and second substrates in the parallel section. .

The pressure sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a pressing sheet having a pressing protrusion protruding from the first substrate or the second substrate so as to face the contact portion is laminated with a constant gap. Touch panel switch as described.