JP2004265100A - Flexible sensor and input device using the same and method for manufacturing flexible sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flexible sensor which can be freely attached to an article. <P>SOLUTION: A peeling layer 3 is provided with extendibility, insulating performance and peeling performance so that a flexible sensor from which a carrier sheet 2 is peeled can be attached to surfaces of articles of various shapes. The flexible sensor 1 is formed of an orthogonal coordinate system constituted of a first electrode layer 4 and a second electrode layer 6, and a predetermined capacitance C is formed between them. When the finger or the like is made to approach or brought into contact with the surface of an overcoat layer 7, capacitance C is changed so that coordinate positions can be detected by detecting a change in the capacitance as a voltage. It is therefore possible to provide various input devices by attaching the flexible sensor 1 to the surfaces of the articles in various shapes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a flexible sensor that can be freely attached to a free-form surface, an input device using the same, and a method for manufacturing a flexible sensor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind of technology, there is a technology relating to a circuit board described in, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.
[0003]
The one described in Patent Document 1 forms a substrate protrusion 6 on the substrate 2 and also forms the substrate protrusion 3 on the substrate electrode 3 formed on the surface of the substrate 2 so as to follow the substrate electrode protrusion 7. This is the configuration.
[0004]
In the method described in Patent Document 2, after a copper foil 3 is adhered to the surface of a plastic plate 1, a protective layer 10 is formed with a resist, and etching is performed to remove the excess copper foil. 3b and 3c are formed. Then, the plastic plate 1 is hot-pressed between molds to finish it into a predetermined shape.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 64-20763 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-56-111287 [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the circuit board described in Patent Literature 1 is formed by beating out with a metal rag or the like, and the circuit board described in Patent Literature 2 is formed into an arbitrary shape by hot pressing. Therefore, each of them lacks a degree of freedom as a circuit board. That is, when the circuit board is deformed into an arbitrary shape, it is necessary to perform such a troublesome operation, and the workability is lacking.
[0007]
In addition, it is difficult to immediately respond to a change in the shape of the circuit board, and it is also difficult to make the circuit board follow a complicated shape.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a flexible sensor that can be freely attached to a free-form surface, an input device using the same, and a method of manufacturing the flexible sensor. .
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The flexible sensor of the present invention includes a release layer formed by printing a masking material having extensibility, insulation and release properties on a carrier sheet, and a plurality of pattern lines provided on the release layer. A first electrode layer, an insulating resist layer covering a surface of the first electrode layer, and a plurality of pattern lines provided on the resist layer so as to face the first electrode layer. And an overcoat layer covering the surface of the second electrode layer.
[0010]
In the above, a capacitance is formed by applying a predetermined voltage between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and an individual electrode of the first electrode layer and the second electrode are connected to each other. It is preferable that detection means for detecting a change in the capacitance between each electrode of the electrode layer and each electrode is provided.
[0011]
For example, the first electrode layer is an X-direction electrode layer extending in the X-direction, the second electrode layer is a Y-direction electrode layer extending in the Y-direction orthogonal to the first electrode layer, and An orthogonal coordinate system may be formed by the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, or the first electrode layer may be formed by latitude lines, and the second electrode layer may be formed by longitude. The first electrode layer and the second electrode layer may form a spherical coordinate system.
[0012]
Further, the present invention is an input device using any one of the flexible sensors described above, wherein an adhesive layer is formed on a surface of the release layer after the carrier is released from the release layer, and the adhesive is formed on a target curved surface. It is characterized by being fixed via a layer.
[0013]
Further, the method for manufacturing a flexible sensor according to the present invention includes a step of printing a masking material having extensibility, insulation and release properties on the surface of a base carrier sheet to form a release layer; Forming a first electrode layer consisting of a plurality of pattern lines, covering the surface of the first electrode layer with an insulating resist layer, and forming the first electrode layer on the resist layer. Forming a second electrode layer including a plurality of pattern lines facing each other; and covering a surface of the second electrode layer with an overcoat layer.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view showing a flexible sensor of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a use form of the flexible sensor of the present invention.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, the lowermost layer of the flexible sensor 1 is provided with a carrier sheet 2 serving as a base. The carrier sheet is formed of a thin sheet-like base material such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or PP (polypropylene).
[0016]
A release layer 3 is provided on the surface of the carrier sheet 2. The release layer 3 is formed by coating a masking material in a sol state having excellent extensibility, flexibility and insulating properties. The material for forming the release layer 3 is, for example, STRIPMASK (registered trademark) manufactured by Asahi Chemical Laboratory Co., Ltd., which is subjected to screen printing with a film thickness of about 30 to 60 μm, and then subjected to a drying process at a predetermined temperature. It is formed by.
[0017]
On the surface of the release layer 3, an X-direction electrode layer (first electrode layer) 4 composed of a plurality of fine pattern lines extending in the X-direction is formed. The electrode layer 4 in the X direction formed a predetermined pattern line by printing a copper foil having a thickness of about 6 μm on the surface of the release layer 3 and then forming a protective layer on the copper foil with a photoresist. Things.
[0018]
On the release layer 3, a resist layer 5 for covering the electrode layer 4 in the X direction is provided. The resist layer 5 is formed of, for example, an acrylic material such as polyimide, and has a thickness of about 25 μm. The resist layer 5 has the same degree of extensibility as the release layer 3.
[0019]
Then, on the surface of the resist layer 5, an electrode layer (second electrode layer) 6 in the Y direction, which is formed of a plurality of thin pattern lines extending in the illustrated Y direction and facing the electrode layer 4 in the X direction, is formed. ing. The electrode layer 6 in the Y direction is formed in the same manner as the electrode layer 4 in the X direction, and has a thickness of about 6 μm.
[0020]
The uppermost layer is provided with an overcoat layer 7 covering the electrode layer 6 in the Y direction. The overcoat layer 7 is formed of the same material as the resist 5, and has a thickness of about 20 μm.
[0021]
The overall thickness of the flexible sensor 1 is very thin, about 0.1 mm, and is excellent in flexibility as a whole.
[0022]
In the flexible sensor 1, the electrode layer 4 in the X direction and the electrode layer 6 in the Y direction are orthogonal to each other via the resist layer 5, and each electrode forms a matrix-like orthogonal coordinate system. When a predetermined voltage is applied between the X-direction electrode layer 4 and the Y-direction electrode layer 6, the individual electrodes forming the X-direction electrode layer 4 and the individual electrodes forming the Y-direction electrode layer 6 are formed. The capacitance C is formed between these electrodes.
[0023]
Then, when a finger or the like is brought closer to an arbitrary position on the overcoat layer 7, the lines of electric force between the X-direction electrode layer 4 and the Y-direction electrode layer 6 therearound are reduced, and the electric field is disturbed. Therefore, the capacitance C decreases.
[0024]
Therefore, by providing a detecting means (not shown) for scanning each electrode between the electrode layer 4 in the X direction and the electrode layer 6 in the Y direction to detect each voltage, a flexible sensor to which a finger approaches or contacts is provided. 1 can be obtained. That is, the flexible sensor 1 has a function as an input device (position sensor) that can detect the position of coordinates on a plane.
[0025]
In the flexible sensor 1, only the carrier sheet 2 provided in the lowermost layer can be peeled from the peeling layer 3. Comparing the film thickness of the carrier sheet 2 with the film thickness of the release layer 3 to the overcoat layer 7, the carrier sheet 2 is thicker. Therefore, the total thickness of the flexible sensor 1 after the carrier sheet 2 has been peeled off is extremely thin. Moreover, the release layer 3 has excellent extensibility, and its elongation is extremely high. Therefore, the bonding surface (the surface on which the carrier sheet 2 is provided) 3a of the flexible sensor 1 after the carrier sheet 2 has been peeled off is changed to the surface (free-form surface) of an object having various shapes such as a spherical surface or a cylindrical surface. When applied so as to follow a curved surface having a Gaussian curvature that is not zero, it is possible to adhere so as to imitate almost without forming wrinkles.
[0026]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, by providing an adhesive layer made of, for example, a double-sided tape on the bonding surface 3 a of the release layer 3, the flexible sensor 1 can follow the surface of the free-form surface 10 such as a spherical surface or a cylinder. It can be stuck and fixed.
[0027]
Further, since the flexible sensor 1 has excellent flexibility, even if the flexible sensor 1 is attached to, for example, an acute-angled surface, the individual components constituting the internal X-direction electrode layer 4 and Y-direction electrode layer 6 are formed. The electrodes are not short-circuited or disconnected.
[0028]
Therefore, the coordinate axis can be formed on the free-form surface 10 by the flexible sensor 1, and when a finger or the like approaches or contacts the free-form surface 10, the position on the free-form surface 10 where the finger approaches or It is possible to detect whether the contact has been made.
[0029]
Although the first electrode layer 4 and the second electrode layer 6 are described as being wired in a matrix and forming an orthogonal coordinate system, the present invention is not limited to this. A spherical coordinate system may be formed by forming one electrode layer with a latitude line and forming the second electrode layer with a longitude line.
[0030]
In this case, by attaching the flexible sensor 1 to the entire surface of the ball without wrinkling, a gripping method (for example, a gripping method of a fork ball or a curve) is detected when the ball is gripped. can do. Alternatively, it is possible to configure an input device capable of detecting the position on the spherical surface of the ball to which an impact is applied when the ball is hit or kicked. Therefore, the ball can be used as an input device for a computer game such as a baseball game or a soccer game.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a flexible sensor that can be freely attached according to a free curved surface.
[0032]
By forming an electrode layer capable of detecting coordinates in the flexible sensor, various input devices (position sensors) can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view showing a flexible sensor according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a use form of the flexible sensor of the present invention;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flexible sensor 2 Carrier sheet 3 Release layer 3a Joining surface 4 First electrode layer 5 Resist layer 6 Second electrode layer 7 Overcoat layer 10 Free-form surface

Claims (6)

An exfoliation layer, an exfoliation layer formed by printing a masking material having an insulating property and an exfoliation property on a carrier sheet, and a first electrode layer including a plurality of pattern lines provided on the exfoliation layer, An insulating resist layer covering a surface of the first electrode layer, a second electrode layer including a plurality of pattern lines provided on the resist layer so as to face the first electrode layer, A flexible sensor, comprising: an overcoat layer covering a surface of the second electrode layer. A predetermined voltage is applied between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer to form a capacitance, and the individual electrodes of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer The flexible sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit configured to detect a change in the capacitance between each of the electrodes. The first electrode layer is an X-direction electrode layer extending in the X-direction; the second electrode layer is a Y-direction electrode layer extending in the Y-direction orthogonal to the first electrode layer; 3. The flexible sensor according to claim 1, wherein an orthogonal coordinate system is formed by the electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The first electrode layer is formed of latitude lines, the second electrode layer is formed of longitude lines, and the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer form a spherical coordinate system. The flexible sensor according to claim 1. An input device using the flexible sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An adhesive layer was formed on the surface of the release layer after the carrier was released from the release layer, and a flexible sensor was used, which was fixed on the target free-form surface via the adhesive layer. Input device. Forming a release layer by printing a masking material having extensibility, insulation and release properties on the surface of the base carrier sheet; and a first electrode comprising a plurality of pattern lines on the release layer Forming a layer, covering the surface of the first electrode layer with an insulating resist layer, and forming a second pattern line on the resist layer, the plurality of pattern lines facing the first electrode layer. A method for manufacturing a flexible sensor, comprising: forming an electrode layer; and covering the surface of the second electrode layer with an overcoat layer.

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