JP2010211669A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device for use in various electronic apparatus that can implement various operations in a simplified thin structure. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of linear insulating grooves 26 are formed in an upper conductive layer 23 on a lower surface of an upper substrate 21 or a lower conductive layer 24 on an upper surface of a lower substrate 22 to form a plurality of movable contacts 28 or fixed contacts. This can form switch contacts 33B integrally flush with a touch panel 33A. The input device can thus implement various operations in a simplified thin structure. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device mainly used for operating various electronic devices.

  In recent years, as various electronic devices such as mobile phones and car navigation systems have become highly functional and diversified, an input device in which a switch is formed on the side of a light transmissive touch panel is used as a front surface of a display element such as a liquid crystal display element. There are an increasing number of devices that switch various functions of devices by pressing the touch panel or switch with a finger or pen while visually recognizing the display on the back display element through the touch panel. There is a need for a device that can be used for various operations.

  Such a conventional input device will be described with reference to FIGS.

  These drawings are partially enlarged in size for easy understanding of the configuration.

  6 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional input device, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view thereof. In FIG. 6, 1 is a light-transmissive upper substrate, 2 is a light-transmissive lower substrate, and the lower surface of the upper substrate 1 A light-transmissive upper conductive layer 3 such as indium tin oxide is formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 2, and a lower conductive layer 4 is formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 2.

  A plurality of dot spacers (not shown) are formed on the upper surface of the lower conductive layer 4 by insulating resin at predetermined intervals, and a pair of upper electrodes 5A and 5B such as silver are formed at both ends of the upper conductive layer 3. A pair of lower electrodes 6A and 6B are formed at both ends in a direction orthogonal to the upper conductive layer 3 of the lower conductive layer 4, respectively.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a substantially frame-shaped spacer made of an insulating resin formed on the outer periphery between the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2, and an adhesive (not shown) applied to the upper and lower surfaces or one surface of the spacer 7. The outer peripheries of the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2 are bonded together, and the upper conductive layer 3 and the lower conductive layer 4 face each other with a predetermined gap.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes a film-like flexible substrate having a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) formed on the upper and lower surfaces. The rear end is sandwiched between the upper substrate 1 and the lower substrate 2 and electrically conductive in the synthetic resin. Each wiring pattern is bonded and connected to the upper electrodes 5A and 5B and the lower electrodes 6A and 6B with an anisotropic conductive adhesive (not shown) in which particles are dispersed, thereby constituting the touch panel 9.

  Further, 10 is a plate-like wiring board having a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) formed on the upper and lower surfaces, 11 is a switch that is electrically connected and separated by the vertical movement of the operation shaft 11A, and the plurality of switches 11 are wired. It is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 10 and is electrically connected to a plurality of wiring patterns.

  Furthermore, 12 is a film-like flexible substrate in which a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) are formed on the upper and lower surfaces, and the wiring patterns of the flexible substrate 12 and the wiring substrate 10 are bonded and connected by an anisotropic conductive adhesive or the like. A switch contact 13 is formed, and this switch contact 13 is arranged at the end of the touch panel 9 to constitute an input device.

  The input device configured as described above is placed on the front surface of a display element such as a liquid crystal display element and attached to an electronic device, and the front ends of the flexible boards 8 and 12 are connected by a connector for connection, soldering, or the like. , Electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not shown) of the device.

  In the above configuration, for example, when a plurality of menus and the like are displayed on the display element on the back surface of the touch panel 9, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 1 on the desired menu is pressed with a finger or a pen, the upper substrate 1 is bent, The upper conductive layer 3 at the pressed position contacts the lower conductive layer 4.

  Then, a voltage is sequentially applied from the electronic circuit to the upper electrodes 5A, 5B and the lower electrodes 6A, 6B through the wiring pattern of the flexible substrate 8, and the electronic circuit passes the pressed portion by the voltage ratio between these electrodes. For example, the menu of the place where the pressing operation is performed is selected.

  Further, when a predetermined operation shaft 11A of the switch contact 13 at the end of the touch panel 9 is pressed, the switch 11 is electrically connected and separated, and the switch 11 is pressed by the electronic circuit via the flexible board 12. For example, the device is turned on / off and the volume is increased / decreased.

  In other words, by operating the touch panel 9 of the input device mounted on the front surface of the device, the menu displayed on the display element on the rear surface is selected, and various functions of the device can be switched by operating the switch contact 13. Was configured to be done.

As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
JP 2007-310540 A

  However, in the above conventional input device, the touch panel 9 and the switch contact 13 are formed separately, and the input device is configured by arranging the switch contact 13 having a large height at the end of the touch panel 9. As the number of parts increases, the overall height of the apparatus becomes large, and it is difficult to reduce the thickness.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can be thinned with a simple configuration and can be operated in various ways.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of linear insulating grooves in the upper conductive layer on the lower surface of the upper substrate or the lower conductive layer on the upper surface of the lower substrate, and forms a plurality of movable contacts or fixed contacts. Since the switch contacts are integrally formed at the same height as the touch panel by moving contacts or fixed contacts, the input device can be thinned with a simple configuration and can be operated in various ways. It has the effect | action that it can obtain.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve an advantageous effect that an input device capable of being thinned and capable of various operations can be realized.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  These drawings are partially enlarged in size for easy understanding of the configuration.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the same substrate, in which 21 is a film shape such as polyethylene terephthalate or polycarbonate or An optically transparent upper substrate made of a thin plate such as glass or acrylic, 22 is also an optically transparent lower substrate, and an optically transparent upper conductive layer 23 such as indium tin oxide or tin oxide is formed on the lower surface of the upper substrate 21. Similarly, lower conductive layers 24 are formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 22 by sputtering or the like.

  Further, a substantially rectangular movable contact 25 is formed on the lower surface of the upper substrate 21 and is separated from the upper conductive layer 23 and provided with an electrode 25A at one end, and the upper conductive layer 23 is formed on the outer periphery by etching or the like. A plurality of substantially U-shaped insulating grooves 26 are formed, and a plurality of movable contacts 28 connected to the upper conductive layer 23 by crosspieces 27 are provided.

  A plurality of dot spacers (not shown) are formed on the upper surface of the lower conductive layer 24 by an insulating resin such as epoxy or silicone at a predetermined interval, and a pair of silver or carbon or the like is formed at both ends of the upper conductive layer 23. A pair of lower electrodes 30A and 30B are formed on both ends of the upper electrodes 29A and 29B in the direction orthogonal to the upper conductive layer 23 of the lower conductive layer 24, respectively.

  Reference numeral 31 denotes a substantially frame-like spacer formed of an insulating resin such as polyester or epoxy formed on the outer periphery between the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 22, and acrylic or rubber applied and formed on the upper and lower surfaces or one surface of the spacer 31. The outer peripheries of the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 22 are bonded together by an adhesive (not shown) such as the upper conductive layer 23 and the lower conductive layer 24 facing each other with a predetermined gap.

  Furthermore, 32 is a film-like flexible substrate such as polyimide or polyethylene terephthalate, and a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) such as copper and silver are formed on the upper and lower surfaces, and the rear ends are the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 22. A plurality of wirings with an anisotropic conductive adhesive (not shown) in which a plurality of conductive particles obtained by gold plating nickel or resin are dispersed in a synthetic resin such as epoxy, acrylic or polyester. The pattern is adhesively connected to the upper electrodes 29A and 29B, the lower electrodes 30A and 30B, and the electrode 25A to constitute the input device.

  That is, the touch panel 33A is formed by the upper conductive layer 23 and the lower conductive layer 24 opposite to the upper conductive layer 23, and the switch contact 33B is formed by the movable contact 25 and the plurality of movable contacts 28 and the lower conductive layer 24 opposite to the movable contact 25. In addition, the touch panel 33A and the switch contact 33B are integrally formed at the same height between the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 22, so that the entire apparatus is thinned with a simple configuration. Yes.

  The input device configured as described above is arranged on the front surface of a display element such as a liquid crystal display element and attached to an electronic device, and the front end of the flexible substrate 32 is connected to the device by a connector for connection, soldering, or the like. Are electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not shown).

  That is, since the touch panel 33A and the switch contact 33B are integrally formed, the connection of the input device to the electronic circuit can be performed with only one flexible substrate 32.

  In the above configuration, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 21 on a desired menu is pressed with a finger or a pen in a state where a plurality of menus are displayed on the display element on the back surface of the touch panel 33A, the upper substrate 21 is bent, The upper conductive layer 23 at the pressed position contacts the lower conductive layer 24.

  Then, a voltage is sequentially applied from the electronic circuit to the upper electrodes 29A and 29B and the lower electrodes 30A and 30B through the conductive pattern of the flexible substrate 32, and the electronic circuit passes the pressed portion by the voltage ratio between these electrodes. For example, the menu of the place where the pressing operation is performed is selected.

  In addition, when a voltage is applied to the lower electrodes 30A and 30B and the upper surface of the upper substrate 21 provided with the movable contact 25 is pressed, the upper substrate 21 bends and the lower conductive layer is located where the movable contact 25 faces. 24, the voltage corresponding to the pressed position is output from the electrode 25A to the electronic circuit, and for example, the power of the device is turned on / off.

  Further, when the upper surface of the upper substrate 21 provided with the predetermined movable contact 28 of the switch contact 33B is pressed, the upper substrate 21 of this portion is bent, and the lower conductive layer 24 where the movable contact 28 faces is brought into contact. A voltage corresponding to the pressed position is output from the upper electrodes 29A and 29B to the electronic circuit, and for example, the volume of the device is increased or decreased.

  In other words, by operating the touch panel 33A of the input device mounted on the front surface of the device, the menu displayed on the display element on the back surface is selected, and various functions of the device are switched by operating the switch contact 33B. By doing so, various operations are possible.

  At this time, as described above, a plurality of substantially U-shaped insulating grooves 26 are formed in the upper conductive layer 23 on the lower surface of the upper substrate 21, and a plurality of movable contacts 28 are provided. The switch contact 33B is integrally formed at the same height as the touch panel 33A by the contact 28 and the lower conductive layer 24 opposite to the contact 28, so that the thickness can be reduced with a simple configuration and various operations can be performed. It has become.

  That is, the touch panel 33A and the switch contact 33B are formed at the same height between the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 22, and the menu displayed on the display element on the back surface is selected by operating the touch panel 33A. Various operations can be performed by switching various functions of the device by operating the switch contact 33B.

  As shown in the plan view of FIG. 4, the present invention can also be implemented with a configuration in which a plurality of linear insulating grooves 26A are provided between the plurality of movable contacts 28A and 28B. Depending on the location where the pressing operation is performed within one movable contact 28A, for example, when the position A is pressed, the voltage is VA, and when the position B is pressed, the voltage is VB. It will be a thing.

  Therefore, according to the output voltage, the electronic circuit is such that the movable contact 28A is pressed when the voltage is between VA and VB, for example, and the adjacent movable contact 28B is pressed when the voltage is larger than this range. Depending on the range of the output voltage, it is necessary to determine the movable contact 28A or 28B that has been pressed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, a substantially U-shaped insulating groove 26 is formed on the outer periphery of the plurality of movable contacts 28 and is connected to the upper conductive layer 23 by a crosspiece 27. Since any output voltage is, for example, VC from the crosspiece 27, no matter which part is pressed within the single movable contact 28, the movable contact 28 that has been pressed is operated without making the above determination. Can be detected.

  In the above description, a predetermined portion of a thin film such as indium tin oxide formed on the entire lower surface of the upper substrate 21 and the upper surface of the lower substrate 22, for example, the outer periphery, the insulating groove 26, and the like is removed with an etching solution. The structure for forming the conductive layer 23, the movable contacts 25 and 28, the lower conductive layer 24, etc. has been described. However, as shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. Implementation is possible.

  That is, in FIG. 5, the upper conductive layer 23 is formed on the entire lower surface of the upper substrate 21 and the outer periphery of the plurality of movable contacts 28 is substantially U-shaped with the upper conductive layer 23 removed by laser irradiation. The insulating groove 26B is similarly formed between the electrode 25A and the upper electrodes 29A and 29B.

  That is, the movable contact 25 or 28 is formed by irradiating the upper conductive layer 23 formed on the entire lower surface of the upper substrate 21 with laser and providing the insulating grooves 26B and 26C.

  A lower conductive layer 24 is also formed on the entire upper surface of the lower substrate 22, and an insulating groove 26D is similarly formed by laser irradiation inside the lower electrode 30A and between the lower electrodes 30A and 30B. The insulating grooves 26C and 26D are configured to maintain insulation between the electrodes.

  Further, in the above description, a configuration in which a plurality of linear insulating grooves 26 are provided in the upper conductive layer 23 on the lower surface of the upper substrate 21 to form a plurality of movable contacts 28 has been described. A plurality of linear insulating grooves are provided in the layer 24, a plurality of fixed contacts similar to the movable contact 28 are formed on the lower substrate 22 side, and the upper conductive layer 23 on the lower surface of the upper substrate 21 is opposed to the switch 24. The present invention can also be implemented as a configuration in which contacts are formed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of linear insulating grooves 26 are provided in the upper conductive layer 23 on the lower surface of the upper substrate 21 or the lower conductive layer 24 on the upper surface of the lower substrate 22, and the plurality of movable contacts 28 or fixed points are fixed. By forming the contact, the switch contact 33B can be integrally formed at the same height as the touch panel 33A. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness with a simple configuration and obtain an input device capable of various operations.

  The input device according to the present invention has an advantageous effect that it can be thinned with a simple configuration, and can obtain various operations, and is useful mainly for operation of various electronic devices.

Sectional drawing of the touchscreen by one embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view Plan view of the same substrate Plan view according to another embodiment Exploded perspective view Sectional view of a conventional input device Exploded perspective view

21 Upper substrate 22 Lower substrate 23 Upper conductive layer 24 Lower conductive layer 25 Movable contact 25A Electrode 26, 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D Insulating groove 27 Crosspiece 28, 28A, 28B Movable contact 29A, 29B Upper electrode 30A, 30B Lower electrode 31 Spacer 32 Flexible substrate 33A Touch panel 33B Switch contact

Claims (1)

A light transmissive upper substrate having an upper conductive layer formed on the lower surface and a light transmissive lower substrate having an upper conductive layer formed on the upper surface and facing the upper conductive layer with a predetermined gap therebetween. An input device in which a plurality of linear insulating grooves are provided in a conductive layer or a lower conductive layer to form a plurality of movable contacts or fixed contacts.

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