JP2011150502A - Capacitance type input device and electronic equipment equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a capacitance type input device wherein the degree of freedom of the selection of the materials of an electrode is increased and the light transparency is secured, and electronic equipment including the same. <P>SOLUTION: This capacitance type input device of an embodiment 1 includes: a base board (1) having light transparency; and first electrodes (10a to 10c) and second electrodes (20a to 20d) formed at the back face side of the base board (1), and respectively extended to Y and X directions crossing each other. The first electrode (10a) includes an opening (10a5). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a capacitive input device and an electronic apparatus including the same.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a capacitance type input device. The capacitance type input device employs first and second electrodes extending in first and second directions in a plane, respectively. Some of the back sides of the first and second electrodes employ light emitting means for irradiating light from the back side of the first and second electrodes to the front side. Examples of the light emitting means include an LED, an organic EL, and a display that can emit light and display an image.

JP 2009-123106 A

  In general, in consideration of operation detection accuracy, the first and second electrodes are formed so as to cover the entire operation region in contact with the user's finger. Further, as the first and second electrodes cover the entire surface of the operation region, the light from the light emitting means may be hindered by the first and second electrodes. Considering this point, transparent electrodes are employed as the first and second electrodes.

  Thus, in the conventional capacitance-type input device, it is assumed that transparent electrodes are employed as the first and second electrodes. When transparent electrodes are employed as the first and second electrodes in consideration of light transmission from the light emitting means, selection of materials for the first and second electrodes is limited. That is, it is difficult to select a material suitable for the electrode from a wide range of materials in consideration of characteristics such as cost and resistance value.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a capacitance-type input device that improves the degree of freedom of selection of electrode materials and secures light transmittance, and an electronic apparatus including the same.

  The object includes a light-transmitting base plate, and first and second electrodes formed on one side of the base plate and extending in first and second directions intersecting each other, The first electrode can be achieved by a capacitive input device including an opening.

  Thereby, even if it is a case where electrodes other than a transparency are employ | adopted as a 1st and 2nd electrode, in the opening part, light permeate | transmits toward the front side from the back side of a 1st and 2nd electrode. Thereby, the freedom degree of selection of the material of an electrode improves, and the electrostatic capacitance type input device which ensured the light transmittance which can be produced by the printing method with low manufacturing cost can be provided.

  Further, the object is to provide a base plate having optical transparency, first and second electrodes formed on one side of the base plate and extending in first and second directions intersecting each other, and a base plate, A decorative layer having a material part and an indicator part having a light transmittance and a pattern different from that of the base part, and the first and second electrodes are seen from the front of the base plate. This can be achieved by a capacitive input device that is retracted from the indicator section.

  Thereby, even if it is a case where electrodes other than a transparency are employ | adopted as a 1st and 2nd electrode, in an indicator part, light permeate | transmits toward the front side from the back side of a 1st and 2nd electrode. As a result, it is possible to provide a capacitance type input device in which the degree of freedom in selecting the electrode material is improved and the light transmission is ensured.

  The above object can also be achieved by an electronic apparatus equipped with the above capacitance type input device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the freedom degree of selection of the material of an electrode improves and the electrostatic capacitance type input device which ensured the light transmittance and electronic device provided with the same can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the capacitive input device according to the first embodiment when viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view around the indicator portion. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the capacitive input device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the shape of an electrode employed in a conventional capacitive input device. 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of the method for manufacturing the capacitive input device according to the first embodiment. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams of a method for manufacturing the capacitance-type input device according to the first embodiment. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams of a method for manufacturing the capacitance-type input device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of an index unit in the capacitive input device according to the second embodiment. 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views of the capacitive input device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the index unit in the capacitive input device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the capacitive input device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the capacitive input device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the capacitive input device according to the fifth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the capacitive input device according to the first embodiment when viewed from the front. The capacitance type input device is a thin sheet. As shown in FIG. 1, the capacitive input device includes a base plate 1, a decoration layer 3, a conductive layer 5, first electrodes 10 a to 10 c, second electrodes 20 a to 20 c, a resist 30, a connection electrode 40, and a transparent electrode. Layer 51 and back electrode layer 57 are included. The first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20c are formed on the back side of the base plate 1 as will be described in detail later. In FIG. 1, a part of the configuration of the capacitive input device is omitted.

  Each of the first electrodes 10a to 10c extends in the first direction, that is, the Y direction, in the plane of the capacitive input device. The first electrodes 10a to 10c are for detecting the position in the X direction of the user's operation position. Each of the second electrodes 20a to 20d extends in the second direction, that is, the X direction, in the plane of the capacitive input device. The second electrodes 20a to 20d are for detecting the position in the Y direction of the user's operation position. The first direction in which the first electrode 10a extends and the second direction in which the second electrode 20a extends may not be orthogonal as long as they intersect each other.

  The first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d are separated from each other. The first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d are formed of a conductive material that does not have optical transparency and are colored. The first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d may be made of a material having high light transmittance such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).

  The decoration layer 3 is formed with a base portion and an indicator portion 3a in which a pattern is formed at a plurality of predetermined locations of the base portion. The indicator unit 3a has a function of allowing the user to visually recognize a detectable position. In the capacitance-type input device illustrated in FIG. 1, an example in which numerals and symbols are described in the indicator portion 3a is shown. The indicator part 3a may be a character other than numerals and symbols, or a design. In addition, one index part 3a may be a combination of at least two of numbers, symbols, characters, and designs. The first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d are retracted from the indicator portion 3a so as not to overlap the indicator portion 3a.

  When viewed from the front of the base plate 1, the plurality of conductive layers 5 are provided so as to overlap the plurality of indicator portions 3 a, respectively. Each of the conductive layers 5 has a substantially circular shape, but is not limited to such a shape. The plurality of conductive layers 5 are separated from each other.

The structure around the indicator portion 3a will be described.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view around the indicator portion 3a. The first electrode 10a has linear main path portions 11a1 and 11a2 extending in the Y direction, and branch path portions 12a and 13a branched from the main path portion 11a1 and continuing to the main path portion 11a2. The branch path parts 12a and 13a surround the indicator part 3a. The branch path parts 12a and 13a are substantially circular as a whole.

  The branch path portions 12a and 13a may be substantially polygonal as a whole. At least one of the branch path portions 12a and 13a may be linear. The branch path portions 12a and 13a surround the indicator portion 3a. However, even if a portion of the branch path portions 12a and 13a is broken, at least one of the branch path portions 12a and 13a may be continuous with the main path portion 11a2.

  The branch path portions 12a and 13a define an opening 10a5. That is, the first electrode 10a has an opening 10a5. The indicator portion 3a is located in the opening 10a5. The opening 10a5 has a substantially circular shape, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a polygonal shape.

  The second electrode 20b has linear main path portions 21b1, 21b2 extending in the X direction, 22b1, 23b1 branched from the main path portion 21b1, and branched path portions 22b2, 23b2 branched from the main path portion 21b2. . As will be described later, the branch path parts 23b1 and 23b2 are connected via the connecting electrode 40, and the main path part 21b1 and the main path part 21b2 are continuous. The end of the branch path part 22b1 faces the main path part 11a2, and the end of the branch path part 23b1 faces the main path part 11a1. The branch path parts 22b2 and 23b2 branch from the main path part 21b2. The end of the branch path part 22b2 faces the main path part 11a2. The end of the branch path part 23b2 faces the main path part 11a1. The terminal end of the branch path part 23b1 and the terminal end of the branch path part 23b2 are electrically connected via the connection electrode 40.

  The branch path portions 22b1 and 23b1 are formed outside the branch path portion 12a along the branch path portion 12a and have an arc shape. Similarly, the branch path portions 22b2 and 23b2 are formed outside the branch path portion 13a along the branch path portion 13a and have an arc shape. The entire branch path portions 22b1, 22b2, 23b1, 23b2 are substantially circular. The second electrode 20b is formed outside the first electrode 10a when viewed from the front of the base plate 1.

  The branch path portions 22b1, 22b2, 23b1, 23b2 may be substantially polygonal as a whole. At least one of the branch path portions 22b1, 22b2, 23b1, 23b2 may be linear.

  The branch path portions 22b1, 22b2, 23b1, and 23b2 define an opening 20b5. That is, the second electrode 20b has an opening 20b5. In the opening 20b5, the branch path portions 12a and 13a and the indicator portion 3a are located. The opening 20b5 has a substantially circular shape, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a polygonal shape.

  The conductive layer 5 is formed in a substantially circular shape so as to correspond to the shape of the branch path portions 12a, 13a, 22b1, 22b2, 23b1, 23b2 provided around the indicator portion 3a. The conductive layer 5 overlaps the indicator portion 3a and the branch path portions 12a, 13a, 22b1, 22b2, 23b1, and 23b2 when viewed from the front of the base plate 1. The conductive layer 5 is made of a material having a high light transmittance and is transparent. Note that adjacent conductive layers 5 are not in contact with each other.

  3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the capacitive input device according to the first embodiment. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3A, the upper surface of the base plate 1 is in contact with the user's finger F. The capacitive input device includes a base plate 1, a decorative layer 3, a conductive layer 5, an insulating layer 7, an insulating layer 50, a transparent electrode layer 51, a light emitting layer 53, a dielectric layer in order from the upper side to the lower side of FIG. 55, a back electrode layer 57, and a protective layer 59 are formed. On the surface of the insulating layer 7, main path portions 11a1, 23b1, 23b2, a resist 30, and a connecting electrode 40 are formed. The base plate 1, the decoration layer 3, the conductive layer 5, the insulating layer 7, the first electrodes 10a to 10c, and the second electrodes 20a to 20d realize a function as a capacitance detection layer, that is, a touch panel. The insulating layer 50, the transparent electrode layer 51, the light emitting layer 53, the dielectric layer 55, the back electrode layer 57, and the protective layer 59 function as an inorganic electroluminescence (inorganic EL) element that is an example of a light emitting means. Is realized. (Hereinafter, the inorganic electroluminescence element is simply referred to as inorganic EL, and the insulating layer 50 to the protective layer 59 constituting the inorganic EL are referred to as inorganic EL layers.) The light emitting layer 53 includes the first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20a. Irradiate in the direction D from the back side to the front side of 20d.

  As described above, in the capacitance type input device according to the first embodiment, the capacitance detection layer and the light emitting unit are integrally formed. Specifically, an inorganic EL layer, which is an example of a light emitting unit, is integrally formed on a base plate 1 that is a base material for a capacitance detection layer. In the capacitance type input device of the first embodiment, the handleability as a component is improved as compared with the case where the capacitance detection layer and the light emitting means are provided separately. Further, compared with the case where the capacitance detection layer and the light emitting means are provided separately, the capacitance type input device of Example 1 can be made thinner.

  As shown to FIG. 3A and 3B, the 1st electrodes 10a-10c and the 2nd electrodes 20a-20d are formed on the surface of the insulating layer 7, and are formed in the same layer. As shown in FIG. 3A, the resist 30 has a function for ensuring insulation between the main path portion 11 a 1 and the connection electrode 40. The resist 30 is formed so as to cover the main path portion 11a1. The connecting electrode 40 has conductivity, and connects the branch path portion 23b1 and the branch path portion 23b2.

  The conductive layer 5 has a function of improving contact detection accuracy. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the conductive layer 5 is formed on the front side, that is, on the side where the user's finger comes into contact with the layer on which the first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d are formed. Has been. The conductive layer 5 is not in contact with any of the first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, an insulating layer 7 is formed between the conductive layer 5 and the first electrode 10a and the second electrode 20b.

  By touching the user's finger F so as to overlap the conductive layer 5, a capacitance is generated between the finger F and the conductive layer 5. Along with this, electrostatic capacitance is generated between the conductive layer 5 and the first electrode 10a and the second electrode 20b. Thereby, detection accuracy improves. For example, when the conductive layer 5 is not provided, when the user's finger F does not overlap any of the first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d, the user's finger F and the first electrodes 10a to 10c There is a possibility that the contact position cannot be detected without sufficient electrostatic capacitance between any of the second electrodes 20a to 20d. If the conductive layer 5 is not provided, for example, when only the region in the opening 10a5 is touched, the contact position may not be detected. However, since the conductive layer 5 is provided so as to overlap the opening 10a5 and the index part 3a, the above-described decrease in detection accuracy is prevented.

  Here, the shape of the electrode employed in the conventional capacitive input device will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the shape of an electrode employed in a conventional capacitive input device. As shown in FIG. 4, the conventional capacitive input device has an electrode 10x extending in the Y direction and an electrode 20x extending in the X direction. Although only one column is shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of electrodes 10x are arranged in the X direction. Similarly, a plurality of electrodes 20x are arranged in the Y direction. The electrode 10x has main path portions 11x1, 11x2, and 11x3 extending linearly in the Y direction. Between the main path part 11x1 and the main path part 11x2, the pad part 15x1 having a larger area than the main path parts 11x1 and 11x2, and between the main path part 11x2 and the main path part 11x3, the main path part 11x2, A pad portion 15x2 having a larger area than 11x3 is formed. Each of the pad portions 15x1 and 15x2 has a parallelogram shape. Similarly, in the electrode 20x, a pad portion 25x1 is formed between the main path portion 21x1 and the main path portion 21x2, and a pad portion 25x2 is formed between the main path portion 21x2 and the main path portion 21x3.

  As described above, in the conventional capacitive input device, the electrodes 10x and 20x each have a plurality of pad portions, and the plurality of pad portions are formed so as to cover substantially the entire operation area touched by the user. . That is, the electrodes 10x and 20x are formed so as to cover substantially the entire operation area touched by the user. For this reason, when the light emitting means is disposed on the back side of these electrodes 10x and 20x, the light from the light emitting means may be hindered by the electrodes 10x and 20x. Considering this point, in the conventional capacitive input device, transparent electrodes are employed as the electrodes 10x and 20x. However, since only transparent electrodes can be adopted as the electrodes 10x and 20x, selection of materials for the electrodes 10x and 20x is limited. That is, it is difficult to select a material suitable for the electrode from a wide range of materials in consideration of characteristics such as cost and resistance value.

  In the capacitive input device of this embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first electrode 10a has an opening 10a5. Thus, unlike the conventional capacitive input device, the first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d do not cover the entire operation area of the capacitive input device. For this reason, the light from the light emitting layer 53 is transmitted through the opening 10a5. In other words, light is transmitted between the branch path portions 12a and 13a. Thereby, even if it is a case where electrodes other than transparency are employ | adopted as 1st electrode 10a-10c and 2nd electrode 20a-20d, it is a front side from the back side of 1st electrode 10a-10c and 2nd electrode 20a-20d. The transmission of light can be ensured. Thereby, the freedom degree of selection of the material of the 1st electrodes 10a-10c and the 2nd electrodes 20a-20d improves.

  As a material of the first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d, for example, a silver paste can be adopted. Silver paste is cheaper than ITO. Moreover, when ITO is adopted as the material of the first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d, a vapor deposition process and an etching process are required. Therefore, by adopting, for example, silver paste as the material of the first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d and performing the screen printing method, the cost can be reduced compared with the case of using ITO. Silver also has a lower resistance than ITO. As a result, the first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d having low resistance values can be formed, so that the detection accuracy is improved.

  The capacitive input device according to the first embodiment employs a plurality of conductive layers 5. Although the conductive layer 5 is transparent, the plurality of conductive layers 5 are not provided so as to cover the entire operation region of the capacitive input device. Therefore, for example, even when the conductive layer 5 is formed of ITO, the manufacturing cost can be suppressed as compared with the case where the electrode is formed of ITO as in the conventional capacitive input device. As described above, the capacitance-type input device according to the first embodiment secures detection accuracy while suppressing the manufacturing cost as much as possible. Further, since the conductive layer 5 is transparent, it does not hinder light transmission.

A method for manufacturing the capacitive input device according to the first embodiment will be described.
The capacitive input device of Example 1 is manufactured by screen printing in most processes. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B are explanatory diagrams of a method for manufacturing the capacitance-type input device according to the first embodiment. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B, the back side is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the decoration layer 3 is formed on the back side of the base plate 1 by screen printing. The base plate 1 is made of, for example, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film and has a thickness of about 25 to 200 μm. The base plate 1 may be polycarbonate, acrylic, or polyimide. The base plate 1 should just have a light transmittance. The base plate 1 has flexibility, but may not have flexibility. The decoration layer 3 is made of, for example, a polyester resin and has a thickness of about 5 to 50 μm. The decoration layer 3 may be made of a fluorine resin, an acrylic resin, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyimide, or polyvinyl chloride. It should be noted that the decorative layer 3 may not be provided in manufacturing the capacitive input device.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the conductive layer 5 is formed on the back side of the decorative layer 3. The conductive layer 5 is, for example, PEDOT (polyethylenedioxythiophene) and has a thickness of about 1 to 50 μm. The conductive layer 5 may be formed of an organic conductive ink such as polythiophene, ITO dispersed ink, carbon nanotube dispersed ink, or the like.

  Next, the decoration layer 3 and the insulating layer 7 are formed on the back side of the conductive layer 5 by screen printing so as to cover the conductive layer 5. The insulating layer 7 is made of, for example, a polyester resin and has a thickness of about 5 to 50 μm. The insulating layer 7 may be made of a fluorine resin, an acrylic resin, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyimide, or polyvinyl chloride.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6A, the first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d are formed on the back side of the insulating layer 7 by screen printing. The first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d are formed of, for example, silver ink (a silver filler mixed with a binder) and have a thickness of about 5 to 50 μm. In addition, the first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d may be formed of ITO dispersed ink, carbon, silver carbon ink, gold ink, or the like.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, a resist 30 is formed on a part of the back side of the first electrodes 10a to 10c by screen printing. The resist 30 is made of, for example, a polyester resin and has a thickness of about 5 to 50 μm. The resist 30 may be made of a fluorine resin, an acrylic resin, polystyrene, or polyurethane.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7A, the connection electrode 40 is formed by screen printing on the back side of the resist 30 and a part of the back side of the second electrodes 20a to 20d. The connecting electrode 40 is formed of, for example, silver ink (a silver filler mixed with a binder) and has a thickness of about 5 to 50 μm. The connecting electrode 40 may be formed of ITO dispersed ink, carbon, silver carbon ink, gold ink, or the like.

  Next, the insulating layer 50 is formed by screen printing so as to cover the back side of the insulating layer 7, the first electrodes 10a to 10c, the second electrodes 20a to 20d, and the connecting electrode 40. The insulating layer 50 is made of, for example, a polyester resin and has a thickness of about 5 to 50 μm. The insulating layer 50 may be made of a fluorine resin, an acrylic resin, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyimide, or polyvinyl chloride.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, a transparent electrode layer 51 is formed on the back side of the insulating layer 50 by screen printing. The transparent electrode layer 51 is made of, for example, PEDOT (polyethylenedioxythiophene) and has a thickness of about 1 to 30 μm. The transparent electrode layer 51 may be formed of a polythiophene-based conductive ink, an ITO dispersed ink, or a carbon nanotube dispersed ink. The transparent electrode layer 51 functions as an electrode for inorganic EL. In FIG. 7B, the insulating layer 50 is omitted.

  Next, the light emitting layer 53 is formed on the back side of the transparent electrode layer 51 by screen printing. The light emitting layer 53 is formed of phosphor particles and a fluorine-based resin, for example, and has a thickness of about 5 to 50 μm. The light emitting layer 53 may be formed of phosphor particles and a cellulose resin. The phosphor particles include zinc sulfide or zinc sulfide doped with another metal (such as copper).

Next, the dielectric layer 55 is formed on the back side of the light emitting layer 53 by screen printing. The dielectric layer 55 is made of, for example, barium titanate (BaTiO ₃ ) and a fluorine-based resin, and has a thickness of about 5 to 50 μm. The dielectric layer 55 may be formed of barium titanate (BaTiO ₃ ) and a cellulose resin. The dielectric layer 55 has a high dielectric constant.

  Next, the back electrode layer 57 is formed on the back side of the dielectric layer 55 by screen printing. The back electrode layer 57 is formed of, for example, carbon ink (a carbon filler mixed with a binder) and has a thickness of about 5 to 50 μm. The back electrode layer 57 may be formed of ITO dispersed ink, carbon, silver carbon ink, gold ink, or the like. The back electrode layer 57 functions as an electrode for inorganic EL.

  Next, a protective layer 59 is formed on the back side of the back electrode layer 57 by screen printing. The protective layer 59 is made of, for example, a polyester resin and has a thickness of about 5 to 50 μm. The protective layer 59 may be made of a fluorine resin, an acrylic resin, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyimide, or polyvinyl chloride.

  As described above, the capacitive input device is manufactured by screen printing including the insulating layer 50 to the protective layer 59 functioning as a light emitting unit. Thus, since each layer can be manufactured by the same method, manufacturing cost can be held down.

  A capacitance type input device of Example 2 will be described. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view around the indicator portion 3a in the capacitance-type input device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the capacitive input device of Example 2 is not provided with the conductive layer 5. Therefore, when the user's finger touches only the portion in the opening 10a5, the contact position may not be detected. However, this can be dealt with by reducing the size of the opening 10a5.

  9A and 9B are cross-sectional views of the capacitive input device according to the second embodiment. 9A is a CC cross-sectional view of FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B is a DD cross-sectional view of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the conductive layer 5 is not formed on the back side of the decorative layer 3. For this reason, the capacitive input device of the second embodiment is thinner than the capacitive input device of the first embodiment and is formed at a low cost.

  A capacitance type input device of Example 3 will be described. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view around the indicator portion 3a in the capacitance-type input device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the conductive layer 5a overlaps only part of the first electrode 10a, and the conductive layer 5b overlaps only part of the second electrode 20b. In FIG. 10, the conductive layers 5a and 5b are hatched. The conductive layers 5a and 5b are separated and are not conductive. The conductive layers 5a and 5b overlap the indicator portion 3a and the opening 10a5 when viewed from the front side of the base plate 1. The conductive layers 5a and 5b overlap with approximately half of the opening 10a5, respectively. In other words, the conductive layers 5a and 5b are formed so as to substantially overlap with the branch path portions 12a and 13a. The conductive layers 5a and 5b are made of a material having high light transmittance, and are made of, for example, PEDOT.

  The conductive layer 5a overlaps most of the branch path portion 12a and does not overlap the branch path portion 13a. The conductive layer 5b overlaps most of the branch path portions 22b2 and 23b2, and does not overlap the branch path portions 22b1 and 23b1. Unlike the first and second embodiments, the branch path portion 13a is formed with a divided portion 13ac that is divided in the middle. The conductive layer 5b is formed so as to pass between the dividing portions 13ac from the inner portion surrounded by the branch passage portions 12a and 13a and overlap with the branch passage portion 23b2 outside the branch passage portion 13a. .

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the capacitive input device according to the third embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 10. The conductive layer 5a is formed so as to cover the branch path portion 12a, and the conductive layer 5b is formed so as to cover the branch path portion 23b2. Thereby, the conductive layer 5a is electrically connected to the first electrode 10a, and the conductive layer 5b is electrically connected to the second electrode 20b. After the first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d are formed on the back side of the decoration layer 3, the conductive layer 5a is formed on the back side of the decoration layer 3, the first electrodes 10a to 10c and the second electrodes 20a to 20d. 5b is formed by screen printing.

  By touching the user's finger F so as to overlap the conductive layers 5a and 5b, a capacitance is generated between the finger F and the conductive layers 5a and 5b. Thereby, even if it is a case where it touches so that the finger | toe F may overlap with only between opening part 10a5, a contact position is detectable.

  Unlike Example 1, in Example 3, an insulating layer is not formed between the conductive layer 5a and the first electrode 10a, and an insulating layer is also formed between the conductive layer 5b and the second electrode 20b. Not. Thereby, in Example 3, thickness reduction is achieved rather than Example 1. FIG.

  A capacitance type input device of Example 4 will be described. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the capacitive input device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 corresponds to FIG. 3B. A decorative layer 3, an insulating layer 7, a conductive layer 5, an insulating layer 8, first electrodes 10 a to 10 c and second electrodes 20 a to 20 d are formed on the front side of the base plate 1, and a transparent electrode is formed on the back side of the base plate 1. A layer 51, a light emitting layer 53, a dielectric layer 55, a back electrode layer 57, and a protective layer 59 are formed. That is, a capacitance detection layer is formed on one side of the base plate 1, and an inorganic EL layer that is an example of a light emitting unit is formed on the other side of the base plate 1. In this case, a capacitance detection layer may be formed on one side of the base plate 1 by screen printing or the like, and then an inorganic EL layer may be formed on the other side of the base plate 1 by screen printing or the like. An inorganic EL layer may be formed on the substrate, and then a capacitance detection layer may be formed.

  In the capacitive input device of Example 4, for example, the first electrodes 10a to 10c, the second electrodes 20a to 20d, the insulating layer 8, the conductive layer 5, the insulating layer 7, and the decorative layer 3 are arranged in this order on the front side of one. It is formed by screen printing. Thereafter, the transparent electrode layer 51, the light emitting layer 53, the dielectric layer 55, the back electrode layer 57, and the protective layer 59 are sequentially formed on the back side of the base plate 1 by screen printing. The insulating layer 8 is made of, for example, a polyester resin and has a thickness of about 5 to 50 μm. The insulating layer 8 may be made of a fluorine resin, an acrylic resin, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyimide, or polyvinyl chloride.

  A capacitance-type input device of Example 5 will be described. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the capacitive input device according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 corresponds to FIG. 9B. In the capacitive input device according to the fifth embodiment, the decoration layer 3, the insulating layer 8, the first electrodes 10 a to 10 c and the second electrodes 20 a to 20 d are formed on the front side of the base plate 1. On the side, a transparent electrode layer 51, a light emitting layer 53, a dielectric layer 55, a back electrode layer 57, and a protective layer 59 are formed. As described above, the capacitance detection layer is formed on the front side of the base plate 1, and the inorganic EL layer is formed on the other side of the base plate 1.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Is possible.

  Capacitive input devices can be used in mobile devices such as mobile phones, landlines, remote controls for electronic products, calculators, computer input support devices such as keyboards and controllers, portable devices such as electronic dictionaries and PDAs, and electronic devices such as in-vehicle devices. It is.

  As the light emitting means, a light guide plate that guides light from a light emitting source (LED or the like) from the back side to the front side of the capacitive input device, a liquid crystal display, or the like may be adopted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base board 3 Decoration layer 3a Indicator part 5, 5a, 5b Conductive layer 7, 8, 50 Insulating layer 10a-10c 1st electrode 10a5, 20b5 Opening part 11a1, 11a2, 21b1, 21b2 Main path | route part 12a, 13a, 22b1, 22b2, 23b1, 23b2 Branch path portion 13ac Dividing portion 20a-20d Second electrode 30 Resist 40 Connection electrode 51 Transparent electrode layer 53 Light emitting layer 55 Dielectric layer 57 Back electrode layer 59 Protective layer

Claims (10)

A base plate having optical transparency;
First and second electrodes formed on one side with respect to the base plate and extending in first and second directions intersecting each other,
The first electrode is a capacitive input device including an opening. A base plate having optical transparency;
First and second electrodes formed on one side with respect to the base plate and extending in first and second directions intersecting each other;
A decorative layer having a base material portion, an indicator portion having a light transmittance and a pattern different from the base material portion,
The capacitance-type input device, wherein the first and second electrodes are retracted from the indicator portion when viewed from the front of the base plate.   The capacitive input device according to claim 1, further comprising: a conductive portion that overlaps with both the first and second electrodes when viewed from the front of the base plate and overlaps with the opening and has light transmittance.   The capacitance-type input device according to claim 2, further comprising a conductive portion that overlaps with both the first and second electrodes when viewed from the front of the base plate and overlaps the indicator portion and has light transmittance.   5. The capacitive input device according to claim 1, further comprising an insulating layer formed between the conductive portion and the first and second electrodes.   The conductive portion overlaps and is in direct contact with the first electrode, but does not overlap with the second electrode. The conductive portion overlaps and is in direct contact with the second electrode. The capacitance-type input device according to any one of 1 to 4, further comprising a second conductive portion that is not overlapped with the electrode and separated from the first conductive portion.   The capacitive input device according to claim 1, further comprising light emitting means for irradiating light from the back side to the front side of the first and second electrodes.   8. The capacitive input device according to claim 7, wherein the light emitting means is an inorganic EL element formed integrally with the base plate.   The capacitive input device according to claim 2, wherein the pattern provided on the indicator portion includes at least one of letters, numbers, symbols, and designs. An electronic apparatus comprising the capacitive input device according to claim 1.

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